I tried a new thing this year through my AAA membership. It's called AAA Everyday Funds card. It's a VISA card that you load with your own money. I used it as an alternative to carrying travelers checks. You load the card with money and can get additional cards (for additional cost though) say, in your spouse's name as well so you can both use for purchases. It's like a debit card, but what's good about it is it's not connected to your bank account and you use it just like a VISA and can use at any ATM. Every day when I'd get back to the hotel, I'd just subtract what I spent that day from looking at my receipts. Carried very little cash $200 for odds and ends on the trip. Caution: when you use a VISA card for meals and add on the tip, sometimes a percentage more than what you actually put for the tip is reserved off your card, making your balance less than what you think. It is rectified when the transaction is actually processed which might take a couple days. I think it's the same process as with any credit card. Anyway, I liked not having to sign traveler's checks. It was very convenient and no bills at the end of the trip. If my card was lost or stolen, my husband would still be able to have used his card, as different numbers are assigned to the same account.