Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicam]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find any current specific information about it.

I need a round trip ticket to New York from roughly July 11th to August 2nd. I was just going to book myself online using my American debit card, but when I went to transfer the money from my savings acct into my checking, I learned that the bank had closed my checking acct. due to "inactivity". I closed all of my other credit accts. before leaving the US, so...

I guess this leaves me no other option than to book via a Korean travel agent. I am in the boonies, so this would require electronic correspondence. Any advice? Any particular agent specialize in the Americas?

-Thanks

[hamlet712]

Id be talking to the president of that Bank, a bank has no right whatsoever to close your account due to inactivity.

ESPECIALLY if there was money in there.

[nicam]

I know, I know. It's Bank of America, they have been sucking since 1999. I had all of my money in the savings account I had with them, and only like $5 in checking. Figured I would just transfer online since I needed to use the card, but BAM-O...

Ugh, and I'm finding flights for $800 round trip from Busan (less than 17 hours travel time), which is pretty good. I just hope one of these Korea travel agents comes through with an offer that doesn't have me on an Air China flight out of Incheon (4 hours from me) for a grand total of 30 hours travel time for the same price as one of those sweet nsa flights.

[Robot_Teacher]

I'd guess fees were tacked on, putting you in the negative, the account was closed, and now you're probably red flagged in Chexsystems. Find out. If so, then opening another account is difficult at best. I too went through this crud due to an over draft on a closed account mounting less than $5 dollars due to fees added after closing an account. Despite paying it, it didn't post due to the account being closed. Retarded system.

I opened an HSBC online savings account recently and xferred money from Korea to it. You have to use your US address and get your relatives to mail you the plastic card and pin #. If you trust someone, you can have them read the card info over the phone so you can use ASAP. I then linked it to my Paypal account as well as a Tradeking account. I already had a US Bank account, but it's card won't work over seas while HSBC will so I decided I needed an international card. Gotta have that plastic money for travel sites like Orbitz as well as ATM's. Some of the airlines such as SouthWest take Paypal.

[nicam]

Well, for the first time in my life I can say Bank of America did me a favor and closed the account before it got overdrawn, so I'm not in chexsystems. Since I still have money in a savings account with them I can transfer funds into that. When I go home next month I will deal with it and open another account, even though they suck.

I've been with them for 10 years and I can't count how many times they've hit me with multiple overdraft fees on my checking acct. when I had plenty of money in my savings account. Sometimes I would even transfer the money on time, but it wouldn't post right away. They are dirty, but they are also the only bank that is everywhere in the US. I had been living between NYC and LA for years and they are literally on every corner of both cities.

Funny, I'd think the Korean travel agents could get a better deal on airfare than I could find on Orbitz, but round trip from Busan to JFK for $807 with only 16 hours of travel time is pretty good.

[Morgen]

It's no problem to book your flight with a Korean agent. I actually think it's easier, and they might find you a better deal that you could get yourself. If they don't send you anything better, just tell them the flight you want and ask them to book it for you, and transfer the money. No biggie. I recommend Soho Travel.

[climber159]

Travel websites: I like Expedia. I've never found a flight cheaper on any other site.

Korean travel agent: I like Xanadu. They found a flight from Incheon to Chicago for about $50 cheaper than I found on Expedia.

Other: Go directly to airline websites to search their specials.

[SeoulnPepe]

Try this:

http://www.bootsnall.com/