Current Wisdom on Buying Shekels?
Jun 7, 2009, 2:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Midwest
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Current Wisdom on Buying Shekels?
Hi all -
I apologize if this is a re-post. I haven't been active on FT for some time and I'm a little lost...
...I also haven't been back to Israel in about 3 years, which feels like 300. I used to withdrawal NIS, either from a US bank account, or by using a Visa card. In the past, with certain cards, as long as you had a credit balance, you could trust getting an institutional-level exchange rate, and you didn't have to incur any per-transaction conversion fees.
I gather from a friend that none of the cards we're currently carrying are very good for this kind of cash withdrawal.
Suggestions?
I apologize if this is a re-post. I haven't been active on FT for some time and I'm a little lost...
...I also haven't been back to Israel in about 3 years, which feels like 300. I used to withdrawal NIS, either from a US bank account, or by using a Visa card. In the past, with certain cards, as long as you had a credit balance, you could trust getting an institutional-level exchange rate, and you didn't have to incur any per-transaction conversion fees.
I gather from a friend that none of the cards we're currently carrying are very good for this kind of cash withdrawal.
Suggestions?
Jun 7, 2009, 5:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: A3 *G, BA silver, LH, UA
Posts: 518
Well, the answer is so complex that there is no way to start.
A. what credit cards do you have?
B. what is the exchange rate they give? institutional? official? commissions?
The only people who can answer you these questions are your bank card issuers.
You also should check with them what are the charges associated with just swiping your card.
On the other hand, exchanging bank notes into Israel Shekels at the airport is among the worst things you can do. It's better to buy train tickets in the automatic machines (in case you need to go to Tel Aviv/Haifa) which speak sufficient English.
You can exchange USD into NIS (and for that matter EUR notes into NIS) in many places in the big cities, with relatively good rates. As usual - check before hand the rates and charges.
A. what credit cards do you have?
B. what is the exchange rate they give? institutional? official? commissions?
The only people who can answer you these questions are your bank card issuers.
You also should check with them what are the charges associated with just swiping your card.
On the other hand, exchanging bank notes into Israel Shekels at the airport is among the worst things you can do. It's better to buy train tickets in the automatic machines (in case you need to go to Tel Aviv/Haifa) which speak sufficient English.
You can exchange USD into NIS (and for that matter EUR notes into NIS) in many places in the big cities, with relatively good rates. As usual - check before hand the rates and charges.
Jun 8, 2009, 9:24 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA, UA, DL, LUV, SPG, HHonors, Avis, Hertz
Posts: 3,033
Well, the answer is so complex that there is no way to start.
A. what credit cards do you have?
B. what is the exchange rate they give? institutional? official? commissions?
The only people who can answer you these questions are your bank card issuers.
You also should check with them what are the charges associated with just swiping your card.
On the other hand, exchanging bank notes into Israel Shekels at the airport is among the worst things you can do. It's better to buy train tickets in the automatic machines (in case you need to go to Tel Aviv/Haifa) which speak sufficient English.
You can exchange USD into NIS (and for that matter EUR notes into NIS) in many places in the big cities, with relatively good rates. As usual - check before hand the rates and charges.
A. what credit cards do you have?
B. what is the exchange rate they give? institutional? official? commissions?
The only people who can answer you these questions are your bank card issuers.
You also should check with them what are the charges associated with just swiping your card.
On the other hand, exchanging bank notes into Israel Shekels at the airport is among the worst things you can do. It's better to buy train tickets in the automatic machines (in case you need to go to Tel Aviv/Haifa) which speak sufficient English.
You can exchange USD into NIS (and for that matter EUR notes into NIS) in many places in the big cities, with relatively good rates. As usual - check before hand the rates and charges.
Rather, I was hoping that perhaps there's a card or cards out there that somebody has identified, that DO have good terms, and to which perhaps we might want to switch before our next trip.
Jun 12, 2009, 12:37 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I guess LY just started selling Sheks,Otherwise this thread does not belong here in the LY Forum.
Please people this is not an everything Israeli or Jewish Forum. But the LY forum
Id say this should have been placed into the Middle East Forum and hopefully a Mod will move it there ASAP
Please people this is not an everything Israeli or Jewish Forum. But the LY forum
Id say this should have been placed into the Middle East Forum and hopefully a Mod will move it there ASAP
Jun 12, 2009, 1:19 pm
#5
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
Jun 28, 2009, 7:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: 6E Westbound, 4E Eastbound
Programs: AA EXP & 3MM, Priority Club Plat since 1984
Posts: 6,293
Some specifics:
I have a Capital One Platinum card for many years.
Every transaction in Israel, be it an ATM withdrawal or a charge in a store is $5.
Pending on the trend of the dollar, I will usually make one significant ATM withdrawal at the airport.
It is the most recent bank rate, no fee (other than the $5). Then if I need to buy something with the card I factor the $5 into the cost.
I do call them before I go, and I enjoy a great rate with them.
I have a Capital One Platinum card for many years.
Every transaction in Israel, be it an ATM withdrawal or a charge in a store is $5.
Pending on the trend of the dollar, I will usually make one significant ATM withdrawal at the airport.
It is the most recent bank rate, no fee (other than the $5). Then if I need to buy something with the card I factor the $5 into the cost.
I do call them before I go, and I enjoy a great rate with them.
Jul 1, 2009, 1:00 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Some specifics:
I have a Capital One Platinum card for many years.
Every transaction in Israel, be it an ATM withdrawal or a charge in a store is $5.
Pending on the trend of the dollar, I will usually make one significant ATM withdrawal at the airport.
It is the most recent bank rate, no fee (other than the $5). Then if I need to buy something with the card I factor the $5 into the cost.
I do call them before I go, and I enjoy a great rate with them.
I have a Capital One Platinum card for many years.
Every transaction in Israel, be it an ATM withdrawal or a charge in a store is $5.
Pending on the trend of the dollar, I will usually make one significant ATM withdrawal at the airport.
It is the most recent bank rate, no fee (other than the $5). Then if I need to buy something with the card I factor the $5 into the cost.
I do call them before I go, and I enjoy a great rate with them.
cause I always use my Cap1 Visa CC and never had a $5 charge or fee added to any purchase in any location, that doesnt include using an ATM = ca$h advance