Second-best option for o/seas credit card (after 28°/Wizard)?

[trish83]

Hi all

From reading through posts on this site I can see that the Wizard credit card is by far the best to use overseas in terms of fees and conversion rates, etc. However! I am a foolish, foolish girl and have left it too late to apply (I fly out on the 17th), so I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the next best option that I could use?

I currently have a Westpac Handycard and a Westpac Ignite credit card, which are fine to use, but I was unaware of the 3% currency conversion rate until I spoke to them earlier today . I am basically looking for as few fees as possible as I hate the idea of paying 3% of my holiday savings to my bank!

And yep, before anyone suggests it, I've already spoken to Wizard and begged/pleaded/grovelled to ask if they can get a card to me sooner, with no luck.

Would appreciate any info at all, thanks!

Trish

EDIT: or has anyone found that their Wizard card has arrived within 5 business days of approval?

[yohy?!]

Hi all

From reading through posts on this site I can see that the Wizard credit card is by far the best to use overseas in terms of fees and conversion rates, etc. However! I am a foolish, foolish girl and have left it too late to apply (I fly out on the 17th), so I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the next best option that I could use?

I currently have a Westpac Handycard and a Westpac Ignite credit card, which are fine to use, but I was unaware of the 3% currency conversion rate until I spoke to them earlier today . I am basically looking for as few fees as possible as I hate the idea of paying 3% of my holiday savings to my bank!

And yep, before anyone suggests it, I've already spoken to Wizard and begged/pleaded/grovelled to ask if they can get a card to me sooner, with no luck.

Would appreciate any info at all, thanks!

Trish

EDIT: or has anyone found that their Wizard card has arrived within 5 business days of approval?

I just got back from Hong Kong and Shanghai - used my Australian Citibank Visa Debit at Citibank atms there the whole time.

There were no ATM charges and the exchange rates were quite good (6.9HKD and 5.9CNY).

So that could be an idea for you, bear in mind if you use the card for purchases the forex commission is an eye-watering 3.5% I believe

[notzac]

The problem will be getting a card (any card) before you leave -- 8 days is cutting it a little fine!
If you have time to do so, I can absolutely recommend getting an ING Direct Orange Everyday account set up:

https://www.ingdirect.com.au/oa/oe/index.aspx

The reason for recommending this card is that overseas ATM withdrawals (any ATM) will cost you AUD 2.50 and that's it. No currency commission fees whatsoever ... I've put mine to the test a few times this year and each time the amount debited from the account was within 1% of the interbank rate for the day according to XE.com. This doesn't apply to purchases, which are assessed a currency conversion fee of 2.5% of the txn.

Also -- according to OzBargain, there might be a $20 account setup bonus if you put 'CH9' in as a promo code -- I'm not sure how valid that is though. I also seem to remember reading that they're handing out $5 for each month if $2000 (i.e., salary) is deposited in to the account until the end of the year.

Last, because it's not a credit card -- applying for one won't show up on your credit report and you don't have to meet any credit criteria (save being above the age of 18) to get the card.

Hope this helps.

[Flashware]

The problem will be getting a card (any card) before you leave -- 8 days is cutting it a little fine!
If you have time to do so, I can absolutely recommend getting an ING Direct Orange Everyday account set up:

https://www.ingdirect.com.au/oa/oe/index.aspx

The reason for recommending this card is that overseas ATM withdrawals (any ATM) will cost you AUD 2.50 and that's it. No currency commission fees whatsoever ... I've put mine to the test a few times this year and each time the amount debited from the account was within 1% of the interbank rate for the day according to XE.com. This doesn't apply to purchases, which are assessed a currency conversion fee of 2.5% of the txn.

Also -- according to OzBargain, there might be a $20 account setup bonus if you put 'CH9' in as a promo code -- I'm not sure how valid that is though. I also seem to remember reading that they're handing out $5 for each month if $2000 (i.e., salary) is deposited in to the account until the end of the year.

Last, because it's not a credit card -- applying for one won't show up on your credit report and you don't have to meet any credit criteria (save being above the age of 18) to get the card.

Hope this helps.

Might be worth having a look into as a backup bank account for when I head over to the UK in a few weeks.

[markis10]

Woolies now have a travel debit card, 2.5% fee for foreign transaction but its get able in the time it takes to get to a woolies! No ATM access though, noticed it on the weekend.

[trish83]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendations guys. I've put in an application for the ING account and they've said they'll put a rush on it for me, so fingers crossed! If I can at least avoid the conversion fees for my ATM withdrawals it'll make a big difference.

Really appreciate the help!

Trish

[notzac]

Let us know how you go getting it!

[Flashware]

I couldn't find much info as to whether the account earns interest, and if so at what rates it does. notzac

[oz_mark]

I don't believe it interest earning, but it can be linked to a Maximiser account, where you can keep your money stashed

[Flashware]

I don't believe it interest earning, but it can be linked to a Maximiser account, where you can keep your money stashed

That was the thoughts that I had.