General Info

In the six years that I have lived here, I've never experienced a time that I could not withdraw money from my US bank using an ATM. True, not all ATMs take all cards, but Metro Banks, which have branches all over the places work fine with most US networks as does HSBC and many of the others. In my opinion, it's nuts to bring lots of cash and then having to worry about it. Better to withdraw 10-20k at a time. As to international credit cards, I use mine sometimes for the larger stores and for hotels. I've never been ripped off, though I cannot say it never happens.

GE

Thanks again to everyone for the useful advice. I posted earlier but my posts seem to be taking forever to get posted. I posted my last message like 7 hours ago and it has yet to be posted on the forum.

[QUOTE=Zackary Kr]
So, my second option, was only to bring enough cash to last me for my first week and then withdraw as necessary through an international credit card, but I'd heard that using international credit cards was not such a hot idea because of fraud, scams, and so forth. Not to mention the availability of machines in which to withdraw money.[/QUOTE]
One item that is not mentioned in previous responses is that using your credit card instead of your debit/ATM card to get cash will usually be treated by your credit card issuer as a cash advance and therefore subject to high interest rates (typically at least 2% per month) from the first day. No grace period like there is for ordinary purchases. In my case, I know the PIN for my credit card so I keep that option as a very last resort, short of having to call a friend back home.

Further, regarding using your credit cards, receipts in the Phils still mostly print your entire card number along with your name (and possibly the expiration date as well). It's not obscured like it would be in the US or the UK. So I only use my credit card for airlines, hotels in the big cities and higher-end retailers, and my debit/ATM card is only used at ATMs.

Nope I do not have a problem but I have a friend that recently ran into a problem while trying to clear immigration while coming back into the States. Obviously as many of us do we take pictures and some of us take video. For me I take my pictures and send them all to my e mail before I leave the Philippines and delete what is downloaded on my computer. I then wipe my SD card clean and upload photo's once I am back home to my computer and transfer to my external hard drive. Thats me being Mr. Safety. However, many go back into States and have photos left in SD card (if you do this your crazy) But my friend left his pics in his hardrive in computer.

Ok my question. He was serriously question due to the fact he went to Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines and China on his trip. I guess thats monger advertisement there. Thats a t shirt in waiting saying Hey check out my bags. Ok they looked at his pics and obviously they enjoyed the pics where they wanted to see more. (probable cause? ). They check out his computer asked for passwords and bingo pics, pics, pics. They really gave him hard time but eventually let him go. I am sure his passport has been red flagged for future searches as well. Here is the question. Does immigration have right to look at your SD card if you do NOT give permission (4th amendment rights) I would ask the same as do they have a right to to search and look at information in hard drive with out our permission? Due we carry Constitutional Rights at customs? Obviously they have a right to look for a degree of illegal narcotics, and items that have security breach. I am interested in what our legal rights would be once being at customs.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]In the six years that I have lived here, I've never experienced a time that I could not withdraw money from my US bank using an ATM. True, not all ATMs take all cards, but Metro Banks, which have branches all over the places work fine with most US networks as does HSBC and many of the others.

GE[/QUOTE]
The best deal I found was HSBC at in Davao, near Swiss Deli.I felt very safe there with a lot of High End restaurants in the area. It let me take out 20,000 peso at a time, compared to some ATM that had limits as low as 4, 000.

With the Wells Fargo charge of $5 each shot, HSBC saved me a lot of money over a long vacation and I did not have to deal with any of the currency dealers.

Can anyone tell me how difficult it actually is to open a bank account in PI?

Are they familiar with internet banking there at all?

Grateful for all tips.

[QUOTE=Zackary Kr]At first, I was considering opening a bank account in the Philippines with one of their local banks, deposit cash, get an ATM card from them and withdraw when necessary. However, I had heard that setting up an account was not an easy thing to do.[/QUOTE]I have heard the same thing and then I went into BPI last week and I opened a dollar account. I only needed my passport and one more picture ID. I went back yesterday and picked up my ATM card and changed my PIN at the ATM. The ATM card can be used at Cirrus or Maesto ATM worldwide. It takes checks 21 days to clear, but if you put cash, you can withdraw ASAP. For a dollar account you must maintain a $500 balance. And you can bank on line:)

Robb

I have a BPI bank account myself. I opened it 2 years ago and they let me open it with $200. Sounds like minimum changed to $500. Before going to this bank I went to China Bank and PNP. All wanted 2 I. D. S and proof I could stay in Philippines or had legal status. However I have a feeling if I walked into the bank with substantial money I think they would turn a blind eye and say "Yes sir, we will be glad to hold your money, Sign write here on the signature card" and then " you want to deposit "only"$20, 000.

Side Note: Ever notice when money is involved whether at store, resturaunt, shopping or buying anything its always "sir thats P______ ONLY. Only meaning wow what a bargain for me! Imagine buying a piece of crap car. Sir thats ONLY P 250, 000. I feel like I am getting a great deal at an ONLY PRICE! Ha ha just something to laugh at.

[QUOTE=Bob Bowie]The best deal I found was HSBC at in Davao, near Swiss Deli. I felt very safe there with a lot of High End restaurants in the area. It let me take out 20, 000 peso at a time, compared to some ATM that had limits as low as 4, 000.

With the Wells Fargo charge of $5 each shot, HSBC saved me a lot of money over a long vacation and I did not have to deal with any of the currency dealers.[/QUOTE]Ok funny story. I use the HSBC ATM in Global city Manila. Went there to withdraw recently and there's a restaurant opposite ATM entrance. Waitress was cleaning the windows. Got my money exited. Saw her, looked up and smiled. She smiled. We smiled. "Hello, how are you etc". Phone numbers, and lo and behold some few hours later shes in my car. And my digit is getting inserted in that warm fuzzy place we like. Etc.

Sadly next trip when I went to that ATM she wasnt there anymore.

Robb, If I'm not mistaken, you passport would have a differnet visa than those of us who come as tourists. Maybe that is why you could easily open up an account.

X

[QUOTE=Robbaf]I have heard the same thing and then I went into BPI last week and I opened a dollar account. I only needed my passport and one more picture ID. I went back yesterday and picked up my ATM card and changed my PIN at the ATM. The ATM card can be used at Cirrus or Maesto ATM worldwide. It takes checks 21 days to clear, but if you put cash, you can withdraw ASAP. For a dollar account you must maintain a $500 balance. And you can bank on line:)

Robb[/QUOTE]

[quote=dcand4]nope i do not have a problem but i have a friend that recently ran into a problem while trying to clear immigration while coming back into the states. obviously as many of us do we take pictures and some of us take video. for me i take my pictures and send them all to my e mail before i leave the philippines and delete what is downloaded on my computer. i then wipe my sd card clean and upload photo's once i am back home to my computer and transfer to my external hard drive. thats me being mr. safety. however, many go back into states and have photos left in sd card (if you do this your crazy) but my friend left his pics in his hardrive in computer.

ok my question. he was serriously question due to the fact he went to cambodia, thailand, philippines and china on his trip. i guess thats monger advertisement there. thats a t shirt in waiting saying hey check out my bags. ok they looked at his pics and obviously they enjoyed the pics where they wanted to see more. (probable cause? ). they check out his computer asked for passwords and bingo pics, pics, pics. they really gave him hard time but eventually let him go. i am sure his passport has been red flagged for future searches as well. here is the question. does immigration have right to look at your sd card if you do not give permission (4th amendment rights) i would ask the same as do they have a right to to search and look at information in hard drive with out our permission? due we carry constitutional rights at customs? obviously they have a right to look for a degree of illegal narcotics, and items that have security breach. i am interested in what our legal rights would be once being at customs.[/quote]in the usa, customs definitely have the right to search your laptop, camera, sd cards, whatever. just think about it. ****s would be able to export their wares easy if they couldn't.

Zackary,

My safe is a Pacsafe TravelSafe 100, available via this link:
[url]http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/pacsafe-travel-safe-p-310.html[/url]

I was very pleased with my purchase.

I knew a couple of Dutch guys who would stay for a month and put everything on a credit card. So they charged the room, most or many of their meals, and their laundry. There is no need to carry huge amounts of cash or to exchange money, and once these expenses are paid, you won't need a ton of cash. I just prefer to pay as I go.

I also forgot to mention that you have to watch that Filipinos don't try to stick you with an additional fee for a credit card, including American Express. They're not supposed to do it, but the SOB's commonly do this in the Philippines.

I'll also take a couple of hundred in US 100$ notes. This is a backup in case the ATM's are down, and come in handy if you're out in the boonies and are out of pesos.

By the way, a common problem is having too much money. I've cashed US hundred dollar bills and have had the changer try to give me all 1000 Peso notes! Outside of your hotel, the casino, or major stores, you simply can't change big peso notes.

This is even worse in the province. I was in the Camotes, and the whole economy seemed to run on nickels and dimes. A hundred Peso note was like a $10,000 bill.

So I buy a coin purse and keep all of my coins and small notes (20's and 50's). Otherwise, the taxi driver is going to pretend like he doesn't have change for a 100 Peso note.

It's appalling how many stores don't have change. Here in America we take it for granted that a cashier starts with a change/cash drawer.

So hoard your small bills and coins.

[QUOTE=SergeantRay]Zackary,

My safe is a Pacsafe TravelSafe 100, available via this link:
[url]http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/pacsafe-travel-safe-p-310.html[/url]
I was very pleased with my purchase.


I also purchased a Pacsafe a few years ago. Mine was the one that looks like a net that you can put a backpack inside it. My advice is to not be overly confident in it. They use hardened steel cables in it's construction. One day I was curious as to just how tough and secure this divice is. I grabbed a good set of standard wire cutters (side cutters). With some effort I was able to cut clean through one of the cables. Yes, it is a tough cable but it is fairly easily compromised. It is good for keeping the honest guys out of your stuff but if someone has the right tools they can easily get in. I no longer use mine.

Southbound69

[quote=dcand4]nope i do not have a problem but i have a friend that recently ran into a problem while trying to clear immigration while coming back into the states. obviously as many of us do we take pictures and some of us take video. for me i take my pictures and send them all to my e mail before i leave the philippines and delete what is downloaded on my computer. i then wipe my sd card clean and upload photo's once i am back home to my computer and transfer to my external hard drive. thats me being mr. safety. however, many go back into states and have photos left in sd card (if you do this your crazy) but my friend left his pics in his hardrive in computer.

ok my question. he was serriously question due to the fact he went to cambodia, thailand, philippines and china on his trip. i guess thats monger advertisement there. thats a t shirt in waiting saying hey check out my bags. ok they looked at his pics and obviously they enjoyed the pics where they wanted to see more. (probable cause? ). they check out his computer asked for passwords and bingo pics, pics, pics. they really gave him hard time but eventually let him go. i am sure his passport has been red flagged for future searches as well. here is the question. does immigration have right to look at your sd card if you do not give permission (4th amendment rights) i would ask the same as do they have a right to to search and look at information in hard drive with out our permission? due we carry constitutional rights at customs? obviously they have a right to look for a degree of illegal narcotics, and items that have security breach. i am interested in what our legal rights would be once being at customs.[/quote]


yes they have the right and they can confirep001e your pc and tear it apart and also confirep001e all your software if they want. you have no rights to privacy upon entry. i am not a lawyer but this shit is public knowledge located all over the internet.

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/border_search_exception[/url]
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/united_states_v._arnold[/url]

back in 06’ i was stopped at lax. they saw the multiple visa stamps from thailand etc…and so they went looking. found no nudy photos of my own but did find some photos from lbfm.net (that i forgot about) and some iraq beheading videos (from now defunct orgish.com.) they gave me the third degree asking me how did i get my job etc, "do you have college degree?" when i told him i wanted to see a lawyer they told me they can hold me there indefinitely until i answer their questions.

i was about start “showing my black ass” but then i thought about my ex-wife who was waiting on me and just complied with their stupid and pointless demands.

the whole ordeal had racial overtones. the whole thing went downhill when the luggage inspector asked “wow your job must pay a lot”….and i told him if it didn’t i wouldn’t be able to travel. all white screeners and pocket full of money black 20 something year old soooooo…..

then the mother fucker had the nerve to tell me he expects better behavior from someone who works for the government.

i was beside myself with anger and even till this day it pisses me off when i think about it but in retrospect if i got to be inconvenienced so they can catch bin laden “wanna bes” and ****s then i guess it is cool.

[url]http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=showin%20naked%20ass[/url]