Originally Posted by
drewguy
1) In my view, an ATM card is the best way to get cash. The Chinese ATMs do not charge a fee; the fees are from your bank. Obviously try to minimize those if you can. There are plenty of ATMs after customs. Don't worry.
2) China uses cash a lot more, and credit less, than the US. You can use credit at more expensive places, but you'll often be hit with high foreign exchange fees. If you want to buy things at a street market, you'll need cash. Taxis? Cash. Drivers? Usually cash. Good news is food is generally cheap, and so are souvenirs.
thanks for the tips ! i am only staying in PEK for one full day so i am thinking converting 300 USD at airport should do. as i stated before hotel is paid for and can use my amex (to avoid DCC)to pay anything else or use left over cash , should be a small bill as we'll be out of the hotel full day at tour and eating out .
I went to my banks site and the next problem is that i have a 5 digit PIN on my debt card and they recommend changing it to 4 digits as most international ATMs only accept 4 digits.
so it seems if i go outside of customs , with draw 300 dollars worth it should be cheaper than using exchange service ...since i am only charged 5 USD form my bank and the exchange service charage 50 RMB which from what i converted is around 8 USD.