Getting ATM pesos in Manila..

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WOODMAN

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Location
Minneapolis area, Minnesota
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We will be visiting the Philippines in a month and a half, and will transfer through Manila on our way to PG. We will come in late, and will stay overnight at the Remington Hotel right there next to the airport. My question is about ATM availability there. I have been advised to seek out a HSBC ATM, and was wondering if there are any either at the airport or over at the casino, which I understand is right next to the Remington? Any advice here will be most appreciated. Woody
 
atms are everywhere even inside airport and I;m sure near remngton since there is a casino there. I don't think there are any HSBC dedicated atm but I could be wrong. check with your local bank which network they use . and check with your bank if you need to register your credit cards or atm for overseas withdrawls before you go here. Easiest is cash advance against your visa or MC
 
As far as I know, there is no ATM for HSBC here. But local ATMs are linked by Cirrus/Bancnet/Megalink/expressnet. You can ask your bank regarding local partners (BPI, BDO, Citi, etc)
 
There are a few ATMs inside the airport, I was there about a month ago and got some money right there.

I also got money from an ATM in PG, no problem, but the ATM in Sabang was offline during the whole time of my stay.

There was a limit of 10000 PHP per single withdrawal, but I was able to withdraw multiple times, so no problem there either.

/edit: The ATMs I used did charge a withdrawal fee (I believe it was 150 PHP, but would have to check), but my bank reimburses any fees so I don't really care about withdrawal fees.
 
A good few years back I was unable to withdraw any funds from an ATM in Manila resulting in a call from my bank, after a conversation with a bank officer confirming it was really me through various questions etc., my advice is always to inform the issuing bank of your travel plans, same for VISA / MC etc., as SE Asia has a reputation for CC fraud.
 
I would definitely not wait to get to Sabang before getting pesos. Although there are ATMs in Sabang, service is unreliable even for locals (even for credit cards). You are better off getting cash in Manila.

There are a few ATMs at the airport running on the Cirrus network. But the casino beside Remington (Resorts World) would be your best bet for getting cash (the Casino is just across the hotel). I don't think there is an HSBC dedicated ATM there, but the other ATMS should work well. Cirrus is popular. The BPI ATMs should work well (the red ATMs).

What airline are you flying on? Note that there are 3 International terminals in Manila, and you might be landing in Terminal 1 or 2. In which case, you would be a cab ride away from Remington. I suggest taking the airport taxi which is more convenient, especially if you are hauling luggage and gear. Fare should be no more than PHP300 (about US$7).

While in PG, I also suggest trying a dive in Verde Island. You wont regret it.

Safe diving.
 
Remington (Resort World) has a free shuttle bus that runs pretty frequently to all the terminals 24 hours a day. If I remember correct there are three different ATMs in Terminal one. On at least three occasions though they have been out of money, or not working though. There are ATMs in the Remington and the casino, as well as across the parking lot near the Kenny Rogers restaurant. You will have no problem getting cash, and as others have said, get some before you head over to Sabang just to be sure.

I will second Verde Island also. It is still the most amazing diving I have done in the Philippines.
 
There are several HSBC ATMs in Metro Manila. Sadly, the HSBC Phils ATM locator appears to have become crapware; it gave me only one branch, right in central Manila. Fill in "Makati" and you get three more branches, which are about a P150-200 taxi ride away from your hotel. Sort-of on the way to PG depending on how you are travelling: G/F Gonzy Building, Lot 14 Block 22, President's A Paranaque City and Unit 1, Commercial Complex, Madrigal Avenue, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa.
HSBC ATMs are worth seeking out IFF your bank charges for foreign withdrawals, or if it won't refund charges made by other banks. All banks besides HSBC, that I know of, charge about P200 per withdrawal and have an upper limit of P10,000. HSBC's upper limit is P40,000.
Heed the warning above about notifying your bank and charge card issuers of your travels.

 
I'll actually be staying at the Remington on Feb 9th so I'll find out for you
 
I'll actually be staying at the Remington on Feb 9th so I'll find out for you

Many thanks! I'll probably need any advice I can get. I tried emailing the Remington, as I had questions about how to get that shuttle and when it was running, as we are coming in very late (about 11PM), and also I wanted to find out about that free breakfast (at Hawker's Market? Whats that?). Unfortunately, they have not yet responded to the email. (Perhaps I don't have the email address right? It wouldn't be the first time...) However, nothing beats having your own on site investigator! I eagerly await whatever you can find out for me, and much appreciate your help! Woody
 
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