Thought this was interesting:

American Express "recently announced that it will be offering a new "Travelfunds" card to replace those elaborately embossed little pieces of paper with a handier, pre-paid credit card which will be useable in both ATM machines and at restaurants, shops and hotels that accept the regular old Amex card. Potentially best of all, those who purchase one of these new, blue cards before Sept. 30th will get a voucher for a free companion ticket....unlike travelers checks, the traveler can add cash onto the card simply by calling a handy 800 number. "

Helen Ottawa, Ontario