Best local credit card for backpackers?

[ric_melb]

Whilst many, if not all, Australian banks may wish that you are a permanent resident before they will issue you a credit card, I believe a number of banks will add the Visa facility to an ATM debit card, without residency status. National Bank has been mentioned, ANZ will also, and Citibank may. Some accounts are without fees and some with fees, but in general the fee is not more than AUD5 per month. I use both the HSBC and Citibank Online accounts, and both work well. The Citibank account has the advantage of no fees when being used at other bank atms, whilst HSBC use at other atms is only free for 5 transactions per month. Unlimited at HSBC.

Actually I think every bank issues an ATM card when you open an account. It would still be used/needed even if you go to a human teller!

A debit card with Visa facility can be used in the same way as a credit card, but the amount is charged to the bank account not a credit card.
With respect, it is not a "fake card". That term has connotations that would not be welcome in banking.

If using a debit or Visa debit card in Australia there is no foreign currency processing fee, as the account is in Australian dollars.
If you use the card as a Visa card outside Australia then foreign currency fees up to 3.5% would apply.

[oz_mark]

Some accounts are without fees and some with fees, but in general the fee is not more than AUD5 per month. I use both the HSBC and Citibank Online accounts, and both work well. The Citibank account has the advantage of no fees when being used at other bank atms, whilst HSBC use at other atms is only free for 5 transactions per month. Unlimited at HSBC.

While Citibank and HSBC are free now to use at other bank ATM's, is this going to be the case when the direct charging regime begins? Can't see how you can avoid the fee that the ATM owner will be allowed to charge (although I understand there is a proposal to allow HSBC holders to use the Westpac network with Westpac charging a fee).

[spunkarooney]

Remember that if you have a Bank of America account you can use Westpac ATMs without paying any international ATM fee. Westpac and Bank of America are part of the "Global Alliance". See https://www.bankofamerica.com/search...=&locale=en_US

If you want to be able to access any ATM in Australia (or abroad) fee free, you should consider the NAB Gold Banking account. There is a monthly fee of $12 if you deposit at least $5000 to the account on a monthly basis. See https://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/conne...finance/5/1/3/

Note that from 2 March 2009 Australia is moving to a direct charge model for ATM fees (similar to what you have in the USA) where the ATM owner can charge you fee directly, at the time of the transaction, which you can back out of if you wish. I don't know how this will impact NAB's Gold Banking or some of Citibank's accounts which currently offer free ATM access at all ATMs.

[JerseyVics]

I do have Bank of America... and I just got my brand spanking new Check Card / ATM card from them, so I guess the only charges I'll incure are 3% currency conversion fee...


When I do get a job though I'll still need to have an Aussie Bank for direct deposit. I'm leaning towards ANZ now but they haven't responded to my e-mail that I sent to the NY office last week.

[Dave Noble]

When I do get a job though I'll still need to have an Aussie Bank for direct deposit. I'm leaning towards ANZ now but they haven't responded to my e-mail that I sent to the NY office last week.

I find St George good. They have a decent internet banking facility, offer visa debit plus can even do international funds transfers through the internet banking facility

Dave

[JerseyVics]

I find St George good. They have a decent internet banking facility, offer visa debit plus can even do international funds transfers through the internet banking facility

Dave

haven't they merged with Westpac?

[Dave Noble]

haven't they merged with Westpac?

yes, but they are still operated as separate entites

Dave

[JerseyVics]

two off topic questions unworthy of starting their own thread in another forum:


1. Can one sign up for Velocity with Virgin Blue after one booked a flight with them, and therefore still get credit for that flight?


2. Does JetStar offer any advantage over Virgin Blue besides the slightly lower fares? They don't have an FF program, correct?

[Mal]

1. Can one sign up for Velocity with Virgin Blue after one booked a flight with them, and therefore still get credit for that flight?

2. Does JetStar offer any advantage over Virgin Blue besides the slightly lower fares? They don't have an FF program, correct?

1. Yes - if you sign up before the flight, or < 30 days after your flight you can get credit: http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/fa...+activities%3F

Either claim your flight after joining, or quote your membership # when checking in.

2. No. They're both similar (although I would lean towards DJ-Virgin Blue). Some fares on JQ-Jetstar do earn points on the Qantas FF program, but they are expensive 'flex' type fares. If you were a Qantas Club member, then flying Jetstar would get you access to the Qantas lounge before your flight. Similarly (but not consistently) having another OneWorld FF scheme with Sapphire/Emerald status may get you access before a flight - but it tends to be an exception rather than a rule as JQ are not in OneWorld.

[bazzam]

Hi JerseyVics, just in case you decide to join Qantas (I know you said you had a preference for Velocity but thought I would mention this anyway), you should do it while you are still in the US. If you join in Oz they charge a fee (somewhere around AU$80) whereas if you put in an overseas address its free. If you do rack up a few miles while you are here you can probably then use them on oneworld flights in the US. I'm not sure whether you can use velocity miles anywhere but Oz.