Our NZ VISA card was blocked inside Myanmar - anyone else had this?

We went to Myanmar for 3 weks but a week into the trip as our $US dwindled and we started to try ATMs we got "transaction cancelled" when we got to the step where the cash should appear. We tried the card inside banks with the staff but they said the card was for ATMs only and should work. We tried to buy internal airfares at travel agencies but the card came up "do not honour". We called the VISA emergency number and applied for emergency funds. A day later we called them back and they said the application was declined, no reason given, and advised us to talk to our own bank. We did this and were told by Westpac NZ the card wouldn't work anywhere in Myanmar and we wouldn't get emergency funds either, because of sanctions between USA and Myanmar, VISA being a US company. We called the NZ Embassy in Myanmar for advice as our $US were low and some notes weren't new enough to be accepted. They said they had never heard of such sanctions and talked to the bank but got the same story and were unable to change Westpac's stance. We spent several days at a cheap guesthouse with free breakfasts to conserve our last Kyats and flew out ten days early thanks to a family member who funded the air ticket change. So our years-anticipated travels round Myanmar were largely derailed, although we have mostly great memories of what we did get to see. Still baffled as (1) most larger traders welcomed VISA and didn't understand why our card didn't work; and (2) many other travellers we met were successfully using VISA and other credit cards. Anyone else had similar experiences?

I thought the sanctions were lifted years ago. Sorry to hear you had to leave early, think you should take this up with Visa as seems their information is outdated.

But I have never used a card inside Myanmar have always taken new US$s. However I did take a visa card as back-up and when I informed my bank they said it was fine. Did you inform your bank before going?

I used a Citibank Visa card at ATMs through Myanmar last year with no problems. Sounds like you need to talk to your bank again.
Did you consider getting money wired to you through Western Union? It might have enabled you to continue your holiday.

I would guess the problem lies with YOUR bank and not Visa.

as above...it is not a 'Visa' problem, but some few banks themselves that block/ed their cards from use there...

But....I use my oz Westpac credit card there with no dramas at all, since the ATMs first started a few years ago...also use my NAB credit and debit cards...

Assuming you did tell your bank BEFORE you left, that you were going O/S and using their card, and where and when...which you should do any time you travel overseas....otherwise they can block the card when they see it being used o/s...doesn't sound like that was necessarily your problem tho...?

Thanks rivaltribal, yes we did indeed visit our local bank in person to tell them where we were going, and when, for exactly the reason you mention. They have already conceded they should have told us about their ?sanctions? policy at that point. . .

seems strange that the NZ Westpac card would be blocked, but the Australian Westpac is fine....

Sorry to hear of your troubles - the international electronic connection with banks is still very fuzzy for Myanmar and even the banks themselves are quite confused. That's why I caution that it is still a good idea to bring enough cash money, and have a long list of cash change points here: http://bytelife.altervista.org/popexchange.htm
And a warning at the end (The Blocking of Burma).

I see 2 of my cards are blocked, Halifax and Lloyds are part of same bank. This is important as quite a few UK travellers use the Halifax Clarity credit card.

Small point Mandalay has far more than 3 exchange counters now, I would say 6 or 7.

@BruceFraser -- sorry to hear of your troubles. If you did, in fact, advise the bank of your travel plans beforehand and the bank didn't warn of this issue then it is time to find a new bank. Your current bank is clearly not diligent and who know what other disasters that bank will create.

An alternative is to look for some sort of travel Visa or MasterCard that you can preload with NZD. But check the fees carefully before getting one, as often, these charge you for every transaction including loading the thing in the first place.

I would not bother with travel card, the one I got was a complete waste of time and money. Best to find a bank that has no or low fees for overseas transactions and you can use everywhere you will go.

"Best to find a bank that has no or low fees for overseas transactions and you can use everywhere you will go"
I have a Post Office Mastercard that has nil charges for use overseas use but that would be of little use in an ATM in Myanmar as I will still be charged 5-6000kyat locally per withdrawal by the Myanmar Bank.
SS

Thank you Herbie, i've corrected Mandalay airport to 6 exchange counters. That's a lot for a smallish airport!

Yes there were loads, all slightly different rates.

It that a Credit or Debit card?

I don't like the fees either, so don't use ATMs in Thailand or Myanmar.

I used a Citibank Visa card at ATMs through Myanmar last year with no problems.

I read the info from this article where it says if you use your Citibank Plus Visa card at the AYA (Ayeyarwady) ATMs they only charge 50Kyat [sic] (50c) per withdrawal. Just wondering if you have tried it or if that's true? If yes, then I will certainly use my Citibank Plus Visa card at those AYA ATMs instead of bringing all the U$$$ I might need for my next trip to Myanmar.

Interesting article. I couldn't see a date on it. EVERY atm that I used during the 4 months I was in Myanmar last year charged a flat 5,000 kyat withdrawal fee. I've read that some have now increased that fee. I can't specifically remember using AYA bank but I suspect I did.
The advantage of Citibank is that it doesn't charge any fees in addition to the local ATM fee. Most banks charge an additional fee - often 2.5% of the transaction (which you won't see till you check your bank statement) - so that a withdrawal of $300 invokes a total fee of $12-13.
The 5,000 kyat flat ATM fee for me is a small price for the security of not having to carry large sums of cash in US$ which also needs to be in pristine condition.

herbie#14
It is a Post Office Platinum Mastercard (paid off in full monthly) credit card-I have used it in Oman,the UAE and Spain and saved at least 2% on purchases.
Will use in Myanmar soon for hotels and airline tickets-I don't use ATM's abroad
SS

OK I see, seems similar to Halifax Clarity which has no fees but it appears is blocked in Myanmar. However they did not tell when I phoned up and told them I was going there. I will check again.

ATMs are generally ok I have used in Vietnam (no fee) and Laos (low fee).

'The 5,000 kyat flat ATM fee for me is a small price for the security of not having to carry large sums of cash in US$ which also needs to be in pristine condition.' - yup....also, if from a country you have to first buy $US, and loose $ in the transaction, to then buy Kyat, then you are not that much worse of using card and wearing the fees.

ATMs are generally ok I have used in Vietnam (no fee) ' not quite true....last I was in Vietnam,, early 2015, the several different banks ATMs I used all had fees, or varying amounts, similar to, or actually more, than Myanmar ATMs.
Posts I have read in Vietnam forum mentioned only something like 1 Vietnam banks that ATMs had no/low fee.

Thai ATMs fee are 150/180 Baht...equal to, or more, than Myanmar ATM fees.

Well I was in Vietnam last year, 2 banks did not charge, yes some others charge around $1-$2. Problem is cards don't always work, some are blocked, seems 2 of my card are. I've had problems in Laos and Thailand with cards not working. Also your bank may also add fees, my main bank charges about 4.5% with max charge of £4.50 so add that onto local fees its quite expensive. I can get $s cash for about 1% less than spot rate.

Think Thailand is now 180-200 baht.

Was in Vietnam Jan/Feb 2015 - the ATM fees of the several Vietnamese banks I used were FAR more than $1-2...as I said, their fees were very comparable to Myanmar ATMs.
Never had a problem with Thai ATMs....their fees used to be 150 baht, but are now 180 baht.

Well I was in Vietnam in April 2015 and never paid any ATM fees. Most Thai banks charge 200 baht. If you want to keep giving your money to banks that's upto you.

Yes, Thai fees now 200baht. And we can withdraw 25000 easily but we're static and here for an extended period.

so maybe you were lucky to use ATM from one of the few banks that don't have (higher) fees....

Yes I was lucky I did some research, there were at least 3 banks that did not have fees. Quite a few had 20,000 fee.

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