ATM fees rise again

[chiang mai]

Whenever I use a counter cash advance with my debit card (only one time so far) I got the current day/actual transaction date Visa rate just like I get in ATMs....the single messaging settlement approach.

Presumably, then, you had to enter a pin number(?)...otherwise it would have defaulted to "credit" mode (swipe and sign), thus double messaging/off-line/next day FX rate (just as if you had inserted it in Big C's POS machine, where it defaults to "credit" mode).

Nope...no PIN required...just sign the receipt just like doing a purchase.

Not to confuse matters but every time I use my UK Barclaycard (visa) in Thailand I am required to enter a PIN, ditto my UK HSBC Mastercard, most recently as yesterday at HomePro..

Edited January 5, 2016 by chiang mai

[lopburi3]

And was HomePro done in a real time UK pounds? Ask as have seen reports they try to use DCC conversion with foreign cards

[tropo]

And was HomePro done in a real time UK pounds? Ask as have seen reports they try to use DCC conversion with foreign cards

When I use a Mastercard debit cards at major stores here I have the choice of being billed in THB or my card currency (USD). I usually get a better rate using THB and most merchants charge in THB by default, but some stores don't and before you know it (eg Bodyshop) they've converted my purchase into USD.

[JimGant]

Not to confuse matters but every time I use my UK Barclaycard (visa) in Thailand I am required to enter a PIN, ditto my UK HSBC Mastercard, most recently as yesterday at HomePro..

I assume your Visa cards are chip and pin types...whether credit or debit probably doesn't matter.

Where does HomePro hide their PIN pad? Do they bring it out of a dusty shelf for your input? I have yet to see a PIN pad at any Thai store, but your experience shows they (at least HomePro) have the option to go the PIN mode, should your card prevent a fallback position to chip and signature mode. But many stores, I assume, don't have a PIN pad, thus would just disallow your card if it wouldn't fallback to signature mode.

Edited January 5, 2016 by JimGant

[Tomtomtom69]

Not to confuse matters but every time I use my UK Barclaycard (visa) in Thailand I am required to enter a PIN, ditto my UK HSBC Mastercard, most recently as yesterday at HomePro..

I assume your Visa cards are chip and pin types...whether credit or debit probably doesn't matter.

Where does HomePro hide their PIN pad? Do they bring it out of a dusty shelf for your input? I have yet to see a PIN pad at any Thai store, but your experience shows they (at least HomePro) have the option to go the PIN mode, should your card prevent a fallback position to chip and signature mode. But many stores, I assume, don't have a PIN pad, thus would just disallow your card if it wouldn't fallback to signature mode.

A number of supermarkets such as Tops use them now, as they should. Those merchants that don't have a PIN option will default to the signature option.

Signature only is unsafe and a thing of the past in many countries such as Australia where only PINs can now be accepted for debit/credit card purchases. Exceptions are for small purchases of less than A$100, where you only need to tap your card on the reader.

[Pib]

A number of supermarkets such as Tops use them now, as they should. Those merchants that don't have a PIN option will default to the signature option.

Signature only is unsafe and a thing of the past in many countries such as Australia where only PINs can now be accepted for debit/credit card purchases. Exceptions are for small purchases of less than A$100, where you only need to tap your card on the reader.

I use my Chip and PIN U.S. credit cards in Bangkok Tops stores all the time...no PIN requires. Always defaults to Chip and Signature...same for all the other Thai merchants I use. Whether or not a PIN is required depends on the POS machine and your card coming to agreement on which mode is acceptable to both, ie., Chip & PIN, Chip & Signature, etc.

Every new Chipped card I have got for my old U.S. magnetic strip cards are Chip & Signature "or" Chip & PIN, and they have stressed it does Chip & Signature which appears to be the preferred method in the U.S.with the new chipped cards---not to be confused with Magnetic Strip card & Signature. Apparently many consider Chip & Signature the preferred method as many folks can't remember a PIN and merchants also will opt for a sale over a non-sale because of some folks not being able to remember PINs.

[Langsuan Man]

Same at Tesco, they just slide the "chipped" card and then have you sign the slip. For those who keep asking "where does HP hide their pin pad they don't, it is on the machine that they slide the card with, you just don't notice it because they don't ask for a PIN.

Even at Walmart in the US you only have to input your PIN when you want cash " back" with your purchase

The only thing I do in Thailand is smile and say "Thai Baht, please" so I don't get charged in US dollars at the scandalous Dynamic Conversion rate

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I've noticed lately, when using my older magnetic strip U.S. debit cards, that the Thai shop clerks seem by default to want to try inserting my cards into the front slide-in slot of their machines, which I'm assuming is for chipped cards. That doesn't work for my debit cards.

So then they figure out to slide/swipe the card along a side slot of their card machine, and then it works fine. But don't think I've ever been asked to use a PIN for any retail transaction I've ever done in Thailand.

In fact, at least Central Food Hall markets, the big brother to Tops, are going in the opposite direction. Lately when I'm shopping there, they seem to have a new card policy where NO signature at all is required on purchased under some certain amount. Last few times I've been there and used my regular magnetic strip debit card, they swipe it only, the machine prints out a sales receipt that they simply hand to me. I do nothing except hand them my card. Not exactly sure what kind of card security that's supposed to be...

[Pib]

In Thailand when you lose your chipped or magnetic card it can be like losing cash--anyone can quickly spend/use it if the card also allows signature mode.

[Langsuan Man]

Unfortunately TMB has raised their fee from 180 THB to 200 in line with all the other banks, still give 30,000 THB per pull but they are just going machine by machine, so the new increased fee is coming to a TMB machine near you, today was the first day I got hit with it at Tesco South in Pattaya

[tropo]

TMB still 180 baht today!

Sadly, TMB is now 200 baht.

This was the first time I have used a TMB ATM since December 20, when it was still 180 baht, so I don't know when it changed.

[jacob29]

This can't be good for the bottom line of mastercard/VISA, as people look for alternatives. I wonder if they will get involved at some stage. I dream of a situation where they play chicken with the Thai banksters, reduce the fees to reasonable levels inline with international banks, or be struck off the VISA/mastercard network. Would be an unmitigated disaster for the tourism sector and they know it, a bluff I don't think the Thai banks could afford to call. I can dream can't I lol.

[tropo]

TMB still 180 baht today!

Sadly, TMB is now 200 baht.

This was the first time I have used a TMB ATM since December 20, when it was still 180 baht, so I don't know when it changed.

It changed in January

[hawker9000]

It amazing how the major Thai banks are raising the foreign card fee at the same time...shows how little banking competition there is in Thailand and how the banks must get together to discuss fees.

As predicted by good old Karl in Das Kapital, 1867.

Karl predicted ever-higher ATM card fees? I don't remember that at all. You must be a VERY careful reader...

If you're actually babbling about collusion, it certainly doesn't/didn't take a genius to foretell monopolistic temptation. That's just plain human avarice, and has been going on since before Moses. And that's why capitalism encourages competition, which is just the opposite, and it's socialism that hands monopolistic power to a government elite whose bureaucratic drones never have to compete with anyone.

Now, if we're done with the tired plugs for socialism, shall we get back on topic?