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going os europe for couple of weeks what would be the best credit card to use?
also phone just buy a local sim ?
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Make sure if you have a card linked to an account (whether that be a simple debit card or as part of a credit card) so you can withdraw money, make sure it is a savings account, not cheque account as many ATM's overseas don't have CHEQUE as an option. The other trap is from memory many overseas machines use a 6 digit PIN, sometimes a 4 digit won't work in some machines even with 2 x leading zeros.
I took a Travelex cashpassport debit card with me and found it useless in Europe as most ATM's wouldn't take it.
Do some research across all credit card providers and get a credit card with the lowest foreign transaction fees, some are ridiculous. I noticed Australia Post do some sort of foreign travel card, not sure if it is a Visa debit card or a straight eftpos card.
One last thing, some cards give you free travel insurance, just check the terms and conditions closely. One of mine you have to pay airfares, the other just spend about $200 of your holiday on the card to be covered. So an extra $50 per year on a card fee could save you $250 in travel insurance. |
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Hi, John cant help with Europe but when I went to the u.s last year for sema I took cash and a travel card from the nab save transaction fee,s every time u use it as it loaded with the correct currency every time, I found in the u.s I preferd $, cabs charged a fee for paying by card and atm charge up to $4-5 everythime,
we both bought phones over there as I did not want to come home to a huge bill, at sema was like the exhibition turn your head and you lost your mate that many people so needed a phone to find them.
if and when I go back ill take cash and travel card agin at least if they get your card number its empty when you get back, but note hotels and car rentals will want your personal card will not accept travel cards.
pete.
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Look into the Qantas visa debit card - you load your AU$ money onto it beforehand, into whatever foreign currency you plan to use - so you can pick the day you want to do it when you get the best exchange rate, and it sits there as "savings" in that foreign currency until you spend it. |
Cheers,
Mick
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Just do the sums on all the options. Some of the cards that allow you to load $ give you a poor exchange rate but have no transaction fee. Others give you the wholesale exchange rate and charge a fee.
As others said above, don't take a card with you with access to lots of $. Just make access available to what you think you'll need and use credit card with lowest overall cost for extras.
Shop around for cash to take too before you go. Look at Amercian Express, Westpac and Travelex online and compare what you get. We took a few $1000 Euro with us (check the limits allowed).
Good advice on the phones above too, I did the same in Hawaii. I took my phone but bought a SIM over there. |
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As what Mick said. We are O/S at the moment. My wife has a Qantas Visa card, you load it up before you leave. I have an Aussie post Visa card, same thing. Use it at any ATM, with a 4 digit pin. No worries.
Colin.
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gday John,i travelled through europe a few years ago,visa card is accepted pretty much everywhere.have a backup card as well in case you lose one and make sure you notify your bank that your going overseas so they dont get alarmed when foreign transactions start showing up..they will supply you with a contact number in case your card goes missing as well.
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I'd suggest scanning a copy of your passport, drivers licence, & credit cards, & keeping them in your main suitcase.
If you loose the originals at least you'll be able to quote their numbers. I carry 2 CCs in my wallet, and the third one went in my
suitcase.
Visa & M/card were accepted pretty much everywhere, Amex less so.
I've heard of mates with Visa debit cards having trouble, car rental
companies want a credit card. That was a few years ago, things might have changed.
Lastly, the French sustem of road signage seems designed to keep the
German army out.The numbers of times I thought I'd cracked it..........
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Attn camry drivers. The accelerator is the skinny pedal on the right. |
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