Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

CMA222 said:
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.
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It's equally as good at T1 (used now by all Philippine Airlines international flights plus a few other carriers such as Oman Air and Japan Air Lines).

I have never had to queue. The tellers are fast. Far better rates than in Australia!
 
Tiki said:
Has anyone been to Brazil lately? I will need over $1000 AUD worth of BRL to pay a remote eco-lodge that doesn't take credit cards. Let's say a round 5000 BRL. Buying BRL here, the rates are terrible! I think ATMs only give 1000 BRL at a time, possibly limited to a 24 hour period. Not sure if they mean per bank or per ATM card. In any case I would use a Wise card so I am looking at up to 5 withdrawals maybe. Is it better to use the ATMs in this case or should I bring cash AUD and change it at a money changer?
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Why not order the money here from Travelex?
 
Tiki said:
Travelex has one of the worst rates in Australia for BRL at least. It's not a common currency here like the Asian currencies so maybe less competition.
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Ok
I thought for $1000 and the difficulties it appears in overseas changing (rates may still not be great) it may reduce the hassle factor.
Hope you have a great trip!
 
Tiki said:
Travelex has one of the worst rates in Australia for BRL at least. It's not a common currency here like the Asian currencies so maybe less competition.
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If you buy through Travelex at the airport or at one of their shops the rates are terrible. but buying on line and have it delivered to my local Post Office the rates are reasonable and reasonably close to those available elsewhere. I do though check others rates as well each time i do change money.
And I inadvertently found another place you absolutely need cash in Japan. If you have to pay a fine it has to be paid in Japanese yen cash. If in an accident that can be a large amount. In my case 300000 yen. fortunately we always go to Japan with a large amount of yen and I always travel with $US 5-600 as Emergency money as basically accepted anywhere. It saved me on this trip.
 
In Albania at the moment and cash is still king here. Some shops/restaurants take cards, but not all. You need to get some lek (although some places accept Euros as well - in cash only).
 
drron said:
If you buy through Travelex at the airport or at one of their shops the rates are terrible. but buying on line and have it delivered to my local Post Office the rates are reasonable and reasonably close to those available elsewhere. I do though check others rates as well each time i do change money.
And I inadvertently found another place you absolutely need cash in Japan. If you have to pay a fine it has to be paid in Japanese yen cash. If in an accident that can be a large amount. In my case 300000 yen. fortunately we always go to Japan with a large amount of yen and I always travel with $US 5-600 as Emergency money as basically accepted anywhere. It saved me on this trip.
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BRL is extremely difficult to find a good rate for. Travelex will sell me 5000 BRL for $1647 AUD for delivery. XE midrate is 5000 BRL $1347 AUD. I can't get much information about money changers and ATMs at GRU because most tourists really don't need that much cash. Normal hotels, restaurants, Ubers, shops take credit cards. Small eco-lodges in the middle of nowhere, not so much!
 
Tiki said:
BRL is extremely difficult to find a good rate for. Travelex will sell me 5000 BRL for $1647 AUD for delivery. XE midrate is 5000 BRL $1347 AUD. I can't get much information about money changers and ATMs at GRU because most tourists really don't need that much cash. Normal hotels, restaurants, Ubers, shops take credit cards. Small eco-lodges in the middle of nowhere, not so much!
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Another thing you may need to watch for - when I was in Rio a few years back no-one (except hotel reception where the rate was shocking) was open to exchange money after 5pm weekdays and 12noon Saturday, not at all Sunday.

Things may have changed in recent years, just something to be mindful of.
 
Mattg said:
In Albania at the moment and cash is still king here. Some shops/restaurants take cards, but not all. You need to get some lek (although some places accept Euros as well - in cash only).
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Well that's interesting.

I spent a week in Albania (Durres and Tirana) recently, and never had to pay cash anywhere, except for my rental apartments and the airport bus, which accepted EUR. I don't believe that they would've accepted ALL.

Never converted or needed even one Lek (ALL), but then I didn't go much off the beaten track.
 
p--and--t said:
Another thing you may need to watch for - when I was in Rio a few years back no-one (except hotel reception where the rate was shocking) was open to exchange money after 5pm weekdays and 12noon Saturday, not at all Sunday.

Things may have changed in recent years, just something to be mindful of.
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When I was briefly in Brazil for the Australian Govt twenty years ago, the best rates were available from the local money changers, particularly the unofficial ones. However I had some guidance from the embassy staff. Not sure what the situation is now.
 
clifford said:
Well that's interesting.

I spent a week in Albania (Durres and Tirana) recently, and never had to pay cash anywhere, except for my rental apartments and the airport bus, which accepted EUR. I don't believe that they would've accepted ALL.

Never converted or needed even one Lek (ALL), but then I didn't go much off the beaten track.
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Most of the places I visited were cash only but I tend to go more off the beaten track and more local.
 
clifford said:
Well that's interesting.

I spent a week in Albania (Durres and Tirana) recently, and never had to pay cash anywhere, except for my rental apartments and the airport bus, which accepted EUR. I don't believe that they would've accepted ALL.

Never converted or needed even one Lek (ALL), but then I didn't go much off the beaten track.
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I'm in Shkodër at the moment and several restaurants have been cash only. I also need cash to pay for the (local) bus to Tirana.
 
Mattg said:
I'm in Shkodër at the moment and several restaurants have been cash only. I also need cash to pay for the (local) bus to Tirana.
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Hire a bike, go for a ride along the lake to the Montenegro border. Lots of nice little tavernas along the water and they serve fresh fish!
 

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