Travelers Cheque widely accepted?
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Travellers cheques gives you a lot of safety from theft which is very useful when carrying a large amount of money. Best to take the TC's and encash in smaller lots. Amex TC's are good and Amex has offices in most places and will encash commission free.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Vientianeboy is spot on. I usually take $US cash to Laos and its quite easy that way but last trip I also had some TCs so asked at the bank when my US cash was low. It was easy enough to cash them but a high charge to do so. I didn't bother just used some $aus instead.
Taking cash is a security problem anywhere of course - I use a money belt under my clothes when I'm in a place that doesn't have a safe (and thats a lot of Lao.
Taking cash is a security problem anywhere of course - I use a money belt under my clothes when I'm in a place that doesn't have a safe (and thats a lot of Lao.
#9
Join Date: May 2003
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When I was in Lao last month. There were very few ATM's except in Vientiane. Luang Prabang ATM's had a maximum of 70.000 Kip per withdrawal. Cash in $ and enough Kip to get you to where you want to go is the answer. The ATM charge is between 3-5%
#11
Join Date: Apr 2009
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"Luang Prabang ATM's had a maximum of 70.000 Kip per withdrawal."
No this is incorrect. Most banks allow 700,000 kip, not 70,000 kip which is only about $9.00 USD. As I stated, the ANZ has a 2 million Kip limit.
There are many ATMs in Vientiane and from memory at least 6 in Luang Prabang.
No this is incorrect. Most banks allow 700,000 kip, not 70,000 kip which is only about $9.00 USD. As I stated, the ANZ has a 2 million Kip limit.
There are many ATMs in Vientiane and from memory at least 6 in Luang Prabang.
#17
You need to find out what fees your home bank will charge for using foreign ATMs - including the foreign conversion fee. I just opened a Capital One online account - no, zero, foreign conversion fee, and no fee for using a foreign ATM. Plus they refund up to $10 a month if the foreign ATM itself charges a fee. My Credit Union is nearly as good - 1% conversion, five free withdrawals a month and $1 each after that. But now Wachovia is Wells Fargo, its fees are ridiculous.
#18
Join Date: Oct 2006
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If it's $5 per transaction, that's a lot different from $5 per cheque. For example if they charge you $5 to cash a $50 TC, that's 10%, but if you're cashing $500 worth of them and they charge you $5, big deal. But the other question is at what rate of exchange? Are they giving you US dollars for US dollar traveler's cheques at face value?