Living Abroad, do you bring Cash or Credit Cards?

[Wrong]

To get a favourable exchange rate on big ticket items with deposit to whomever you wish you can use Xe Trade from most locations around the world. Some exceptions noted at their site: XE - The World's Favorite Currency and Foreign Exchange Site I used Xe to pay for a new Yanmar 2YM-15 while in Brisbane, Australia. Circumvented hassles getting needed funds from my bank in the U.S..

[settingsun]

If going to Mexico, it is a cash based society.

We had an ATM card to get local currency from the bank, and $1,000 in US cash on board that we never touched in 3.5 years.

We experienced a lot of credit card fraud at the beginning of our cruise so we stopped using credit cards all together except on a handful of occasions.

[zeehag]

pemex here in mexico takes debit as well as credit cards for fuel.
mexico is advancing nicely along the electronics line....might want to watch closely to see what is new here.....is fascinating. not the gringos--the big city mexicans.

for 3 years i have been doing the same thing every month. i use my debit card. i own no credit cards.
i carry just enough cash fro my needs.

any business with mexican government requires cash transaction. temp import permit, fishing license, visa, all are cash here.

[Adventurebound]

If you read the book "Papillon' you can get ideas on where to hide money and valuables.

[Mai-tide]

My wife said its best to bring "cans of spam" to trade with the locals.....

Using credit cards abroad in the past for us has been a bad experience, hidden fees and credit card fraud..... Plus a lot of places don't accept them, and harder to price haggle with plastic.

So the solution for us is that my mom will wire us money from my account when needed. I found a place that charges $10 for every thousand to be wired anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Carry large sum of cash on board doesn't sit to well for us....

We do have debts cards and have used them before in Thailand but the fees with the ATM and Bank of America is outrageous.......

Cash is king, especially in Southeast Asia..... We never carry more than $200 US dollars at a time..... Been pick pocket twice both time at the airport...... Lesson learned.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Mai-tide

My wife said its best to bring "cans of spam" to trade with the locals.....

Using credit cards abroad in the past for us has been a bad experience, hidden fees and credit card fraud..... Plus a lot of places don't accept them, and harder to price haggle with plastic.

So the solution for us is that my mom will wire us money from my account when needed. I found a place that charges $10 for every thousand to be wired anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Carry large sum of cash on board doesn't sit to well for us....

We do have debts cards and have used them before in Thailand but the fees with the ATM and Bank of America is outrageous.......

Cash is king, especially in Southeast Asia..... We never carry more than $200 US dollars at a time..... Been pick pocket twice both time at the airport...... Lesson learned.

Wiring money , that's means banks or western union ( fraud) . Maybe Asia , useless in places like the med.

Wiring money is a, bit like " bringing spam " , I'd say bring glass beads , it worked for Cook.

Dave

[ohdrinkboy]

Originally Posted by Hud3

MAI-Tide,

You don't mention where you're from. If the US, look into a CapitalOne credit card--no currency conversion fees. Bank of America has a travel card that doesn't apply conversion fees, either.

We never carried much cash in the eastern Caribbean. You get a better deal using local currency. The French islands (excepting the French side of St Martin) won't take US dollars, only Euros. There were ATMs dispensing local currency practically everywhere. Exchanging US dollars for local currency requires standing in line in banks and paying exchange fees. Traveler's checks are a PITA.

Sailed into St. Barts a few years ago and they took $$.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

Sailed into St. Barts a few years ago and they took $$.

Knowing St.barts theyd take bongo bongo shells if they could get a rate on it.

Dave

[Aussiesuede]

1. Signup for Chase Ink Card which earns 5 points per dollar at office supply stores.

2. Use that Chase Ink Card to purchase Prepaid Visa Cards at an office supply store like Staples or Office Depot. You'll receive credit for 5 reward $'s for every dollar you put on that prepaid Visa.

3. Get a personalised AMEX prepaid card.

4. Setup an account on the Vanilla reload network.

5. You can use your Ink credit card to buy $500 reload cards. The purchase shows up on your account as a standard Office Depot purchase so it will give you a total of 5 points per dollar for the purchase. The fee of $3.95 is less than 1 percent (.79%), so you’re way ahead already. When using this prepaid card, you essentially earn 5X everywhere.

6. With the American Express Prepaid Card you can withdraw up to $400 per day via ATM machines.

7. AMEX prepaid imposes no foreign transaction fees.

Read Here: One card to rule them all - The Frequent Miler


Bottom lime is after all the upfront legwork, Amex Prepaid is a MUCH safer cash alternative that gives you access to ass much cash as you'll ever really need in the cheapest manner possible.

[bobconnie]

We carry a couple of hundred USD, and a debit card. Seems to work pretty well. But we always have a few Kruger Rands stowed away for big time emergencys! They have saved our bacon a couple of times over the years!! Gold is KING for tradeing anyday !!!

[svmariane]

Others discussed this on thread http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ed-100388.html

{Even though it started out as Med-related, some of the info also helps worldwide.}

[Andy73]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Leaving the US, you can carry with you up to $10,000 USD; declare only $9,500 USD, if required. I use AMEX traveler's checks obtained from my bank or from some AAA motor club;Mauritz

Hi TekNav,

Not trying to sharpshoot you, I think your advice was pretty sound...

One thing though, the $10K "limit" is when you have to declare, not what you can/cannot bring. You can bring $100K with no problems (I did it when I moved... long story and I wouldn't repeat unless really had to) as long as you declare it.

Additionally, travelers checks are included in the $10K. So, if you have $9K in cash and another $5K in travelers checks, you must declare...

Andy

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

Sailed into St. Barts a few years ago and they took $$.

Heh. In St Barths they don't take $$, they take $$$$$$$$!