Finally booked my flight to the phils can't wait to see my girl again has anyone flew with Pal?

Or you could fly Emirates to Cebu which handily connects with a Cebu Pacific flight to GenSan . As the domestic terminal is a short, 100 metre walk, from the international one, your transfer will be much easier than at NAIA.

Hmmm that sounds good, might look at that next time.

As a precaution, K and I have made a point of having two cards, because our Bank (Barclays) is very enthusiastic about fraud prevention and will usually "stop" a card just because it has been used in the Philippines, which their computer system "flags up" as prima facie evidence of fraudulent use, even if you have told them you are going there. It's always been possible to get the card unblocked, eventually.

So far as I know, the daily limit on cash withdrawals is 10,000 pesos but some ATMs in Bank premises in Makati have higher limits. I suspect I may be out of date on this.

Cheers methersgate.

Set up an account with WorldRemit, Western Union or similar, before you go to the Phils.

As a backup, you can always send cash to yourself then, direct from your home bank account.

You can also use it to top up your local SIM card when already there or before (or for anyone else there with a phone or 'pocket wi-fi')... again, from your home bank account.

Obviously you need online banking too, then simple, quick, bank transfer.

That's really sound advice cheers graham59.

You're welcome.
These are 'facilities' I use all the time of course.

I use WorldRemit.

They have an App' too, for your phone or tablet.

Sounds good to me

I do the same, with World Remit.

K and I lost faith in Western Union when our names and identities were used for transactions that were not ours.

All banks are tightening-up on their security. As an adjunct, I've just been sent a lengthy form by HSBC in Philippines in which they require detailed answers to so9me very searching questions. They say the required information is for the bank's use to assist them in keeping my accounts secure, failure to satisfy them may result in the closure of my accounts without notice and ends with having to sign a sworn declaration that starts with the words "I declare under penalty of perjury ...". Hmmm.

That depends entirely on the providing bank, the ATM's geographic location, time of day and the network(s) to which it links. In general, 10K sounds about right for BDO, BPI and ChinaBank ATMs in large cities and major malls; HSBC and Citibank have larger limits (40K if HSBC) when the bank's own cards are used, including those issued by foreign branches. Smaller banks and those situated in more rural areas will have lower limits, typically 5K.

For BDO ATM, the maximum allowed withdrawal per day is Php 50k, with Php 10k per single transaction. For BPI, it's Php 20k per day.

Thanks for the update - we've been outside the Philippines for 9 months now and things may well have changed since last March when we could only take 10k per day from a BPI ATM in Davao.

No entertainment of some sort in that Long hours of flight?? I agree with the disadvantages you mentioned.

My first ever flight experience was in PAL and I rated it good (it was only 2 hrs to Hk anyway) but After flying with JAL, Cathay, and Virgin, I wouldn't want to take a PAL flight again.

I used to live in Manila. I'm not sure if the rates apply to other areas.

I have memories of withdrawing 40K pesos from the ATM inside the HSBC building in Makati to pay the first part of the bill at Manila Doctors' Hospital for my first son. He is now 21.

ATM rates are higher in the wealthier parts of Manila such as Makati as we discovered last February whilst applying for my wife's Schengen Visa.

I withdrew p15,000 from the BDO machine at NAIA3 last month.

Just needed to stick my card in twice.

It can also depend on which bank issued the card, foreign bank cards tend to have a lower status, and may have lower withdrawal limits imposed by the foreign bank.

From memory 5,000 / 10,000 and 20,000 are the normal maximum withdrawal amounts I have encountered.

My UK Citibank card has a maximum £500 withdrawal limit, even at foreign Citibank ATM's.

In Dumaguete we can get 40,000 maybe more never drew anything higher than that, but have to draw 10,000 at a time.

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My boy, in the mall... "Where's my pocket money ??? "


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