Overseas travel experts

[golfgal]

DS14 is going to China with the school band, leaving at the end of March and we are trying to figure out the best way to send money with him. Is cash the best option or would a prepaid Visa card or Visa gift card be the way to go? I know we have had problems with our Visa gift cards here so I am leery of sending him with one of those and have him end up not being able to use it. What have you done?

 

[SeaShelley]

First of all.....congrats to your son. What a wonderful opportunity.

My first thought would be travelers checks, but I'm not sure about money exchange. Perhaps a call to a local travel agent that specializes in international travel would have better suggestions.

I hope your son has a magical trip!

 

[Sherri]

When we went to Spain and had dd's friend come along, she brought a prepaid visa. She started with a certain amount of money, but part way through the trip e-mailed her Mom to put more on it. It worked out great for her as a way to have her spending money.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm far from an expert(!), but DD18 just got back from Japan. I sent her with regular American Express traveler's checks, a Visa gift card (NOT Visabuxx, just a gift card I purchased at my local credit union) and some cash (about $100 worth.) She also had a MasterCard debit card that is tied to her regular checking account.

We called the MasterCard center and made sure it was noted on her account that she would be out of the country. They said there would be no problem using it. And actually, she didn't end up needing any of that extra money, so she never tested it out.

The Visa gift card worked fine everywhere she used it. And the traveler's checks were fine, too. She spent all of them while she was there. Make a copy of the front and back of the Visa gift card - if it gets lost he can get it replaced.

Hope your son has a fantastic trip!!!

 

[wendy46001]

I never liked travelers checks...always seemed a pain when trying to get food, and deal with smaller vendors....(but some people swear by them)
I always took a long a bank debit card and a visa...My first trip my parents joined me to their visa account for the duration (strict rules)....Also a personal bank card is needed if for some reason you run out of money that way you dont have to try western union or anything crazy like that...

Also call the companies before departure and make them aware of the trip...we once charged something in Italy and the next day our card was declined because the company thought it was fraudulent considering we never used it out of the country before...now that was a pain


Congrats to your sone

 

[LukenDC]

Not all gift cards are the same and some cannot be used outside of the USA. Be sure to read the fine print carefully. Your bank or a local American Express office should be able to help you select the gift card that is best for your son should you choose to go that route.

 

[Pigeon]

Travellers checks are a PIA in China. I went in May, and had no problem with the pre-paid VISA card sold by my AAA. You can use ATMs in China with your ATM card, but not all banks work equally well. I went with a group of 25 people and different US banks worked with different Chinese banks. The one bank we all had great luck with was the Bank of China. The Bank of China has branches in most major cities. I could get money from the pre-paid VISA from most all ATM machines, with one or two exceptions, but my ATM card only worked with Bank of China.

Oh, if you are sending him with an ATM card, be sure that the bank knows about the trip or they may block the account thinking it's identity theft.

 

[golfgal]

Travellers checks are a PIA in China. I went in May, and had no problem with the pre-paid VISA card sold by my AAA. You can use ATMs in China with your ATM card, but not all banks work equally well. I went with a group of 25 people and different US banks worked with different Chinese banks. The one bank we all had great luck with was the Bank of China. The Bank of China has branches in most major cities. I could get money from the pre-paid VISA from most all ATM machines, with one or two exceptions, but my ATM card only worked with Bank of China.

Oh, if you are sending him with an ATM card, be sure that the bank knows about the trip or they may block the account thinking it's identity theft.

Do most merchants take Visa? I am not real excited about him carrying cash around but it would be nice to be able to get some if needed. I can't see him buying a lot but he will need to buy a few things I am sure.

 

[Pigeon]

No, most merchants do not take Visa. Big hotels do and Friendship Stores (state run and much more expensive than you can get elsewhere) do. Most merchants are very small operations.

 

[MichelleVW]

My daughter traveled to the UK last summer and she has a visabuxx card. It was nice because I could check her funds from home and load more when she was geting low.

 

[GeorgeY]

We spent 17 days in China last May (Adopting our Daughter). We used Visa at the hotel and major stores (such as Jade Factory and Pearl Factory)

We used Cash mostly though. For any large bills you send make sure they are new in appearance and not damaged or wrinkled. We had to order new bills for our trip as alot of our expenses had to be paid in cash. Even some slightly wrinkled bills were reject at some stores.

Also, send alot of $1 bills. We didn't take enough and the peddlers which sell items will take $1 bills.
If he is going to Beijing, here is what we were advised to pay (haggling down)
Olympic Hats: 2 for $1
Postcard sets: 3 for $1
Rolex Watches: 3 fo $20 (My watch is missing Friday on the day dial)


China is a wonderful country and I hope he ha a great time.

George

 

[HayGan]

I would highly recommend sending him with cash and a valid Visa debit card so that he has access to additional funds. I had no problems using my usual debit card throughout China. I would have him take some US $ and then exchange into yuan at the airport.

As for haggling, tell him when dealing with vendors (non-established store type places) to always offer 1/3rd of their asking price and then negotiate from there. Never pay full price

China is a very safe country for tourists.

 

[golfgal]

We spent 17 days in China last May (Adopting our Daughter). We used Visa at the hotel and major stores (such as Jade Factory and Pearl Factory)

We used Cash mostly though. For any large bills you send make sure they are new in appearance and not damaged or wrinkled. We had to order new bills for our trip as alot of our expenses had to be paid in cash. Even some slightly wrinkled bills were reject at some stores.

Also, send alot of $1 bills. We didn't take enough and the peddlers which sell items will take $1 bills.
If he is going to Beijing, here is what we were advised to pay (haggling down)
Olympic Hats: 2 for $1
Postcard sets: 3 for $1
Rolex Watches: 3 fo $20 (My watch is missing Friday on the day dial)


China is a wonderful country and I hope he ha a great time.

George

Ok, I told him to buy me a Rolex, what other knock offs should I have him look for ?

 

[HayGan]

Ok, I told him to buy me a Rolex, what other knock offs should I have him look for ?

You name it you can find it - Gucci, Prada, Kate Spade, Tag Heuer - the list goes on and on You can even get dvd's and cd for $1!!!

 

[golfgal]

You name it you can find it - Gucci, Prada, Kate Spade, Tag Heuer - the list goes on and on You can even get dvd's and cd for $1!!!

I will have to send him with a list! Thanks!

 

[figment52]

You name it you can find it - Gucci, Prada, Kate Spade, Tag Heuer - the list goes on and on You can even get dvd's and cd for $1!!!

Most of the dvd's and cd's at that price are pirated copies and not often very good quality. I know someone who bought National Treasure and the middle of the movie was missing.

 

[Pigeon]

The open air markets are great fun. Just beware that pickpockets abound, so stash your money and your passport safely.

Alas, my adorable little "Gucci" bag fell apart a week after I got home, but some of the stuff I got was great. Pashminas are very inexpensive, and some of them are gorgeous. Freshwater pearls are a good buy. Just don't pay so much for anything that you'd be heartbroken if it turns out to be fake.

My experience with DVDs (make sure they say Region 1) and videogames are that about two thirds of them worked fine, and one third didn't. Even so, they turn out to be pretty cheap.

 

[CarolA]

I looked into this last year.

Visa makes a debit card that you can buy via AAA and "reload" The kid can then get money from any ATM. This method worked very well for a group of teens in Europe. Mom and Dad could also access and check the funds.