BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm about to enter Myanmar, the place that ATMs forgot. I need a stack of US dollars. Assuming that i don't do travelers cheques, what's the best way to get cash with the least painful fee spanking? exchange a wad of baht (I'm in Thailand)? Get a credit card advance? Get a VISA check card advance? Suggestions?

Don't have an answer to this, but laughing till I pee at "Don't Go To Berlin."

"Surprisingly funny!" -Me

Are you going to be back in Thailand?

If so- hold onto the baht. You will lose more money changing it and then needing to change it back again.

How much money do you think you will need?

Credit card advance with someone paying it back right away back home, or transfering money to that account so you don't get nailed with the interest charges and just the advance fee...

Yes, I'm coming back to Thailand (other than Bangkok, I haven't seen any of the country yet), so I'll be hanging onto the extra baht. Also, after Thailand I'm going to Laos (reportedly one ATM in the entire country), so I'm just going to go full-on and buy like US$400 all in one shot.

My credit card is automatically paid in full each month out of my checking account, so interest rates won't have the time to marinate.

I've tried to quiz a few people at banks here and the language barrier simply will not allow me to acertain which fee will be higher, VISA advance or cash exchange.

I may be way off base here, but is it even possible to get USD without having it in the local currency first? Here in Canada, if you wanted to get US cash you'd almost always have to have Canadian money first and then convert it. So even if you were to get the visa advance, you'd probably have to get it in baht (or whatever the local currency is) and then covert the baht to USD.

I'd just exchange the baht you have to USD, you can always get more from an ATM when you come back to Thailand

Is there an international US Bank branch in Bangkok at all?

Actually- I just realized.. go to an American Express office- they should have people who speak english!

For the record, the best option, by far, was to withdraw a wad of baht (bank card fee US$1.50), then go to a reputable travel agent that exchanges money (they should give nearly the same fee you see online at places like this). They only charged me a flat exchange fee of like 80 baht (US$2.00) and I was on my way. Sweet.

I'll sell you a 5 for a 20...

I hate intrest...

One thing you might be able to do is see if your bank in the states has an affiliate in thailand. Call them up, cant hurt to ask...

Leif

thanks for your email - my suggestion is
to buy a stack of porn before you enter the country!

hope this helps

Philip

Way ahead of you pal.