VA Global Wallet

[bcworld]

Thanks Baz. I haven't really considered the Citibank Plus as I've been very happy with my 28 degrees. The only real difference I can see between the two is that 28D is a credit card and CB+ is a debit card? Otherwise they work exactly the same?

Well the main difference is that Citibank plus is just an everyday transaction account which happens to have fee free overseas ATM access and visa debit. So you don't have to preload it with funds (to avoid cash advance interest) if you want to use the ATM like you do with 28 degrees. So the two cards are complimentary to each other if you also want a credit card function.

 

[pauly7]

Well the main difference is that Citibank plus is just an everyday transaction account which happens to have fee free overseas ATM access and visa debit. So you don't have to preload it with funds (to avoid cash advance interest) if you want to use the ATM like you do with 28 degrees. So the two cards are complimentary to each other if you also want a credit card function.

I would also add Citibank has better forex rates than 28 degrees as well.

 

[Cynicor]

I would also add Citibank has better forex rates than 28 degrees as well.

That is not correct.
Citibank use Visa rates and 28 uses MasterCard rates. Visa rates are based off the prior day's trading and so may be higher and lower than the 28 depending on how the dollar has moved overnight.

You may find, in big price movements, that you are markedly better off with Citi, but you can also be worse off too. Neither build in a commission that is noticeable on the posted rates.

There is extensive experience on other threads of this board.

 

[a330j]

Can someone explain what a Virtual Card feature is and how it works? Thanks

 

[pauly7]

That is not correct.
Citibank use Visa rates and 28 uses MasterCard rates. Visa rates are based off the prior day's trading and so may be higher and lower than the 28 depending on how the dollar has moved overnight.

You may find, in big price movements, that you are markedly better off with Citi, but you can also be worse off too. Neither build in a commission that is noticeable on the posted rates.

There is extensive experience on other threads of this board.

Sorry I'd humbly disagree with your opinion - having held both for a period of time in dual operation working out what is better, Citibank has won a lot more often than 28 degrees.

I am however using it mostly for retail, hotel, restaurants in usually Europe, Asia and US so perhaps in those markets I have been advantaged with Citibank's VISA forex approach, hard to tell.

So in my experience and use I am not incorrect but thank you for voicing your opinion. I should have made it more clear that it was my experience and testing that led me to my opinion though so apologies for any confusion.

 

[serfty]

I would also add Citibank has better forex rates than 28 degrees as well.

YMMV on that - both are better than almost all the others ... but I have seen comparisons with the 28° being better.

I have both now and am planning to do a same ATM comparison at the next opportunity.


http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tibank-plus-no-fee-no-34155-2.html#post554064

 

[Cynicor]

Sorry I'd humbly disagree with your opinion - having held both for a period of time in dual operation working out what is better, Citibank has won a lot more often than 28 degrees.

I am however using it mostly for retail, hotel, restaurants in usually Europe, Asia and US so perhaps in those markets I have been advantaged with Citibank's VISA forex approach, hard to tell.

So in my experience and use I am not incorrect but thank you for voicing your opinion. I should have made it more clear that it was my experience and testing that led me to my opinion though so apologies for any confusion.

Sure, but you are incorrect if trying to state a fact- the rates are different and one is not better than the other. If stating an opinion, maybe form it as one or others may get the wrong impression?

 

[pauly7]

Sure, but you are incorrect if trying to state a fact- the rates are different and one is not better than the other. If stating an opinion, maybe form it as one or others may get the wrong impression?

I've already stated as much and apologized for not expressing it as my experience and opinion - you must have missed that.

 

[erkpod]

Can someone explain what a Virtual Card feature is and how it works? Thanks

You have your physical card with a card number, CCV & expiry date. On the app, you can create a virtual card that lives on the app & has a different card number, CCV & (possibly) a different expiry date.

I used it the other night ok when I had my phone with me but not my card when I made an online purchase.

 

[pauly7]

YMMV on that - both are better than almost all the others ... but I have seen comparisons with the 28° being better.

I have both now and am planning to do a same ATM comparison at the next opportunity.


http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tibank-plus-no-fee-no-34155-2.html#post554064

It's a really interesting exercise!

I had them both for about six months and did lots of testing in ATMs and merchants in regions/countries already stated. From those countries and time periods Citibank won about 8/10 - so I didn't bother continuing with 28 degrees.

Would be interested in getting your opinion too!

 

[DeKa]

It's a really interesting exercise!

I had them both for about six months and did lots of testing in ATMs and merchants in regions/countries already stated. From those countries and time periods Citibank won about 8/10 - so I didn't bother continuing with 28 degrees.

Would be interested in getting your opinion too!

This is why I tell everyone who uses 28 Degrees for cash they should stop, and get Citibank Plus (and use 28 Degrees as a credit card if you need it).

 

[Joshua]

Yep for several years I've been using the Citibank account for just pulling out money. Seems crazy to me to load up a credit card - that's not its purpose. The fx rates are effectively the same, we've seen it time and time again.

 

[marki]

28D uses the Reserve bank rate.
(XE was the rate they used before).
What does CitiPlus use ?

By the way interesting topic. It looks like my next trip OS is with CitiPlus in the wallet.

 

[DeKa]

28D uses the Reserve bank rate.
(XE was the rate they used before).
What does CitiPlus use ?

By the way interesting topic. It looks like my next trip OS is with CitiPlus in the wallet.

28 Degrees does not use the "Reserve bank rate" - they use the MasterCard rate which is updated very frequently (once a minute).

Citibank Plus use the Visa rate which is the average of the previous day's rate.

 

[marki]

Thanks for that. I did ring and ask, preferred when they used XE rate. Last time I rang the information given to me was that the RBR. Hence not as good.

Where can you check the MasterCard rate ??

Cheers

 

[DeKa]

https://www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/ I presume.

Note 28 Degrees T&C's 8.4 says MasterCard rate is used: http://www.28degreescard.com.au/media/documents/conditions-of-use.pdf

 

[serfty]

[MOD HAT] {ON}

Some discussion herein regarding other options to the VA Global Wallet and what may be better is occurring. This will stay for now, but as a good discussion in it's own right, these posts will be moved to a new thread in a few days.​

[/MOD HAT] {OFF}

 

[marki]

Thanks Deka

 

[Milboo]

Hoping someone can help me out here. I just want the BPay Biller Code for the Velocity Wallet.

For some reason the website is not loading properly on my iPad and while I can read my reference number, I can't see the BPay Biller Code.

I did the logical thing and emailed their support and asked for it. The first reply thanked me for notifying them of the issue with the website and they had logged it with IT and then closed my question. When I went back and said they had not answered my question and repeated it, I got told that I could find this number on their website....

it would be amusing if it was not the same person responding all within the same trail of emails!

 

[DGW]

FYI you can look these up on the Bpay website: BPAY - Find Biller Codes of Financial Institutions