Traveling to the US - Best Card To Use?

DevlicK on 10/01/2023 - 11:22

First time traveling to the US in a couple months and was wondering how best to travel in terms of currency.

So there are a few options which come to mind and will probably end up doing a combination of it:

  • Credit Card - this would obviously depend on the exchange rate. I have a Ultimate Black CBA credit card which I can use as it has no international transaction fees.
  • Debit Card that allows withdrawals - as I will need cash to pay for tips. Though I'm not sure which debit card is good to use / I can use overseas as I haven't done much research on this yet.
  • Exchange to cash - as I will probably need to do this anyway to pay for tips. Depending if exchange rates, can probably hedge my bets. It's sitting around $1 AUD to $0.69 USD atm.

Would be grateful if anyone can share their experiences.

Travel

Comments

  • offerd on 10/01/2023 - 11:36

    You need a few cards…..

    Cash withdrawal
    Card transactions

    Revolut
    Wise

    And your CC' as advised above.

    • DevlicK on 10/01/2023 - 13:59

      Looking at Wise - it seems that there is a $10AUD fee for the Wise Debit Card and an ATM fee if I withdraw more $350AUD per month (which is unlikely to happen as I will probably pay most transactions with my credit card). Otherwise, seems like a fairly decent option. Thanks!

      Do you know how Wise conversion rates compare to others?

  • djkelly69 on 10/01/2023 - 11:52
    +1

    I was there for the last month or so and used CBA ultimate for almost everything, plus took about $200 USD with us. I also had a Citibank Plus debit incase there were issues or to get cash out (not sure if this is still available).

    FYI almost all tips can be paid on card other then for bellhops, housekeeping and sometimes at bars.

    • DevlicK on 10/01/2023 - 13:51

      Thanks. That's good to know re tips

  • jv on 10/01/2023 - 12:01
    -3

    Traveling to the US - Best Card To Use?

    American Express.

    • samyall on 10/01/2023 - 15:31

      Fees and rate make this one of the worst cards to use.

      • jv on 10/01/2023 - 15:37

        I don't pay fees on mine.

  • jv on 10/01/2023 - 12:02
    -4

    as I will need cash to pay for tips

    I don't pay tips unless the service is exceptional.

  • sumyungguy on 10/01/2023 - 12:05

    So much has changed since I last travelled overseas … but Citibank Plus Account still offers fee-free international ATM withdrawals. Citibank ATMs are relatively easy to find in mainland USA and you'll be able to tip in cash. They were a bit thin on the ground in Waikiki when I last visited. Choose from more than 65,000 fee-free ATMs at Citibank branches and participating retail locations nationwide https://online.citi.com/US/ag/citibank-location-finder

  • berrycrush on 10/01/2023 - 12:05
    +1

    For the debit card, would use ING as they refund the ATM fees (in addition to not charging international transaction fees). Keep in mind that the exchange rate for these credit/debit cards are normally handled by Mastercard/VISA so it won't vary between different banks/providers, only between Mastercard and VISA, but always pay in local currency as that rate is better than paying in AUD.

    • DevlicK on 10/01/2023 - 13:54

      I just looked up the ING monthly eligiblity criteria and it seems I need to make at least 5 transactions on the account which will allow me to withdraw from ATM up to 5x with the fee rebate? Subsequent withdrawals would be subject to ATM fees. Is that right?

      • berrycrush on 11/01/2023 - 11:20

        All the benefits are provided in the first month for free, without going through the eligibility criteria. So if you time the card right, you should be sweet. Or you can just pay a bill in 5 separate transactions (I do this currently).

        But yes, subsequent withdrawals are subject to ATM fees so would pull out a larger amount of cash each time. I normally don't exchange any money when flying in, just hit an ATM at the airport when I arrive to take out a few hundred, then top-up a few more times during the trip if and when needed. But I was in the States for about 3 weeks before and didn't really need to hit the ATM. The 5 withdrawals was plenty.

  • jv on 10/01/2023 - 12:26
    +1

    Just go with Traveller's cheques…

    • bargaino on 10/01/2023 - 15:07

      Is that still a thing?

      One tip: You often see signs in the US saying "no checks", but that just means personal cheques.

      • jv on 10/01/2023 - 15:09
        +1

        You often see signs in the US saying "no checks"

        I thought it meant they don't check you bags when you leave?

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