Cash withdrawal with credit card or bring cash?

Aishah · Feb 15th, 2008, 21:25

Some banks will have a Foreign Exchange counter and they will do them there. It takes longer at some than others - if they have that small computer machine it's fast - a few of the Money Exchange places here do this with the machine and it's rapid but it's also more expensive with fees.

Casey · Feb 16th, 2008, 04:13

Many of the stores do it at the same rate as banks but with a transaction fee. Depending where I was, it was more convenient to deal with the store than to wait at some of the long lines at some of the banks. Also, not all banks do credit card advances. Either way you do it, I have travelled with just a credit card for money and never had any problems.

Aishah · Feb 16th, 2008, 08:19

After reading your post Casey, I would add that have some ready convertible cash as a back up - American,Australian dollars, Euros etc. Going by recent experience here, for four days none of the ATM's were working - either because on Sat. and Sunday they run out of money and are not stocked up, or some failure with computers. I ended up having to cash a cheque at my bank - a process which takes more than 30 mins. and tries your patience incredibly.

Casey · Feb 16th, 2008, 19:08

I agree, multiple access to money is always the best. I often have little stashes of US money (20.00) hidden in various places (socks, first aid kit)for emergencies. Not enough money that I would really care if it went missing but seperate from my main source of cash. I forget about these hiding places and often treat myself in the European airport on my layover on the way back.

fajitanumerouno · Feb 16th, 2008, 19:44

Remember to call your cards and tell them you will be where you will be travelling (the countries) and the dates roughly. So that they do not flag the card and cut you off as fraud protection. You will not be at home to get their call and this could end up a problem depending on how long you will be away for. At least it would be a big annoyance in the end.

We used credit for some purchases and then ATMs for our 3 weeks trip. I think we started out with some cash also but we did not see so many money changing places in Ahmedabad near where we were or in the countryside of Gujarat (not so touristy I have to say, we felt like the only ones really) but ATMs were readily available in major towns and destinations and gave us money as needed.

To offset the cost just try to guestimate how much you will need for a good length of time so that you are not withdrawing small amounts every other day and then paying fees each time. If you are travelling with someone then split the holding and put the extra in a hidden spot. Should not be a problem. Unless you are worried about your travelling partner taking the funds. Hee heehee.

Have a good trip.
Val

Aishah · Feb 17th, 2008, 08:32

Good point, Val - I've come across a few travellers here who have forgotten to notify their banks before they leave for India and have found they can't get money out of ATM's. All involves time-consuming phone calls back to bank and of course, they have to be made only during the bank's business hours. Can be quite distressing in extreme emergency cases i.e. no other available funds, money in socks etc.!!

Feb 15th, 2008, 21:25	#16
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,245	Some banks will have a Foreign Exchange counter and they will do them there. It takes longer at some than others - if they have that small computer machine it's fast - a few of the Money Exchange places here do this with the machine and it's rapid but it's also more expensive with fees. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cash advances for Visa card	Jung Mi	Chai and Chat	4	Nov 16th, 2005 10:04
Credit card, ATM's, Traveller cheques & Cash	Frank_India_CHT	Packing Tips for India travel	34	Jul 14th, 2005 18:44
travellers checks/ bank atm card/ cash/ mixture of all?	whatsilliness	Ladakh & Zanskar	1	Jul 2nd, 2005 19:50
Pay by Card, Cash or Sperm!	Bigzero	India Travel News and Commentary	6	Nov 24th, 2004 12:07
Master Card vs. Visa vs. Cash	bhabilinda	Chai and Chat	1	Mar 8th, 2004 21:09

Feb 16th, 2008, 04:13	#17
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 621	Many of the stores do it at the same rate as banks but with a transaction fee. Depending where I was, it was more convenient to deal with the store than to wait at some of the long lines at some of the banks. Also, not all banks do credit card advances. Either way you do it, I have travelled with just a credit card for money and never had any problems.

Feb 16th, 2008, 08:19	#18
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,245	After reading your post Casey, I would add that have some ready convertible cash as a back up - American,Australian dollars, Euros etc. Going by recent experience here, for four days none of the ATM's were working - either because on Sat. and Sunday they run out of money and are not stocked up, or some failure with computers. I ended up having to cash a cheque at my bank - a process which takes more than 30 mins. and tries your patience incredibly.

Feb 16th, 2008, 19:08	#19
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 621	I agree, multiple access to money is always the best. I often have little stashes of US money (20.00) hidden in various places (socks, first aid kit)for emergencies. Not enough money that I would really care if it went missing but seperate from my main source of cash. I forget about these hiding places and often treat myself in the European airport on my layover on the way back.

Feb 16th, 2008, 19:44	#20
fajitanumerouno Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: near Philly, PA Posts: 58	Remember to call your cards and tell them you will be where you will be travelling (the countries) and the dates roughly. So that they do not flag the card and cut you off as fraud protection. You will not be at home to get their call and this could end up a problem depending on how long you will be away for. At least it would be a big annoyance in the end. We used credit for some purchases and then ATMs for our 3 weeks trip. I think we started out with some cash also but we did not see so many money changing places in Ahmedabad near where we were or in the countryside of Gujarat (not so touristy I have to say, we felt like the only ones really) but ATMs were readily available in major towns and destinations and gave us money as needed. To offset the cost just try to guestimate how much you will need for a good length of time so that you are not withdrawing small amounts every other day and then paying fees each time. If you are travelling with someone then split the holding and put the extra in a hidden spot. Should not be a problem. Unless you are worried about your travelling partner taking the funds. Hee heehee. Have a good trip. Val

Feb 17th, 2008, 08:32	#21
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,245	Good point, Val - I've come across a few travellers here who have forgotten to notify their banks before they leave for India and have found they can't get money out of ATM's. All involves time-consuming phone calls back to bank and of course, they have to be made only during the bank's business hours. Can be quite distressing in extreme emergency cases i.e. no other available funds, money in socks etc.!!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password