Pristine $ bills?
 

I'm planning on taking 1's, 5's, etc. to Siem Reap but do they have to be newish bills in excellent condition? Thanks.

Moremiles-
I just got an email from someone who is in SR today. She said ATMs dispense perfectly fine 20's. She also said to bring $50-$100 in ones and yes, to make sure they are perfect.
Last time I was in SR I had a $20 with a small tear and no one would take it!

We got nice bills from the ATM- 5's, 10's and 20's! No choice in the variety, but it was interesting to not get just $20's.

And no, they won't take bills with even small rips or punctures.

I took about $100 in 1's and a few hundred in 5's, in addition to larger bills and used all of it.

Since there was no fee and no currency exchange surcharge when using the ATM, I used cash everywhere instead of credit cards- even paid my hotel bill in cash. Of course you can only get what your bank allows each day, so I used two ATM cards and did multiple withdrawals.

Thanks!

lcuy-your bank did not tack on a fee for using an ATM in Cambodia? Do you think that's a function of your bank or the ATM there? I know my bank (Citibank) would certainly add on their 3% "foreign exchange/non citibank ATM fee" :(

Because the ATM's in Cambodia dispense US Dollars, there is no exchange fee, just a $2 fee to use the ATM. I used my B of A card to get some cash last week, and they usually tack on $5 + 1% but I didn't get charged anything in Cambodia.

When we were ther last Christmas, they didn't even have the $2 fee, but I think maybe my account covers those for me. Either way, it's still a good deal for getting the "local currency"

That is good to know.

My evisa sure came thru fast-in a matter of hours!

OMG, it never occured to me there would be no "exhange fee" because it's in USD! Doh!

Just want to be sure I understand, ATM's in Siem Reap dispense USD? Is this true for all ATM's or only certain ones?

How about Vietnam and Bangkok? Can I get USD from ATM's there also?

In Vietnam and Thailand, ATMs dispense local currency, not US dollars. Cambodia is an exception in that you get US dollars from the ATM there.

Last December, there were only a couple of ATMs in Siem Reap, and both dispensed dollars. Dollars are the normal currency in Siem Reap.

Vietnamese and Thai ATMS wioll dispense their currency.

Don't assume that your bank won't charge a fee to use your ATM in REP even if you get US$, it depends upon the US bank.

Washington Mutual charges a 3% fee on ATM withdrawals even if the withdrawal is in US $. I asked the manager of our branch.

So, call your bank's manager & ask before you assume you will be as lucky. Getting a cash advance on a credit card involves finance charges that accrue from the first day you get the cash... at whatever loan shark type rates your MC or Visa card company charges.

So, sometimes, it's better to take AMEX traveler's checks & go to a money changer that your licensed guide recommends. My guide just emailed that he uses Huy Khaung Changer in REP who charges 1% to change AMEX T.C. into US $.

For AMEX TCs into US $, all REP banks charge 2% & RAFFLES charges 3%. The Victoria charges 1% for its guests.