Withdrawing money on credit card

[metter]

If I am withdrawing moey on my credit cardin phuket what is the best way to get a good deal?

I can withdraw from the cash point and get whatever my bank give as an exchange rate or I could give my card to a money changer. If I use the money changer am I still withdrawing Baht or AU$ then exchaging?

The other question would be - Is it safe to hand credit cards to money changers?

[Nicke]

Go for ATMs, no reason to go through money changers. Depending on your bank, usually the best rate is given if you withdraw a larger amount as many banks have a fixed minimum fee. So 20,000 baht is preferred instead of eg. 2000 baht withdrawals.

[senor123]

Originally Posted by metter

The other question would be - Is it safe to hand credit cards to money changers?

Hi Metter,
It is not safe to use your credit card in many places in Thailand. It is a skimmers' paradise.
If you do use it, make sure you keep it in sight at all times.
As Nicke said, best to use your debit card at ATMs. There are heaps of them over there and the rate is reasonable.
You will get all your money in Baht and it is best to withdraw the max amount, usually 20,000.00 Baht at a time. The charge for this is about $12AU. However, I believe many banks now offer some sort of "Travel" debit card that you load up and then use at ATMS. This way, you limit your losses if it is stolen.
Steve.

[dizbuster]

Originally Posted by senor123

Hi Metter,
It is not safe to use your credit card in many places in Thailand. It is a skimmers' paradise.
If you do use it, make sure you keep it in sight at all times.
As Nicke said, best to use your debit card at ATMs. There are heaps of them over there and the rate is reasonable.
You will get all your money in Baht and it is best to withdraw the max amount, usually 20,000.00 Baht at a time. The charge for this is about $12AU. However, I believe many banks now offer some sort of "Travel" debit card that you load up and then use at ATMs. This way, you limit your losses if it is stolen.
Steve.

Good advice

I usually take baht out at ATMs and then just use cash to pay for everything, even the hotel/guesthouse most of the time.

Another thing to think about is to not then carry all that cash around with you, make sure you just carry enough each day for what you think you will need, plus maybe 1 or 2,000baht extra. If your wallet goes missing, you only then lose a day's money. Keep the rest in your hotel safe/safety deposit box but don't make it obvious when using you box, i.e. let staff see bundles of notes going in and out.

[aussie dollar]

Take some aussie cash with you myself normally $50 notes ($1000) and change with bank there rate is good.
ATM withdrawals are fine done at dailly exchange rate with a few dollar charge(check with your bank).
As Nicke advises make few big withdrawals instead of many small ones.
Myself have had no problems with my credit cards in thailand itself with fraud,but have had them cancelled by bank on my return for no apparent reason.

MY ADVICE RE GIVING CARD TO MONEYCHANGER WOULD NOT DO IT,NO NEED ATM'S THE GO.

[metter]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I withdrew 10,000Bt yesterday and have got exchange rate of 26.2 (after charges). Next time will try a larger amount and see if thats better. For an avarge joe on holiday this is not bad - last night could only get 26.5 to 27 from street changers so bank in AU offering good rates.

[Simbo]

Just be aware that there is a bunch of skimmers active in Patong at the moment. they seem to be French Algerian and are in the area of Soi Ketsab/Christians. An aussie guy used his card there the other day and 6 hours later he had 3 lots of money charged to his card in Marseilles. If in doubt stick with the main bank branch machines that are covered by CCTV.

[Crunch]

I always use the ATM inside a bank, if you cant trust them, you cant trust anywhere. Large withdrawals makes the cost less painful.

Oh, and take the phone number for your credit card people with you.

On my last trip, despite me ringing up beforehand giving the exact dates and location of where i'll be using it, they still locked the card on my first attempt to withdraw some dosh, so i had to ring the feckers again.

[steve w]

yes they blocked my bank card as well because of "unusual activity".
security eh!

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by PaulUK

On my last trip, despite me ringing up beforehand giving the exact dates and location of where i'll be using it, they still locked the card on my first attempt to withdraw some dosh, so i had to ring the feckers again.

Originally Posted by steve w

yes they blocked my bank card as well because of "unusual activity".
security eh!

Same here , and I arrived on Christmas Day

Reply from bank was that it doesn't matter if you inform them before or not.........they will automatically "block" some cards until you phone them again !!!!

[DREW]

Just something else to do before you arrive.

Phone your Credit Card Companies or Banks and let them know where you are travelling to and what dates.

I had my cards declined last year when I really needed to use them. The Banks now run International Security Watch centres, and if they see unusual spending in Thailand, they often 'freeze' your card until you phone them (which involves a lengthy and costly overseas call).

The guy from the Natwest put the phone down on me when I started swearing at him at 2am when i eventually got through.

I make a point of calling them now before I leave with the dates of travel and they put a note on my file and I have not had any problems since.

You don't want to be stuck in the wee small hours with no plastic or ATM when you need it most

Regards

Drew

[marc26]

Originally Posted by DREW

Just something else to do before you arrive.

Phone your Credit Card Companies or Banks and let them know where you are travelling to and what dates.

I had my cards declined last year when I really needed to use them. The Banks now run International Security Watch centres, and if they see unusual spending in Thailand, they often 'freeze' your card until you phone them (which involves a lengthy and costly overseas call).

The guy from the Natwest put the phone down on me when I started swearing at him at 2am when i eventually got through.

I make a point of calling them now before I leave with the dates of travel and they put a note on my file and I have not had any problems since.

You don't want to be stuck in the wee small hours with no plastic or ATM when you need it most

Regards

Drew

my ATM got cancelled on 3 day weekend in the states
so could not use my ATM last 4 days in Thailand
never knew i could give my CC to money exchange
so had to use my CC only for 4 days in BKK
definitely limited my options

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by DREW

Phone your Credit Card Companies or Banks and let them know where you are travelling to and what dates.

I make a point of calling them now before I leave with the dates of travel and they put a note on my file and I have not had any problems since.

Originally Posted by faultytowers

Reply from bank was that it doesn't matter if you inform them before or not.........they will automatically "block" some cards until you phone them again !!!!

It is still a lottery whether they block your card or not , I contacted my banks head office and was given the reply I have quoted above.

Best advice is to make a note of the "emergency" phone number to call , and contact them as soon as you arrive in LOS.

[Crustasian]

Quite a few UK banks now issue debit cards where there is no transaction charge for ATM withdrawals.

My other bank gave me a travel card which again does not charge fees.You can get one and top it up before your hols.

Credit cards like VISA all charge a fee every time you take cash.They also charge a higher rate of interest so best to be kept for back up only.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

Quite a few UK banks now issue debit cards where there is no transaction charge for ATM withdrawals.

My other bank gave me a travel card which again does not charge fees.You can get one and top it up before your hols.

Credit cards like VISA all charge a fee every time you take cash.They also charge a higher rate of interest so best to be kept for back up only.

but i think an international charge applies anyways

[thai-babe]

Yes they do charge an international fee.

[RYAN40]

Guys.im Coming To Los With Ij Next Month And Im Wondering Will My Aib Laser Card Work There...............

[ThaiLearner]

Originally Posted by aussie dollar

Take some aussie cash with you myself normally $50 notes ($1000) and change with bank there rate is good.
ATM withdrawals are fine done at dailly exchange rate with a few dollar charge(check with your bank).
As Nicke advises make few big withdrawals instead of many small ones.
Myself have had no problems with my credit cards in thailand itself with fraud,but have had them cancelled by bank on my return for no apparent reason.

MY ADVICE RE GIVING CARD TO MONEYCHANGER WOULD NOT DO IT,NO NEED ATM'S THE GO.

To stop your company from stopping or cancelling them tell them that you are going abroad before you go and where you are going and for how long.

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by ThaiLearner

To stop your company from stopping or cancelling them tell them that you are going abroad before you go and where you are going and for how long.

Originally Posted by faultytowers

Reply from bank was that it doesn't matter if you inform them before or not.........they will automatically "block" some cards until you phone them again !!!!

Doesn't always work.

[Talbotman]

TO RYAN 40 does your card have a cyruss or maestro logo on the back or front if so it will definately work if not better check with your bank, also in some places like pattaya i have had big problems taking money from atms on fridays dont know why never been able to find out ?

i will be meeting you in bangkok on friday april 6th ryan you will need to get your head shaved to fit in with the brigade of baldies you will be with 555555

[RYAN40]

thanks tommy

Originally Posted by Talbotman

TO RYAN 40 does your card have a cyruss or maestro logo on the back or front if so it will definately work if not better check with your bank, also in some places like pattaya i have had big problems taking money from atms on fridays dont know why never been able to find out ?

i will be meeting you in bangkok on friday april 6th ryan you will need to get your head shaved to fit in with the brigade of baldies you will be with 555555

[Crustasian]

Originally Posted by marc26

but i think an international charge applies anyways

I clearly stated this was UK banks and I have used the cards and have had the statements.There is NO charge.