Hey Paul,
you have read the comments, very good advice. I have travelled from North to South and did carry Traveller Checks from AMEX and VISA, had all different cards and most important, my German Maestro like card. This card surprisingly got me cash in ALL countries with no trouble at the systems showing the CIRRUS Maestro or Mastercard signs as the systems are connected. I also had cash hidden everywhere on the bike, the boots, the body, depends on you. I also carried 3 different passports (all valid ones) and various copies of the other stuff. Now comes the interesting part! How to fill your accounts while travelling. If you carry your TANS for your Bank then you can get in the normal trouble when kidnapped. I had my account at Zero dispo, means I only got money when it showed a positive number. My TANs are all displayed in a hidden part of another webpage only I know... With that you need only to remember ONE important number and link, the rest you can note down. So if you take every 2 weeks the 20 minutes to transfer money into the accounts, then its quite safe.
By the way, while the AMEX traveller checks were accepted everywhere (with add costs only) the VISA traveller checks were almost never accepted. It cost me nerves and money. So next time I will not use them.
Cash: There is a constant need for small bills in the Americas where the Dollar is accepted... So a Hundred will get you nowhere. And there are certain Twenty Series never accepted... Try to stay informed as there are many Counterfeits around, also on local bills.
Last: If prepared very well you propably will never need the stuff and make a great party at the end of your trip when rediscovering the Bucks as I did... Good to hear Pat is still on the trip... Are you still down in BsAs, my friend? Take care. Ras

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Rasmus
www.panamericana.info