I know this may be a stupid question, and a very late one, since im starting my hike in a couple days, BUT what did you guys do who used travelers checks on a thru-hike? I just got a bunch and it seems a little unsafe to put them in maildrops since there is always the chance they’ll get lost. I also don’t wanna have a lot on me. What did you guys do? Thanks, A-Train
A-Train
I think it would be ok to put them in the mail if they have your name on them, plus they usually can be replaced if lost.
Not-Hiking
We used the T-checks and a debit card. We had no problem with T-checks. Some places in New England would not take a card if your purchase was not over $10-$20 so we had to keep cash or T-checks. Keep your receipts. Traveler checks can be replaced if lost or stolen. Sunrise and Sunset used them last year on their thru hike with out a problem. We had 22 mail drops and only had a problem with one. We got to town 2 days before the package and decided to hike on.
Papa Smurf
We used a few checks but found the debit card or Visa better. Vise went everywhere, Master Card and American Depress several place would NOT take. Ft. Montgomerey, NY, the deli and the motel wouldn’t take cheques. The deli didnt even know what they were! “Are these like money?” oye.
Have some one at home pay the card balance for you or the minimum until you get back. Easy. Or just save $16,000 and gave a relative power of attourney, have a good time and paint the town hiker. That way you can ignore everything and blow money left and right on crap and eat like Raindog on a “Frat Boy” binge. I think I’m still paying on that trip?, but what a trip!:bawling
B+B
I got $500 worth ahead of time last year and put one in each of my drops. It was worth it, I thought this might be overkill, but there are many small towns/diners/hostels that don’t take anything but cash. I got to Port Clinton after the PO had closed for the day - the hostel wasn’t up and running, I had a bad experience at a pavilion south of there and really wanted some A/C and “inside” time so opted for the only motel. They only accept cash and I didn’t have enough, borrowed the balance from friends and in the morning the PO lady handed me my drop and also went into her own pocket to give me $50 on my debit card so I could pay back my friends. Moral: do not head into Port Clinton cash-less, there are NO options. The T/Cs are extra security and they won’t go “bad” if you don’t end up using them. 
Bluebearee
I had no problem with trav. checks in my mail drops. But be
aware that many small town stores can’t make change for a $50
or $100 trav. check. I used $20s and they worked fine.
Scamp
Scamp
Mail drops are fine but if you arrive in town on a Sunday or a holiday or late, the PO will be closed. Carrying an ATM Debit (preferred)-Credit card (secondary preferred) along with using mail drops is a good idea and extra insurance in case something is amiss with the mail drop (or of course, cash). I don’t like mail drops because I have to kind of make sure I am in town when the PO is open, it takes away my freedom just a tad.
Just my opinion, your mileage by vary…
schikerbiker
You’re not totally screwed if out of money in Port Clinton.
Actually a 1.5 mile hitch (or walk) to the interstate (PA 61 & I -78)has an ATM machine along with Wendy’s and Cracker Barrel (excellent food) a few other food places at the interchange. Hamburg about a mile further has several banks.
schikerbiker
You can get money from the post office in all the towns along the trail if you mail a package or buy stamps by using your Debt Card and there isn’t a fee. You can also use this trick a grocery stores. I’ve used it and had no problems.
Darth Pacman