ATM & Forex fees in Israel

[Jack out of the box]

Drawing shekels from a US account and getting 3.46 instead of 3.54.

I tried my American ATM card in Leumi in Modiin Mall. There was no option for $ or EUR. It tried getting me to convert at a ripoff exchange rate. I found the option to be charged in ILS and then it went through on my end at a normal rate.

[Boruch999]

So there are two ways to be charged?  Or it's just an extra step that is meaningless.  Basically, can you get the ripoff rate if you are not careful?

[Jack out of the box]

So there are two ways to be charged?  Or it's just an extra step that is meaningless.  Basically, can you get the ripoff rate if you are not careful?

Two ways to be charged. It's easy to by mistake choose the ripoff option. If you look carefully you should find an option to be charged in Shekels and that way it should be converted at the published interbank trading rate when it posts to your bank account.

[Sam Finkelstein]

I've traveled to Israel 3 times in the past few years and never had a problem with using my Amex with no Forex. Is Amex generally accepted there? Or should I get a Visa as backup just in case?

[David Smith]

Generally accepted, though a backup doesn't hurt.

[Jack out of the box]

I've traveled to Israel 3 times in the past few years and never had a problem with using my Amex with no Forex. Is Amex generally accepted there? Or should I get a Visa as backup just in case?

I think most merchants accept Amex but it's definitely a good idea to have Visa or MC.

[Sam Finkelstein]

I think most merchants accept Amex but it's definitely a good idea to have Visa or MC.

Is there any free one I should be aware of?

[Jack out of the box]

Is there any free one I should be aware of?

If you mean no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee then try Capital One. Just beware of their policy of checking with all 3 credit reporting agencies.

[David Smith]

CSP is a great card to have in Israel.

[Sam Finkelstein]

CSP is a great card to have in Israel.

I cancelled mine about 1.5 years ago. Would I be eligible again for the bonus and AF waiver?

[David Smith]

If you got bonus more than 24 months ago, yes.

[incendia]

Is there any free one I should be aware of?

http://freequentflyerbook.com/blog/2017/7/16/bankamericard-travel-rewards-is-probably-the-best-single-credit-card?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreequentFlyer+%28The+Free-quent+Flyer%29

[12HRS]

Discover also has no FTFees.

This quarter is restaurants 5% back, doubled in your first year.

Although it seems hit or miss if places will take them.

[nafnaf12]

is TD still the best option to open in the US if going to israel for a year?

[Hjay]

is TD still the best option to open in the US if going to israel for a year?

I use investors bank, very happy with them.

[Live N Learn]

is TD still the best option to open in the US if going to israel for a year?

Not really. In which area do you need the account?

[B.D.Da'ehu]

is TD still the best option to open in the US if going to israel for a year?

That's what i have. No issues.

[Live N Learn]

That's what i have. No issues.

What type of account do you have? Isn't there a fee for ATM withdraws?

[hide4]

Didn't everyone decide that cap1 360 is the best? 

[B.D.Da'ehu]

What type of account do you have? Isn't there a fee for ATM withdraws?

TD premier checking. No fees. (Must have $2,500 in the account)