I would use travelers’ checks as backups: bring about two hundred American dollars in checks and hang on to them for emergencies. By the way, if you’re going to get checks as a backup, get American Express. Other types of checks are far less widely accepted than Amex, and Amex has plenty of offices overseas. Although Thomas Cook is a widely recognized name in the world of travelers’ checks, be aware that they may deny you a refund on lost or stolen checks if they think you weren’t careful enough with them. When cashing checks of any kind, you will need your passport for identification. And finally, it’s “check,” not “cheque,” or I’ll hit you in the neque.