Going To Asia (Taipei, Bangkok and Singapore), How Should I Get Local Currency

sandeep8g wrote: ↑ Get a preloaded Stack card.

https://www.getstack.ca/

Toronto company and 0% foreign exchange fees.

heymikey wrote: ↑ 0% is a bit misleading though:
https://support.getstack.ca/hc/en-us/ar ... ange-rates

laziguy wrote: ↑ Can I use my TD debit card to withdraw money at the ATM machines in asia?

psudolam wrote: ↑ Yes, you can. But, there is a 3.5% currency exchange fee for each TD debit card withdrawal.

I believe that an alternative to avoid the 3.5% currency exchane fee is to prepay a credit card that doesnt charge the foreign currency exchange fee, e.g., Rogers Platinum Mastercard, and then withdraw cash with that credit card.

sandeep8g wrote: ↑ or use the Stack card.

apnayloags wrote: ↑ why exchange cad to usd and then get dinged again converting to local ??

just bring cad and exchange when you're there. For emergency use your CC or Debit

Jucius Maximus wrote: ↑ You can get excellent rates on CAD THB exchange in Thailand. They have money changers all over the place and it's very convenient.

I've read that CAD exchange in Taiwan outside the airport is problematic at best, either they won't offer it or you'll get a bad rate. Money changing in Taiwan (outside the airport) is problematic in general since it's highly regulated and you have to go into a major institution to do it.

Not sure about Singapore.

USD is very liquid in Asia and you will get a lot more general acceptance of it in these countries compared to CAD. (And don't mistake these places for China, you'll have a lot of trouble with anything but RMB in China.)

laziguy wrote: ↑ I'll be going to Asia next month, Taipei, Bangkok and Singapore. Should I exchange for money here in Canada and bring it with me to Asia or should I bring CAD or USD over to Asia and exchange currency over there?

Also if I run out of money, can I use my debit or credit card to withdraw more money at the ATM machine in Asia?

Jucius Maximus wrote: ↑ Bring a bit of USD cash, but really, use your debit cards at ATMs in the destination countries. Stack MC is a great choice, but have at least 1 backup.

Be aware, Thailand has some crazy debit card fees (around $9 per transaction) so get a large amount of money out for each withdrawal!

vipjn wrote: ↑
I’m also going to Thailand this month. Phuket.

vipjn wrote: ↑
Any banks ATM offering lower fees?
Any ATM right at airport like Tokyo?
I’m also going to Thailand this month. Phuket.

Jucius Maximus wrote: ↑ I researched this last year and all of those ATMs in Thailand are up to at 220 THB transaction fee. No exceptions. The only way out if it is to bring cash and go to an exchange kiosk, or have a local bank account.

I'm not sure which airport you're going into, but BKK does have ATMs after customs.

Jucius Maximus wrote: ↑ I researched this last year and all of those ATMs in Thailand are up to at 220 THB transaction fee. No exceptions. The only way out if it is to bring cash and go to an exchange kiosk, or have a local bank account.