Using ATMs for Cash
Jan 30, 2017, 4:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 506
Using ATMs for Cash
Do you recommend using the Schwab card when visiting India? I'll be there for about a week for a wedding, but I'm curious if you recommend bringing cash at all (we're doing 4-5 days of touring before the wedding so probably some cash for snacks, gifts and such).
Sorry for sounding noob, but this is my first time visiting India, and for reference when I visit China/Japan/Taiwan/Hong Kong my strategy is pretty much to land with minimal cash (like $20 USD equiv, usually some change from my last trip) and to get the rest of my cash I need via ATM.
Is it reliable to use ATMs in India? Also are there specific banks I should stick to when looking for ATMs to withdraw from? I'll have a backup card or two just in case things go south although I'm really hoping my Schwab card is the one I rely on as fees are no concern with that card.
Sorry for sounding noob, but this is my first time visiting India, and for reference when I visit China/Japan/Taiwan/Hong Kong my strategy is pretty much to land with minimal cash (like $20 USD equiv, usually some change from my last trip) and to get the rest of my cash I need via ATM.
Is it reliable to use ATMs in India? Also are there specific banks I should stick to when looking for ATMs to withdraw from? I'll have a backup card or two just in case things go south although I'm really hoping my Schwab card is the one I rely on as fees are no concern with that card.
Jan 30, 2017, 6:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: Aadvantage
Posts: 64
Just know that you can only change about $80 US at airport currency changers since demonitization. The Kotak bank ATMs are pretty consistent about allowing 10,000 rupee withdrawals and they usually have cash, unlike many other atms. I just returned from two weeks in India and travelled with my Schwann card. At Kotak ATMs I was able to get what I needed to travel. Change for 2,000 rupee bills, however, is a whole other level of challenge ��
Jan 30, 2017, 11:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston Suburbrs
Programs: AA ExPlat, IHG Spire Amb
Posts: 1,205
I got 10,000 INR out of an airport ATM last week in DEL. I"m sorry to say I forget which one dispensed the cash, but it was in the international arrivals hall. It took 3 different ATMs before I succeeded. Luckily, I got 19 500 rupee notes and 5 100 rupee notes, so changing them has been no problem. A few folks I'm traveling with used bank ATMs and got the new 2000s, and even hotels are giving them a problem breaking those bills. Best to try in the mornings, as many places are running out of change by the evenings.
Jan 31, 2017, 3:30 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
i suggest going through the thread below to get some information on the recent demonetization, as well as the atm & currency exchange situation....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india...al-tender.html
if you can get new inr currency with you then that would be helpful....if not then you should be able to withdraw inr 10k at a time from the atm (the limit is soon to be increased)....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india...al-tender.html
if you can get new inr currency with you then that would be helpful....if not then you should be able to withdraw inr 10k at a time from the atm (the limit is soon to be increased)....
Feb 17, 2017, 12:23 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678