American Express Travelers Cheques: Can Singaporeans Purchase Them?

Singaporean travellers' cheques are a very common form of payment in Singapore, and they are used worldwide by Singaporean travellers for incidental expenses, daily expenses, and tuition. They are also much safer than cash as they are accepted by merchants worldwide. However, American Express has stopped issuing travellers' cheques, so they are no longer available for purchase.

Where to buy American Express traveller's cheques

As of 2024, American Express has stopped issuing new travellers cheques, so they are no longer available for purchase. However, you can still redeem valid travellers cheques in several ways.

Redeeming American Express Travellers Cheques

• Redeem with American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.: You can quickly and securely redeem your travellers cheques online or over the phone by calling American Express Customer Service. For customers in the US, the number is 1-800-221-7282. For customers in Singapore, the number is 1-800-823-2090. Additional contact numbers are available based on your location.
• Deposit with your bank: Check with your bank to see if they allow account holders to deposit travellers cheques. Fees may apply.
• Exchange for local currency: Travellers cheques can be exchanged worldwide at various foreign exchange partners, including banks, exchange services, and merchants. Exchange locations can be found using the "Find Exchange Locations" tool on the American Express website. Commission charges may apply and can vary by country or exchange partner.

Where to Buy Travellers Cheques

Although American Express no longer sells travellers cheques, there are other companies that may still offer them. Here are some options to consider:

• Banks: Some banks may still offer travellers cheques, although availability may vary. It's best to contact your bank directly to inquire about the availability, fees, and exchange rates for travellers cheques.
• Credit unions: Credit unions may also be a source for purchasing travellers cheques. Contact your local credit union for more information.
• Alternative companies: Other companies, such as Visa and MasterCard, may offer travellers cheques. You can contact their customer service lines for more information: Visa at tel. 800/732-1322 and MasterCard at tel. 800/223-9920.

How to redeem American Express traveller's cheques

Although American Express has stopped issuing new travellers cheques, you can still redeem existing ones in several ways. Here is how to do it:

Redeem with American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

You can redeem your travellers cheques with American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. online. Alternatively, you can call American Express Customer Service to register a redemption claim. The number to call depends on your location:

• United States: 1-800-221-7282
• Australia: 1 800 688 022
• Singapore: 1-800-823-2090

Deposit with Your Bank

Check whether your bank allows account holders to deposit travellers cheques. Fees may apply.

Exchange for Local Currency

You can exchange your travellers cheques for local currency at thousands of foreign exchange partners worldwide. You can find the nearest exchange location using the "Find Exchange Locations" feature on the American Express website. Fees may apply.

Documents Required

When redeeming your travellers cheques, you may be required to provide the following documents:

• Valid photo ID (passport, driver's license, or government-issued ID)
• Copy of the voided travellers cheque(s)
• Original purchase receipt

Other Things to Note

• American Express does not approve the use of its products or services related to its products in the following territories: Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk Regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, and Belarus.
• There is no fee for redeeming travellers cheques online.
• For online redemptions, American Express will usually process your claim and initiate the payment within 5 business days of receiving all required documentation and information.
• You can redeem your travellers cheques online for up to USD 1,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. For amounts greater than USD 1,000, you will need to contact American Express Customer Service.

How to use American Express traveller's cheques

American Express traveller's cheques are no longer available for purchase, but they can be redeemed in several ways. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use them:

Buying American Express Traveller's Cheques:

• Use the American Express locator tool to see if traveller's cheques are widely accepted at your destination.
• Choose the currency of your traveller's cheques—USD or your destination country's currency.
• Decide where to buy your traveller's cheques. Fees and exchange rates vary depending on the location, so check in advance.
• When you receive your traveller's cheques, sign them in the upper left corner immediately.
• Write down the serial numbers of all your cheques and keep this separate from the cheques themselves.
• Retain the original purchase receipt.

Using Your American Express Traveller's Cheques:

• Use the American Express locator tool to find the nearest place to exchange or spend your cheques.
• Check with the location to ensure they can accept or exchange traveller's cheques before you go, and ask about fees and exchange rates.
• Bring your cheques, proof of ID, and original purchase receipt. Depending on where you are, these may be required to access your cash.
• When it's time to redeem your cheque, countersign the cheque in front of the staff at the merchant or exchange service.
• The merchant or exchange service will validate your cheque, ensure the signatures match, and exchange your cheque for currency.

Important Things to Note:

• Keep your cheques secure until you are ready to redeem them.
• Record the serial numbers and keep them in a safe place when you travel.
• Keep your cheques tucked away and hidden as you would with cash.
• American Express does not approve the use of its products or services related to its products in the following territories: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk Regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, and Belarus.
• Commission charges may apply and can vary by country or exchange partner.
• If your cheques are lost or stolen, contact American Express right away. There are different numbers to call depending on your location. From the US, call toll-free at 1-800-221-7282.

Advantages of American Express traveller's cheques

Although American Express has stopped issuing new travellers cheques, existing cheques remain valid and can be redeemed in several ways. Here are some advantages of American Express travellers cheques:

Security

Travellers cheques are safer than carrying cash. Each cheque has its own serial number, allowing it to be replaced if lost or stolen. They also have advanced security features to prevent forgery, similar to those found on banknotes.

Peace of Mind

Travellers cheques can be exchanged for local currency in thousands of locations worldwide. American Express provides a helpful locator tool on its website, which shows all the locations that will accept or cash travellers cheques.

Convenience

Travellers cheques allow people to prepay for their travel money before departure. They can be purchased in the desired currency, locking in the exchange rate, or exchanged for the local currency at the destination. In some locations, travellers cheques can be spent like cash, in hotels and with merchants.

Reliability

American Express travellers cheques are backed by American Express and have no expiration date.

Disadvantages of American Express traveller's cheques

American Express has stopped issuing new travellers cheques, but existing cheques remain valid and can be redeemed. Here are some disadvantages of using American Express travellers cheques:

Limited Acceptance

Travellers cheques are less common than they used to be and are no longer issued by American Express. This means that it may be difficult to find places that accept them. Before travelling, it is important to check with local merchants and refer to the American Express locator tool to find out where you may be able to use your travellers cheques.

Limited Issuers

Only a small number of banks, credit unions, and financial institutions still offer travellers cheques, and that number is likely to decrease further.

Fees

There may be fees involved when buying and redeeming travellers cheques. Fees vary depending on the location and the institution, so it is important to ask for details in advance.

Inconvenience

The security feature of travellers cheques means that whoever the cheque is issued to must redeem it. This could be inconvenient if you are travelling with a partner and they want to check into a hotel early, for example, as the hotel may only accept the cheque with your signature.

Difficulty in Finding

Travellers cheques are hard to find as only a limited number of institutions still offer them.

Frequently asked questions