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KaiFeng · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject: Exchange Rate

What's the in-island NTD:US$ exchange rate? Online I see about 30.25, but two different stateside banks are telling me about 28.5. Does anyone know what rate you get in Taipei? Changing money before arriving is a major convenience, but I'd hate to pay a 2% convenience fee.

Thanks for the help!

adogadie · Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Posts: 82 Location: Taiwan

If I were you, I'd just wait until I arrived at the airport to exchange a little, and then exchange more in a city bank after you settle in. Buying it in the states is not really a wise exchange decision. Just my two cents from experience.

KaiFeng · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:35 am Post subject:

Thanks very much for the advice! That's exactly what I'll do.

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear Readers,

You'll want to get fairly new US money (mostly $100 bills, I suppose).

We tried to exchange money this past summer, and it was a hassle.

They will tell you that it can not have any marks on it. They will tell you it can not be older than a certain series (2001, 2003, 2005, ???).

Your last resort will be the Bank of Taiwan. They are less picky than other banks, but you need to have fresh, recent, clean cash if you want to exchange it for Taiwan dollars.

Beyond the obvious issue of having possible counterfeit bills, we were told that 'customers' who will be traveling to the US are very picky and want only perfect bills. (Ever heard that one before? Neither had I, but I can visualize the haughty 50+ year old Taiwanese ladies that wear too much makeup making a big deal out of it!)

Taylor
Texas

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

Very believable. 7-11s will often refuse local notes if they are a bit tattered. I don't like being anal, but I always do the same thing now. I check notes as soon as I get them and if one is even a little bit dirty I just ask for another. If they want to play anal games, so will I.

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Creztor,

Way to play that game! Very Happy

I might start doing the same thing. When I get a slightly ripped or tattered NT $100 note I actually do worry if someone will refuse it here.

Maybe they could do here what the Australian and Thai governments do and make plastic money that doesn't rip. I was surprised when I learned this but it seems to work. That stuff won't rip. Must last for ages.