Travelling to Egypt for First Time in June. Good Overseas Payment Methods/Cards?

Pub Envelope on 23/04/2023 - 11:13
Last edited 23/04/2023 - 14:48

Hey team,

My partner and I are travelling to Egypt in June and I was going to see what you all recommend for cards that work overseas? I used to have a Citibank Debit Card for use when I travelled but that was back nearly 10 years ago. I'm obviously looking for something that has no fees, great exchange rates and something that I can top up as required instantly (Currently have offset with Westpac).

I realise I may have left it a little late woops, so hopefully I can get it organised this week. I've purchased the trip on my Mastercard for travel insurance etc so I'm all set there. Any advice would be amazing thanks!

P.S. I don't believe I have that Citi card anymore.

Poll Options

  • 1
    AMEX
  • 3
    Citibank
  • 2
    ING
  • 3
    Mastercard
  • 1
    Qantas FF/ Virgin Velocity/ Other Branded
  • 3
    UP
Travel Africa Egypt

Comments

  • upended on 23/04/2023 - 11:24
    +2

    I bank with CBA and use their Ultimate credit card. The card has zero international fees and 3 points for every dollar spent overseas (please check if this is correct). A monthly fee of $35 is waived if you spend at least $2,500 in a month. For the months where you don't hit the $2,500 spend threshold, they will charge you $35 for those months.

    • jv on 23/04/2023 - 12:32
      -1

      if you spend at least $2,500 in a month

      😵

      • upended on 23/04/2023 - 13:03
        +3

        Well, if you put all your monthly expenses on your credit card and pay off the full balance monthly, reaching $2,500 is not that difficult.

        • jv on 23/04/2023 - 13:23
          +1

          if you put all your monthly expenses on your credit card

          I pay cash 💰

          • SBOB on 23/04/2023 - 16:18
            +4

            @jv: Financially astute people use other peoples money interest free….

            • jv on 23/04/2023 - 18:19
              +1

              @SBOB: Borrowed cash 💰

  • deme on 23/04/2023 - 11:56

    ING

  • jv on 23/04/2023 - 12:30
    +4

    USD

  • Hvrd on 23/04/2023 - 13:01
    +1

    Citi

  • Benoffie on 23/04/2023 - 15:37
    +5

    Id be more looking at cash, especially USD and overseas ATM withdrawal costs from hotels etc.

    Outside of major hotels/outlets, cash is absolutely king.

    • Pub Envelope on 23/04/2023 - 19:01

      Hmm, never been very confident carrying loads of cash around on me. I assumed I'd be able to pay by card for most of the trip?

      • Benoffie on 23/04/2023 - 22:31
        +1

        Baksheesh is a huge part of Egyptian culture. There's no cards for taxis, delis/convenience stores, markets etc. Perhaps government run transport such as airport, train, museums etc plus international chains like KFC.

        Added to that, USD carries far more negotiating power than Egyptian Pound. You might pay the taxi and the bell boy in Pounds but want to buy jewellery or carpets? Youd do best do that in USD.

        Its why a card that has low withdrawals in USD like the Cirrus network.

        • Pub Envelope on 24/04/2023 - 08:47

          Great info thanks! We will be doing a tour so a lot of the stuff should already be organised I would think. USD sounds like the way to go!

          Is going to the bank here before leaving the best way to convert to USD cash?

          • Oahu on 24/04/2023 - 10:15
            +1

            @Pub Envelope: Compare rates at some exchange places here, they're generally better than the banks. Take USD and use your cards at hotels, restaurants, bigger stores, for Ubers etc. For smaller shops and restaurants, and tipping, cash is easier. Exchange your USD in Egypt for Egyptian pounds, you can do it at the airport where you buy your visa, or at exchange places or banks elsewhere in the country. Banks have a bit of a wait as there are people lining up for normal banking transactions as well so exchange places are quicker and the rate is basically the same everywhere. They are having a tough time with currency devaluation and really high inflation at the moment, so tip generously if you can.

            • Emli on 24/04/2023 - 15:44

              @Oahu: Pub envelope. You have been given good advice above. We are in Cairo at the moment making our way home. We found it hard to collect small denomination notes for tips as the ATMs dispensed 200EGP notes. Stall holders were keen for USD as inflation has been 31% and the EGP lost 50% of its value since late last year. We got our USD in Singapore on the way over but we were staying there for a few days. Enjoy your holiday.

  • dr on 23/04/2023 - 18:22
    +1

    Cash

  • Brick50 on 23/04/2023 - 19:27

    Bankwest Zero Platinum

  • Uncle Roger on 23/04/2023 - 20:16

    Revolut pretty good

  • hasselbladsnapper on 23/04/2023 - 22:11
    +3

    USD$ was the go some years ago, I suspect nothing has changed, at least take a few hundred, and split hide ~ jocks, socks, !!!!

  • cheesecactus on 24/04/2023 - 18:58

    These days ING, Ubank and Bankwest (and maybe Macquarie?) debit accounts all give you debit mastercard/visas with no foreign international charges when paying or using ATMs (you may still be charged a foreign ATM fee by the ATM).

    All are fee free, but ING makes you jump through more hoops to get it (i think it was 5 paypass purchases last i checked). For me it's a card I use only for travel and not for everyday purposes, I went with ubank and Bankwest. Plus ubank offers consistently high interest rates on savings.

    If you want a credit card, bankwest has a qantas points earning card with no foregin fees, but it does have an annual fee.

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