Fiji and money

[moa999]

Anyone got any recent experience on money and FX in Fiji.?

From what I can tell all international credit/debit cards have an additional 3% fee at the Fiji end, plus whatever your credit card might charge you.

ATMs also have heavy withdrawal fees for foreign cards of FJD 10-15 (A$7-10) and low limits (max FJD 900-1250 depending on ATM).

 

[Brissy1]

Anyone got any recent experience on money and FX in Fiji.?

From what I can tell all international credit/debit cards have an additional 3% fee at the Fiji end, plus whatever your credit card might charge you.

ATMs also have heavy withdrawal fees for foreign cards of FJD 10-15 (A$7-10) and low limits (max FJD 900-1250 depending on ATM).

Reviving thread, as there were no answers do you have any tips?

I'll be on a boat for most of the time but seems like still need cash, even for a taxi?

I was thinking of using an ANZ or Westpac card at the airport atms, or Macquarie anywhere else.

 

[SYD]

Probably better asking here…

Thread 'Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.'

Jul 5, 2023

Using debit and CCs overseas (preferably ones that are international transaction fee free!) is becoming a lot easier - pushed along by you know what, but I thought a seperate thread to provide actual current experiences on the need for cash (irrespective of one’s preference for cash v card) could be useful. Also noting that options for getting cash out cheaply are drying up (eg ING removing rebates and Citi potentially winding up Oz accounts).

Anyway, some starters.

The UK, as discussed below is certainly well down the path of tapping is King. Based on a recent visit and last year...

• SYD
• Replies: 678
• Forum: Foreign Exchange & Travel Money

But my memory (pre Covid) was going cashless. There’s some comments in the other thread suggesting that’s still the case.

Looking at an ATM finder app I have, there’s probably a FJ$10 fee at most ATMs. But there are Westpac ATMs that should be free for Westpac card holders.

 

[Aeryn]

Unless you re visiting small villages you re unlikely to need any cash as day trips can be booked online or via resort or tourist centre in Denaru Port and paid with card. Restaurants at resorts and portall take cards.

If you are a Westpac customer there is a Westpac atm at airport landslide, no atm fee for customers.

 

[Flyerwin]

We hardly used cash at all - even in the markets you can use credit card tapping.

There are ATMs around where you can withdraw cash.

 

[moa999]

Westpac customer there is a Westpac atm at airport landslide, no atm fee for customers.

Correct but no Westpac fee free cards.so 1000FJD costs you 30 FJD, compared to say an NAB/ HSBC fee-free international card where Westpac would levy a direct 15 FJD card.

Basically it's more an exercise in minimising fees rather than outright avoiding them.
Also seemingly hotel ATMs often run out of cash, forcing you to use credit cards.

 

[SYD]

Correct but Westpac no-fee free Westpac cards.so 1000FJD costs you 30 FJD compared to say an NAB/ HSBC fee-free international card where Westpac would levy a direct 15 FJD card.

Basically it's more an exercise in minimising fees rather than outright avoiding them.
Also seemingly hotel ATMs often run out of cash, forcing you to use credit cards.

OT, but yes you’ve reminded about the false promise of WBC cards. I picked up one of those Global Wallet cards after ING dropped international ATM fee rebates, thinking that at least I could use it to avoid ATM fees at a WBC alliance ATM. Which is true but they’ll still get their 3% during the conversion. Loading up the card with foreign currency, they just take their 3% up front…

Even as a DC loaded with AUD, they take 3% upfront - so you’re better off with a MacBank or UBank etc DC….

The only use might be one day when I’m desperate for cash and 3% is less than the ATM fee….

 

[Brissy1]

OT, but yes you’ve reminded about the false promise of WBC cards. I picked up one of those Global Wallet cards after ING dropped international ATM fee rebates, thinking that at least I could use it to avoid ATM fees vat a WBC alliance ATM. Which is true but they’ll still get their 3% during the conversion. Loading up the card with foreign currency, they just take their 3% up front…

Even as a DC landed with AUD, they take 3% - so you’re better off with a AmacBank or UBank etc DC….

The only use might be one day when I’m desperate for cash and 3% is less than the ATM fee….

Likewise signed up for Westpac Global Wallet, never used it. Cancelled.

 

[Austman]

I'll be on a boat for most of the time but seems like still need cash, even for a taxi?

Taxis will need cash. And there is no Uber or Rideshare in Fiji. But most other merchants take cards, no problem.

As for ATM withdrawals, check if you have a card that is a member of the Global ATM Alliance partners. Westpac and their bank brands in Australia are members. So it's just the 3% (I think). There is a Westpac ATM at Nadi airport and in many other locations around Fiji.