Getting Australian Dollars

shaz77_2

Hi All,

I have a Northern Freedom account with the Northern Bank; is this of any use to me when I go to Australia next month for three weeks? I'm not sure what to do about the currency issue so any advice would be good (first time abroad).

KiwiCoop

You can use a Maestro/Credit card in the ATMs out there but you'll pay a fee each time and get a high street exchange rate. Probably best to take traveller's cheques with you and redeem them out there. You might want to get a few hundred "bucks" this end to have in your pocket initially so you're not trying to find a bureau de change as soon as you land. If you're going direct you'll be zombied out for a day or two...

eamon

You may have your banks parentage mixed up. National Australia Bank used to own Ulster Bank (now owned by RBS I think). Northern Bank is now owned for Danske Bank (Danish).
For Oz depends when you are due to land. I would suggest a couple of hundred A$ i.e. enough to pay for incidentals such as a taxi & a meal or two. Other than that use your debit card, ATMs are plentiful. You will get stung with fees using taveller cheques or plastic. What you should do is check with Northern Bank if they have any recipricol agreement with any Oz bank and also to let them know that you will likely to be using your plastic whilst there (you don't want your card getting blocked).

dmxdave

eamon wrote: »

You may have your banks parentage mixed up. National Australia Bank used to own Ulster Bank (now owned by RBS I think). Northern Bank is now owned for Danske Bank (Danish).

Northern was owned by National Australia Bank from 1988 - 2005

shaz77_2

I've been recommended the "TravelEx Cash Passport Globe Card" and to purchase it via top cashback, what are your views on this?