Funds Security

[harvyk]

Combination of both just like I would in Australia.
Depends on where I am and what is most likely going to be accepted, for example if I was going to do lots of small transactions, eg buying an ice cream on a pier or a tacky souvenir I'd take cash. However if I was going to have dinner in a fancy resturant for example I'm much more likely to pay by plastic.

As for making sure that cards are topped up, well it's easist to do financial things prior to leaving than once you're away. Whilst the internet has helped a lot in this regard the last thing you want is to spend a night on a park bench because the funds in a certain card ran dry and your unable to transfer funds across in a timely manner. I can't speak for park benches, but those sets of 4 seats at airports are not much fun for sleeping on (done that twice where I got a late flight in, and very early flight out), so I can only imagine what a park bench would be like. Don't forget that certain places such as hotels and car rental places may actually put a hold on your money sitting in cards. Thus you may have $1000 sitting there, it's just not yet released by a car hire place.

 

[Stargazer]

As for making sure that cards are topped up, well it's easist to do financial things prior to leaving than once you're away

I still don't understand why you need to top up your credit cards. Am I missing something here. Are your credit card limits insufficient or do you intend spending like there's no tomorrow. If the latter I can understand why you might top up your cards. But if you plan to just spend normally then if your credit card has a reasonably high limit I can't see why you would need to top up. So educate me!!

Secondly I recall reading a post somewhere that lending institutions become angry if cards are topped up. I think even someone's card was frozen because of this???

 

[harvyk]

I believe that ppl mean make sure your credit card is paid off (ideally in full) prior to leaving. Because even if you don't intend on spending to your full limit, you'd be lucky to find a hotel \ car hire place that won't put a freeze on some of your funds whilst your away as a security deposit.

 

[ColinP]

I still don't understand why you need to top up your credit cards. Am I missing something here. Are your credit card limits insufficient or do you intend spending like there's no tomorrow. If the latter I can understand why you might top up your cards. But if you plan to just spend normally then if your credit card has a reasonably high limit I can't see why you would need to top up. So educate me!!

I thought it was explained quite well by Cynicor. I certainly can't explain it any better.

3. We top up credit cards that are fee free for ATM withdrawals, as our debit (savings) cards charge commissions and fees for withdrawals at ATMs. We do not use the credit limit for cash advances as that would incur an immediate interest penalty (i.e. the advance accumulates interest from the moment you take it, rather than the interest free period). As the 28 degress is fee free and commission free, if you put it into credit you have access to your savings for no fee. The penalty of this is that you cannot use the same card for it's interest free periods, as any purchases also come off your topped up amount. I personally avoid this by having multiple accounts and using one for savings, one for credit.
Others may have the NAB and the 28 degrees.

Clear as mud?

 

[serfty]

I use my CC in an ATM. The CC is the 28° which is fee free. I use this solely for Foreign Cash.

For more on that (and keeping in credit balance), see this thread:

• http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../28-wizard-mastercard-cash-advances-6960.html

Check the links included in the very first post of that thread for further information.

 

[Crowne11]

Has anyone used the ANZ travel card which can be pre-loaded with up to six currencies. Are there any downsides?

I just returned from USA and this was my primary card. Had no problems using it at ATM's and as a credit card in restaurants/shops etc.
The only place that I could not use the card was when purchasing concert tickets and the reason for this was they required the card to have a person's name on it.