My first trip to the Philippines

[Northerner]

Why would you want to walk around carrying that sort of wad ?. I know they are now starting to charge but I've always found it best to get £30 or £40 out of atm's as and when required with Nationwide FlexAccount card

Was going to put it all in Rizza's account. Then it costs just the ATM fees to get it out... Trust me, I would be crazy to just walk about with that on me..

[JimOttley]

Was going to put it all in Rizza's account. Then it costs just the ATM fees to get it out... Trust me, I would be crazy to just walk about with that on me..

You could transfer it before you go, withdrawal fees are only about 10 peso a transaction in the Phils. It will still cost you a good bit more than it will changing it on the ground but you would at least feel a bit more relaxed.


Jim

[Northerner]

Ummm.. So would I get a better deal transfering it to Rizza from over here?

[JimOttley]

Ummm.. So would I get a better deal transfering it to Rizza from over here?

No that's what I was saying depends on what transfer methods you have available most are expensive.

I use Xoom but it's not cheap by the time you pay the conversion fee the charges and then the paypal fee :(

If you have access to remittance services of some banks it can be a lot cheaper something I really need to get set up given the way the currency is going :(

Jim

[aposhark]

Ummm.. So would I get a better deal transfering it to Rizza from over here?

IMO I would change £200 in the airport in Manila as that seemed a good rate when I was there some months ago.
In fact, the money changers in Manila city were worse than the airport.
Keep the rest on you and change when you want in the towns near to where your girlfriend will be.

Best of luck.

[JimOttley]

IMO I would change £200 in the airport in Manila as that seemed a good rate when I was there some months ago.
In fact, the money changers in Manila city were worse than the airport.
Keep the rest on you and change when you want in the towns near to where your girlfriend will be.

Best of luck.

Airport rates at NAIA are about 5 peso off the quoted rate for the day just now i.e. 70 peso to the pound will get you 65 peso to the pound. Most good family run money changers would give you 68 peso on the same day.

Money changers in Makati or in any entertainment district will be more likely to give you a tourist rate, anywhere off the beaten track will be pretty fair.

Northerner was I think asking if he should transfer all his cash direct from the UK which is better than the rate you will get changing cash in the UK but is not as good as changing cash in the Phils, obviously safer though.


Jim

[aposhark]

Airport rates at NAIA are about 5 peso off the quoted rate for the day just now i.e. 70 peso to the pound will get you 65 peso to the pound. Most good family run money changers would give you 68 peso on the same day.

Money changers in Makati or in any entertainment district will be more likely to give you a tourist rate, anywhere off the beaten track will be pretty fair.

Northerner was I think asking if he should transfer all his cash direct from the UK which is better than the rate you will get changing cash in the UK but is not as good as changing cash in the Phils, obviously safer though.


Jim

My experience with money changers was different to yours, Jim.
But that is what makes this forum tick

[JimOttley]

My experience with money changers was different to yours, Jim.
But that is what makes this forum tick

Fair point, I was lucky for two and half years we had a great money changer on the ground floor, last couple of trips at Christmas and in March I had to change a little in NAIA as it was a weekend and I was not going to be able to get to a money changer easily before the Monday and it really cost me in NAIA :(

My comments are based on five years experience and sixteen trips but maybe I've just been lucky, there are after all thousands of money changers in the Phils

Main thing is always to be aware of the current international exchange rate then you can make the decision on the ground as to what is good value.


Jim

[Dedworth]

Was going to put it all in Rizza's account. Then it costs just the ATM fees to get it out... Trust me, I would be crazy to just walk about with that on me..

Ok fine. If you've got a Nationwide card it looks like they are charging 1% which probably stacks up well compared with others