(Michael) Hi, Is there anywhere in Jakarta I can buy traveler's cheques?
Thanks
(Lara ) Dear Michael, This question proved to be a bit trickier than I had anticipated. I checked around at most of the local banks and found out that in almost all cases you need to have an account. I have two suggestions and recommendations:
1. Ask a friend to assist you that has a bank account here as they can obtain travelers checks in their own bank (if have an account)
2. Bank Mandiri will do with maximum of rp 25 million. They have in 1 million, 5 million, 10 million and 25 million denominations.
Good luck and let us know how this goes. In the past, the larger banks (IE: HSBC and Citibank used to offer these services to persons that did not hold a bank account. Now a bit more difficult).
(Kelly) Hi Michael, I see Lara has already done some investigating so can I just make a suggestion. Travellers Cheques seem so old fashioned these days as with a world of credit cards and ATM cards that work world wide why not go the modern option.
You will find traveller’s cheques are no longer widely accepted by retailers. You will need to go to a bank to change and always carry extra ID. I’m not sure where you’re planning on going but most bank’s ATM debit cards will work all around the world. Sure you’ll be charged for using them but just make sure you withdraw a decent amount each time to save on fees.
A mixture of cash and ATM cards (plus a credit card if you have one) usually is all you need these days. Some banks overseas also have a travel cards which are a reloadable visa card you can buy. It is topped up and used like a debit card so you can only spend what you have.
Or alternatively you can do what the locals do and take wades of USD$.
3 comments:
Thanks guys,
Yeah I thought it would be difficult. I have a UK HSBC ac. and my dad has an Indonesian Standard Charter ac. so i'll try them, although i don't really want any cheques in Rupiah, I don't think anyone outside of here would cash them! I'll let you know how i get on.
Cheers
Michael
Thanks Kelly,
Yeah I know what you mean, however the last time I went traveling around SEA my ATM charges went through the roof; apart from the atm charging 2 pounds a go, the bank always give's you a rubbish exchange rate, as well as taking commission on that rate. To make it even worse they charge all of these as a lump sum at the end of the month, so your account is suddenly out 50 pounds and you don't know why. Furthermore because you are overseas, they have a tendency to assume you've had your identity stolen and randomly cut off your ac. which is not good if you have no access to a phone or internet and need to pay for something.
As you can see my general experience with keeping all my money in the bank hasn't been good, so i was looking for a way to carry a bit of it in cash, without it being 'actual' cash (going backpacking in India, which has a bit of a reputation for petty theft, also it still widely accepts TCs). However by the looks of things I don't think Travelers Cheques are available in Indonesia after that big bribery case, unless you want them in Rupiah, which will be pretty useless in my case.
Thanks anyway
Just another thought Michael you may be able to pick up transports cheques on your way. Not sure where you're stopping but maybe they can be purchased at Singapore airport or other such big hubs? Worth a google.
Kelly
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