Re: [Leica] Travel Photography Made Easy

["James R. Nelon" <jnelon@netvigator.com>]

You are perhaps lucky or maybe you have researched a good bank for doing
international ATM transactions. To make the obvious point, ATM
transactions are not necessarily the best way to get foreign currency. I
travel throughout Asia 100% of the time and I carry Platinum Amex,
Platinum M/C, Visa and a bank debit card (I only mention Platinum
because that level is supposed to get me a better deal - yeah right) and
I find that researching the fine print of each of the card's agreements
is critical and to make a global statement about ATM's being the best
and most economical way to get funds when out of country may not be the
truth all the time. It seems to work for you. It might not work for the
next guy. Or for the next country. Or for the next ATM in that country.
Your mileage may vary. Even when you're intending to buy a Leica R8 with
the funds.

Jim Nelon

William Ferris wrote:
> 
> I have never had additional fees added to ATM transactions.  You need a new
> bank!!
> 
> Bill
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: James R. Nelon <jnelon@netvigator.com>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 1999 9:51 AM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Travel Photography Made Easy
> 
> > You suggest that there are no fees to pay when you use an ATM to
> > withdraw funds when overseas. Let me suggest otherwise: When I withdrew
> > some funds when I was in Bangkok recently (I live in Hong Kong and have
> > a "no fee for ATM use" credit card issued by a bank in Boston), I was
> > charged a "foreign use" fee for simply accessing the ATM of Hong Kong
> > Bank in Bangkok. Then I was charged a transaction fee (three bucks or so
> > USD) for the actual withdrawal, and then on top of those surprises the
> > bank gave me a terrible exchange rate, adding yet another cost to me on
> > top of the other two insults. I've lived in Asia for almost six years,
> > and I find it almost always better to exchange USD into the country's
> > currency at the airport upon arrival in the visiting country. At least
> > in Asia. The exception being in Manila, where the hotels are usually
> > (miraculously) a better deal.
> >
> > Jim Nelon
> >
> >
> >
> > William Ferris wrote:
> > >
> > > What equipment to take is always debatable, but the ATM advice is tops.
> I
> > > travel a lot, everywhere and never get cash any way other than with an
> ATM
> > > card.  Those machines are everywhere---no lines to stand in, no fees to
> pay
> > > and the best rate you can get.
> > >
> > > Bill
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Nathan Wajsman <nathan.wajsman@euronet.be>
> > > To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 1999 12:37 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [Leica] Travel Photography Made Easy
> > >
> > > > Bill,
> > > >
> > > > This is a fun rule...Actually, you should NEVER exchange money when
> > > > travelling. Just bring your good old ATM card and use it to withdraw
> > > > cash as you need it.
> >