Which ATM card do you recommend? And why?

[nothingbutquestions 98]

Arriving within a week, permanent move.

Have 3 cards - USAA, HSBC, and Capitol One.

USAA just informed me they now charge a 1% total transaction fee, even on ATM withdrawls.

I set up HSBC years ago and never really used it.

Capitol One seems the best to me with no fees.

Y'all have the experience. I hope you'll share and guide me. Thanks

[nothingbutquestions 98]

Too late to edit:

Just spoke to HSBC and they informed me they now charge a 3% Foreign Transaction Fee !

So just what is the best and least expensive way, as of today, to receive funds from US accounts???

[+Salty Dog 60,339]

Not sure, but regardless, I would keep the USAA if just as a backup.

[Enuff 29,723]

Quickly open a Charles Schwab account.

Free ATMs everywhere (they refund the service charges)

When you hit an ATM you get the going rate.

I just received $23.45 credit for April ATM fees.

Sent from my CPH1819 using Tapatalk

[savarity 579]

I certainly recommend the Schwab card too. It's what I use, and I always get the atm fees back.

For credit cards just look for one that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. I use a bank of America one.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Monsoon 28,935]

Best ATM for U.S. people - Schwab

Best CC for travel - Chase Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve if lounge access is important to you).  

Exchange rates better than available at the money changer every time Ive checked. 

[+Dafey 12,432]

Schwab...can do it online today and you're good to go. Only reason it takes more time is if you are making a joint account with wife...then there is paperwork.

[+Dafey 12,432]

25 minutes ago, RangerUp said:

If you're in the US.

I believe Schwab will overnight it to you worldwide...for a fee.

He said he's arriving in one week so he could set up the account today and have the card within a couple of days before he moves. These banks desperately want you to use their card and will do backflips to get it in your hands.

[lopburi3 601]

If this is to be a long term stay you might want to check into other methods of money transfer - even writing checks to a local bank account appears to be a cheap option in Philippines.  Remember ATM networks do have outages for international cards (normally at the time you need) and local fees may be charged and you need to make sure the ATM does not use DCC (which normally adds a lot to local bank profit - out of your pocket).

Quote

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) or cardholder preferredcurrency (CPC) is a process whereby the amount of a Visa or MasterCard transaction is converted by a merchant or ATM to the currency of the payment card's country of issue at the point of sale.

 

[Kabisay-an gid 6,505]

14 hours ago, RangerUp said:

I mean they won't open your account if you aren't currently in the US (and if they know it).

The OP stated in his opening post that he's still in the USA for about another week. Plenty of time to apply online and get approved.

[Kabisay-an gid 6,505]

2 hours ago, RangerUp said:

Op doesn't see to be replying, but if he already has an HSBC debit card and Capital One credit card, he won't be paying any fees anyway.

 

On 5/1/2018 at 1:55 PM, nothingbutquestions said:

Just spoke to HSBC and they informed me they now charge a 3% Foreign Transaction Fee !

 

 

[nothingbutquestions 98]

HSBC cannot replace my expired debit card before I leave this weekend.

Can only send to address on file, so I must change my address to one in the Philippines. 

Has anyone experienced receiving their cards in the Philippines? Issues?

[A_Simple_Man 6,185]

On 5/2/2018 at 1:19 AM, nothingbutquestions said:

Capitol One seems the best to me with no fees.

Capitol One has an aggressive fraud prevention system in Philippines.  It means they frequently put a hold on my card when I use it at a Philippine ATM.  It is not the end of the world, it just means you have to find a Magic Jack or some other means of calling an 800 number in North America to talk to the fraud squad and convince them you are you.  Then they re-instate it until next time.  This happens to me most often when using ATMs in Philippines and on average I would say it happens about 1 in 3 times.  Usually I have no problems using it to buy things in a store.

[liquido 1,427]

8 hours ago, nothingbutquestions said:

HSBC cannot replace my expired debit card before I leave this weekend.

Can only send to address on file, so I must change my address to one in the Philippines. 

Has anyone experienced receiving their cards in the Philippines? Issues?

You can always have a friend UPS it to you which I have had done a few times..My one friend even made the mistake of sending a card to me using USPS and I got it in less than 2 weeks ..

[Jawny 4,525]

10 hours ago, nothingbutquestions said:

HSBC cannot replace my expired debit card before I leave this weekend.

Can only send to address on file, so I must change my address to one in the Philippines. 

Has anyone experienced receiving their cards in the Philippines? Issues?

Have you inquired about the situation of your account, opened in the USA, now having a permanent overseas address?  That is, are there going to be any issues with the new residence as far as HSBC is concerned?

As far as getting something forwarded to you from an address in the USA, there are many posts about this in the LinC. With only a couple of days left, that may become an issue to set up.  

Fedex, DHL and others can ship items here.  Again, lots of info on LinC about that.  

As far as exclusively using an ATM, there are other ways to get cash.  I’ve used local banking for many years and don’t even have a USA based ATM account.  

Safe journey