When was the last time you used travelers checks?

[dreamshark]

I just gave a way a box of old purses and wallets on Freecycle, and the recipient emailed me to say that she found $100 in travelers checks in one of them!  I literally cannot remember the last time I used travelers checks (which gives you an idea how long it's been since I cleaned out that shelf in the cupboard). I thanked her and asked her to drop the checks off or mail them to me, but I would be surprised if they are good for anything at this point. Heck, it's been so long I probably got them from the old Northwest Bank before it dropped the "th" and scrapped the weatherball and got acquired by Wells Fargo. Now it's bugging me that I literally have no memory of when I might have bought those things. 

Comments

[mle292.livejournal.com]

It's like a purse and a time capsule in one!

I bet Wells Fargo would still honor it.

[mplspunky.livejournal.com]

The last time I remember you talking about travelers checks may have been all the way back when you went to Europe either with or to visit Amber. Or maybe all of that is wrong.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Maybe. But do travelers checks even work in Europe? I would think they would have to be in the currency of the country. I think when I went to Europe I was fretting over which ATM and credit cards to bring along.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Travelers checks do work overseas. More easily if you can buy them in local currency, though that has other issues. I believe I've used them in England and Australia, at least. Well, and Canada, even earlier (1970s).

And not since the 1980s, I'm pretty sure. Credit cards took over.

[carbonel]

Travelers' checks are pretty much obsolete as a category (credit cards and ATMs having taken their place), but I bet the issuer will honor them still. They don't have expiration dates on them, after all.