Spending money (on cards) in Oz

smiffy

I'll be spending six weeks of this summer in Australia, and dont really want to take all my money with me as cash or travellers cheques.

Can I use my Switch/Maestro in ATM and stores? Or would I have to use a credit card?

If I have to use a credit card which is best as most seem to sting you when the convert back into UK currency.

I have tried to open a Oz Bank account, but thats not as simple as you would expect. I need to attend a branch in person with my passport!

The_Boss

Nationwide would be best credit card as they dont charge commission on foreign currency (unlike all the others).

Rafter

Worth opening a Nationwide current account too. You can then use their debit card in ATMs or for purchases and like their credit card, there is no currency conversion charge.

R.

The_Boss

Rafter wrote:

Worth opening a Nationwide current account too. You can then use their debit card in ATMs or for purchases and like their credit card, there is no currency conversion charge.

R.

What about if you pay foreign currency into your account? I have large amounts of expenses paid to me in Euros every other month, and it seems that by a bank fee and the disparity in exchange rates between client and my bank, I lose 8% each time.

Lazee_Wolf

The_Boss wrote:

What about if you pay foreign currency into your account? I have large amounts of expenses paid to me in Euros every other month, and it seems that by a bank fee and the disparity in exchange rates between client and my bank, I lose 8% each time.

Why dont you convert the money before you pay it in or get it paid into a paypal account?