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Traveling next week - Cash & WiFi question

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Not much to add to this...so far every hotel (three trips including Manila, Boracay and Bohol) has had free wifi. I have tried cash and travelers checks. The checks were a pain in the butt. USD very easy to change. Now Joan has a bank account so I will probably just use Xoom to transfer the $$$ and use her ATM.

Hi Steve,

I too use Xoom but as pointed out by my Fiance' the paid out exchange rate is 39. instead of the current 41. so a direct deposit in an account for her is best if possible as the bank will honor the current 41.

Brad

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11/01/2012 - Met online
04/01/2012 - Met in person
04/02/2012 - Became engaged
04/19/2013 - I-129F sent
04/24/2013 - NOA 1
08/14/2013 - NOA 2
00/00/2013 - Packet 3
00/00/2013 - Packet 4
00/00/2013 - Medical
00/00/2013 - Interview
00/00/2013 - Visa in hand
00/00/2013 - CFO Completed
00/00/2013 - Arrived in Minnesota
00/00/2013 - Married in Minnesota

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Hi Steve,

I too use Xoom but as pointed out by my Fiance' the paid out exchange rate is 39. instead of the current 41. so a direct deposit in an account for her is best if possible as the bank will honor the current 41.

Brad

You can have the pickup made in USD for about 3 bucks more. If you are sending a nice size amount it is the way to go

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

You can have the pickup made in USD for about 3 bucks more. If you are sending a nice size amount it is the way to go

Hello Nature Boy,

I looked on Xoom and seen no choice for having the money delivered in US $ Pretty sure that's how they make the bucks. Even though, Xoom has been the fastest and most reliable. I first used Western Union but the second time they couldn't proccess my Debt card and wanted only a direct bank account. Then questioned me on whether I knew who I was sending $ to and had me call in to approve the payment. On the call, the person was interviewing me on how I met my Fiance and if we ever seen each other in person. I politely told him to F-off and said it's my money and I'll call another money transfer company. I don't need someone to 'Save me' from myself. Hence Xoom.

event.png

11/01/2012 - Met online
04/01/2012 - Met in person
04/02/2012 - Became engaged
04/19/2013 - I-129F sent
04/24/2013 - NOA 1
08/14/2013 - NOA 2
00/00/2013 - Packet 3
00/00/2013 - Packet 4
00/00/2013 - Medical
00/00/2013 - Interview
00/00/2013 - Visa in hand
00/00/2013 - CFO Completed
00/00/2013 - Arrived in Minnesota
00/00/2013 - Married in Minnesota

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Hello Nature Boy,

I looked on Xoom and seen no choice for having the money delivered in US $ Pretty sure that's how they make the bucks. Even though, Xoom has been the fastest and most reliable. I first used Western Union but the second time they couldn't proccess my Debt card and wanted only a direct bank account. Then questioned me on whether I knew who I was sending $ to and had me call in to approve the payment. On the call, the person was interviewing me on how I met my Fiance and if we ever seen each other in person. I politely told him to F-off and said it's my money and I'll call another money transfer company. I don't need someone to 'Save me' from myself. Hence Xoom.

HA! I think I read that story in a different thread! I don't see where to send as USD on Xoom either...in fact they state that they make money on the "mark-up."

Mahalo/Salamat!

Steve and Joan
Met on Facebook 2/24/12
Met in person 6/5/12
Second visit 10/2/12
Engaged 10/3/12
NOA10/15/12
Third visit 12/10/12
Joan got her passport! 2/20/13
NOA2 4/24/13
Fourth visit 5/28/13
CFO 5/30/13
Embassy Interview APPROVED 6/6/13

Joan passed through immigration in Hawaii! She's home! 6/13/13

MARRIED 8/24/13

AOS, EAD and AP petitions sent to Chicago via Express Mail

EAD/AP Received 11/13/13

AOS Interview APPROVED 11/26/13

2-year Green Card in hand 12/5/13

ROC (I-751) sent to CSC via USPS Express Mail 8/31/15

ROC check cashed 9/4/15

ROC Biometrics 10/1/15

ROC Approval 4/6/16 (waiting for actual card)

Permanent Green Card Arrived 4/14/16
Naturalization Interview 2/22/17 APPROVED!

Oath Ceremony 3/21/17--Joan is a US Citizen!

Dual Citizenship 7/7/22 Joan is now a Dual US/Filipino Citizen!

Kayak small lagoon crop 10 72 for VJ.jpg

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HA! I think I read that story in a different thread! I don't see where to send as USD on Xoom either...in fact they state that they make money on the "mark-up."

No =you specify in the pick up section.. It's 3 dollars more to have them pick up in USD.. I did it Yesterday. 4.99 to pick up in pesos and 7.99 to pickup in dollars when using a US bank account. -Iam sure of very little in life but I am postive about this , because I have done it many times

For smaller amounts its cheaper to just send a little more and have them pick up in Pesos.

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Thanks for the tip! I'll look more carefully next time!

No =you specify in the pick up section.. It's 3 dollars more to have them pick up in USD.. I did it Yesterday. 4.99 to pick up in pesos and 7.99 to pickup in dollars when using a US bank account. -Iam sure of very little in life but I am postive about this , because I have done it many times

For smaller amounts its cheaper to just send a little more and have them pick up in Pesos.

Mahalo/Salamat!

Steve and Joan
Met on Facebook 2/24/12
Met in person 6/5/12
Second visit 10/2/12
Engaged 10/3/12
NOA10/15/12
Third visit 12/10/12
Joan got her passport! 2/20/13
NOA2 4/24/13
Fourth visit 5/28/13
CFO 5/30/13
Embassy Interview APPROVED 6/6/13

Joan passed through immigration in Hawaii! She's home! 6/13/13

MARRIED 8/24/13

AOS, EAD and AP petitions sent to Chicago via Express Mail

EAD/AP Received 11/13/13

AOS Interview APPROVED 11/26/13

2-year Green Card in hand 12/5/13

ROC (I-751) sent to CSC via USPS Express Mail 8/31/15

ROC check cashed 9/4/15

ROC Biometrics 10/1/15

ROC Approval 4/6/16 (waiting for actual card)

Permanent Green Card Arrived 4/14/16
Naturalization Interview 2/22/17 APPROVED!

Oath Ceremony 3/21/17--Joan is a US Citizen!

Dual Citizenship 7/7/22 Joan is now a Dual US/Filipino Citizen!

Kayak small lagoon crop 10 72 for VJ.jpg

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Thanks for the tip! I'll look more carefully next time!

and I think you specify at the end after you have already selected amount person etc.

As a side not , last time I was in Cebu , we sent ourselves Money .

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I just exchange cash at the airport while waiting for bags.

Not sure if its a good deal or not but its something to do while waiting.

Travellers Checks are a royal pain. VERY few places will take them.

Cash is King!

-phil

kp7cnfvctuzu.png

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