Questions about Hong Kong

[silverwolf0]

Hello. I am about to go to Hong Kong on vacation and was hoping you could answer some of these questions for me.

1. My folks made me buy about $2000 in traveler's cheques. I then subsequently went online to read about them, this ancient technology, to find they are pretty difficult to use and may not be very accepted in a more advanced place like Hong Kong. Should I go get my money back or take them with me just in case?

2. What cell phone bands do I need to make calls in Hong Kong? I know there are cell phone shops everywhere but I want to see if my existing phones work before I go. I have some old cheap phones, one is 900/1800 and one is 900/1800. Will these suffice? I do plan on getting a new cell phone there though before I leave.

3. What is the best method to carry around money? Right now I have a Bank of America Visa Checkcard (debit) and a Visa credit card from the same bank. Would these suffice or should I also add some other venues?a

Hope someone can answer these questions. Have a nice day.

[PDLM]

1. I'd cash them in if you can do so without penalty.
2. Anything GSM 900/1800 will do. Obviously it needs to be one that is not SIM-locked (i.e. one that you can put a locally bought SIM card into).
3. That should be sufficient, assuming that your debit card functions as an ATM card on your normal checking/savings account (wherever your money is) and that it is enabled for international "roaming" - you should check this with your bank. If it has the "Plus" symbol on the back then you are probably fine. You should be taking cash out of here by drawing on your banking account, not by taking cash advances on your credit card (which would be much more expensive). You can pay for pretty much everything here by credit card except taxis, buses and subway (MTR) (for buses and MTR you should purchase and Octopus stored value card on arrival - you will need HK$ cash to do this.)

[deleteduser]

You can pay for pretty much everything here by credit card except taxis, buses and subway

And food. And clothes at smaller places. HK is still definitely a 'cash town'.

[PDLM]

I guess that depends where you eat. I suppose I don't use my plastic for food under about $100, but I only know of one place I eat (Cul-de-Sac) that won't take it. You can certainly buy a coffee in Starbucks or PCC on plastic.

[ontheroad]

Travellers Cheques are very good when travelling because you can cash them in any bank and if you lose them or have them stolen, they will be replaced (if you still have the numbers that were isssued to you). The best way to use them is to cash them as you go.

I would not recommend using your credit/debit card to pay for every little thing while you are here because every time you use your card you'll be paying international exchange rates on it. It's best to keep for if you're buying expensive things or if you want to get cash at an ATM machine when you arrive. Every time you'll use it at an ATM machine you'll be paying an extra fee on top of the exchange rates, so try not to do it too often.

[PDLM]

Er, and how is he going to use the travellers' cheques without "paying international exchange rates" then?

[Christine_168]

3. What is the best method to carry around money? Right now I have a Bank of America Visa Checkcard (debit) and a Visa credit card from the same bank.

China Construction Bank bought out Bank of America in HK, but you can use your debit card at CCB ATMs like they are BOA ATMs (no charge).

[ontheroad]

Er, and how is he going to use the travellers' cheques without "paying international exchange rates" then?

You can exchange them free of charge, so it's cheaper to use than a credit card.

[PDLM]

You can exchange them free of charge, so it's cheaper to use than a credit card.

Oh dear, oh dear. A fool and their money are easily parted.

[ontheroad]

I have to say though, to be fair, I haven't used a travellers cheques since I've had a credit card but when I was travelling as a student, I use to have them, and it was very reassuring to know that if I had them stolen or lost them I could replace them for free and not be stranded on the other side of the world....