Where to Buy Travelers Cheques: A Comprehensive Guide to Availability and Modern Alternatives
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Where to Buy Travelers Cheques: A Comprehensive Guide to Availability and Modern Alternatives
Alright, let's talk about travelers cheques. For those of us who've been around the block a few times, the phrase probably conjures up images of simpler travel days, maybe even a bit of nostalgia. I remember my first big trip overseas, clutching a crisp stack of these paper promises like they were pure gold. They felt like the ultimate security blanket against the unpredictable whims of international travel. But here we are, in a world that moves at the speed of light, where a tap of your phone can pay for your coffee in Tokyo. So, what’s the deal with travelers cheques now? Are they still a thing? Can you even buy them anymore? And if you can, should you?
This isn't just an article; it's a deep dive, a frank conversation between me, a seasoned traveler and money-nerd, and you, someone trying to make sense of your travel funds. We're going to peel back the layers, explore the nooks and crannies of their existence, and then, crucially, talk about the brilliant, secure, and often more convenient alternatives available today. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's unravel the mystery of the travelers cheque in the 21st century.
Understanding Travelers Cheques in the Modern Era
Before we go chasing down purchase locations, it's vital to truly understand what travelers cheques were, what they became, and where they stand in our current financial landscape. This isn't just an academic exercise; it sets the stage for why finding them is now akin to an archaeological dig.
What Are Travelers Cheques?
At their core, travelers cheques are a pre-paid, pre-printed fixed-amount voucher that can be exchanged for local currency or used directly to pay for goods and services in specific locations. Think of them like a physical IOU, but one backed by a major financial institution, usually American Express, Visa, or MasterCard (though American Express was, by far, the most dominant and recognizable name). Their primary purpose was, and theoretically still is, to provide a secure alternative to carrying large amounts of cash while traveling internationally.
The genius of travelers cheques, back in their heyday, lay in their security features. You'd sign them once when you bought them, and then again when you went to cash or use them. This dual-signature system was designed to prevent unauthorized use if they were lost or stolen. If disaster struck, you could report them lost or stolen to the issuer, and they would typically be replaced, often within 24 hours. This was a revolutionary concept for travelers facing the daunting prospect of losing all their money in a foreign land. They offered peace of mind, a tangible sense of financial safety net that cash simply couldn't. For decades, they were the gold standard for secure travel money, a ubiquitous sight in travel agencies and airports globally.
The Evolution and Decline of Travelers Cheques
The story of travelers cheques is one of innovation, dominance, and then, quite frankly, obsolescence. Their golden age stretched from the mid-20th century well into the 1990s. Every seasoned traveler had a story involving them. They were the solution for international travel money, especially before the widespread adoption of ATMs and the internet. Their popularity soared because they addressed a fundamental traveler's fear: losing all your funds.
However, the world didn't stand still. The late 90s and early 2000s ushered in a seismic shift in personal finance and global connectivity. The explosion of credit cards, offering convenience, rewards, and robust fraud protection, began to chip away at the travelers cheque's dominance. Then came the debit card, granting direct access to your bank account from virtually any ATM worldwide. Suddenly, instead of hunting for a bank that would cash your cheques, you could simply walk up to a machine, punch in a PIN, and get local currency on demand. Digital payments, contactless options, and mobile wallets further accelerated this decline. The very features that made travelers cheques revolutionary – their security and replaceability – became less unique as modern banking offered comparable or even superior protections, often with greater convenience and lower fees. It was a slow, inevitable fade, like a once-vibrant postcard bleaching in the sun.
Who Still Uses Travelers Cheques?
This is where it gets interesting, and a little bit niche. Honestly, if you're asking "who still uses travelers cheques?" the answer for the vast majority of travelers is: almost no one. They've largely fallen out of favor with mainstream tourists and business travelers. However, there are still a few very specific, albeit rare, scenarios where they might be considered, or where individuals might still have a lingering attachment to them.
One such demographic might be older travelers who are deeply accustomed to using them from decades past and are hesitant to adopt newer technologies. For them, the familiar process of signing and cashing a cheque might feel safer and more predictable than navigating an ATM in a foreign language or trusting a digital payment system. Another scenario could involve individuals traveling to extremely remote areas with unreliable internet access or limited banking infrastructure, although even in these places, cash is often king, and getting a travelers cheque cashed might be equally, if not more, challenging. Sometimes, people inherit them, or find old ones tucked away, and then the question becomes less about buying them and more about cashing them. But let's be clear: these are exceptions, not the rule. For 99.9% of modern travel, there are simply better, more efficient, and more widely accepted ways to manage your money.
Insider Note: A Nostalgic Niche?
I once met a traveler who swore by them for a very specific reason: budgeting. He said the act of physically signing and handing over a cheque made him more conscious of his spending than swiping a card. It was a tangible barrier to impulse buys. While a unique perspective, it certainly doesn't override the practical difficulties.
Current Availability: The Shrinking Landscape of Purchase Locations
Now for the million-dollar question: where can you actually buy these things? If you're determined, prepare for a quest. The landscape of purchase locations has shrunk dramatically, turning what was once a routine transaction into a genuine hunt. It's like trying to find a Blockbuster Video store – you might eventually find one, but it's going to take some serious effort and likely involve a fair bit of disappointment along the way.
Major Banks: Are They Still an Option?
Let's cut right to the chase: for the vast majority of major national and international banks, the answer is a resounding "no." If you walk into a Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, or any of their counterparts in the UK or Europe, and ask for travelers cheques, you're likely to be met with a blank stare, perhaps a polite chuckle, or at best, an offer for a prepaid travel card. These financial giants made a collective decision years ago to phase out travelers cheques, citing declining demand, increased administrative overhead, and the rise of more modern, efficient payment solutions.
I remember vividly asking about them at my local Chase branch a few years back, mostly out of curiosity for an article I was writing. The teller, bless her heart, had to call a supervisor, who then had to consult an internal memo from what felt like the Stone Age. The answer was a firm "we haven't carried those in years." It’s not just about a lack of stock; it's about a complete dismantling of the infrastructure to issue and process them. Their systems are simply not set up for it anymore. So, while it's always worth a quick call to your specific branch if you're truly desperate, don't hold your breath. For all intents and purposes, major banks are out of the game.
Credit Unions: A Niche Possibility?
Ah, credit unions. These often smaller, community-focused financial institutions sometimes march to the beat of a different drum. While they are also rapidly phasing out travelers cheques, there's a slim chance that a very localized, perhaps older, credit union might still offer them. Why? Because they often cater to a more traditional clientele, including some of those older travelers we discussed earlier, who might still specifically request them. They might also have less centralized decision-making processes than their banking behemoth cousins, allowing individual branches or smaller networks to maintain legacy services for a bit longer.
However, and this is a crucial "however," this is definitely not a walk-in-and-expect-it situation. You must call ahead. Don't just show up. Explain exactly what you're looking for, and be prepared for them to say no. Even if they do offer them, be sure to ask about availability, denominations, currencies, and any associated fees. It's a long shot, but if you've exhausted all other avenues and are absolutely set on travelers cheques, your local credit union might just be the last bastion of hope. Just manage your expectations; the odds are still stacked against you.
American Express Travel Offices (Limited Availability)
If there's one name synonymous with travelers cheques, it's American Express. For decades, they were the issuer, the brand everyone recognized and trusted. So, it stands to reason that if anyone still sells them, it would be Amex, right? Well, yes, but with a massive asterisk. American Express did technically stop issuing new travelers cheques to new customers in the US in 2020. However, they continue to honor and redeem existing ones, and in some very limited international markets or through specific, legacy channels, you might still find them available.
The key here is "American Express Travel Offices." These aren't your everyday bank branches. They're specialist travel service providers, and their numbers have dwindled significantly over the years. Even within these offices, the stock and availability of travelers cheques will be highly variable. You are essentially looking for a needle in a haystack within a haystack. Your best bet is to go directly to the American Express website, use their office locator (if one still exists for this specific purpose), and then call each individual office to inquire. Again, prepare for disappointment. While American Express remains the primary issuer that will still honor and refund their cheques, their role as a seller has largely evaporated.
Foreign Exchange Bureaus and Specialist Providers
This category includes well-known names like Travelex, CXI (Canadian Foreign Exchange), and other dedicated currency exchange services. These are businesses whose sole purpose is to facilitate currency transactions, so if anyone would have travelers cheques, it would be them, right? Logically, yes. Practically, not so much anymore. While these bureaus are excellent for exchanging physical cash or purchasing prepaid travel cards, most have also followed the trend of discontinuing travelers cheques.
Their business model thrives on high-volume, quick-turnaround transactions for popular products. Travelers cheques, with their declining demand and more complex processing, simply don't fit that model anymore. They'd rather sell you a prepaid Mastercard or Visa, which offers them better margins and you greater convenience. Again, the mantra is "call ahead." You might find a very small, independent exchange office in a major international airport that still deals in them, perhaps catering to a very specific, older clientele or as a legacy service. But it's far from guaranteed. Their focus has shifted overwhelmingly to modern travel money solutions, and trying to procure travelers cheques from them will likely feel like asking for a rotary phone at a smartphone store.
Online Purchase Options: A Rare Find
Let's just be blunt: trying to buy travelers cheques online from a reputable source is a fool's errand. The concept itself contradicts the inherent security features of travelers cheques, which rely on physical signatures and secure delivery. Any website purporting to sell you "new" travelers cheques and ship them to your door should immediately raise a huge red flag for potential fraud. Think about it: how would the initial signing process work? How would they verify your identity securely? The logistics alone make it highly improbable for legitimate new issuances.
The few online platforms that might mention travelers cheques are almost certainly referring to information about cashing them or reporting them lost/stolen, rather than selling new ones. The internet is a fantastic resource for many things, but buying travelers cheques is not one of them. Stick to physical locations if you're absolutely determined, and be extremely wary of any online offers that seem too good to be true, because they almost certainly are. This is one area where the digital revolution simply bypassed the product.
Pro-Tip: Don't Get Scammed!
If you find an online vendor claiming to sell new travelers cheques, especially at a discount or with unusually low fees, proceed with extreme caution. Verify their legitimacy through independent sources, not just their own website. It’s far more likely to be a scam than a legitimate offering.
The Purchase Process (If You Find Them)
Okay, against all odds, let's imagine you've found a unicorn – a credit union or a very specific Amex affiliate office that still sells travelers cheques. Congratulations! Now, what does the actual purchase process entail? It's not as simple as handing over cash and walking away. There are specific steps and requirements designed for security, which, ironically, also add to their inconvenience in the modern era.
Required Documentation and Identification
Just like any significant financial transaction, purchasing travelers cheques requires stringent identification. This isn't like buying a pack of gum; you're essentially buying a form of currency that can be replaced if lost. The issuer needs to know exactly who you are to prevent fraud and facilitate any future claims.
You will absolutely need:
- A valid government-issued photo ID: This almost always means your passport, especially if you're traveling internationally. A driver's license might suffice for domestic purchases, but a passport is universally accepted and recommended.
- Proof of address: Sometimes a utility bill or bank statement might be requested to confirm your residency.
- Social Security Number (for US citizens) or equivalent tax ID: This is for reporting purposes, as large cash transactions are often monitored.
The process will involve filling out forms, providing your personal details, and having your ID carefully scrutinized. It's a bureaucratic dance designed for security, but it's also a significant time commitment compared to, say, loading a prepaid card online in minutes. Don't expect to just waltz in; be prepared for a thorough verification process.
Understanding Fees and Exchange Rates
This is where the "free" myth of travelers cheques often gets debunked. While some issuers historically advertised "no commission" on cashing their cheques, the purchase itself often came with fees, and the exchange rates weren't always the most favorable.
Here's what to look out for:
- Purchase Fees/Commission: Many institutions that still sell travelers cheques will charge a percentage of the total value as a commission. This could range from 1% to 4% or more. This fee is upfront, reducing the effective value of your purchase immediately.
- Exchange Rates: If you're buying travelers cheques in a foreign currency (e.g., buying Euros in the US), the exchange rate applied will likely be less competitive than the interbank rate you might get with a good credit card or even a dedicated foreign exchange service for cash. The issuer builds in a margin, and that margin is essentially another hidden fee.
- Cashing Fees (potential): While the issuer (e.g., American Express) typically doesn't charge you a fee to cash their cheques, the bank or exchange office that cashes them for you might. This is especially true if you're not a customer of that bank. It's a double-whammy of potential fees.
Compare these costs carefully with other options. A credit card with no foreign transaction fees, for example, often provides the best exchange rates and no upfront purchase fees, making travelers cheques look quite expensive by comparison.
Denominations and Currencies Available
Travelers cheques, if you find them, typically come in a limited range of fixed denominations and currencies. You won't find them for every obscure currency on earth. The most common currencies are:
- US Dollars (USD)
- Euros (EUR)
- British Pounds (GBP)
- Canadian Dollars (CAD)
Denominations are usually in round numbers, like $20, $50, $100, $500, or €20, €50, €100, etc. You can't just ask for an arbitrary amount like $73.50. This fixed-denomination system can be both a blessing and a curse. It makes budgeting simpler but can leave you with awkward leftover amounts if you don't spend them exactly. It also means you might end up carrying a lot of small cheques for minor purchases, or a few large ones that are difficult to break. This lack of flexibility is another reason modern payment methods have surpassed them.
Signing and Record Keeping
This is arguably the most crucial step in the entire travelers cheque process, and it's where their core security mechanism comes into play. If you do manage to buy them, pay extremely close attention here.
- Immediate First Signature: As soon as you receive your travelers cheques, before you leave the purchase location, you must sign each cheque on the designated "signature line" at the top. This first signature is your unique identifier. Do NOT sign the bottom line (the countersignature line) until you are ready to cash or use the cheque. The two signatures must match for the cheque to be valid.
- Record Serial Numbers: This is absolutely non-negotiable. Every single travelers cheque has a unique serial number. You must record these numbers separately from the cheques themselves. Write them down in a notebook, take a photo, email them to yourself, store them in a cloud drive – whatever it takes, but keep this list secure and separate. If your cheques are lost or stolen, these serial numbers are your only way to report them and initiate a refund. Without them, your chances of recovery are significantly diminished.
- Keep Purchase Receipt: Hold onto your purchase receipt. This document proves you bought the cheques and is often required for any claims or refunds.
The Practicalities of Using and Cashing Travelers Cheques
So, you've gone through the gauntlet, found them, bought them, signed them, and meticulously recorded their numbers. Now you're abroad, ready to use your secure travel money. Here's where the real challenges begin, challenges that often deter even the most determined travelers.
Acceptance Rates Abroad: A Growing Challenge
This is perhaps the biggest practical hurdle for anyone trying to use travelers cheques today. Simply put, acceptance rates abroad are dismal and continue to decline rapidly. Where once a "We accept American Express Travelers Cheques" sticker was common in hotels, shops, and restaurants, you'd be hard-pressed to find one now.
Why?
- Merchant Inconvenience: Merchants find them cumbersome to process. They require verification of two signatures, often a call to a bank, and then they have to deposit them like a regular cheque, which ties up funds. It’s far easier and quicker to swipe a card or accept cash.
- Lack of Training: Younger staff members often have no idea what a travelers cheque is, let alone how to process one.
- Fraud Concerns: While inherently secure for the traveler, merchants can be wary of accepting them due to potential fraud if they don't properly verify signatures or if they're dealing with counterfeit cheques.
- Digital Dominance: With the proliferation of card terminals and digital payment systems, there's simply no incentive for merchants to continue accepting an outdated payment method.
Trying to pay for a meal or a souvenir with a travelers cheque in many parts of the world will likely result in a polite (or not-so-polite) refusal. You'll spend valuable vacation time searching for a place that will take them, often leading to frustration. This dramatically undermines their utility as a direct payment method.
Cashing Travelers Cheques: Where and How
Since direct acceptance is so low, your primary method of "using" travelers cheques will almost certainly be to cash them into local currency. But even this process has become fraught with difficulty.
Where to Cash Them:
- Major Banks (sometimes): Your best bet is usually a major international bank in a large city. Even then, they might only cash cheques from specific issuers (e.g., American Express) and often only for their own customers. Be prepared for long waits, extensive paperwork, and potential fees.
- Foreign Exchange Bureaus (rarely): Some dedicated currency exchange offices might still cash them, but again, this is becoming increasingly rare. They might charge a higher commission than a bank.
- American Express Offices (if available): If you happen to be in a city with a functioning American Express Travel Office, they are usually the most reliable place to cash Amex travelers cheques, though their numbers are few and far between.
How to Cash Them:
When you find a willing institution, you'll need:
- The unsigned travelers cheque: You'll sign the second "countersignature" line in front of the teller.
- Your passport or other valid photo ID: This is critical for identity verification.
- Your purchase receipt and/or serial numbers: While not always required for cashing, having these is good practice.
Be prepared for potential fees. Even if the issuer doesn't charge you, the cashing institution might impose a commission or a flat fee, especially if you're not a customer. The process can be time-consuming, involve several layers of approval, and might not always be successful, leaving you stranded for cash.
What to Do If Travelers Cheques Are Lost or Stolen
This is the one area where travelers cheques still offer a distinct, albeit diminished, advantage over raw cash: their replaceability. If you lose them or they're stolen, you can get them back, provided you followed the rules.
Here's the critical process:
- Report Immediately: As soon as you realize they're missing, contact the issuer (e.g., American Express) immediately. Do not delay. Keep their international helpline number handy before you travel.
- Provide Serial Numbers: This is where that separate record keeping becomes absolutely vital. You'll need to provide the serial numbers of the missing cheques. Without them, proving ownership and facilitating a refund becomes incredibly difficult, if not impossible.
- File a Police Report (if stolen): If they were stolen, file a police report in the local jurisdiction. While not always strictly required by the issuer, it can expedite the refund process and provide additional documentation.
- Await Replacement/Refund: The issuer will typically arrange for replacement cheques or a cash refund. Historically, this was often within 24 hours, but in today's environment, with fewer offices and resources dedicated to travelers cheques, the process might take longer and involve more steps. You might be directed to a specific bank or office to pick up your replacement funds.
Numbered List: Steps for Lost/Stolen Travelers Cheques
- Contact Issuer ASAP: Call the dedicated helpline provided by your travelers cheque issuer (e.g., American Express) immediately upon discovery of loss or theft.
- Provide Serial Numbers: Have your meticulously recorded list of serial numbers ready. This is non-negotiable for a successful claim.
- File Police Report (for theft): Obtain a local police report if your cheques were stolen. This strengthens your claim.
- Follow Replacement Instructions: Adhere to the issuer's instructions for where and how to collect your replacement funds or cheques.
While this process offers peace of mind, it still requires time, effort, and potentially navigating bureaucracy in a foreign country, which can be stressful. Modern alternatives often offer quicker and less burdensome fraud protection.
Why Travelers Cheques Are Often Outdated: Key Disadvantages
At this point, it should be pretty clear that travelers cheques, while historically significant, are largely a relic of a bygone era. Their disadvantages in the current travel climate far outweigh their dwindling benefits. Let's really hammer home why they're often more trouble than they're worth.
Limited Acceptance and Inconvenience
Imagine this scenario: You're on vacation, you've just finished a fantastic meal, and you present your travelers cheque. The waiter looks at you blankly, calls the manager, who then shrugs and says, "Sorry, we don't take those." Now you're scrambling, trying to find an ATM or another payment method, holding up the line, and feeling a bit embarrassed. This isn't a hypothetical anecdote; it's a common reality for anyone attempting to use travelers cheques today.
The sheer inconvenience of finding a place that accepts them directly, or even a bank willing to cash them, is a monumental headache. You're essentially adding an extra layer of difficulty to every financial transaction. Instead of enjoying your trip, you're constantly on the hunt for a specific type of establishment, wasting precious vacation time and energy. In a world where instant gratification and seamless transactions are the norm, travelers cheques feel clunky, slow, and utterly out of step. They force you to plan your financial movements around their limitations, rather than having your money work for you.
Fees and Less Favorable Exchange Rates
We touched on this earlier, but it bears repeating: travelers cheques are rarely a cost-effective option. The idea that they are "free" or cheaper than other methods is a persistent myth.
Let's break down the costs:
- Purchase Fees: Often 1-4% of the face value, right off the bat. That means if you buy $1,000 worth of cheques, you might pay $10-$40 just to acquire them.
- Unfavorable Exchange Rates: When buying foreign currency cheques, the exchange rate offered by the issuer will almost certainly have a built-in margin, meaning you get fewer foreign units for your home currency than you would through other methods.
- Cashing Fees: The bank or exchange bureau cashing your cheques might charge a fee, further eroding your funds.
- Opportunity Cost: The money tied up in travelers cheques isn't earning interest, unlike funds in a high-yield savings account or investments.
Compare this to a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, which typically uses the interbank exchange rate (the best possible rate) and often offers rewards points or cashback. Or a debit card from a bank that reimburses ATM fees, giving you access to cash at a competitive rate. When you tally up the various costs, travelers cheques often come out as one of the more expensive ways to manage your travel money. The perceived security comes at a tangible financial price.
Security Concerns vs. Modern Solutions
This is a nuanced point. Historically, travelers cheques were a security marvel. The dual signature and replaceability were groundbreaking. However, the world has caught up and, in many ways, surpassed them.
Modern payment solutions offer comparable, and often superior, security:
- Credit Cards: Offer robust fraud protection. If your card is compromised, you're typically not liable for fraudulent charges. Issuers have sophisticated monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity.
- Debit Cards: While direct access to your bank account means higher risk if compromised, most modern debit cards offer zero-liability policies for unauthorized transactions, similar to credit cards. You can also easily freeze and unfreeze cards via mobile apps.
- Prepaid Travel Cards: These are not linked to your main bank account, limiting your exposure. They often come with PIN protection and are replaceable if lost or stolen, much like a travelers cheque, but with far wider acceptance.
- Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc., tokenize your card number, meaning the merchant never sees your actual card details, adding an extra layer of security.
The "security" of travelers cheques now feels somewhat antiquated. While they are replaceable, the process is arduous. Modern cards can be canceled and reissued (or even used virtually) much faster, and the fraud monitoring is often proactive. The security benefit, once their primary selling point, is now largely matched or exceeded by more convenient alternatives.
Modern Alternatives to Travelers Cheques (Recommended Solutions)
Okay, enough dwelling on the past. Let's talk about the present and the future. If travelers cheques are largely a non-starter, what should you use for your travel money? The good news is, there are fantastic, secure, and convenient options available that make travel finance a breeze. These are the tools I personally use and recommend to anyone hitting the road, whether for a weekend getaway or a round-the-world adventure.
Travel Money Cards (Prepaid Debit Cards)
These are, in my opinion, the closest modern equivalent to the concept of a travelers cheque, but with vastly superior functionality and acceptance. A travel money card is a prepaid debit card that you load with funds before your trip. It's not linked to your main bank account, which is a huge security advantage.
Benefits:
- Security: If the card is lost or stolen, only the pre-loaded amount is at risk, not your entire bank balance. You can typically block the card instantly via an app or phone call. Many offer PIN protection and chip technology.
- Budgeting: You can only spend what you load, making it an excellent budgeting tool.
- Exchange Rates: Many offer competitive exchange rates, often better than cash exchange, and some even allow you to load multiple currencies, locking in rates in advance.
- Wide Acceptance: Accepted wherever Visa or Mastercard are, which is virtually everywhere globally. You can use them for purchases or ATM withdrawals.
- Easy Reloads: Most can be easily reloaded online or via a mobile app.
Think of it as your dedicated travel wallet, isolated from your primary finances. It’s a smart, secure, and widely accepted solution that truly embodies the spirit of safe travel money.
Credit Cards: Convenience and Protection
For most travelers, a good credit card is an indispensable tool, offering unparalleled convenience and robust protection. However, not all credit cards are created equal for international travel.
Key Advantages:
- Wide Acceptance: Accepted globally wherever Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover are.
- Fraud Protection: Credit card companies offer excellent fraud monitoring and zero-liability policies, meaning you're not responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Rewards: Many travel credit cards offer points, miles, or cashback on purchases, essentially paying you to spend.
- Emergency Funds: Provides access to funds beyond what you have in your bank account for emergencies (though be cautious with cash advances due to high fees).
- Rental Car Insurance/Travel Insurance: Many premium cards offer built-in travel insurance benefits, including rental car collision damage waiver, trip delay insurance, and baggage loss protection.
Crucial Advice: Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees!
This is non-negotiable. Get a credit card that explicitly states "no foreign transaction fees." These fees, typically 2-3% of every international purchase, can quickly add up and negate any rewards you might earn. Many travel-focused credit cards offer this benefit. Always choose to be charged in the local currency when using your card abroad (Dynamic Currency Conversion is
