Travel card? debit card or credit card?

[highland]

I am a tad confused with all the cards out there. We travel to Asia at least 3 times a year and would like to use a card that doesn't attract fees. I am not keen on a loaded debit card as it can be stolen etc.. so probably leaning towards a credit card. Any suggestions? Conversation fees, transaction fees etc is what I am trying to avoid.. cheers

 

[opusman]

Bankwest World MC.

 

[highland]

Bankwest World MC.

Cheers for the quick answer is that the Bankwest More World Mastercard?

 

[RooFlyer]

That or the 28 degrees master card. Both pretty good.

Citi debit card still recommended. Still exposed with credit card tap & pay ( not to the same extent, I know, but still an issue)

 

[TomVexille]

That or the 28 degrees master card. Both pretty good.

Citi debit card still recommended. Still exposed with credit card tap & pay ( not to the same extent, I know, but still an issue)

You should still be protected as the Citi Debit is a Mastercard. As tap transactions are processed as credit Mastercard wear the liability I believe.

 

[ontheaisle]

I usually use my Citibank Plus debit card tied to a multi-currency account for accessing cash - no account, conversion/foreign transaction, or atm fees. Exchange rate is also quite favourable for the most part, if not already holding the currency. That said, some foreign atm operators will still charge a fee but I guess them's the breaks. I keep the card in or near an RFID blocker (because I'm much more concerned about losing my money than a bank's money, haha).

I use a credit card like 28 Degrees or BW Zero Platinum for bookings/purchases, no conversion or foreign transaction fees. Carry both in separate areas in case one gets lost/stolen/compromised.

 

[michaelangelo]

ING debit card is my new go to, no fees and they even refund you any fees that the overseas bank/atm might charge you.

Only downside is this is a rolling monthly benefit, which assumes you've paid $1000 into the account as well as made 5 transactions with the card in the previous month. The approx $150 in refunded fees from my last US trip made that worthwhile for me at least.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As others recommend.... travel card - absolutely not. You will get ripped off at every opportunity with poor exchange rates, fees and all sorts of other charges. Some even charge you for an inactive account. Credit card - 28 degrees or others similar are good for large purchases. They attract no exchange fees or bank fees. Rates very close to official inter-bank rates. Debit cards - Citi debit or similar are good for cash. They also attract no exchange fees or bank fees and have rates very similar to official bank rates. While you can use them for large pruchases, you need to have the money in credit in your account. This doesn't suit everyone while traveling.

 

[cove]

Yes forget travel cards, Qantas Money and cough like that.
We use Bankwest World ,Citi debit and 28 degrees as the exchange rates are fair

 

[SponsorSFC]

I have found the ANZ Traveller worthwhile with no forex fee and the rates are reasonable. I use the Citi Plus account for cash.

Ongoing though will need to get value out o the "complimentary flight" to justify the annual fee.

 

[opusman]

As always I'll argue that travel cards like QCash have their place. Particularly when the AUD is up, it's an easy way to pre-purchase and keep foreign currency. I still have ~$10K USD on my Qantas card that I bought at 0.98.

 

[cove]

That was a while ago opusman.....nice pick up.

 

[Ausbt]

ING Debit is great. According to the app, they rebated over $350 in fees to me last fin year. Customer service is good to. However, I've become wary of 'tap-and-go' overseas (or in fact here in AU at say bars and pubs). You lose control over what you've purchased and when particularly with a lot of foreign merchant names that make you wonder if you've been skimmed/scammed (but usually you haven't). My strategy now is to withdraw cash and use that as and when needed, you can count your change.

 

[Renato1]

The three fee-free cards I use are,
Citibank Plus Transaction Account with Debit Mastercard - For getting cash from ATMs.
HSBC Visa Debit Card - should you wish to lock in rates ahead of the trip, but at better rates than Qantas Cash and Travel Cards.
28 Degree Mastercard for paying hotel and car hire bills, and purchases at big places where one is unlikley to be scammed.
Regards,
Renato

 

[cqtiger]

bankwest platinum is good I use it only for overseas transactions No fees except a cash withdrawal was $4.00

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As always I'll argue that travel cards like QCash have their place. Particularly when the AUD is up, it's an easy way to pre-purchase and keep foreign currency. I still have ~$10K USD on my Qantas card that I bought at 0.98.

Indeed. But how much cash would you have had if you went to a forex place like UAE Exchange (which is very close to the bank rate). An extra $400?

 

[opusman]

Indeed. But how much cash would you have had if you went to a forex place like UAE Exchange (which is very close to the bank rate). An extra $400?

But I don't want to carry $10K USD around with me in cash when I go to the US.