URGENT - Currency card and advice.

the_jbobby

Sorry, this is really urgent as I need to order whichever currency card I am going to get by tonight. Thank you so much to anyone who can help as I'm desperate!

I am going to SE Asia (thailand, vietnam and cambodia for 6 weeks), and I have about 950 pounds for spending (for everything - I will be living cheap). However, I am really unsure in what form I should take this to to get the best value? I understand bhat for Thailand but dollars for the other two? Would it be best to get my bhat in the UK and if so, how much would be suitable for 2 weeks in thailand?

Aside from this, I was thinking it might be better value to get a prepaid card, which I know there has been a lot of discussion about before. If I was going to go for this option then it would be between the Travelex Cash Passport Globe and the Fair Fx Anywhere. I am a little confused as to whether these cards give the same exchange rate (Mastercard rate) and if so, is this the rate that you would get at a cash machine in SE Asia or would the rate be different or with increased charges? I am also a little worried about this: re view centr e.c o m/review751015.h tml as at the end of the Travelex staff members post it seems to suggest that you don't get the Mastercard rate but a "competitive" one?
I was wondering how easy it would be to top up the Travelex (as fairfx is notoriously simple)

IN these countries, do the cash machines give out dollars or the local currency, and again, would this be at the mastercard rate? Lastly, if they do give out the local currency would my only option be to take cash in dollars?

Sorry for so many questions, but there is so much information it is really confusing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

(For the cards, I would definitely be withdrawing my cash from ATMs as opposed to spending on site)

fifeken

For Thailand you should definitely get your baht over there and not in the UK. There are ATMs at the airport although you incur a 150 baht fee for their use. Watch out for DCC as well. They give out Thai baht. Can't help with the rest.

stilltheone

Travelex Cash Passport Globe should be your choice of the two. It's the Mastercard rate. The review speaks of a different card.

For Thailand, have a little cash for changing at BKK airport for food and transport for the day. The airport rate isn't as good as the rate in town. Thai ATMs grab an extra 150 baht(£3) per withdrawal, so that's something else for you to note. One way to avoid it, is to take cash out over the counter in a bank, but Prepaid cards may levy a hefty surcharge in that case. Best to check beforehand.

If you have a Lloyds bank account, I would recommend their free AmEx Sterling TCs for Thailand.

It's a good idea to have some dollars at hand for the other countries as well as your ATM card. Crisp dollar bills are preferred. Take a look at the Travel Money Maximiser in this instance for a suitable supply.

alduncan

the_jbobby wrote: »

Sorry, this is really urgent as I need to order whichever currency card I am going to get by tonight. Thank you so much to anyone who can help as I'm desperate!

I am going to SE Asia (thailand, vietnam and cambodia for 6 weeks), and I have about 950 pounds for spending (for everything - I will be living cheap). However, I am really unsure in what form I should take this to to get the best value? I understand bhat for Thailand but dollars for the other two? Would it be best to get my bhat in the UK and if so, how much would be suitable for 2 weeks in thailand?

Aside from this, I was thinking it might be better value to get a prepaid card, which I know there has been a lot of discussion about before. If I was going to go for this option then it would be between the Travelex Cash Passport Globe and the Fair Fx Anywhere. I am a little confused as to whether these cards give the same exchange rate (Mastercard rate) and if so, is this the rate that you would get at a cash machine in SE Asia or would the rate be different or with increased charges? I am also a little worried about this: re view centr e.c o m/review751015.h tml as at the end of the Travelex staff members post it seems to suggest that you don't get the Mastercard rate but a "competitive" one?
I was wondering how easy it would be to top up the Travelex (as fairfx is notoriously simple)

IN these countries, do the cash machines give out dollars or the local currency, and again, would this be at the mastercard rate? Lastly, if they do give out the local currency would my only option be to take cash in dollars?

Sorry for so many questions, but there is so much information it is really confusing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

(For the cards, I would definitely be withdrawing my cash from ATMs as opposed to spending on site)

Note that there is a minimum reload of £250 on the Travelex Cash Globe, but only £50 on the FairFX. However, the FairFX has an additional £1 ATM transaction withdrawal fee, so if you will be doing more than a couple ATM withdrawals (as opposed to direct purchases) then the Travelex Globe has it!

stilltheone

alduncan wrote: »

Note that there is a minimum reload of £250 on the Travelex Cash Globe, but only £50 on the FairFX. However, the FairFX has an additional £1 ATM transaction withdrawal fee, so if you will be doing more than a couple ATM withdrawals (as opposed to direct purchases) then the Travelex Globe has it!

There isn't a £250 minimum for the TCPG.

jonesjw

1 Thailand. Baht only. You can change cash at somewhere like Superich in Bangkok.
2 Dollars are best in Cambodia. Even the cash machines seem to dispense USD, although change below $1 comes back in Cambodian real.
3 In Vietnam, either VND or USD are accepted.