My ATM card won't work...
December 23, 2014 10:03 AM Subscribe
So how else can I use cash as an American travelling to Malaysia?
My only bank account is with a credit union. They just confirmed that my ATM/Visa debit card will not work in Malaysia for either ATM or debit purchases, and that there is nothing they can do to authorize these transactions (because of fraud, they say).
I don't have time to open another bank account before I go, and definitely don't have time to wait for a new ATM card to arrive. I probably don't even have time to get traveler's checks (if that's even a thing people do anymore).
In the past I've generally used foreign ATMs to withdraw cash in the local currency, so I don't really know how to handle this, other than withdrawing all the cash I need for the trip (which is a substantial amount, as I'll need to pay for lodging and other expenses in cash) in the US before I leave, and then...try to be careful?
What else could I do?
My only bank account is with a credit union. They just confirmed that my ATM/Visa debit card will not work in Malaysia for either ATM or debit purchases, and that there is nothing they can do to authorize these transactions (because of fraud, they say).
I don't have time to open another bank account before I go, and definitely don't have time to wait for a new ATM card to arrive. I probably don't even have time to get traveler's checks (if that's even a thing people do anymore).
In the past I've generally used foreign ATMs to withdraw cash in the local currency, so I don't really know how to handle this, other than withdrawing all the cash I need for the trip (which is a substantial amount, as I'll need to pay for lodging and other expenses in cash) in the US before I leave, and then...try to be careful?
What else could I do?
Or buy a prepaid debit card - not sure what the overseas fees will be like but Visa and MasterCard both offer prepaid cards aimed at travelers.
posted by mskyle at 10:15 AM on December 23, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by mskyle at 10:15 AM on December 23, 2014 [3 favorites]
You can get traveler's checks quickly and easily - if not at your credit union, then at a branch of a larger bank (Chase, Bank of America, etc.).
posted by raisindebt at 10:31 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by raisindebt at 10:31 AM on December 23, 2014
I wouldn't get traveler's checks - I would be shocked if you could actually use them most places in Malaysia.
Get a stack of cash from your current credit union. Go to a larger bank and open an account. They will give you an ATM card that day and you will be set. If possible go to a bank with a presence in Malaysia.
Otherwise, get a money belt and bring as much cash as you feel comfortable carrying with you on person.
posted by NoDef at 11:03 AM on December 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
Get a stack of cash from your current credit union. Go to a larger bank and open an account. They will give you an ATM card that day and you will be set. If possible go to a bank with a presence in Malaysia.
Otherwise, get a money belt and bring as much cash as you feel comfortable carrying with you on person.
posted by NoDef at 11:03 AM on December 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
I wouldn't get traveler's checks - I would be shocked if you could actually use them most places in Malaysia.pullayup should be able to get them changed to local currency in Malaysia though (at hotels, banks, etc.), and it's much safer carrying travellers cheques that you can change in smaller amounts than a large amount of cash.
posted by Emanuel at 11:15 AM on December 23, 2014 [5 favorites]
Do you have a credit card? Never had any trouble getting cash out of my Visa or MasterCards. I always move a lump of money into my credit card account so it's in +credit. ATMs everywhere I've been (including Malaysia) were fine for getting cash out. Having my card in credit just means that I'm not paying interest on the cash I get out so you don't even need to do that bit.
posted by stellathon at 12:35 PM on December 23, 2014
posted by stellathon at 12:35 PM on December 23, 2014
Traveller's cheques, absolutely. You can get them same day or day after at most banks, and they are definitely still used in Asia- cashing them out is super simple. I would recommend American Express over any other, they're best known/least hassle. I'm a foreign student in the US and that's how I brought over the cash I needed initially.
posted by Tamanna at 12:55 PM on December 23, 2014
posted by Tamanna at 12:55 PM on December 23, 2014
My TD Bank card did not work in ATMs in Malaysia BUT I was able to go into the bank (HSBC) and withdraw money via a teller. I had similar issues in Thailand and those banks said it was because my card did not have a chip.
Knowing that, this year I tried to buy travellers checks (TD Bank again) and they all but laughed and said they would have to be special-ordered way in advance from [far away place].
You are lucky to find this out before your trip. When I mention it to TD customer service, they are baffled. My experience with this and other banks is that they have no clue about using their ATM cards internationally.
Besides Visa and MasterCard, what networks are listed on your card, Plus? Cirrus?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:45 PM on December 23, 2014
Knowing that, this year I tried to buy travellers checks (TD Bank again) and they all but laughed and said they would have to be special-ordered way in advance from [far away place].
You are lucky to find this out before your trip. When I mention it to TD customer service, they are baffled. My experience with this and other banks is that they have no clue about using their ATM cards internationally.
Besides Visa and MasterCard, what networks are listed on your card, Plus? Cirrus?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:45 PM on December 23, 2014
I live on my PayPal Debit card for 3 months a year while out of the country.
posted by humboldt32 at 5:16 PM on December 23, 2014
posted by humboldt32 at 5:16 PM on December 23, 2014
I've used travelers checks in KL before with no problem. The hotels at least can take US travelers checks and credit cards. I never had trouble using my Amex or Master Card there. I wouldn't use my debit card overseas for security though.
The Hotel I stayed at was able to change travelers checks for Ringgit, and there were money changes at the airport. You might check if the one you are staying at will do that. If you are staying at a chain hotel, you might see if you can be charged in the US so you don't need to worry about that aspect.
A credit card would be my first choice, but I don't know how quickly you can get one.
You'll want a decent amount of cash no matter what since some of the shops / restaurants won't take US credit cards.
Have a good trip!
posted by nalyd at 9:30 PM on December 23, 2014
The Hotel I stayed at was able to change travelers checks for Ringgit, and there were money changes at the airport. You might check if the one you are staying at will do that. If you are staying at a chain hotel, you might see if you can be charged in the US so you don't need to worry about that aspect.
A credit card would be my first choice, but I don't know how quickly you can get one.
You'll want a decent amount of cash no matter what since some of the shops / restaurants won't take US credit cards.
Have a good trip!
posted by nalyd at 9:30 PM on December 23, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by TravellingCari at 10:13 AM on December 23, 2014