phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2019 9:54 am dont know about ur US bank but my US citibank account, i can wire to whomever, whatever bank i wish

My credit card has a secure “ email “ type option to chat with them from here , but
My bank debit card only has a toll free number ( but not toll free for me here with metfone )
I’m usually waiting in a 800 ( free) phone que for ages - but paying anyway !
And the card is about to expire again . / how do you make a toll free call from here with a mobile phone ?
Guess i will try asking ABA again . Although the bumpkins here in k. thom are not so astute

Well worth looking into , not that i need to save money , but just to keep the banks hands off it .

I do have online banking , but I cannot ask questions on the reg bank acct , with the credit card I can do .
- thought skype was a video call ? Even a toll free or collect number as listed , costs by the minute from here .
No toll free or collect calls from a mobile phone

I haven’t Ever used Skype , but good idea i guess could try that .
Thanx for the idea /. Then probly get a power outage and the wifi will cut out!
The last time it expired I waited to get thru , told them the situation and might get cut off so had them call me back .
That worked then but all this is on my mind now . Even thinking of a recurring payment like to my credit card sent as a deposit to my bank here if I could talk and get something like that set up . Or like you do , a lump sent as needed .
But then I would probly kick the bucket , that’s life

clutchcargo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2019 6:11 am I suspect the fee may be buried in the exchange rate

Yes, I used the XE mid market rate, but couldn't tell from the dollar value whether the amount being converted was $500 OR $506.

So I took one for the team today and withdrew $50, which attracted a $4 fee. Receipt stated $54, while the Citibank app stated the withdrawn amount was $50, but it's quite clear from the exchange rate conversion that the $4 fee was passed on and it's just a quirk in Citi's system that the fee doesn't rate a mention.

AUD rate is up to $0.6877 US, makes a change.

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2019 11:58 am suggestion;'
for toll free numbers use skype; been doing that for ages and never charged
Look on the back of ur card, there usually is a number to call from overseas.

If you have online banking for your US account, ( if not you should have it)
you can see how to send wires internationally

Saving money is not the same as wasting money

I have checked with my bank and sending myslf $1000 is more expensive than the $9 ABA charge & my banks $5 charge

To send more than $1000 wouldn’t save more and must enroll a different ‘ route ‘. whatever that means .

So bank of canada gets $27 / month , my bank $15 in ATM charge ..

it is wasteful, but no choice.