Newbie...using an ATM overseas

[kinkacruiser]

Hi there,
In the past when travelling o'seas , I've always taken purchased foreign currency from the bank. Since getting my ANZ Amex and Visa cards in January, I believe I can use o'seas ATM's to get cash.
Can someone tell me how this works please? Do you key in the AUD amount or the country's currency amount?
What would an ATM transaction cost me? I plan to load the card before we go so it's not classed as a cash advance.
Finally, how safe is it using an ATM overseas?. I worry about being robbed.
If it's relevant, our next cruise takes in Thailand (coughet only), Malaysia and Singapore.
Thanks very much...

 

[Pvcmenace]

Hi there,

From my experience, generally speaking some countries won't let you withdraw cash using an Amex/Visa, you are required to have an eftpos Cirrus/Maestro compatible card; either will work and the fee will be $5.00 per transaction. Money is taken out at local currency eg. $100nzd will be approx $80aud from your account plus fee. Try use credit card, fees are cheaper as they are a percentage of amount spent and wholesale exchange rates.

 

[auriga]

Do not rely on only a single source of funds overseas.

Make sure you at least have another ATM/credit card with a different account. Your account may get blocked due to foreign transaction.

How safe to use ATM? In Singapore, probably safer than in Australia, Malaysia and coughet -- probably no more dangerous than here. Use common sense obviously.

 

[markis10]

You might find it easier to grab a NAB gold banking Visa debit card and internet transfer funds as required, they dont have a currency conversion fee or ATM fee in most cases for overseas ATM withdrawls.

ATMs in Malaysia have in the past not always liked my Australian cards, definately agree that you should always have more than one source of funds.

 

[serfty]

You might find it easier to grab a NAB gold banking Visa debit card and internet transfer funds as required, they dont have a currency conversion fee or ATM fee in most cases for overseas ATM withdrawls. ...

Or get a Wizard Clear Advantage Mastercard. That has no fees either.

Also it has no strings like the NAB card has ...

See this thread: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...zard-mastercard-cash-advances-while-6960.html

 

[coco50]

Hi there,

From my experience, generally speaking some countries won't let you withdraw cash using an Amex/Visa, you are required to have an eftpos Cirrus/Maestro compatible card; either will work and the fee will be $5.00 per transaction. Money is taken out at local currency eg. $100nzd will be approx $80aud from your account plus fee. Try use credit card, fees are cheaper as they are a percentage of amount spent and wholesale exchange rates.

I have had a debit Visa card for many years and I have never had any problems using it in ATMs overseas in countries such as France (New Caledonia) China, USA, Greece etc. There is no way I would ever use a crdit card to withdraw money either in Australia or OS

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Do not rely on only a single source of funds overseas.

Make sure you at least have another ATM/credit card with a different account. Your account may get blocked due to foreign transaction.

How safe to use ATM? In Singapore, probably safer than in Australia, Malaysia and coughet -- probably no more dangerous than here. Use common sense obviously.

I'm not a NAB customer but acquired a Travelex cash passport card aka Visa travel money which gives you a 4 digit pin number to access major ATM's overseas. Cost of transactions varied from USD0.99 at ATM's inside McDonalds in NYC up to USD4.95 at ATM's inside Vegas Hotels.

I definitely agree with Auriga above re more than one credit card/visa debit card funds source due to hotels sometimes not releasing the holding amount for your credit card.

Also make sure to tell your credit card company of your holiday plans so they are aware when overseas charges start coming through other wise they may put a hold on your card as a precaution if they think the card has been stolen.

I had done a few web bookings for our USA internal flights plus hotel bookings that required advance credit card deposits and had GE Go Mastercard call me asking me if I knew about these charges.

You need to use card A at the first hotel then card B at the next etc. With hotels and car rental companies you must give them a credit card/visa debit card whereby then can put a hold on funds to the value of your hotel stay or car rental plus some for incidentals. You cannot pay by cash or leave a cash deposit.

The only problem I have now is I can't remember my cash passport pin number. I think I saved it to my US phone sim card but not sure if I can still access this. Will have to contact Travelex to see if there's a way to access the remainder of cash on my card.

Cheers

Oz

 

[JohnK]

The only problem I have now is I can't remember my cash passport pin number. I think I saved it to my US phone sim card but not sure if I can still access this. Will have to contact Travelex to see if there's a way to access the remainder of cash on my card.

I have an old Australian Vodafone sim card which is no longer active but I use it as my backup phonebook including some cryptic passwords. I can also access old Thai sim card even though I cannot use it to make phone calls.

You should still be able to access the information stored on a US sim card.

 

[SBOB]

+1 for a wizard master card

 

[serfty]

... Travelex cash passport card aka Visa travel money ...

These are :evil:- the rake off is akin to the worst Credit Card Forex fees; and they skin you before you depart Oz.

 

[mrs traveller]

I have recently returned from overseas and was a little nervous about using my credit card in ATM's as I was concerned about scimming. I used my card in Turkey, Hungary, and Czech Republic & UAE and had no problems. Each machine asked if I wanted English and the instructions were very clear. I did check each machine to see there was nothing odd about it and despite my reservations would certainly use my card for cash when I travel again.

Hi there,
In the past when travelling o'seas , I've always taken purchased foreign currency from the bank. Since getting my ANZ Amex and Visa cards in January, I believe I can use o'seas ATM's to get cash.
Can someone tell me how this works please? Do you key in the AUD amount or the country's currency amount?
What would an ATM transaction cost me? I plan to load the card before we go so it's not classed as a cash advance.
Finally, how safe is it using an ATM overseas?. I worry about being robbed.
If it's relevant, our next cruise takes in Thailand (coughet only), Malaysia and Singapore.
Thanks very much...

 

[Janb]

I use my Westpac Credit Card for straight out purchases overseas and my ATM card when I want cash. Have done this in England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, other places in Europe and in Fiji. Everything is done in the currency of the country you are in and then is converted to AUD on your statement. The main thing now is to make sure you have a chip enabled credit card with PIN as this is the accepted way o'seas supposedly to prevent fraud.
VERY IMPORTANT ...Please let your bank know your holiday plans so that they don't block any transactions.
You should take some cash with you to start and the cheapest way is to purchase it through your online banking which either has a small fee or no fee and then you collect it from whichever branch you nominate, but make sure you order with a good weeks notice as it still has to be delivered to that branch. Buying at the airport and through the travel agent cards attract fees already built into the rate.
Ask your bank if hey have an agreement with any other bank in the country you are going to as this means you don't get hit with an extra fee at ATMs.
I personally don't recommend topping up your credit card for cash advances as you will STILL be charged for a cash advance (because that is what it is), however, topping it up so you don't pay interest on purchases if you run over your number of days interest free is a good idea.
Hope this helps.
Janb

 

[oz_mark]

I personally don't recommend topping up your credit card for cash advances as you will STILL be charged for a cash advance (because that is what it is), however, topping it up so you don't pay interest on purchases if you run over your number of days interest free is a good idea.
Hope this helps.
Janb

For Westpac, this is not completely true. If your card is in credit after the transaction it will be treated as a withdrawal, if it is in debit it is treated as a cash advance.