Best local credit card for backpackers?

[ric_melb]

Whilst many, if not all, Australian banks may wish that you are a permanent resident before they will issue you a credit card, I believe a number of banks will add the Visa facility to an ATM debit card, without residency status. National Bank has been mentioned, ANZ will also, and Citibank may. Some accounts are without fees and some with fees, but in general the fee is not more than AUD5 per month. I use both the HSBC and Citibank Online accounts, and both work well. The Citibank account has the advantage of no fees when being used at other bank atms, whilst HSBC use at other atms is only free for 5 transactions per month. Unlimited at HSBC.

Actually I think every bank issues an ATM card when you open an account. It would still be used/needed even if you go to a human teller!

A debit card with Visa facility can be used in the same way as a credit card, but the amount is charged to the bank account not a credit card.
With respect, it is not a "fake card". That term has connotations that would not be welcome in banking.

If using a debit or Visa debit card in Australia there is no foreign currency processing fee, as the account is in Australian dollars.
If you use the card as a Visa card outside Australia then foreign currency fees up to 3.5% would apply.

 

[oz_mark]

Some accounts are without fees and some with fees, but in general the fee is not more than AUD5 per month. I use both the HSBC and Citibank Online accounts, and both work well. The Citibank account has the advantage of no fees when being used at other bank atms, whilst HSBC use at other atms is only free for 5 transactions per month. Unlimited at HSBC.

While Citibank and HSBC are free now to use at other bank ATM's, is this going to be the case when the direct charging regime begins? Can't see how you can avoid the fee that the ATM owner will be allowed to charge (although I understand there is a proposal to allow HSBC holders to use the Westpac network with Westpac charging a fee).

 

[spunkarooney]

Remember that if you have a Bank of America account you can use Westpac ATMs without paying any international ATM fee. Westpac and Bank of America are part of the "Global Alliance". See https://www.bankofamerica.com/searc...hSourceDir=&searchSourceReferer=&locale=en_US

If you want to be able to access any ATM in Australia (or abroad) fee free, you should consider the NAB Gold Banking account. There is a monthly fee of $12 if you deposit at least $5000 to the account on a monthly basis. See https://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/nab/nab/home/personal_finance/5/1/3/

Note that from 2 March 2009 Australia is moving to a direct charge model for ATM fees (similar to what you have in the USA) where the ATM owner can charge you fee directly, at the time of the transaction, which you can back out of if you wish. I don't know how this will impact NAB's Gold Banking or some of Citibank's accounts which currently offer free ATM access at all ATMs.

 

[JerseyVics]

I do have Bank of America... and I just got my brand spanking new Check Card / ATM card from them, so I guess the only charges I'll incure are 3% currency conversion fee...


When I do get a job though I'll still need to have an Aussie Bank for direct deposit. I'm leaning towards ANZ now but they haven't responded to my e-mail that I sent to the NY office last week.

 

[Dave Noble]

When I do get a job though I'll still need to have an Aussie Bank for direct deposit. I'm leaning towards ANZ now but they haven't responded to my e-mail that I sent to the NY office last week.

I find St George good. They have a decent internet banking facility, offer visa debit plus can even do international funds transfers through the internet banking facility

Dave

 

[JerseyVics]

I find St George good. They have a decent internet banking facility, offer visa debit plus can even do international funds transfers through the internet banking facility

Dave

haven't they merged with Westpac?

 

[Dave Noble]

haven't they merged with Westpac?

yes, but they are still operated as separate entites

Dave

 

[JerseyVics]

two off topic questions unworthy of starting their own thread in another forum:


1. Can one sign up for Velocity with Virgin Blue after one booked a flight with them, and therefore still get credit for that flight?


2. Does JetStar offer any advantage over Virgin Blue besides the slightly lower fares? They don't have an FF program, correct?

 

[Mal]

1. Can one sign up for Velocity with Virgin Blue after one booked a flight with them, and therefore still get credit for that flight?

2. Does JetStar offer any advantage over Virgin Blue besides the slightly lower fares? They don't have an FF program, correct?

1. Yes - if you sign up before the flight, or < 30 days after your flight you can get credit: http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/f...ocity.+Can+I+earn+Points+for+past+activities?

Either claim your flight after joining, or quote your membership # when checking in.

2. No. They're both similar (although I would lean towards DJ-Virgin Blue). Some fares on JQ-Jetstar do earn points on the Qantas FF program, but they are expensive 'flex' type fares. If you were a Qantas Club member, then flying Jetstar would get you access to the Qantas lounge before your flight. Similarly (but not consistently) having another OneWorld FF scheme with Sapphire/Emerald status may get you access before a flight - but it tends to be an exception rather than a rule as JQ are not in OneWorld.

 

[bazzam]

Hi JerseyVics, just in case you decide to join Qantas (I know you said you had a preference for Velocity but thought I would mention this anyway), you should do it while you are still in the US. If you join in Oz they charge a fee (somewhere around AU$80) whereas if you put in an overseas address its free. If you do rack up a few miles while you are here you can probably then use them on oneworld flights in the US. I'm not sure whether you can use velocity miles anywhere but Oz.

 

[Dave Noble]

Hi JerseyVics, just in case you decide to join Qantas (I know you said you had a preference for Velocity but thought I would mention this anyway), you should do it while you are still in the US. If you join in Oz they charge a fee (somewhere around AU$80) whereas if you put in an overseas address its free. If you do rack up a few miles while you are here you can probably then use them on oneworld flights in the US. I'm not sure whether you can use velocity miles anywhere but Oz.

No point joining if he never uses them. If he does, he can join then and still just use the US address to sign up with

Dave

 

[docjames]

No point joining if he never uses them. If he does, he can join then and still just use the US address to sign up with

Dave

Given that it costs nothing to join, and (if you like) you get emails about their latest flight offers etc, and when he moves back to US, you can fly AA and get SC/points, why not join?

 

[Dave Noble]

Given that it costs nothing to join, and (if you like) you get emails about their latest flight offers etc, and when he moves back to US, you can fly AA and get SC/points, why not join?

For the same reason that most people wouldnt join every hotel, car hire and hotel scheme just on the offchance that sometime maybe in the future they might use them. It is a waste of time

When he moves back to US , it would be v unlikely that the QF scheme would be worth using and the AA scheme would likely be much more useful, especially as an economy traveller

Dave

 

[docjames]

True. AA is probably the best if the intention is to move back to USA.

Having said that, you can redeem QF points on AA fairly readily, so not really a barrier.

If the OP is going to get an AUS credit card, then he cant post that to AA so i'd go QF now, maybe switch to AA upon return (and use up any acrued QF points).

 

[Dave Noble]

If the OP is going to get an AUS credit card, then he cant post that to AA so i'd go QF now, maybe switch to AA upon return (and use up any acrued QF points).

A big if , imo, given that he isn't a permanent resident

Dave

 

[JerseyVics]

I've joined Qantas already. I decided not to claim AAdvantage miles for my LAX-SYD-LAX flight because that fare only earns 50% That being said I will probably never collect enough Qantas points to use them for anything, but by the same token I avoid American in the US so either way its a waste.


It looks like I will be choosing JetStar for my first intra-OZ flight, SYD-AVV becaue its cheaper than Virgin Blue and gets me closer to my final destination Geelong for that week. Too bad I won't get any points for it, but at least I'll be able to set up some sort of bank account so I don't have to pay extra for future booking fees with either airline.


I've read on FlyerTalk that JetStar and Virgin Blue are super strict on carry-on luggage allowances. I'm sure you guys will confirm that, are there any tricks to avoid harrasment at check in? I'm not looking to scam anyone but don't want to be forced to check a bag if I don't have to either, I just saw the airport checked baggage fees and they're more than my air fare.


thanks,
--Russ

 

[serfty]

Jetstar's cheapest fares do not include checked luggage, so be careful. These are marketed as "Jetsaver Light".

"Jetsaver" fares cost $10 more and include a 20Kg checked luggage allowance. You can increase this checked luggage allowance weight with a payment at the time of booking of $20/$40/$80 for 5/10/20Kg. There is no "piece limit".

You are limited to 10Kg of carry-on in any case.


If you have already made your jetstar booking you will need to check this out. I do believe you can call and pay for extra luggage.

 

[JerseyVics]

I haven't finalized the booking yet.

My US carry on seems to be too big to be an Aussie carry on.

I might have to buy another bag.

Boy they really get you on the size of your luggage... and I love how an umbralla or a jacket is considered a personal item. Sheesh... I guess I understand though... JetBlue flies 150 seat configuration on its A320... JetStar stuffs 177 people instead.

I always travel light in the US (on all my flights so far I don't think I checked in one bag yet, except on an international flight) but now I'll have to travel even lighter.

 

[Dave Noble]

think I checked in one bag yet, except on an international flight) but now I'll have to travel even lighter.

Or just check luggage in; the 15 minutes extra at the end of a journey is hardly a major hassle. Unlike the USA, baggage does come to the carousels in a timely manner as a rule

Dave

 

[JerseyVics]

Or just check luggage in; the 15 minutes extra at the end of a journey is hardly a major hassle. Unlike the USA, baggage does come to the carousels in a timely manner as a rule

Dave

I'll give it a try.

off topic again, but based on a recent observation JetStar seems to be consistently $10 to $20 cheaper than Virgin on the same routes. Does it make sense to stick to the Velocity program? Assuming I do just enough travel to earn an award flight within 11 months of my stay there, I think based on the savings alone I would be able to pay for that award trip if I stuck with Jet*... is that about right or am I missing something Virgin has that Jet* doesn't?