We can purchase a UnionPay load and go card in Australia. It is designed for foreigners travelling to China. What are the chances it would work in Russian ATM or in Russian EFTPOS.
Just top it up before travelling on AUD, then get Rubles from a Russian ATM. Can’t be that easy, surely?
The “Load & Go China” CNY and AUD UnionPay IC card is available at Australia Post.
@Irena do you think you could top up this card with cash and send to your relatives in Russia?
Its definitely an option but number of outlets accepting is limited, not sure if you can use the cash machines here with it.
The card can be used to withdraw money from ATMs of some banks such as Gazprombank (at least a few months ago), but not to send money to relatives,
@Irena I would like to understand more. Could you top up with cash, then send the card to your relatives. Then they simply take the card to atm, and draw out the cash. It seems like a much simpler method than all the other suggestions I read about.
@phoebe Super interesting topic. Thanks for your insights. A rapidly changing situation I guess. Recent news …