Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[kpc]

Just came back from 10 days in NZ....didnt really need any cash but some places charge a surcharge for using a card, up to 2%.

PS: BNZ was the only ATM I found that allowed me to withdraw cash without an ATM fee whilst using an Australian ATM card.

 

[FrankC]

Just came back from 10 days in NZ....didnt really need any cash but some places charge a surcharge for using a card, up to 2%.

PS: BNZ was the only ATM I found that allowed me to withdraw cash without an ATM fee whilst using an Australian ATM card.

Which card did you use at the BNZ ATM?

 

[kpc]

Which card did you use at the BNZ ATM?

Bankwest

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I don't know how accurate this is, but some extra info for those with a Wise card.

In the app, you find the 'Travel hub', then type the country you are visiting. Then hit 'Find ATMs', it will sometimes show you the ATM fees applicable for some options (usually 4 or 5 selected/shown by Wise, guessing sorted by lowest fee).

For example, in Greece: it shows Alpha Bank and Eurobank with a 1.80 EUR fee, then Piraeus and NBG with 1.80-3 EUR fee, then Euronext with 5.95 EUR fee.

So maybe a little insight for some countries.

 

[Melburnian1]

Speaking of high ATM fees. We passed through Thailand and already knew about the extortionate fees there and still the need for cash. Turns out the old school money changers are actually quite decent value compared to going to an ATM.

The Yellow stall “TT” seemed to be the best and you could easily change AUD from as lows as A$5 up to A$100 notes and multiples there of.

This is also true in a similar nation, Philippines where even the banks at Manila NAIA (airport) in say T1 and T3 give decent rates.

It's compounded in Philippines by many ATMs not just charging a fee but having fairly low daily limits. Only HSBC ATMs (thin on the ground) have an acceptable daily limit.

 

[VPS]

I don't know how accurate this is, but some extra info for those with a Wise card.

In the app, you find the 'Travel hub', then type the country you are visiting. Then hit 'Find ATMs', it will sometimes show you the ATM fees applicable for some options (usually 4 or 5 selected/shown by Wise, guessing sorted by lowest fee).

For example, in Greece: it shows Alpha Bank and Eurobank with a 1.80 EUR fee, then Piraeus and NBG with 1.80-3 EUR fee, then Euronext with 5.95 EUR fee.

So maybe a little insight for some countries.

Thanks for that info. I checked and it works for Spain but not for the Netherlands or Austria so I’m not sure how useful it will be but thanks anyway.

 

[SYD]

Thanks for that info. I checked and it works for Spain but not for the Netherlands or Austria so I’m not sure how useful it will be but thanks anyway.

Google is usually more reliable than some apps.

The “ATM Fee Saver” app is pretty useless IME…

RE Spain. Unicaja is our go to Bank for fee free cash. Some ING machines can be free (some not…).

Pretty sure the NL is a land of fees…. So get cash in Spain! Pretty sure some Bank ATMs in Austria are free - just AVOID any Euronet machines.

 

[RB]

Google is usually more reliable than some apps.

The “ATM Fee Saver” app is pretty useless IME…

RE Spain. Unicaja is our go to Bank for fee free cash. Some ING machines can be free (some not…).

Pretty sure the NL is a land of fees…. So get cash in Spain! Pretty sure some Bank ATMs in Austria are free - just AVOID any Euronet machines.

I actually found the app pretty good in Poland & Albania-limited experience I realise but accurate there

 

[VPS]

Google is usually more reliable than some apps.

The “ATM Fee Saver” app is pretty useless IME…

RE Spain. Unicaja is our go to Bank for fee free cash. Some ING machines can be free (some not…).

Pretty sure the NL is a land of fees…. So get cash in Spain! Pretty sure some Bank ATMs in Austria are free - just AVOID any Euronet machines.

Thanks I’m not actually going to either at the moment but a friend is going to the Netherlands so I thought I’d show him in the app but it was useless

 

[SYD]

What’s the latest experience for India?

Quick read suggests that cards are ok at Hotels, big shops and restaurants but otherwise cash, unless you have a UPI*?

Getting cash:
- some ATMs are fee free? Any in particular on arrival at DEL? I read State Bank is still fee free?
- changing AUD (or other major currencies) into cash?

*UPI One World - is it worth the hassle? Sounds like AliPay but with a layer of Indian bureaucracy thrown on top?

We have 28° MC, multiple forex / ATM fee free DCs (Mac, UBank, ING) and will take ample AUD and probably some EUR. And last resort, Wise and AMEX….

 

[Flashback]

What’s the latest experience for India?

Quick read suggests that cards are ok at Hotels, big shops and restaurants but otherwise cash, unless you have a UPI*?

Getting cash:
- some ATMs are fee free? Any in particular on arrival at DEL? I read State Bank is still fee free?
- changing AUD (or other major currencies) into cash?

*UPI One World - is it worth the hassle? Sounds like AliPay but with a layer of Indian bureaucracy thrown on top?

We have 28° MC, multiple forex / ATM fee free DCs (Mac, UBank, ING) and will take ample AUD and probably some EUR. And last resort, Wise and AMEX….

Paging @kermatu who is there right now.

 

[kermatu]

Regarding India, credit cards far more useable than my last visit in 2020. Definitely hotels. All shops and restaurants too. Obviously not the roadside stalls though.

ATMs hit and miss to be honest. Even hotels a bit limited for cash exchange. Best to go to a bank.

Biggest issue we’ve had is size of currency. Quite hard getting smaller denomination notes. Get what you can in advance if possible. Makes tipping difficult (or expensive!). Not that anyone has pushed us for tips. But it is one country where I want to tip and it is always greatly appreciated.

Cash also needed for taxis and rickshaws. Uber is fairly widespread but drivers and vehicles can be highly variable. We haven’t used trains or the metro (where available).

I’ would assume Delhi is much like Bombay in terms of availability and use of cards etc. The more regional areas less so.

Hope that is a bit helpful.

 

[SYD]

Regarding India, credit cards far more useable than my last visit in 2020. Definitely hotels. All shops and restaurants too. Obviously not the roadside stalls though.

ATMs hit and miss to be honest. Even hotels a bit limited for cash exchange. Best to go to a bank.

Biggest issue we’ve had is size of currency. Quite hard getting smaller denomination notes. Get what you can in advance if possible. Makes tipping difficult (or expensive!). Not that anyone has pushed us for tips. But it is one country where I want to tip and it is always greatly appreciated.

Cash also needed for taxis and rickshaws. Uber is fairly widespread but drivers and vehicles can be highly variable. We haven’t used trains or the metro (where available).

I’ would assume Delhi is much like Bombay in terms of availability and use of cards etc. The more regional areas less so.

Hope that is a bit helpful.

Thanks. We're only in DEL for a couple of days before traveling thru Rajasthan before popping down to Mumbai (BOM) and then Agra (Indigo flights willing!).

If we're stuck with large notes, we usually try to break them at the hotel. Works most times.

OT - but looks like the weather is decent for you at the moment. Hope it stays that way!

 

[kermatu]

Weather has been great. Indigo flights have also been fine!

Edit: we struck out at two hotels re changing notes. Possibly just unlucky.