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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-25-2013, 10:58 PM
Im going to South America soon, I will be there for a long time and am planning on going to most countries there.
I found a card here in aus called 28 degrees; it sound pretty awsome, you can use it at any ATM, shop etc, there are no fees; no overseas cash withdrawal fees, no annual fees, no currency transfer fees and the best of all, the rate of exchange is extremely competitive, not like the bullshit exchange rates you get for travelers cheques etc. Perhaps the best thing of all is that you can just go to an ATM like in your own country, simple and easy and not get ass raped in fees and currency conversions.
What have you guys found to be the best and most cost efficient way when traveling long term in a range of countries in regards to handling your money?
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-26-2013, 12:13 AM
Kazz i got the 28 degrees card as well, after looking at all the different options i thought it was the best one due to what you mentioned NO FEEs whatsoever and a competetive exchange rate which most other cards dont offer..also so far payments i have made through BPAY have been recieved the next working day.....Im leaving next week and travelling for the next few years so hopefully it works in most of the countries. Just make sure to transfer YOUR OWN money onto the card before you leave and while travelling or the interest rate will kill you especially if you have a high credit limit on the card.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-26-2013, 01:42 AM
Using my normal bank card to withdraw $$ at ATMs, or using my normal credit card to buy things. HSBC has a global bank account you can access anywhere; other banks have reciprocal agreements for free withdrawals. I could pull money out free from Commonwealth in Oz, Barclays in Europe, etc.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-26-2013, 02:40 PM
Not sure if these are limited to US-based customers, but I use Capital One for a credit card and Chuck Schwab High-Yield Checking Acct for ATM withdrawals.
Cap One has no international fees (and you get airline miles for purchases) and the Schwab reimburses you for all ATM fees, domestic or international, so you don't rack up anything extra aside from normal spending while travelling.
I have had good customer service experience with both as well.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-26-2013, 05:03 PM
That 28 degree card sounds like a good deal. My advice is to not carry cards on you unless you have back ups, and even then why go through the headache of having to cancel them (At least when traveling in a dangerous place). I go to the nearest bank and pull out the max amount of money I can pull out at one time (Avoiding extra ATM fees is reason for pulling out max). I then head directly back to where I'm staying and stash my money and card and only take out a little over what I think I'll need for the night.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-27-2013, 12:57 AM
When using debit cards or prepaid money cards in South America, be aware that criminals taking scans of such cards is widespread.
Try to obtain a card with a chip.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-27-2013, 02:27 AM
Yeah the 28 degrees has a chip, my plan is to leave just a small amount of funds in the 28 degrees card, and leave the rest in a card i never carry out with me; that way if i get jumped, and/or taken to the closest atm and told to take all the funds out, i will not lose much.
Does any one know of a good card for Canadians? My buddy im traveling with is from there.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-27-2013, 01:29 PM
Does anyone know of an American card with a chip?
I bitched at my CC company last year about this, and will probably end up doing the same again. It's only a matter of time before my account is unnecessarily drained.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-27-2013, 08:41 PM
Not only that, but with a US credit card, you're often secondarily insured in a whole host of other activities as well - like damages incurred while renting a car in a foreign territory.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-28-2013, 07:00 AM
I bank with USAA, they charge me 1% while I'm traveling but refund all ATM fees and it's no maintenance.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
03-28-2013, 11:12 PM
Quote: (03-28-2013 07:00 AM)Fisto Wrote:
I bank with USAA, they charge me 1% while I'm traveling but refund all ATM fees and it's no maintenance.
Don't you have to be former or current military for that?
You want to know the only thing you can assume about a broken down old man? It's that he's a survivor.
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
02-22-2014, 01:19 PM
Is there something like this 28 degrees card in the United states? I've been getting terrible atm fees abroad and need an international card without fees. Any americans solve this problem?
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Experiences with Debit/Credit cards when travelling
02-22-2014, 11:06 PM
I used my United Airlines Visa:
-No foreign transaction fees
-Free car insurance on rentals
-Enough miles when signing up to get a free round trip flight
-Up to $1000 cash advance in cash my ATM card stops working
-No liability for fraudulent activity
I checked on my primary credit union debit card and they said NO WAY can I use it in Mexico, not even if I told them my plans in advance. My other credit union told me it wasn't a problem. Just be sure to check.
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