I was supposed to go to Bali on the first day the volcanic ash cancelled flights. (I obviously didn't get there). Prior to going, I loaded AUD$500 into USD in my Cash Passort card, as I read somewhere that USD were required for Visa Entry. When I got to the airport, I went to a Travelex ATM and asked for US cash. When I checked my Cash Passport it took the US dollars out of my USD account, but it took it out in AUD. So basically I lost on exchanging AUD to USD twice. I'm sure this can't be right. Can anyone offer any advice? Do I have any recourse?
Cash Passport Aussie Airport Ripoff?
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Thanks. I'd not been to Bali before, and my trip has now been cancelled, unfortunately. I'll keep it in mind, if I get to go another time.
Feel free to post here or PM me if you need more information.
they have Commonwealth Bank there.
might be worth making an account if u don't already. And then just use your standard card. Saves a lot of fiddling around.
Pyramid is correct, you only need AUD - entry should be about $40 AUD.
In relation to your doubling of exchange costs, I had the same issue in Thailand! I had loaded and converted currency into Thai Baht, then upon withdrawing cash, it did the stupid double conversion again. I just assumed I was pressing some wrong buttons, oh well.
I'm heading to New Zealand early next year - any advice on whether to take AUD and exchange cash over there, or do it here on some sort of card?
Cheers all :)
For bali, visa fees is $35 USD which converts to approx 52-55 AUD.
For NZ, open citibank transaction account and its debit card can be used in NZ. There are westpac atms in NZ so you can use it to withdraw NZ Dollars.
This card can be used in Indonesia/Bali as well. I used it in both countries and there were no foreign currency withdrawal charges and exchange rate is also very good.
I also second the notion of using citibank. I've used my card in the US, loaded with AUD and it'll automatically convert to the currency of the country you're in. Their rates are reasonably good too and they don't charge any of the currency exchange fees like the pre-loaded travel cards do from the banks!
Does it charge you ATM withdrawal fees though?
@pyramid:
Thanks to both of you for sharing your wisdom and shedding some light on what to hunt down. I shall look into this now, cheers!
@sagrules: Citibank won't charge you for withdrawing from an overseas ATM, but the ATM providers in the destination country may charge you for using their services. On a recent trip to Fiji it was a flat FJD $12.
@moola: I think it depends on country and bank. I used westpac and other banks in NZ and one bank in Bali and both the time it did not charge me anything.
@pyramid: Hence the use of the word "may".
I do think these Cash Passports are a waste of money (similar to a modern day Travellers Cheque) which are beneficial perhaps if they offer you replacement in case of loss, but nothing much more than the right debit card will provide.
Hi,
I see a lot of ozbargainers recommending CITI cards for foreign transaction fee. Is it the debit card that is recommended. I have the signature credit card and wouldn't call the rates favourable.
Cheerss
-deleted - wrong nesting
My personal experience with NZ is that you do not need cash… I have been travelling to NZ for 3 consecutive years for ski trips and had never handled a single cash note. The funny conversation with friends is like "you dont even know what NZ cash look like? you have been there so many times!".
Do get a international transaction free card though.
if you can use a non-Australian passport…chances are you don't need a visa.
If you have to use Aus passport…just get USD notes in exact change (I've heard that although they charge you in USD…they don't give change…or try to see if they can get away with not giving change).Wrong information. Even if they charge you in USD, they give back change but in IDR.
Thank your for your comments, however maybe I have not expressed myself clearly, as no one has answered my question. I would like to know if there is anything that I can do about being charged AUD in my USD Cash Passport account. Effectively, I have been charged exchange rates twice. Thanks in advance.
I realise this is a really old topic but no one's answered your question so I thought I'd chime in with an idea.
Contact the financial institution that looks after the Cash Passport card.. Or given it's been so long maybe you've done something already? What did you end up doing?
Withdrawn
Sorry i can't offer you advise on cash passport but Bali/Indonesia does not require you to carry USD. Visa entry fees can be paid in AUD as they will convert USD to AUD. Just carry AUD and convert it whenever you require.