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Overseas Money

Replies: 5 - Last Post: 07-Sep-2007 18:05 Last Post By: smartcookie

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Jules1985

Jules1985 avatar

07-Sep-2007 02:50
Posts:  22

Overseas Money

Hi all,

I currently live in australia and i will be travelling to thailand at the end of the year... I am wondering what would be the best way to take our money overseas.

My partner is with Bank SA and he has a Bank SA Visa Credit Card and a Visa Debit Card (I think the Visa Debit card can only be used at ATM's tho) Whats atm availability like in thailand north and south and bangkok?

I have a Commonwealth and Citibank Visa Credit card as well as ur normal savings account card. Do people know what the maestro and cirrus symbols mean? (soz bout the spelling of those)

I am wondering if i shld just use the cards that we have and just make sure we can use them overseas or does anyone have any other suggestions of banks that offer good overseas deals... I have heard of cash passports eg travelex have one and also american express (has anyone ever used them, if u have used another company and have good reports please do tell). I am not really interested in getting another credit card as such, but would definately consider opening another savings account if that can save a fair bit on fees as we will have the cash and not be needing credit.

We will also be taking some baht with us to... How much do u think is recommened to take with us from Australia and then we can just top up when we get to thailand (Im assuming it will be cheaper to exchange money in thailand than do it here in Aus).

Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks

Call me Bubbles darling.... Everybody does.

mullup

mullup avatar

07-Sep-2007 05:04
Posts:  358

1

I use credit cards to withdraw from ATM's (available everywhere). I take 14900 baht each withdrawl to minimise atm fee's, and to have some smaller baht than just 1000's. (e.g. 500, 100's).

Cash exchange rate for AU$ is better than you'd expect in Thailand (remember to swap them back before you leave) because YES, the rate offered in Australia is poor.

So taking AU$500 to exchange on arrival is a good way to start your trip. (Consider keeping a few hundred stashed away for your contingency plan).

losing_touch

losing_touch avatar

07-Sep-2007 06:33
Posts:  7,978

2

Quote

We will also be taking some baht with us to... How much do u think is recommened to take with us from Australia and then we can just top up when we get to thailand (Im assuming it will be cheaper to exchange money in thailand than do it here in Aus).

You are correct. As #1 states, there is no reason to bring THB with you. You can exchange when you arrive.

ATM's are ridiculously easy to find. Some places still don't have them, but they would be remote islands. Hell, even Cambodia has ATM's these days.

Thailand Visa Information
Some Hotels - Suvarnabhumi Airport

billp

billp avatar

07-Sep-2007 08:32
Posts:  3,312

3

In Australia, get a Wizard card if you can because they don't charge any fees for ATM withdrawals.

manicl

manicl avatar

07-Sep-2007 17:56
Posts:  8

4

yes as per billp use a Wizard credit card but load it up with money before you travel that way you'll avoid fees and interest on cash advances.

smartcookie

smartcookie avatar

07-Sep-2007 18:05
Posts:  4,390

5

Use your ATM/Debit card to withdraw local currency from any ATM when you arrive. You will lose the least money on exchange that way.

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