I almost hate myself for my random off-topic questions, but the right people are here for this one: are there ATM's at HKG that will give you yuan instead of HKD on request?

I am sorry but my answer is unlikely to be a lot of help. There are very few cash machines at CLK as it is, and I do not think any of them have RMB. There are plenty of ATMs in China in the major cities.

The only likely place to find a machine is the China Ferry section. The airport has a map of all ATMS, link is http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/s...money_amer.htm

The only ATM machines I know of in Hong Kong dispensing RMB are Bank of Chinas on the KCR at Sha Tin and Lo Wu. In town there are quite a few fx shops specialising in RMB.

Note there are Travelex there who change money at zero commission, however they do not need to charge any commission considering the utterly outrageous bid/asks. And yes I still forget to change money before going to the airport.....................

For what it is worth the best rates I tend to come across for smaller currency transactions are at Wing Hang Bank. Hongkong Bank rates are @#$%.

Delta Asia used to be the best before being shut down in HK reputedly for laundering money for the Russian Mafia and North Korea!

Thanks very much, Nicc. A positive "no" is in fact a great help - much better than arriving at the airport with the opposite expectation.

IIRC, there is a money exchange booth. You could take out in HKD and do an exchange. The rate should be pretty decent under the circumstances.

That's other than Nicc's Travelex dis-recommendation?

(BTW the reason for my question is that #1 son will be passing through HKG to join a school-sponsored tour in Shanghai. The managing adult has asked the kids to obtain yuan before leaving home, obviously not relishing a long line of kids stopping progress to sequentially deal with an ATM there. Based on occasional exchanges in my untraveled youth, I'd guess that the cost here in Los Angeles would make anything on offer in Hong Kong seem a great bargain. Alternatively kid can probably arrive in Shanghai before the crowd and do the deed there, assuming friendly ATMs there.)

Assuming your son will arrive in Shanghai via Pudong (PVG) airport there are 2 ATMs that I know of there that are relatively easy to use. The first is run by Citi and is immediately after Immigration before you go downstairs to baggage claim. The other (HSBC) is in Baggage Claim area across from the lower numbered carousels. Both work well and both take US based cards- the Citi ATM is my prefrerred ATM (not sure why). You are limited to 2000 RMB ($250) per day I think, if he needs more than that he will need to exchange it the old fashioned way- there is a currency exchange booth in baggage claim as well.

On a side note: the English used on the machines needs some thought as to what the requested task may be. For example "please dip your card"- after traveling 20+hours that always cracks me up.

I actually read Nicc's post to mean transferring from USD for some reason, but I see I was incorrect. First, I can't imagine going that route would be any worse than doing an exchange with a bank in the US. Second, he probably just needs enough cash to get started. So he gets screwed on $100. Will probably only cost him a few dollars in the end. Also, I see you're from Los Angeles, you may get a decent rate from a money changer in certain areas.

If it is from HKD, then in any hole in the wall place (they're everywhere) it is 1:1 WITHOUT a receipt. You throw a bunch in, they throw a bunch out. It's a 10 second process. If you request any documentation they either refuse service or jack the rates way up.

If it's from USD, then any place should be about the same except Travelex at HKG which is extremely expensive and at hotels.

How old is your son? If he's below HS age I would probably just get the RMB in the US. You'll only be saving a few bucks anyway (at the most).