Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[SYD]

Repeat experience over past 5 years definitely supports take AUD and change in Thailand. Gone are the days of pop by the local 711 ATM to get/ top-up baht at any time. Street front exchange rates are competitive.

Found this in a blog. Branches in Bangkok. Looks very competitive….

The Best Currency Exchange Rates | Super Rich Thailand

Foreign currency exchange for all currencies which the high exchange rate in the central Bangkok in Pratunam area.

www.superrichthailand.com

Hoping to find something similar now in coughet…

Edit: stumbled upon a Superrich stand in Patong. The rates didn’t look that great actually….

 

[Lat34]

Hoping to find something similar now in coughet…

coughet now teeming with even more Russians so

 

[SYD]

coughet now teeming with even more Russians so

OT but yep… Not welcome in Europe and other places but apparently free access via ME, Turkey and China?

 

[jastel]

Just came back from 6 weeks in US and Canada.
They have really updated since covid, I would say its just like Australia now with 90% of places accepting cash and credit cards.
Some tourist attractions are online booking only with those barcode things so cant use cash.
Many cities have transit apps only for public transport which can get annoying, think I had to download 6 or so. Another problem is your hands are freezing while you stand and wait for the bus...then you get on and app has closed, give me a plastic card!
No trouble with the several petrol stations I used with pay at pump.
Even some vending machines and washing machines are credit card only...makes for a dear can of coke after currency conversions!!
Another thing I noticed as a cash user sometimes was a delay in getting the bill...bigger restaurants seemed to only have 1 credit card machine and that was the delay, waiting for that...they all just assumed I wanted credit.

 

[Silvia]

Mexico is still quite cash heavy. Lots of smaller business prefer cash as they can’t absorb the cc fees

 

[SYD]

Just came back from 6 weeks in US and Canada.
They have really updated since covid, I would say its just like Australia now with 90% of places accepting cash and credit cards.
Some tourist attractions are online booking only with those barcode things so cant use cash.
Many cities have transit apps only for public transport which can get annoying, think I had to download 6 or so. Another problem is your hands are freezing while you stand and wait for the bus...then you get on and app has closed, give me a plastic card!
No trouble with the several petrol stations I used with pay at pump.
Even some vending machines and washing machines are credit card only...makes for a dear can of coke after currency conversions!!
Another thing I noticed as a cash user sometimes was a delay in getting the bill...bigger restaurants seemed to only have 1 credit card machine and that was the delay, waiting for that...they all just assumed I wanted credit.

The US was pretty good for CC acceptance before but as mentioned earlier, most of the smaller places have rolled out those tap & tip machines (although you wouldn’t have tipped at them previously…). Unlike Canada (that does the total amount including tip) at the POS machine, the US is generally still subverting full electronic payments with those PITA chits to manually enter tip and then sign - even in bars!

 

[exceladdict]

As mentioned earlier, in Thailand cash is essential - especially if you plan to leave your hotel/resort. Mid to high end restaurants will take cards but then it becomes hit and miss in more “local” restaurants and bars. Mainly cash only.

The double whammy is the ₽220 (A$9.50) ATM fee *everywhere*. We took out about A$500 to cover incidentals but will run out soon. Might have to resort to exchanging some AUD…

Grab is good for taxis (and paying via CC).

Many places have the QR code thing but not worked out how to yet.

I had a hotel restaurant accept cash only recently!

And 7elevens all had minimum 200thb for a purchase, give or take $8 AU - not a lot but with the low prices of water and food, it often meant buying more than intended.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Southern France in the Dordogne River area - lots of cash only places.

 

[Tiki]

The various Bank branches at MNL airport (T3) immediately outside the Arrivals hall display their rates. I always use BDO to exchange AUD to MNL (PHP). The rates are always better then the Oz banks and Oz FX dealers and close to the mid-market rate used by Wise. No fees. Easier then an ATM but you may have to line up. The process is fast and easy.

Is BDO the name of a bank or money changer? We will be arriving in Davao airport in a few months but I am planning ahead because we have to pay a lot of guides and 4x4 hire for birding in cash. I did find out that maximum withdrawal is 10,000 PHP, about $270 AUD with fees of 250 PHP on their end plus the bank fee of around $5. So probably going to either take cash AUD or buy PHP here.

 

[CMA222]

Is BDO the name of a bank or money changer? We will be arriving in Davao airport in a few months but I am planning ahead because we have to pay a lot of guides and 4x4 hire for birding in cash. I did find out that maximum withdrawal is 10,000 PHP, about $270 AUD with fees of 250 PHP on their end plus the bank fee of around $5. So probably going to either take cash AUD or buy PHP here.

BDO is one of the major banks in the Philippines

https://www.bdo.com.ph/about-bdo/corporate-profile

I gather you are referring to the ATM's when referring to withdrawal limits and fees because a straight exchange of currency at a BDO utilises the then current bank exchange rate (less than the mid market rate) and has no fees at the Manilla airport T3 branch.

Davao has branches, but apparently no BDO ATM's: (scroll down)

https://www.bdo.com.ph/branches-atms-locator?type=branch&branch_location=0&area=993&keyword=&form_build_id=form-3yeptE8XLJfE4zW8MHXYuRNaa1Pfc7jzbGrlGpNX_fs&form_id=branch_atm_page_form

Are you flying directly into Davao ?

 

[Tiki]

BDO is one of the major banks in the Philippines

https://www.bdo.com.ph/about-bdo/corporate-profile

I gather you are referring to the ATM's when referring to withdrawal limits and fees because a straight exchange of currency at a BDO utilises the then current bank exchange rate (less than the mid market rate) and has no fees at the Manilla airport T3 branch.

Davao has branches, but apparently no BDO ATM's: (scroll down)

https://www.bdo.com.ph/branches-atms-locator?type=branch&branch_location=0&area=993&keyword=&form_build_id=form-3yeptE8XLJfE4zW8MHXYuRNaa1Pfc7jzbGrlGpNX_fs&form_id=branch_atm_page_form

Are you flying directly into Davao ?

Yes on Scoot from SIN. We will probably bring cash AUD and exchange at least some of it at the airport. We are bird watching so most of where we will be are remote areas so need to be prepared.

 

[FrankC]

Yes on Scoot from SIN. We will probably bring cash AUD and exchange at least some of it at the airport. We are bird watching so most of where we will be are remote areas so need to be prepared.

If you have time in Singapore, might want to check out the money changer there

 

[CMA222]

Yes on Scoot from SIN. We will probably bring cash AUD and exchange at least some of it at the airport. We are bird watching so most of where we will be are remote areas so need to be prepared.

This guide to the airport (which says it is 3 years ago) says there are money changing facilities at the airport and the ATM's (ownership not disclosed) come with a warning about fees.

Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport - Discover The Philippines

Davao International Airport information and details. Learn how to get there, airlines and destinations, facilities and services, and more.

www.discoverthephilippines.com

However, this guide says the airport does NOT offer "currency exchange services" but there are ATM's and mentions the three main banks (BDO, Metrobank and RCBC) which contradicts the BDO "find an ATM" service on the BDO website.

Davao Airport (DVO) | Francisco Bangoy International Airport

It might be prudent to take some PHP from Singapore (or Oz) if the rate is acceptable. You can watch the mid market rate live on the Xe.com app.

 

[Tiki]

We have a 6 hour layover in SIN. We are planning to get a Grab to Changi Beach and see some Tanimbar Corellas, if there is a money changer there it could work. I guess the best option is withdraw SGD from an ATM then change to PHP at a cash money changer?

 

[CMA222]

We have a 6 hour layover in SIN. We are planning to get a Grab to Changi Beach and see some Tanimbar Corellas, if there is a money changer there it could work. I guess the best option is withdraw SGD from an ATM then change to PHP at a cash money changer?

Reasonably easy to change AUD directly to PHP in SIN as the population of domestic staff, that numbers in the thousands, are principally from the Philippines. Private money changes tend to have better rates then the banks.

I go to "Lucky Plaza" at 304 Orchard Road ( a 3 storey shopping plaza) , and there are so many FX shops to choose from the rates are pretty competitive. The one I used to use was on the lower ground floor at the front. Just walk around (if you have time) and do a window shop of the boards then choose the best rate you can find. The variation will only be fairly small.

12 Money Changers In Singapore Near You To Get The Best Exchange Rates In 2023

Here are the best money changers in Singapore to visit before your next holiday, sorted by location. #10 accepts PayNow!

thesmartlocal.com

 

[Tiki]

Reasonably easy to change AUD directly to PHP in SIN as the population of domestic staff, that numbers in the thousands, are principally from the Philippines. Private money changes tend to have better rates then the banks.

I go to "Lucky Plaza" at 304 Orchard Road ( a 3 storey shopping plaza) , and there are so many FX shops to choose from the rates are pretty competitive. The one I used to use was on the lower ground floor at the front. Just walk around (if you have time) and do a window shop of the boards then choose the best rate you can find. The variation will only be fairly small.

12 Money Changers In Singapore Near You To Get The Best Exchange Rates In 2023

Here are the best money changers in Singapore to visit before your next holiday, sorted by location. #10 accepts PayNow!

thesmartlocal.com

Sadly not enough time for Orchard Road. Is there a good one in the airport? I can only find UOB, Amex, Travelex.

 

[CMA222]

Sadly not enough time for Orchard Road. Is there a good one in the airport? I can only find UOB, Amex, Travelex.

The SIN airport FX agents, as far as I am aware, are those you have mentioned and they have the usual uncompetitive 'airport' rates and fees. I doubt they hold much PHP, if any.

 

[Tiki]

So I will probably have to just change it here. At least enough to get past Mindanao and Camiguin. Any savings in exchange rates would be lost with either too many transactions and fees, not getting enough PHP if they don't have it or taking a taxi/Grab to a money changer.

Then we go to Puerto Princesa via MNL so can get more there but PPS will be easier to use credit cards and we won't need as much cash.

 

[latawiec]

NORWAY

We were almost 3 weeks in Norway this year and didn't see their currency.
No need as they everywhere accepted CC.

 

[tdimdad]

Vienna, Austria. Half of the Christmas market stalls are cash-only, others accept also cards. If you take hot drinks, you get it in a ceramic mug and need to pay deposit for the mug (2€ - 5€). When you return the mug back after all your merry drinking, you get the deposit back in cash.

ATM charged a 3.50€ fee for a withdrawal (Wise MC debit) but that was a single transaction only so don't know how widespread this is.