Is Citi Plus still the best option for overseas cash?

[bernardblack]

Is Citi Plus still the best option for overseas cash? Obviously I haven't done a lot of international travel since 2019.

If I have to open some other account it might be time to get started, since we depart in five weeks.

(I'm set for FX-fee-free purchases, with a US Amex Gold backed with a Coles Rewards Mastercard and a Bundll account which charges to my Dragon Visa.)

 

[SYD]

If not, perhaps it is ING levying a "charge" which it is then "generously" refunding.

ING refund their own international ATM withdrawal fee plus *any* ATM fee if it’s within your 5 rebates. Even some otherwise dodgy convenience store ATM that charges US$10 fee will be rebated.

 

[Pushka]

ING refund their own international ATM withdrawal fee plus *any* ATM fee if it’s within your 5 rebates. Even some otherwise dodgy convenience store ATM that charges US$10 fee will be rebated.

It did count as one of my five when it wasn’t the bank that charged it but ING.

 

[SYD]

It did count as one of my five when it wasn’t the bank that charged it but ING.

Yep. ING charged a $5 “International ATM Withdrawal fee” but it’s rebated straight away as “International ATM Fee Rebate” (in addition to any 3rd party fee charged by the ATM itself - *including* non-bank ATMs. It’ll show like your screen shot for purchases and the “International Transaction Fee” (and Rebates).

BTW, and apologies for stating the obvious, but if your stay straddles calendar months, those OS purchases still count towards your five transactions needed to maintain the fee free benefits the following month.

 

[Jacques Vert]

A shame to forgo FF points but avoided several hundred $ in international transaction fees…

The Coles Rewards Mastercard has no international transaction fees and gives points (although the earn rate reduces after the 1st $3,000).

 

[SYD]

The Coles Rewards Mastercard has no international transaction fees and gives points (although the earn rate reduces after the 1st $3,000).

Useful to know. What’s the exchange rate like?

There’s actually quite a few (and growing) that don’t charge Int Tx fees but it pays to check if they’re picking it up on the forex. The ING CC is another but no points. I just got $150 cash back offer if I apply and spend on one.

My NAB and UBank VISA debit cards also don’t charge Int fees and I know at least the NAB does a reasonable spot rate but again, neither give points.

 

[Pushka]

Yep. ING charged a $5 “International ATM Withdrawal fee” but it’s rebated straight away as “International ATM Fee Rebate” (in addition to any 3rd party fee charged by the ATM itself - *including* non-bank ATMs. It’ll show like your screen shot for purchases and the “International Transaction Fee” (and Rebates).

BTW, and apologies for stating the obvious, but if your stay straddles calendar months, those OS purchases still count towards your five transactions needed to maintain the fee free benefits the following month.

Ah Thanks, I didn't realise that. I did five small Woolies transactions in OZ in May to shore up June. So I didn't have to, after all.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Useful to know. What’s the exchange rate like?

Well, like most members I haven't been overseas since 2019 so I have no recent experience to fall back on but if I remember correctly, back in 2019 the Coles Mastercard used the standard MasterCard rate which was pretty fair. I certainly don't remember any issues using it in France, Italy, Switzerland and Greece.

JV

 

[theblank]

Useful to know. What’s the exchange rate like?

every mastercard (and visa) will be the same exchange rate, that is an absolute. You can look up MC/Visa daily rate online, just google it. The only difference between issueing banks is if the bank itself adds on a international fee. If an Aussie bank says "no international fee, then thats it. There is nothing more to ask.

Overseas banks may get away with hiding their fee inside the exchange rate, because their countries regulations dont require fees to be listed as seperate charges. for that reason many people from overseas are oblivious to this fee gouging that banks do worldwide.

 

[lahlee]

I’m currently in Rome, and I’ve used the card to withdraw cash fee free at 3 BNP Paribas ATMs.

I got a rude shock yesterday when I was given a warning that I would be charged 3 euro to withdraw cash. As it turned out the machine was emptied of cash anyway, so I could not make a withdrawal anyway (it’s been a very busy quasi-long weekend, due to the Republic day on Thursday and many ‘making the bridge’ to form a 4 days weekend)

What worries me is that this was from the same machine I’ve used before, and I definitely did not get that message before. I’m wondering if the takeover of Citibank services by NAB on June 1 has affected the account fees. Has anyone else managed to use the card in the past few days?

 

[NoName]

I’m currently in Rome, and I’ve used the card to withdraw cash fee free at 3 BNP Paribas ATMs.

I got a rude shock yesterday when I was given a warning that I would be charged 3 euro to withdraw cash. As it turned out the machine was emptied of cash anyway, so I could not make a withdrawal anyway (it’s been a very busy quasi-long weekend, due to the Republic day on Thursday and many ‘making the bridge’ to form a 4 days weekend)

What worries me is that this was from the same machine I’ve used before, and I definitely did not get that message before. I’m wondering if the takeover of Citibank services by NAB on June 1 has affected the account fees. Has anyone else managed to use the card in the past few days?

Not a BNP machine but I withdrew from an ATM at the Hilton Rome Airport last week. Stated there was a €5 fee however nothing showed up on my account when the transaction hit.

 

[lahlee]

Thanks for the tip!

Post automatically merged: Jun 6, 2022

Will update in this thread on how it goes over the next few days.

 

[lahlee]

Not a BNP machine but I withdrew from an ATM at the Hilton Rome Airport last week. Stated there was a €5 fee however nothing showed up on my account when the transaction hit.

I made a 300 euro withdrawal yesterday from the Paribas machine that did not charge me last week. I got the same message, including the 3 euro charge specified on screen and my printed receipt. None of this was happening a week ago, so there’s definitely been a change. Happily my citibank account shows $0 fee for the transaction, so all is well.

 

[SydneySwan]

I made a 300 euro withdrawal yesterday from the Paribas machine that did not charge me last week. I got the same message, including the 3 euro charge specified on screen and my printed receipt. None of this was happening a week ago, so there’s definitely been a change. Happily my citibank account shows $0 fee for the transaction, so all is well.

I wonder if the Paribas ATM has had a software enhancement? It may be nothing to do with Citi especially if your account still shows a $0 fee.

 

[lahlee]

I wonder if the Paribas ATM has had a software enhancement? It may be nothing to do with Citi especially if your account still shows a $0 fee.

You may be right. I was just paranoid as it occurred so soon after getting the sms from NAB announcing the change.

 

[Flashback]

I don't think the fee is charged separately though, but simply added on to the amount withdrawn? i.e. a $100 with a $3 fee would debit your account $103 on the single transaction.

 

[theblank]

I don't think the fee is charged separately though, but simply added on to the amount withdrawn? i.e. a $100 with a $3 fee would debit your account $103 on the single transaction.

ATM owner fee most likely included in transaction amount.
If our bank charges a fee, it must be a seperate transaction, this is our consumer law, and has been that way since the 90's from memory.

 

[oz_mark]

I don't think the fee is charged separately though, but simply added on to the amount withdrawn? i.e. a $100 with a $3 fee would debit your account $103 on the single transaction.

Always been separate transactions for me.

 

[UncleScotty]

Now that Citi has sold off their retail banking, is ATM withdrawal still fee free overseas?

For example, when I'm in Thailand, I would always withdraw cash from Citibank ATM's. But now UOB has bought the business. Could I withdraw cash fee free from UOB?

Last I read (albeit long time ago) in Australia, Citibank will be branded like NAB-Citibank. But Citibank Thailand will make a full transition to UOB

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Now that Citi has sold off their retail banking, is ATM withdrawal still fee free overseas?

For example, when I'm in Thailand, I would always withdraw cash from Citibank ATM's. But now UOB has bought the business. Could I withdraw cash fee free from UOB?

Last I read (albeit long time ago) in Australia, Citibank will be branded like NAB-Citibank. But Citibank Thailand will make a full transition to UOB

My understanding is you can use any international ATM that doesn’t charge a “third-party” fee.

In other words, if UOB’s Citi machine don’t notify you of a separate fee then you should be fine.

From Citibank Plus Everyday Account - Citi Australia


2. National Australia Bank Limited does not charge Citibank Plus Transaction account holders a fee when they withdraw funds from an international ATM or use their Citi Debit Card to make in-store purchases overseas. Customers may be charged by the third-party provider, which National Australia Bank Limited does not control.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Now that Citi has sold off their retail banking, is ATM withdrawal still fee free overseas?

For example, when I'm in Thailand, I would always withdraw cash from Citibank ATM's. But now UOB has bought the business. Could I withdraw cash fee free from UOB?

Last I read (albeit long time ago) in Australia, Citibank will be branded like NAB-Citibank. But Citibank Thailand will make a full transition to UOB

It was fee free on Citibank’s end when I was in Europe last week. The only thing to watch is the fees charged by ATMs. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t charged €4 by Italian bank ATMs previously, but it seems to be a thing now.

When I arrived OS my Citibank card didn’t work. Turns out not using it for 2.5 years results in a hold being put on the account. However they were so helpful and quick on the phone and the issue was resolved within 5 minutes, despite the time difference. I was very impressed.