Best cards for australia and thailand hol

jamesbaldwin_2

Myself and the beloved are traveling to Australia via Dubai for a two week holiday then onto Thailand for a week.
Whats the best card to take so that we are not charged for local cash at atm's.
Do we need a pre paid card and if so which is the best one for oz/thailand.
We have both visa debit and world Mastercard at the moment but don't wish to carry wads of cash.
Any advice appreciated.
James

guesswho2000

jamesbaldwin wrote: »

Myself and the beloved are traveling to Australia via Dubai for a two week holiday then onto Thailand for a week.
Whats the best card to take so that we are not charged for local cash at atm's.
Do we need a pre paid card and if so which is the best one for oz/thailand.
We have both visa debit and world Mastercard at the moment but don't wish to carry wads of cash.
Any advice appreciated.
James

Who do you bank with? And when do you go?

If you've got time, Halifax Clarity credit card is the best all rounder. If you bank with Nationwide, their Select credit card is perfect for purchases (not cash withdrawals) and their FlexPlus debit card for cash withdrawals (not purchases) (but has a £10/month fee for the account, though this includes breakdown cover, family travel insurance, etc.).

In Australia you shouldn't have too many issues with ATMs charging (iirc NAB or Citibank ATMs are widespread and don't charge) but they do in Thailand (150 THB (~£3) per withdrawal). The exception is Aeon ATMs, but they're few and far between.

jamesbaldwin_2

We go in April and we bank with Natwest.

guesswho2000

jamesbaldwin wrote: »

We go in April and we bank with Natwest.

NatWest don't have any cards especially good for overseas use. Their debit cards are best avoided for small purchases due to the loading fee, but their credit cards are the same as most (with a foreign exchange fee, probably 2.75-3%).

Since you don't go until April, plenty of time to apply for the Halifax Clarity card, which is available to non Halifax customers. Probably not worth switching banks solely to be eligible for the Nationwide ones.

Another option is the "Creation Everyday" card. This is much the same as the Halifax Clarity (www.creation.co.uk).

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

jamesbaldwin wrote: »

Myself and the beloved are traveling to Australia via Dubai for a two week holiday then onto Thailand for a week.

Me too. Start practising the secret MSE handshake in case we bump into each other