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

Author	Message
camarks Moderator Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 333 Location: Richmond, VA USA	Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:32 pm    Post subject: I always tried to use the debit card tied to my checking account at home, and it worked most everywhere. While Russian banks are not always affiliated with multiple processing companies, they are almost always affiliated with one that my bank will work with. It is a very good idea to get PINs for your credit cards as back-up. Also remember to notify your card issuers about your travel before your trip (transactions from Russia are often viewed with suspicion and can be denied).
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JosephZ Frequent Guest Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 27	Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:41 pm    Post subject: One question on practicalities: Do the ATM machines in Russia (St. Petersburg specifically) show English instructions, or are they entirely in Russian? A follow-up question on the issue of withdrawing American dollars from a Russian ATM machine - this may sound tedious: does the machine give you an option to choose whether you want to withdraw cash in American dollars or Rubles? Or do some of them always give cash in US dollars and some always in Rubles? The reason I am asking about the possibility of getting green backs from a local ATM is that my language school accepts US dollars for tuition payment. My bank (Bank of America), on the other hand, now charges a 1% conversion fee on top of the $5 flat rate imposed on all withdrawals done overseas. So if I can avoid the conversion fee it would be great.
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vitalsigns Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784	Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:09 am    Post subject: JosephZ wrote: One question on practicalities: Do the ATM machines in Russia (St. Petersburg specifically) show English instructions, or are they entirely in Russian? In my case all them gave me an option of a language selection (Russian/English) in St. Pete. Quote: A follow-up question on the issue of withdrawing American dollars from a Russian ATM machine - this may sound tedious: does the machine give you an option to choose whether you want to withdraw cash in American dollars or Rubles? Or do some of them always give cash in US dollars and some always in Rubles? Depending on a city you are in. Moscow, St. Pete, yes, most of them do. If it is a smaller bank it will probably give you RUR only. Quote: The reason I am asking about the possibility of getting green backs from a local ATM is that my language school accepts US dollars for tuition payment. My bank (Bank of America), on the other hand, now charges a 1% conversion fee on top of the $5 flat rate imposed on all withdrawals done overseas. So if I can avoid the conversion fee it would be great. Green backs will be hard to withdraw.
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JosephZ Frequent Guest Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 27	Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:26 am    Post subject: It is interesting that you can withdraw American currency from a Russian ATM. I don't think a British, a Canadian, or an American ATM machine would give you any currency except the local national one.
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JosephZ Frequent Guest Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 27	Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:30 am    Post subject: Vitalsigns, what do you mean by "green backs will be hard to withdraw"? I thought you said most ATMs machines allow you the choice of getting either Rubles or US dollars.
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vitalsigns Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784	Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:59 am    Post subject: JosephZ wrote: Vitalsigns, what do you mean by "green backs will be hard to withdraw"? I thought you said most ATMs machines allow you the choice of getting either Rubles or US dollars. I thought it should be spelled bucks, not backs.
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JosephZ Frequent Guest Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 27	Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:04 am    Post subject: I see what you mean now. :D Well, American bills are actually nicknamed "greenbacks" because of their green color.
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vitalsigns Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784	Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:12 am    Post subject: JosephZ wrote: I see what you mean now. Well, American bills are actually nicknamed "greenbacks" because of their green color. You should have no problem with greenbacks.
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camarks Moderator Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Posts: 333 Location: Richmond, VA USA	Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:43 am    Post subject: You will be able to get dollars from many ATMs in the major cities, but I bet it will not save you from the conversion fee. I bet the transaction will still be presented to your bank in rubles. Also, check to see what the effective conversion rate is for the school, it may or may not be great. If there are some bills you know you will pay in dollars, you could just take that in cash.
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JosephZ Frequent Guest Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 27	Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:30 am    Post subject: Are you saying that if I withdraw US dollars/bills from a Russian ATM machine it may involve two currency exchanges - from US dollars into Russian Rubles and then back into US dollars? Does anyone have experience getting American currency from a Russian ATM machine?
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overseas_expat VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 741 Location: Moscow	Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:56 am    Post subject: Why would you want to withdraw dollars from a Russian ATM machine? You'd just have to change them to rubles anyway to spend them. That's dumb. And if anybody thinks they'd get a better deal bargaining with Russian vendors and offering to pay in dollars: think again. The dollar is sinking against the ruble (and the Euro and the pound sterling and probably the worthless Turkish lira as well....). Nobody in Russia wants dollars right now. You can't get rid of them.
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surfguy Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979	Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:08 am    Post subject: it's true nobody wants dollars right now in Russia...unless they are free.
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JosephZ Frequent Guest Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 27	Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:08 am    Post subject: I have my own reason to want to use US cash for certain purposes in Russia, and what it is doesn't concern you. If you know the answer to people's questions, great, by all means contribute with your knowledge. Otherwise, hold your peace. Your irrelevant comments merely derail the thread of discussion and prevent the questioner from getting the information he is looking for.
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:13 am    Post subject: JosephZ wrote: I have my own reason to want to use US cash for certain purposes in Russia, and what it is doesn't concern you. If you know the answer to people's questions, great, by all means contribute with your knowledge. Otherwise, hold your peace. Your irrelevant comments merely derail the thread of discussion and prevent the questioner from getting the information he is looking for. I think you should chill out a little bit. I sense some unnecessary aggravation. You may want to try valium and other medicines - they do help. Petting you neighbor's cat may help calm your senses as well. You got the answer to your question - you can purchase dollars anywhere in the center of the city, at one of many banks and exchange places. What else do you want to know?
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surfguy Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979	Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:16 am    Post subject: It's been mentioned before in other posts...only one way to truely find out about Russia and that's to go there and see for your self. Learn what is accepted and what is not. I used dollars there and rubles. But people are lear of the dollar because it is in decline. Personally now is the time to buy dollars as it will go up.
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