Travelers cheques in Germany

Hi I did a search and nothing came up. A friend of mine is coming over from Japan next month and has heard conflicting reports about the acceptance of travellers cheques here. He was thinking of getting American Express travellers cheques in the Euro denomination. He basically wants to know do all banks accept them, or only some, and could there be a better type to get than American Express.

Thanks.

going all over europe, just germany, just bavaria, or just munich?

there are several american express locations in Munich...quite easy to find...

Ah he is going all over europe actually, but based in germany (half down here and half somewhere up north).
Ok so not all banks accept them you have to go to a branch then I guess then. Sounds ok.

I believe nearly all banks should accept them, it's just if you go to the american express location, then you don't lose money

At Hypovereinsbank (Goetheplatz, at least) there's a sign saying they are not accepted.

The Post Bank sell them so I think they would also change them.

Tell your mate not to bother with travelers cheques. Just use your bank card and withdraw cash from the ATMs, you get better rates that way.

You can also now get American Express Travellers cheque "cards" in Germany - they are stored-value cards meaning they work the same as debit card and are accepted anywhere that Travellers chqs might be. Problem is that you can only obtain them within Germany and UK at this point.

Cheers,
tq

ATM is the way to go tbh but your friend needs to check with hi bank in Japan as there may be compatbility issues.
ie make surre the card is on the Cirrus/Masetro system.

When I was in Tokyo last year I used Citibank ATM machine (as long as it has maestro/cirrus symbol) to withdraw cash so your friend could probably do the same here. Failing that I'd just give him money from your account and he can repay you. That's what I usually do when friends visit from non-Euro countries.

I think hes going to bring a mixture of travellers cheques, card and cash. His card uses the PLUS system which I believe is also supported here.

@madgibson: Shit I was going to be borrowing off him!

I defitnetly wouldnt bother with traveller cheques. When I first came here I brought American Express Traveller Cheques, I was told that they are accepted everywhere, wrong. I had such trouble changing them, some of the banks I went to looked at them and said they had never seen them before and wouldnt accept them, in the end I found a branch of Deutsche Bank that would accept them, but it was such a drama, to get them changed. Best way to go is just use your electronic card, as long as it has Maestro or Cirrus shouldnt be a problem..

Tuatua, like your screen name. How'd it come about?

Well, like you im from New Zealand too, the Bay of Plenty to be exact

Arrrrr, I see. Got me a little confused with the English nationality on your profile. Very tricksy indeed

I was actually born in UK but have been in New Zealand all my life, so I dont feel very english...