paxsky Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 wow, you're right about being able to call the clinic! I was just fixiated w/ thinking of a way to call home that I hadn't even thought about being able to comminicate w/ clinic! Thanks, I'll be calling my carrier... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudbusting Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 I checked with my bank (Citibank & BOFA) today, and both charge a 3% foreign transaction fee for debit card purchases abroad. It would be best to check if your bank charges these fees. I just got the Barclay Arrival card, but my limit is way too low to use for my procedures My other cards are crappy student cards because I'm still very young. Cash may be my best option.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiq Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Yes trust me you'll want to use cash... Another day I made a purchase of about $850 for a flight in USD, but my bank account (HSBC) is in GBP, so they charged me 3% on top of that for foreign transaction. That's a freaking $25.5!! I am still bitter till today. If you are taking out, say, $10,000 for surgery (Which is quite average imo) 3% is $300 !! So beware because there is NO limit to this foreign transaction fee whatsoever. Cash is the best way to prevent unexpected charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-couture Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 honestly u'll always get BY FAR best rates with your credit card. I paid nasty fees each time i withdrew money from the atm and each time i took the aussie dollars i had to the bank for conversion. When paying for your surgery first contact your clinic before hand and ask them if they package the 10 percent tax as a subsidized amount in the total surgical cost. Then ask if they have a credit card surcharge. Most clinics won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dor3mi Posted May 16, 2014 Author Share Posted May 16, 2014 Hi Cloudbusting, I've been researching for credit card/debit card to use in Korea too and you should look up Chase Sapphire and Capital One Venture credit card. They both don't have foreign transaction fee. The only con is that you need good to excellent credit. Both cards have 2 version that 1 has annual fee and the other is free but the reward are less. I believe all Capital One credit cards do not have foreign transaction fee but I've read that they use a lower conversion rate so technically you are paying for some of it but definitely not at 3%. For debit card, I've read that the Charles Schwab is the only one that truly doesn't charge a fee to take out money. You just need to go to one of the bank that accept Visa and pull out money. Charles Schwab will reimburse the fee at the end of the month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudbusting Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Thanks K, I'm going to try to get my limit raised before I leave. I might have the clinic charge multiple cards, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudbusting Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Wow, I hate extra fees/charges. Absolutely hate them. If I'm shopping for something expensive like shoes or a handbag, and there's no way around the shipping fee, I just won't buy it. Now I've got to really figure out my options before I leave! An extra $300 is just not okay with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudbusting Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Thanks dor3mi! Your research matches up with mine. Those cards are excellent (as I was told by my credit obsessed boyfriend). My credit history is very good but probably too short to be approved with a high limit. I started building my credit after high school, which was only a few years back. Creditors hesitate to give out cards to those with short histories. Also, applying for too many cards within a short period of time can be bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiq Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Hi guys I am packing for my PS in July and thought I will share my packing list. I am doing a lot of procedures so this list is rather exhaustive, some items are optional for you if you do less. PLEASE let me know if I forgot anything or what extra should I buy, I'll really appreciate it. (I am entering the obsessed-with-preparation mode now as my trip is quite soon. - please let me know) 1. lots of straws (small bendable and large for food) 2. 10 hot water paper cups or some food container 3. small face towel (important) 4. q-tips (A LOT of this) 5. hot water thermos (optional) 6. hot water heater (optional) 7. gallon size zip lock bags 8. steri-pen for water sanitization (optional) 9. small mirror for close up application of creams 10. green tea leaves for faster healing 11. arnica 12. vitamin c 13. liquid vita-fusion vitamin 14. bromalin 15. Quercetin 16. vitamin a,d,k,b, magnesium, calcium 17. Watch 18. cell phone with temp international data plan 19. cough drops / Lozenges (important) 20. vaseline/lip balm (important) 21. lots of lotion 22. kleenex (brought two whole box) 23. cloth cutting scissors to cut off loose bandages 24. concealer for bruise 25. comfortable home clothing 26. loose shirts 27. comfortable shoes/heels 28. scarf (ninja- going out) 29. Honey (for throat) 30. Hat (to go out) 31. hooded sweatshirts (to go out day time and cover ur bandage) 32. antiseptic mouth wash 33. protein shake/milo for protein intake 34. wet wipes 35. a lot of large-neck or front-buttoned clothing 36. kid tooth brush 37. Surgical Masks/Flu Masks 38. nasal spray 39. food blender (optional) 40. bring my brain and courage as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-couture Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 bring a humidifier, a steam one instead of the cool mist one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiq Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Is it because of the air conditioned room that will dehydrate the skin? Or because it's too hot so the humidifier will help with deswell? I am not sure if my host will have air conditioner tbh. Do you think I can buy this there? a humidifier is quite heavy/large for the luggage size i think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudbusting Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 A blender bottle for protein shakes. http://www.Amazon.com/Sundesa-BB20-SC08-BlenderBottle®-Classic-20-ounce/dp/B001KABV52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudbusting Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Oh, I'm also going to bring a cooler bag for transporting fresh produce from the grocery store to my flat.http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90148605/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-couture Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 no i can guarantee u that while ure skin will be oily as hell after surgery, it will be dry and shedding at the same time. Ure throat will most likely be dry often too, especially if u need a tube down it during surgery. The warm steam is very hydrating for you, must better than the cool mist ones. Also theres no need to bring alot of clothing. Not like you will be doing a fashion parade while recovering lol....so it should fit into ure lugguage. U will have trouble finding a warm steam one in Korea. Most places sell cool mist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paxsky Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 this is great info. i was planning on bringing cash, the CC seems to be the way to go for me. just carrying that amount of cash and payment with no true "paper trail" was somehting i was worrying about. even if i end up paying a little more, the peace of mind of not having to lug around a bag of cash with all the possible negative consequences seems kind of worth it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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