Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[Captain Halliday]

Philippines is still a strong cash economy.

In particular, taxis at MNL airport.

Don’t wait until you arrive to get your pesos, because the ATMs at MNL are a rip off. See here.

 

[burmans]

Was that to change into local currency?

Yep. I have amazing memories of changing only a small amount in Harare and getting the thickest wad of currency ever.

 

[LondonAussie]

Just went through France last week and didn't need cash (used ING debit visa). Hit Italy and I needed cash for the metro - the ticket machines in Milan keep declining my ing card.

Had the same issue in Milan travelling with some Aussie friends, their Australian cards were declined but my UK-issued card was accepted. I ended up buying the tickets for our entire group...

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Philippines is still a strong cash economy.

In particular, taxis at MNL airport.

Don’t wait until you arrive to get your pesos, because the ATMs at MNL are a rip off. See here.

Thanks for the warning.

So are you saying changing at home would be the best rate v money changer at MNL v ATM rate at MNL? I'm surprised as the 'norm' in SE Asia is to change over there.

Did you get a better ATM rate in town?

Wasn't Grab convenient at MNL? I think you can pay for Grab using a linked card. I have gotten used to Grab in SE Asia - my main issue is finding/determining the pick up point in a foreign country.

Its alway a shock to find a cough rate after the fact, so sorry.

 

[Seat0B]

Christmas Market Stalls along the Rhine. So Germany, France and Switzerland. And some restrooms.

We had the same experience with Christmas markets along the Danube - so Germany, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary. And 100% agree with the public toilet situation. Such a shock to have to pay at all! But definitely needed cash.

 

[Seat0B]

Don't think you've been to Egypt, Israel or Jordan yet then.

Reminds me - possibly the ultimate case - Iran! No 'foreign' cards accepted at all, due to sanctions, so you take $US or Euro cash , & exchange them at the airport

We had the same experience in Morocco in 2017 - it may have changed since then, but at that time both import and export of currency were tightly controlled and you had to have major currency notes to exchange for local cash.

Our experiences in Middle East (Jordan, UAE, Oman) are very mixed. If you stick to “expat friendly” places, you can probably use card, but anything authentic, local or off the beaten track requires wads of cash. And at various times and places, people have been most enthusiastic about being paid in USD cash.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thanks for the warning.

So are you saying changing at home would be the best rate v money changer at MNL v ATM rate at MNL? I'm surprised as the 'norm' in SE Asia is to change over there.

Did you get a better ATM rate in town?

Wasn't Grab convenient at MNL? I think you can pay for Grab using a linked card. I have gotten used to Grab in SE Asia - my main issue is finding/determining the pick up point in a foreign country.

Its alway a shock to find a cough rate after the fact, so sorry.

Can't comment about ATM rates in town sorry.

We had three days and basically didn't leave the hotel, so the cash I required was for a taxi each way.

I guess if you were withdrawing a larger sum, then the flat fee charged by both the ATM and my AU bank would have been less painful.

I didn't write down the numbers, but while the FX rate wasn't brilliant nor do I recall it being significantly different to the spot rate.

 

[Seat0B]

Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia - all similar to Indonesia, with cash being king. Most local places will not accept cards. Cambodia also accepts USD in addition to KHR, with most prices in Siem Reap tourist areas being listed in USD only and a street exchange rate of 1 USD = 4000 KHR in place.

Of course, if you're just visiting foreigner-oriented places, such as upmarket restaurants, many will accept cards. But what's the point in travelling if you don't actually visit the real country? I don't understand people who visit a country (especially in Asia) and only eat at restaurants. What a waste.

I had a similar experience Vientiane in the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic in 2019. Even my upmarket hotel (a work trip) wanted to be paid in cash. I ended up with a bit left over and tried to exchange it back to AUD at the airport as I was leaving but extortionate fees and exchange rate meant I would hand over a wad of cash and get practically nothing back. I decided not to exchange and then hung around arrivals till I saw an Aussie couple arriving and gave them my money (about $20 worth) and told them to have a beer on me! They could not believe their luck, after being initially suspicious (which I guess is fair enough) until I told them the story. They were off to Luang Prabang and said they would toast my health! I hope they did.

 

[SYD]

Any recent experiences in Argentina? We’ve booked points flights to SCL next year and will spend some time in BA (and probably elsewhere in Argentina as well as Chile).

I understand the official FOREX rate(s) are still crazy and complicated but I believe there’s some sort of rebate on foreign CCs - that brings you closer to the official rate. Wandering if USD might be the go? Certainly planning to take some anyway.

 

[Seat0B]

Jeez, if you are stuck with equivalent of A$20 at the end, put it in the UNICEF bag on the plane, or bin at the airport of keep it for next time. OR even, offer it to other AFFers, which happens regularly in my experience.

That was my Plan B, @RooFlyer!

 

[Seat0B]

What happens when there are issues with your bank, do you pat yourself on the back because you have a platinum card or are you racing down to the bank to withdraw all your 'CASH'

This happened to us in the USA in 2019. The bank system was down for maintenance as we were trying to check out - which we only found out after our card was declined several times and we called the bank. We had a different card (Amex) but the hotel did not accept Amex. We had an emergency card, but the credit limit was too low to pay the full amount, so we had to suddenly find several hundred USD on our last day in the US. This entailed a 10 min drive to the nearest shops to find an ATM. We now take even more credit and debit card options with different banks with us just in case this happens again.plus, cash almost always works - except those places now going with ”card only“ - arghhhhh.

 

[exceladdict]

Philippines is still a strong cash economy.

In particular, taxis at MNL airport.

Don’t wait until you arrive to get your pesos, because the ATMs at MNL are a rip off. See here.

Thanks for the warning.

So are you saying changing at home would be the best rate v money changer at MNL v ATM rate at MNL? I'm surprised as the 'norm' in SE Asia is to change over there.

Did you get a better ATM rate in town?

Wasn't Grab convenient at MNL? I think you can pay for Grab using a linked card. I have gotten used to Grab in SE Asia - my main issue is finding/determining the pick up point in a foreign country.

Its alway a shock to find a cough rate after the fact, so sorry.

Interesting, I've always tended to withdraw at MNL (though with the rebate from ING covering those horrible charges). Second choice has been to change AUD to PHP at the banks/shopfronts immediately after you exit customs. But I generally don't shop at markets etc so haven't usually needed much cash

 

[VPS]

Any recent experiences in Argentina? We’ve booked points flights to SCL next year and will spend some time in BA (and probably elsewhere in Argentina as well as Chile).

I understand the official FOREX rate(s) are still crazy and complicated but I believe there’s some sort of rebate on foreign CCs - that brings you closer to the official rate. Wandering if USD might be the go? Certainly planning to take some anyway.

I can't remember exactly but it was either Chile or Argentina (or both) who have ridiculous ATM fees. @RooFlyer is off there soon so he may have some up to date knowledge

 

[SYD]

I can't remember exactly but it was either Chile or Argentina (or both) who have ridiculous ATM fees. @RooFlyer is off there soon so he may have some up to date knowledge

Argentina definitely has large ATM fees and low daily withdrawal limits! I might be wrong but my understanding is you won’t get close to the official rate at an ATM now either?

I can’t recall if he deal in Chile for ATM fees but this will be our first trip back post ING axing fee rebates

 

[Lynda2475]

I don't recall any trouble finding fee free ATMs in Chile (Scotiabank and maybe Satander), but haven't been back post covid. Cards are widely accepted though.

 

[RooFlyer]

I can't remember exactly but it was either Chile or Argentina (or both) who have ridiculous ATM fees. @RooFlyer is off there soon so he may have some up to date knowledge

Nothing up-to-date, but when I was there about 6 years ago, there were certainly stiff ATM fees and even the local CitiBank (Banko Edwardo IIRC) charged a fee for my Citi debit card! Wonder how my WISE will go?

 

[VPS]

Nothing up-to-date, but when I was there about 6 years ago, there were certainly stiff ATM fees and even the local CitiBank (Banko Edwardo IIRC) charged a fee for my Citi debit card! Wonder how my WISE will go?

I used Wise for the first time in Chile and it just wouldn't work but haven't had any issues since

 

[RooFlyer]

This is a very annoying site with things opening all the time and forcing your page to scroll on the phone, but seems to have some good information about ATMs in Chile and also a fee free bank

How to Avoid Chile ATM Fees - The ONLY fee free ATMs in Chile

Chilean ATM Fees for foreign cards are HIGH! Our guide on how to find fee-free ATMs in Chile + how to pay the lowest ATM fees in Chile.

asocialnomad.com

 

[SYD]

I don't recall any trouble finding fee free ATMs in Chile, but haven't been back post covid. Cards are widely accepted though.

Yeah, not expecting any issues in Chile. It was fine time but the Argentinian economy has gone from bad to worse. A far cry from our first visit in 2001 and we got less than 0.5 Peso to the AUD (it was stilled pegged to the USD) .

Nothing up-to-date, but when I was there about 6 years ago, there were certainly stiff ATM fees and even the local CitiBank (Banko Edwardo IIRC) charged a fee for my Citi debit card! Wonder how my WISE will go?

Yes, coming up to 6yrs since being in Argentina (and Chile)….

 

[Lynda2475]

So that article confirms my recollection of Scotiabank atms being fee free (noting they also have a partnership with WBC, which is likely why I was keeping an eye out for them).