AMEX Travelers Cheques & Gift Cheques

Discontinued 12/31/20

American Express (AMEX) has announced that it will no longer sell Travelers Cheques and Gift Cheques.  Effective December 31, 2020, UHFCU will no longer provide these products.

What prompted the decision?

AMEX recently conducted a review of its strategy.  Improved card acceptance, ATM access, and advanced digital payment options worldwide have led to declining consumer demand for AMEX Travelers Cheques and Gift Cheques.  Merchant preference has generally shifted to chip-enabled payment cards as well.

What happens to existing AMEX Travelers Cheques and Gift Cheques?

Although AMEX’s decision ends the sale of Travelers Cheque and Gift Cheques in the United States, this in no way affects your ability to accept these products for encashment.  UHFCU will continue to redeem AMEX Travelers Cheques and Gift Cheques along with other financial institutions and merchants.

You can find acceptance locations on the Travelers Cheque Encashment Locator tool: http://www.aetclocator.com/TCLocator.

Can customers still obtain refunds for lost and stolen Travelers Cheques?

Yes! Travelers Cheques never expire and if they are lost or stolen, they can continue to be refunded in accordance with AMEX’s internal policies and procedures. Simply contact American Express to make a claim in the unfortunate event that the product has been lost or stolen.

Are there alternative payment methods during international travel?

Yes!  There are several options available to you:

• UHFCU Debit Card – Make purchases anywhere MasterCard® Debit is accepted worldwide, and the funds are withdrawn directly from your checking account.
• UHFCU Credit Card – Make purchases anywhere Visa® Credit is accepted worldwide and earn rewards for your next trip.
• Prepaid Cards – Similar to Debit and Credit cards; however, you pre-load cash before you travel. Although UHFCU does not offer this option, these cards are generally available direct from payment processors.
• Carrying Cash – Some vendors may prefer cash or may not have the ability to accept cards, so it’s wise to carry currency (both in American dollars as well as the local currency) and store it safely.

Travel tip!  Always be sure to let your financial institution and debit/credit card issuers know where you’re going and when so that your card isn’t declined due to unusual activity when you try to make a purchase.