Best way to take money to Philippines?

KITT2000

I am wondering what is the best (and safest) way to take money when I go to the Philippines next month, whether it be using my credit card, taking a pre-paid card, or getting cash before I go., or a combination of them all? 

I will need approximately £1000 worth of Peso whilst I am there, using my debit card is out of the question as I won't have enough funds in my bank account. So I was thinking that I will use my credit card here to buy £1000 worth of Phillippine Peso for cash or onto a pre-loaded card, or both so I have some cash and use the pre-loaded card later on whilst I am there. Or, do I get some cash beforehand and just use my credit card whilst I am there?

I was thinking of getting a travel credit card such as Chase but unfortunately, I am not able to apply for another credit card.

Any suggestions please, thanks.

eskbanker

Using a credit card to get cash (either currency or loading a prepaid card) will generally be one of the more expensive ways, but if you won't have funds in your bank account, it sounds like you may not have any choice?  How much of your spending is likely to be cash-based rather than paying directly by card, and which card(s) do you have?

KITT2000

I have a few credit cards I can use: Sainsbury's, Virgin Money, Tesco and HSBC. As to how much I will use as cash-based and on my card I don't know to be honest. My main concern is that I do not want to take too much cash out with me for safety reasons in case where I will be staying does not have a safe and I will be traveling around rather than staying in one spot. I will be wearing a 'bum bag' around my waist to carry my valuables (phone etc) so my cash should be fairly secure with me (I hope!)

Voyager2002

Get yourself a Curve card. Use it to withdraw cash from your credit cards when you are there without paying the foreign currency fees, or to spend using your cards again without paying their foreign currency surcharge.

KITT2000

Thanks. Is the Curve card a physical card or just an app, or both?

NoodleDoodleMan

This website might be of interest ?

https://www.moneymax.ph/personal-finance/articles/atm-service-fees-philippines

KITT2000

I have just downloaded the Curve app; I am guessing all I need is the basic blue curve card which has a one-off £4.99 delivery fee as the other card are a monthly subscription

scoot65

What debit cards do you currently have?

I've found that the Philippines is still very 'cash' transactions rather than credit / debit payments.
  
I would say that you'd want to have some Pesos on you when you arrive, maybe £50 to £100 worth.

If you have either Starling, Virgin Money or Chase cards, (ideally you want to have more than one card) load them up with ££'s before you leave UK and once in Philippines use the cards to withdraw Pesos from ATMs with no foreign currency fees charged.

I would also take with you some UK Pounds as a back-up (make sure the notes are in good condition and not torn / severely creased) because sometimes the ATM network can be down and you could use the ££'s at a money changer in emergencies. 

Note that Philippine ATMs charge P250 for each cash withdrawal using a foreign bank card. So best to withdraw the maximum amount to avoid having to make several withdrawals at P250 a pop.

I've used the above mentioned cards in Philippine banks' ATMs without problem. I tend to use the bigger banks such as BDO, PNB, BPI and MetroBank.

Some banks state that the maximum single withdrawal is P20,000, but usually you'll find that the ATMs with only allow a P10,000 each time (this is using a UK debit card)...... you can of course make another withdrawal straight away.

If you need to book any domestic flights, both Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines  websites accept UK credit cards.  Cebu Pacific tend to be cheaper than Philippines Airlines. 





   
 

tightauldgit

I was in the Phils in Feb/March - most places will accept credit cards but not the little mom and pop places off the beaten track. 

Download Grab and use that for taxis as it will be easier, cheaper and you can pay by card whereas normal taxis want cash. You'll also be able to order food etc for delivery if you want to. 

I actually found it difficult to spend cash in the Phils (I was trying to!) as everything was generally so cheap anyway.

The one time i did get caught out was buying a SIM card at the mall as they only accepted cash and I had to go to the ATM and got stung with silly fees for what was a relatively small transaction. So it certainly is worth taking a small amount of cash with you but unless you are going off piste then in tourist spots you'll be able to use your card for most things. 

I was there for a month and think I spent 3 hundred quid or so and that was TRYING to use cash where possible for the last 3 weeks (but hotels and flights etc were on cards generally).  

I have a surplus of PHP sitting here - I'm almost tempted to offer to sell you some but not sure that would be allowed.