Traveling today is incredibly convenient. You can book flights from your phone, tap your card to pay for street food, and send money across borders with a few clicks. But before credit cards, ATMs, and digital wallets existed, traveler’s checks were the most reliable way to carry money safely while abroad.
Traveler’s checks were prepaid paper checks that travelers purchased before a trip. They were considered the safest alternative to cash because, if you lost them or they were stolen, you could get them replaced. Many travelers once considered them essential.
What are traveler’s checks?
Traveler’s checks are prepaid, fixed-amount paper checks that you can use as a substitute for carrying cash while traveling. You pay for them upfront, sign them, and then use them on your trip to purchase goods or exchange them for local currency. They function similarly to cash but with added security.
Though several companies issued traveler’s checks over the decades, American Express (AmEx) is the company that popularized them1. AmEx traveler’s checks became widely accepted across the world – banks, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, and major stores would take them as reliable, guaranteed payment.
Why traveler’s checks became popular
Before digital banking and credit cards, carrying a large amount of physical cash was risky. If your wallet were stolen, your entire travel budget could disappear instantly.
Traveler’s checks solved that problem. They offered:
If your checks were lost or stolen, the issuer (like American Express) would replace them quickly.
For decades, traveler’s checks were accepted in almost every major city2 around the world.
They helped travelers avoid carrying hundreds of dollars in cash.
Easy use: They worked like guaranteed funds, so merchants trusted them.
A simple travelers check example
Let’s say you’re visiting Japan in 1995. You go to a currency exchange counter at the airport with several $100 traveler’s checks. The agent asks for your passport, compares your signature with the one on the check, and watches you sign again.
Once confirmed, they hand you yen for the value of the check. This was fast, secure, and predictable – exactly why traveler’s checks became the travel standard for decades.
How do traveler’s checks work?
Traveler’s checks were designed to be simple. Even though few people use them today, the basic process remains the same.
First, you buy them from a trusted provider, and once you have them, your signature becomes the main security feature. You sign once when you purchase the checks, then sign again when you use them – allowing banks or merchants to compare the two signatures.
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Buy from a provider such as American Express or Visa (though options are limited today).
- Sign each check immediately when you purchase it.
- When paying, present the check, show your passport, and countersign it in front of the merchant or bank employee.
- Exchange the check for local currency or spend it directly at businesses that accept it.
That’s it. The double-signature system helped prevent fraud, which is why traveler’s checks were once considered one of the safest travel tools available.
Where can you still buy traveler’s checks in 2025?
Many people wonder: Can you still get travelers checks today? Technically, yes. However, the list of places that sell them has gotten much smaller.
Traveler’s checks are no longer widely offered by banks or travel agencies. Most institutions have phased them out completely due to decreased demand and high maintenance costs.
That said, you can still buy traveler’s checks from:
- Some American Express branches (AmEx remains the largest active issuer)
- A small number of U.S. banks (but it’s rare – many have discontinued them)
- Limited online services that still allow ordering through verified vendors
Even with these options, getting traveler’s checks today often requires making phone calls, checking availability, or visiting specific branches. Many major banks3, including Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, no longer sell them at all.
So if you’re looking for where to get traveler’s checks today, expect to search. With availability shrinking every year, people increasingly turn to traveler’s checks alternatives instead.
Are traveler’s checks still accepted?
This is where things become tricky. Traveler’s checks still exist, and some financial institutions still honor them; however, acceptance has dropped dramatically.
In the 1980s, you could use traveler’s checks almost anywhere. However, many merchants today simply don’t know how to process them. Some have never seen a traveler’s check in their lives.
Most travelers/merchants now use:
- Debit and credit cards
- Digital payments (PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.)
- ATMs for cash withdrawals
- Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
And if you’re wondering who still accepts traveler’s checks, there are a few ways:
- Some large banks will still cash them, especially banks partnered with American Express.
- A few currency exchange offices still accept them.
Hotels and restaurants rarely accept them anymore. If you travel today and try to use a traveler’s check at a hotel front desk, you may find the staff unfamiliar with the process. That’s often the biggest barrier.
While they aren't useless, you can’t rely on them as your primary payment method anymore.
Pros and cons of traveler’s checks
Traveler’s checks can still be useful in certain situations; however, they also come with several limitations that make them less practical for most modern travelers.
Let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these paper checks:
Pros of traveler’s checks
Even though they’re considered old-fashioned, traveler’s checks provide a few helpful benefits for certain types of trips.
- Replaceable if lost or stolen: One major advantage of a traveler’s check is the protection it offers. If your checks are lost, damaged, or stolen, the issuing company – usually American Express – will replace them quickly.
- Reduce the need to carry large amounts of cash: Instead of traveling with hundreds of dollars in your wallet, traveler’s checks let you store money safely in your luggage, hotel safe, or money belt. You only convert or spend them when needed, which lowers your risk of losing everything to theft or misplacement.
- No bank account or credit card required: Traveler’s checks work well for people who don’t use debit or credit cards. You don’t need a bank account or digital payment apps to use them. As long as you can purchase the checks, you can travel securely with guaranteed funds.
- Useful for low-tech or remote travel: In areas with unreliable internet, limited ATM access, or inconsistent electricity, traveler’s checks could be valuable. They don’t rely on apps, phone batteries, or online systems, so they offer old-school reliability when technology fails.
Cons of traveler’s checks
While traveler’s checks have some advantages, their limitations often outweigh the benefits in today’s travel environment.
- Hard to buy today: Traveler’s checks are not widely sold anymore. Many major banks have stopped offering them, making them inconvenient to obtain.
- Limited acceptance worldwide: Hotels, shops, and restaurants rarely accept traveler’s checks now. Many employees have never processed one, so you can’t rely on them for everyday payments.
- Extra fees and inconsistent exchange rates: Banks and currency exchanges may charge additional fees or offer lower exchange rates when cashing them, which reduces their value.
- Slow and outdated process: Each transaction requires ID verification and signature checks. This makes them much slower than tapping a card or using a mobile wallet.
- Not necessary for most travelers: With modern cards, ATMs, and digital wallets available almost everywhere, traveler’s checks are no longer essential – and often not worth the hassle.
When traveler’s checks still make sense
Although traveler’s checks feel like a thing of the past, they have a place for specific travelers and specific situations. Most travelers won’t need them today, but there are moments when having a set tucked away can provide real peace of mind.
Remote destinations with unreliable banking systems
If you’re heading somewhere far off the grid – think small villages, developing regions, or places with unstable infrastructure – you can’t always count on ATMs or digital payments. Power outages, slow internet, or broken machines can leave you stranded without access to money.
In these cases, traveler’s checks act as a reliable backup because they don’t depend on electricity or connectivity.
Travelers who prefer non-digital payment methods
Not everyone wants to rely on smartphones or apps while abroad. Some older travelers, or anyone uncomfortable with digital banking, may prefer something physical and secure.
Traveler’s checks offer a sense of familiarity, and since only you can sign and cash them, they feel safer than carrying large amounts of cash.
Emergency backup money
Travel mishaps happen. Maybe your debit card gets flagged for fraud. Maybe your phone breaks. Maybe a foreign ATM malfunctions and swallows your card.
When every digital option fails, having a set of traveler’s checks hidden in your bag can be a lifesaver. They’re easy to replace if lost and can usually be cashed at major banks.
FAQs
Final answer – Should you still use traveler’s checks in 2025?
There you have it! Now you know everything about traveler’s checks. While they still exist in 2025, they are no longer the convenient travel tool they once were. Their availability is shrinking, fewer places accept them, and the process of using them is slow. Most travelers find that modern options like cards, ATMs, mobile wallets, and digital banking apps are faster, safer, and easier.
While traveler’s checks can serve as a backup for emergencies or in very remote destinations, they should not be your main payment method. Instead, rely on a combination of credit/debit cards, a small amount of local cash, and secure money transfer apps.
If you want a reliable modern tool for sending money to family overseas or preparing travel expenses ahead of your arrival, BOSS Money is a strong, dependable option. It works smoothly across borders and helps you avoid many of the issues that come with outdated financial tools like traveler’s checks.
Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of December 11, 2025
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https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/credit-intel/what-is-a-travelers-check/
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https://sk.sagepub.com/Error?errorId=bb512c42-8db3-498d-8616-9638413eda31#_
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https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/cash-unused-travelers-checks/
This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.
