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ATMs, Traveller's Checks, Credit Cards

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Travel Advice (Practicalities)

Author	Message
JosephZ Frequent Guest Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 27	Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:04 pm    Post subject: ATMs, Traveller's Checks, Credit Cards Okay, I have just checked with my bank (Bank of America) and my credit card company (American express) about the fees and surcharges of using my cards in foreign countries, including Russia. For ATM withdrawals, there's a $5 flat rate charge per transaction and a 1% conversion fee on whatever amount is withdrawn. If I use my Bank of American bank card as a VISA card (it's a debit card with a VISA logo), there is a 3% conversion fee. For American Express, the fee is 2%. What I don't know, and which I hope you guys can enlighten me on, is the fee of using traveller's checks. I know that I have to pay 2% just for purchasing the checks from Bank of America. But I don't know if I have to pay another fee when I cash them in at a Russian bank. So what do you guys think is the best way of bringing money to Russia? Just use your ATM cards? Traveller's checks? Or some other means that I have not mentioned? Thanks.
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camarks Moderator Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 333 Location: Richmond, VA USA	Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:57 pm    Post subject: As has been mentioned multiple times recently, forget about the travelers' checks. If you can get them from your bank without a fee (they usually cost something, and you will have to pay a conversion fee too), you will be limited with where you can use them. Even though fees have been rising for ATM use, if you do your homework (as you have) you can work out what costs least. Remember that convenience is worth a lot. Take out large amounts of rubles (6000 is easy, 10000 not unusual) so the flat fee is a small percentage and this, in my opinion, is the easiest and most cost effective way to go. Take the Amex card, but don't count on being able to use it in too many places. Mastercard is everywhere and Visa almost as universal. Notify your card companies of your travel plans in advance, to minimize possible problems.
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pauljaymes Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Location: London, England	Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:37 pm    Post subject: Not all banks charge ATM fees - mine, Nationwide in the UK, lets me use ATMs 100% free anywhere in the world and gives me a good exchange rate too. Shop around!
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AbsintheFairy Frequent Guest Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 14 Location: England	Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:47 pm    Post subject: Hi, I just wondered if there were any ATMs in the airport in St Petersburg? I was considering bringing no actual cash with me and getting my money in rubles when I get there (I'm with Nationwide too Anyone done this before?
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mev Frequent Guest Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 28	Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:46 am    Post subject: This may be rare but you might want to consider having two forms of payment with you. On a recent bicycle trip through Ukraine and Russia I was surprised to suddenly have my ATM card stop working. I had gone through steps in advance to notify my credit union of my travel so a notation could be made on my file. On return, I discovered the credit union had placed a block on *all* ATM transactions from Russia (http://addisonavenue.com/content/shared/articles/RussianPINsBlocked.asp). Apparently it wasn't so much that particular travelers had problems with ATMs in Russia, but more that a block of numbers had been stolen in the US and were now traded with a criminal element. I was a bit surprised that an entire country would be blocked by a bank, but it did reinforce that it is useful to have more than one form of payment with you. --mev, Mike Vermeulen[/url]
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surfguy Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979	Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:50 am    Post subject: it's been addressed before-ATMs are all over St Pete you won't have any problems. Just bring new dollars with you
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John-from-Donegal-Ireland Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 20 Location: Donegal Ireland	Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 1:52 pm    Post subject: atms I am just back from Eastern europe including Ukraine and Russia. There are atms in all the cities. I use nationwides because there is no fee. I would suggest that you carry a fair wedge od euros for those surprising little fees that no one has warned you about. Also hardly any garages take credit cards for petrol.
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