Spending in Australia

stefanwhite

We're off to Australia in 5 weeks for a 3 and a half month camper van tour. We've saved eight thousand pounds but have recently been declined for both a Santander and Post Office credit card. We don't want to take the risk of cash/travellers cheques, so how can we get to spend our savings without getting stung on exchange rates with minimal risk? I currently have a HSBC credit card and my gf has a Lloyds card but we don't really want to use these.

Thanks

Stefan.

lfc321

Credit card not the way to go anyway - you pay interest from the moment you withdraw the cash. Why not just leave the money in your account and withdraw it with your debit card as and when needed?

dzug1

Have a look at the caxton fx and fairfx prepaid cards

and I think travelex do one in $aus, but their details on charges are a bit vague.

davetrousers

Why is taking Travellers cheques a risk?

If you lose them simply phone them up and they'll send out replacements to where you are (typically within 24 hours). Your credit card company would only send you a replacement card to your home address!

Australian cash points typically charge for withdrawals!

stefanwhite

Thanks, I think it may have to be Caxton as FairFX don't do A$ and I'm sure my normal HSBC debit card will apply a higher fx charge. I need to be able to spend almost anywhere in Australia, so didn't want to have to rely on finding somewhere to convert my travellers cheques.