MONEY
Probably the easiest way to get money or convert money in Israel is a Credit
Card (also Debit Cards). ATM machine abound in Israel. They will give you
a good exchange rates and ready access to your money.
Go through your wallet and choose which card you are going to use.
Not a bad idea if you have more than one is to take two different types – like
Visa and MasterCard. Leave the rest of your cards (Gas Cards, Store
Cards, etc.) at home.
(Thinking of Renting a Car in Israel?
If you are thinking of renting a car in Israel - you need to know that
some Credit Cards will not cover the insurance for the rental.
Check
with your Credit Card company, your personal automobile insurance company.
and the Israeli rental card compnay - to see who will need to provide the
car rental insurance coverage.)
Call your Credit Card or Banks–
- Check to make sure that you will be
able to use the card in Israel
- Check to see what their CHARGES are for getting cash
advance at a foreign ATM - this may help determine which card you may
want to take
- Get an 800 number you can call if you
encounter problems
- Tell them you will be in Israel and
give them the dates. Many credit cards have security system that issue
alerts if they see the card being used outside of your normal area – avoid
the hassle – let them know and have them note that on your record
- This is good time to check to see what
additional services you can expect from your card – travel insurance,
purchase protection, car rentals insurance, etc.
- The Israeli ATM machines only accept
a FOUR DIGIT PIN - first digit MUST NOT be a ZERO. This is your chance to
change your PIN if necessary.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
The Israeli currency (New Israel Shekel or NIS) fluctuates daily against
the US Dollar (USD).
You can find the latest exchange rate before
departure here.
In Israel - ATMs
will generally give you the best current exchange. The exchange rate
is also listed
in newspapers, at banks and hotels.
COMMUNICATION
To call home – you have a couple of options.
You can rent a cell phone at the airport or on-line prior to departure.
Rental fees and usage rates vary from company to company.
All bases have a pay phone. These phone do NOT take coins – just
the
Bezeq Telecard (see below),
You can go to Costco or Wal-Mart or your favorite store and get a phone
card from MCI, Sprint, ATT or whoever. Many of them are about ~$0.03 per unit.
Check the booklet that comes with the card or call the issuing company.
Check for and write down the access number in Israel. This is an 800
number in Israel that will give you access to their network. Not all
cards may have
access numbers in Israel – so
CHECK before you go.
When you get to Israel – purchase a
Bezeq Telecard (they come in various
denominations (going from ~$1USD to whatever – you will need Israeli
money to purchase). This card will allow you to call within Israel
or get a dial tone so you can call the 800 number to gain access to
the network associated
with you American phone cards.
Here is how it will work:
- You go to a phone in Israel
- You put in the Bezeq Telecard to
get a dial tone
- You dial the 800 access number from
your US phone card
- After a recorded greeting – you
will be prompted to enter the access code on your card – this
will get you into the US network
- Then you can dial 1 –xxx-xxx-xxxx
and wait for your loved ones to answer the phone.
- REMEMBER – if you still want to
be loved – that there is a 7 to 10 hour time difference between
Israel (Israel is ahead) and the various time zones in the US.
Even your loved ones
may not appreciate a 3AM phone call. Israel Daylight Saving time
period is slightly different than the US - this may also have an
affect on the time difference.
- Examples – 10PM in Israel is 12 Noon
PST. 12Noon in Israel is 2AM PST.
If you have any questions – don’t hesitate to contact me.
Josef Herz
VFI-PacificNW