Sorry if this is off topic, but what is the benefit of having a foreign currency account? I asked at Bangkok Bank once and they made it sound like it was going to be a hassle, expensive fees. Is it worth it to have it in your original currency, pay fees to withdraw, and then to exchange with the local money exchanger like Super Rich? Or to hedge against exchange rate fluctuations?

Good report. In Tokyo you have to reserve a spot online way ahead of time, so not recommended for travelers at all.

If you don't mind me asking, do you need to show extra proof of funds for that on top of what you had to show for your son's ED visa?

strange rule. do they not issue you a Bank Letter in the UK unless in current? Oh i see that you said you did have a statement for the savings and had to switch. hmm

If someone gets a visa on passport 1, enters and tries to get an extension in Thailand, does she have to do it using passport 1, or can she use passport 2?

Tod, Glad to know and yes I did. Thanks always!

I've noticed that in Asia that is not a big deal. But if an airline policy is to overcomply they may not care if your embassy said it's OK on a case by case basis, because it's now become about the airline company's own rule enforcement, not government compliance. I have experienced similar situations as this with Delta and Air Canada and neither changed airline policy for us.

Thank you for your information. I found it useful.

Ok, np my point was to try to be helpful, I am not affiliated with any of the reservations sites that sell cancelable flights for visa purposes, I would still be interested in if this is a valid solution and if people have used them.

Sounds reasonable. Clever business.