Trip To Aussie...Best way to transfer funds?

[FreeWilley]

I'm going to Australia for a few weeks, and I'm wondering what the best way to transfer my money would be. I have a Chase bank account, a Chase (Visa) credit card, an Amex card, and a Mastercard. Will I be slapped with international fees if I use any of those credit cards over in Australia? Or am I able to buy a pre-paid debit card where I can just load a bunch of money onto before hand, and bring that with me?

 

[*DUMBCAN*]

My sister lives in Costa Rica (from UK), she uses one of these: http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/cash-passport-currency-card.aspx.

I haven't done any research, but my parents are pretty tight with money and they don't really trust my sister with anything complicated so I'd assume it's pretty simple to use...

 

[FreeWilley]

thanks....i'll give that a shot

 

[liftedresearcher]

i used my visa card a ton in japan for a month and i didnt get hit with any extra fees.

 

[louie.mirags]

Op, you could try calling your bank.

But, I wouldn't see why you would get charged fees? They will possibly shut that shit down though thinking somebody stole your card if you don't let them know you're headed down there...

 

[Dustin.]

Just use your credit card. It works the same way. You can use your debit card and draw cash from ATM's as well for the same kind of $3 ish dollar fees as the US. I've never been to a country where I wasn't able to do this (unless of course they don't accept credit cards at that establishment).

Some banks will freeze the account if they don't know you're traveling to prevent theft though. So just tell them to be sure.

 

[timmi]

First off, get a few hundred in travellers cheques.

Then, if you're credit card is with a major company then it should just be paying a conversion rate. If you want to use your ATM card then find out your bank has an affiliation with any australian banks because that usually means very reasonable fees.

 

[B.Aussie]

The only extra fees should be the conversion rate But there is also a set conversion rate on any travel money card so it doesn't tend to be much different (unless something huge happens to the dollar whilst you are over there) neither rate will be particularly good but there isn't much you can do about that. Visa and Mastercard are accepted pretty much anywhere, and depending on where you are going in Aus there should be ATM's everywhere you need them.

 

[Laurent.]

According to the email of a Nigerian Prince, Shamash Din Choudhry, I should always use Western Union.

 

[pow_pow~]

you'll get a conversion fee, if you are using it direct at a merchant that is all you will cop. if you use amex though you will get a 2% charge at most places.

however if you withdraw at an atm, you will get a conversion fee and a $2.50 fee for using the atm because youre obviously not with that bank.

there are atms everywhere and visa and mastercard are accepted all over the place.