Does anyone know what the average maximum amount of cash you can withdrawal out if an ATM machine in S.E Asia? I have a bank now that charges a flat fee of $5US to pull out money anywhere I go in the world. If the maximum amount of $ I can pull out of the ATM is too low in S.E . Asia than I might switch banks. -thanks
Posts: 3 | Location: California | Registered: 11 February 2008
Can't speak for the rest of SEA, but in Thailand, it varies between 15,000 ~ 20,000 THB, approximately 450 ~ 600 USD. The good news is that, although some may have marginally better rates of exchange, Thai banks don't charge a fee.
I usually use Kasikorn Bank. SCB, Siam Commercial Bank, seems to edge the exchange rate in their favor.
You will also need to check your bank's withdrawal limits and notify them that you will be using your ATM card overseas. Banks will sometimes freeze accounts when money starts being withdrawn outside of the States.
It would be wise to open a second account anyway. Not only can you find less fees at an institution like a credit union, if something should affect your account while traveling, you'll have a second account to fall back on.
In Vietnam the max is generally 2 million VND (~$120) and in Laos it was usually 700,000 kip but sometimes it was 1 million Kip (~$120).
I dont remember what it was in Cambodia but they dispense American dollars so I would imagine it would be pretty high.
Also, see if Capital One has any branches near you. I opened a banking account with them before I left which allows me to use any ATM in the world completely free while making 4% interest on my account balance. They even refund the charges that the foreign banks charge. Cambodian banks charged $2/transaction and Vietnamese banks charge 20,000VND/transaction.
Laos charges 20000 kip per transaction. $5 per transaction is a lot. See if you can find a credit union to join. This is what I did and wasn't charged any fees.
