Low budget travel tips
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 2,950
Yes, but data plans in many countries are inexpensive, and allow you to buy train or local transportation on smartphone. Also can have transit maps - so while this works for you, I believe form many if not most, this is a bad "tip."
I have a couple of antique "smart" phones, and just slap a SIM for whichever contry I'm currently visiting. At the moment, that would be US.
I have a couple of antique "smart" phones, and just slap a SIM for whichever contry I'm currently visiting. At the moment, that would be US.
#17
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,406
Do have a bad habit of spending too much time in front of a 27" screen
But, to each his own.
#18
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
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#19
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Montreal
Posts: 247
The only other option is to use airplane mode, but then I can't use wifi.
But it's good to know that not everyone is stuck with a terrible plan like me, I guess!
#20
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Montreal
Posts: 247
Your profile does not list your country, but I can tell you that for Canadian and especially US based travelers, that is about the WORST advice you can give.
Trying to exchange $$$ to foreign currency is very painful in US, and with ATMs it is much easier and usually cheaper to exchange / use ATM once you get there.
Trying to exchange $$$ to foreign currency is very painful in US, and with ATMs it is much easier and usually cheaper to exchange / use ATM once you get there.
But once in a foreign country, if I withdraw from an ATM, not only do I get hit with a $5 flat fee every time I withdraw, but I'm also forced to use the unfavorable exchange rate imposed by my bank (TD).
#21
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,406
Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more strongly. I am indeed Canadian, and if I shop around in my city, I can find great rates for buying foreign currency (I often pit one exchange boutique against the other to get an even cheaper rate!). The rates are WAY cheaper than at the banks.
Guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
Perhaps visit Credit Card forum to see if someone can advise you to choose a better bank @:-)
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
I'm from Canada (with Telus) and with my cell phone, unless I remove the SIM card, I receive text messages, which cost $0.60 in the US and $1.50 internationally. There is no way to disable this without removing the SIM card.
The only other option is to use airplane mode, but then I can't use wifi.
The only other option is to use airplane mode, but then I can't use wifi.
#23
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Montreal
Posts: 247
But now you've got me wondering if this is maybe a Montreal thing...?
#24
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Montreal
Posts: 247
#25
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
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#26
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,999
I get great rates with no fee at Vancouver Bullion & Currency Exchange (several locations in Vancouver).
#27
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,549
Charlie's Currency Exchange on Granville has better rates for the more common currencies. However, they interestingly only deal in cash (no debit).
[There are also a lot of sketchy currency exchanges in Richmond with good rates. There's been some interesting articles in the paper about money being transferred from China to Vancouver via these currency exchanges to buy real estate.]
We generally find exchanging for hard currency in Vancouver before a trip particularly not worth it if we're going somewhere like Vietnam and the currency falls under the "exotic" category since the spreads are pretty big.
#29
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 353
#30
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Montreal
Posts: 247
xe.com tells me that 1 Yuan is worth 0.2013 CDN. The exchange bureau near my house is selling Yuan for 0.2106.
Could I really get a much better rate in China?
I'm not trying to be obtuse, I'm truly trying to determine if my current strategy is a good one!