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Hello all,
I realize Traveler's Checks are "Old School" and want to use up some I've had for awhile. Is there somewhere in STJ, such as a bank in Cruz Bay, that would cash them if we need extra cash, or is this so much of a hassle that I should just cash them in at home and make other arrangements for extra funds on the islands?
We'll have Credit cards and "real" cash for most expenses. If a bank is willing to cash them, it would save me some steps now, but I hate to be surprised, too. I did a forum search, and found some older comments that it was possible, but perhaps not really easy. Just looking to see if anyone has cashed in some lately.
Thanks in advance for any info!!
If you are staying at a hotelresort, I am fairly certain that you can cash them at the Front Desk. At least that is the case where I work.
Most visitors that I have seen just use them like cash...I think most places accept them just like cash, too, but any bank would turn them into cash...of course, you'll burn up about 45 minutes standing in line at a bank...welcome to island time!
The last time I carried Traveler's Checks to STJ we cashed them at the bank in Cruz Bay. It was a hassle and I'll never go the TC route again. If I were you I'd cash them at my local bank to get rid of them and go with cash and credit cards for the next trip to STJ.
Thanks very much for the info!
As a business person who accepted TCs for several years when their use was more common than now, I posted on the subject several times over several years, particularly when I discovered that my bank didn't deposit them to my account for ELEVEN DAYS! Never did get a straight answer to my question of "why?" even from the top echelon at this bank. How silly of me to think that because they were prepaid and guaranteed they would be considered a cash deposit ... Guess you now have your definitive answer now anyway. Enjoy your holiday!
If you decide to go the ATM route and just draw money when you need it
Beware also - ATMs can go dry in Red Hook and Cruz Bay as the evening goes on.
Best to do electronic banking early.
TomB - good point on the ATM's, too.
Yes, STT, I had read some of your prior posts when I searched for this - those were helpful, too.
Moral may be to have a couple of decent back up plans -then chill. That tends to work well overall!
Thanks again!
I use an ATM card with a Visa logo on it. It can then be used as a credit card, but takes the funds from my bank account. It can also be used as a debit card.
I was there last April and I also am "Old School" and went the Traveler's Cheque route. I had no problem using them for purchases at any of the stores or restaurants and also was able to cash up to $200.00 a day at Chase and Banco Popular.
I would deposit them into my own account, to bear interest ,which is what they are doing for the people whom you have them with. You know how many people save their checks for next year while the check company's smile? Thousands, if not more!
