Western Credit Union

jaded172001:16 UTC23 May 2011

Hi there.

I've recently heard that WCU has better rates in Samoa than the banks.
Would it seem reasonable(apart from usual security concerns) to take some Australian cash to avoid my bank's poor exchange rates and fees?

Thanks

wksamoa07:30 UTC24 May 2011

Exchange rates overall are usually better for the traveler in Samoa than abroad. The foreign dollar is more attractive to the Samoan banks than the Samoan Tala would be for an Australian bank.

Western Union (no "credit" there) usually has better rates for cash than the banks. But you will find them all at the airport already, banks and Western Union. So just compare the cash rates by asking them what you would get for a certain amount of your Australian Dollars. Some charge fees, others don't, so the rate on the board does not always provide the correct information.

jaded172016:02 UTC25 May 2011

Yes. I'll compare the rates at the airport and take it from there. Cheers, wk

Western Credit Union Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
jaded172001:16 UTC23 May 2011	Hi there. I've recently heard that WCU has better rates in Samoa than the banks. Would it seem reasonable(apart from usual security concerns) to take some Australian cash to avoid my bank's poor exchange rates and fees? Thanks
wksamoa07:30 UTC24 May 2011	Exchange rates overall are usually better for the traveler in Samoa than abroad. The foreign dollar is more attractive to the Samoan banks than the Samoan Tala would be for an Australian bank. Western Union (no "credit" there) usually has better rates for cash than the banks. But you will find them all at the airport already, banks and Western Union. So just compare the cash rates by asking them what you would get for a certain amount of your Australian Dollars. Some charge fees, others don't, so the rate on the board does not always provide the correct information.	1
jaded172016:02 UTC25 May 2011	Yes. I'll compare the rates at the airport and take it from there. Cheers, wk	2