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

[markis10]

Am I missing something in post #480. The writer has quoted a post about problems with the Wizard MASTERCARD in South America, and posted a reply referring to VISA card use in the UK. I'm confused.

I tried talking to the ATM using the guidelines in post #480, and got nowhere, still no cash advance, I even asked to speak to a supervisor and all I got were beeps in return, how rude

 

[JohnK]

I'd use the Wizard Mastercard in as many locations as possible. Money changers will cost you a lot more. Post #308 in this thread mentions two cash withdrawals in China, with no fees charged by Bank of China.

By the way doesn't Thailand still charge a hefty fee for using a credit card at the ATM's?

My experience in SE Asia especially Thailand and Singapore is to use the exchange booths (money changers if you like) as they can offer much better exchange rates than a credit card even Wizard.

 

[Baysider]

By the way doesn't Thailand still charge a hefty fee for using a credit card at the ATM's?

See my post #387 for a few withdrawals in Thailand. Very low conversion fees and no ATM fees. Used mostly "UOB" ATM's.

 

[JohnK]

See my post #387 for a few withdrawals in Thailand. Very low conversion fees and no ATM fees. Used mostly "UOB" ATM's.

You learn something new everyday. I don't remember ever seeing a UOB (United Overseas Bank) branch or any UOB ATM's. Now that I know where they are I will do a few trial withdrawals on upcoming trip to Thailand in June.

 

[Baysider]

JohnK, I just checked my statements and it was in Singapore that UOB was fee-free - I think there was a fee in coughet. I'm fairly sure that Bank of Ayudhya was fee-free, and maybe THB.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, I just checked my statements and it was in Singapore that UOB was fee-free - I think there was a fee in coughet. I'm fairly sure that Bank of Ayudhya was fee-free, and maybe THB.

As far as I am aware all banks in Thailand should be charging 150THB to use a credit card at an ATM.

If this is still the case then I cannot see how even Wizard can beat the cash exchange rates available unless you are withdrawing a large amount of cash each time. I looked at Oanda earlier and the interbank rate was 29.637 and Siam Commercial Bank (only an example) was showing a cash rate of 29.1175 (actual TT rate was over 30 THB).

So an AUD100 withdrawal at an ATM in Thailand (assuming 1% variance in the interbank rate, which is very generous) will result in 2784 THB (2934 THB - 150 THB ATMfee) whilst AUD100 exchanged at money changers should result in 2911 THB.

Sure if you withdraw enough at the ATM then the ATM fee becomes negligible but I have also noticed occasionally some money changers putting up cash exchange rates by 25 or 50 satang (0.25 or 0.5THB) to lure some business. All one needs is to know the location of these money changers and the rest is easy. Anyway that is enough for me and Thailand and people should just make up their own minds....

 

[sammm]

Hi do you know if there any problems in using the wizard card in shanghai? do i just go to an atm and use the credit cardand take out cash? I have the intention of adding cash onto the card before i leave.

i was reading one of the lonely planet or frommer guides and it said that it mostly a cash economy. Is this true?

and if places did use credit cards you had to have the the cirrus logo on the credit cards which the mastercard does not have. is this true?

 

[Baysider]

Cirrus is only for savings account withdrawals - you don't need the Cirrus logo for credit card cash advances. See post #308 for ATM's in China.

 

[auriga]

In China, would suggest sticking to cash rather than credit card. Using Wizard to withdraw from ATM would be a good idea. Only use creditcard for large purchases- esp with risk of fraud, cards being blocked, etc.

 

[sammm]

Baysider, appreciate the imformation. i didn't realise that cirrus was to do with savings.

i'll remember the bank of china!

 

[jess]

Hi,
Im not sure if anyone is still responding to this thread. When you add money via BPAY, I understand that the reference number to use is your account number (although the card number will also work). I was just wondering if you include spaces in the reference number or not?

It sounds like a silly question, but I still have not received my first bill (even though they said it was sent on the 6th March), and every time I try to call its the automated man saying "I can help you with that". I fly out on the 16th March and would really like to have money loaded by then, except its less than 3 business days away anyway. I guess I will just use my westpac card til then (fees )

Thanks
Jess

 

[Fifa]

When you add money via BPAY, I understand that the reference number to use is your account number (although the card number will also work).

Just phone them and ask what your account number is. The money is available more quickly if you use the account number rather than the cc number.
No, you dont use spaces when entering the account number.

 

[jess]

Thank you so much for your quick reply!
Cheers,
Jess

 

[oz_perspective]

No idea why they allocate an account and card number - especially since the account number is in the same format as the credit card number...

 

[Chicken]

No idea why they allocate an account and card number - especially since the account number is in the same format as the credit card number...

This is more an IT question.

You should notice account number is different from card number.

This is done because there can be many cards in one account. For example, the husband has an account, then starts giving out supplementary cards to wife and son and daughter etc. So you have an account number for husband, who is responsible for this account, then many cards under him.

Payment should be made to account number, meaning it is for all cards under this account. Payment is just not for one card, but all cards for the account.

 

[Fifa]

This is more an IT question.

You should notice account number is different from card number.

This is done because there can be many cards in one account. For example, the husband has an account, then starts giving out supplementary cards to wife and son and daughter etc. So you have an account number for husband, who is responsible for this account, then many cards under him.

Payment should be made to account number, meaning it is for all cards under this account. Payment is just not for one card, but all cards for the account.

Thanks for clearing that up - it now seems so simple.
You have answered a question a lot of us had.

 

[oz_perspective]

You should notice account number is different from card number.

Indeed I did - hence my question!

 

[JohnK]

Just phone them and ask what your account number is. The money is available more quickly if you use the account number rather than the cc number.

Really? Is this from experience?

I only carry the card with me and use this number everytime I make a payment. ie I BPAYed $90 from CBA Streamline account on Friday 12/3/2010 and funny enough the transaction appeared on the Wizard Clear Advantage Mastercard on Friday 12/03/2010. I must try using the account number instead and see if the BPAY transaction will be processed even quicker....

 

[Fifa]

Really? Is this from experience?

I only carry the card with me and use this number everytime I make a payment. ie I BPAYed $90 from CBA Streamline account on Friday 12/3/2010 and funny enough the transaction appeared on the Wizard Clear Advantage Mastercard on Friday 12/03/2010. I must try using the account number instead and see if the BPAY transaction will be processed even quicker....

Wow - that's impressive! I've never had the money transfer on the same day, but from experience it goes through quicker via BPay using the account number.

 

[Flashback]

Wow - that's impressive! I've never had the money transfer on the same day, but from experience it goes through quicker via BPay using the account number.

This has also been my experience. Using the account number is quicker than using the credit card number.