Page 1 of 1

Travel Cards

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:00 am
by whufc
Sorry if this has been discussed before but does anyone have any Travel Card recommendations.

Was just going to go with Commonwealth Bank, as i bank with them and im sure their product is a quality service even if it isn't the best price/exchange rate/fees etc.

Probably would be negligent though not to investigate the options out there though.

Re: Travel Cards

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:17 am
by Magellan
whufc wrote:Sorry if this has been discussed before but does anyone have any Travel Card recommendations.

Was just going to go with Commonwealth Bank, as i bank with them and im sure their product is a quality service even if it isn't the best price/exchange rate/fees etc.

Probably would be negligent though not to investigate the options out there though.

I'm also with the Commonwealth and use their travel card when overseas, has worked well for me in the past. Easy to add funds via their mobile app, so whilst the exchange rates are probably not optimal, the trade off is in the convenience. You'll pay a fee if you use it at an ATM, not sure about other fees though.

Also, travel cards a good idea if you're in places that don't have a cash aspect to their economy (for example, tipping in the US).

Re: Travel Cards

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 12:17 pm
by bulldogproud
Magellan wrote:
whufc wrote:Sorry if this has been discussed before but does anyone have any Travel Card recommendations.

Was just going to go with Commonwealth Bank, as i bank with them and im sure their product is a quality service even if it isn't the best price/exchange rate/fees etc.

Probably would be negligent though not to investigate the options out there though.

I'm also with the Commonwealth and use their travel card when overseas, has worked well for me in the past. Easy to add funds via their mobile app, so whilst the exchange rates are probably not optimal, the trade off is in the convenience. You'll pay a fee if you use it at an ATM, not sure about other fees though.

Also, travel cards a good idea if you're in places that don't have a cash aspect to their economy (for example, tipping in the US).


I think that you will find there isn't much between the rates being charged on each of the major financial institutions' cards; just use the one you do your general banking with and you should be fine. The only problem is getting back any money you have left on the card when you return. With my bank, you need to submit a form and then wait a few weeks, you can't just transfer it back into your account. On learning that, I just decided to use the card until my balance ran out.

Cheers

Re: Travel Cards

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 2:51 pm
by PatowalongaPirate
Depending on where you are headed, a Multi Currency Cash Passport could be the way to go.

https://www.cashpassport.com.au/

Pop down to your local RAA shop to get one. Travel Money Oz and some Post Offices also have them.

Re: Travel Cards

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 4:03 pm
by Jim05
We use the one from Travel Money Oz and find it quite good

Re: Travel Cards

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 4:38 pm
by Booney
PatowalongaPirate wrote:Depending on where you are headed, a Multi Currency Cash Passport could be the way to go.

https://www.cashpassport.com.au/

Pop down to your local RAA shop to get one. Travel Money Oz and some Post Offices also have them.


Have used this one, can recommend.

Re: Travel Cards

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:53 pm
by Psyber
I just use my two VISA cards, one ANZ and one BSA, as even with the transaction fees the rates seem to stack up fairly well compared with Travel Cards, and any savings are hardly worth the time spent working ut the best deal. I had some issues using the BSA one in Spain but the ANZ one was fine. Everywhere else I've been both were fine.

I used to have an HSBC card which gave very good rates but they insisted I chenge my Internet banking log in every few months, and carry a code generating USB device. Last time I used that was Clandovery in Wales in 2009.

Re: Travel Cards

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:18 pm
by DOC
I just use my BSA debit card. Never had a problem. Think the fee for currency conversion was/is 3%.