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]

I believe the Aeon bank ATMs might charge a slightly lower fee than the others, but that seems to be the only alternative.

They’re suppose to charge ~150 TB (instead of the usual 220). But I couldn’t find one nearby.

 

[Duffa]

Have a look at this nice little bank scam !!!
Ulster bank ATM in Northern Ireland kindly offered to charge me in AUD.
I declined!
My bank statement showed $385, more than $20 less.
Beware!!!

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Have a look at this nice little bank scam !!!
Ulster bank ATM in Northern Ireland kindly offered to charge me in AUD.
I declined!
My bank statement showed $385, more than $20 less.
Beware!!!
View attachment 356816

But at least they had the good grace to advise you (twice) that there is a 6% mark up on the exchange rate…

 

[Flashback]

But at least they had the good grace to advise you (twice) that there is a 6% mark up on the exchange rate…

Yes, for ATMs DCC is less sneaky than it used to be. Not so much on merchant terminals though.....

 

[SYD]

Yes, for ATMs DCC is less sneaky than it used to be. Not so much on merchant terminals though.....

Only if the merchant presses the button while you’re not looking…

 

[Happy Dude]

So you proceeded without the conversion? Why would anyone accept "with"?

 

[Cynicor]

Many would not know the current rate, not read it properly or not realise it’s worse than their own bank rate.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I haven’t received my new NAB card yet, I can still use the old citi bank one? Apparently the new card is in the mail!

 

[oz_mark]

I haven’t received my new NAB card yet, I can still use the old citi bank one? Apparently the new card is in the mail!

Until next year. They haven't.moved any money or anything yet. They've just opened the accounts ready for use.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Until next year. They haven't.moved any money or anything yet. They've just opened the accounts ready for use.

Woo hoo! Thanks.

I see. I got about 10 emails from NAB, only skimmed them and didn’t understand much!

 

[Duffa]

So you proceeded without the conversion? Why would anyone accept "with"?

Exactly. But this was the first time EVER in my overseas travels that I have seen a bank try to pull this scam, so I was wishing to warn the unsuspecting public

 

[Cynicor]

It’s really common so I’m glad you haven’t had to experience it before!
I guess as cash becomes less useful the conversion costs and fee free atm costs are less relevant in the long run, anyway.

I’m not quite done with cash in SIN yet, and I suspect the USA and Sri Lanka next year will both need a bit of hard currency, however

 

[serfty]

Exactly. But this was the first time EVER in my overseas travels that I have seen a bank try to pull this scam, so I was wishing to warn the unsuspecting public

It’s really common so I’m glad you haven’t had to experience it before!
I guess as cash becomes less useful the conversion costs and fee free atm costs are less relevant in the long run, anyway.

I’m not quite done with cash in SIN yet, and I suspect the USA and Sri Lanka next year will both need a bit of hard currency, however

Yes, I have seen this several times - always need to be alert.

 

[SYD]

Yes, I have seen this several times - always need to be alert.

I saw it in Canada this year looking for a Citi friendly ATM. This one wasn’t, on top of a $5 ATM fee, it offered me the convenience of DCC! Pass….

 

[muppet]

So you proceeded without the conversion? Why would anyone accept "with"?

Not all are presented like that.

I got stung in Auckland by an ATM that just said “Your withdrawal is $xx in AUD, do you accept the conversion.” Options were YES or NO, very deceptive as it wasn’t clear that pressing NO wouldn’t cancel the transaction, just their DCC scam.

 

[Happy Dude]

Exactly. But this was the first time EVER in my overseas travels that I have seen a bank try to pull this scam, so I was wishing to warn the unsuspecting public

I saw it in the UK at a Sainsbury and Barclays (I think) ATMs and in coughic in France (can't recall bank), when I wanted to get small amounts of cash with my ING card. I didn't proceed with the UK ones. I declined the conversion for the French atm but as per @muppet post, it could easily be assumed that decline/no means cancel the transaction as that was my initial reaction too. It is deliberately opaque.

 

[SYD]

Not all are presented like that.

I got stung in Auckland by an ATM that just said “Your withdrawal is $xx in AUD, do you accept the conversion.” Options were YES or NO, very deceptive as it wasn’t clear that pressing NO wouldn’t cancel the transaction, just their DCC scam.

Although, that’s pretty much how they all work when presented. You’ve entered a local currency amount. It throws up the option to be charged in AUD, to which you press “No” (pi$$ off) and move on.

It’s actually pretty common these days. I’m not sure if it’s a particularly a thing with MC but I see it a lot with Citi card in ATMs and using my 28° MC (more so inserting than tapping the later).

Less so with VISA (eg ING, UBank DCs).

 

[Flashback]

I saw it in Canada this year looking for a Citi friendly ATM. This one wasn’t, on top of a $5 ATM fee, it offered me the convenience of DCC! Pass….

Exactly, why do you think so many ATMs have popped up now.... money making machines!

 

[mika_duffer]

I've had some odd stares from the staff. Like a "how many times is that customer going to try to use that same card?" stare. But have got through unquestioned...

Was laughing at this. I do the exact same but do $0.01 payments. However, not only do I have the ING card, but I also have a Westpac Spend & Save and a myBOQ Future Saver account which also require 5 transactions each.
FIFTEEN x $0.01 transactions then pay the rest on my credit card haha

The shop assistants look at me funny when I'm standing there paying for 5 minutes and look even more perplexed when the receipt comes out looking like War & Peace on thermal paper
My girlfriend hates having to wait while I do this process but I like to work out how much per hour I'm conceptually getting paid to stand there and look like a plonker based on how much bonus interest I'm getting divided by the 5 minutes it takes. Makes it all worthwhile haha

 

[Thibault]

Was laughing at this. I do the exact same but do $0.01 payments. However, not only do I have the ING card, but I also have a Westpac Spend & Save and a myBOQ Future Saver account which also require 5 transactions each.
FIFTEEN x $0.01 transactions then pay the rest on my credit card haha

The shop assistants look at me funny when I'm standing there paying for 5 minutes and look even more perplexed when the receipt comes out looking like War & Peace on thermal paper
My girlfriend hates having to wait while I do this process but I like to work out how much per hour I'm conceptually getting paid to stand there and look like a plonker based on how much bonus interest I'm getting divided by the 5 minutes it takes. Makes it all worthwhile haha

For BOQ - BPAY payments counts toward the 5x transactions a month.
For Westpac, I found that Beem It card transfers from my Westpac to BOQ card also works - if that helps !