Cash or card for Kuala Lumpur and Singapore?

unstoppable

Hi

When travelling within Europe I take my trusted Halifax Clarity card due to its decent rates and along with some back up cash.

I'll be travelling to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore later this year. Is the Halifax Clarity okay for these destinations also? Or better to take just cash?

Thanks.

Doshwaster

I wouldn't take any cash with you, just withdraw any you need as you'd get a terrible exchanger rate before leaving home. Plastic should be OK for most things but you may need cash for some of the night markets and hawker stalls.

I haven't been to KL in a few years and was rather underwhelmed by it but I was in Singapore last September and loved the place. You be aware that when you see a price on a menu there will be a service charge (typically 10%) and tax (7%, I think) so everything is 17% more expensive that it first appears.

unstoppable

No that's what I call a useful tip, thank you!

About cash - just so I understand correctly are you saying it's better to withdraw using my Halifax clarity in Singapore / KL as opposed to taking currency with me? Won't that incur heavy interest? I'll be away for 10 days if that helps with context..

Thanks

Voyager2002

I had no trouble at all obtaining cash in both these places using ATMs.

eDicky

Your Clarity card is as ideal to use in Malaysia and Singapore (or indeed most countries worldwide) as it is in Europe.

A bit of cash may be useful, just draw it from an ATM with your Clarity, the daily interest will be minimal compared to the cost of exchanging cash, and can be reduced by paying off early.

Cash pounds can easily be exchanged there at better rates than in UK, if you prefer to do that.

Always have other cards or cash as backup, the Clarity is reliable but any card can occasionally be declined or lost etc.

kimplus8

Jessie?? Is that you? (adjusts my sherlock monocle).

Doshwaster

unstoppable wrote: »

No that's what I call a useful tip, thank you!

About cash - just so I understand correctly are you saying it's better to withdraw using my Halifax clarity in Singapore / KL as opposed to taking currency with me? Won't that incur heavy interest? I'll be away for 10 days if that helps with context..

Thanks

The cash withdrawal interest rate on Clarity is equivalent to a few pence per £100 per day. You could pay off the balance as you go but even if you leave it until you get home it will be less than a pound interest which isn't worth losing sleep over.

Alternatively you could take a specialist debit card to go alongside your Clarity. It's always wise to have more than one form of plastic in case one is declined/blocked or lost.

Voyager2002

Internet access is good in this part of the world, so if you are worried about interest you can easily use your online banking to make payments to your Clarity card.

A more significant point: I do hope that you are not going all that way to confine yourself to two rather mediocre cities. The most attractive destination in this part of the world is almost certainly Georgetown, while both Melaka and Tioman offer considerably more than do Singapore and KL put together.

Moe_The_Bartender

I used Clarity in KL and Singapore last year with Monzo as a back up.

slinga

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Internet access is good in this part of the world, so if you are worried about interest you can easily use your online banking to make payments to your Clarity card.

A more significant point: I do hope that you are not going all that way to confine yourself to two rather mediocre cities. The most attractive destination in this part of the world is almost certainly Georgetown, while both Melaka and Tioman offer considerably more than do Singapore and KL put together.

Tioman? Well been once and although OK won't bother again.
We are in Malacca at the moment, haven't been for 3 years but usually come twice a year at least. There is a lot to see and we like it but quite a few may not. Lots of new boutique hotels although we stay in the Puri for its location.


Off up to Penang next month which is the best destination out here, imo.
Just one thing on Singapore there has been a blossoming of street art recently and it's very good.
Much better than Banksie.

Voyager2002

slinga wrote: »

Tioman? Well been once and although OK won't bother again.
We are in Malacca at the moment, haven't been for 3 years but usually come twice a year at least. There is a lot to see and we like it but quite a few may not. Lots of new boutique hotels although we stay in the Puri for its location.


Off up to Penang next month which is the best destination out here, imo.
Just one thing on Singapore there has been a blossoming of street art recently and it's very good.
Much better than Banksie.

Just to clarify: Georgetown is on the island of Penang, which I agree absolutely is the best destination.

There are several different resort areas on Tioman island and it is hard to get from one to another (impossible unless you use an expensive water taxi). Obiously some are nicer than others, but all of them offer more natural beauty and tropical island experience than you will find in KL.