Using credit cards in australia

JoseChungsDoomsday

I'm going to be travelling around OZ soon and was wondering if anyone has been and what experiences did they have when using their CC?

I'm wondering if they use chip and pin and if you need to bring any ID when using it in a shop (like spain)?

I'm planning on using my Lombard Direct card to avoid the 2.75%

Many thanks

hawfannybaws

Chip and pin not required in Oz yet, signature only. I've never been asked for anything other than my signature.

pin

Never had any problems using my CC in Australia (but that was three years ago).

asharon

Give them a call so they can make a note and don't block transactions thinking it's been stolen.

insomniac

CC is fine in Aus, very common. Most places have $10 or $20 min charge. Your debit card can be used in most shops with a PIN, its called EFTPOS down under (Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale!!). Australia has had this for 20+ years, everyone is used to it. You can also get cash from supermarkets which might be a good way of avoiding ATM charges which are pretty common downunder. Travellers cheques are pretty rare these days.

I always travel with 2 credit cards and 2 debit cards, occasionally a bank's network will screw up so its nice to have a backup option. Also let your UK bank know you are travelling, I've been left high and dry by Halifax before when they stopped authorising my card and I had to wait until the next business day to call them from the US to get it re-enabled.

eddie_2-2

I was in OZ over Christmas and New Year. No problems using credit card at all.
I phoned my bank to inform them that I would be away for 6 weeks and that there would be unusual activity on my card.
However, word of warning about using debit card with EFTPOS.
The sales person will give you an option of taking your funds from 3 different types of accounts - savings, cheque or credit.
savings is the equivalent of current account. On the two occasions I tried to take from savings, my card was declined. I quickly realised that it only worked with the credit option.
Occasionally I was asked to sign, but no other ID was required.
ATMs work fine as well for debit cards.

Angie8

JoseChungsDoomsday wrote:

I'm going to be travelling around OZ soon and was wondering if anyone has been and what experiences did they have when using their CC?

I'm wondering if they use chip and pin and if you need to bring any ID when using it in a shop (like spain)?

I'm planning on using my Lombard Direct card to avoid the 2.75%

Many thanks

You should be OK, just remember that your card has to be swiped upside down when in Oz.

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt

I was over in Australia in November had had no problems at all. Only took 100 AUD in cash with me and used my debit and credit card the rest of the time. Also kept a track of my spending by logging onto my banks online service.

Have a great time - I envy you!!

JoseChungsDoomsday

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt wrote:

I was over in Australia in November had had no problems at all. Only took 100 AUD in cash with me and used my debit and credit card the rest of the time. Also kept a track of my spending by logging onto my banks online service.

Have a great time - I envy you!!

Thanks, it's a very spare of the moment thing, took a notion 2 days ago, booked the flights and just sorted out the visa... all i have to do now is figure out how to pay for it!!

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt

Not sure who you're flying with but I flew with Singapore Airlines and they were fantastic.

JoseChungsDoomsday

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt wrote:

Not sure who you're flying with but I flew with Singapore Airlines and they were fantastic.

I'm going with virgin, there was only £60 differnce and thought what the hell!