Job Discussion Forums

[jeremy_]

Hi all, I am a new ESOL teacher and am off to Cuernavaca to start a new job this Sunday. I thought it would be easier to set up a banking card that can have money put on it remotely from the US and be withdrawn by me once in Mexico, but it's proving very difficult. What are some cards I can get so I won't have to carry around a ton of cash, can withdraw pesos from an ATM without incurring large fees, and can have someone in the US add dollars to it easily? I tried my bank (Chase Manhattan), but they want 3% every time I make a withdrawal plus a host of other fees. H&R's Emerald card seemed like a good option, but apparently I don't meet the minimum requirements. I know that whatever card I get I'm going to have to pay some fees, but this is going to be an expensive enough move without paying an arm and a leg just to access money. Please help!
(If it makes any difference, I live in New York City, so if there's a Mexican bank I'm not aware of -- I've already tried several -- that has a NY branch and that's the best way to go, I'd be willing to do that).

[Guy Courchesne]

You might try asking at Citibank as they own Banamex...not sure if they have a no-fee withdrawal arrangement on the ATMs.

In my case, I keep a Scotia account in Canada and can withdraw without fees at Scotia in Mexico, even though they are not connected in any other way.

HSBC might be another option...

[BadBeagleBad]

[Jultime]

When I was living off my savings I would withdraw 5000 pesos at a time. I'd hide most of it in my room and only carry what I needed for that day. 5000 pesos is more than enough money for food and spending for a month...rent would be additional.