General Info

[QUOTE=Mortman; 1116777]Guys

Thanks for your observations. I have decided to make a meaningful contribution, probably around 15, 000. 20, 000 pesos. I want to help but don't want to be seen as a free ride every time some family emergency occurs and I already have other financial commitments in the way of Daisy my regular gf and her two kids.

I haven't been able to add further posts to the Cebu thread as I have been extremely ill these past few days with pancreatitis and laid up in bed with pain killers. Daisy god bless her came straight up from the province as soon as she heard I was not well and stayed with me last night at the Waterfront. I have a flight back to the UK today via Qatar and I pray to god I am fit enough to travel later this afternoon, I don't really want to be holed up in a hospital here unless it is completely unavoidable. Food is out of the question and I should be on an IV rather than drinking fluids orally, but again that means a visit to the hospital here in Cebu. I feel better than I did yesterday, for those that have ever had pancreatitis you will know how painful and debilitating it can be.

Mortman[/QUOTE]Wow I hear that is one of the most painful things to have/

And hope you are doing better.

There are good hospitals and doctors to be found in Philippines. Especially in manila.

But I might go back USA for treatment of something serious/

Good luck. I did not yet read the story of the charity but sometimes we try to help out if we can.

Means you got a good heart.

[QUOTE=Mortman; 1116777]Guys

Thanks for your observations. I have decided to make a meaningful contribution, probably around 15, 000. 20, 000 pesos. I want to help but don't want to be seen as a free ride every time some family emergency occurs and I already have other financial commitments in the way of Daisy my regular gf and her two kids.

I haven't been able to add further posts to the Cebu thread as I have been extremely ill these past few days with pancreatitis and laid up in bed with pain killers. Daisy god bless her came straight up from the province as soon as she heard I was not well and stayed with me last night at the Waterfront. I have a flight back to the UK today via Qatar and I pray to god I am fit enough to travel later this afternoon, I don't really want to be holed up in a hospital here unless it is completely unavoidable. Food is out of the question and I should be on an IV rather than drinking fluids orally, but again that means a visit to the hospital here in Cebu. I feel better than I did yesterday, for those that have ever had pancreatitis you will know how painful and debilitating it can be.

Mortman[/QUOTE]I know you're looking advice but maybe this is an idea that could work. It might be possible that the family can still get health insurance (for all the kids and the mom) for 1200 peso a year from PhilHealth. The coverage is not perfect but they do reimburse up to 15. 000 peso.

Thus, if you're able to have them check the situation and get the coverage. 1.200 Peso might bridge the gap they still need to cover and lower your contribution at the same. Plus extending some protection to the whole family.

I usually bring cash and exchange, but my next trip I want to use my ATM card. What is better rate, atm withdrawl or cash exchange? Also, are there certain atm machines to avoid? Any atm scams?

[QUOTE=Amjeck;1117727]I usually bring cash and exchange, but my next trip I want to use my ATM card. What is better rate, atm withdrawl or cash exchange? Also, are there certain atm machines to avoid? Any atm scams?[/QUOTE]The situation is different for me I suppose, since I live here, but I use ATMs exclusively when I need to replenish cash. This can get expensive, since most of the ATMs here charge a fee-Metro Bank P150, and I think HSBC now P 200-in addition to whatever fee your home bank may charge. In my case, my bank reimburses me monthly for all fees so it's not a concern. I don't know what the money changers charge as a fee.

The problem with bringing a substantial amount of foreign cash is that it's just one more thing to worry about, and it's something I would never do, and don't do when I need to travel to Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore or anywhere else in the region. I'd rather risk losing my ATM card, which can be replaced within 24 hours, than losing cash that can never be replaced.

I've not heard of any ATM scams here, but you do want to be prudent when you withdraw cash. That is, try to do it during the day, when there are lots of people around and lots of daylight. I don't think you're in any more danger of a robbery than you would be in the US or Europe, but it always pays to be cautious.

GE

[QUOTE=Amjeck;1117727]I usually bring cash and exchange, but my next trip I want to use my ATM card. What is better rate, atm withdrawl or cash exchange? Also, are there certain atm machines to avoid? Any atm scams?[/QUOTE]It partly depends on your bank and how much they charge you in hidden (I. E. Part of the exchange rate) and open (extra fee charged for using an ATM machine that is not owned by them) fees. Also, I have used 3 ATM machines so far (1 in the airport and 2 at banks) and each has added on their own 200p fee.

[QUOTE=Amjeck;1117727]I usually bring cash and exchange, but my next trip I want to use my ATM card. What is better rate, atm withdrawl or cash exchange? Also, are there certain atm machines to avoid? Any atm scams?[/QUOTE]Definitely ATM card. Make sure it is a VISA.based card as most machines in the Phils are linked to VISA.

Hide away a few extra USD in your baggage just in case you get stuck but I have never needed to go to the stash anywhere around SE Asia (Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) as I have always found an ATM to use.

You will get a better forex rate on the ATM card which will usually make up for the few extra dollars you lose in fees.

I don't pay any fees on my HSBC card.

As GE says. Just be careful who is hanging around when you go to the ATM.

All crooks know that foreigners going to an ATM after 6pm at night are withdrawing cash so once you pull the notes get away quickly back into the stream of people.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough; 1117866]I've not heard of any ATM scams here, but you do want to be prudent when you withdraw cash. That is, try to do it during the day, when there are lots of people around and lots of daylight. I don't think you're in any more danger of a robbery than you would be in the US or Europe, but it always pays to be cautious.

GE[/QUOTE]And don be suprised when you find you have to literally "step up" to sue the ATM. For some strange reason in Phils they generally put the ATM at about 6foot off the ground, meaning most little 5ft girls can't reach it, unless the bank supplies a step up box. Never seen that in any other country. Check out the ATMS at Landmark.

Getting money as you need it from an ATM is much safer than carrying enough cash to get you through your entire stay. You can often get cash after dark from ATMs inside a mall. Most malls are open until 9 pm, and sometimes later. But also plan ahead. A lot of the ATMs will limit you to 10, 000 pesos in a single transaction, a few are a little more, but a few give as little as 2000 at one time. And many of the banks that issued your ATM card may limit you to $300 or so in any one day, unless you get the limit lifted before you leave home.

Although the malls are generally safer, because they're well lit, they have security guards, and you can quickly move into the crowd after you take your money, the ATMs in the malls also tend to get long lines of clients waiting to use them, especially the ones with higher limits.

[QUOTE=Red Kilt;1117881]Hide away a few extra USD in your baggage just in case you get stuck but I have never needed to go to the stash anywhere around SE Asia (Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) as I have always found an ATM to use.[/QUOTE]

It's helpful to have at least 1,000 pesos when you hit the ground -- for taxi, a drink or two, and maybe buy a few snacks from a 7-11 before you turn in for the night. If you plan to monger you will obviously need more. Some of the money changers are open at night, and some hotels have ATMs in the lobby. At NAIA Manila Terminal One (all the foreign airlines come in there) you will find a currency exchange just after you go through customs and before you break to the outside for a taxi. The rate is just a little worse than you'll pay at money changers in the city. But they're usually closed by the time Delta, Korean Air and other flights come in after 10 pm.

You can do a limited exchange at Seoul / Inchon, Tokyo, or Nagoya, but the exchange rate will be bad. Like maybe 35 pesos for $1US as opposed to 44/45 in Manila. That's a reason to limit your purchase to 1000 pesos. Exchanges in Atlanta, Detroit, and the West Coast USA hubs often do not have pesos, and when they do, the rates are similar to Seoul and Tokyo.

Exchange is much better when using ATM. All up with the charges form your local bank + ATM charge it will be around even +. Dollar or two on a 10 000 peso transaction. The risk to carry cash is not worth it. The only hasle is iin AC EFTPOS ATM's that I trust are at SM but ABC provides free car service so no probs.

Which ATM's let you withdraw more then 10K peso? I haven't seen any in the last 2 yrs or so.

[QUOTE=Amjeck;1117727]I usually bring cash and exchange, but my next trip I want to use my ATM card. What is better rate, atm withdrawl or cash exchange? Also, are there certain atm machines to avoid? Any atm scams?[/QUOTE]Philippine ATMs changed recently (it's now like the Thai ATMs).

Previously, the ATMs would give you the cash buy rate without an ATM charge.

Now, the ATMs give you the "Visa" rate which is between the buy and sell rate. But now the ATMs (at least PS and Allied Banks) charges you 200 pesos per transaction. PS and Allied's max withdrawl amount is 10, 000. I believe HSBC gives you 20, 000.

Some US banks will charge you a foreign transaction fee which will be between 1% to 3%. Some other rip-off banks will charge you extra fees (need to read your fine print).

The best way is to get an ATM (such as Charles Schwab Bank) which will refund you the foreign ATM charges, plus not charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Hence if you use a good ATM card, that is the best exchange rate. But if your banks doesn't refund you the ATM charge or charges you the foreign transaction fee, then your best rate will be to use cash.

I believe all the ATMs should be the same. Does any ATM in the Philippine waive the 200 peso charge?

Haven't heard of any ATM scams.

[QUOTE=Mc Don; 1118006]Exchange is much better when using ATM. All up with the charges form your local bank + ATM charge it will be around even +. Dollar or two on a 10 000 peso transaction. The risk to carry cash is not worth it. The only hasle is iin AC EFTPOS ATM's that I trust are at SM but ABC provides free car service so no probs.

Which ATM's let you withdraw more then 10K peso? I haven't seen any in the last 2 yrs or so. [/QUOTE]Haven't been to phils since 2009 but In metro manila there were several Atms that allows you to witdraw 10k+.

HSBC at rockwell powerplant, makati is atleast 30. 000PHP but I've been told the limit was 40. 000php.

Also there are a lot of big banks with atms in makati financial district and I know atleast in 2 of them I withdrew 20. 000php. Also I like the fact that some of them the atm is inside the bank where there are guards it feels safer. In citibank you can withdraw 15. 000php.

I'm going to phils soon so it would be good to know which atms that doesn't charge you extra fee?

This info is from 2010 and I don't know if something has changed since its 2011 now but I was told that Citibank and HSBC atms doesn't charge a fee can somebody confirm?

HSBC charges a fee. I think it's P200. I'm fairly sure that Citi does as well, but it's been a while since I've used a Citi ATM, so I'm not sure.

[QUOTE=Blade1; 1118128]Haven't been to phils since 2009 but In metro manila there were several Atms that allows you to witdraw 10k+.

HSBC at rockwell powerplant, makati is atleast 30. 000PHP but I've been told the limit was 40. 000php.

Also there are a lot of big banks with atms in makati financial district and I know atleast in 2 of them I withdrew 20. 000php. Also I like the fact that some of them the atm is inside the bank where there are guards it feels safer. In citibank you can withdraw 15. 000php.

I'm going to phils soon so it would be good to know which atms that doesn't charge you extra fee?

This info is from 2010 and I don't know if something has changed since its 2011 now but I was told that Citibank and HSBC atms doesn't charge a fee can somebody confirm? [/QUOTE]

I think I use the Bank of Philippine Islands or something like that and it charges me 150 peso. Max is 10K. Never came across anything that allows more then 10K in the last year or so but that may be because I use an EFTPOS card. I have had trouble withdrawing money from certain banks as their ATMs only except VISA / Mastercard. Is there any ATM near Burgos that will allow you to draw down more then 10K? Both the ATM in Makati Palace and the one near the McDonalds are 10K only.

[QUOTE=Mc Don;1118196]I think I use the Bank of Philippine Islands or something like that and it charges me 150 peso. Max is 10K. Never came across anything that allows more then 10K in the last year or so but that may be because I use an EFTPOS card. I have had trouble withdrawing money from certain banks as their ATMs only except VISA / Mastercard. Is there any ATM near Burgos that will allow you to draw down more then 10K? Both the ATM in Makati Palace and the one near the McDonalds are 10K only.[/QUOTE]There are different set of networks that the ATM's use. They are usually listed on the back of your ATM card and also somewhere on the ATM like the top area. For example, mine lists like Cirrus and a couple others on my card. I learn the big banks that accept my card and pretty much make it easy for myself and head to those normally.