Regarding the use of Traveler's checks (TC), last year during my trip it was explained to me the way things work in Croati with banks is each bank has only one contract with the TC company and the contracts are renewed every 1 or 2 years. Last year the contract withAMEX had expired with one bank and was successfully negotiated with a new one. After some frustration, an experienced bank teller more comfortable with conveying details explained this to me. She told me her bank had the contract but now it was with their competitor. Once I knew what bank to go to I had no trouble with the Amex checks, was not charged a fee for cashing them and they helped me locate a branch at my next stop. In the future I would check with AMEX's international dept and find out which bank they have the contract with in advance and check before each departure. I understand this is the way the system works so different banks will have arrangements with different TC compnies. Ann Marie ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.