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tomo
Just Starting
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:21 am Post subject: Purchasing & paying for goods. |
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We're coming to Russia on 23 August. We understand U.S. credit cards are not accepted. Also travelers checks. In visiting other European countries, they are widely used. The U.S. dollar is also frequently accepted. We are trying to prepare to obtain usable currency for the trip. What do other U.S. tourists do to pay for meals, transportation, souvenirs? What is the best way to exchange U.S. dollars for rubles? How difficult is it? What are hours for currency exchange?
We welcome any information you can provide on these questions.
Thank you! |
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nikir
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1375
Location: Coffs Harbour Australia
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:43 am Post subject: |
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Where did you get that from? Sounds like the 1980's.
Don't take travelers cheques, that's true. As for the rest of it the only major card you may find difficult to use is American Express. That is not unique to Russia though.
The US dollar is not used for transactions at all. The currency is the rouble.
Get your roubles from the ATM. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 6:34 am Post subject: |
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| Ok some places will take dollars...so have some crisp clean new bills...also use the ATMS which are located every where in the big cities...to you can exchange dollars at money exchangersBanks will give you a higher rate. Also you can use euros too. Either way though with the dollar rate being low...things will be more expensive. But hey...in not the too distant future...the dollar is going to rise...probably around 2009-2010 |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3436
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Purchasing & paying for goods. |
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| tomo wrote: | We're coming to Russia on 23 August. We understand U.S. credit cards are not accepted. Also travelers checks. In visiting other European countries, they are widely used. The U.S. dollar is also frequently accepted. We are trying to prepare to obtain usable currency for the trip. What do other U.S. tourists do to pay for meals, transportation, souvenirs? What is the best way to exchange U.S. dollars for rubles? How difficult is it? What are hours for currency exchange?
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Other people don't have such ridiculous misconceptions. Where did you get this information? Did you read any of the travel guides available at any book store?
Credit cards are accepted in many large stores and restaurants, especially in large cities like Moscow and St Petersburg. You will find many ATMs as well |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:41 am Post subject: |
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| yes I forgot to mention...Visa...Master Card...accepted every where...and Citi Bank is all over |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 612
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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Travelers Cheques are nearly impossible to cash in Russia. Forget them.
Credit cards are sometimes yes, sometimes no. Larger businesess and restaurants in Moscow and St. Pete take credit cards, most small business will not. Outside of major metropoitan cities, credit cards are a no go.
Russia is primarily a cash economy. Best to pay cash for everything. Bring an ATM card and withdraw rubles from trustworthy bank locations. This is possibe almost everywhere. Most towns have a bank and most banks have a cash machine.
I've lived here 4 years and almost never pay for anything with my US credit card. Always use cash. It's best, believe me. |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3436
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:30 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | yes I forgot to mention...Visa...Master Card...accepted every where...and Citi Bank is all over |
Have to mention that Citibank on Nevsky in St Petersburg swallowed by bank card and displayed some crazy computer error and I was left without my ATM card for the rest of my trip. Apparently, Citibank there is not the same as here, cause here in New York not a single ATM has eatten my card in 12 years. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:05 am Post subject: |
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| that's funny Spice...my friend is a branch manager there |
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nikir
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1375
Location: Coffs Harbour Australia
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:22 am Post subject: |
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| MrSpice wrote: |
Have to mention that Citibank on Nevsky in St Petersburg swallowed by bank card and displayed some crazy computer error and I was left without my ATM card for the rest of my trip. Apparently, Citibank there is not the same as here, cause here in New York not a single ATM has eatten my card in 12 years. |
That could be quite catastrophic.
Never ever travel without at least one back up card. I always take 3. One is just an ATM card for my savings account, the second is a credit card linked to that account and the third is another credit card at a different bank.
Apart from the machine swallowing your card there could be problems with your bank, hence a card from a different bank. Also always keep your cards in separate locations in case of theft. |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3436
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| nikir wrote: |
That could be quite catastrophic.
Never ever travel without at least one back up card. I always take 3. One is just an ATM card for my savings account, the second is a credit card linked to that account and the third is another credit card at a different bank.
Apart from the machine swallowing your card there could be problems with your bank, hence a card from a different bank. Also always keep your cards in separate locations in case of theft. |
I agree, but I did not happen to have a savings bank with a card at the time (use online banks for savings cause they give better interest rate + mutual funds). I had credit cards - I left a spare one in the hotel room, as I always do just in case. But if you take the money from the ATM using your credit card - that is, doing a cash advance - the credit card companies charge pretty nasty fees. Still better than being left without money, but unpleasant. |
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Jasonlee
Frequent Guest
Joined: 10 Aug 2007
Posts: 15
Location: The Gammaquadrant
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:17 am Post subject: |
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| ATM's in the United States will eat your card as well, this usually happens when the machine has been tampered with. I always look at the slot before putting my card through, if I see something does not look right, I will not use that machine. Anyway I prefer to carry cash when I travel and I have various places where I stash it, so its all good. |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3199
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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| ATM's will also eat your card if you wait to long on taking it out of the slot. I think it is 30 seconds you have and if you don't take it right away it will pull your card back inside. Then you have to go inside and sign a waiver, gripe a few words before they give your card back. Sometimes they send your card back to the home office and issue a new one which takes 2 - 3 weeks to get it. Take my word for it. I went through this. After I got the money and I put it in my purse, turned around to get my card and it pulled back into the machine. I went through hell to get it back. Alot of begging. It was on a weekend too. |
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nikir
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1375
Location: Coffs Harbour Australia
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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You have very "old technology" cash machines then.
Anywhere else they make you take your card before dispensing money these days. Idiot proof. |
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gomer
WayToRussified
Joined: 30 Mar 2007
Posts: 430
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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| nikir wrote: | You have very "old technology" cash machines then.
Anywhere else they make you take your card before dispensing money these days. Idiot proof. |
I've used several ATMs in Moscow and about half give the card back first, then the money. Half give the money, then the card. One ATM gave no money or card at first. After 5 minutes, a message saying the transaction had 'timed out' appeared on the screen and the card was returned. |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3199
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:34 am Post subject: |
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| nikir wrote: | You have very "old technology" cash machines then.
Anywhere else they make you take your card before dispensing money these days. Idiot proof. |
Yes, very old technology at the banks, well not all but some. The new banks don't have that, but I bank with an old bank and I won't change it unless I move somewhere out of KY. |
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