Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 20 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chester, UK
Posts: 137
Fair FX

Fair FX have a 'Anywhere Card' that you can use, erm... anywhere in the world.

The only fee is a 1.5% transaction fee (ATM, shop transaction etc). This compares favourably with the platinum type bank accounts (for HSBC 2.75% fees + monthly charges for the service) and is also better than the Claxton FX card, which I believe is 2.5% (Ted: you may want to check it out!). The exchange rates are apparently good too.

I think the best option for managing money from a purley financial point of view is to use a good credit card. But I cant be arsed with credit cards - I hate em.

I will be in the Americas, so I have got the Fair FX anywhere card and am applying to get another 'normal' FX card for the N America portion of the trip as this has absolutely no charges for transactions in Europe and the US (the anywhere card will charge 1.5% even if you use it in your home country).

If you load it with £500, you even get £5 free! Here's where I found it:

Cheap Travel Money: NEW top card for spending abroad...

Ta
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 20 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chester, UK
Posts: 137
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
The post office also do them..
Posty office travel cards only work in countries using the EURO £ and US$. I'd imagine, that since we are in the latin america section, this would present a slight problem for most people!

True for a lot of other cards and services also - check before you order.

(Lets hope that someone reads this and saves themselves 1.5 hours of queing up at a post office on a saturday morning only to be very disappointed! )
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 20 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: somewhere on the road between Ushuaia and Alaska
Posts: 377
Nat West

From what I've been told, Nat West have a very good & free account, and they don't charge any fees if you use your debit/credit card.

Other than that: the only countries I've been where I couldnt use my card were Iran and Uzbekistan (though there is one city/hotel in Uzbekistan where you can withdraw over the counter via visa).

Every now & then I went through a country where I could get US$ from a cash machine: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bolivia, Peru for example (in other words: even the so-called "less travelled" places)
__________________
__________________________
http://www.panomoto.com
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 21 Aug 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 53
All good suggestions worthy of further investigation

Another challenge when trying to manage money on an extended trip is what do you do when your debit/credit cards expire? Are there any issues/gotchas with the banks/credit card providers sending cards to a relative in order for them to forward on? Will they even do thi? Any experiences or advice much appreciated.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 29 Aug 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Anchorage
Posts: 7
Charles Scwabb?

I just opened a high yield checking account with Charles Schwabb and they say that all ATM fees are reimbursed. I bet other investment groups may do the same. I am from Alaska and will be leaving sept 6 to TDF me and a friend are both on 08 KLRs. I would be intrested to hear of anyone else with an account from Charles Swchabb.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 29 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chester, UK
Posts: 137
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevedo View Post
All good suggestions worthy of further investigation

Another challenge when trying to manage money on an extended trip is what do you do when your debit/credit cards expire? Are there any issues/gotchas with the banks/credit card providers sending cards to a relative in order for them to forward on? Will they even do thi? Any experiences or advice much appreciated.

Steve
Just phone your bank a couple weeks before you go and ask for a new card (you may have to claim that you lost it if they're a bit picky about it). They'll most likely stop the current card, so take some cash out to tide you over before the new card arrives. I think a card is valid for 3 years. If your extended trip is longer than this, your on your own!
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 29 Aug 2010
oothef's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: york
Posts: 265
One of the best sites I've found for up to date info on cards and loads of other cash saving is moneysavingexpert dot com.
__________________
Anything can happen in the next half hour
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 29 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Wasatch Mnts, UT, USA
Posts: 227
Quote:
Originally Posted by loadsaaaTOP View Post
i havent found a suitable post on the best way.

Coming from the UK, what would you advise....open a US bank account that will issue dollars?

Carry travellers chqs? How much would you reccomend carrying in cash baring in mind i imagine a severe lack of ATM's in the remote areas.
As stated, ATM's are now almost everywhere.

I carry a few travelers checks stashed about in case of an emergency. Robbed, card failure, lost card etc. I bring a few copies of my VISA debit/ATM card & stash them all in different places. I have a secondary account with my bank that I use only for travel. I transfer money to this account in small increments so that I never have more than a hundred or two in that account. I also keep a $100 carefully hidden in each bag and a $50 under my boot insole.

I never use my card as a VISA card.
__________________
India Himal, 3mo,2x; Kazak/Krygyz/Tajik, 3 mo; Kashi-Lhasa, China 219! 6 wk; Nepal, 4 days/trekked 55; Santiago-Ushuia-Cusco, 7 mo; Peru, 3 mo; Chile-Medellin 3 mo; Medillin-Arica, 3 mo
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Money; Americans vs the Rest of the world regard money and travel The Raven Money Saving Ideas, making travel money 60 21 Feb 2024 00:04
Money.... Tenere Tom TRAVEL Hints and Tips 7 21 Feb 2008 18:20
money, money, money,... jelvis Trip Paperwork 0 18 Aug 2005 03:44
money trand69 TRAVEL Hints and Tips 3 23 Jan 2004 18:20
Money!! Billy Bunter Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 3 Aug 2002 12:41

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:08.