Q for international travellers

[weeds]

hey

megs is heading over the canada in may for three weeks leaving me at home with the boys:(

we figured using the credit card as mush as possible will save having to have too many travellers cheques

looking for tips to save on currency transaction fees when using the credit card, or even cash advance or eftpos

we haven't check with our bank on fees yet....

[dmdigital]

With the ATM's check with your bank which ones will work and also which banks are part of their partnership group (cheaper fees but finding that bank's ATM might be impossible). Personally I don't bother with T/Cheques, just use plastic.

Also remember to tell both your bank and C/Card provider that you'll be overseas, when, where and for how long or they may well put a block on your card after the first couple of transactions. Its all part of anti-fraud and whilst may seem annoying it's nice to know they do check on things.

Where in Canada? East or West?

[ladas]

Kevin

I thravel extensively - mainly in Asia, but also to the Middle east, europe and the us

I havent used TC's for 20 years - they are a pain in the bum

I travel with credit and debit cards - and some of my credit cards are linked to savings accounts as well so instead of drawing dosh off the CC you use your own money.

This way you only carry the small amount of cash you need for immediates/

Chuck the Travellers cheques away - they really are painfull

Most - even - third world countries - have good ATM links nowdays

[ladas]

And no I wasn't saying Canada was a - oops sorry not third world, or a Developing Country:D

[JohnE]

same here europe and north america, especially canada, south america and desert countries,
travellers checks to me are in the same league as the fax machine, dinosaurs of another era.

Most access cards have a cirrus/maestro/with a visa or m/c link
They are everywhere, go to an atm and draw out what you need, ust like here it is really easy.
IMHO Its not even worth checking out the rate your financial institution is going to charge you for the foreign conversion fee, unless they are a mercenary group and milk as much as they can out of you in fees. Its all done in the statement.

the only thing i suggest is you get the card fixed so it is on a daily limit, so that is the maximum that can be taken out of an atm on any given day. 1,000 is a good amount 500 sometimes is not enough.

I have some very good friends in canada, from vancouver to newfoundland, aside from the language it is an excellent place to visit.


john

[waynep]

I agree with Ladas - credit cards, ATM cards are the way to go.

I used to carry Visa card when on business travel in Asia ( no longer thankfully) as that was the most accepted - probably the same in Canada. Visa's exchange rates seemed to be pretty good but I noticed on the last trip they were slugging a "currency conversion fee" on top of every transaction.

I also carried a separate ATM only card ( Cashcard). I think it's a good idea to have seperate Credit Card and ATM/cashcard. The cashcard needs to have the "Maestro" symbol to be able to draw cash from ATMs overseas. All major bank cashcards have Maestro but some small banks and building societies may not be. When getting cash out don't get lots of small amounts, instead get a few hundred $ at a time, that way you save on transaction fees.

For initial cash Australian dollars are very negotiable everywhere so there's not much point in carrying US Dollars. For initial Canadian dollars don't change this end, wait until they get to Canada ( better rates ). They should keep a "stash" of a couple hundred dollars well hidden somewhere in their suitcase - for emergency just in case they lose all their cards.

[solmanic]

Get a Wizard ClearAdvantage Mastercard! NO FOREIGN CURRENCY CONVERSION FEES!
I kid you not.

We have used one overseas for the past 4 years and it's been great. On our last trip alone I estimate it saved us about $700. Even the conversion rates are good. I am always pleasantly surprised when I get the statement to see that my A$ amounts are less than I thought.
Even O/S ATM transaction fees are cheap or sometimes non-existant! And it's just a regular Mastercard so it's fairly widely accepted. You don't need to be a Wizard customer to get one either.

BTW - don't worry about Maestro - a regular Mastercard is usually accepted by ATMs anyway. And we usually put the card into credit and just use it as a debit card. Too easy.

[weeds]

thanks guys some good feedback there

wonder wot i can buy with the savings

[isuzurover]

Kevin

I thravel extensively - mainly in Asia, but also to the Middle east, europe and the us

I havent used TC's for 20 years - they are a pain in the bum

I travel with credit and debit cards - and some of my credit cards are linked to savings accounts as well so instead of drawing dosh off the CC you use your own money.

This way you only carry the small amount of cash you need for immediates/

Chuck the Travellers cheques away - they really are painfull

Most - even - third world countries - have good ATM links nowdays

What ladas said.

Had no problems in Canada getting cash out at any ATM, or using CC. Even in Guatemala and Mexico didn't have any (major) problems.

Funnily enough, Germany is probably one of the worst countries, as most places don't accept credit cards - only cash or "EC" card (not Australian Eftpos cards).

[VladTepes]

WHen I went to Canada I took TC's. WHy, you ask ?

1) Because I didn;t think to ask here first !
2) Because I drive a Defender and not one of them new fashioned thingies


Anyway I had no dramas using TC's. DIdn;t try using autobanks much but the one I did try worked, so I guees its ok as well. I just didnt wan;t to get over there only to find out no way of getting money in the middle of the rockies !!!!

[MickG]

I use a cash passport card from Travelex (may be available from other places too) You basically decide how much cash to whack on the card either in AUD or Canadian before you go and it is pin code protected just like your every day ATM card. There is a tranaction fee each time you draw from an ATM, but the benefit is you have already paid the exchange rate and therefore your balance is all yours......minus the tranaction fees which varies from country to counrty. You can have multiple cards on the same A/C. Very easy to use and the only trick is to get the best exchange rate before you put the money on it. Only down side is you are more inclined to withdraw larger amount as the withdrawal fee is the same for $10 as it is for $1000. All fees are disclosed up front for the country you are visiting so you never ned to check rates each day etc.

HTH, Mick

[weeds]

Get a Wizard ClearAdvantage Mastercard! NO FOREIGN CURRENCY CONVERSION FEES!
I kid you not.

We have used one overseas for the past 4 years and it's been great. On our last trip alone I estimate it saved us about $700. Even the conversion rates are good. I am always pleasantly surprised when I get the statement to see that my A$ amounts are less than I thought.
Even O/S ATM transaction fees are cheap or sometimes non-existant! And it's just a regular Mastercard so it's fairly widely accepted. You don't need to be a Wizard customer to get one either.

BTW - don't worry about Maestro - a regular Mastercard is usually accepted by ATMs anyway. And we usually put the card into credit and just use it as a debit card. Too easy.

wouldn't this mean its a cash advance and interest is charged from the day of the withdrawal:angel::angel:confused

[ak]

I use a cash passport card from Travelex (may be available from other places too) You basically decide how much cash to whack on the card either in AUD or Canadian before you go and it is pin code protected just like your every day ATM card. There is a tranaction fee each time you draw from an ATM, but the benefit is you have already paid the exchange rate and therefore your balance is all yours......minus the tranaction fees which varies from country to counrty. You can have multiple cards on the same A/C. Very easy to use and the only trick is to get the best exchange rate before you put the money on it. Only down side is you are more inclined to withdraw larger amount as the withdrawal fee is the same for $10 as it is for $1000. All fees are disclosed up front for the country you are visiting so you never ned to check rates each day etc.

HTH, Mick

This is the go used it in the USA eariler this year. Check their website out.

My wife is back tomorrow from being in Italy for three weeks with her mother. The girls and I ( 8 and 10 ) survived just.

[weeds]

I use a cash passport card from Travelex (may be available from other places too) You basically decide how much cash to whack on the card either in AUD or Canadian before you go and it is pin code protected just like your every day ATM card. There is a tranaction fee each time you draw from an ATM, but the benefit is you have already paid the exchange rate and therefore your balance is all yours......minus the tranaction fees which varies from country to counrty. You can have multiple cards on the same A/C. Very easy to use and the only trick is to get the best exchange rate before you put the money on it. Only down side is you are more inclined to withdraw larger amount as the withdrawal fee is the same for $10 as it is for $1000. All fees are disclosed up front for the country you are visiting so you never ned to check rates each day etc.

HTH, Mick


This is the go used it in the USA eariler this year. Check their website out.

My wife is back tomorrow from being in Italy for three weeks with her mother. The girls and I ( 8 and 10 ) survived just.


they do not do canadian $$$, along with the $3.75 transaction fee megs will also be slugged with a 5.95% conversion fee for every transaction

[isuzurover]

they do not do canadian $$$, along with the $3.75 transaction fee megs will also be slugged with a 5.95% conversion fee for every transaction

Exactly - stay away from travelex... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[solmanic]

wouldn't this mean its a cash advance and interest is charged from the day of the withdrawal:angel::angel:confused

As long as the card balance is in credit then there is no interest. Yes, technically it is a cash advance but as long as the money is coming out of deposited funds, there is no interest, just the cash advance fee, which is minimal on the Clear Advantage card.

[EchiDna]

I've lived and worked all over Asia for more than 11 years - never even seen a traveller' cheque... it's cash or ATM card as far as I'm concerned. One bank I use charges a flat $5 withdrawal fee per transaction on ATM card, but 5% on a credit card withdrawal.... do your sums, I'm sure you will find out what works best with the cards you have :)

In the US its almost a cashless society, everything goes on credit from a cup of coffee to the mortgage.

[weeds]

all sorted.....confirmed with wizard, hopefully megs will give me some piece and quiet