1. travelers checks are the equivalent of checks. i used to carry blocks of them back and forth, and was required to report them.

2. if you do business in usa and use a currency exchange facility, they will provide you with most currencies in the quantity desired at less than a 1% exchange rate.

when required to pay the room bill in italy in advance, i get a pile of euro. the company does not like doing this, as it is not their normal business, but they will do it as a favor.