best travel money for far east

mutley74

I am travelling to the far east next week for a month.

I was intending to take just some cash and my Nationwide ATM debit and credit card.

Is this sufficient or does anyone recommend i take travellers cheques? If so is there a particular supplier recommended?

magic_pants

I guess it depends on where you are travelling to in the Far East as you don;t say. I travel quite a lot to places like Hong Kong and Singapore and you won't have problems with your ATM card there! However, venture into places like Laos and Cambodia and you'll be better off with hard currency! So I think you need to look at where you are travelling to and ask your bank about availability of cashpoints. If you're with the likes of HSBC it shouldn't be an issue in most places.

Donnie

HSBC? That won't make a difference.

mutley74

i am travelling to Thailand. Does that make a difference?

Is there anywhere online i can order say just a small amount of travellers cheques as back up? or does one really think i need them out there?

Sam_Bee

I only ever use Cash Point cards in Thailand. Maybe having back up credit cards in the event of emergency. Travellers Cheques slightly useless in this day and age imo.

alison74

atpug wrote:

i am travelling to Thailand. Does that make a difference?

Is there anywhere online i can order say just a small amount of travellers cheques as back up? or does one really think i need them out there?

If you are only going to Thailand, then your NW decit card will be more than enough as there are ATM's everywhere. Trav Cheques are a bit of a hassle in Asia, but still have their place in America (where they can be used everywhere and don't have to rely on changing them at banks)

Credit card would be handy, but only big shops will take them - not markets and stalls where you will probably be buying stuff

pin

Hi, Here is my list of top places on how to get money to spend abroad:

1. Nationwide Debit Card for ATM withdrawals from destination country (no foreign loading) / Nationwide Credit Card, the Audi credit card or the Post Office credit card for purchases in destination country (but watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion) (no foreign loading for purchases, BUT watch charges for cash withdrawals).
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2. SAGA credit card (if you are over 50) for purchases in destination country (no foreign loading for European purchases, 1% for rest of the world, no cash withdrawal interest if balance repaid in full BUT 1.5%/£1.50 cash withdrawal fee).

3. Any other debit card for ATM withdrawals from destination country / any other credit card for purchases in destination country (but for both CHECK T&C's to see exact charges).

4. Thomas Exchange Global ("TEG") in central London - pay and pick up at store.

5. Travelex online (remember Travelex will price match any other exchange service, i.e. the one above) -pay online, pick up at airport.

For price matching: order through Travelex online as you would do normally, then call up TEG (02072401214 or 02078281880) and get a quote re their exchange rate. Email Travelex: [EMAIL="customerservices@travelex.com"]customerservices@travelex.com[/EMAIL] (must be done on the same day) stating the following: your Travelex reference number, your currency quote from TEG (and the fact you got it from TEG) and your address (Travelex will send you a cheque refunding the difference). Also Travelex normally acknowledge receipt of your email. Full terms and conditions of the Travelex Price Promise are on the Travelex website.

6. Marks and Spencer - pay online or pay and pick up instore.

7. Online FX (using this link ensures free deliver) - pay online, delivery to home.

8. Thomson Travel (they seem to use Amex as their travel money provider) - pay online, delivery to home.

9. Co-op Travel (they use Currency Express / Exchange and offer free delivery for orders over £300) - pay online, delivery to home.

10. Post Office (while probably not the best rate, there are many of them around, so may be convenient) - pay online, pick up at PO or pay and pick up at PO.

11. Haggle with High Street travel agent (which may ensure better rates than 5 to 9 above) - pay and pick up instore.

With 4 - 11, if you are paying with debit / credit card check your T&C's as many providers charge for the privilege of using money exchange services.

Here are links to ATM locators: VISA and MasterCard

Here are various information links to VISA: Foreign Exhcnage Rate FAQ and Visa Exchange Rates

Also please read Martin's article: Spending Overseas and Loading Technicals

Also look at the these forum threads: Travel Money: The List & The Cheapest Way to Spend Overseas Discussion Area and How to buy TCs and foreign currency

Hope this all helps!!
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magic_pants

Donnie wrote:

HSBC? That won't make a difference.

I mention them because they are huge in Asia and have branches all over the place that's all. Unlike some other UK high Street banks. It can make it easier to arrange things before you go. I do this when I go away and it's much easier.

Donnie

It doesn't make the slightest amount of difference, because with Nationwide Debit card there are no charges for use in cash machines abroad.
You aren't limited to any particular bank's branches