After traveling internationally for over 25 years, I encountered a unique response today when I asked the hotel cashier to 'cash' one of my 100 Euro American Express travelers checks -- the answer was "NO." Never before has a hotel where I was a registered desk told me "no" when I wanted to either cash a local currency travelers check, or pay with them. It was explained that it is "hotel policy." My argument was that if a hotel accepts American Express credit cards for payment from its guests, it should in turn accept Amex's travelers checks, as well. I was told, after a protracted discussion, that they would accept the Amex checks for payment, but would tack on a 10% surcharge -- that's more than triple the customary 3% charged to consumers by credit cards when converting charges from a foreign currency.
While the hotel is well located, with exquisite decor in the public and guest rooms, I would opt not to stay here on future trips to Vienna for the sole reason of the lack of convenience of being able to cash and or pay with the American Express travelers checks that I customarily travel with.
In this case, I will simply pay with the Amex credit card and get the points!
However, the Sacher and the Imperial and the Intercontinental all will gladly accept the Amex travelers checks.
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