ZAR-buy here or JNB.

[drron]

Have read a few complaints about FX charges at JNB but on the Amex SA site their rate is better than that quoted here.
So to those of you who have been do you get your ZAR here or at JNB?

 

[kpc]

Have read a few complaints about FX charges at JNB but on the Amex SA site their rate is better than that quoted here.
So to those of you who have been do you get your ZAR here or at JNB?

From an ATM machine at JNB, preferably with a (preloaded) 28 degrees Mastercard or a Citibank Plus Visa debit card to avoid Fx fees:idea:. In other parts of Africa (where I think you are also going), cold hard USD cash is also needed but ZAR cash is also often accepted.

 

[shellthom]

I used ATM in all of africa for local currency cash, I just took USD with me as I needed this in multiple countries on my trip, but I only took a couple hundred (one payment was compulsory and about 150USD the rest was small bills). I got stuck with VISA from Zimbabwe to Zambia, having been given the wrong information I had to use 3 different currencies (AUD/ZAR/USD) and buy the correct amount of what ever currency it was demanded in from people waiting behind me - still not the worst exchange rate I have been given.
The result of that was having to take money out in Zambia - again ATM no problems, people did follow me to and from the ATM and I thought they were going to mug me, but they just wanted to sell me something which again I thought was a ploy to see how much money I had, but I bought something, they stopped following me and I wasn't mugged.
I'm a fan of just take it out of an ATM when you get there. But you gotta tell your bank so they don't put a block on the account with the unusual transactions. I had to send my bank my itinerary as they kept putting a hold on it until I contacted them - frustrating as I had informed them before I left.

From an ATM machine at JNB, preferably with a (preloaded) 28 degrees Mastercard or a Citibank Plus Visa debit card to avoid Fx fees:idea:. In other parts of Africa (where I think you are also going), cold hard USD cash is also needed but ZAR cash is also often accepted.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Have read a few complaints about FX charges at JNB but on the Amex SA site their rate is better than that quoted here.
So to those of you who have been do you get your ZAR here or at JNB?

Ron I've got some casino chips if that helps!

i carried USD and changed that when required.

credit card fraud is rife, so minimize that use.

buy some here and top up there to dollar cost average out. Good ATM network for cash advance and good systems. SA from a business perspective does have exchange controls so you need approval to send ZAR out still, a real pain

 

[michaelj]

Around the world, I've become used to simply withdrawing cash from my personal accounts at ATMs rather than taking a cash advance or t/c's like I used to. I then simply settle it all up when I get back. However, my casual attitude nearly caused me big problems in South Africa late last year.

I tried to use the ATM on arrival at JNB to withdraw local currency and had my savings/visa card swallowed (from the ABSA machine near international arrivals). Luckily at 6am AMEX was open and manned and I could get a cash advance the old fashioned way from my AMEX card (that I only ever sign for.). I'm not sure if this is a common problem with South African ATMs because for obvious reasons I didn't get to try any others. I also had all the stuffing around that goes with getting a new card with a new number. I'd certainly take some USD cash and an extra card next time I go there.

 

[docjames]

I'd primarily take USD for exchange and minimise exposure to ATMS.