My Bank is on the NYCE and Cirrus network. Anyone know what type of fees I'll incur at Scotia Bank in Negril?
Thanks,
VVHT, soon come, but not soon enough!
Printable View
My Bank is on the NYCE and Cirrus network. Anyone know what type of fees I'll incur at Scotia Bank in Negril?
Thanks,
VVHT, soon come, but not soon enough!
The vast majority of financial institutions take 6% for a forgion transaction. Why not just bring enough cash with you.
There is no need to change currency in JA.
On my recent trip I was charged 3% plus a $2.25 fee by my bank for each withdrawal.
Sher, how much did you withdrawl for one transaction?
Lido, I prefer not to carry too much cash. In the past when I banked with Bank of America they had an arrangement with Scotia Bank, no fee. My new Bank doesn't have an arrangement with Scotia.
That was a sweet deal! I don't need to withdrawl often, only when the wife sees something! ;)
Lido, first question my GF asked when I told her we were going to Negril "Do they have Duty Free shopping"!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If interested, Capital One 360 checking account uses Allpoint ATM's, which are what are in Jamaica so there are no charges. I personally have never used the atm's, but am going to this year. Capital One checking is free so if your willing to open one, it is like Bank of America used to be.
Lido, I withdrew $30,000J both times (so roughly $259), and my bank fees were $7.75 plus the $2.25.
sher,
That is a good %!
i use the ATM and just suck up the charges
the money changers charge a fee too - the bank usually gives the best exchange rate
using US dollars in Jamaica is like playing 3 card monte lol - pay in US, get your change in JA --- can you do the math? on Red Stripe?
Just making another plug for Schwab's free checking account/debit card. They refund ALL Atm fees and don't charge currency conversion.
scotia is free if you have a bank of america card, otherwise its 5$ fee. also boa now charges foreign exchange fee on ja currency. i usually withdraw us and go to cambrio. ncr does not charge a fee for ja funds.
Find a way to cheaply convert your US dollars into Jamaican dollars (Bank or Cambio) and pay for most things in Jamaican dollars.
ATM's charge a service charge which can vary but $5US or more per transaction is not unheard of. Your bank may charge a ATM fee AND a foreign transaction fee which can run from zero to 15%.
The exchange rate you get at a restaurant or bar will always be less then a bank or cambio. For example, beers on the beach can cost $150 to $400 Jamaican. You only have US dollars? They may charge you $1.50 to $4.00US. Might not seem like much, but with an exchange rate of $115 JA to $1US you just paid $230JA for a $200JA beer.
Total those savings and it is a easy 15% - 25% savings just in simple currency management.
NCB wasn't charging a fee in April. Many Credit Unions don't have ATM fees. So using an NCB ATM with the right card = no fees.