Money Exchange NZ

[k3nnis]

Hi All,

I'm going over to Queenstown NZ in November for a week. 7 nights. Going with wife and 22 month old daughter. Thinking to change say 700 NZD worth in cash and the rest use my AMEX or Mastercard. Hotels, Rental Car and flights all are on my amex.

Is that enough cash?

Or should I change in Queenstown?
I think todays rate is approx 1 AUD = 1.205 NZD at travelex. No fees.

Thanks,
K.

 

[RB]

Hi All,






I think todays rate is approx 1 AUD = 1.205 NZD at travelex. No fees.

Thanks,
K.

Maybe no fees but a fair way from a decent rate. Check out KVBKUNLUN (Citibank building Park/George St) if you are near the city

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. Car park will be an issue unfortunately for me in the CBD

 

[Mwenenzi]

..Or should I change in Queenstown?
I think todays rate is approx 1 AUD = 1.205 NZD at travelex. No fees.

From Currency Calculator (Australian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar) - X-Rates
1.00 AUD = 1.262880 NZD

Check you local bank

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. Just checked with st george bank and travelex online has a better rate. The bank wanted $10 fee as well.

 

[lovestotravel]

Travelex online is always my bet, a pretty good rate! Remember to book on-line and pickup at the airport. Do NOT use a credit card for the payment as they treat it as a cash advance and you pay extra for that with most credit cards/interest straight away

You can get a slightly better rate at KVBKUNLUN but on a small amount like $700 it's not worth the effort unless you work in the city

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. Yeah I think will go for travelex online and pickup at airport Do you guys think $700 NZ is enough cash in hand for 7 days in Queenstown? The rest on my credit card. And do you think changing some money in Queenstown is a good idea? Or withdrawing from the ATM's there.

Travelex online is always my bet, a pretty good rate! Remember to book on-line and pickup at the airport. Do NOT use a credit card for the payment as they treat it as a cash advance and you pay extra for that with most credit cards/interest straight away

You can get a slightly better rate at KVBKUNLUN but on a small amount like $700 it's not worth the effort unless you work in the city

 

[lovestotravel]

$700 NZ would be fine in my opinion!

Use the ATM as a backup IF needed

Remember to buy the cash online more than 4 days before you leave, as they take about that long to allow pickup

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. Are there fees involved with the ATM's and is there anywhere I can check online to see what atm cards they will accept

 

[ozmille]

If you want your QFF miles Travelex takes a 1% commission (and you get 1 point per 5 dollars)

 

[k3nnis]

Yep I noticed when I went through the qff site. Do you think it's worth it? That works out to be 166QFF points for $500AUD exchanged....but with $5 extra...

If you want your QFF miles Travelex takes a 1% commission

 

[lovestotravel]

No idea about the fees and using the ATM in NZ for withdrawing $$ sorry! Others can assist no doubt!

Yep I noticed when I went through the qff site. Do you think it's worth it? That works out to be 166QFF points for $500AUD exchanged....but with $5 extra...

Short answer no

166 QFF points, at best, is worth $6.50 well I guess it's worth it....

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks Probably won't go for the QFF points. Will get it via the Caltex Fuel

 

[Deewhy]

Yep I noticed when I went through the qff site. Do you think it's worth it? That works out to be 166QFF points for $500AUD exchanged....but with $5 extra...

I spent close to a week there earlier in the year and didnt need much at all. Most places in Queenstown will take cc if that is you preference. There weren't too many "minimum spend" signs that I recall. The place is well setup for tourists, unlike your Aussie ski town. If you are just using the cash for incidentals and visiting touristy areas, your cc will get you most places, so that would probably be plenty in my opinion.

If you need to take cash I agree that travelex online is your best bet. You can better your points earn if you change $1000aud or more, then it's 1 point per $.

As for withdrawals from ATMs, you'd prob need to check with your bank here what they charge for o/s transactions.im sure there are a few banks in town of various brands as well. Although I didn need to use them.

have a blast! Going Bundy and shot over jetting? Make sure you go up the gondola to the luge.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the info. Will go on the gondola to the luge. Will go look at the bungy and see how it is Only issue is using my CC I will get charged a conversion fee. Do many places accept AMEX in ZQN? unlike in sydney!

I spent close to a week there earlier in the year and didnt need much at all. Most places in Queenstown will take cc if that is you preference. There weren't too many "minimum spend" signs that I recall. The place is well setup for tourists, unlike your Aussie ski town. If you are just using the cash for incidentals and visiting touristy areas, your cc will get you most places, so that would probably be plenty in my opinion.

If you need to take cash I agree that travelex online is your best bet. You can better your points earn if you change $1000aud or more, then it's 1 point per $.

As for withdrawals from ATMs, you'd prob need to check with your bank here what they charge for o/s transactions.im sure there are a few banks in town of various brands as well. Although I didn need to use them.

have a blast! Going Bundy and shot over jetting? Make sure you go up the gondola to the luge.

 

[Andyzx]

In general I suggest that you use cash for most day to day transactions, try HSBC online Fx ordering, I found they have good rates and stores to pick up the cash in most burbs but check the rate against your bank rate. A cash travel card is a good option for NZ. There are plenty of threads her for the good cards to use. Kiwi's love eftpos, you will find them in most stores. Amex is also well accepted especially in ZQN, maybe not at the coffee shop but most other places.

Another option for CC use, in most places you will be asked do you want them to covert it to you into A$. Generally I have found these are good rates and wont incure the bank conversion fee but may incur an overseas transaction fee.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the tips

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Bought some today down at Haymarket in one of the currency exchanges. Rate was 125.8, buy rate 126.3, I don't know how they make any money with that spread. Lots of competition down that end of town

 

[jetlagger]

Bought some today down at Haymarket in one of the currency exchanges. Rate was 125.8, buy rate 126.3, I don't know how they make any money with that spread. Lots of competition down that end of town

Though much more favourable than travelex

 

[k3nnis]

Would love those rates at haymarket but can't get a far park there for a reasonable rate. Will have to stick with travelex online.