Travel cards, Cash passport, or credit cards- the best way to travel Overseas?

[soreplums]

Hi All,

Been doing some research on cash passports and travel cards for overseas travel and have confused myself.

Can anyone tell me what they think the best way is to travel overseas with cash?

Items in question- value for money, fees, additional fees, loading fees etc

Have tried the NAB traveller card before, but is there a better option?

 

[BlackWhiteBlood]

If your a QANTAS frequent flyer, their travel card is good.

 

[ppoiter]

soreplums where are you going just out of interest? Im going to South America in a couple of months and will just take my debit card and a backup travel card with not much on it. Most atms in all but the most remote places should accept your normal card as long as it has the maestro/cirrus symbols

 

[Magpie Girl]

There's also a discussion on this in the Random Thoughts thread

 

[soreplums]

soreplums where are you going just out of interest? Im going to South America in a couple of months and will just take my debit card and a backup travel card with not much on it. Most atms in all but the most remote places should accept your normal card as long as it has the maestro/cirrus symbols

Just heading to Europe (France/Italy). South America's awesome. Where exactly are you heading too?

 

[ppoiter]

Just heading to Europe (France/Italy). South America's awesome. Where exactly are you heading too?

Your normal atm should work fine if you're ok bringing it.

Flying into Argentina, going up through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and the USA. Haven't booked a flight home yet but money will hopefully last about 6 months

 

[Magpie Girl]

Your normal atm should work fine if you're ok bringing it.

Flying into Argentina, going up through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and the USA. Haven't booked a flight home yet but money will hopefully last about 6 months

The normal atm card will work fine, but depending on which bank, you can pay large fees.
Citibank Debit Card is the only one without fees when using overseas

 

[ppoiter]

The normal atm card will work fine, but depending on which bank, you can pay large fees.
Citibank Debit Card is the only one without fees when using overseas

Thats a good point, I don't recall it being a problem though. Would there not be cost and hassle associated with setting the other card up? I think thats probably why I would have opted to just deal with the withdrawal fees

 

[Magpie Girl]

Thats a good point, I don't recall it being a problem though. Would there not be cost and hassle associated with setting the other card up? I think thats probably why I would have opted to just deal with the withdrawal fees

No there are no acct fees and its only a phone call

 

[Helfarch]

Credit card, separate one for travel. Accepted in more places and a debit card you can't get the money back after it gets abused / stolen - it's just gone. A credit card you can dispute dodgy transactions and have them charged back.

Your normal atm should work fine if you're ok bringing it.

Flying into Argentina, going up through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and the USA. Haven't booked a flight home yet but money will hopefully last about 6 months

I am assuming you are going from Mexico the Cuba and then to the US to avoid the Mexican border cities? Mexico can be a properly dangerous place.

 

[ppoiter]

Credit card, separate one for travel. Accepted in more places and a debit card you can't get the money back after it gets abused / stolen - it's just gone. A credit card you can dispute dodgy transactions and have them charged back.


I am assuming you are going from Mexico the Cuba and then to the US to avoid the Mexican border cities? Mexico can be a properly dangerous place.

I dont have any specific plans to do that but it could end up working out that way. Got a mate who lives in San Diego who goes over the border from time to time, hes never mentioned anything about it being dangerous. Have you spent time in that area?

 

[BlackWhiteBlood]

Travel card is best way to go. Normal ATM will have massive fees. With travel cards no or minimal fees. They are essentially a debit visa /master card. All you do is transfer money from your back account on to your travel card using bpay.

Your normal atm should work fine if you're ok bringing it.

Flying into Argentina, going up through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and the USA. Haven't booked a flight home yet but money will hopefully last about 6 months

Was in South America 18 months ago amazing place. Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador are beyond words. Do not underestimate how much Ecuador has to offer, I did one of my few regrets of the trip. As for the US, love San Diego

 

[ppoiter]

Travel card is best way to go. Normal ATM will have massive fees. With travel cards no or minimal fees. They are essentially a debit visa /master card. All you do is transfer money from your back account on to your travel card using bpay.



Was in South America 18 months ago amazing place. Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador are beyond words. Do not underestimate how much Ecuador has to offer, I did one of my few regrets of the trip. As for the US, love San Diego

I've never found the costs prohibitive but will check it out. Yeah we were thinking of spending time in Montanita for some sun and a Spanish course. We don't really have an itinerary so if it's looking good we'll stay a bit longer. Anywhere in particular you liked?

 

[Helfarch]

I dont have any specific plans to do that but it could end up working out that way. Got a mate who lives in San Diego who goes over the border from time to time, hes never mentioned anything about it being dangerous. Have you spent time in that area?

Two work mates, one went years ago now with his wife, stuck fairly touristy and didn't have any trouble. The other immigrated from Mexico to get his family out of there. Generally it's not advised to travel anywhere in the north and north east unless you have to. Baja and Sonora are apparently alright though.

 

[BlackWhiteBlood]

We don't really have an itinerary so if it's looking good we'll stay a bit longer. Anywhere in particular you liked?

Hey mate, not really sure of your interests or budget. I was on a guided tour for most of the trip. Just made it all easier. But some of the highlights where the salt flats in Bolivia. Cusco in Peru and a visit to Machu Picchu is an absolute must if time and $$$ permit try and do a multi-day hike to reach Machu Picchu, the physical challenge makes it all the more amazing. Base your self in Quito in Ecuador speak to other travelers they will give you heaps of tips, Mindo is also really nice only did a day trip out here but could have spent longer.

The big one. I am a history and nature buff so this is right up my ally. The Galapagos Islands, get there from Quito try and book onto a multi day tour on a boat. The smaller the better, book through intrepid etc. It is hexi but money well spent for a once in a life time experience.

Its good your learning Spanish as even in the big Cities, English is very limited. Hostel staff will speak it but not much apart from that.