Travelling currency

Saltydog2128

Hello

Me and my Wife to be, are honeymoon is at the start of May. We're spending some time in Hong Kong and then Thailand.

My question is which is the best method for travelling with currency?
I was thinking some cash in both currencies and then either a pre loaded card or credit card.
Which pre loaded card is best Halifax or Post Office or other?
Or which would you suggest?

We plan to use ATM and/or card machines.

Thank you for your advice in advance, as I've searched everywhere but there isn't any real advice for Hong Kong and Thailand.

NiftyDigits

Halifax Clarity. Use it to withdraw over the bank counter in Thailand. Don't use the ATMs in Thailand, other than perhaps for some cash on arrival. £4 per ATM withdrawal is possibly the highest ATM fee worldwide. The banks get together and fix the amount. Don't contribute to the pig's trough. No need to purchase any currency before you arrive.. You are in the twenty first century. Both airports will have quite a few ATMs at your disposal.

Use Post Office for purchases and Clarity for cash transactions. Clear Clarity as soon as you get home. I wouldn't recommend preloading, as if they send the funds back at an inappropriate time, you'll only have yourself to blame.

A_T

I was in Thailand in February. For ATM advances my MBNA Amex Everyday Card was only charged 50 baht whereas Clarity and Creation were charged 200.

You'll be lucky if you can find a bank that lets you use a card to withdraw over the counter with no fee.

NiftyDigits

A_T wrote: »

I was in Thailand in February. For ATM advances my MBNA Amex Everyday Card was only charged 50 baht whereas Clarity and Creation were charged 200.

You'll be lucky if you can find a bank that lets you use a card to withdraw over the counter with no fee.

Your Amex might have a 50 baht ATM charge, but the exchange rate is likely worse. Though still an option to consider.
As to your assertion of being lucky...that is nonsense. Standard practice to withdraw over the bank counter using a credit card. Did you actually try? I mean actually inside the bank. My suggestion is the best way. Cash is equally good value but less convenient.

Voyager2002

For Thailand: note that Citibank do not charge for use of their ATM. They have three in Bangkok: one of them is in one of the main tourist areas close to Asok Skytrain and MTR station. Otherwise, take cash and exchange it there: the money changers in Thailand give very good rates and operate on wafer-thin margins.

Saltydog2128

Thank you every body, writing all the tips down.
I've applied for a Creation Everyday Credit Card, I know its new but it has the better rates etc and I hate giving banks my money.
I'm just looking for the best place to get the two currencies, so we both can have a small amount of cash on us.

Fingers crossed I get my card from creation on time.

So if we need cash its best going to a bank and using the credit card to get cash? Also using the credit card in store to pay for items? Then using online banking paying of it daily, as we get charged per day of what we owe them?

Thanks

NiftyDigits

Saltydog2128 wrote: »

Thank you every body, writing all the tips down.
I've applied for a Creation Everyday Credit Card, I know its new but it has the better rates etc and I hate giving banks my money.
I'm just looking for the best place to get the two currencies, so we both can have a small amount of cash on us.

Fingers crossed I get my card from creation on time.

So if we need cash its best going to a bank and using the credit card to get cash? Also using the credit card in store to pay for items? Then using online banking paying of it daily, as we get charged per day of what we owe them?

Thanks

You are talking about 1% interest per month.

eDicky

Saltydog2128 wrote: »

I'm just looking for the best place to get the two currencies, so we both can have a small amount of cash on us.

Don't waste your money buying any HK$ and Thai baht in the UK at less than ideal rates. Just take your Creation CC and some cash pounds and whatever other cards you have as backup.

When you land in Hong Kong put your Creation card in an ATM and withdraw some HK$ at the perfect Mastercard rate. Later when you notice a moneychanger you can buy some Thai baht with your HK$ to get you into a taxi when you arrive in Bangkok.

Apart from that, just do as advised above.

Oh, be careful with the ATMs when they offer to convert to local currency from pounds for you - the rate will be terrible, so always select the 'NO - Proceed WITHOUT Conversion' (or similar wording) option. That way your card does the conversion at the Mastercard rate.

eDicky

NiftyDigits wrote: »

£4 per ATM withdrawal is possibly the highest ATM fee worldwide. The banks get together and fix the amount. Don't contribute to the pig's trough.

Today I checked wuth my Clarity card and it's true, all the main Thai banks are charging Bt.200 (£4) for an ATM withdrawal using a foreign MasterCard. I'm sure some of them charged less previously. So it's 1% to draw Bt.20,000

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Otherwise, take cash and exchange it there: the money changers in Thailand give very good rates and operate on wafer-thin margins.

This is also true. High turnover and efficient ticket queuing systems at Vasu Exchange, Sukhumvit 9, and SuperRich (green colour) at Pratunam.

NiftyDigits

eDicky wrote: »

Today I checked wuth my Clarity card and it's true, all the main Thai banks are charging Bt.200 (£4) for an ATM withdrawal using a foreign MasterCard. I'm sure some of them charged less previously. So it's 1% to draw Bt.20,000


This is also true. High turnover and efficient ticket queuing systems at Vasu Exchange, Sukhumvit 9, and SuperRich (green colour) at Pratunam.

Just take your passport and withdraw over the bank counter and avoid the 200 baht fee altogether. Who will need to withdraw 20,000 baht each time?

cinereus

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Halifax Clarity. Use it to withdraw over the bank counter in Thailand. Don't use the ATMs in Thailand, other than perhaps for some cash on arrival. £4 per ATM withdrawal is possibly the highest ATM fee worldwide. The banks get together and fix the amount. Don't contribute to the pig's trough. No need to purchase any currency before you arrive.. You are in the twenty first century. Both airports will have quite a few ATMs at your disposal.

Try £4.50 in Argentina. Last time I was in Thailand you could withdraw without any fees, I'm pretty sure.

How do you use a Clarity card to withdraw ovre the counter?