Final preps

[James-83]

Flight is tommorow, just got a couple of final q's I hope you can help me with.

My atm card is from Santander in the Uk. It is a savings account with a cirrus cash card, will this work in Singapore....? Ive changed up a bit of money just in case but should I change up some more....???

Also Ive looked at the weather and it looks pretty good during the day, just wondering do I need jeans for the night time or is shorts ok....???

EDIT: I forgot to ask the visa/stamp Ill be given when I arrive is free....???

[BillyB]

Flight is tommorow, just got a couple of final q's I hope you can help me with.

My atm card is from Santander in the Uk. It is a savings account with a cirrus cash card, will this work in Singapore....? Ive changed up a bit of money just in case but should I change up some more....???

Also Ive looked at the weather and it looks pretty good during the day, just wondering do I need jeans for the night time or is shorts ok....???

Good question over Cirrus. You rarely see the logo anywhere so I'm not too sure. Strangely enough, the logo is on my Stanchart card so for withdrawals I assume it will be the international banks like Stanchart, ANZ, Citi, HSBC that you 'may' be able to use. I'd bring more cash to be on the safe side.

You'll be fine in either shorts or jeans - it's humid all year round even at night when the temp drops a few degrees.

[JayCee]

Flight is tommorow, just got a couple of final q's I hope you can help me with.

My atm card is from Santander in the Uk. It is a savings account with a cirrus cash card, will this work in Singapore....? Ive changed up a bit of money just in case but should I change up some more....???

Ask your bank

Also Ive looked at the weather and it looks pretty good during the day, just wondering do I need jeans for the night time or is shorts ok....???

There aren't any 'shorts police' patrolling the strees who will arrest you for wearing shorts at night if that's what you mean. If you go to a decent restaurant I assume you wouldn't wear shorts at home, it's no different here

EDIT: I forgot to ask the visa/stamp Ill be given when I arrive is free....???

yes

[x9200]

Good question over Cirrus. You rarely see the logo anywhere so I'm not too sure.

I was told once, don't remember by who though, that while abroad I should use my OCBC ATM card with the ATMs showing the Cirrus logo. I always do so and it has always worked so far. I realize that this is not the answer to the question but I would find very strange if OCBC for that instance would not accept the Cirrus labelled cards.

[BillyB]

You're right - they probably will if thats the case. I don't bank with them so can't comment. But I noticed my Stanchart card bears the cirrus logo so put 2 + 2 together. But sometimes you can have all sorts of issues with cards on the same network so its probably better if the OP brings out more in cash and converts to SGD if required.

[Mad Scientist]

If your foreign bank has a Cirrus Logo on the CC, it will work on the banks here that has that symbol on their ATM machine. You will need to apply for the pin number on your CC prior to arrival. Alternatively sign a Letter of Indemnity at your current foreign bank and have a standing order to remit a certain amount you may need while you are here. In this case your TT remittance or Swift Code Transfer will be done in a jiffy without the need of further authorization or verification of yourself

[James-83]

Thanks for the reply guys

Im not sure what you mean apply for pin number prior to my arrival. I already have a pin which works here in Thailand, is that enough...? I have also informed my bank of my travels

Regarding the shorts it was more about the temperature rather than the fashion police lol

[BillyB]

Thanks for the reply guys

Im not sure what you mean apply for pin number prior to my arrival. I already have a pin which works here in Thailand, is that enough...? I have also informed my bank of my travels

Regarding the shorts it was more about the temperature rather than the fashion police lol

Yes, if you are already using it in Thailand you're just fine. Keep it simple and bring a reserve of cash if you can. That way you won't get shafted so much on the charges and FX rates.

[Mad Scientist]

Anything above the S$30K cash or equivalent in value of gold or etc needs to be declare at border control

[James-83]

Thanks for the reply guys

Im not sure what you mean apply for pin number prior to my arrival. I already have a pin which works here in Thailand, is that enough...? I have also informed my bank of my travels

Regarding the shorts it was more about the temperature rather than the fashion police lol

Yes, if you are already using it in Thailand you're just fine. Keep it simple and bring a reserve of cash if you can. That way you won't get shafted so much on the charges and FX rates.

Thanks Ill bear that in mind.

In Thailand they charge 3 quid locally and 3 quid back home so any atm transaction cost 6 quid. Im not sure what its like in Singapore but if I take out money here Ill be exchanging from pounds to baht then bath to sgd.

These banks really do have us by the short and curlies

[BillyB]

Thanks for the reply guys

Im not sure what you mean apply for pin number prior to my arrival. I already have a pin which works here in Thailand, is that enough...? I have also informed my bank of my travels

Regarding the shorts it was more about the temperature rather than the fashion police lol

Yes, if you are already using it in Thailand you're just fine. Keep it simple and bring a reserve of cash if you can. That way you won't get shafted so much on the charges and FX rates.

Thanks Ill bear that in mind.

In Thailand they charge 3 quid locally and 3 quid back home so any atm transaction cost 6 quid. Im not sure what its like in Singapore but if I take out money here Ill be exchanging from pounds to baht then bath to sgd.

These banks really do have us by the short and curlies

I see - you're withdrawing to spend rather than carrying Sterling. I think you're gonna just have to put up with the charges, no other options really. You'll be playing an FX game and be at the mercy of the banks with whatever you do. Just take out as much as you can in one go to reduce your overall ATM charges and obviously take it out in SG rather than converting from THB to SGD.

[James-83]

Yeh good idea

Thanks again guys

[Mad Scientist]

I see - you're withdrawing to spend rather than carrying Sterling. I think you're gonna just have to put up with the charges, no other options really. You'll be playing an FX game and be at the mercy of the banks with whatever you do. Just take out as much as you can in one go to reduce your overall ATM charges and obviously take it out in SG rather than converting from THB to SGD.

Precisely what I would have advise earlier on . As there are only two charges if you do TT i.e cable charge(which is about S$25.00) and commission (which can be waived if you have standing order). Exchange rate can be done on the day of transaction. Usually about 50 pips from spot which will definitely better than money changer or draw down in cash in pound from ATM using your own money where there will be a 1% charge or CC which will be subject to currency fluctuation which have no control.
My POV, if you are coming here for the long haul, yes bring some cash (but you do not want to fill your pocket to the brim with cash). Then if there is a big ticket item like rents or car then use the bank standing order as back up . Anyway what do I know as I am just an old man.

[BillyB]

I see - you're withdrawing to spend rather than carrying Sterling. I think you're gonna just have to put up with the charges, no other options really. You'll be playing an FX game and be at the mercy of the banks with whatever you do. Just take out as much as you can in one go to reduce your overall ATM charges and obviously take it out in SG rather than converting from THB to SGD.

Precisely what I would have advise earlier on . As there are only two charges if you do TT i.e cable charge(which is about S$25.00) and commission (which can be waived if you have standing order). Exchange rate can be done on the day of transaction. Usually about 50 pips from spot which will definitely better than money changer or draw down in cash in pound from ATM using your own money where there will be a 1% charge or CC which will be subject to currency fluctuation which have no control.
My POV, if you are coming here for the long haul, yes bring some cash (but you do not want to fill your pocket to the brim with cash). Then if there is a big ticket item like rents or car then use the bank standing order as back up . Anyway what do I know as I am just an old man.

I thought he was carrying cash. It sounds like he is travelling so just withdrawing when needed.

MS, how do you do a authorize a standing order at a local bank here if your originating bank - Santander - doesn't have oversea's branches in Asia?

[Mad Scientist]

I thought he was carrying cash. It sounds like he is travelling so just withdrawing when needed.

MS, how do you do a authorize a standing order at a local bank here if your originating bank - Santander - doesn't have oversea's branches in Asia?

Doesn't need to have a branch here in SG. Santander definitely has these sets of docs for him to sign prior his arrival. He can leave out the appointed bank in SG first as Santander would need the local bank swift code etc.. for TT. Once in SG open a bank account, inform Santander of your local bank account number details etc and all is done.
This is what I have done when I went on extended assignments. overseas be it from Maybank SG to National Bank OZ or BNZ to DBS even to BOC Shanghai. I would not want flashing my cash everywhere I go, this is how I did it.
Of course the other way is look for banks that have branches here in SG like HSBC, Citibank or Stanchart