Credit and Debit cards

SteamBuff

I would try and take new notes (or as new as possible), also I would not take large notes as they might not be accepted. I would take a mix of $20 and $50 notes.

Dave

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atala

My Swiss bank told me last year not to take 100 Dollar bills to Asia because of the fake ones on the market. They said that 50s are the better option, because of a new fake-proof marking system on the bills that is present on the 50s, but not on the 100s.

http://www.dailynk.com/english/read....0100&num=43 9

Changing money in India is a lot easier and faster with official money changers instead of at banks. But check the daily rate in a paper first. I would use currency notes only as back-up funds for a case of emergency outside in the country somewhere, where ATMs with Cirrus symbol (international card acceptance) are not available.

Nick-H

I guess that's a relatively small amount of cash to carry around. I also guess that banks or professional money changers will take $100 bills without turning a hair. I'd expect to be able to change a £50 note.

<edit: cross posted. Atala better informed>

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Mickey S

That 3% fee is pretty much what an exchange bureau would charge you in commission, so there really is little if anything to be gained from carrying cash instead.

Brisso

Having a foreign bank's card replaced in India is a nightmare - trust me - could take 2 weeks or more - if you are lucky ...

Edor

Thanks for all of the information. I will be trading in my $100 USA bills for $50 bills even though the stack will be thicker. Interesting article you referenced on $100 bill forgery.

Aishah

Brisso - mine took 3 weeks of great tension!! Nick - I love the ATM as a relief from the heat when you are shopping here! there are often no guards here, in fact almost never, and the men crowd into them and watch each other taking out money and putting in their PIN nos. I take up my position on the door and won't allow anyone in, then when all men are out I go in by myself. As to Debit cards - I find I can only use mine at the Bank from which I got it, or its branches, and can't use it at other banks' ATM's . Foreign Visa Debit I think is o.k. Also can't be used for Railways booking site. Visa is acceptable at most ATM's, more so than Cirrus Maestro...Most banks are taking Visa. Like a previous poster, I think the fees are terrible but what can you do? Limit taking out varies from bank to bank - some only allow max. of 15,000 and others 20,000. To avoid $5 fee for taking out from other ATM than own bank, I usually take the max. at one time. This fee is put if you take 1000, or maximum.

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