"Money management": can I still use ATMs / online payment?

[Kasia]

In the thread "War in Ukraine: effects on Silk Road travel Q&A" there was a brief discussion about the CA banking systems (and economy in general) and their dependence on Russia.

As I (51 yo female, solo) plan to backpack in CA for 5 month this summer, I ask myself if I can still rely on ATMs and online payments (tickets...) while on the road - or if I should better take cash ($$) with me.

The latter would be a huge security concern for me, as I want to travel as free and open-minded as possible, use public transportation, stay in villages, guesthouses etc, without becoming paranoid. But on the other hand stranding pennyless is not a better option...

How ist the situation at the moment? And what are the strategies of other travellers?

[newtourist]

Cash is king there, i don’t know if there is problem now with ATMs but even before Atms didn’t always work. Central Asia is safe for everyone, i personally carried 2500usd last time i were there, i never felt any danger. Believe me, you will travel in one of the safest areas in Asia, even the world

[MaUji]

Reporting from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. ATMs as well as western Credit Cards working without any glitches.

[Kasia]

Thank you for your helpful response!
So I will take just some "security cash" and otherwise trust in finding working ATMs. Everything will be okay, and I am really looking forward to this trip!

[Bakhtiyark]

Kazakhstan, ATM and POS work as usual.
Dollar dispensing ATMs are operational and starting to dispense dollars again as panic demand begins to wane.

Subsidiaries of Russian banks, namely Sberbank, VTB and Alfa have been affected massively. Just like in Russia, they are no longer accepted outside their local POS/ATM network and abroad even in their RUSSIAN mother banks. VTB withdrew from almost all activities, the other two saw a massive exodus of their clientèle which won't help in the long run.

[AreWeThereYet?]

Hi Kasia

If you have the misfortune of using UK-based cards, especially anything issued by either American Express or Barclays and Lloyd's, bring some spare cash. It happens to me without fail whenever I go someplace "exotic", i.e. beyond Croydon, that as soon as I either make a payment, or withdraw some cash, the bank goes in a bit of a flap and closes all my accounts due to 'suspicious activity'. I can laugh at it now but once, back in Kashgar in 2019, I had to find a way to contact Barclays 0800 number to confirm that, yes, it was me trying to withdraw money and, no, I didn't have on me the ****** PINsentry card fob.

[helivans]

Hi

UK BASED…. Lloyds TSB and NatWest.

Is it worth getting one of those cash cards - just in case?

Any recommendations of best UK cards to use in an ATM in CA? As a UK PERSON?

Thanks

[Bakhtiyark]

Hi

UK BASED…. Lloyds TSB and NatWest.

Is it worth getting one of those cash cards - just in case?

Any recommendations of best UK cards to use in an ATM in CA? As a UK PERSON?

Thanks

Whatever rocks your boat. I would personally recommend having both credit and debit cards(preferably with USD account to save some on cross-conversion), and some amount of dollars in cash(5/10/20 banknotes).
Credit cards are less proliferated, but still accepted widely.

In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan exchange rates on POS payments reflect the market valuation. In Uzbekistan transaction paid by non-UZS card tend to add extra 2% above the market rate, this is remedied by getting an Uzbek som card(requires going through loops and hoops but still possible) and topping it up right at the bank, or using services like paysend. Plus nearly all ATM's in Uzbekistan charge a fixed fee(~20cents) + % if the withdraw limit has been reached.
Turkmenistan is a different kind of beast. Never pay by cards, black market rate is 7-12 times higher(official rate 3.5 TMM-USD current rate is unknown, but not so long ago it was almost 40TMM to 1 dollar).