Re: [Leica] Travel Photography Made Easy

["James R. Nelon" <jnelon@netvigator.com>]

You suggest that there are no fees to pay when you use an ATM to
withdraw funds when overseas. Let me suggest otherwise: When I withdrew
some funds when I was in Bangkok recently (I live in Hong Kong and have
a "no fee for ATM use" credit card issued by a bank in Boston), I was
charged a "foreign use" fee for simply accessing the ATM of Hong Kong
Bank in Bangkok. Then I was charged a transaction fee (three bucks or so
USD) for the actual withdrawal, and then on top of those surprises the
bank gave me a terrible exchange rate, adding yet another cost to me on
top of the other two insults. I've lived in Asia for almost six years,
and I find it almost always better to exchange USD into the country's
currency at the airport upon arrival in the visiting country. At least
in Asia. The exception being in Manila, where the hotels are usually
(miraculously) a better deal.  

Jim Nelon



William Ferris wrote:
> 
> What equipment to take is always debatable, but the ATM advice is tops.  I
> travel a lot, everywhere and never get cash any way other than with an ATM
> card.  Those machines are everywhere---no lines to stand in, no fees to pay
> and the best rate you can get.
> 
> Bill
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Nathan Wajsman <nathan.wajsman@euronet.be>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 1999 12:37 AM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Travel Photography Made Easy
> 
> > Bill,
> >
> > This is a fun rule...Actually, you should NEVER exchange money when
> > travelling. Just bring your good old ATM card and use it to withdraw
> > cash as you need it.