A word of warning RE: Online orders with Travelex

[N860CR]

This may well be common knowledge... but it certainly caught me off gaurd.

I was ordering some USD from Travelex when I saw that they take credit cards at a 1.5% fee. I figured it was worth it for the frequent flyer points and for not having to use my cash.

Anyway the charge has appeared on my credit card statement along with a "Cash Advance Fee" of just over $20. I called Westpac to ask what the deal was, and they said that anything like foreign exchange, casino chips or anything as a cash substitute would be considered a cash advance (regardless of who you buy it from).

So... I was hit with that fee plus just over 20% interest from the day of purchase.

The person I spoke to admitted that it was a little misleading and advised they would waive it on this occasion, but it'll certainly stop me from doing it again!

 

[k_sheep]

Interesting - in dec 2007 I tried to pay for some travellers cheques with travelex, and they said you couldn't pay for it with credit, full stop.

And no, I never got the QFF points either :evil:

 

[mannej]

Strange,

Last year I was able to order online, and pick up the money when departing AUS, providing a credit card number to cover travelex if I didnt collect the money.

And yes I got my QFF very promptly.

 

[ChrisBNE]

Strange,

Last year I was able to order online, and pick up the money when departing AUS, providing a credit card number to cover travelex if I didnt collect the money.

And yes I got my QFF very promptly.

Just orded some USD online with Travelex, and picked up and paid by Amex. No cash advance fee was charged by Amex, just Travelex merchant fee.

 

[mannej]

*Just to clarify, I paid in cash at the Travelex at the airport.

 

[HardieBoys]

Regardless of any credit card fees, Travelex don't give particularly good rates, regardless of how the payment is being made.