Money for trip

[Corbin 0]

Hi all, taking my first trip to the Philippines and would like to know how I should take my money? When I went to China I took cash and exchanged it there. What should I do when I go to the Philippines?

[shang 0]

Hi all, taking my first trip to the Philippines and would like to know how I should take my money? When I went to China I took cash and exchanged it there. What should I do when I go to the Philippines?

you can do the same, bring it here and exchange

enjoy exploring Philippines

[majca 0]

Hi all, taking my first trip to the Philippines and would like to know how I should take my money? When I went to China I took cash and exchanged it there. What should I do when I go to the Philippines?

Bring your money(dollars) in the philippines and exchange it.There's a place inside the airport also where you can exchange your money(dollar) to peso or ask your fiancee to bring you to a foreign exchange place.

Have a nice trip....

[abbynorm2 0]

Hi all, taking my first trip to the Philippines and would like to know how I should take my money? When I went to China I took cash and exchanged it there. What should I do when I go to the Philippines?

You can open a second checking account and transfer just what you think you will need into that account, if a need arises for more money,you can always call the bank and transfer more. Tell the bank officer of your intentions and they will help you set the debit card on foreign status.

[Tahoma 2,292]

> Use your ATM card and / or your Visa card to get cash from an ATM in the Philippines, just like you do where you live. There's ATMs everywhere in the Philippines. Just match up one of the logos on the back of your ATM card to one of the accepted logos on their ATM machines. My ATM card works in ATMs that show the "Plus", "Star", and "Interlink" logos. I had no problem.

> Call customer service at your bank before you go to the Philippines, and tell them about your trip. Do this for your ATM card and for your Visa. That way you make sure your bank won't put a hold on your transactions while they wonder what your card is doing the Philippines.

> Before you leave for the Philippines, get some Philippine Pesos at your bank, so you have some pocket money when you get there. Try to get some small bills too (for taxi rides, meals, tips, and that sort of thing).

> Don't carry large amounts of cash there. Carry your wallet in your front pocket.

Have a wonderful trip.

~ Tahoma

[john_and_marlene 162]

You get a much better exchange rate with an ATM -- even if there is a transaction fee.

[Tahoma 2,292]

You get a much better exchange rate with an ATM -- even if there is a transaction fee.

I also remember getting a fair exchange rate at the ATM. I think my transaction fee was $5 per withdrawal. I didn't care too much about paying the transaction fee on my ATM card because it was so convenient to use the ATM for all of my cash needs. I would normally withdraw 10,000. pesos (about $200.) at a time, so the transaction fee was not that significant.

I simply charged the big bills on my Visa (hotels, big meals, etc.). No fees involved there.

[CuriousGuy 0]

> Use your ATM card and / or your Visa card to get cash from an ATM in the Philippines, just like you do where you live.

> Call customer service at your bank before you go to the Philippines, and tell them about your trip. Do this for your ATM card and for your Visa. That way you make sure your bank won't put a hold on your transactions while they wonder what your card is doing the Philippines.

> Before you leave for the Philippines, get some Philippine Pesos at your bank, so you have some pocket money when you get there. Try to get some small bills too (for taxi rides, meals, tips, and that sort of thing).

> Don't carry large amounts of cash there. Carry your wallet in your front pocket.

ATM's work, as instructed. However, SOME run out of money. 10K pesos per transaction is the typical cash limit. Just do another transaction if you need more. Or, go to the next ATM if it denies you.

I alerted ALL credit cards that I took with the dates of my trip. Be aware that you'll incur a small "foreign transaction fee" for every use of the card. I was told it would be 3%, but it was only about 1.5% on my billing statements.

I'm in a big city, and even our banks didn't offer the foreign currency. The local American Express travel office did so, for $6, and I got $60 worth of RP pesos before I left.

I had an underwear wallet, and a neck wallet, and both are easily had from REI.

[=FoxyBLUE= 2]

You get a much better exchange rate with an ATM -- even if there is a transaction fee.

Yeah! I agree!

My husband use his Visa Card.....but he can only withdraw 20,000 pesos per day

Edited April 13, 2009 by Mariel_Esteban

[Donald-n-Analyn 6]

The advice given so far has been excellent. Although I actually felt safer in the Philippines than I do in Orlando, I did not like to carry more than 20,000PHP in my wallet. The slight chance of inadvertently losing all of one's travel money would be too much of a risk.

Take a few hundred dollars in cash with you. There is a currency exchange window before you leave the baggage claim area at NAIA. Stop there and change $50 or $100. You will find better exchange rates later, near most hotels. DO NOT exchange money on the street. Street vendors will offer you marginally better rates, but you will most likely be robbed if you trust them.

DO notify your bank that you will be traveling in the Philippines. Most banks consider the Philippines to be a high fraud country. I am not sure that this is accurate, but it is reality. There really are ATM's everywhere in the major cities and provincial capitals. I did notice the lines to usually be longer for the ATMs in the Philippines, especially the ones in the shopping malls.

Just use your head and you will have a great time. And, remember the old saying: If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Hi all, taking my first trip to the Philippines and would like to know how I should take my money? When I went to China I took cash and exchanged it there. What should I do when I go to the Philippines?

[Corbin 0]

(snip)

> Don't carry large amounts of cash there. Carry your wallet in your front pocket.

Have a wonderful trip.

~ Tahoma

I haven't carried my wallet in my back pocket for years now so that is an old habit already.....

[Corbin 0]

Here is a silly question to add to this.....

I have some Chinese RMB that I will more than likely never use do you think I could exchange them in the Philippines also?

[-B&T- 1]

Yes you can carry them too.Good luck on your trip and be careful.

[Nelly228 0]

(snip)

> Don't carry large amounts of cash there. Carry your wallet in your front pocket.

Have a wonderful trip.

~ Tahoma

I haven't carried my wallet in my back pocket for years now so that is an old habit already.....

try to use belt bag for your money and important documents and carry it (front) always. beware on the crowded area especially in a big cities. good luck and enjoy your trip.

[chinese_mutt 11]

Here is a silly question to add to this.....

I have some Chinese RMB that I will more than likely never use do you think I could exchange them in the Philippines also?

yeah you can.

are you coming to Manila?? Or you going to province?

if in Manila, there's a good exchange rate place in Robinson's Manila.

don't do forex in US, my hubby got a bad exrate there... lost around P5/dollar... so... i suggest you come over to the Phil. to do your forex transaction.

ATMs are good too... most hotels will take debit/credit card for your room payment. Hotel forex are not as good too... you'll lose around Php2-3/dollar. I suggest you really go to reliable forex places. i suggest you change US100-200 per transaction... this will only be around 10k... not much if you're planning on a trip to town or some tourist spots.

beware of pickpockets, don't talk to strangers. don't give money to beggars, they may be pickpockets posing as beggars.

bring a bottle of water when you go out.. way too hot here now... you might get a heat stroke or something.

good luck on your trip!!