First Time International Traveller

[pats1statesman]

Hi all, I would like to find some good advice in plain speak about the best options for mobile communication and also what type of cards and currency/exchange rates I should use for my travels from Australia to Singapore, turkey and return?

 

[joyvee]

Re money I always use by VISA debit card to make cash withdrrawals at an ATM at my destination. Check with your bank first re charges they will apply for foreign withdrawals on your account so you are aware what charges will apply each time you undertake a cash withdrawal. If no ATM I go into local bank and make a credit withdrawal on my debit card.
Best to ask your bank about possible strategies and get phone numbers of Visa in each country just in case it is lost or skimmed. Use Lonely planet chat branch, Thorntree and ask locals in Singapore and Turkey Branches for their advice. Some countries may have specific requirements e.g. in Thailand, each bank charges about AU$5 for each cash withdrawal so it is best to withdraw larger rather than smaller amounts each time.

 

[jgm]

Get a Citibank Plus debit Mastercard - no forex or withdrawal charges anywhere. We used to use a mobile phone travel sim, but have almost completely stopped using it. Free wifi is becoming almost universal now, & Skype gives you more options than a phone.

 

[RooFlyer]

Amen to Citibank Plus debit card - you'll find a number of threads here on it. You'll get FX at almost spot and no other charges, except occasionally you may find a foreign ATM that charges a fee - but rarely (and they are documented in the other threads). That is, use it as an ATM and 'eftpos' type card as you would your normal bank ATM card in Australia.

 

[get me outta here]

Is the Citibank plus debit M/C the same as the 28Degrees card, with the only difference that Citi has the cash ATM option?

Amen to Citibank Plus debit card - you'll find a number of threads here on it. You'll get FX at almost spot and no other charges, except occasionally you may find a foreign ATM that charges a fee - but rarely (and they are documented in the other threads). That is, use it as an ATM and 'eftpos' type card as you would your normal bank ATM card in Australia.

 

[RooFlyer]

28 Degrees introduced a fee last year ... I think it was for ATM withdrawals. Can't remember the exact issue now, but it made me cut it up and get a Citibank Plus debit visa. I'm pretty sure the Citi FX rates are a bit better than 28 degrees as well, but wouldn't swear to it.

 

[markis10]

Get a Citibank Plus debit Mastercard - no forex or withdrawal charges anywhere. We used to use a mobile phone travel sim, but have almost completely stopped using it. Free wifi is becoming almost universal now, & Skype gives you more options than a phone.

Especially for Singapore, with ATMs everywhere allowing you to withdraw little amounts fee free.

 

[bPeteb]

Is the Citibank plus debit M/C the same as the 28Degrees card, with the only difference that Citi has the cash ATM option?

Is the Citibank plus debit M/C the same as the 28Degrees card, with the only difference that Citi has the cash ATM option?

We have both. 28 degrees for purchases and Citibank plus for cash withdrawals. We have a direct debit set up to autopay full balance of 28 degrees so we don't get stung with late payment/interest charges while we're away.

Agree with comments about overseas SIM cards. We switch our messagebanks off before we leave so that we don't get stung with charges for people leaving messages (as the delivery charge follows you to wherever you are). Our families know to sms, email us. If we need to call we keep a small balance on skype so that we can call when we need to or use free wifi to do the same.

 

[pats1statesman]

Hi al and thankyou very much for your replies. I'm sure it will help us out more than you think.