28 Degrees CC or Bankwest Zero MC?

furys12 on 06/07/2017 - 14:43

I often see the 28 Degrees CC mentioned here on OzB as the card to have when it comes to foreign currency purchases and, if i'm reading things correctly, making purchases whilst actually in foreign countries, however in doing my due diligence research it seems that some opinions have soured on the 28D card in recent times, mostly due to the backing company changing.

Making it more confusing for lack of a better word is that most of the conversations are >6months old and since things move fast its hard to keep track of whats still an issue and whats not.
The most popular contender seems to be the Bankwest Zero MC (or a citibank card if you need to use atms in foreign countries).

The OzB wiki on CCs here proclaims the Bankwest Zero as better in all aspects, except that the 28D offers 6 Month price and merch protection, however if i'm reading this right certain shopping protection insurances require some hoops to make sure you dont get fee'd.

The information laid out on the websites of the respective cards has them looking very similar but it seems the gotchas are in the hidden details of daily use.

I guess my question really boils down to asking those who actually use these cards today whats the situation? and which one is best in your opinion (and why)?

Personally i'm really only looking to have a card to keep in the back pocket during overseas trips in case something happens that requires the use of credit card to purchase a thing, though in learning about the side benefit of forex purchases ill use that too.

Financial

Comments

  • Cluster on 06/07/2017 - 14:52

    I use BankWest's Zero card and can offer no complaints. I have never tried claiming travel insurance or extended warranty through it however. My main use for the card is avoiding the 2.5 to 3% foreign transaction fees on my other cards.

    When I traveled through Europe last year all I needed to enter was where I was going and when so I wouldn't have any issues with blocked purchases. I used the card for virtually every purchase and never had any hassles.

  • maverickjohn on 06/07/2017 - 14:57

    I have the BW 0 MC. and used it in the philippines. No probs at all

  • thord on 06/07/2017 - 15:25
    +3

    28degrees just introduced a 0.95c fee for processing BPAY payments. This came in about 2 or 3 months ago?

    Anyway, it can (profanity) right off. Switched straight to Bankwest Zero.

    • tomsco on 06/07/2017 - 15:51
      +3

      28degrees just introduced a 0.95c fee for processing BPAY payments. This came in about 2 or 3 months ago?

      Haha, close, but more like a year ago :)

    • YOTR on 06/07/2017 - 21:27
      -1

      That's a pretty easy fee to avoid. Don't use BPay.

      • em on 07/07/2017 - 21:53

        Easier just to get Bankwest and have the freedom to use whatever payment option.

      • Black Hole on 17/09/2017 - 12:11

        The problem was with my 28 degrees, it has also prevented me from paying via 28 degrees website. I was on the phone with them 3 times on this issue and they could not fixed it. So I have cancelled the card and will move on to BankWest.

  • djkelly69 on 06/07/2017 - 15:31

    Does BankWest still have the QFF one with no overseas transaction fees? If so, try for that - better to earn points on the spend than not.

    • furys12 on 07/07/2017 - 09:25

      they do, you definitely get a lesser deal across the board in exchange for those points though but i can see your point if your maximising those points the value is probably there somewhere

  • Almost Banned on 06/07/2017 - 16:09

    I have kept my 28 Degrees and, while it is a bit of a pain to pay through the 28D service centre, its really no biggie.

  • Godric on 06/07/2017 - 18:56

    If you lose your 28d card while overseas and call them, don't expect any help, absolutely horrendous.

    Aside from that the card it self is fine, and you can avoid the BPAY fee with other alternatives.

  • Steptoe on 06/07/2017 - 19:35

    There was also Coles MasterCard that was worth a look due to 2 year price protection.

    • furys12 on 07/07/2017 - 09:14

      only the $89 annual fee card has fee free forex/purchases but if your already deep in the coles ecosystem its a good card on the rewards and benefits side

  • ggrant on 07/07/2017 - 00:41

    From the 'lots of little things' point of view, 28 Degrees have been a minor pain many times (but still terrif). Bankwest (cba owned) have had zero issues, except their $6000 minimum credit is higher than I'd like.

  • hypebeast on 07/07/2017 - 15:23

    I'm using a Citibank debit card for international purposes. 0% foreign transaction fees, had no problems at all with it :)

  • BargainShopaholic on 12/07/2017 - 11:26

    Despite the annoyance with 28D's new payment system, I'm still keeping it mainly for the 6month price protection and overseas purchases. If Bankwest offers the same (or superior) price protection insurance, then I'll definitely make the move across.

    • expatOz on 17/07/2018 - 06:00

      Does 28D still have 6 month price protection? I can't find about it anywhere.
      Ah got it, its an extra

  • danielh on 17/07/2018 - 14:52

    Can I also assume that you can use either card to make online (overseas) transactions and will not have to pay a fee?

    Also, when withdrawing cash from the ATM (and assuming that you have added extra cash in the account do that it is 'positive' at a friendly ATM), do you have to pay any of those fixed fees? I assume the transaction fee part is waived but the old $4 or $5 fixed fee is what I'm referring to.

    • Baysew on 17/07/2018 - 15:11
      +1

      Care: this thread is 12 months old.

      Can I also assume that you can use either card to make online (overseas) transactions and will not have to pay a fee?

      Correct, both of these cards do no charge an Overseas Transaction Fee.
      See this guide - Cards with No Overseas Transaction Fees

      • danielh on 17/07/2018 - 15:13

        Thanks. I actually thought it was only 10 DAYS old. :-)

    • tomsco on 07/08/2018 - 08:54

      when withdrawing cash from the ATM (and assuming that you have added extra cash in the account do that it is 'positive' at a friendly ATM), do you have to pay any of those fixed fees? I assume the transaction fee part is waived but the old $4 or $5 fixed fee is what I'm referring to.

      Not 100% sure about the BW card, but with 28 Degrees this will still be treated as a cash advance, even if your account is positive.

  • furys12 on 18/07/2018 - 09:19

    I can't edit the main post but to give an update,

    A year on and i've had a 28D card for almost that long, their website is bad, their payment system is god aweful, their support is as slow as the payment system but the benefits have been worth it for me, i buy a lot of things from japan so the free forex has been great for example.

    I'd never use these guys for an 'active' card but occasional purchases you will balance immediately the free forex makes it worth it

    • rooon on 07/08/2018 - 08:39

      @furys12 - Can I ask why you wouldnt switch to a Bankwest Zero MC then?

      • furys12 on 08/08/2018 - 11:44

        complacency i guess, na back when i was first looking i was denied the BW Zero anyway, the minimum of $6k made it out of my reach apparently (i had done no credit related things before), 28d had no limit at the time (i think they do know), looking back at my original post i said that the free forex for online purchases would be a side benefit, turns out that's the thing i use the most and it works enough for me not to change, if i ever wanted to do more with a CC i would look into changing straight up but for what i use it for it works

  • potm on 11/08/2018 - 20:32

    I have both, in case one gets blocked for a transaction.
    Have used both for years without any major issues. Both cards have had transactions declined and been blocked at different times. Having a second option has come in handy.

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