Best Debit card for Overseas

[needtotravel]

Hi all. My apologies if this has been covered recently, but I can't find the posts. Question: Now that 28 Degrees charges 3% for cash withdrawals o/s, is there an alternative credit or debit card available that have none of these fees? I'll still use my 28D card for purchases but was wondering if there is anything out there now that I haven't heard about. Thanks.

 

[markis10]

Citibank Plus card

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....avel-money/citibank-plus-no-fee-no-34155.html

 

[DeKa]

With ING Direct Everyday Orange as a close second to Citibank Plus. Same lack of FX fees (for cash withdrawals only) with a flat $2.50 overseas ATM fee. I carry this one as a backup.

 

[needtotravel]

Thanks markis10. I notice those threads are from Nov 2011. Has anyone confirmed recently that this Citi Plus card indeed charges no o/s transaction fees?

 

[robd]

No o/s fees. There maybe ATM fees depending on which o/s ATM you use, but no fee from Citibank.

Everyday Accounts - Citibank Australia

 

[equus]

Yes. (and for minimum post length, you can also search for the thread where there are multiple confirmations that it is not caught by Citi's latest T&C updates adding such fees to other products).

 

[markis10]

Thanks markis10. I notice those threads are from Nov 2011. Has anyone confirmed recently that this Citi Plus card indeed charges no o/s transaction fees?

I confirmed it last Friday in NZ

 

[Mr_Orange]

Also confirmed with no fee in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

 

[Fifa]

No fee at Narita this week.
Great card, but I loathe the Citibank website.

 

[Isochronous]

Also confirmed with no fee in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

In Hong Kong, Citi HK-issued cards have fee-free withdrawals at all Jetco ATMs - this covers the majority of ATMs in HK (the main exception being HSBC). Apparently you also get free withdrawals with the Citi Plus at Jetco ATMs too.

 

[featheast]

No fee at various ATMs across Thailand.
Another question, do I need to call the bank to notify overseas travel like what we did for credit card, to avoid the card get blocked?

 

[markis10]

No fee at various ATMs across Thailand.
Another question, do I need to call the bank to notify overseas travel like what we did for credit card, to avoid the card get blocked?

I got a fee at BKK airport using the ATM, THB 150, not to fussed.

 

[Fifa]

Another question, do I need to call the bank to notify overseas travel like what we did for credit card, to avoid the card get blocked?

Yes, definitely.
It's not worth the hassle to have your card blocked while o/s.

 

[serfty]

I got a fee at BKK airport using the ATM, THB 150, not to fussed.

Even though it is not onerous, to avoid the THB150 fee you need to hunt out specific brand ATMs - there is a thread on that somewhere.

 

[markis10]

Even though it is not onerous, to avoid the THB150 fee you need to hunt out specific brand ATMs - there is a thread on that somewhere.

Yep Aeon or Citibank, both don't feature at BKK and I wanted to just get my train.

 

[Mr_Orange]

In Hong Kong, Citi HK-issued cards have fee-free withdrawals at all Jetco ATMs - this covers the majority of ATMs in HK (the main exception being HSBC). Apparently you also get free withdrawals with the Citi Plus at Jetco ATMs too.

I used the HSBC ATM in the terminal and didn't get charged a fee. I never have.

 

[gerrard]

I found the Citibank card to be fantastic overseas. Didn't pay any extra fees. Would definitely recommend it!

 

[needtotravel]

Thanks to all for your comments. Will definitely get Citi Plus for cash withdrawals & use my 28 D for purchases.

 

[Jleno]

Any idea if the citibank plus uses Visa's FX rates and whether that is better than the MasterCard rates?

 

[woodborer]

Any idea if the citibank plus uses Visa's FX rates and whether that is better than the MasterCard rates?

Mostly. I do remember reading somewhere that if using Citibank machines they may use their own. Depending on movements in currencies, could be better or worse than MC.