Hi guys, I haven't looked into this in years given lack of international travel in recent past, but would like to know what the best cards are these days for:
1) withdrawing foreign currency cash at overseas ATMs (using Australian debit card)
2) making international card transactions i.e. making online purchases in non-AUD currencies, and/or using card to making payments overseas when travelling
Thanks!
What about the exchange rates?
Usually whatever exchange rate at the day.
I mean who would offer the best exchange rates, is it bank determined or mastercard/visa rates?
Your Citibank card was replaced with a NAB Classic Banking Visa. After some digging I found this https://www.nab.com.au/content/dam/nabrwd/documents/terms-an… in which it states the overseas transaction fees and ATM fees are waived for the Citi replacement card.
(pp 9 and 10). I guess the card they sent is flagged to do this.
bankwest, Macquarie, Ubank, Up are all good. exchange rate from catd scheme (visa/mastercard). no additional transaction fees.
take at least two, minimum.
Stay away from "travel money" cards, and 91.6666% of big bank products.
How about for credit card / online payments?
debit cards can do online.
yes, credit cards are good for bonds/deposits at hotels and rental cars, etc. Bendigo Bank https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/818657
amex is good for this since foreign pending transactions don't show up
I always used Citibank in Europe. Last year I opened a Bankwest card and used it in Portugal, Spain and Greece. In both Spain and Portugal you can make free withdrawals, but you must be careful which bank ATM you use. While the rate offered is very good, not as good as Citibank was. This year I’m keen to try the replacement NAB card.
I hear now that Suncorp is offering a similar card. Has anyone tried it?
I have found Wise.com excellent. Innovative product, ability to receive funds from multiple currencies as well as physical and digital visa debit cards for fee free spending oversees.
$10 for a card and withdrawal limits
Isn't there a 0.33% currency conversion fee though?
Has anyone had actual first-hand use of the Macquarie debit card overseas (particularly Europe like Greece/Italy/Croatia)?
I'm keen to know if you got stung with any fees from the actual ATM's themselves (or is that going to happen regardless of the card?).
I previously used Citibank and although sometimes the ATM would say there would be a fee, there never was.
I used Macquarie throughout Europe but only once or twice for ATM withdrawals.
In Portugal there were two ATM networks. One charged a fee, the other did not.
Did you get charged antything in Europe?
How much was the fee?
99% of the time I tapped to pay for things. Never charged a fee for those transactions. ATM withdrawal fee would depend on country and ATM network I would imagine.
I've just returned from a trip to Europe, used UP bank everywhere I went and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Tapped the card most of the time with no fees, generous FX rate. Used ATMs in Italy, France and Ireland with no ATM withdrawal fees that I can recall. My approach was to stick to mainstream banks such as BNP, Bank of Ireland. The UP app is superb as well in my experience.
All your questions are answered here - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/cards_with_no_overseas_tra…
I recently opened Bankwest debit after Citibank debit product got closed with the buy out from NAB