ATM surcharges on cards issued by non-Thailand banks (THB150-220 per transaction)
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Exactly. I use AMEX $1,000 checks, myself, though they are not stocked by every location which sells AMEX checks. If you buy them from your own bank, you may be able to get them to special order what you need.
#122
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
Options appear to be dwindling fast. I was in a GSB branch today and was informed they now apply the 150baht fee. However, they recommended I try a new bank next door called Tisco. I got a 'communication error' and was unable to draw cash on my visa debit so I cannot confirm absence of fees or otherwise.
It looks like large denomination travellers cheques will again be option of choice. Another possibility is to open a Thai bank account and transfer cash into it via paypal, however, at the moment I'm not aware of costs of using paypal for such.
It looks like large denomination travellers cheques will again be option of choice. Another possibility is to open a Thai bank account and transfer cash into it via paypal, however, at the moment I'm not aware of costs of using paypal for such.
#123
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 154
Your post makes it sound like you asked someone if there was a fee, maybe they said yes and you assumed they knew what you were talking about?
I just completed a GSB ATM withdrawal and was not charged any fee.
#124
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
Did you attempt an ATM withdrawal at a GSB ATM? Were you notified on the screen that there would be a 150 baht service charge? Did you ultimately make a withdrawal and see that you were charged the fee?
Your post makes it sound like you asked someone if there was a fee, maybe they said yes and you assumed they knew what you were talking about?
I just completed a GSB ATM withdrawal and was not charged any fee.
Your post makes it sound like you asked someone if there was a fee, maybe they said yes and you assumed they knew what you were talking about?
I just completed a GSB ATM withdrawal and was not charged any fee.
#125
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHF,ORF
Programs: AA Gold, MR Plat
Posts: 467
I will be making my first visit to Thailand in about two months. Reading this thread, the options for ATM's that don't charge the 150B fee seem to keep dwindling.
Would travelers checks now be the preferred method? Is the 33B exchange fee universal across BKK, or the entire country?
Would travelers checks now be the preferred method? Is the 33B exchange fee universal across BKK, or the entire country?
#126
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, Rayong, Thailand, USA, Florida, NY and California
Programs: American Platinum Lifetime, Starwood Gold, United, Krisflyer, Delta, Lufthansa, Thai, Int. Avenger
Posts: 419
I will be making my first visit to Thailand in about two months. Reading this thread, the options for ATM's that don't charge the 150B fee seem to keep dwindling.
Would travelers checks now be the preferred method? Is the 33B exchange fee universal across BKK, or the entire country?
Would travelers checks now be the preferred method? Is the 33B exchange fee universal across BKK, or the entire country?
#127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
Hi all
I can confirm that as of three days ago AEON ATMs are still free of the 150 baht fee!
I found one in the Silom Centre - but interestingly it was hardly marked at all. It was sitting beside two other heavily branded ATMs from other banks and all it had on it was a small metal plate.
I waited until the transdaction showed up on line and it was indeed without the extra 150.
Hope this helps.
Regards
lme etc etc
I can confirm that as of three days ago AEON ATMs are still free of the 150 baht fee!
I found one in the Silom Centre - but interestingly it was hardly marked at all. It was sitting beside two other heavily branded ATMs from other banks and all it had on it was a small metal plate.
I waited until the transdaction showed up on line and it was indeed without the extra 150.
Hope this helps.
Regards
lme etc etc
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PHL (and sometimes BKK)
Programs: aa/ua gold; mar titanium. SPG till I die.
Posts: 15,648
Hi, is this fee still the case in most ATMs?
I'm bringing a fair amount of cash with me to mitigate this, but was wondering if anyone had any other experiences more recently?
Thanks.
I'm bringing a fair amount of cash with me to mitigate this, but was wondering if anyone had any other experiences more recently?
Thanks.
#129
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: TK Gold, M&M FTL, QR Gold, HH Diamond, PCR Platinum
Posts: 1,667
Do you think the risk of carrying high amounts of cash with you is lower than paying 150 BHT to get money from an ATM? Even if you use an exchange office you still pay comission, one way or another.
It's bothering as it's a tricky practice and it's good you can still find some tax-free ATMs, but I would not go 2 extra miles for one if I need the cash.
It's bothering as it's a tricky practice and it's good you can still find some tax-free ATMs, but I would not go 2 extra miles for one if I need the cash.
#130
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 154
Some (OK one person so far) are reporting that GSB have started charging the 150 baht fee. I couldn't get a GSB ATM to work for me so cannot confirm. I used an AEON ATM B level Paragon and no fee, in fact they proudly announce that they do not charge the fee in the accompanying video screen.
#131
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA, AA, BMI, MR, HH, PC
Posts: 806
Some (OK one person so far) are reporting that GSB have started charging the 150 baht fee. I couldn't get a GSB ATM to work for me so cannot confirm. I used an AEON ATM B level Paragon and no fee, in fact they proudly announce that they do not charge the fee in the accompanying video screen.
Did you use Visa or Mastercard at AEON and how did exchange rate work out?
#132
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 154
FWIW, I was referring to a poster on the ThaiVisa thread (75 pages, 1,875 posts) who says they were charged the 150 THB fee at a GSB ATM sometime after 1 Oct.