Funds for overseas

[cove]

Citibank has closed the Canary Wharf shopping Centre ATMs so we use the fee free ATM over the road from the South Quay DLR. Haven't found where the Canary Wharf ATM for Citi has moved to and we are not bothered.
There are quite a number of fee free ATMs around London so Citi debit is a winner.

 

[RooFlyer]

In much of Sth America, fees at bank ATMs seem to be the norm for Citi debit cards, unfortunately - even at Banco Edwards - Citi's incarnation in Chile!

 

[sinophile888]

Have you got the Citibank app on your phone?

I have now downloaded the app. Thanks for the info. I should be OK wherever I go with any luck.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I have now downloaded the app. Thanks for the info. I should be OK wherever I go with any luck.

I thought that outside of Australia, the app only showed Citibank ATMs; not much use in countries like Italy that didn't have Citi ATMs last time I was there.

Just checked Italy on the App and "no results found". No problem though as every ATM I used in Italy accepted the CitiPlus card witout a fee.

I just go to a bank, put in the card, and if it indicates a fee I cancel and go to the next bank. Did this at Livingstone airport recently: first ATM wanted a big fee, cancel and the one opposite was fee free.

JV

 

[Cynicor]

I thought that outside of Australia, the app only showed Citibank ATMs; not much use in countries like Italy that didn't have Citi ATMs last time I was there.

Just checked Italy on the App and "no results found". No problem though as every ATM I used in Italy accepted the CitiPlus card witout a fee.

I just go to a bank, put in the card, and if it indicates a fee I cancel and go to the next bank. Did this at Livingstone airport recently: first ATM wanted a big fee, cancel and the one opposite was fee free.

JV

No, the ATM finder is a bit odd. It definitely shows Citi ATMs, but also shows certain other fee free ones. And then it shows the occasional ATM that will still charge a fee (or at least says it charges a fee). Best to just try the ATM and see what it says. The vast majority of ATMs around the world are free.

 

[SFSC]

In the UK, I find that the Citi Plus works at Tesco ATMs with no ATM fee. Warning though - the ATM will invite you to debit in your own currency (with a terrible rate). Always decline this and then your transaction will be close to the xe rate. Tescos are just about everywhere in the parts of the UK I go to.

 

[Cynicor]

In the U.K. It works just about everywhere with no fees

 

[Magoo]

I've just used it in Spain, Italy, Ireland and Norway without problem.

Previously used in USA, Canada, NZ, Morocco, Portugal, Switzerland, Singapore.

One of the best pieces of travel advice I've been given.

 

[Gold60]

I am on an ATW trip atm and so far have mainly used my CitiBank card (courtesy of the advice from you guys here), and my Global Wallet. No real issues so far.

I also keep my normal bank debit and credit card as a backup.

 

[Worrellson]

I was in the USA and China April-May and used a Platinum BankWest MasterCard (no annual fee, no international transaction fees, free travel & purchase insurance, no points) without problems. I withdrew cash from a Qantas card in $US, but tried to use credit card where possible because of better exchange rate and ATM fees on Qantas card. I've also used the BankWest card in Jakarta and had no issues.

 

[big_RED]

I've tried a fair few cards for my overseas holidays (28 Degrees, ANZ Travel Card, Qantas Travel Card, Aussie Credit cards) and I feel except for the 28 Degrees there were always a few occassions where the cars didn't work because it wasn't a 'credit or debit' type card.

I feel things have got much better over the last few years and the prices to add money etc have also come down.

But for me - and I realise this won't be possible for a lot of people - is my SPG American, American Express Card.

Travelling nearly always to America this has been fantastic. 1 point per dollar spend. No foreign exchange fees. American express global support. 5 points/dollar at SPG hotels.

But yes, I do pay it off with an American bank account.

For me, getting points when spending overseas was important. And this is how I ended up with the card.

 

[RAM]

Which card would be best for a long stay hotel in NYC? My 28D has much lower limit. Currently I use BWWorld.

If your budget can handle it - then prepay your 28 Degrees card so that you are OWED funds rather like making it a debit card of sorts.

Recently back from Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, France & Singapore and worked perfectly every time (un)fortunately. Both in big cities (small by Aust standards though) and in 100-300 pop'n rural hamlets. Best result at sports carnival beer & sausage tent in rural Bavaria one Friday night in a village of 240 people.

Makes it too easy to transact...

 

[tgh]

Our 28 deg card has always been a reliable travel companion and cove's warning is a bit worrying.
We play a little game on the road with regular small payments so we do not draw attention to (accidentally) being in credit..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If your budget can handle it - then prepay your 28 Degrees card so that you are OWED funds rather like making it a debit card of sorts.

I thought this ran the risk of your account being closed as it's against the terms and conditions? I think the reasoning behind this is that the card provider is not a bank for the purposes of deposits (or something like that). They are only supposed to handle credit.

 

[tgh]

I thought this ran the risk of your account being closed as it's against the terms and conditions? I think the reasoning behind this is that the card provider is not a bank for the purposes of deposits (or something like that). They are only supposed to handle credit.

This has been discussed a lot in the past.
Load up the card and you may well be pinged.
Our micro management has minimised our costs, but there is no such thing as a free lunch ..

 

[Strategic Aviation]

There is an extensive OzBargain topic discussing relevant issues, noting different people can have different experiences but certainly some have experienced significant problems.

That's when I see other people posting about the same issue. Their conclusion… Any payments made on their online portal that were more than the balance outstanding, were being rejected by 28 degrees system.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There is an extensive OzBargain topic discussing relevant issues, noting different people can have different experiences but certainly some have experienced significant problems.

Sheesh... appreciate the issue of the over-payment being rejected... but the underlying reason for the whole problem of the poster in the Ozbargain thread is to try and pay the balance - before the statement is generated - to avoid the monthly insurance premium. Seems like a huge amount of work... easier just to cancel the insurance option!

 

[Strategic Aviation]

appreciate the issue of the over-payment being rejected

Which is the issue in terms of the suggestion to prepay the card. Some may be able to, while others may not.

the underlying reason for the whole problem of the poster in the Ozbargain thread is to try and pay the balance - before the statement is generated - to avoid the monthly insurance premium. Seems like a huge amount of work... easier just to cancel the insurance option!

The insurance isn't really the issue. The issue is the completely unjustifiable difficulty that has been introduced (evidently inconsistently) in customers being able to manage and pay their account however they wish to.

I am not aware of any other card that charges for BPay payment and tries to force use of an online payment portal which, at least for some customers, rejects over-payment (with a range of related problems) and has restrictions on how and when it can be used (e.g. payments cannot be made within 3 days of each other). Coupled with Latitude's approach to dealing with customers.

Those who can qualify for the Bankwest Zero Platinum should definitely take that option, while those that have 28 Degrees should be aware of the issues (even if those issues may not necessarily affect them).

 

[tgh]

Interesting and informative conversation , thanks everyone

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Which is the issue in terms of the suggestion to prepay the card. Some may be able to, while others may not.



The insurance isn't really the issue. The issue is the completely unjustifiable difficulty that has been introduced (evidently inconsistently) in customers being able to manage and pay their account however they wish to.

Trying to avoid the insurance was the issue for the OP in the ozbargain thread... they were trying to estimate the balance before the statement generated, and if they made an error any over-payment was rejected. The whole issue for the OP in that thread goes away if they just wait for the statement to generate and pay the shown amount. They are trying to play the system by taking advantage of the insurance if they need it, but pay off the balance before any charges are levied if they don't.

And the card is not supposed to be in credit. So an expensive lesson for the OP there.