Do higher denomination notes yield better exchange rates in Thailand?

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a month ago
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Been visiting Thailand for over two decades but was told something I’ve never heard, before and am unsure if it is true.

A very well educated Thai friend said “If taking cash, try to take high denomination notes” (£50 notes in my case but would be $100 bills for others).

They explained that money exchanges in LOS pay a higher exchange rate for higher denomination notes than otherwise.

I said they were disseminating Fake-News but other Thais waded in and said it is true and that even the currency exchange-rate boards hanging up in the booths show the higher rate differentials for larger notes.

I’ve never been aware of this phenomenon nor noticed that.

Have I been walking around with one eye closed?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many expats and travelers in Thailand confirm that exchanging cash with higher denomination notes, such as $100 or £50 bills, often results in better exchange rates compared to lower denominations. This practice appears to be a widely recognized standard at various exchange booths across Thailand, with some users suggesting that perfectly crisp and newer notes earn even better rates. Several comments indicate that values can vary depending on the exchange company and the specific currency, but the consensus seems to support the idea that larger notes generally provide a more favorable exchange rate.
Bonnie *********
Every exchange posts the rates, higher denomination bills are higher.
Stephen ********
@Bonnie ********
not every exchange company offers a better rate for large notes
Anthony ************
Yes you get a better rate for higher denomination notes.
Steven ******
It's true, you generally get a worse than advertised exchange rate if you aren't changing £50s
Harry *********
Yes it’s true and always has been although the difference , whilst welcome , is not enough to get carried away over
Steve **********
I have been told by a Thai woman this true
Braulio *********
Forever
Dennis **********
If you only got one eye.YES.
Glenn ********
Not only large bills ,but they need to be new hundreds, not the old ones and no rips
Peter **********
I always take £50 notes

Have to be clean though, no marks
Larry *******
It’s true. Just walk up to a money exchange and they’ll have different rates based on the denominations
Paul **********
Talking Pennie’s difference so Wtf
Alan ******
Don't think people carry cash nowadays, it's old fashioned lol
James ******
Is it possible to just use an ATM to get cash (baht) when you need it? Why even bring your countries money to Thailand, just to have to exchange it anyway?
Ben ********
Or just use wise and get better rates again
Tony *********
Is it really worth the hassle for 0.05 baht difference 🤷
Edna *******
Tony *********
Exactly and to make that sort of rate 0.05 baht pay you would have to exchange £ thousands of which it is illegal to take in or out of most countries in the world because of money laundering. I load my Revolut card with Bahts and get the higher rate anyway and can withdraw cash or use the card with out worry and when I'm finished transfer back to my local currency without problems or commission
Wylie *******
@Tony ********
I get what you're saying that the difference is minimal, but the "hassle" is also pretty much non-existent. Personally I just use the ATM with a card that reimburses the 220 baht fee and get a better rate than any exchange place on top of it.
Loek *******
When you got to Superrich you get more exchange for bigger money notes. €100 or €50 notes pays better .
Bart **************
With one eye closed you'd still have noticed. Could it have been both eyes?
Vinay ********
I found for UK pound, they give you the same rate
David *******
Always £50 pound notes
Michael ********
Yes and Scottish pounds if you can find anywhere to change them the rate is way lower
Mark ********
Too high take 20s
Rick ********
That is correct and the notes has to be perfect no tears or marks.
Don ******
@Rick *******
only for falang Rick, I had a thousand dollars that they wouldn’t change for me, gave them to Pik to change for me the next day at the same exchange, no problem at all.
Nick *****************
Yup! Eyes closed 😴
Gary *********
Yes
Brad *******
Better yet, don't take cash. Get ATM withdrawals and free fee reimbursement
Rob *******
£50 Notes get a slightly higher rate then £5 £10 £20
John ********
If you're that concerned about half a baht extra.............?????
Tore *********
Definitely true for EUR. Its even listed in the displays at the exchange shops
Barry ********
It used to be the case years ago for gbp but not for the last 10 years imo. Tried it on the yellow exchange booths in Pattaya, no difference in
*****
/50 notes but still the best available rate.
Tom *******
… this is common knowledge and yes .. it is posted at all money exchanges
Dave *********
They won't except £50 notes
Barry ********
@Dave ********
they accept mine, maybe I'm lucky
Steven *********
I was told this on my first trip and found this to be true, with the added caveat to bring bills with no extra markings a few if any folds. Since then I always call my US bank ahead of time and order new bills.
Edna *******
@Steven ********
that is definitely the way to go. For my USD bank , is a three day service. Also if you’re lucky enough to have any Baht left on your return they can be exchanged on the spot at your bank. This method also helps me budget for the trip and not get carried away. Seldom if ever bother with ATM’S. I carry only a few USD’S , for the trip home, tips etc. most airports and their shops and restaurants accept charge or debit cards.
Jason ********
You’ll get a better rate albeit slightly using an ATM
Jason ********
100 dollar gets the best exchange rate.

Lower denomination worse.

Your friend is correct
Jan **********
eyeless in bangkok
Tony ********
2 eyes
David ************
Learn something new every 28days on this group. 😉
James **************
Yes
Susan ****
That has always been the case everywhere in SE Asia.

They always pay alot more for the highest note in your currency with the $100 being the most desirable.

Didn't you notice the different rates at every single currency changer in Thailand?
Andreas *********
yes, it's true . . . . . Siam Exchange today
Peter ***********
This was.the case.in the early 2000.

50 100 had a slightly better rate. Also any notes with writing on them aren't often accepted.
Keef ********
yep.
Thomas *******
When you went to a cash exchange, it was right there in front of you.
Emily *******
Don't take 500€ bills though as they are nearly impossible to use/exchange.
Gary ********
True been that way for many years
Paul ********
True normally 1 baht more for £50’s with absolutely no damage or writing
Elías ********
In South Korea, at least, what you say is correct. The private bureau de change pay SLIGHTLY more for crispy new and recent editions of the US$100 banknotes. Of course this is not related at all with their true legal value, but as private exchange business I think they legally can do this (I'm talking about Korea). The difference is not that much, and they tell you upfront about it, BEFORE you exchange it.
Jeff *********
You have
Stephen ********
Depends on the currency and the exchange company. The difference is very little
Susan ****
@John *******
well actions speak louder than words and the fact you think so narrowly speaks volumes.

My comment had loads of value since shock horror people in this group do travel elsewhere in SE Asia!

Meanwhile your nitpicking comment demonstrated your parochialism.

Oh and maybe you've been very lucky, but I retired at 41 and there was no luck involved at all.

And now I'm 55 I'm still not lucky. I'm merely good with money and as such can afford to live life to the full and do whatever I want.
John ********
@Susan ***
well, the original post was about Thailand...your comment had no value

You're very lucky, as I have been also.

But comments should relate to the discussion at hand.. what's parochial about pointing out an error??

I'm certainly not a "sad" parochial..
Susan ****
@John *******
if travelling the world full time makes me a Karen, I'm happy to be one!

It's vastly better than being a sad parochial individual.

Enjoy!
Stephen ********
@Susan ***
unfortunately I'm Seldom in Bangkok 🤷‍♂️ TT would be a major player and they don't offer a better exchange rate for higher notes. But are generally very competitive with their rates. Strange comment how you can say others rates are rubbish without knowing. I find 0.05 of a baht not worth running around for 🤷‍♂️
John ********
@Susan ***
hello Karen
Susan ****
@Stephen *******
depends how much you are changing. The difference adds up on bigger sums and I always carry £50 and $100 bills anyway.

And no super rich aren't the only ones. The ones with the best rates always offer more for the biggest notes. If they don't then their rates are rubbish.

I don't bother changing money outside Bangkok.
Susan ****
@John *******
Ok so don't read my comment then. Easy!
John ********
@Susan ***
I thought this was about Thailand
Stephen ********
@Susan ***
I know superich do, and think they may be the only ones that do. I've never changed currency in Bangkok and I don't think super rich have anywhere beyond. I could be wrong. Though the difference is very little
Susan ****
@Stephen *******
Super rich does and they offer the best rates of all!
Stephen ********
@Susan ***
not sure, this is a thailand page so I'm trying to keep it relevant. And nit all exchange booths have any difference for large notes
Susan ****
@Stephen *******
it's not a little difference in Vietnam or Philippines!
Rod *******
Who's bringing small notes anyway? So you are going away on holiday and you go to the bank to withdrawal cash and ask for it all in 1s and 5s?
Steve **********
It's true.

Got here 20 odd years sgo , rare was US , 43 baht/ 1, ( bank rate ) went to ( you know, Chinese exchange ), if all in $100's and over $10k at a time, got 44.25 or so.
Jim ********
Depends where you go. I’ve got better rates for £50 notes but in some places they pay the same as £20 or £10 notes
Paul *****
Yes my friend, you have not been paying close enough attention. Large bills=higher rates.
Greg *********
My Thai wife said that is absolutely true. We bring $100s.
John ********
@Greg ********
you had to ask your wife? Why does her nationality matter?
Myles *******
Been like that for years
Thaimer ******
Lol you can easily check that in 2 clicks
Thomas *******
@Thaimer *****
Pictures are worth a thousand words as they say.
Joseph *******
I tried this and the exchange rate was still shit, should have just used the WISE app would have saved so much money
Raymond *************
True where I exchange cash they told me bring bigger denominations for better rates
Thomas *******
@Raymond ************
and make sure they are in " like new " condition.
Neil **********
True. Not a huge difference, but annoyingly true I discovered
John *********
Same with british pound
Kool *******
It's been that way for decades.
Vin *********
@Kool ******
Maybe for some currencies, not all.
Charles ***********
Yes 100 US dollar bills. No wrinkles no pencil marks or cuts will give you the best return. Always been that way at exchange
Richard *************
ya it's the same for other country when I whent to Pakistan had to change my nz for big us dollars for better rate
Stephan ***********
Depends on the currency...

************************************************
Максим **********
Frank-Steven ***********
True. Larger notes get better exchange rates.
John ***********
If they are Australian dollars they are all worth the same. Otherwise your advice is correct.
Richard *************
@John **********
ok thanks 👍
John ***********
@Richard ************
No, but if you google superrich's rates, you will be able to see for yourself the value of the notes.
Richard *************
@John **********
do you know if that's the same for nz dollars
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