Travel credit card for Thailand? Advice needed

EveryWhere

cubegame wrote: »

With respect, it was probably perfectly clear to most.

Are you in most people's heads?

Your post was as clear as mud. Which is why you clarified it later with your two receipt scenario and admitted that you did not take a photo at all.
The only reason why you got a refund, is because of your other receipt and not because of a totally unrelated sign, nor a photograph of the aforementioned, on the booth.

To now claim that is was clear to everyone but me, is clearly just you being ridiculous.

cubegame

EveryWhere wrote: »

Are you in most people's heads?

Your post was as clear as mud. Which is why you clarified it later with your two receipt scenario and admitted that you did not take a photo at all.
The only reason why you got a refund, is because of your other receipt and not because of a totally unrelated sign, nor a photograph of the aforementioned, on the booth.

To now claim that is was clear to everyone but me, is clearly just you being ridiculous.

I'm lead to understand the appropriate phrase is "whatever”.

EveryWhere

cubegame wrote: »

I'm lead to understand the appropriate phrase is "whatever”.

Who/what lead you?

I know that you are itching for an argument. But I prefer to just stick with the facts.

EveryWhere

If you'd like to pick up a SIM at the airport, in so that you can hit the ground running; https://www.klook.com/activity/16587-dtac-4g-sim-thailand/ £3.35 (Usual price £8.88)

Supplied with 3 GB of data that is valid for 8 days.

You can call home for 2.5p per minute to landlines and 15p per minute to mobiles. Of course you can use your Apps to communicate using your data. But perhaps you might want to call a landline at home or someone who does not own a Smartphone..

http://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/products/tourist-sim.html

You get some Freebies and discounts with the card; http://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/services/tourist-sim-privileges.html

If you use up your 3 GB before the first eight days is up(first day is counted as a whole day), you can add more data during those eight days by pressing *103*567# then the dial key, to add 2.5 GB data at max speed for 63.13 baht (VAT included)£1.62.
After the eight days is up, you can press *104*388# plus the dial key, to subscribe to an unlimited data package for 7 days at 4 Mbps speed for 160.50 baht (VAT included)£4.11.

Heliflyguy

You could take a couple of options. I like Transferwise, some would disagree but they seem to like arguing. I would still take some nice crisp unmarked £50 notes.
It would be wise not to rely on just 1 or 2 payment choices.

EveryWhere

Heliflyguy wrote: »

You could take a couple of options. I like Transferwise, some would disagree but they seem to like arguing. I would still take some nice crisp unmarked £50 notes.
It would be wise not to rely on just 1 or 2 payment choices.

Transferwise card is wholly inferior to the Starling card for when it comes to usage in Thailand.
It has only Free ATM withdrawals up to £200 a month and charges 2% if you go over that.
Also states; Only pay a small conversion fee when you convert your money — typically between 0.35% and 1%
I think for Thai baht, it is 0.58%. Not terrible.

But a £200 a month cash limit in Thailand is not a good thing. For that reason, I wouldn't recommend the Transferwise card for Thailand in particular.

Perhaps if they cannot obtain a Starling debit card or the Tandem credit card, since neither have a cash limit and allow the possibility of a cash advance over the counter. So avoiding a 220 baht ATM withdrawal fee.

Heliflyguy

In Thailand its best to avoid ATMs and take cash to exchange for the best rates.

I never said Transfer wise is the best only that I liked it and to have only 1 way of getting cash or paying is not a good idea.

I was correct about 1 thing though...

The_Fat_Controller

MasterCard rates are marginally better than Visa rates for the THB, so if you do spend a lot that is a consideration.

Lots of places do not accept cards at all, some have a minimum spend and watch out for them applying Dynamic Currency Conversion, insist on paying in THB.

Same goes for ATMs, they will offer DCC, which you should obviously decline, READ THE SCREEN !

ATM charges for pretty much unavoidable.

High end establishments will take cards, but be careful with restaurant pricing as it is often WITHOUT the ++, so VAT and Service Charge will be added.

Santander Zero MasterCard is my card of choice for hotels, but I never get cash advances or use it an an ATM.

I use cash for everyday items, take unmarked English notes, some exchanges will give marginally better rates for £50s.