Travellers don’t know where to stash their cash

Care-free gap year travellers are putting their travel cash at risk, as over one in seven (16%) think the best place to store all their cash overseas is in their jeans pocket.

Eight million British holidaymakers in the past five years have had personal property stolen, so American Express Travellers Cheques investigated where people keep all of their cash on holiday in the attempt to help them be safety-aware as the gap year season starts in the next few months.

A further one in ten (12%) said they would put all their cash in their rucksack or handbag, which are a primary target for thieves. More cautious, 8% said they would store their cash in their underwear and 8% in their bra – keeping their assets close!

With the gap year season starting, parents should tell their children to take care of their money abroad as twice as many young Brits between the ages of 18 and 24 are most likely to keep all of their money in easy-access pockets compared to the older over 55’s (21% and 10% respectively). Additionally, it is men that are most confident that their cash is safest in their pockets, with 27% of them believing so, compared to just 6% of women.

Sarah Harrison, Director at American Express Travellers Cheques commented: “Travelling overseas is a fantastic experience and the last thing people want to worry about is money. By carrying all of your cash in your pocket, you could be asking for trouble as if something happens to it, you may be left in the lurch.

We encourage travellers to take what we call a mixed wallet – a combination of cash, cards and Travellers Cheques. Travellers Cheques are protected against loss or theft so if anything happens to your money, you can rest assured, as they are normally replaced within 24 hours.