General Info

[SaltyPete]

Schwab. Several gents here told me similar info about the Schwab ATM card. I checked the website, and sure enough one had to open a standard checking account ($200 balance), and also a trading account ($500 I believe). I opened both, thru the mail (one must download a 12-page document, print it out, answer many questions on the document, and mail it to Schwab with checks for $200 and $500 to open the accounts). A month later I got letters and an ATM card in the mail confirming the accounts were open. I added more to one of the accounts, which is linked to the ATM card. When overseas, the machine still charges the extra fees, but at the end of the month on my statement Schwab has rebated both the p200 ATM fee and the out-of-network fee (keep in mind, they are a bank, and are making money on the currency conversion, often giving as little as 3-5 pesos less per dollar when converting; so instead of getting 5000 pesos for my $100 at a money-exchanger, the ATM gives 5000 pesos and takes $106 dollars -- plus ATM fees -- from my account). I'm relatively happy with this in a pinch, but I still prefer the money exchangers (ie, Forex).

First off, I am a US Citizen living in the US so maybe that is why my Schwab experience is different from Westies. Also, I opened my account a couple of years ago. They did do a full credit check since I was opening a brokerage account (a requirement for the High Interest Savings Account) which takes a few days, so plan early. Also, a bank-to-Schwab money transfer takes 3 business days to go through. There were no minimums; I still do not have any money in my brokerage account.

I made numerous ATM withdrawals two weeks ago in Manila from various ATMs with my Schwab debit card. Most ATMs had a php10,000 limit; this is a local ATM limit, not my bank's limit. Not a bid deal with Schwab since I could make consecutive withdrawals without incurring any charge. My exchange rate was 49.19 php / dollar, as accounted for on my statement. I can not quote the exact exchange rate that week, but it was 49 and change. Today the official exchange rate is 49.72. For this difference, I will gladly take the convenience of using a local ATM vs carrying cash and travelling to a money exchanger. After all, money exchangers have got to take their cut as well.

But to each his own.

[Red Kilt]

Its possible you have a relationship that weekend warriors don't.
HSBC, from their website: Note: Non-Premier customers requesting to open an international banking account outside the U.S. and requiring assistance in the completion of all necessary paperwork from the International Banking Center in the U.S. or an HSBC branch in the U.S. will be charged a one-time fee of $200 USD. This fee is waived for HSBC Premier and Corporate Partner clients. There goes the advantage of saving the ATM fees.

HSBC, regarding Premier services, from their website: To qualify for an HSBC Premier relationship, you are required to: Open an HSBC Premier checking account and maintain $100,000 in combined U.S. personal deposit and investment2 balances.

Maybe you don't realize that HSBC, although multi-national, franchises each country operation, so you have HSBC (Philippines) and HSBC (Vietnam), for example, that operate under each country's laws.

Despite this, they operate an international database.

So, don't necessarily believe what is written on other country (US) websites WC.

Much better to go in to a branch and talk to someone who has some authority. A good example from my experience. The website rules preclude me from opening a new Mastercard account as well as my Visa account, but when I went to my local branch and sat down with the accounts manager the rules were abandoned and I walked out with a new account.

It's similar to my experience with hotel rates.

The website say XYZ; when you talk to the sales manager you discover all sorts of special deals. For any intra-Philippines travel that I must pay for, I always call up the hotel and speak to the sales manager and some of the deals I have struck (as a local resident) are remarkable.

[BaboyDave]

Sorry, but yes it does. I've been using MetroBank for years and have two accounts with the bank. When you use a foreign ATM, the charge is Php200.

GE.

In that case, maybe it has to do with some arrangement with my card issuer?

I have checked this multiple times with 3 different cards issued by 2 separate banks and have not been charged most of the times.

At first they were the only ones not to prompt me with the question if I am willing to pay the fee, then I double checked my card statement later to make sure I have indeed not been charged.

I guess I've generalized my case if you have a different experience than mine, however I've saved a few thousand pesos in withdrawals through those ATMs for sure. I guess it's card / bank specific?

[GoodEnough]

Its possible you have a relationship that weekend warriors don't.

Have rec'd similar info regarding Schwab, HSBC, and PNC bank regarding ATM fees being rebated and such. My current info:

HSBC, from their website: Note: Non-Premier customers requesting to open an international banking account outside the U.S. and requiring assistance in the completion of all necessary paperwork from the International Banking Center in the U.S. or an HSBC branch in the U.S. will be charged a one-time fee of $200 USD. This fee is waived for HSBC Premier and Corporate Partner clients. There goes the advantage of saving the ATM fees.

HSBC, regarding Premier services, from their website: To qualify for an HSBC Premier relationship, you are required to: Open an HSBC Premier checking account and maintain $100,000 in combined U.S. personal deposit and investment2 balances.

PNC. I rec'd PM's from several gents about 3 years ago about opening a PNC checking account with ATM card that either rebates ATM fees or doesn't charge for them in the first place when overseas. I called PNC to inquire, and they could not confirm any such thing. I waltzed into a large branch one day to inquire, and their Accounts gal also had never heard of such. In fact she called a different branch in a different state, to no avail. I told her that my friends had such ATM cards. She asked me to ask my friends specifically what type of account they had and call her back. When I asked the two board members here in PM that question, they hemmed and hawed and could not seem to locate a statement (or look at their account online) to find out what kind of account they had (last I heard from either gent about it).

Schwab. Several gents here told me similar info about the Schwab ATM card. I checked the website, and sure enough one had to open a standard checking account ($200 balance), and also a trading account ($500 I believe). I opened both, thru the mail (one must download a 12-page document, print it out, answer many questions on the document, and mail it to Schwab with checks for $200 and $500 to open the accounts). A month later I got letters and an ATM card in the mail confirming the accounts were open. I added more to one of the accounts, which is linked to the ATM card. When overseas, the machine still charges the extra fees, but at the end of the month on my statement Schwab has rebated both the p200 ATM fee and the out-of-network fee (keep in mind, they are a bank, and are making money on the currency conversion, often giving as little as 3-5 pesos less per dollar when converting; so instead of getting 5000 pesos for my $100 at a money-exchanger, the ATM gives 5000 pesos and takes $106 dollars -- plus ATM fees -- from my account). I'm relatively happy with this in a pinch, but I still prefer the money exchangers (ie, Forex).

I don't recommend any of this for weekend warriors; just exchange your local currency for pesos at money exchanger in phils.

BTW, I was in my local bank branch last week transacting (large American bank). Off the cuff I asked what their exchange rate was on the Philippine peso (which they must order and have delivered from another city): 40.7 pesos to the dollar + $15 delivery fee (from the other bank to my branch, and I have to travel back to my branch to pick it up). That's a terrible exchange rate considering today's rate of 49.7 pesos to the dollar; they are making about a 20% profit on the exchange (that's what they take on an overseas ATM exchange also + the $5 out-of-network fee).

I don't want to get into a protracted debate here, but I've had a PNC checking account for years, and I always get the ATM fees rebated so long as I maintain a minimum checking account balance of $1,500-$2,000; I forget which. It's not any sort of "special" account, and I've got no special detail with the bank. Years ago I was offered the rebate deal and I took it. My card appears to be a standard Visa / Debit card with nothing unusual written on it, so I assume that anyone could get a similar deal.

As to HSBC, I didn't contend that the bank didn't charge the standard Php200 rate; only that you can withdraw up to Php40,000 per transaction, thus making the cost of money a bit cheaper.

I'm with RK on this. I haven't used a money changer in years, get a much better exchange rate from my bank, and wouldn't recommend to any one, carrying around several hundred (or thousand) dollars or Euros or whatever. I also use either my Visa Debit or standard Visa or Master Cards for most purchases here, thus avoiding cash, and find that this works well for me too.

GE.

[GoodEnough]

For the sake of visitors with no special arrangements with their bank, after trying pretty much every bank's ATM, the only ATM that consistently does not charge the additional 200 php is Metrobank.

Their blue logo ATMs are less common than some other banks and are sometimes concealed in back corners in some venues / malls, however they are the only ones I've noticed not to charge the fee regardless to which card I was using.

Sorry, but yes it does. I've been using MetroBank for years and have two accounts with the bank. When you use a foreign ATM, the charge is Php200.

GE.

[BaboyDave]

Westie, time to change banks. Mine charges nothing for out of network, and all of the ATMs I use charge Php200, or about $4 for the privilege of using the ATM. HSBC allows a maximum per-transaction withdrawal of Php40,000, while all of the others that I've used maximize the withdrawals at Php10,000. In other words at HSBC you can withdraw Php40 K for Php200, so it's the best deal.

GE.

For the sake of visitors with no special arrangements with their bank, after trying pretty much every bank's ATM, the only ATM that consistently does not charge the additional 200 php is Metrobank.

Their blue logo ATMs are less common than some other banks and are sometimes concealed in back corners in some venues / malls, however they are the only ones I've noticed not to charge the fee regardless to which card I was using.

[WestCoast1]

Westie, time to change banks. Mine charges nothing for out of network, and all of the ATMs I use charge Php200, or about $4 for the privilege of using the ATM. HSBC allows a maximum per-transaction withdrawal of Php40,000, while all of the others that I've used maximize the withdrawals at Php10,000. In other words at HSBC you can withdraw Php40 K for Php200, so it's the best deal.

Ditto Westie. You're definitely in the wrong bank. I agree with GE about HSBC, except that I pay zero for my withdrawals because I have a special arrangement with HSBC.

Its possible you have a relationship that weekend warriors don't.

Have rec'd similar info regarding Schwab, HSBC, and PNC bank regarding ATM fees being rebated and such. My current info:

HSBC, from their website: Note: Non-Premier customers requesting to open an international banking account outside the U.S. and requiring assistance in the completion of all necessary paperwork from the International Banking Center in the U.S. or an HSBC branch in the U.S. will be charged a one-time fee of $200 USD. This fee is waived for HSBC Premier and Corporate Partner clients. There goes the advantage of saving the ATM fees.

HSBC, regarding Premier services, from their website: To qualify for an HSBC Premier relationship, you are required to: Open an HSBC Premier checking account and maintain $100,000 in combined U.S. personal deposit and investment2 balances.

PNC. I rec'd PM's from several gents about 3 years ago about opening a PNC checking account with ATM card that either rebates ATM fees or doesn't charge for them in the first place when overseas. I called PNC to inquire, and they could not confirm any such thing. I waltzed into a large branch one day to inquire, and their Accounts gal also had never heard of such. In fact she called a different branch in a different state, to no avail. I told her that my friends had such ATM cards. She asked me to ask my friends specifically what type of account they had and call her back. When I asked the two board members here in PM that question, they hemmed and hawed and could not seem to locate a statement (or look at their account online) to find out what kind of account they had (last I heard from either gent about it).

Schwab. Several gents here told me similar info about the Schwab ATM card. I checked the website, and sure enough one had to open a standard checking account ($200 balance), and also a trading account ($500 I believe). I opened both, thru the mail (one must download a 12-page document, print it out, answer many questions on the document, and mail it to Schwab with checks for $200 and $500 to open the accounts). A month later I got letters and an ATM card in the mail confirming the accounts were open. I added more to one of the accounts, which is linked to the ATM card. When overseas, the machine still charges the extra fees, but at the end of the month on my statement Schwab has rebated both the p200 ATM fee and the out-of-network fee (keep in mind, they are a bank, and are making money on the currency conversion, often giving as little as 3-5 pesos less per dollar when converting; so instead of getting 5000 pesos for my $100 at a money-exchanger, the ATM gives 5000 pesos and takes $106 dollars -- plus ATM fees -- from my account). I'm relatively happy with this in a pinch, but I still prefer the money exchangers (ie, Forex).

I don't recommend any of this for weekend warriors; just exchange your local currency for pesos at money exchanger in phils.

BTW, I was in my local bank branch last week transacting (large American bank). Off the cuff I asked what their exchange rate was on the Philippine peso (which they must order and have delivered from another city): 40.7 pesos to the dollar + $15 delivery fee (from the other bank to my branch, and I have to travel back to my branch to pick it up). That's a terrible exchange rate considering today's rate of 49.7 pesos to the dollar; they are making about a 20% profit on the exchange (that's what they take on an overseas ATM exchange also + the $5 out-of-network fee).

[Wicked Roger]

Ditto Westie. You're definitely in the wrong bank. I agree with GE about HSBC, except that I pay zero for my withdrawals because I have a special arrangement with HSBC. My CC works everywhere I travel (in 2016, that was Australia, Laos, Cambodia, HK, Mongolia and Thailand) My statement always shows a withdrawal fee and then a credit of same amount if I use an ATM other than HSBC.
Carrying cash to change at money changer is so old-hat these days. I get much better forex rates through my bank.

I am the same RK only use HSBC, use my ATM all over the globe (and you know I travel to a lot more places) and all I get as a fee is the exchange and a small 'cash fee; as a foreign transaction but am questioning that one also. US banks are greedier Westie or you earn way too much salary to worry about the fees being that high LOL. If the latter please send some to my favorite charity. IE me!

[Red Kilt]

Westie, time to change banks. Mine charges nothing for out of network, and all of the ATMs I use charge Php200, or about $4 for the privilege of using the ATM. HSBC allows a maximum per-transaction withdrawal of Php40,000, while all of the others that I've used maximize the withdrawals at Php10,000. In other words at HSBC you can withdraw Php40 K for Php200, so it's the best deal.

Ditto Westie. You're definitely in the wrong bank. I agree with GE about HSBC, except that I pay zero for my withdrawals because I have a special arrangement with HSBC. My CC works everywhere I travel (in 2016, that was Australia, Laos, Cambodia, HK, Mongolia and Thailand) My statement always shows a withdrawal fee and then a credit of same amount if I use an ATM other than HSBC.
Carrying cash to change at money changer is so old-hat these days. I get much better forex rates through my bank.

[GoodEnough]

I recently returned from my first trip. I preferred using Grab Taxi over other options. I waited for 20 minutes in the metered taxi queue when I arrived then the driver claimed that the meter was broken in his new car. Even on trips across town with Grab I rarely spent over 200 pesos. When I would flag a passing meter taxi about 50% of the time they would not want to use the meter and would quote me 200 pesos. Most of those fares came in around 70. Not sure what 2900 from your hotel would get you. Perhaps an entertainer is included to drive you on your way to the room?

Hotel cars are ridiculously expensive for airport pick-ups, but they do offer the advantage of being there on time. From the airport, I always use the "coupon taxis," which are fixed price, with the price depending on the zone to which you're traveling. If you're going to a hotel in the Greenbelt area of Makati, the zone is Makati I, and the flat rate is Php330. You will have to pay the Skyway tolls if you want your driver to use the Skyway. That will add about Php65 ($1. 30) to the cost of the trip, but it's usually well worth it. I've also used Uber, and it's efficient from the airport, but sometimes the driver will hit a traffic-related delay on the way to pick you up so it can take a while. I've found the best way to use Uber at the airport is to reserve it while you're still in your seat on the plane, which gives you at least a chance that the driver will be there by the time you get outside.

GE.

[Red Kilt]

So I been looking on here and I keep seeing different things on price of transportation. I land in Manila around 12 am. So I am not getting out till almost 1 am. So I need to take a taxi to my hotel. Is it cheaper to grab a taxi or and uber. OR should I just let my hotel send me a car that will cost me 2,900 pesos.

This conversation comes up time and again, about every 3 months on this forum.

I live here and pass through all 4 airports regularly and quite honestly I never have the hassles with taxis that other guys talk about.

If you arrive in Terminal 1 just turn left when you exit the terminal into the heat after getting your baggage and walk 30 meters to the yellow taxi stand. There is almost never any queue there and you will be on your way to hotel quickly. Taxi has a 70 php flagfall and it will cost around 250 php to your Makati hotel (maybe less at 1 am). If drivers ask if you want to use the Skyway say Yes and give him the 45 php. Money well spent. It will save you about 15 minutes off your trip.

If you arrive in Terminal 2 (PAL) or Terminal 3, just look for the yellow taxis lined up across from the terminal exit. If there is a line at the yellow taxis go to the "Coupon Taxis" which are white with big blue lettering on the side. Fixed price to Makati and rarely any hassles there either. I use them if there is a line at the yellow cabs and I rarely have to wait. Not sure what is the fixed cost to Makati but I pay almost 500 php to my condo in Ortigas which is about 200 more than regular taxis but I just want to get home hassle-free.

I use Uber and Grab to go to the airport but I have never needed to use them FROM the airport because there are cabs everywhere and you will not want to wait around for the Uber or Grab taxi to arrive.

[GoodEnough]

Using an ATM will cost you about $8 each time ($3 for the ATM owner, and $5 for your bank's out-of-network ATM fee). If you bring your local dollars, you can do better at the money exchangers (this is my choice).

WC.

Westie, time to change banks. Mine charges nothing for out of network, and all of the ATMs I use charge Php200, or about $4 for the privilege of using the ATM. HSBC allows a maximum per-transaction withdrawal of Php40,000, while all of the others that I've used maximize the withdrawals at Php10,000. In other words at HSBC you can withdraw Php40 K for Php200, so it's the best deal.

GE.

[WestCoast1]

Do they have banks there I can go to and withdraw a large amount of money out or do I have to go to an ATM. I know in Dominican republic there are certain banks I can go to with my card and grab a large amount of money out.

Using an ATM will cost you about $8 each time ($3 for the ATM owner, and $5 for your bank's out-of-network ATM fee). If you bring your local dollars, you can do better at the money exchangers (this is my choice).

WC.

[Dg8787]

So I been looking on here and I keep seeing different things on price of transportation. I land in Manila around 12 am. So I am not getting out till almost 1 am. So I need to take a taxi to my hotel. Is it cheaper to grab a taxi or and uber. OR should I just let my hotel send me a car that will cost me 2,900 pesos.

Do they have banks there I can go to and withdraw a large amount of money out or do I have to go to an ATM. I know in Dominican republic there are certain banks I can go to with my card and grab a large amount of money out.

I imagine the 2900 pesos is for a hotel car pick up to go to Angeles. Taxi may be cheaper but I doubt if by much and uber may be a little more as they will charge you double for the two ways. The hotel pick up will be more reliable and fixed price with no hassle. Just follow instructions to the pick up point depending on which terminal you are at.

I don't know about banks to withdraw money out from. Most people use ATM which has been discussed here many times and which card is better than others.

I personally wire myself money from my bank account to Cebuana and pick it up in pesos as I need it.

[Wicked Roger]

So I been looking on here and I keep seeing different things on price of transportation. I land in Manila around 12 am. So I am not getting out till almost 1 am. So I need to take a taxi to my hotel. Is it cheaper to grab a taxi or and uber. OR should I just let my hotel send me a car that will cost me 2,900 pesos.

Do they have banks there I can go to and withdraw a large amount of money out or do I have to go to an ATM. I know in Dominican republic there are certain banks I can go to with my card and grab a large amount of money out.

Lots of great information already posted by many including myself on both aspects of your FR so a RTFF would find especially using Advanced Search.

Why pay 2900 when taxis cost 400-500? Why would you want to take out huge wads of cash from an ATM machine unless you face fees each time. Much depends on the bank you have (mine is 40000 pesos max and no fees), each bank has a limit and each country is different.

Uber had been discussed widely here also. I don't use but others only use Uber as it is a personal choice but again a quick RTFF using the words "Uber", "ATM" and "taxi NAIA" would tell you all you need to know plus how long to wait and the costs.

Taxi queues depend on time and terminal but again all this is covered in the threads. I have spent less than 5 minutes to being forced to wait way too long for a taxi and now I know when the best time to arrive is at my terminal.