American Express Travelers Cheques
Frequently Asked Questions
General questions
Q. Why should I take Travelers Cheques on my next trip?
A. American Express Travelers Cheques are recognized around the world. They are safer than cash, and if lost or stolen can be replaced worldwide very soon. Travelers Cheques also enable you to budget, track and control your travel expenses easily*.
*Please refer to the back of the Purchase Record for details regarding Cheques replacement.
Q. What types of Travelers Cheques are available?
A. American Express Travelers Cheques are available in 7 foreign currencies and various denominations in Hong Kong and Macao. Click here for more currencies and denominations information. American Express Travel Service offices also offer a variety of foreign currencies to help with your travel needs.
Purchasing Travelers Cheques
Q. Where do I purchase Travelers Cheques?
A. You can buy Travelers Cheques at participating financial centers and American Express Foreign Exchange Services Offices.
Q. Is there a fee to purchase Travelers Cheques?
A. Some establishments charge a nominal fee. Please contact the establishment before you buy Travelers Cheques.
Q. Where can I use my American Express Card to purchase Travelers Cheques?
A. At this time, you can use your American Express Cards to purchase Travelers Cheques in American Express Foreign Exchange Services Offices.
Q. Do Travelers Cheques expire?
A. Travelers Cheques never expire. Unused Cheques can be saved for future trips.
Cashing Travelers Cheques
Q. How do I cash Travelers Cheques?
A. Simply present the Cheque to the bank or merchant where you wish to cash it. Make sure the acceptor watches while you countersign the Cheque in the lower left-hand corner. The signature must be same as the one in upper left-hand corner. You can also exchange your Travelers Cheques for local currency free of charge at over 120,000 locations around the world. Visit our Fee-Free Exchange Partners locator for a list of locations.
Q. Where can I use Travelers Cheques?
A. American Express Travelers Cheques are recognized around the world and can be used like cash in many locations, or exchanged for local currency at banks, foreign exchange bureaus, hotels and American Express Travel Service locations.
Q. Where do I sign Travelers Cheques?
A. When first purchased, Travelers Cheques must be signed in the upper left-hand corner in order to be reimbursable if lost or stolen. When the Cheques are cashed, make sure the acceptor watches while you countersign the Cheque in the lower left-hand corner.
Q. What happens if I sign the Cheque in the wrong place, or my signatures don't match?
A. Acceptance of Travelers Cheques is based on the acceptor watching the customer sign the Cheque in the lower left corner, and then comparing that signature with the original signature in the upper left corner. The acceptor must observe the customer signing the Cheque. If the signatures are a reasonable match, the Cheque should be accepted. As always, if the acceptor is unsure, they should call an American Express Travelers Customer Service Center.
Q. When do I fill out the date on my Travelers Cheque?
A. The date, in the upper right-hand corner, should be filled out upon use, just like a personal cheque. It is also acceptable without filling out the date.
Q. Is there a fee to cash Travelers Cheques?
A. You can exchange your American Express Travelers Cheques for local currency free of charge at over 2200 American Express Travel Services Offices and over 120,000 locations around the world. Visit our Fee-Free Exchange Partners for a list of locations. Some non-contract establishments charge a nominal fee when cashing Travelers Cheques.
Q. If I don't use the full face value of the Travelers Cheque in a merchant, will I get change back?
A. Yes, you will get change back, just like cash.
Replacing Travelers Cheques
Q. What happens if I lose my Travelers Cheques?
A. If your Travelers Cheques are lost or stolen, contact an American Express Travelers Customer Service Center immediately. They will provide you with step-by-step instructions for reimbursement.
To ensure your reimbursement, remember to keep a record of all the Travelers Cheques serial numbers in a safe location separate from your Cheques.
Q. Where can I get my Cheques reimbursed?
A. If your Cheques are lost or stolen, you must contact an American Express Travelers Customer Service Center immediately. They will provide you with step-by-step instructions for replacing your Cheques at your nearest Travel Service Location.
Q. What should be done with a deceased person's unused Travelers Cheques?
A. The estate beneficiary or executor should take the Travelers Cheques, the death certificate, and any other estate papers designating the beneficiary to their bank, or the estate's bank, and instruct the bank to call an American Express Travelers Customer Service Center for further instructions.
Contacting a Customer Service Center
Q. How do I contact an American Express Travelers Cheques Customer Service Center?
A. For your convenience, American Express Travelers Cheques Customer Service Centers are available around the world. To find a Customer Service Center, visit our Customer Service Center listing.
