Best Travel Money Card for USA/Canada + Options for Fiji

LtheSav on 13/07/2024 - 08:26
Last edited 14/07/2024 - 07:15 by 1 other user

Hi, I’m travelling to the US & Canada in a week for about a month - about two weeks in each country. Totally forgot about getting a travel card :(

Looking for the best conversion rate and low fees card (isn’t everyone?). I’ve seen Wise & Macquarie & Westpac as suggestions, but not sure why one would be better than another?

Travelling with my family of 5 (3 kids), and would love to have a single (or two) physical cards, with digital cards on the parents phones too if possible.

We’re also spending two nights in Fiji on the way back, assuming that grabbing some Fiji cash from somewhere would be the go for this (or just sucking conversion fees with our existing NAB CC), as I can’t find a card which supports this currency..

Thanks!

Travel Travel Money Card

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 13/07/2024 - 09:26
    +1

    With only a week to go I suggest applying right now for a handful and using the one that arrives in time… if any do. Snail mail in our country has become ponderous at best. I'm assuming a physical card is needed for ATM withdrawals which you'll need in the US for tipping.

  • HamBoi69 on 13/07/2024 - 09:27
    +1

    I'll vote for Macquarie. Read these comments here

    Also, they send out the cards pretty quickly.

    • ddhar on 13/07/2024 - 14:40

      Can vouch for this. Mine arrived within a week.

      Worked great for my travels and not as limited as Wise for ATM withdrawals.

  • El cheepo on 13/07/2024 - 10:10
    +2

    Ing is great if your paying by card for everything.
    100% instant cashback on international fees.
    Exact exchange rates for the day.

    Also get 5 international withdrawals free per month.

    • ddhar on 13/07/2024 - 14:43

      Not a good option for OP's circumstances, i.e. need to deposit $1K and make 5 card payments in July to activate the benefits in August.

      • El cheepo on 13/07/2024 - 15:36

        I was under the impression that requirement was only for the 5.5% interest rate?

        I very well could be wrong though.

        • ddhar on 13/07/2024 - 15:51
          +2

          https://www.ing.com.au/everyday-banking.html

          You could get 1% cashback on eligible utility bills. T&Cs apply.

          Pay no ING International Transaction Fees when you shop online and overseas.

          Save on fees with up to 5 rebated ATM withdrawal fees a month (excludes international ATM operator fees).

          Available when you meet the monthly eligibility criteria. Benefits apply the calendar month after meeting the eligibility criteria.

          Yeah, not a good option if the benefits are needed in July.

          • El cheepo on 13/07/2024 - 16:06

            @ddhar: Ah my mistake.

            Thanks for putting in the hard yards and research.

  • Brucet on 13/07/2024 - 11:01

    You can have a look REVOLUT card.I had used it in Singapore and few countries in Europe recently

  • Dacs on 13/07/2024 - 17:11
    +1

    For Fiji, most ATMs charge 10 to 15 FJD (Fiji Dollars) per withdrawal, and might have a limit of 400 or 500 FJD per withdrawal. The only one that doesn't charge a fee is Bank of Baroda, but there are not many of them around. There's one near the Nadi fresh food market but you'll have to get there first, and if only going for two days might not be worth the hassle.

    If you want to change AUD cash for FJD, you can do it at the airport. The rate is not terrible, and it's better to change AUD for FJD in the departure lounge, and better to change FJD for AUD in the arrivals lounge (there are two exchange places there - the one near the exit gives better rates).

    • theSav on 13/07/2024 - 23:39

      Thanks for the detailed Fiji cash feedback - that’s great info!

      • Dacs on 15/07/2024 - 16:42

        Another option for Fiji is to use Western Union to send money to yourself online, and collect from one of the WU agents.

        Note also that paying with credit/debit cards in Fiji usually has a fee of 3% to 3.5% added on. That's similar to the rate mark-up by WU or cash exchange places.

  • dtc on 13/07/2024 - 18:43

    Get a ubank debit card. Fee free, market FX rates and you can get a digital card in a new hours. You still need the physical card for ATM withdrawals though

  • tonester on 14/07/2024 - 07:15
    +1

    Revolut account

    Westpac Travel Money Card

    • theSav on 15/07/2024 - 13:49

      Ooo. I’ll give Revolut a shot too, thanks for all this great info. Contactless ATM withdrawals seems like it might save me - I do wonder how well that’s supported in the US/Canada though..

      Thanks for the great info

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join