Travelling and banking

Roy Munson said:

That sucks. Has to be a shitty feeling.


I remember one of my colleagues getting his shit stolen on our trip to Madrid. He flew in a day early to go to some soccer game and had his pockets emptied during the celebration after.

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bamagrad75 said:

Try not to put all your CC, 2nd debit card, photo ID cards and cash in one wallet or place.

I split mine up in case of situation like this. And carry a copy of all your CC numbers in password protected file so you can immediately inform your CC companies.

Sorry it happened

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bamagrad75 said:

I travel with only small amount of cash.

Get yourself a debit card, plenty of them out there at no cost, tied to bank account. You can even set up separate account for this. But I'd do it such that I can transfer $$$$ into it if you need more. Make sure it is one that reimburses international transaction fees. AND, you usually get a far better exchange rate.

Then just use ATMs to withdraw money in local currency.

Trying to do currency exchange isn't safe or cost efficient anymore. Plus, eventually you'll run into a country, like South Africa, who won't take any wrinkled or damaged currency or any bills older than a few years.

I always have a 2nd debit card hidden because ATMs have been known to "burp" and eat a card and you are SOL.

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gobucks0409 said:

This is obviously what I should have done. I actually thought about leaving a card or two in my bag, but didn't... Cause I'm a moron.

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bamagrad75 said:

Hey, it's live & learn. I drug $5,000 in US CASH around South Africa, half the time frantically looking for a place to exchange it, then learning they wouldn't take anything remotely crinkled (like I'm ironing my money at night), then they wouldn't take anything older than 2013, etc.

F that. Learned to use the ATM & Mr. BG just replenishes it every time I withdraw.

Oh, and the 2nd debit card trick...found out that when I went to the Philippines where they are notorious for unexplained "burps" that eat your card & you can't get it back for a day..which doesn't help if you are leaving the area or the country.

Another FYI, always lock any luggage you put in an overhead bin. Heard a few horror stories of people going through other people's bags while they are sleeping & taking out stuff. I mean, who checks if someone is rifling through a bag at night?

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