Manila

[WestCoast1]

Correct, I don't have my initial premier account in PI. And from what I remember, in PI minimum is 4 m Pesos.

This is going a long way (millions of pesos) to get fee-free ATM access. I will stick to my Schwab brokerage account, where $200 (p10 k) was all it took.

On a similar note, CITI Bank offers a credit card that does not charge any Foreign Transaction Fees.

[Ekspat]

However you can obtain Premier in one country and get it in all other countries as well.

Correct, I don't have my initial premier account in PI. And from what I remember, in PI minimum is 4 m Pesos.

[Wicked Roger]

Minimum deposit for HSBC Premier is either 3 or 4 million p.

However you can obtain Premier in one country and get it in all other countries as well.

Correct and I have had 3 accounts open in different countries.

For a normal HSBC account (not Premier) the minimum monthly balance is PHP 100 k BPI BDO Metro much easier.

[Kabul Guy]

Eks: What's the minimum deposit on that account?

.

Minimum deposit for HSBC Premier is either 3 or 4 million p.

However you can obtain Premier in one country and get it in all other countries as well.

[WestCoast1]

Get a HSBC Premier account and the fees are waived. Or an additional BDO account. BDO is everywhere.

Eks: What's the minimum deposit on that account?

ME: You are probably right. I opened mine several years ago, online was probably available. I just followed the steps given to me in PM here at the time, did it all by mailing the multi-page application. Have linked that account to my regular bank account for xfers. Works beautifully. While BDO is in many places, the Schwab card works anywhere the Visa symbol is displayed, no need to find any given bank's machine.

[Ekspat]

Unfortunately HSBC ATM not as common everywhere and nonexistent outside of Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Just paid 250 p fee to take out 10 k p from a non HSBC bank in Bohol. Not excessive to some others I have seen.

Get a HSBC Premier account and the fees are waived. Or an additional BDO account. BDO is everywhere.

[Mr Enternational]

A number of us have suggested the Charles Schwab ATM card, which rebates back all ATM fees at the end of each month. That includes out-of-Schwab network fees, and also the ATM fees of any machine that hits you with any such fee for any reason. P250 is common. Unfortunately, getting the Schwab ATM card is a bit tricky. On their website, you download and print out a 12-page document outlining that you must open up two accounts (in order to get the card). You must initial and sign the document in numerous places, and then send money with the document to open the two accounts:

1) A Schwab trading account (stocks, securities), with a minimum of $200 deposited.

That must be a really old way. When I did mine years ago, all I did was call. At the end of September I opened one for my mom before she was due to travel last month. I called and they told me that it is all done online now.

So I went to the website and opened a brokerage account for her. I think I only transfered $1 (might have been $500 that she would use during her trip. Can't remember) from her local bank. When that was approved I went online and opened the investor checking account. I linked it to her local bank account. They sent like 1 cent and 2 cents between the accounts to verify them, then they automatically sent the ATM card. The entire process took less than 1 week.

[WestCoast1]

Unfortunately HSBC ATM not as common everywhere and nonexistent outside of Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Just paid 250 p fee to take out 10 k p from a non HSBC bank in Bohol. Not excessive to some others I have seen.

A number of us have suggested the Charles Schwab ATM card, which rebates back all ATM fees at the end of each month. That includes out-of-Schwab network fees, and also the ATM fees of any machine that hits you with any such fee for any reason. P250 is common. Unfortunately, getting the Schwab ATM card is a bit tricky. On their website, you download and print out a 12-page document outlining that you must open up two accounts (in order to get the card). You must initial and sign the document in numerous places, and then send money with the document to open the two accounts:

1) A Schwab trading account (stocks, securities), with a minimum of $200 deposited.

2) A Schwab checking account (hence the ATM card). I load up the checking account and not only use the Schwab ATM card overseas, I have come to use it everywhere, as I know that any machine that hits me with any fee will be rebated back at the end of the month (even machines in my home country).

[Kabul Guy]

Never use any other bank ATM as there is no fees when using why HSBC card in an HSBC ATM. But agree KG fees are normal even in other places and are not really justified.

Check PM please.

Unfortunately HSBC ATM not as common everywhere and nonexistent outside of Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Just paid 250 p fee to take out 10 k p from a non HSBC bank in Bohol. Not excessive to some others I have seen.

[PilotPaul]

Any ideas how to go about doing this? None of the girls in the bars want to admit that they do it, which is a very frustrating guessing game.

For me, I tickle their ass anus area in a nice fun way in the interview. If that's met with disgust then it's off limits.

[Wicked Roger]

That and theft, fraud and scams are so common here they try to limit the exposure.

But I think the driving factor is to increase ATM fees. I take out the max when I am at a HSBC machine, I really try not to use local machines because of the fee ald low withdrawal limits.

Never use any other bank ATM as there is no fees when using why HSBC card in an HSBC ATM. But agree KG fees are normal even in other places and are not really justified.

Check PM please.

[Oterri]

Thanks for the herculean and fantastic effort in sharing your research notes with us. This is the kind of guide we all look for.

I read the last several years worth of posts in preparation for my first trip to Manila and created a summary for myself by cutting and pasting posts from dozens of people. Thought that other first-timers might find this useful.

MANILA. GENERAL MONGERING INFO.

Two principal red-light districts in Manila, Makati (Burgos) and Ermita / Malate (EDSA). Makati is the financial center of Manila. Ermita is a bit sketchy. There are in fact 2 different price levels in Manila; in Burgos bars and EDSA you have to spend a total of around 6000 peso to get a girl LT. This is very high price for a third world country like Philippines, but the quality especially in some Burgos bars is really high and according to most reports also their performance in bed is top class. Freelancers in bars like LA Cafe, Havana Cafe, streets, other bars etc. Can be had for 1500 - 2500 peso LT. There is no need to pay any more and you HAVE to negotiate. I have pulled girls from bars and street and also Havana but I always start or counter with 1500 LT. If they decline I move on to the next one. I understand that if you meet a real diamond you want to stretch the budget, but if you are caucasian and not too old there is no need to pay more than 3000 peso LT no matter how hot the girl might be.

[Kabul Guy]

That also means 10 ATM fees. I think the only reason they limit it to 10 k is to rack up those fees. Some ATM's are only 5 k each time.

That and theft, fraud and scams are so common here they try to limit the exposure.

But I think the driving factor is to increase ATM fees. I take out the max when I am at a HSBC machine, I really try not to use local machines because of the fee ald low withdrawal limits.

[Strel75]

Any ideas how to go about doing this? None of the girls in the bars want to admit that they do it, which is a very frustrating guessing game.

[Sock111]

You do not have a 10,000 peso limit on your Australian debit card. You have a limit based on what your limit is according to your Australian bank. For most it is $1000 aud. This means that you can withdraw around 35,000 pesos daily in the Philippines.

Most philippine banks limit each ATM withdrawal to 10,000 pesos. So you can do multiple withdrawals up to your bank limit. One after the other. You could do three 10,000 peso withdrawals in one 24 hour period.

If you have a travelcard, then the limit is much higher. One time I withdrew ten times 10,000 pesos. So 100,000 pesos. Ten withdrawals one after the other.

That also means 10 ATM fees. I think the only reason they limit it to 10 k is to rack up those fees. Some ATM's are only 5 k each time.