:comando: im travelling from endland-new york-california-fiji-new zealand-australia-south east asia-england and i'm not sire how to work my money! i heard travellers cheques of a certain variety are best thing to have in s.e asia, and the whole bank card thing worries me! i need 2, one a current account that i can easily get money out in these countries using and also a credit card for emergencies! any advice on the best cards to have? ( im a british guy and aint MEGA rich does this make a difference to who'll accept me?) thanks :tongue_ss: x

First, exchange every penny you have for Sri Lankan Rupees. Beyond that I'm not much help.

Seriously though, that's a hell of a trip you have planned man. I really don't know much about currency or the world banking system, but why does the whole bank card thing worry you? Afraid that if you lose it you'll be penniless and have no way to get another quickly? Could be a problem. Maybe have 2 bank cards from two separate banks, using one for your main card and one only as a backup with just enough cash in it to get you by until another card could arive. That would save you from having to get a credit card, though that is also a good thing to have. Hmmm...maybe you should wait until somebody who knows what they're talking about can help you, lol.

I hate traveler's checks and think they are more hassle then they are worth.

My opinion: Get an ATM card (pref a debit card with a Visa/MC logo) from your bank of choice plus a pure Visa/MC. For both cards make sure you have a PIN, that way if you lose your ATM card, you can always take money out of an ATM with the Visa/MC. There are ATMs almost everywhere. All major and most medium sized population centers around SEA will have them.

Bring a supply of backup cash to keep hidden away in your pack for emergencies (use a major currency, euros, USD or GBP should be fine = equiv of $100 or $200 USD).

Just try to be aware of what the next stop on your itinerary is and if you are going somewhere off the beaten path with no ATM machines, make sure you take out extra before you leave whatever place you are in so you have cash.

Good luck! :cheers:

yeah i agree livefree although some countries in southeast asia dont have any ATM's yet ie Laos so just take a fair amount of money out before you get to that country to last your stay there..also travellers checks arnt such a bad idea for southeast asian countries i had an experience when there was some kind of shortage where the internet,phone lines went down and that atm's wernt workin for a day and i needed money so they came in handy although that was the only time i used them

:cheers:

^ Everything they said. In addition, add someone trusted, like a friend or parent to your account before you go. If something happens, like a loss of card or it doesn't work, they can access your money and Western Union it or something. We did that before we left and it was a godsend.

Seriously, travels cheques are complete shit as are ATM fees (some banks up to 9 U.S. dollars - bitches)

Here is my suggestion-
They now have travelers cheques that work as credit cards. You load them up and use them. They also have credit cards that work that way too.

I would go with the american express travellers cheques becuase if it gets stolen then you are still golden, plus in the states they use it alot.

Good luck!!!

:smoke:

where would one go to get one of these travelers cheques credit cards? local bank or major bank outlet? travel agent?

nevermind found out for myself...travelex :thumbup:

Travellers cheques aren't the greatest thing to take with you, not many places accept them anymore and you get charged a fuck off commission to cash them.

I would take an ATM card with the cirrus or meastro (sp??) logo on it somewhere. This will get you money at most places you go. Also, i would take a visa card and a mastercard because sometimes you will find ATMs that will accept nothing else.

As for worrying about cards being stolen, just be smart and it shouldn't happen. However, shit does happen, so find out how to cancel your cards before you go and carry the correct phone numbers to ring with you. They can send you a replacement card pretty quick these days.

And like LiveFree said, carry an emergency stash of cash in your backpack, it saved me many times. US dollars is usually a safe bet.

Thanks for the helpapalooza :cheers:

now thats a great word invention

why thankya lol i got a whole baggie fo em :greenguy:

I'm with LiveFree and LFB...travellers cheques are a hassle, and end up costing you money off the exchange rate (plus ya gotta buy the damn things). Go with an ATM card with the Cirrus logo, and a credit card with pin and also part of the Cirrus network. That way you have your primary and backup. And then some cash stowed away. I have an actual belt with zippered compartment -- not a fanny pack-like "money belt." I fold up my $20's or $50's and keep them in there. That way they're always with me...

I've done it that way for years and it's never bitten me...

worldwidemike

Well im lookin at gettin a credit card for my trip (just in case) and getting all of that type of stuff in order.

When you guys say get a card with a Cirrus logo on it, how can you be sure it has a Cirrus logo on it untill you actually get it??

Which credit card should I get? Mastercard? Visa? American Express? I was thinkin about gettin a visa..?

Right now I am banking with my local bank called Homestate Bank. It is local to my specific area. Should I take all my money for my trip and put it in a National bank or will my bank now be ok? Also as far as ATM's go, I know that each bank has their own lines of ATMS that they wont charge you at to withdrawal, which bank has the most ATM's that wont charge over in Europe if any?


Uh...I think thats it for now??

Thx!

Good point, but I imagine if you asked before you applied for the card at that bank, they could tell you which ATM networks their cards are part of.

If you can get a Capital One visa card, go for it. They're the sole remaining credit card company that doesn't charge you an extra fee for foreign transactions (now that my MBNA card joined the pirates and gougers and just started slamming me with a fee). I already have a MC and VISA, and am thinking about applying for a Capitol One card, too, just to use for overseas trips...

worldwidemike

Capital One visa card eh? I'll have to keep that in mind for my next trip because arrived home to a $200 bill for international transactions after my recent trip :mad:

If you can, get both. I found places that would only accept one or the other, so if i didn't have them both i would've been screwed.

I had that happen once, in Poland years ago. They would accept MC but not VISA...trouble was, at that time, I had only a visa. I applied for a MC first thing when I got home!

I'm surprised to hear there are still places out there that will take one but not the other, LFB. I'll remember that and continue to carry both.

worldwidemike

Yeah, i came across a few places in Central and South America that would only take one or the other. Even in the developed areas like Santiago, Chile.

:cheers: I found another bank that doesn't charge to withdraw or for transactions overseaas- Nationwide. :hypocrite: