When I go abroad I have always taken t/c with me as a back up. But, I am reconsidering.

They are getting harder and hard to exchange, especially at a decent rate. The ATM may soon kill them off.

Nonetheless, based on past experience, during various currency crisis, Amex $ checks can be a lifesaver. Amex came though for me in the past and changed the checks when I couldn't get money anywhere else. Of course, that was before ATMs.