Can foreign travelers still collect a Zolotaya Korona cash transfer at PTT in Istanbul or pay with a sanctioned UnionPay card?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 5 days ago
TL;DR
Reports from 25–26 July indicate that Zolotaya Korona cash pickups at PTT may have stopped working after new sanctions, while payments with Rosselkhozbank UnionPay cards also became unreliable. Bring a backup payment method and emergency cash.
What the community said
On 27 July, a traveler reported a successful UnionPay payment at a supermarket in Istanbul. The issuing bank was not specified and ATM withdrawals were not tested, so keep a backup option for cash.
23 days ago UnionPay / supermarket
On 26 July, a traveler reported that the system would not release cash from a Zolotaya Korona transfer at PTT after the sanctions. Check with the individual PTT branch before going and do not rely on this transfer as your only source of funds.
24 days ago Zolotaya Korona / PTT
On 25 July, travelers reported problems paying with Rosselkhozbank-issued UnionPay cards following new sanctions. For Istanbul, prepare Turkish lira cash or a card from another bank in advance.
25 days ago Rosselkhozbank UnionPay
The disruption appeared suddenly, and it was not yet clear whether it was a temporary technical issue or a lasting restriction. If you need money immediately after arrival, do not plan on collecting a Zolotaya Korona transfer through PTT without a backup option.
25 days ago PTT