Travelling to New Zealand : Travel Money Card or Credit Cards or ?

bluespider on 07/01/2025 - 21:49
Last edited 07/01/2025 - 21:52

I have account at Westpac and CBA so thinking about getting Travel Money Card from bank for upcoming (coming Saturday) travel to New Zealand. I think wise card is too late now to apply and receive it.

So given the timeline, do you think Travel Money Card from Westpac or CBA is better option? It also looks like Wise card express delivery ( with extra cost) can be received in 1-2days. But still confused if to take Travel Money Card from Westpac/CBA or Wise?

I am guessing we will need around $1.5-$2k for my family to spend during stay. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Travel Credit Card New Zealand Oceania

Comments

  • askbargain on 07/01/2025 - 21:57
    +1

    up card. use the digital card where you can

    • bluespider on 07/01/2025 - 23:35

      Wise uses Mid-market exchange rate Vs Up use Mastercard exchange rate.
      I am wondering is there a big difference between Mid-market exchange rate Vs Mastercard exchange rate which is the only deciding factor for me to use either Wise or Up in NZ.

      • Love a bargain on 08/01/2025 - 12:31

        Compared them (with another currency pair) previously & the mastercard rate came out marginally better than Wise's.

  • sumyungguy on 07/01/2025 - 22:38

    You don't have a no international transaction fee CBA credit card (Smart Awards, Ultimate Awards)?

  • soan papdi on 07/01/2025 - 22:54
    +6

    Travel cards are garbage. Up or Macquarie transaction account, instant digital card on your phone.

    • bluespider on 07/01/2025 - 23:36

      Wise uses Mid-market exchange rate Vs Up use Mastercard exchange rate.
      I am wondering is there a big difference between Mid-market exchange rate Vs Mastercard exchange rate which is the only deciding factor for me to use either Wise or Up in NZ.

      • soan papdi on 07/01/2025 - 23:40
        +1

        You can also sign up with Wise and create a virtual card which works off the wise account balance (no different to an Up transaction account). Add wise card to phone. No need of a physical Wise card.

        Dot know about the difference but in my opinion it’s pretty much same enough to not be a concern.

        • bluespider on 07/01/2025 - 23:45

          thanks so much.
          I presume the Wise Digital/virtual card is acceptable at all tourist places in Queenstown, NZ.

          • soan papdi on 08/01/2025 - 00:35

            @bluespider: It’s a Visa card. Should be fine, I guess.

          • Kail on 08/01/2025 - 13:57

            @bluespider: I took a Wise card to NZ and it worked fine.
            We did both north and south islands and it was accepted everywhere.
            Queenstown is really lovely, I hope you have a fantastic trip.

            • bluespider on 08/01/2025 - 13:58
              +1

              @Kail: Thanks @Kail Did you use digital/virtual Wise card or physical?

              • Kail on 09/01/2025 - 13:00

                @bluespider: Both. Physical one we needed to activate at an ATM before it would work, digital one you can activate in the app and put it straight into digital wallet and use immediately.

      • hmac on 08/01/2025 - 09:24
        +2

        Seconding Macquarie! Mastercard exchange rates and no international transaction fees. Open an account and you will get a virtual one right away

  • bargaino on 08/01/2025 - 00:01

    Don't those banks rip you off with currency conversion fees?

    ING is still good.

    • cmoddoo on 09/01/2025 - 01:48

      Not Macquarie, really good conversion rate

  • blam6 on 08/01/2025 - 01:00
    +1

    Most places in NZ accept PayWave so you could use your virtual card mostly. But often there is a 1-2% surcharge.

  • Pufff on 08/01/2025 - 11:07

    It's been awhile but I believe if you open Ubank you can add the card to your phone wallet as soon as the account is active.
    No commissions and the rates are good too on card payments and ATM withdrawals. Although you would need card for ATM.

  • OMGJL on 09/01/2025 - 16:58

    it seems like no body talks about the travel insurance side of things with credit card?

    • Love a bargain on 10/01/2025 - 08:54

      That's not relevant. The required spending is based on prepaid expenses, not spending during the trip.

  • timhn on 11/01/2025 - 23:33

    It's 2025, why do people still want to use Travel Money Card?

    There are many debit (and few credit) cards that offer no international trans fees and also no ATM fees.

    I found even Wise card is not attractive any more compared with no fees debit cards. You got hit with fee if wanted to withdraw above certain limit.

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