In Qatar Soon: US$ Cash or Traveller Cheques?
Dear Qatar Living Community,
I am just about to get to Doha for work (late June 2012). I am coming from the US and I have been wondering what I should bring in terms of money: US$ Cash or Traveller Cheques. If a combination of both would be advisable, then, what ratio should I bring in with me? I've read several forums but none of them are specific to the issue.
I would appreciate any input on this matter.
Kindest Regards,
tgch2
I've only been in Doha for 2 months. But I would recommend bringing CASH (maybe ebough for you to settle in, in the meantime). And use your ATM cards to draw the cash as the rates are better.
Suggest that you draw the maximum limit of your ATM card per transaction as the bank will impose a surchare per transaction. For mine, is SGD5 per use.
Hope this helps. =)
The Qatari Riyal is pegged to the US Dollar
Buying 1 USD u need Qrs.3.65
Selling 1 USD gets u Qrs.3.64
at any of the Exchange houses. like Al Fardan, Gulf Exchange or any exchange house, you will need your original passport
Banks charge an additional fee, you will need proof of ID (passport)
Carry about USD 500/- (and exchange at the exchange house) for a week, depending on your spending habits. You will need the cash to pay at the smaller shops, all foreign clothing stores, supermarkets, hyper markets will accept the dollar or credit card.
Most companies provide an advance (at least if you ask) so if you want to save on your credit card exchange charges, bring cash to last you a month or less (USD 1,000).
Safe journey, dont worry too much. Most people here are kind and you can be sure, your colleagues will help out.
Agree with Mandi, bring all you ATM and credit cards along, and I prefere from more than one bank. Also give those banks advanced warning that you will use the cards during your travel so that they do not block them of security concerns. Give someone back in the US the power of attorney to transfere money from your account, so they send you money to your Qatar account once you get one. Welcome to Doha, stay cool.
Pretty much no one takes traveler's checks anymore so forget those. The best thing is to bring an ATM card and just draw money in Doha in local currency from an account at home until your transfer some funds here. If you bring US $ you will have to pay a currency exchange fee. But Carrefour takes $.