28° Mastercard Cash Advances while overseas [No more free cash advances from 1/1/14]

[JohnK]

So we can use Westpac for fee-free cash advances still?

Yes. I used Westpac ATM the other day fee free.

 

[adrian]

Lastly, as I have pumped too much money to my Wizard card, I have to take them out somehow. Does anybody know whether I can request GE to send me a cheque for my credit balance?

Thanks in advace.

One time I was on the phone with the staff at GE, and they offered to send me a cheque for the credit balance that I had in my account. I declined as I was about to purchase tickets in Cape Town.

 

[P'cisT]

So can someone confirm no changes have been made to the existing Wizard Clear Advantage card for overseas use since the handover to GE Money?

 

[FL360]

The Wizard clear advantage master card was and still is issued by GE Money Australia, under the Wizard name brand.

I think the only difference is that they won't issue new cards anymore ?
Can anyone confirm on this ?

So can someone confirm no changes have been made to the existing Wizard Clear Advantage card for overseas use since the handover to GE Money?

 

[P'cisT]

The Wizard clear advantage master card was and still is issued by GE Money Australia, under the Wizard name brand.

I think the only difference is that they won't issue new cards anymore ?
Can anyone confirm on this ?

Well there's this informative post off another forum (zzzzz, OCAU):

I think the card has been neutered for new customers. Check your credit contract if you do put the application in.

The card was previously advertised as:

* No annual fee.
* No fees for cash advances.
* No fees for overseas purchases.
* An annual percentage rate on purchases AND cash (unlike some other credit cards) of 18.49%.†
* 4.99% p.a. interest for six months from account opening on balances transferred.#
* Up to 55 days interest free.‡​

Now as:

* No annual fee.
* An annual percentage rate on purchases AND cash (unlike some other credit cards) of 18.49%.†
* Up to 55 days interest free.‡
* 4.99% p.a. interest for six months from account opening on balances transferred.#​

Previous FAQ used to list:

I've seen other credit card offers that are similar. Why should I choose the Wizard Clear Advantage MasterCard?
The Wizard Clear Advantage MasterCard offers a competitive interest rate on purchases and cash, no annual fee, no fees on cash advances, and no fees on overseas purchases.​

Now:

I've seen other credit card offers that are similar. Why should I choose the Wizard Clear Advantage MasterCard?
The Wizard Clear Advantage MasterCard offers a competitive interest rate on purchases and cash, no annual fee and up to 55 days interest free on purchases.‡​

That's why I'm curious if anyone has had any real life experiences yet since the changes. Also there's a new site to sign up, but I can't post it yet due to my post count, but just Google it.

 

[adrian]

So can someone confirm no changes have been made to the existing Wizard Clear Advantage card for overseas use since the handover to GE Money?

I used it around 30 or 40 times in March and April, overseas purchased & cash advances (but mainly purchases) and I had no interest charges or fees.

 

[FL360]

I have done an OS transactions about three weeks ago, and no fees has been charged, and the forex rate used was as good as before.

I think most credit cards do not charge an OS transaction fee anyway, they just use really bad forex rates ! :evil:

As for OS cash advance fee, sometimes the ATM provider may charge an ATM fee, but they will tell you beforehand and it is out of Wizard clear MC's control....

 

[aspro2]

There's now a site for the card: http://www.wizardclearadvantage.com.au
It has a fees section which is mercifully brief because the key benefits of the card haven't changed.

 

[adrian]

There's now a site for the card: http://www.wizardclearadvantage.com.au
It has a fees section which is mercifully brief because the key benefits of the card haven't changed.

I love this card. It literally save me thousands of dollars every year. I am glad that it hasn't changed. Who would have thought GE Money would be providing the best product in that segment of the market?

 

[Alanslegal]

I somehow misplaced my Wizard card over the last 24-48hours and after searching HI and LOW I can't find the darn thing

Anyway, called the Wizard hotline and told them what happened. Took them ages to find out who I was and what my account details were (as I don't memorise these numbers etc) and then after getting my details, said it would take up to 10 working days for my replacement card to arrive - and I may not get the card before I travel

Anyway, I still really like the card and won't trade it up for any other card for non-AUD transactions.

 

[KateMayo]

... said it would take up to 10 working days for my replacement card to arrive - and I may not get the card before I travel

I had a Wizard Clear Advantage Mastercard replaced after it had been used fraudulently (in Italy).

I was rung, on my mobile, on a Sunday morning, to check the authenticity of the transaction. The card was cancelled and I received a new one within 48 hours.

 

[solo86]

Can I just clarify something about the card?

Is it correct that:
If I have a limit of $6000, I can only spend up to $6000 per billing cycle on purchases AND cash withdrawals (irrespective of how much credit I add to the card).

OR

The $6000 credit limit applies to cash withdrawals ONLY, and does not include purchases. So I can credit my card with however much money, and withdraw up to $6000 cash within one billing cycle. I can also use the card for purchases.

TIA.

 

[Alanslegal]

See; Wizard's Clear Advantage FAQ here

I would also say you can purchase as much as you want as long as you have sufficient credit (or funds topped up).

For cash withdrawals its $1,000 per day via ATM or $3,000 if in person at a bank, this is also subject to sufficient credit. So I would say (though I've never tried it) that you could effectively withdraw $90,000 cash per month if you had enough credit to do so.

 

[solo86]

I would also say you can purchase as much as you want as long as you have sufficient credit (or funds topped up).

For cash withdrawals its $1,000 per day via ATM or $3,000 if in person at a bank, this is also subject to sufficient credit. So I would say (though I've never tried it) that you could effectively withdraw $90,000 cash per month if you had enough credit to do so.

Thanks for the reply.

The impression I've got from this thread is that, irrespective of the amount of money you've credited to your account, you can only withdraw as much as your limit within one billing period. I think someone finally got an answer from Wizard about this.

What I'm wondering is more to do with purchases. If I have a credit card with a limit of $6000 and then credit it with another $10 000 can I spend the full $16 000 or do I have a total spending limit of $6000 (including purchases & cash withdrawals) per billing period?

Sorry if this seems simple - I'm a cc newbie and planning on taking this one overseas so I'd rather understand it fully before I go!

 

[Chicken]

If I have a credit card with a limit of $6000 and then credit it with another $10 000 can I spend the full $16 000

Yes

(Daily ATM withdrawal limit still applies)

 

[Leumas]

Yes

(Daily ATM withdrawal limit still applies)

Asssuming you don't have an outstanding balance on your card.

 

[bowser]

Don't ask over the phone - mail in the new credit limit request form.

I asked over the phone after they gave me the standard $1000 limit and they refused to change it.

A few days later I sent in the form requesting a $7500 limit and it was approved a week or so later.

I've had no problems withdrawing thousands of dollars within a week period overseas, but I presume that's due it to being less than my credit limit. There is still a A$1000 limit per day, regardless of your credit limit.

Hi doc,

where did you get the credit limit request form from? I couldnt find it in the useful forms section on wizard dot com

Thanks
Bowser

 

[grabbag]

I've found the info on this thread really useful in explaining some of the "issues" I've had with my Wizard card over the last few years.

Generally, it's fantastic and a very convenient way to access cash overseas, especially as the lack of O/S transaction fees means that I can withdraw small amounts to save myself from having to carry large amounts of cash.

I have found, though, that it sometimes won't work in "unofficial" ATMs, i.e. those not owned by a bank. I often get a message from commercial machines saying that my card isn't recognised. An earlier post suggested that the problem may be that it won't work in machines that don't give the option of withdrawing from credit accounts, which would certainly explain my problem. Now that I know what sort of machines to look for I can generally avoid any problems and I always make sure to have some backup money on my debit card, just in case. One problem I have sometimes had is that there are no official, bank ATMs in some airports, so if you're relying on a Wizard card to get your first hit of a new currency you could find yourself in trouble.

At the risk of muddying the issue even further, my credit limit has always been $750 and I've never come across problems with any sort of monthly limit. I've used the card for a month of backpacking around Europe, so would have easily withdrawn more than $750.

I'll be travelling to Egypt later in the year and I'm wondering whether anyone has had any experience in using the Wizard card there? I'll be travelling alone, so I'm not keen on finding myself without ready, cheap access to cash!

 

[_kab_]

Hi doc,

where did you get the credit limit request form from? I couldnt find it in the useful forms section on wizard dot com

Thanks
Bowser

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters

here is the form!

 

[serfty]

As it's a "MasterCard" I did find it strange that I was unable to withdraw at some ATMs in Japan with that logo in the last few days.

Interestingly about 15 minutes after a ~AUD250 withdrawal, I received a call from GE money wanting to know if it was me doing that. That was cool, although I did wonder what would have happened if they had not been able to contact me before any subsequent withdrawals.