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.)

 

[Lynda2475]

Am currently in Fiji, only atm at NAD was westpac, fee for citibank card was FJG15, needless to say didnt withdraw any cash. Used wbc card to get $40 just in case but have found dont actually need any cash as the dive/snorkel boats are all cashless, hotel charge to room etc.

 

[Pushka]

Am currently in Fiji, only atm at NAD was westpac, fee for citibank card was FJG15, needless to say didnt withdraw any cash. Used wbc card to get $40 just in case but have found dont actually need any cash as the dive/snorkel boats are all cashless, hotel charge to room etc.

As per your suggestion upthread, despite having spoken to them a month ago and having new card sent, and then activated, Citibank had closed my account for non use. Sorted that out by calling, after five minutes of the recorded voice telling me to use the app, which of course, you can't. Now to summons up the energy to call up for husbands card but will hand over to him for final human speaker. This cancellation thing when there is money in the account - how can they do this?

Likely we won't need much cash but simply use credit cards.

 

[OATEK]

As per your suggestion upthread, despite having spoken to them a month ago and having new card sent, and then activated, Citibank had closed my account for non use. Sorted that out by calling, after five minutes of the recorded voice telling me to use the app, which of course, you can't. Now to summons up the energy to call up for husbands card but will hand over to him for final human speaker. This cancellation thing when there is money in the account - how can they do this?

Likely we won't need much cash but simply use credit cards.

We used our Westpac Global Wallet cards quite a lot in March. My trip spreadsheet calculates daily expenses based on a very basic formula, and we try to load up that amount in advance and work to it. Just flashing the CC every time seems to accumulate more expenses than the debit card. Obviously for hotels, cars etc you need the CC

 

[Port Power]

As per your suggestion upthread, despite having spoken to them a month ago and having new card sent, and then activated, Citibank had closed my account for non use. Sorted that out by calling, after five minutes of the recorded voice telling me to use the app, which of course, you can't. Now to summons up the energy to call up for husbands card but will hand over to him for final human speaker. This cancellation thing when there is money in the account - how can they do this?

Likely we won't need much cash but simply use credit cards.

Sounds like it is a good idea to use the card in Australia at least once every six months. My no-fee (but non QF points earning) Bankwest credit card has never been locked, but I might pay for parking every few months for peace of mind.

 

[serfty]

This cancellation thing when there is money in the account - how can they do this?

It's not really "Cancellation", however the account can become "Inactive" after 12 months if it is not "used". Presumably "Usage" means transactions such as debits or credits.

 

[chodo]

It's not really "Cancellation", however the account can become "Inactive" after 12 months if it is not "used". Presumably "Usage" means transactions such as debits or credits.

In my case, it’s allowing me to pay for retail items and restaurant/hotel spend but I can’t take money out of ATM’s - Citibank or other

 

[Pushka]

In my case, it’s allowing me to pay for retail items and restaurant/hotel spend but I can’t take money out of ATM’s - Citibank or other

When the card was re-established I was told to make an ATM withdrawal within 24 hours or use it for a transaction at a store etc within 4 hours.

 

[chodo]

When the card was re-established I was told to make an ATM withdrawal within 24 hours or use it for a transaction at a store etc within 4 hours.

That’s nice of them. They never told me. All my Citibank experiences with Qantas and flybuys linked cards have been third rate, so this really doesn’t surprise me

 

[Tag2305]

I’m a bit confused here, I got Bankwest Plat, as it has no forex fees, and Latitude 28, same, but one had no atm fees or at least a reversal, I’ve just read all the specs again, now that we can travel again, and can’t find the atm fee free thing? Going to Sth America then an Antarctic cruise, whats the best card to take, sounds as if you all think Citi or ING?

 

[SydneySwan]

I’m a bit confused here, I got Bankwest Plat, as it has no forex fees, and Latitude 28, same, but one had no atm fees or at least a reversal, I’ve just read all the specs again, now that we can travel again, and can’t find the atm fee free thing? Going to Sth America then an Antarctic cruise, whats the best card to take, sounds as if you all think Citi or ING?

When I last went to SA in 2019 I used ING for ATMs and BankWest Plat for CC transactions.

 

[SYD]

I’m a bit confused here, I got Bankwest Plat, as it has no forex fees, and Latitude 28, same, but one had no atm fees or at least a reversal, I’ve just read all the specs again, now that we can travel again, and can’t find the atm fee free thing? Going to Sth America then an Antarctic cruise, whats the best card to take, sounds as if you all think Citi or ING?

If BW gives fee free ATM withdrawals, use it at ATMs that don’t charge their own fees. Otherwise, your ING will serve you well for cash ATM withdrawals (especially in SA). They’ll rebate their own withdrawal fee and any 3rd party ATM fee 5x per month. Any withdrawal (with or without a machine charge) will count as one of the five. Also make sure you meet the ING hurdles the month *before* you need to use it.

If you’re happy putting stuff on CC, the 28° MC will still be very good (Int fee free). I’m currently giving mine a workout. But if you want to track spend v budget, using the ING VISA debit function is much the much.

 

[Tag2305]

Thanks for the replies, I dont have ING, think I’ll apply for one for atm use, then use BW or Latitude cc’s.

 

[theblank]

That’s nice of them. They never told me. All my Citibank experiences with Qantas and flybuys linked cards have been third rate, so this really doesn’t surprise me

Its generally expected by a bank that if you open an account with them, you gonna use it (normally). Only transacting on it once a year is an indication an account is becoming dormant, and cant blame them for doing so.

I expect every bank will make accounts/cards inactive after a period of time, whenever I go overseas, i gather my collection of cards, MQ, ING, Citi, and whatever else and test them all from home. Last thing I need is to be overseas and find a card dont work, for whatever reason, including dopey me taking an expired one with me by mistake.

 

[Pushka]

Its generally expected by a bank that if you open an account with them, you gonna use it (normally). Only transacting on it once a year is an indication an account is becoming dormant, and cant blame them for doing so.

I expect every bank will make accounts/cards inactive after a period of time, whenever I go overseas, i gather my collection of cards, MQ, ING, Citi, and whatever else and test them all from home. Last thing I need is to be overseas and find a card dont work, for whatever reason, including dopey me taking an expired one with me by mistake.

Not when there is a fair chunk of cash with it and you’ve just spoken over the phone and activated a new card.

 

[chodo]

Its generally expected by a bank that if you open an account with them, you gonna use it (normally). Only transacting on it once a year is an indication an account is becoming dormant, and cant blame them for doing so.

I expect every bank will make accounts/cards inactive after a period of time, whenever I go overseas, i gather my collection of cards, MQ, ING, Citi, and whatever else and test them all from home. Last thing I need is to be overseas and find a card dont work, for whatever reason, including dopey me taking an expired one with me by mistake.

As I’ve said previously, the account has been open for 8+ years.

If I can use the Citibank card for retail purchases overseas, why can’t I use it at an ATM? Is Citibank protecting me by stopping me withdrawing cash but allowing me to spend at shops and restaurants?

Am I misunderstanding the meaning of dormant?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

CitiPlus Card- Is it still very good for International Use?

And specifically for Cash withdrawal from ATMs with no ATM fee and at a very good exchange rate.
I mainly have used this card to access cash from ATM's.

I have in the past also used my ING Debit Card.



I am heading off in June for the first of my two international holidays this year. Both are in Europe.

So I am "dusting" off this card, but is it still a good option?




In addition will the NAB acquiring the Australian Citibank business cause any issues?

PS: I also received the email below today

Important information: Citi acquired by National Australia Bank

Hi Lovetravellingoz,

As you may have heard, National Australia Bank Limited (‘NAB’) entered into an agreement with Citigroup last year to acquire the Citi consumer banking business in Australia. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and we’re expecting the business to be transferred to NAB on 1 June 2022 (the ‘Transfer Date’).

 

[serfty]

CitiPlus Card- Is it still very good for International Use?

Post moved to this recent thread, please check it out for more inormation.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

As I mentioned above, it can be transferred back out immediately. But of course, you need some cash remaining to access while travelling.

Yes and I do this all the time.

Mostly I will do it in paying a bill, or bills. I just transfer the $1000 in, and then out in paying the bill, or bills.

So it is just money that I was spending anyway, and $1000 of it just goes via ING, rather than direct.

 

[jakeseven7]

Wonder what will happen post NAB assimilation…. I see they’ve kept the licence to Citi for a short while.

I killed my Citibank CC, so it doesn’t transfer to NAB’s business (and preclude me from future NAB bonus points).

 

[Pele]

Wonder what will happen post NAB assimilation…. I see they’ve kept the licence to Citi for a short while.

I killed my Citibank CC, so it doesn’t transfer to NAB’s business (and preclude me from future NAB bonus points).

I would think that if it is still branded as a Citi credit card then it will have no impact on you being eligible for a NAB bonus points credit card deal.