Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[Lat34]

Any recent experiences in Argentina? We’ve booked points flights to SCL next year and will spend some time in BA (and probably elsewhere in Argentina as well as Chile).

I understand the official FOREX rate(s) are still crazy and complicated but I believe there’s some sort of rebate on foreign CCs - that brings you closer to the official rate. Wandering if USD might be the go? Certainly planning to take some anyway.

We visited both Chile & Argentina in Feb 2023 after Silversea Antarctica cruise from Puerto Williams. Most of the trip was pre-booked from Australia including side-tours and airport/ hotel transfers. As you do when travelling through South America in summer, we first arrived into DFW accompanied by snow skis for a road trip from Dallas to Park City, Utah followed by 10 days skiing.

Withdrew US$1000 before leaving DFW for SCL & changed to smaller notes. This was our go-to cash for guide/ driver / some bar tips (if not direct to CC) particularly in Argentina (BA mostly) but also Chile (Santiago, Atacama Desert), Brazil (Igauzu Falls, Rio) and the Silversea butler + room attendant.

Used Latitude card everywhere as mostly tourist-type activities and not much off the beaten track.

We did change AU$50 in Santiago for small purchases as we stayed on three separate occasions.

Argentina has an automatic “cash back/ refund scheme” on credit card purchases (we used Latitude MC). Guides etc def prefer USD here - indeed one bus tour guide actively explained Argentine inflation while indicating strong preference for US$ tips.

Only ATM we used during eight weeks was in Dallas BUT we didn’t visit small vendors in Argentina, Brazil or Chile so CC (plus prepaid) = minimal cash.

 

[CMA222]

Philippines is still a strong cash economy.

In particular, taxis at MNL airport.

Don’t wait until you arrive to get your pesos, because the ATMs at MNL are a rip off. See here.

Thanks for the warning.

So are you saying changing at home would be the best rate v money changer at MNL v ATM rate at MNL? I'm surprised as the 'norm' in SE Asia is to change over there.

Did you get a better ATM rate in town?

Wasn't Grab convenient at MNL? I think you can pay for Grab using a linked card. I have gotten used to Grab in SE Asia - my main issue is finding/determining the pick up point in a foreign country.

Its alway a shock to find a cough rate after the fact, so sorry.

The various Bank branches at MNL airport (T3) immediately outside the Arrivals hall display their rates. I always use BDO to exchange AUD to MNL (PHP). The rates are always better then the Oz banks and Oz FX dealers and close to the mid-market rate used by Wise. No fees. Easier then an ATM but you may have to line up. The process is fast and easy.

 

[justinbrett]

Was that to change into local currency?

In Zimbabwe (Vic Falls), they weren’t fussy when buying stuff. But we did receive back some of the grottiest USD bills I’ve ever seen however. Made sure they stayed in country…

I was there a few weeks ago. Some were very fussy. Some were not. It depended on the person.

I think the low value ($10 and below) they don't care. $20 and $50 they are more likely to care.

Zambia was even stricter.

Thanks for the warning.

So are you saying changing at home would be the best rate v money changer at MNL v ATM rate at MNL? I'm surprised as the 'norm' in SE Asia is to change over there.

Did you get a better ATM rate in town?

Wasn't Grab convenient at MNL? I think you can pay for Grab using a linked card. I have gotten used to Grab in SE Asia - my main issue is finding/determining the pick up point in a foreign country.

Its alway a shock to find a cough rate after the fact, so sorry.

I also went to MNL (same trip) - I barely used cash. Grab is much better than taxis for airport transport and quite cheap. Easy to get around in town too - just like Uber here. Just make sure your account is setup and active before you go.

The small amount of cash I did get I exchanged at a casino adjacent to my hotel (the old Resorts World) - I was using a 50 EURO note left over from a previous trip but the value I got was quite fair. (The hotel - Hilton - recommended this as the best option to exchange cash).

I believe the only time I needed cash was for entrance fees into the Fort etc.

 

[kpc]

Rwanda taxis want cash

 

[Flashback]

Rwanda taxis want cash

I would say most countries do! Heck, UK has only recently started taking card and it is still not all....

 

[LondonAussie]

I would say most countries do! Heck, UK has only recently started taking card and it is still not all....

The UK had a bit of a transformation with covid, many places became card only and have remained that way since.

The country I now avoid spending on card is when I'm back in Australia, they always want to add a surcharge.

 

[RooFlyer]

The country I now avoid spending on card is when I'm back in Australia, they always want to add a surcharge.

Fair gripe, but it is regulated as the actual cost to the merchant of processing the transaction via card - ie the card provider fee.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

There is a whole can of worms there Rooey

 

[VPS]

I am finding more and more people are adding surcharges even for Visa and MC

 

[Jenya]

Kiribati (Christmas island) - AUD cash only.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I am finding more and more people are adding surcharges even for Visa and MC

Everyne does these days. Just greed since processing cash would take more time and cost them more. Blame the reserve bank some yeares ago who allowed this, supposedly trying to protect people who can't manager credit.

 

[Flashback]

Everyne does these days. Just greed since processing cash would take more time and cost them more. Blame the reserve bank some yeares ago who allowed this, supposedly trying to protect people who can't manager credit.

In the UK you can only charge it if it reflects actual processing costs. Funnily enough, I've not come across a single place that does charge it here.

 

[burmans]

In the UK you can only charge it if it reflects actual processing costs. Funnily enough, I've not come across a single place that does charge it here.

That is supposed to be the case in Oz too but obviously not enforced strongly!

 

[TheRealTMA]

That is supposed to be the case in Oz too but obviously not enforced strongly!

I remember a well known discount computer outlet at Milton who used to charge 5%. Should have reported them to ACCC but waste of time.

 

[SYD]

I remember a well known discount computer outlet at Milton who used to charge 5%. Should have reported them to ACCC but waste of time.

Dinner last night in SYD I was offered a 5% discount for cash. There was a group of four so I paid by CC - no option to tip but charged CC fee using VISA…

 

[SYD]

As mentioned earlier, in Thailand cash is essential - especially if you plan to leave your hotel/resort. Mid to high end restaurants will take cards but then it becomes hit and miss in more “local” restaurants and bars. Mainly cash only.

The double whammy is the ₽220 (A$9.50) ATM fee *everywhere*. We took out about A$500 to cover incidentals but will run out soon. Might have to resort to exchanging some AUD…

Grab is good for taxis (and paying via CC).

Many places have the QR code thing but not worked out how to yet.

 

[kpc]

The last time I went to Thailand, I changed MYR cash to THB in KL...to avoid the exhorbitant Thai ATM fee!

 

[auriga]

As mentioned earlier, in Thailand cash is essential - especially if you plan to leave your hotel/resort. Mid to high end restaurants will take cards but then it becomes hit and miss in more “local” restaurants and bars. Mainly cash only.

The double whammy is the ₽220 (A$9.50) ATM fee *everywhere*. We took out about A$500 to cover incidentals but will run out soon. Might have to resort to exchanging some AUD…

Grab is good for taxis (and paying via CC).

Many places have the QR code thing but not worked out how to yet.

I would just take cash and change it over there

 

[SYD]

I would just take cash and change it over there

Yes, that’s the “take away“ message.

I hadn’t realised that there were zero fee free ATMs. Even Citi wasn’t playing nicely - UOB bought out Citi Thailand but contrary to what I read, they still charged 220.

I am going to investigate Wise more closely, however the lowish withdrawal limit probably wouldn’t have helped here.

 

[Lat34]

I would just take cash and change it over there

Repeat experience over past 5 years definitely supports take AUD and change in Thailand. Gone are the days of pop by the local 711 ATM to get/ top-up baht at any time. Street front exchange rates are competitive.