I also ditched latitude after being with them since wizard days. They refused to waive the fee for 12 months for me too even though it appeard many others managed to. Must be some criteria but that is their prerogative. Strange going overseas without it, but there are plenty of debit providers these days like revolut, wise, up, macquarie, ubank etc.
It has been a while since I've had a hotel or car rental hold a bond and also insist on it being a credit rather than debit card. Is that still a thing?
