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

[lovetravellingoz]

Ok, this is along thread over a long period of time, so things can change.

I am off to England, France and The Netherlands for 3 weeks in a few days time.

In these three Countries to use the Wizard Card for withdrawing cash are some ATM's better than others?

• ie Banks only
• perhaps some Banks and not others?

I ask this for when I was in NYC last Nov, some major banks were fee free and some had an extra per tx charge.

Thanks.

 

[Flashback]

Ok, this is along thread over a long period of time, so things can change.

I am off to England, France and The Netherlands for 3 weeks in a few days time.

In these three Countries to use the Wizard Card for withdrawing cash are some ATM's better than others?

• ie Banks only
• perhaps some Banks and not others?

I ask this for when I was in NYC last Nov, some major banks were fee free and some had an extra per tx charge.

Thanks.

Happy to report that I had no issues or surcharges in either of those countries November last year.

 

[JohnK]

I remember a post on AFF a few months back where someone mentioned a Thai Bank that does not impose the THB150 ATM withdrawal fee.

Is it this bank? Bank of Ayudhya

Tried 3 different ATM's including Bank of Ayudhya and could not avoid the THB150 ATM withdrawal fee so did not bother using the Wizard card.

Also I could be wrong but it would appear that the operator of the ATM was setting the exchange rate to be used on the transaction. In this case it was AUD1=THB26.54 when most cash exchange booths were AUD1=THB27-THB28.

See no value in this card for overseas withdrawals and I will more than likely stick to using cash for future trips.

 

[FL360]

I have never taken cash from Wizard in Thailand,

however the forced ATM fee and the force AUD transaction centainly
do not apply in HK, Macau, US, Malaysia, SIN, China, NZ, FIJI, UK, France, Italy, Korea and Japan (I have made cash withdrawals in these countries)...

Tried 3 different ATM's including Bank of Ayudhya and could not avoid the THB150 ATM withdrawal fee so did not bother using the Wizard card.

Also I could be wrong but it would appear that the operator of the ATM was setting the exchange rate to be used on the transaction. In this case it was AUD1=THB26.54 when most cash exchange booths were AUD1=THB27-THB28.

See no value in this card for overseas withdrawals and I will more than likely stick to using cash for future trips.

 

[kpc]

Tried 3 different ATM's including Bank of Ayudhya and could not avoid the THB150 ATM withdrawal fee so did not bother using the Wizard card.

Also I could be wrong but it would appear that the operator of the ATM was setting the exchange rate to be used on the transaction. In this case it was AUD1=THB26.54 when most cash exchange booths were AUD1=THB27-THB28.

See no value in this card for overseas withdrawals and I will more than likely stick to using cash for future trips.

Try AEON ATM:idea:
How to Avoid ATM Fees in Bangkok, Thailand :: I Like Spam

I remember reading another thread (?where) that some have had better luck in avoiding the THB150 fee with this ATM...

 

[Alanslegal]

Tried 3 different ATM's including Bank of Ayudhya and could not avoid the THB150 ATM withdrawal fee so did not bother using the Wizard card.

Also I could be wrong but it would appear that the operator of the ATM was setting the exchange rate to be used on the transaction. In this case it was AUD1=THB26.54 when most cash exchange booths were AUD1=THB27-THB28.

All the ATMs I have used/looked at in the past week, imposed the 150BHT fee.

In fact, it was actually better to exchange currencies at the forex counters that litter all over the place, as I managed to get 27.75BHT per $1aud at MBK without any commission fees etc. (spot rate was around low 28's on xe.com)

 

[JohnK]

Try AEON ATM:idea:

It sounds too difficult to find an ATM in a convenient area where I stay so that I do not go out of the way.

In fact, it was actually better to exchange currencies at the forex counters that litter all over the place, as I managed to get 27.75BHT per $1aud at MBK without any commission fees etc. (spot rate was around low 28's on xe.com)

Last Tuesday/Wednesday (6-7 days ago) I was able to get THB28.05 and then dropped back to THB27.62 as I did not have time to shop around.

I agree that for Thailand it would appear that Exchange booths offer the best rates and if you happen to be there at the right time then there are also specials released occasionally. For me it is too risky relying on foreign ATMs (or even Wizard) setting the exchange rate.

 

[jamiemack89]

Hey guys, just have a few questions regarding this card.

1) I applied for this card on Thursday last week (received it today - tuesday). I received no PIN so activated card, told rep i was going to NZ and used the phone PIN change system sucessfully as I am leaving shortly. I assume my original PIN will arrive in the mail later. Am I all set up for loading credit onto this card? I read that some people had a Aus Post identitity check but I have not been told such.

2) I only have a limit of $500 as Im a student but plan on loading more cash than my limit, can I do this? Also when I use up my preloaded cash I plan on using the $500 credit for a hotel booking. Is this fine as long as i cash advance before this transaction and pay CC off within 55 days?

3) How long does Bpay take to process my payment if I use account number? (hopefully before Thurday evening?)

Thanks!

 

[Chicken]

I only have a limit of $500 as Im a student but plan on loading more cash than my limit, can I do this?

Yes, just ask for your account number so you can B Pay into it.

Also when I use up my preloaded cash I plan on using the $500 credit for a hotel booking. Is this fine as long as i cash advance before this transaction and pay CC off within 55 days?

Yes

How long does Bpay take to process my payment if I use account number? (hopefully before Thurday evening?)

The next banking day (if you do it before cut off time of your bank)

 

[jamiemack89]

Thanks for the quick reply. So there is no identity check anymore and I am good to go?

When I withdraw cash in NZ do I enter my PIN after selecting credit?

When I pay for the hotel/make purchases in NZ do I sign or enter PIN after selecting credit?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

DATA point for Paris.. July 2010.

Ok Wizard gains 0.68 Euro, Krisflyer Amex/VISA gain 0.65 (plus FF points).

One can buy Metro Tickets with your KF Card as it has a chip, but not with the Wizard Card as it only has a magnetic stripe.

 

[serfty]

...

... 3) How long does Bpay take to process my payment if I use account number? (hopefully before Thurday evening?) ...

The next banking day (if you do it before cut off time of your bank)

Not in my experience.

For the WCAMC, allow at least two "working days", preferably four.

 

[jamiemack89]

Not in my experience.

For the WCAMC, allow at least two "working days", preferably four.

In that case I will transfer half the amount today and get the other at Crown Currency Exchange in local cash as I hear they have the best rates in Brisbane. I am travelling 8th-16th July so Ive probably left it too late to transfer whole amount + always good to have a backup .

Could someone please confirm that after I have activated card and set up PIN (via phone system) I am ready to withdraw cash and make purchases in New Zealand? and there is no additional ID check etc?

Also, for cash im guessing just select credit and PIN. Purchases just sign?

Thanks

 

[Bundy Bear]

Hey guys, just have a few questions regarding this card.

1) I applied for this card on Thursday last week (received it today - tuesday). I received no PIN so activated card, told rep i was going to NZ and used the phone PIN change system sucessfully as I am leaving shortly. I assume my original PIN will arrive in the mail later. Am I all set up for loading credit onto this card? I read that some people had a Aus Post identitity check but I have not been told such.

2) I only have a limit of $500 as Im a student but plan on loading more cash than my limit, can I do this? Also when I use up my preloaded cash I plan on using the $500 credit for a hotel booking. Is this fine as long as i cash advance before this transaction and pay CC off within 55 days?
?)

Thanks!

On credit cards you usually can't go above the limit you set; so if you have a $500 limit then each purchase can only be $500 even if you have loaded up the credit card for extra money.

I might have to look at getting one of these credit cards.

 

[jamiemack89]

On credit cards you usually can't go above the limit you set; so if you have a $500 limit then each purchase can only be $500 even if you have loaded up the credit card for extra money.

I might have to look at getting one of these credit cards.

Thanks Bundy Bear, fortunately I will be splitting the overnight hotel hooking into two payments both under 500, but total is over 500 (so I should be able to just bpay the extra amount?)

Still waiting on a reply for the below so I can load this card up:

In that case I will transfer half the amount today and get the other at Crown Currency Exchange in local cash as I hear they have the best rates in Brisbane. I am travelling 8th-16th July so Ive probably left it too late to transfer whole amount + always good to have a backup .

Could someone please confirm that after I have activated card and set up PIN (via phone system) I am ready to withdraw cash and make purchases in New Zealand? and there is no additional ID check etc?

Also, for cash im guessing just select credit and PIN. Purchases just sign?

Thanks

 

[serfty]

...
Could someone please confirm that after I have activated card and set up PIN (via phone system) I am ready to withdraw cash and make purchases in New Zealand? and there is no additional ID check etc? ...

It's easy enough to do this yourself.

Find a

ATM and withdraw $20 (There's no fee for withdrawals using WBC ATMs).

Then go on-line the next day and check for the withdrawal.

If that all works then you should be good to go.

Note that with a $500 limit, you are limited to that amount in total Cash withdrawals until the transactions register against you account (show up on-line).

For more, see the help links in post #1 of this thread.

 

[JohnK]

Yes, just ask for your account number so you can B Pay into it.

One can BPay using credit card number or account number. I tried it one day just for fun and both BPay's turned up in the Wizard account at the same time.

The next banking day (if you do it before cut off time of your bank)

In my experience it takes Wizard at least 2 days to process the BPay transaction into the account.

 

[Spizz]

Which banks in the US have fee free ATM's for cash advance. I saw Chase bank mentioned. Any others?

Also where is the link on the website to apply for a Credit increase?

 

[JohnK]

Note that with a $500 limit, you are limited to that amount in total Cash withdrawals until the transactions register against you account (show up on-line).

And if my recent experiences are anything to go by then it could take 3-4 days for an ATM withdrawal to appear against an account.

 

[mosaikmum]

New to this forum; finding it very informative!

Anyone with experience using their Wizard Mastercard (or any Mastercard) in Moscow?