Travelex rip off sydney airside 27/11

[Sprucegoose]

You should be aware while Travelex offer QF Points, they dont honour this when there are other deals around. The problem is the person I was dealing with on the 27/12 at 11am (just passed the first duty free outlet, Mascot airside) didnt tell me this, took my QF card as if to process the points, they didnt say the points would not be credited and then took my money and handed back my QF card once the transactions was completed saying a points credit didnt apply to this transaction (as there was a buy back of unused currency in place, however this was only said after the tranasaction had taken place).

If this was said up front I would not have proceeded with it opting to buy in country.

The rate was rubbish in any case. 1.45 versus 1.63 incountry in town.

Too cute by half TRAVELEX. You have now lost my business for life.

SPRUCE :evil::evil::evil:

 

[samh004]

Sucks to be them!

You didn’t choose to complain after they dropped the bomb shell and ask for the transaction to be reversed?

 

[codash1099]

Sucks to be them!

You didn’t choose to complain after they dropped the bomb shell and ask for the transaction to be reversed?

Problem is that there is no choice at the airports. Travelex rate at a kiosk are always terrible. Online they vie with Amex and are only a bit less than daylight robbery.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Sucks to be them!

You didn’t choose to complain after they dropped the bomb shell and ask for the transaction to be reversed?

Sam,

I only have a limited amount of energy and pick my fights more carefully these days. Yes it was silly to hit enter when i didnt have this confirmed. It was disengenuous on their part to be quite when they understood i expected points. I was also in the FLounge and didnt want to start my trip with bad blood.

Their bad publicity here will cover my issues plus interest.!!!

 

[samh004]

Their bad publicity here will cover my issues plus interest.!!!

Haha.

Didn’t mean to sound quite so harsh. Would they have reversed it had you asked though, or would that be too much hassle?

I think the last time I used them was in an HSBC branch and I specifically asked if I could use my QF card first, as it was my first time.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Haha.

Didn’t mean to sound quite so harsh. Would they have reversed it had you asked though, or would that be too much hassle?

I think the last time I used them was in an HSBC branch and I specifically asked if I could use my QF card first, as it was my first time.

Ur not harsh by any means Sam!!!!

 

[tuapekastar]

Problem is that there is no choice at the airports. Travelex rate at a kiosk are always terrible. Online they vie with Amex and are only a bit less than daylight robbery.

Concur. In a somewhat zombie-like state after an OMG o'clock MEL arrival from SIN, something possessed me to change my SGD to AUD at the Travelex there. It was only later on I twigged to the really dreadful rate I got. Lesson: Do not attempt things like this when extremely sleepy!

 

[albatross710]

Too cute by half TRAVELEX. You have now lost my business for life.

SPRUCE :evil::evil::evil:

I wont touch them again either. More cost effective to buy/sell in SIngapore.

 

[auriga]

Bad rates is one thing, but to take your QFF card, process the whole transaction, and then inform about the non-issue of points... that is NOT good.:evil:

 

[JohnK]

Are there people that still use Travelex in Australian airports?

I would rather take my chances with hotels overseas than Travelex. Novotel Lotus in Bangkok was offering 26.05 THB to the AUD (~4 THB less than most exchange booths) this morning which I am sure is a lot more than what Travelex is offering at the best of times. The place should be put out of business....

 

[anat0l]

Their bad publicity here will cover my issues plus interest.!!!

They already get bad publicity here.

Sorry to hear of your incident. Only proves to me further that using Travelex in Australia is a scam.

 

[malmacdowall]

They already get bad publicity here.

Sorry to hear of your incident. Only proves to me further that using Travelex in Australia is a scam.

Where do members recommend using for currency exchange?
Somewhere that is convenient and can be done last minute?

I hate the rates but tend to use travelex at airport to get cash for the first day or two OS then withdraw cash from an affiliated bank in country... Any other ideas?

 

[serfty]

Where do members recommend using for currency exchange? ...

Wizard Clear Advantage Mastercard or NAB Gold Visa Debit card.

See this thread: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...zard-mastercard-cash-advances-while-6960.html

 

[markis10]

I long ago decided that airport FX is a bad thing, with the exception of SIN, and the travellex PDS does clearly state that frequent flyer points are not applicable, not that I would be reading a PDS airside! The agent should have told you before the transaction, I would make a complaint on that basis, they are probably on commission.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Are there any times at all where using airport FX companies in Australia is advisable? They always seem to have such bad rates and fees...

 

[anat0l]

Are there any times at all where using airport FX companies in Australia is advisable? They always seem to have such bad rates and fees...

If you're in a complete pinch, need the money and are airside, then of course you have no choice but to use the facilities and cop the rate on the chin (and I'll take some extra commission too, thanks).

It's rare that you may need foreign currency in a pinch that you could not otherwise wait until you arrive at your destination and find a favourable money changer or an ATM (e.g. the latter to use the Wizard Clear Advantage Mastercard). Only scenario I can think of is to pay for, say, train fare from the airport and the ticket machines do not accept cards. Customs might stop you and treat you as suspicious if you have no cash at all and entering the country, but I don't see why you can't tell them that you have credit cards and bank account back in Australia with money.

I think the only non-Travelex foreign exchange facility based at an airport in Australia is in MEL T2, arrivals area (landside). I think it is a ANZ bank facility. No idea on their rates or commissions, and no idea if it is any better than the Travelex changer near it.

In short, if you must, change some currency before you go to the airport.

 

[ChrisBNE]

The place should be put out of business....

Why? They charge a price which people are willing to pay. They offer a service which is incredibly convinient for international travellers, they have a right to charge for that priviledge.

If you do not like to price, be organised enough to arrange your currency elsewhere.

 

[anat0l]

Why? They charge a price which people are willing to pay. They offer a service which is incredibly convinient for international travellers, they have a right to charge for that priviledge.

If you do not like to price, be organised enough to arrange your currency elsewhere.

I call a bit of a monopoly on the side of the airports not encouraging at least another currency changer to open up airside in our major airports.

I think you have it right with "convenience" but I think I'll stop short of saying "willing to pay". In saying that they all still exist, so you probably have a point there.

 

[tuapekastar]

I think the only non-Travelex foreign exchange facility based at an airport in Australia is in MEL T2, arrivals area (landside). I think it is a ANZ bank facility. No idea on their rates or commissions, and no idea if it is any better than the Travelex changer near it.

An ANZ in MEL T2 departures (landside) also (and better stocked with various currencies than the arrivals one - at least according to the staff). I used it a few months back, the rate was better than Travelex but cannot recall whether it was by much.

I have a sneaking suspicion there may even have been one airside as well but by no means sure of that.

 

[anat0l]

I have a sneaking suspicion there may even have been one airside as well but by no means sure of that.

Actually, after thinking about it, you're right - there is one airside. I believe it is just beyond the central part of the Duty Free complex. In other words, just keep walking straight from security and, barring the fact that you can't walk through objects, people or walls, you'll find the ANZ currency change.

Now it begs me to think where is the Travelex on the airside? Or are ANZ and Travelex in kahoots in MEL?