Got my ticket!

[Brad and Vika 129]

My ATM card works fine in Ukraine anywhere, but I did let the bank know I was going first. No transfers or internet required.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

I had talked to my bank about using my ATM Visa Debit card over in the Ukraine. I know the bank president (not only is he a jerk but unprincipled and unethical as well) and he just called me telling me I was better off using my credit card over there. Not only do I think he is wrong because I have never had a problem with my debit card at an ATM, but have had to replace my credit card twice in the last three months because somebody at someplace I have used it tried to buy ####### with it.

He then proceeded to tell me about how I might get locked out if I try to use the internet overseas to transfer money from my checking to the credit card. All that tells me is they do not have a handle on all this technology yet.

But what I am wanting to rant about is his attitude about going overseas to see a woman.

I am sick of peoples attitudes toward going overseas to see a woman. It just ticks me off when they are so closed minded. You just want to say that kind of attidtude is exactly why there are not any good women available here. I just get so tired of closed mind opinionated small minded people. What is worse is it comes from people that are so jaded themselves they can not see right from wrong or anything but their own wants and needs. They are like a virus that spreads BS ruining everything for everybody.

Jake

Get used to it, because if you get married to a Ukrainian, it is going to get much worse. And you will have to prepare her too, because the wrath will be directed upon her too.

[eekee 182]

Actually, sometimes even places that take debit cards won't accept credit cards, because their systems require a PIN code. Credit is not the way to go. I would advise getting out as much money as you can when you get there to avoid having to use the atm a lot, because the international fees can add up.

[payxibka 10,045]

I have used several debit cards in Ukraine Bankomats.... My MIL has a PayPal debit card.... when we need to transfer money, I call PayPal and it is good for use for two weeks.... $1.00 per withdrawal

Also, Etrade bank debit card has worked very good internationally... so it can be done and it is done.... maybe time to look at a different bank for this solution

Edited November 1, 2009 by payxibka

[Brad and Vika 129]

My bank charges $2 per transaction last I checked, and Ukrainian banks charge nothing. What can kill you is charges for currency conversion calculation. The type of account I have includes a waiver of that fee. Make sure you ask the question.

Edited November 1, 2009 by Brad and Vika

[1HappyGuy 45]

One of the problems in Ukraine is that not many places accept credit cards, although there are lots of businesses in the major cities that do. I haven't had a problem with credit cards but, be sure to contact your credit card company before you go, otherwise your charges will be refused.

As to the attitude by some people of meeting & marrying foreign women, you better get used to it. In my experience the American women have been the ones speaking ill of the foreign women. Let's just say that their attitude is that foreign women will do anything to get here. It's as if it would not be possible these women would actually like us or be searching for a better man that what's available at home.

Just go, meet her and see for yourself. I don't think you will be disappointed. And if in the end you get married on a lady from Ukraine, then you'll understand why my name here is 1HappyGuy.

Have a great trip. :dance:

[jake61 0]

What people say does not deter her or me. It is just disappointing to me that some people are the way they are. In this day and age of commerence and the internet, to be so closed minded borders barbaric. My lady and I are pretty well set in our path.

I have taken care of the ATM debit card and credit cards. The best exchange rates there will be at banks, which she will take care of.

What is everybodys opinion of travel insurance?

Jake

Edited November 1, 2009 by jake61

[Brad and Vika 129]

What people say does not deter her or me. It is just disappointing to me that some people are the way they are. In this day and age of commerence and the internet, to be so closed minded borders barbaric. My lady and I are pretty well set in our path.

I have taken care of the ATM debit card and credit cards. The best exchange rates there will be at banks, which she will take care of.

What is everybodys opinion of travel insurance?

Jake

Waste of time and money. I have taken dozens of trips abroad and never used it.

[jpetrocxme 0]

It is set in stone now! I have talked to the travel agent and paid for my ticket. The total is 1,153 dollars round trip to Odessa. I paid a little more because I do not have more than 2 hours between flights (layovers) coming or going. And I am flying into Odessa where she wanted to meet me. It was only 50 dollars more for Odessa rather than Kiev. It is United out of Iowa and LOT to Poland and Odessa.

I am staying one month. Leaving Nov 7 and returning Dec 6. I have heard that the high taxes and fees are due to health insurance coverage, etc if anything happens to you in the country. Can anyone verify that?

I started off this ticket search with a local agent. I booked with a travel agent because I wanted to keep the busness local. The cheapest airfare was with cheaptickets.com. But it seems they bait and switch. last night I was once again playing with the flight search and noticed the difference between days. So I kept playing with it until I got the best fare. It was 963 dollars round trip to Odessa on the cheapest days. Then I called the agent back and she returned my call this afternoon with 100 dollars higher. I decided to go with cheaptickets.com but when I went to order the ticket I got that it was no longer available. It suggested another flight at 1,173 dollars. So I went back and started over and it gave me 1,483 dollars. It sounded like a scam so I ate another 100 dollars and booked with the agent. It is the exact same flights I was going to take on cheaptickets.com.

So much for online airline tickets.

We bought tickets on Aerosvit JFK to Kiev nonstop for $644 for December with January return. We will then see what kind of deal we can get on domestic airlines for Burlington to JFK or we will just drive, we will see. If JetBlue is having one of their $49 sales, we are flying! Invariably the cheapest to Kiev are from JFK and sometimes it is cheaper to get your own way to JFK than to buy a ticket from somewhere else to Kiev. Anyway, you are happy, so stop shopping, just for future reference it is sometimes possible to put together your own flight package. I also use the big ticket sellers to give me price ranges (Orbitz, etc.) and then go directly to the airline website and buy the ticket there. When Orbitz says "three seats left" that does not necessarily mean "three seats left" on the plane, it means at that price from Orbitz. When CheapTickets says that price ticket is sold out, you can often go direct to the airline and find the seat available at that price.

Why not drive to Manchester and fly from there. Better than NYC traffic as well as the cost of parking in NYC airport vs Manchester airport.

[jake61 0]

I checked. It was more to drive round trip as fly to the overseas flight. My daughter can drive me to Cedar Rapids, IA airport which is only 20 miles.

It was $100 more to fly from Cedar Rapaids, IA to Chicago, IL round trip. By the time I drive and pay parking for a month it would be more than the $100.

[subgow 0]

Jake,

I'm happy for you and have fun on your trip.

I have been to Odessa and loved it. You will too.

I'm going to Sumy Ukraine on Dec 3rd, but only for 10 days.

I'm bringing her back.

Good luck.

[jake61 0]

Good for you. One day I hope to be doing the same.

I have another question. What is best to tell Ukraine government/customs? That I am on vacation or visiting someone?

[eekee 182]

Good for you. One day I hope to be doing the same.

I have another question. What is best to tell Ukraine government/customs? That I am on vacation or visiting someone?

Do they even ask? In Russia they don't even look at you.

[jake61 0]

Really, how well do they check things like prescriptions? I have been heard to get a letter from the VA hospital for my prescriptions and have them translated into Russian. Another $100. I would really not like to have to spend that money if possible on a certified translator.

When I called Russian embassy they said to just have letter in english. Ukraine embassy said to have letter in english translated in to Russian by a certified translator.

I have faxed them this time to verify given what the Russian Embassy said. Not heard back yet.

VA Hospital prescriptions are for Morphine for chronic pain from nerve damage.

Jake

[Brad and Vika 129]

Tell them you are on vacation, and have the address where you will be staying. It doesn't matter because they may still ask you about how much currency you have, or if you have gifts for women (jewelery is taxable, and the tax is punitive). Kiev is much less of a hassle than other places but be prepared for that. Don't lie directly either, if you say you are on vacation with your girlfriend no one will be surprised at that. Odessa will ask, and will probably check when they see from your passport that you are new to Ukraine.

Don't worry about your medication. Take enough for the trip in your shaving kit along with all your other shaving gear in your check bag, and take enough for a couple of days in your carry on. The letter or a prescription in English should work if you need any more, but don't buy that stuff in Ukraine if you can bring the VA stuff in (and you can). I carry all kinds of prescription bottles with me - some of them really old, and never had one question about it.

PM me if you want to chat about restaurants, pharmacies, etc, in Kiev. Keep asking good questions.

Edited November 3, 2009 by Brad and Vika