Jakarta

[XXL]

Let's say you pay Classic with CC, how do you go about avoiding the "currency conversion"? If you stick your CC into the machine (and enter your PIN) you have control over what happens and can deny the currency conversion. On the other hand, sticking your CC into the machine increases the risk of cloning etc. If you pay contactless, you may have no control over the currency conversion, indeed you may systematically get screwed by the house like what seems to happen in Brazil clubs (see Sao Paulo thread). If someone knows the Indonesian idiom for "currency conversion" I'd be interested.

Meanwhile the following school translation can be useful:

"Ku tidak mau konversi mata uang, ku ingin bayar dalam rupiah" ("I don't want a currency conversion, I want to pay in rupiah").

[NoGermaphobe]

This is the correct answer. Always select the local currency and reject DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) to your home currency. Whether using a credit card or an ATM. Reject the automatic conversion to your home currency. Don't take my word for it either.

https://www.us.hsbc.com/internationa...utside-the-us/

https://www.americanexpress.com/en-u...hen-traveling/

https://www.cnn.com/travel/foreign-t...ncy/index.html

Hey Zippo, sorry, but the opposite is true. If you chose the local currency, wherever you are (e.g., IDR in Indonesia), exchange rate will be set by card provider (i.e., visa or mastercard). The mechant in Indonesia will have nothing to do with that, so the exchange you get is the best possible. After that, your own bank usually tacks on an invisible currency conversion fee (around 2 percent is typical).

If you select anything other than the local currency, the merchant in Indonesia (or rather, whoever handles the transaction for them) will themselves decide the exchange rate to use for conversion to USD or your local home currency, and your home bank will not be involved. This will always be a rate way worse rate than the visa / mastercard rate, and usually much worse than the 2% currency conversion fee your own bank tacks on.

There are some cards that do not impose this conversion fee I've read, but those are not available to me unfortunately. I instead use Wise, which has a lower fee than most.

[Werqweq]

When it comes to using of physical CC for any purchase, often others don't pay attention is to what currency to select! Most cases it will ask for local currency being option one which in this case IDR, which is set by merchants bank at a very high exchange rate, second option is USD which is also set by merchants bank at a higher exchange rate and third option is home currency where CC is from. It's always best to choose home currency that way home bank does the conversion based on mid-day exchange rate. That way you won't loose much in the process.

Hey Zippo, sorry, but the opposite is true. If you chose the local currency, wherever you are (e.g., IDR in Indonesia), exchange rate will be set by card provider (i.e., visa or mastercard). The mechant in Indonesia will have nothing to do with that, so the exchange you get is the best possible. After that, your own bank usually tacks on an invisible currency conversion fee (around 2 percent is typical).

If you select anything other than the local currency, the merchant in Indonesia (or rather, whoever handles the transaction for them) will themselves decide the exchange rate to use for conversion to USD or your local home currency, and your home bank will not be involved. This will always be a rate way worse rate than the visa / mastercard rate, and usually much worse than the 2% currency conversion fee your own bank tacks on.

There are some cards that do not impose this conversion fee I've read, but those are not available to me unfortunately. I instead use Wise, which has a lower fee than most.

[Incrociatore]

Starling does not charge you any fee, no matter where you are, if the card is supported, you just pay the Mastercard conversion rate, but you have to pay a local fee, if the bank charges that. In Indonesia the cheaper is BCA, at least this is what I have found out:

Bank Central Asia (BCA)

BCA is one of the largest banks in Indonesia, and their ATMs are widespread. They typically charge a fee of around 30,000 IDR (approximately £1. 50) per withdrawal with a foreign card, which is on the lower end of the spectrum.

Bank Mandiri

Bank Mandiri also has a large network of ATMs, and the fee is usually around 30,000 to 50,000 IDR (approximately £1. 50 to £2. 50). Mandiri ATMs are reliable and widely available.

CIMB Niaga

CIMB Niaga often charges a fee similar to other major banks, around 30,000 to 50,000 IDR. However, some users have reported slightly lower fees at CIMB Niaga ATMs.

1) CIMB Niaga is 3 juta (100 k notes).

2) Maybank Indonesia is 1. 5 juta (50 k notes).

3) BNI is 2 juta (100 k notes).

4) Mandiri is 1. 25 juta (50 k notes).

5) BCA is 2. 5 juta (100 k notes)..

[Zippos]

Grab, Goiek is set once and changes occur on each ride / food order. My CC has this feature of approving a merchant as Trusted merchant and it will continue thereafter to a set limit. Anything over that limit, it would ask me for approval.

When it comes to using of physical CC for any purchase, often others don't pay attention is to what currency to select! Most cases it will ask for local currency being option one which in this case IDR, which is set by merchants bank at a very high exchange rate, second option is USD which is also set by merchants bank at a higher exchange rate and third option is home currency where CC is from. It's always best to choose home currency that way home bank does the conversion based on mid-day exchange rate. That way you won't loose much in the process.

Another great option is, no international transaction fees CC, otherwise that puts a huge dent on the total amount. If grab ride is to be $1 then it will be $1 for CC with no international transaction fees, otherwise it could be $1. 05 to $1. 15.

Many won't care about a small amount but it will make a big difference when paying hotel bills, airfare.

At 3% surcharge, considering Visa and Master give a better exchange rate on your CC than you get when changing cash, the nett loss reduces to less than 3%.

I suppose with Grab you enter your CC once and for all and it charges the CC on autopilot from then on. 2FA verification after each ride would be too much of a hassle.

[XXL]

Classic Spa charges a 3% surcharge for CC. But my bill is usually less than $100 so the extra couple of bucks for the convenience and reduced risk from carrying a large amount of cash is well worth it to me. I don't remember such a charge at Emporium. Grab works totally fine on my Singapore cards. Don't know about US cards. For cash I draw about 1 M per day for tips and misc and never really run out. Usually come back with a few hundred K for the next trip.

At 3% surcharge, considering Visa and Master give a better exchange rate on your CC than you get when changing cash, the nett loss reduces to less than 3%.

I suppose with Grab you enter your CC once and for all and it charges the CC on autopilot from then on. 2FA verification after each ride would be too much of a hassle.

[Tiny 12]

Indeed in the first decade of the century you would get stopped by police late at night one day out of three in the area Ayam Wuruk / Lokasari / Stadium. On one night I swear the Prestasi cab taking me back did a turn on purpose so that we would get stopped by police. The cabbie most probably got a cut of the baksheesh.

I can't remember getting stopped, going to or from Jalan Hayam Wuruk or the Lokasari Plaza area. But then we roll differently. I would have been returning alone before 10:30 PM, with no more than a beer buzz. You on the other hand were likely traveling lit, with three or four hotties. Your adventures, especially at Stadium were among the most epic in the annals of ISG. The police probably smelled you coming a couple of kilometers away.

[Sychip1]

Since my last trip to Jakarta was brief just three days and had a great timeI've decided to spend five days in October and another five days in November during my stopover from USA to Sri Lanka. I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for places worth visiting beyond Jakarta for girls.

Maybe just stick with Jakarta I would say. It's such an enormous place in itself that for girls it's the best place if you only have 5 days x2.

[June Fly]

Since my last trip to Jakarta was brief just three days and had a great time—I've decided to spend five days in October and another five days in November during my stopover from USA to Sri Lanka. I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for places worth visiting beyond Jakarta for girls.

[L00PY]

When getting USD100 bills, make sure to get 2009 or 2013 series. I know it doesn't make sense in perspective of what year bills were printed but I came across some money exchange specifically in Bali, Jak, KL, BK that they tend to offer a significant lower amount for any bills that's older than 2009 series.

In general, money changers want the most recent issued bills, clean, untorn, unwrinkled. Bills prior to 2009 lack some of the security features and are more prone to being counterfeited. They prefer clean, untorn, unwrinkled bills as when giving them out, they are less likely to be rejected by the customer. Brand new bills have a very distinct look and feel; overly worn and dirty bills can also be harder to notice if counterfeit.

Getting a lower exchange rate just reflects the higher cost of business in taking in those less than ideal bills. On the flip side, when you accept local currency for your bills, you should insist on clean, new bills for the same reasons.

[GhengisDong]

Trying to refresh my memory to prepare for an upcoming trip.

On my last trip I decided to check out Delta Spa. There are a chain of these and I don't remember which location it was.

I think I checked in at the counter and maybe they gave me some wristband or other way to identify me. I'm not sure if I chose the options (such as massage "plus plus") at this point or if that is negotiated with the girl. I think it's normally included in the price?

I entered a lounge area with a bar where you can get a drink. Then, I talked to the mamasan type lady who correctly guessed that I wanted someone "young" and "slim". She produced a girl who was in fact very cute, who led me up to the room.

The room had a bed, a tub with shower, and a urinal. While I was naked, the girl remained clothed and gave me a massage for an hour. Then, she asked if I wanted to extend the time. I guess anything beyond just a standard massage will take extra time.

She left the room for about 15-20 minutes and came back. Then, if I remember correctly, took off her clothes and then took a shower? She was shy about her "small boobs". The festivities amounted to a HJ from a very cute naked girl.

I think the price for a normal hour long massage was something like 500 k, but my bill came to over 1 m, I guess because of extending the time. Not sure why she was gone 15-20 minutes or if this is part of some delay tactic to run up the clock further. I don't know if I paid any tips directly to the girl. Maybe it's expensive by Jakarta standards but it's way cheaper than I could get at home.

Next time I'd like to see if the girl will get naked for the massage part as well, and if that costs extra.

Anybody have any advice with this place?

[Zippos]

Only time I would actually show my passport to anyone is at Airport and that to for Check-in and Immigration and Customs. Besides that, I keep a pick of my passport on my phone and that to strictly for money exchange in case they want to see it.

I was stopped at a roadblock many times while traveling late night in Havana, São Paulo, Cancun, Bali, Jakarta, Bangkok, Delhi and Kathmandu. Each time they asked me for my passport, my simple answer is "it's in my hotel room, want to come with me to verify! They kinda figured, there is no point shaking this tree and just let me go.

Yes, Classic, Travel and all the higher end places accept card. You can even add girls' tips at the better places.

Yes, I've added Wise to my default payment on Grab and Gojek without issue.

If you hand over your passport to anyone stopping you without cause ie fishing for bribes, what do you think your chances are of getting it back without payment? Never, ever, hand over your passport and there is no need to travel with it for regular daily activities, certainly not half tanked, with three hookers in the taxi, at 4 am.

Just a general comment that I was amazed at how little cash I went through on my last trip. Sure there are some cash only businesses & purchases but the level of credit card penetration is much broader now. I have no problems paying the majority of my expenses online (travel, hotels etc) or card (90% of daily expenses) and just withdraw cash as required. Bringing over several thousand, easily lost or stolen, dollars makes no sense to me.

Enjoy. G.

[Zippos]

Here is another quick tip about Cash.

When getting USD100 bills, make sure to get 2009 or 2013 series. I know it doesn't make sense in perspective of what year bills were printed but I came across some money exchange specifically in Bali, Jak, KL, BK that they tend to offer a significant lower amount for any bills that's older than 2009 series.

I always travel with a $1000 dollars in fresh 100 $ bills and a bunch of smaller bills. Have traveled all over the world and always had cash on me for that just in case time. We travel in a world that is wired to a cashless future. The problem occurs when your card does not work. Earthquakes, major power outages, revolutions anything is possible in some of the countries I travel in. If I need to get somewhere quickly I'll have the cash that will solve that, compared to somebody scratching their head wondering why the ATM isn't working. Just have to be able to get ti my hotel room. Some of that money will get used to P4 P, but I just restock before my next trip.

Credit card is used for everything else under normal situations. If it gets hacked, so what, the bank sends me a new digital card that I can use immediately via google pay and refunds all the purchases. I use WISE for personal purchases and bank credit card for company expenses. Probably had cards hacked 5 times in 30+ years in Asia. Once in Hong Kong in 1991, twice in Australia (1 x skim at an ATM), and WISE card done twice from god knows where, but purchases where attempted in the US (I now have the freeze feature activated unless making a purchase).

[Expat American]

Several of my CC's, including Wise which is perhaps the best (unless you are one of the the lucky ones who in the USA seem to be able to get cards that will refund ATM fees), allow you to easily turn off the card via a phone app. So if you want to be really careful, you'll keep that card disabled most of the time, and only temporarily enable it via your phone a few seconds before you are going to pay for something, and then disable it again. A bit unpractical, but that is usually the trade-off for security.

Another tip is to scratch out the CVC code at the back of all your cards (those 3 extra digits online shops asks you to provide when you buy something online), after writing it down somewhere for yourself. This will make it quite a bit harder for someone to do online purchases (but only online purchases) with your CC, even if they have all your other details because they copied them when you paid for something at their counter. Those digits are needed for online buying, but not for in-store purchases.

Had I know I could pay at Emporivm and Classic with CC and no extra fees (at least that's what I was told at Emporivm), sans Wise's fees, I would not have bothered to exchange a bunch of Thai baht to Indonesian and carry it with me.

Classic Spa charges a 3% surcharge for CC. But my bill is usually less than $100 so the extra couple of bucks for the convenience and reduced risk from carrying a large amount of cash is well worth it to me. I don't remember such a charge at Emporium. Grab works totally fine on my Singapore cards. Don't know about US cards. For cash I draw about 1 M per day for tips and misc and never really run out. Usually come back with a few hundred K for the next trip.

[XXL]

There is definitely a surcharge at all the main places that take CC like Travel / Classic / KI. I can't speak to Emporium. It is usually small. But it is there and most times they will ask you or inform you before you pay with CC. At KI it is 20 K I believe. At Travel, they add a charge called "biaya. " I forget the exact amount though. I think it's like 5 K per voucher?

Grab and GoJek with CC is a breeze and my preferred method now. Sometimes food delivery though is cash on arrival only. I think it depends on the place.

It is actually quite hilarious to see a whole bunch of $1.00 or less transactions for when I use Grab Bike or GoJek Bike for short motorcycle hop. The drivers don't seem to care and there is no surcharge even though the transactions are small. Just hop off the bike and say thanks.

I am still in the habit of carrying my passport in Jakarta. In the early to mid 2000's, checkpoints were quite frequent and I got dinged a few times for "not carrying your passport" and had to pay a couple of reds for "coffee. " But honestly, I haven't seen one or been stopped in a checkpoint now in at least 10-15 years. (Touch wood.) But old habits die hard.

Indeed in the first decade of the century you would get stopped by police late at night one day out of three in the area Ayam Wuruk / Lokasari / Stadium. On one night I swear the Prestasi cab taking me back did a turn on purpose so that we would get stopped by police. The cabbie most probably got a cut of the baksheesh.