Travel Money for Australia and New Zealand

sherringham2001

I am going to Australia and New Zealand in two weeks and I wondered if anyone knew of the best way to exchange money in those countries?

I was going to take my debit card, but I will get big charges each time I use an atm.

I was thinking of getting a travel card that I can use at an atm to withdraw money from?

eDicky

Here's the MSE advice about fee-free cards:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards

If you don't have time or eligibility for a credit card, Starling Bank is excellent, mobile only, no fees for anything. Loot.io prepaid account and MasterCard has no overseas fees except £1 per ATM withdrawal after the first two free per month. There's also Revolut.

Don't delay signing up for at least two of these, having only one can leave you stuck if it's lost or declined etc. No need to exchange cash.

Always pay in local currency if a card terminal gives the choice, and decline conversion if an ATM offers to exchange pounds for you - you need your card to do its own conversion.

NoodleDoodleMan

Barclaycard Platinum Travel Card - no ATM fees, as long as you settle the balance when the monthly statement falls due.

This runs until 31st August 2022 - great deal.

https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/credit-cards/platinum-travel-credit-card

Or a Starling current account - again, no ATM fees worldwide.

https://www.starlingbank.com/

Of course, with this you need to have sufficient funds "upfront" in the account, - and access to wifi for the app on your tablet.

sherringham2001

Thank you for your help. I have applied for the Starling account and I am looking into the Loot one. With the lack of time I have, I am leaving the credit cards for now.

eDicky

Best to look into the Loot account after you have signed up and your card is on its way - mine took 10+ days (but that was a year ago or more). It works fine everywhere, but will have cost nothing if you decide not to use it.

gettingtheresometime

I don’t know if you’ve got time to get it but I traveled to Australia & NZ recently & just used my revoult card. I admit though I didn’t withdraw any cash as I found it wasn’t needed

Gloomendoom

Be aware that some Australian ATMs will charge you for withdrawals even with a fee free card. The ANZ bank doesn't.

EveryWhere

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Be aware that some Australian ATMs will charge you for withdrawals even with a fee free card. The ANZ bank doesn't.

Every time I've been to Oz, I have actively sought out ATMs that charge and never found one.

Gloomendoom

EveryWhere wrote: »

Every time I've been to Oz, I have actively sought out ATMs that charge and never found one.

Visit there regularly and just back. In Western Australia at least, Westpac charge and so do the Commonwealth Bank.

Could be related to my cards I suppose but unlikely. Cards tried include Starling, Monzo and Clarity.

enjoyyourshoes

Have you considered cash?

When I visit Africa I always take cash (local currency & $)

I use

https://www.bestforeignexchange.com

Exchange rate is great and deliver via royal mail

Stash the cash in money belts and other hidden place (safe in hotels etc)

agrinnall

enjoyyourshoes wrote: »

Have you considered cash?

When I visit Africa I always take cash (local currency & $)

I use

https://www.bestforeignexchange.com

Exchange rate is great and deliver via royal mail

Stash the cash in money belts and other hidden place (safe in hotels etc)

Poor advice when visiting any country with a decent ATM network (which both Aus and NZ do), you cannot get a better exchange rate than withdrawing using one of the recommended card and it is very likely that the rate for exchanging cash will be worse, plus of course the much higher risk of theft and loss.