Going to Australia: Cash & Phone...

abacab

pilates39 wrote: »

abacab wrote: »

"Edit:



Can you explain what Nationwide are pulling the plug on please. We use ours all over the world and have just used it in Australia.

Nationwide are replacing the flexaccount CASHCARD between now and september.This will be replaced by a limited use mastercard.
Anyone with the flexaccount visa debit card is unafected.

AltF4me

Donnie wrote: »

There is no charge for the card. How do people get to confuse themselves to this extent?



PrePaid SIM cards are widely available in Oz.. I took my Netbook and an unlocked USB modem(available from Argos for £20) and bought a Virgin Data SIM there for AUD10. Great for researching and booking hotels and car hire along the way.

Well I was just about to wack £510 (the extra 10 just incase for the extra top up bonus) on the card and it clearly states there is a £10 application fee, but £5 is removed because of moneysupermarket.com, the full fee is NOT wavered.

pilates39

abacab wrote: »

pilates39 wrote: »

abacab wrote: »

"Edit:



Can you explain what Nationwide are pulling the plug on please. We use ours all over the world and have just used it in Australia.

Nationwide are replacing the flexaccount CASHCARD between now and september.This will be replaced by a limited use mastercard.
Anyone with the flexaccount visa debit card is unafected.

Thank you - no problem for us then as we use the debit card.

Donnie

AltF4me wrote: »

Well I was just about to wack £510 (the extra 10 just incase for the extra top up bonus) on the card and it clearly states there is a £10 application fee, but £5 is removed because of moneysupermarket.com, the full fee is NOT wavered.

Did you take a look at my link...or just ignore it?



Honestly, you're just a danger to yourself.

PurpleSmile

Hiya,

I can't help with the cash card as I have an australian bank account. But I do remember seeing Australia on Thomas Cook cash card list, when I got one for America a few months back.

But with the phone, as long as your phone is compatible (unlocked and triband/quadband) just buy an australian sim card. They are so cheap. You can get a flexicap from supermarkets etc. I paid $29 topup(vodaphone), which gave me over $300 worth of credit. This normally lasts me a whole month. I think they have $49 for $700 credit. You can use it on calls,texts,internet, skype. Well worth it. I mainly use it on skype calls to my boyfriend.

AltF4me

Donnie wrote: »

Did you take a look at my link...or just ignore it?

<snip>

Honestly, you're just a danger to yourself.

I don't appreciate been spoken to like an idiot. I was only asking for help. Yes I ignored your direct link to their website, because I was using the referral on the travel money page so that I could use the discount.

It appears that the fee has been wavered now. Originally there was the £9.99 application fee minus £5 for moneysupermarket.com, I'm not sure if it was something to do with my cookies or what.. but at least that's sorted now.

PurpleSmile wrote: »

Hiya,

I can't help with the cash card as I have an australian bank account. But I do remember seeing Australia on Thomas Cook cash card list, when I got one for America a few months back.

But with the phone, as long as your phone is compatible (unlocked and triband/quadband) just buy an australian sim card. They are so cheap. You can get a flexicap from supermarkets etc. I paid $29 topup(vodaphone), which gave me over $300 worth of credit. This normally lasts me a whole month. I think they have $49 for $700 credit. You can use it on calls,texts,internet, skype. Well worth it. I mainly use it on skype calls to my boyfriend.

Ah cool. Will definitely get one then I think! Thanks

spottydog

PurpleSmile wrote: »

Hiya,

I can't help with the cash card as I have an australian bank account. But I do remember seeing Australia on Thomas Cook cash card list, when I got one for America a few months back.

But with the phone, as long as your phone is compatible (unlocked and triband/quadband) just buy an australian sim card. They are so cheap. You can get a flexicap from supermarkets etc. I paid $29 topup(vodaphone), which gave me over $300 worth of credit. This normally lasts me a whole month. I think they have $49 for $700 credit. You can use it on calls,texts,internet, skype. Well worth it. I mainly use it on skype calls to my boyfriend.

You don't need triband for Aus, any UK phone will be OK as long as it is unlocked. The cheapest (I think) at present it the Woolworths sim but I'm not sure what that is like for data or which network it uses (3 is flaky outside the main metropolitan areas).

Most the networks here do caps where you spend $x and get $xxx worth of calls etc., the thing to check is the cost per minute when making calls (plus the flagfall charge) as $300 credit at 99c a minute doesn't last as long as $200 credit at $60c a minute.

If you're flying into Sydney then Vodafone have a shop just as you exit customs which is easy.

murphymum

You've had some useful responses here, I checked out both FairFX, Travelex and CaxtonFX. Looks like FairFX comes out better, unless someone here knows better....
Last time I travelled it was good old travellers cheques, so I am in the dark as to the "new" ways of money.
I hadn't thought about my phone, but I've picked up some useful info here too.