28Degrees and Citibank Plus Transaction - Is having both overkill?

danield on 13/02/2013 - 14:09

Planning a trip to Europe at the end of next month.

After a little research I went ahead and got a 28Degrees card as it is highly recommened for overseas travel etc..
However it has since come apparent that I will no be able to use it as both a Cash ATM card and a Credit Card at the same time, as Ill need to load it with credit first right.
As I don't want to use cash for larger purchases (shopping, hotels tours etc..) and prefer to use Credit Card, would I be best to get the Citbank Card, and use that as the cash ATM card and leave the 28 Degrees for credit purchases?

or am I just overthing the whole thing and should just stick to the 28 degrees and load it as I go?

Travel

Comments

  • catichau on 13/05/2013 - 21:37

    sorry, I am getting so confused with this. if I get 2 x 28 degree cards, one for taking my pre-loaded cash from atm and the other to use as a credit card. Do I still pre-load some cash on to the one being used as a credit card? (to avoid paying interest)?,
    and/or could one card pre-loaded with cash be used to withdrawl through atm, as well as give to shop or where ever purchase is being made and just hit credit, which would still take the money directly out of pre-loaded credit?
    If you pre-load cash, how do you know its coming from that and not taking it as cash advance or credit, is it just from picking debit or credit at the time of transaction?
    also, if I was to use my usual NAB visa credit card in case of emergency (would the fee's be very high? or would this even work overseas?)
    Thanks

    • retiredfeline on 13/05/2013 - 21:51
      +1

      I assume that these are separate accounts and not just linked cards? If separate accounts make sure you know which is which. Could be costly if you use the wrong one. If linked cards then it's just as if you have one card.

      For the card used for ATM withdrawal you preload it to avoid cash advance interest. Cash advance always reduces the preloaded money first, and only when that is exhausted, it goes into debit, and interest is charged. If you use it as a CC, the debt will be deducted at due date. So don't, unless you find you have money left over at the end of the trip.

      For the card used for credit purchases, you don't need to preload it. You have until the due date (55 days max I think, depending on the cycle) to pay the debt. So if you are going for a long period, either have someone you trust pay your CC debt or use the Internet to login to your bank account to pay.

      In short, cash advances attract interest from the moment of withdrawal, while credit purchases attract interest after the due date.

  • BrisbaneBargainer on 13/07/2013 - 02:06

    What is the link to the Citibank account you are referring to? I am planning a trip overseas and want to apply for one.

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