Bali - Credit card or Debit Card

Mousewar

Quick question for those that have been there.

Heading to Bali soon (and also Kuala Lumpur). When I go away I usually just put money into my credit card so that it's in credit and use it to withdraw cash from atms. Once it's in credit it usually eliminates cash advance fees. However, I've never been to this part of the world. Just wondering if people know which option would cheaper in terms of atm fees, etc.

Bank of Ireland Mastercard that will have money in credit on it

or

Ulsterbank Visa Debit card, just withdrawing cash as normal from my current account

Tipperary animal lover

Better off checking with both banks and see which is cheaper for withdrawals but I'd say they'll be close to similar in withdraw charges. What I remember I think the commonwealth bank was the smallest fee when using them in Bali, I was using a debit card from permanent tsb. You'll be charged twice for taking your money out, for using the ATM and for the currency exchange .... So be careful.

Four of a kind

I've been there and believe me, there are no advance fees with BOI mastercard as long as it's in credit. Best way to do it by a long shot.

Just use online banking to move money from your current account into your credit card and then withdraw at atm's.

Don't move all your money over at once thought, as you're not covered in the event of fraud.

So what I used to do was only transfer over money once a week - enough to last me the week.

Indonesia is savage

Mousewar

Four of a kind wrote: »

I've been there and believe me, there are no advance fees with BOI mastercard as long as it's in credit. Best way to do it by a long shot.

Just use online banking to move money from your current account into your credit card and then withdraw at atm's.

Don't move all your money over at once thought, as you're not covered in the event of fraud.

So what I used to do was only transfer over money once a week - enough to last me the week.

Indonesia is savage

Thanks man, I figured that was the way to go. Will get going on that

keithclancy

Depends on your bank, with my Dutch bank I pay a quarterly fee and don't pay any charges for withdrawing money abroad.

Also the rate is always better than my MBNA Visa Card.