Hong Kong Octopus Discussion

[SYD]

I was pondering trying the Octopus Tourist virtual card in lieu of cash (I already have Airport Express tix from Trip.com and will use contactless on the MTR).

There’s a refundable HK$50 fee and the I think HK$10 “refund” fee to get that back and any residual stored value.

I’ve also seen comments against the app about being charged a “cash advance” fee, as mentioned here.

Digging up an old thread here but I've just been charged a commbank cash advance fee for using octopus mobile. As the transaction was under the limit I was charged a flat AU$4 fee on the card.

So I’m thinking I’ll just use a Debit Card via Apple Pay?

The app allows you to select the “Payment currency” but not HK$!

So they get you with this….

I believe the Octopus for Tourists app insists on using its own (terrible) exchange rate?

ie no advantage using an international fee free CC / DC (well, other than some cards that still charge 3% even though charged in AUD).

So it’s back to Cash AND Cards I think….

 

[elanshin]

I was pondering trying the Octopus Tourist virtual card in lieu of cash (I already have Airport Express tix from Trip.com and will use contactless on the MTR).

There’s a refundable HK$50 fee and the I think HK$10 “refund” fee to get that back and any residual stored value.

I’ve also seen comments against the app about being charged a “cash advance” fee, as mentioned here.

So I’m thinking I’ll just use a Debit Card via Apple Pay?

The app allows you to select the “Payment currency” but not HK$!

So they get you with this….

ie no advantage using an international fee free CC / DC (well, other than some cards that still charge 3% even though charged in AUD).

So it’s back to Cash AND Cards I think….

Get cash. Taxis are still predominantly cash and there's stalls that are cash only too.

 

[Ktan89]

Are the money exchange shops readily available in Hk?

 

[SYD]

Get cash. Taxis are still predominantly cash and there's stalls that are cash only too.

Uber overcomes the taxi / cash issue but yep, still getting some cash and I believe there are still fee free ATMs. First time back to Honkers post covid, other than transit but I’d often pondered getting an Octopus and just couldn’t see the point for short trips.

Are the money exchange ships readily available in Hk?

Shops?

I’d just go to an ATM - I have multiple cards that are fee free withdrawals.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Uber overcomes the taxi / cash issue but yep, still getting some cash and I believe there are still fee free ATMs. First time back to Honkers post covid, other than transit but I’d often pondered getting an Octopus and just couldn’t see the point for short trips.

Shops?

I’d just go to an ATM - I have multiple cards that are fee free withdrawals.

I just use Uber in HKG. It’s very efficient. I don’t bother with cash or Octopus anymore.

 

[cwd]

Are the money exchange shops readily available in Hk?

They are, with excellent rates/tiny spreads. But as @SYD says, may as well just use an ATM. If you had the HSBC Everyday Global card, that for sure would be fee free at HSBC/Hang Seng ATMs which are everywhere.

They have heaps of Airport Express ticket machines at all AE stations now that take CC. Can just buy a ticket when you arrive in town before you go through the exit gate, it prints out a QR code and I think they give the group discount automatically.

 

[SYD]

They have heaps of Airport Express ticket machines at all AE stations now that take CC. Can just buy a ticket when you arrive in town before you go through the exit gate, it prints out a QR code and I think they give the group discount automatically.

You can by AE tickets on Trip.com with varying level of discounts. Mine was 30% (from memory).