3 Things that will make your relationship successful in Thailand

[carlpipe]

Western Union and my bank in Australia offer pretty crappy rates for transfer so I want to explore alternatives.

I came across World First Online via google and the rates look good. Has anyone here used them before?

Any other good alternatives for online international transfers services from Australia to Thailand, with good fees and good rates? Or do they only even offer one out of two 'goods' ?

[steven100]

Do a TT or telegraphic transfer online from your bank in Australia to Thailand.

I know if it's a building society in Australia and not a bank they will use Western Union but I believe the charge is $20 or $30

but send in AUD and have the bank in thailand do the conversion, that way you get a better rate.

[thrilled]

I use Schwab,I believe the wire is $25

[DogNo1]

Depending on the amount involved, one way to get cash in Thailand is to take an over-the-counter cash advance at Bangkok Bank from a credit card that imposes no foreign transaction fees. I withdraw 16,000 at a time using my Navy Fed Visa credit card (not debit card). On the same day, I pay the dollar amount to Navy Fed from my checking account. Since I have a "Go Rewards" card, I actually make 1% on the transaction. Certainly Australia must have some bank that offers no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards. Bangkok Bank does not charge for over-the-counter advances on CREDIT CARDS. It does charge a fee if you use a debit card. Also, at ATMs you can get tricked into accepting a lower exchange rate if you don't watch the screens carefully. Good luck!

[DogNo1]

Depending on the amount involved, one way to get cash in Thailand is to take an over-the-counter cash advance at Bangkok Bank from a credit card that imposes no foreign transaction fees. I withdraw 16,000 at a time using my Navy Fed Visa credit card (not debit card). On the same day, I pay the dollar amount to Navy Fed from my checking account. Since I have a "Go Rewards" card, I actually make 1% on the transaction. Certainly Australia must have some bank that offers no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards. Bangkok Bank does not charge for over-the-counter advances on CREDIT CARDS. It does charge a fee if you use a debit card. Also, at ATMs you can get tricked into accepting a lower exchange rate if you don't watch the screens carefully. Good luck!

[PlastikbinLina]

I use Ozforex in Australia to transfer money to Thailand either in $AUS, Baht, or $USD. A SCB officer advised me to get Ozforex to transfer in USD because of the better exchange rate they give here.

Ozforex exhange rates, they claim, is better than any other institution in Australia. Amounts over $10,000 are transferred free of charge, anything under that amount $15. Their web site is International Money transfers (IMT)

[steven100]

OP , did you end up using World First online or OzForex ? what was the currency sent in ??

I have a building society account and they use Western Union and also ANZ have to take their $20 cut ... it stinks ... !!

total cost to transfer with Bangkok Bank taking their $12 .... total $82 .. <deleted> !!!

[Pib]

Depending on the amount involved, one way to get cash in Thailand is to take an over-the-counter cash advance at Bangkok Bank from a credit card that imposes no foreign transaction fees. I withdraw 16,000 at a time using my Navy Fed Visa credit card (not debit card). On the same day, I pay the dollar amount to Navy Fed from my checking account. Since I have a "Go Rewards" card, I actually make 1% on the transaction. Certainly Australia must have some bank that offers no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards. Bangkok Bank does not charge for over-the-counter advances on CREDIT CARDS. It does charge a fee if you use a debit card. Also, at ATMs you can get tricked into accepting a lower exchange rate if you don't watch the screens carefully. Good luck!

The 1% reward applies to purchases and not cash advances (a.k.a., counter withdrawals); no rewards earned for cash advances.

GO REWARDS credit cards earn 3 points for every $1 of net purchases made at restaurants, 2 points for every $1 of net purchases made for gas, and 1 point for every $1 of other net purchases. Earn rewards on eligible net purchases. "Net purchases" means the sum of your eligible purchase transactions minus returns and refunds. Eligible purchase transactions do not include, and rewards are not earned for, the following transactions: cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, or fees of any kind, including annual fees, finance charges, late fees, returned check fees, ATM transaction fees, and foreign transaction fees. In addition, Navy Federal cash equivalent transactions, such as the purchase, loading, or re-loading of Navy Federal gift and prepaid cards (e.g., Navy Federal gift cards, Visa Buxx Cards, GO Prepaid Cards), are also not eligible purchase transactions and do not earn rewards. A GO REWARDS restaurant or gas purchase may only earn 1 point per dollar spent, depending on the merchant code used to process the transaction. Restaurants located within another establishment (e.g., hotel, casino, commissary, grocery store, event venue) may be ineligible and will receive 1 point per dollar spent. Superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are ineligible and not considered gas stations. You will earn 1 point per dollar spent. For more information, view theGO REWARDS Program Description Guide at navyfederal.org.

[meltingpot2015]

I've never used worldfirst. remember reading bad reviews about them.

Have used the company endorsed by Richard Branson. Just do online search for it. e.g. 'richard branson money transfer'

They now do AUS to Thailand transfers.

Never use the bank for transfers. bad rate + you may be stung with hidden fees.