What's The BEST Debit Card to Replace Citi Plus? Is NAB's Classic Debit Card a Much Worse Option?

aec on 05/12/2023 - 22:10
Last edited 05/12/2023 - 22:25

Citi Plus is going to be replaced by NAB's classic (?) debit from next Feb. I currently use citi plus for some overseas payment. Based on my preliminary research, this NAB classic debit is lack of good features compared to citi plus. Can people who are with NAG confirm?

And what other options in terms debit cards for fee free overseas transactions do people recommend?

Thanks.

PS:

Just found out this:
https://www.nab.com.au/personal/accounts/transaction-account…

not bad :)

Financial Debit Card

Comments

  • mbck on 05/12/2023 - 22:13

    What features is it lacking?

    • Mechz on 05/12/2023 - 22:40
      -1

      Fee free international transactions.

      • mbck on 05/12/2023 - 23:50
        +3

        But it does though. Fee free atm too.

        Edit: op updated their post to show there are no changes to citibank's features. I just wish people read tnc first.

        • Mechz on 06/12/2023 - 09:12

          Instead of clicking the link in my email, I just went to their site directly and looked at the account fees and charges.

          Given it's the main benefit of the card, you'd think they would highlight it in the email.

          Regardless, I have moved my money away and will find another product.

          • mbck on 12/03/2024 - 20:09
            +1

            @umexcuseme: Not withstanding the fact that i personally used the nab card and had literal 0 fees and excellent forex rate.

            You can also read the actual pds they give:
            https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=8997844…

            Specifically Part C. Which clearly states that the fees are waived.

            So before you go off tangent and start calling people out, maybe you should take a good look at yourself in the mirror.

            Maybe shut up, dyor before you open your mouth next time. Make sure you've got the facts out from a reliable source because all i see are trash from you.

            I've wasted enough precious minutes of my life. Have a good one.

    • dcep on 06/12/2023 - 03:11

      Back then you could link your overseas Citibank account (from other country) with Citi plus AU and transfer money instantly.

      But this has nothing to do with NAB as Citi has sold out most of their global footprint , not just their Aussie arm.

  • Wiadro on 05/12/2023 - 22:13
    +1

    bankwest platinum debit

    • Mechz on 05/12/2023 - 23:32
      +1

      $6 per month if you don't deposit $2k.

      • Freddies on 12/12/2023 - 14:00

        There are 3 options and only "Bankwest Qantas Transaction Account" has such a requirement?

  • PissLUR on 05/12/2023 - 22:53

    Bankwest Qantas debit

  • scrimshaw on 05/12/2023 - 23:38
    +1

    HSBC Everyday Global? No account keeping fees.

    You can earn 2% cashback on purchases under $100, can store up to 10 different currencies and there's no international transaction fees.

    • furyou on 06/12/2023 - 09:59

      International transaction fee - Have you compared different cards?
      I wonder if their exch rate differs.

      • ol mate on 06/12/2023 - 19:18

        It's HSBC's FX rate instead of MC (like Citi was) or Visa (like NAB is)

        • furyou on 06/12/2023 - 21:20

          Would it be safe to assume that it would be Less competitive then?

          • ol mate on 11/12/2023 - 16:53

            @furyou: From other comments about the HSBC card, I believe so.

            • driew on 02/02/2024 - 12:03

              @ol mate: It's much less competitive; almost like having a smaller foreign exchange fee inbuilt. I tested this when I was in Brighton, UK late last year.
              I had both the Citibank Plus card and the HSBC card.

    • AndyRates on 07/12/2023 - 13:51
      +1

      Is visa lower rates than MasterCard? Citi seems to fetch higher rates than HSBC

      • chrisie on 07/12/2023 - 13:56
        +1

        Yes Visa card with a poorer International exchange rate than MasterCard

    • Freddies on 15/12/2023 - 10:27

      HSBC is rate is lower than the Citi I have at the moment
      10USD HSBC gives 14.63AUD and Citi does 14.70AUD

  • Master Bates on 06/12/2023 - 00:59
    +5

    Macquarie

    • 6079 Smith on 06/12/2023 - 10:51
      +1

      Will second Macq. Earning the same interest on the transaction account as savings with no hoops is awesome

    • chrisie on 06/12/2023 - 16:12
      +2

      I'm in the same boat as you have gone with https://www.macquarie.com.au/everyday-banking/transaction-ac… which is a Master Card as opposed to New Nab/Citi Bank one which is a Visa card with a poorer International exchange rate.
      Very happy with Macq App as well.
      Just came back from Singapore Sunday and worked with no problems.

    • Xizor on 06/12/2023 - 17:54
      +1

      Anyone uses this Macquarie Card for foreign netflix?

      • txb on 07/12/2023 - 17:56

        Keen to know too!

    • ol mate on 06/12/2023 - 19:25
      +1

      Just used this on a trip to Singapore, UK, Europe, and Taiwan.

      Overall, the same as Citi, but I think some global relationship/alliances might affect ATM charges - taking cash from an ATM I found:

      • Singapore - didn't try Macquarie (used Citi card in a Citi ATM)
      • London - HSBC ATM didn't charge to withdraw from Macquarie, didn't try Citi
      • France - no ATM fees from most/all large banks
      • Italy - ItalianPost ATMs didn't charge for either card, but BNP Paribas wanted to charge 5 Euro for the Macquarie card but free for Citi.
      • Taiwan - no ATM fee from one of the big banks in Taoyuan (can't remember which bank), but the 7/11 ATMs wanted to charge for both Macquarie and Citi.
    • Freddies on 12/12/2023 - 13:54

      Is there a currency exchange fee? I seem not to find the information about it.

      • Master Bates on 13/12/2023 - 04:20
        +1

        They use the Mastercard exchange rate and there is no additional fee.

    • aec on 13/12/2023 - 09:42

      While I am activating the NAB card I received yesterday; I am also applying for the mac card :D
      Thanks.

  • ATTS on 06/12/2023 - 06:19

    What nab debit card/ account is good?

    Looking for no fee and ability to use coin services

  • kadm on 09/12/2023 - 11:11
    +2

    Just spoke to Citibank migration team at NAB and they confirmed that current features on Citibank Plus cards like zero ATM withdrawal and zero international transaction fees would continue on NAB Debit Card. See the link below:

    http://nab.com.au/cititransaction

  • Freddies on 12/12/2023 - 13:49

    The coversation rate on NAB seems lower than Citi?

    For example, 10USD Citi gives me 14.97AUD while NAB says 14.82AUD

    • Baysew on 12/12/2023 - 14:02

      Where are you getting those rates from?

      • Freddies on 12/12/2023 - 14:22

        the citi rate is from citibank online banking website, and the latter is from NAB currency exchange website
        for 10USD the difference is already 15c which I think it is huge if you buy things online in a different currency a lot - thus I want to find a better debit card, as I purchase goods and services in other regions

        • Baysew on 12/12/2023 - 14:29

          You should be comparing Mastercard v Visa rates.

          • Freddies on 12/12/2023 - 14:38

            @Baysew: Isn't this based on bank/brands as well? I tried ANZ a long time ago and their currency exchange rate was a rip-off

            • Baysew on 12/12/2023 - 15:08

              @Freddies: No. From Citibank -

              the relevant card scheme exchange rate. For
              example, where you use a debit card to make a
              purchase in USD using an Australian dollar currency
              account, the relevant card scheme will perform
              the foreign exchange               using their own foreign
              exchange rate. In that case, we have no control over
              the foreign exchange rate               that is applied to your
              transaction

              From ANZ -

              All amounts transacted in a currency other than
              Australian dollars will be converted into Australian
              dollars by Visa. Visa will determine the conversion
              process and rate or rates used.

              Your transaction may have been converted at point of purchase using Dynamic Currency Conversion. In that case neither your local bank, Visa/Mastercard is involved. Most of ANZ cards have a Overseas Fee, which is why No International fee accounts such as Citibank Plus are popular around OzBargain.

              • Freddies on 12/12/2023 - 17:13

                @Baysew:

                Most of ANZ cards have a Overseas Fee

                I think that's why NAB rates are better than ANZ. That said, MasterCard is better than Visa

  • clover on 13/12/2023 - 13:30

    I mainly use this card to withdrawn money. Given my withdrawals are low (most of the time i just pay with credit card), i guess I wont bother changing to a mastercard.

  • Eeples on 14/12/2023 - 10:43

    Citibank has arrangements with overseas banks and their associated ATM networks for ATM-fee free withdrawals. (I am not talking about the international fee)

    I do not know if those arrangements will be maintained or if NAB has its own arrangements with overseas banks and associated ATM networks that allows this feature.

    • Eeples on 31/12/2023 - 11:07

      Maybe the arrangements still apply.

  • Vomo on 16/12/2023 - 09:33

    Thanks, seems alright to stick with it for now. I use mine locally and also travelling

  • rakka on 08/01/2024 - 21:10
    +2

    Just received the NAB card and attempted to withdraw some cash at an ATM in Japan (7-11 ATM always free with citi).

    Not only was I only allowed to withdraw multiples of 10000yen ($100 aud ish), it also wanted me to pay a 100yen fee (about a dollar).

    Not the end of the world but compared to the Citi, I think it’s trash. I didn’t even go ahead with the withdrawal so can’t comment on the rate.

    • Mechz on 09/01/2024 - 00:02

      Thanks for the heads up.

      Probably just easier to overpay my BankWest CC and withdraw from that next trip.

    • tanksinatra on 10/01/2024 - 21:26

      Thanks for that report. Hmm… disappointing.

  • Xc01567 on 10/01/2024 - 09:57

    Any other experiences using the card on overseas atm?

  • slam on 16/01/2024 - 09:55

    Bankwest platinum debit card working at 711 atms well in Japan. Select credit option. Transaction fees waived, pretty much spot rate conversions and no ATM fees.

    Only small issue is 100,000 yen per day. So plan ahead. Otherwise use the card like a credit card for purchases so you carry less cash around.

  • Coorparoo on 23/05/2024 - 02:47
    -1

    I am currently in America. I just over to the atm to use NAB debit card for the first time since it replaced the Citibank Australia one.

    Was a real shock. First there was a new screen asking me if I wanted FIXED RATE OR MARKET RATE. On the fixed rate box it showed a terrible exchange rate of .6284 when it is currently above .66 and there was a notice about a 6 percent conversion fee.

    It showed me it would cost 1600.70 to withdraw 1000 US dollars which is about 100 dollars more than if I has my old citibank card.

    So much for continuing with Citibank policy,

    • MELso on 23/05/2024 - 07:45

      As an OzBargainer, you should know that DCC is a scam.

      How much did it actually cost you to withdraw the money at market rates (i.e. without DCC)?

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