Around the World Travel Advice

I am going around the world tour with my wife next month should I carry cash with me or any recommended credit/debit card and any advice for the trips please.

Comments

  • +8

    No cash.

    28Degrees for Credit Card.
    Citibank for Debit Card.

    Ive used both around the world, no problems. Both free.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/cards_with_no_overseas_tra…

    • +3

      This is the standard and correct response.
      All other options carry substantial higher charges.

    • Of course you need cash as well, what happen if you are at the middle of nowhere with no access to ATM ?

      • The airport you land at, probably 9 times our of 10, will have an ATM to withdraw cash, hence the Citibank Plus recommendation.

        They're are not suggesting no cash at all - if that was the case, there would be no need for the debit card, just use credit card for everything. They are simply suggesting that in most cases there is no need to convert cash in advance.

        • 11 times out of 10 an airport will have ATM.

          Definitely use cash after withdrawing from the Citibank account, but you don't need to take any with you from Australia.

          Absolute worse case scenario find a taxi and say take me to an ATM/Cash Machine/geldautomat/etc

        • @Gunther: OK. Wasn't sure if they had them at any of the Tasmanian airports yet :P

        • Very much depends where you go too as countries like Laos, Mongolia and Cuba etc… don't have many ATM, even they do, still not guarantee will work with your cards, I am going to Cuba next month, I will bring Canadian currency there as they don't accept Australian dollars and pay heaps of commissions for US dollars :)

        • +1

          @Marcsie: Laos has plenty at the airport.I've used Citibank there. Had to withdrawl cash to Pay for Visa on Arrival.

        • @Gunther: I crossed border to Laos overland from Thailand, back in 2006, never been to airport, so it may different now :)

  • +2

    Taking your wife OS, you won't be carrying the cash.

    Your wife will already have it. lol

    Probl'm solv'd.

  • Roll your clothes, don't fold them.

  • +1

    Use:
    tripit.com

    • +1

      This is stunning advice.

      I've seen this a bit late but here's my advice after just coming back from a similar trip

      The two best things i did were sign up for the premium tripit and also sign up for the platinum amex card so you got the lounge access (life saver on those 8 hour stop overs) and access to nice hotels using points when you want to get some time away.

      In terms of cards, have at least 2 debit cards and a couple of different credit cards, spread across mastercard, visa and amex. At least one card will get blocked on your way round. Only keep a certain amount of cash in your debit card account so that if it does get copied they don't clear you out and then regular transfer money from a savings account when you need it using a phone app. Also make sure you have a backup phone in case your main one gets stolen.

      Finally have $200-$300 of USD in pristine notes hidden in a belt if things go seriously wrong as it gives you few more options.

      Focus on enjoying your trip, you'll have the time of your lives, some things will go wrong but with a bit of preparation things will right themselves.

  • +2

    staple the cash to the outside of your clothing. don't worry if you get mugged or it blows/falls off. travel insurance will cover it. /s

    28Degrees for Credit Card.
    Citibank for Debit Card.

    and any advice for the trips please.

    taking a plane will be faster than walking. especially in the really wet areas.

  • +1

    Always have emergency cash incase cards dont work for whatever reason - preferably USD, but AUD would be fine too.

    • Completely agree with this, I live by the 28 Degrees card overseas for pretty much everything, but carry $100 US with me at all times, not in my wallet but secreted somewhere, so that if everything goes Pete Tong I've got enough for a cab or a cheap room or a meal while I sort things out

  • I have book holidays for Europe directly. Which is the cheapest way to send Euro to Hungary in their Bank Account.
    Thanks in Advance for your assistance.

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