Money
 

I will be going to Thailand in December. I have never traveled outside of the U.S. Will I be able to use my credit card? Should I take cash or traveler's checks? How and when do I convert my dollars to baht or will I need to convert to baht? Any advice would be appreciated.

Oh dear, a real babe in the woods. I'm tempted to see how much incorrect information you'll believe. It's always a good idea to do a search before you ask a question. You'll find there has been a lot of discussion here about credit cards, ATM's, exchange rates, etc.

In a nutshell, most major credit cards are accepted by hotels and major shopping centers. Small businesses and shops generally deal in cash.

You can bring cash, use your ATM card or exchange travelers checks. Travelers checks can be the most expensive way to go, since there's a fee for cashing them on top of the fee you might pay to buy them, but they are the 'safest' way to go.

Check your bank's ATM fees for overseas transactions. Some charge as much as $5 a transaction PLUS a 1% exchange fee, some have no charges at all. If your bank has no fees or only small fees, then an ATM can be the best way to go. Cash is the risky option but the easiest.

If bringing travelers checks or cash, exchange them when you get here at any exchange booth.

Be sure to contact both your bank and your credit card company to advise them that you'll be traveling in Thailand. Otherwise you might end up trying to pay for something and have your card declined (cc fraud is very prevelent in SE Asia). Even if you do contact them, there is no guarentee that it still won't happen.

Money is no problem whatsoever. Your credit cards will be honored. Your ATM card will get you Baht. Notify your credit cards and bank that you will be in Thailand. This will prevent them from freezing your accounts when multiple foreign transactions appear.

You get your best rate of exchange after you get to Thailand. Changing money is easy, make sure you get some small bills for paying taxi drivers. A 500 baht note may be too much for a driver to cash, or they say they can't cash it because so many stupid tourists say keep the change!

Exchange rates are set daily. The rate you get at the airport will be about the same for all banks in Bangkok for that SAME day. Lots and lots of mini bank money changers all over town!

I bring all three, cash, travelers checks and a debit card. I like travelers checks probably because I get them free of commission from my credit union. The fee to cash a travelers check is 33 baht, about a dollar US. Don't bring $5,$10,$20 or $50 TC's that is where you lose money in fees. Bring $100 sizes or higher if you can find them. The fee to cash a TC is often much cheaper than an ATM fee for the same amount!

The other post mentioned notifying your bank that you will be overseas - good idea or when you try to get money out of an ATM your request will be denied because the bank suspects the card is stolen!

If you have a credit card with high fees take out the maximum amount you can from an ATM or you will have lots of fees for small withdrawals.

Some banks and lots of credit unions have debit cards without any fees! My credit union pays for 5 ATM withdrawal fees per month - even from overseas banks! For me that is a total of 50,000 baht available if needed! Before a trip I move money from my bank account to my credit union account to cover anticipated withdrawals when overseas.

I keep a credit card with me too but only for emergencies. Have a back up credit card in case the ATM eats your single card or it is stolen.

Don't use credit cards for cheap purchases in stores and especially in restaurants to avoid credit card fraud! Use cash - cash works just about everywhere!

Use security box that your hotel provides for safeguarding your cash and valuables. If something is stolen from your hotel room it could just as likely be a fellow tourist that did it!

Any left over Thai baht can be changed back into your home currency at the airport before you go to your boarding gate.

You've never been out of the U.S. and you're going to Thailand in a couple of months or less. You have a LOT of work/reading to do and a lot of searches to do from this forum before you get on the plane. Happy Travels!

Thank you for the advice. For those of you who sound like you are worried about me, I won't be totally on my own. My daughter and her family live in Bangkok. Her driver will pick me up at the airport and take me to her house. My main concern is getting there and back and knowing how to handle my money during the whole process.

Good. That will make things a LOT easier on you. Happy Travels!