I am considering a Pre-paid Debit card. Has anyone used one of these? I am going to SE Asia for 18 days (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand) on a tour. I am taking a small amount of $US with me & will have to load my card with Dong, Riel & Baht. Can I use any of these (or$US) in KL airport as I have 2 short stopovers here & really don't want to exchange another currency if I don't have to. Thanks in advance!
The US Dollar is all you need to load on that debit card - currency conversion is done automatically by the ATM. If you have a checking account, you could also use that bank's debit card (as I do). If you do decide on a bank card, be sure to inform the bank of your planned itinerary, use an all numeric PIN, and take a credit card as backup. I do not use any USD cash, and I'm American.
Daawgon is right, you usually only need to load one currency on the card, which will automatically convert for you. A word of advice though, I am just returning from a trip through India and Nepal, using a travel debit card (Cash Passport) for the first time.
I had heaps of problems using it at ATMs, in several major cities including Delhi and Kathmandu I would need to visit 9 ATMs before one would work, after being assured the card would work in 90% of ATMs worldwide. Needless to say, this caused quite a bit of stress. Definitely make sure you have backup funds (a small amount of $US or even Travellers Cheques, just to save the stress).
Do you have a debit card from your own bank? I use a regular debit card from my US credit union all the time in Thailand. I always had cash for Cambodia and Vietnam.
My bank debit cards also work in in ATM's too. If you do go with a pre-paid card also have a backup source of money. (Before any trip overseas I call my card provider and tell them what country I will be in and for how long.)
In Vietnam and Cambodia US dollars are used as a de facto currency. Don't leave Cambodia and Vietnam with their currency because no one wants to change it in a different country.
if u r traveling to asia a prepaid debit card comes in handy.u can shop with it without worryng about the cash liquidity or currency exchange. let the bank worry about that
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