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American Express Travellers Cheques Frequently Asked Questions

* General Questions
* Purchasing Travellers Cheques
* Cashing Travellers Cheques
* Replacing Travellers Cheques
* Cheques for Two
* Contacting Customer Service
* Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance

General Questions
Why should I take Travellers Cheques on my next trip?
American Express Travellers Cheques are recognised around the world. They are safer than cash, and if lost or stolen can be replaced worldwide, usually within 24 hours. Travellers Cheques also enable you to budget, track and control your travel expenses easily.

What types of Travellers Cheques are available?
American Express Travellers Cheques are available in a wide range of foreign currencies and Cheques for Two are available in U.S. dollars. American Express Travel Service offices also offer a variety of foreign currencies to help with your travel needs.
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Purchasing Travellers Cheques
Where do I purchase Travellers Cheques?
You can buy Travellers Cheques at participating banks, trust companies, credit unions and caisse populaires.

Is there a fee to purchase Travellers Cheques?
Fees vary from establishment to establishment. Some establishments charge a nominal fee, while others offer Travellers Cheques fee free as a service to their customers.

Where can I use my American Express Card to purchase Travellers Cheques?
At this time, it is not possible to purchase Travellers Cheques with your American Express Card.

Do Travellers Cheques expire?
Travellers Cheques never expire. Unused Cheques can be saved for future trips.

Can I accept Travellers Cheques from another person?
Yes, you can accept Cheques from another individual. You must watch the person countersign the Cheque in the lower left-hand corner and compare it with the original signature. If the Travellers Cheque has already been signed in both the upper and lower corners, or if you have any questions about the validity of a Cheque, call an American Express Travellers Cheque Customer Service Centre. After accepting a Travellers Cheque from another individual, you may only deposit it into your own bank account.
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Cashing Travellers Cheques
How do I cash Travellers Cheques?
Simply present the Cheque at the exchange or merchant location. Make sure the acceptor watches while you countersign the Cheque in the lower left-hand corner.

Where can I use Travellers Cheques?
American Express Travelers Cheques are recognized around the world. In the U.S. they can be used like cash at retail locations, hotels and restaurants. Outside the U.S. they can be used like cash at many locations, or exchanged for local currency at banks, currency exchanges, and American Express Travel Service locations. For more information on using your Cheques, including exchange locations, please visit Where to Use Your Cheques.

Where do I sign Travellers Cheques?
When first purchased, Travellers 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.

What happens if I sign the Cheque in the wrong place, or my signatures don't match?
Acceptance of Travellers Cheques and Cheques for Two 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 lower left signature on a Cheques for Two must match one of the two signatures in the upper left). 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 Travellers Cheque Customer Service Centre.

When do I fill out the date on my Travellers Cheque?
The date, in the upper right-hand corner, should be filled out upon use, just like a personal cheque.

Is there a fee to cash Travellers Cheques?
Normally there is no fee when you use Travellers Cheques to pay for goods and services at shops, restaurants, and hotels. Some establishments, primarily outside of the U.S., as wells as some banks, may charge a fee. For more information on using your Cheques, including exchange locations, please visit Where to Use Your Cheques.

If I don't use the full face value of the Travellers Cheque, will I get change back?
Yes, you will get change back, just like cash.
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Replacing Travellers Cheques
What happens if I lose my Travellers Cheques?
If your Travellers Cheques are lost or stolen, contact an American Express Travellers Cheques Customer Service Centre immediately. They will provide you with step-by-step instructions for reimbursement.

To ensure your reimbursement, remember to keep a record of all the Travellers Cheques serial numbers in a safe location separate from your Cheques.

Where can I get my Cheques reimbursed?
If your Cheques are lost or stolen, you must contact an American Express Travellers Cheques Customer Service Centre immediately. They will provide you with step-by-step instructions for replacing your Cheques at your nearest Travel Service Location.

What should be done with a deceased person's unused Travellers Cheques?
The estate beneficiary or executor should take the Travellers 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 Travellers Cheque Customer Service Centrefor further instructions.
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Cheques For Two
How do I cash Cheques for Two?
With Cheques for Two, both you and your companion's names appear on the Cheque, but only one person needs to be present to cash it. When cashing a Travellers Cheque, or Cheques for Two, make sure the acceptor watches you countersign the Cheque in the lower left-hand corner. If you encounter difficulties in cashing an American Express Travellers Cheque, please encourage the acceptor to call an American Express Travellers Cheques Customer Service Centre for instructions.

Where do I sign Cheques for Two?
Cheques for Two are designed to allow two Travellers to share the same Travellers Cheques. Only one person needs to be present to cash them. Cheques for Two should be signed as soon as possible after purchase. Each of the two Travellers should sign one of the lines in the upper left-hand corner (if only one person is going to use Cheques for Two, that person must sign both lines). Cheques for Two must be signed on both upper left lines in order to be reimbursable if lost or stolen. When the Cheques are cashed, make sure the acceptor watches you countersign them in the lower left-hand corner.
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Contacting a Customer Service Centre
How do I contact an American Express Travellers Cheques Customer Service Centre?
For your convenience, American Express Travellers Cheques Customer Service Centres are available around the world. To find a Customer Service Centre, visit our Customer Service Centre listing.
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Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance.
What is Passport Replacement Assistance?
Passport Replacement Assistance is available to you when carrying American Express Travellers Cheques, whether or not you've lost a Cheque. In the event that you lose your passport, you should phone an American Express Travellers Cheque Service Centre as soon as possible. Our representatives will provide you with the phone numbers for the nearest consulate or embassy and transfer your call. They can also provide assistance with obtaining the procedures, documents and passport requirements needed to have your passport replaced and re-issued. In certain countries, you may have access to a passport-expediting agency to speed the re-issue process along. Terms and conditions apply.

What is Credit Card Replacement Assistance?
Credit Card Replacement Assistance is available to you when carrying American Express Travellers Cheques, whether or not you've lost a Cheque. In the event that you lose your major credit cards, you should phone an American Express Travellers Cheque Service Centre as soon as possible. Our representatives will provide you with the phone numbers for most financial institutions that issue major credit cards. If the issuing bank phone number is not available, the appropriate issuing card association can be contacted for further assistance. If needed, a Customer Service Representative can transfer your call to one or more financial institutions to start the cancellation/replacement process. Terms and conditions apply.

What happens if I lose my passport and/or major credit cards, but not my Travellers Cheques?
Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance is available to you when carrying American Express Travellers Cheques whether or not you've lost a Cheque. In the event that you lose your passport or credit cards, you should phone an American Express Travellers Cheque Service Centre as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide the serial numbers of your Cheques. Keep a record of the serial numbers separate from your Cheques, passport and major credit cards.

How much do Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance cost?
As a valued American Express Travellers Cheques customer, there is no additional charge for Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance provided by American Express. However, any fees associated with passport or major credit card replacement (i.e., passport replacement fees, government fees, expediting agency fees, etc) are your responsibility. Passport and Credit Card Replacement Assistance Services are available to American Express Travellers Cheque purchasers and holders. Proof of Travellers Cheque purchase may be required before assistance services are provided. Credit Card Replacement Assistance applies only to major bank issued credit cards. Store, gasoline, calling cards and frequent flier cards are not available for assistance service. Services involve obtaining necessary telephone contact numbers for passport and/or credit card replacement, transferring a customer's call to such contact numbers, and providing other information to assist customers in the replacement process. Any fees associated with passport or credit card replacement, i.e. passport replacement fees, government fees, expediting agency fees, etc. are the sole responsibility of the customer.

*Not all services are available at all locations, and are subject to local laws and cash availability.

**Foreign currency purchased through American Express is not refundable if lost or stolen.

Read the complete Terms & Conditions.