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Bendigo Bank - Ready Credit Card - $0 Annual Fee, 0% International Fee, Travel Insurance

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Bendigo Bank - Ready Credit Card - $0 Annual Fee, 0% International Fee, Travel Insurance
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E5TOQUE on 06/12/2023 - 16:40 bendigobank.com.au (4973 clicks)
Last edited 07/12/2023 - 09:25

Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card

This is a repost from the original deal here:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/742184/

Remember OzBargain has their Wiki here for all cards similar to Bendigo Bank's Ready Credit Card.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/cards_with_no_overseas_tra…

This card could be good for people looking to go on overseas holidays over the xmas/ new year period and beyond.
It has some advantages other cards don't have like a lower minimum credit limit, joint accounts and travel insurance.

Joint Accounts Available

Bendigo Bank support joint credit card holders.
Joint account means the credit facility is opened under two peoples names. Not many banks offer this on credit cards.
https://www.finder.com.au/joint-account-credit-cards

Other features

  • Uses the Mastercard Exchange Rate (https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/convert…)
  • 0% International Fee
  • $0 Yearly Fee
  • Joint accounts available (you apparently need to go into a branch to set this up)
  • $0 Additional Card Holder Fee
  • 90 Days Travel Insurance (inc cancellation cover)
  • Extended Warranty on purchases
  • Purchase Protection on purchases
  • $3000 minimum credit limit

Bendigo Bank is also considered an 'ethical bank' with no investments in fossil fuel's according to Market Force:
https://www.marketforces.org.au/info/compare-bank-table/

Enjoy.

Financial Credit Card Insurance MasterCard Travel Insurance

Related Stores

Bendigo Bank
Bendigo Bank
MasterCard AU
MasterCard AU
Marketplace

Comments

  • jv on 06/12/2023 - 16:52
    -4

    Bendigo Bank is also considered an 'ethical bank'

    Haven't they merged with Adelaide Bank?

    • E5TOQUE on 06/12/2023 - 16:53
      +6

      If you check the link both Adelaide and Bendigo apparently don't invest in fossil fuels.

      • jv on 06/12/2023 - 16:54
        +41

        I don't have fossil fuels investments either, does that make me ethical?

        • pizzaguy on 06/12/2023 - 17:01
          +13

          In the area of fuel investments, it does. If you have any other despicable investments, then you are not. Class dismissed.

        • 1st-Amendment on 06/12/2023 - 17:03
          +31

          I don't have fossil fuels investments either

          Considering 99% of everything is made with Fossil Fuels, including every single renewable energy project, we are all invested in it. ESG is just a racketeering scam, don't fall for scams

          • jv on 06/12/2023 - 17:04

            @1st-Amendment:

            we are all invested in it.

            Including Bendigo Bank then?

            • 1st-Amendment on 06/12/2023 - 17:10
              +11

              @jv:

              Including Bendigo Bank then?

              Indirectly yes. ESG is pure a virtue signalling wankery.

              They use electricity, steel, glass, concrete, wear clothes, eat food, then yes they are invested in Fossil fuels just like the rest of us.

              • jv on 06/12/2023 - 17:12
                +18

                @1st-Amendment: They also give their customers plastic cards !!! 😲

                • jrvb42 on 07/12/2023 - 08:55
                  -1

                  @jv: What's that got to do with it? Surely you're not suggesting plastics are produced from fossil fuels? 😂

              • Thaal Sinestro on 07/12/2023 - 17:34
                -1

                @1st-Amendment: If these capitalists were really as virtuous as they claim, they would give all of their money to the poor, or build housing for the poor and sell it to them for $100.

                • Igaf on 07/12/2023 - 21:04
                  +3

                  @Thaal Sinestro: The old simplistic hair shirt/all-or-nothing argument raises its juvenile head again.

            • Grandslam on 06/12/2023 - 17:24
              +5

              @jv: The whole ESG thing is quite hypocritical. Companies won't invest in fossil fuels, despite the fact that energy underpins our whole society, yet have no problem investing in China or Russia, countries which are responsible for serious and ongoing human rights violations.

              • jv on 06/12/2023 - 18:02
                +4

                @Grandslam:

                countries which are responsible for serious and ongoing human rights violations.

                They are also the greatest polluters…

                • windCheater on 06/12/2023 - 20:15

                  @jv: In which way? Historical or per capita？

                • jrvb42 on 07/12/2023 - 08:57

                  @jv: Not per capita.

              • Xizor on 06/12/2023 - 18:58

                @Grandslam: How dare you speak logical.

          • frewer on 06/12/2023 - 18:07

            @1st-Amendment: An index that made ~500% in 2 weeks is a scam? No way https://www.tradingview.com/x/EW2Jkxbu/

        • muncan on 06/12/2023 - 17:20

          Do you have any barrels?

        • seamonkey on 06/12/2023 - 18:27

          One more step jv. You need to get yourself a Bendigo Bank - Ready Credit Card, then you level up.

      • park on 07/12/2023 - 07:29
        +3

        Why would he check a link when he just wants attention for being strange

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/12/2023 - 08:07
      +2

      Irrelevant to the card offer….Poor pickings!

      This is a Fantastic credit card
      Equal in benefits to the all-mighty Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard
      But without the Platinum minim income requirements!

  • whatsavage on 06/12/2023 - 16:53
    +1

    Going to the US next year, trying to find options to avoid having a bunch of cash on me. This seems reasonable to me? I was also looking at a Wise card. Anyone have advice on the most affordable/safe way to spend/convert ~10k?

    • E5TOQUE on 06/12/2023 - 16:55
      +10

      Everyone is different.

      I personally see credit cards as a good backup payment method and for when deposits are needed on things (Hotels, Car Rentals)
      Then your own cash is free to spend on the day to day stuff.

      Bendigo Bank owns UP Bank. UP Bank has native integration with Wise.

      Maybe have something like this?

      • UP Bank (Debit)
      • Wise (Backup Debit)
      • Bendigo Bank (Credit)
      • edumacation on 06/12/2023 - 16:57

        what about 28 degrees?

        • E5TOQUE on 06/12/2023 - 17:00
          +4

          This Bendigo Bank ready card seems to be the better offering for me personally.
          Everyone will value stuff differently.

          • They haven't had a data breach (yet) haha.
          • Lower credit limit requirements
          • Joint accounts
          • Insurance/ Extended Warranty, etc.

          If you were lucky enough to be on the original 28 Degrees card from years and years ago, they have this special purchase protection thing that no one else offers anymore. But you miss out on the other features listed above.

          • jv on 06/12/2023 - 18:04
            +1

            @E5TOQUE: I prefer the frequent cashbacks, free international data roaming and free lounge access at airports with the 28 degrees card…

            For Insurance/ Extended Warranty I use my free Amex and CBA Mastercard…

            • 33725 on 06/12/2023 - 18:49
              +1

              @jv: How do you get free lounge access with the 28 degrees card? I thought only for flight delay

              • jv on 06/12/2023 - 18:50
                +18

                @33725:

                How do you get free lounge access ? I thought only for flight delay

                Just fly Jetstar….

          • jackystudio on 06/12/2023 - 20:46

            @E5TOQUE: Does Bendigo charge insurance premium base on closing balance?

        • ignited141 on 06/12/2023 - 18:28

          @edumacation did you end up doing any further comparison?

          • edumacation on 06/12/2023 - 21:07

            @ignited141: Nah I didn't, I was trying to remember the issues with 28Degree recently but E5TOQUE reminded me about the info leak recently.

      • dbnewman89 on 06/12/2023 - 20:01
        +4

        I've blown through about $40k on travel recently and my loadout is:

        • Up Bank
        • Macquarie Bank (Platinum Debit Card)
        • Bendigo Bank (Ready Credit Card)

        All fee-free, mastercard rate.

        • Mugsy on 07/12/2023 - 16:47

          Good setup. Though, I would add a VISA card to your line up still depending on where you're going. My folks have spent the past year traveling every second month through Asia and they've come across a few establishments that only accept VISA.

          • dbnewman89 on 07/12/2023 - 21:25

            @Mugsy: It's actually a struggle to find one these days, Visa just don't have options when it comes to fee-free, I think HSBC Everyday Global is likely the best, but the only other options really are Ubank (NAB backed) or Suncorp (Dogshit)

            • Mugsy on 08/12/2023 - 13:37

              @dbnewman89: I'm guessing you weren't a Citibank Plus holder and won't be getting the modified NAB classic debit card?

              Yeah, Ubank is a popular option for fee free travel VISA debit cards. The new SpendME debit card from ME Bank looks good on paper for travel too (I only have legacy ME Bank transaction accounts so cannot comment on the new one). Suncorp's one looked OK on paper but I didn't order a card when I got my loan… if it's crap then I'll take your word for it).

              HSBC I use and so does my Dad. It's great domestically for the 2% cashback. Dad uses it when his Mac debit cards have issues overseas and the HSBC hasn't failed him during these times. But for the 10 currencies that you can load on the card, HSBC will use their own exchange rate rather than the VISA exchange rate IIRC. Just something to be wary of and thus why a different bank's international fee free VISA debit card may be better.

              • 1bargain on 08/12/2023 - 14:52

                @Mugsy: I only opened the Citi Plus in May and used it once overseas. What do you think of the transitioned Citibank-NAB account? Is it still as good if using in Japan later?

                • Mugsy on 08/12/2023 - 15:30
                  +1

                  @1bargain: General international fee free debit card advice for travel…

                  1. Have at least two cards from two banks, one MasterCard and one Visa.
                  2. Use MasterCard first as it generally has better exchange rates.

                  I use Macquarie for the MasterCard.

                  For Japan, get cash out from the 711 7Bank ATM between 7am and 7pm. Supposedly it's free free between those times.

                  • YesPleaseThankYou on 30/12/2023 - 19:47

                    @Mugsy:

                    Use MasterCard first as it generally has better exchange rates

                    I always understood that Mastercard cards first convert your purchase into USD then into AUD. As such you are paying double conversion fees, albeit small.

              • dbnewman89 on 08/12/2023 - 19:45

                @Mugsy: I actually closed my citi account when I opened my Macquarie one lol, heard about the NAB takeover and noped out of it.

                • Mugsy on 09/12/2023 - 16:16
                  +1

                  @dbnewman89: Yeah, I was gonna do the same thing but Citi disabled their account closure function on web banking… and I didn't want to wait on the phone .

                  Lucky for me I guess as I later found out that with NAB's banking app, you can deposit cheques with it. Saves me opening a standard NAB debit card.

                  But for yourself, for fee free options, I would choose either Ubank, ME Bank (especially if you have a use for their HomeME savings account) or HSBC (for their 2% domestic card tap cashback). The VISA is just there as a precaution in case MasterCard isn't accepted anyway. You'd want to use the MasterCard more.

                  • YesPleaseThankYou on 30/12/2023 - 19:49

                    @Mugsy:

                    Citi disabled their account closure function on web banking

                    I used the Citi web banking account closure request just last week. The account was closed within a few hours.

                    I don't think the function ever got removed—it's just awkward to find.

    • 1st-Amendment on 06/12/2023 - 17:06

      The US is very cash-centric, their banking systems are straight out of the 1980's. It will be hard to go fully cashless there like we do here

      Anyone have advice on the most affordable/safe way to spend/convert ~10k?

      Travel Money card works for me. Load up when you think the exchange rate is decent, then use it like an EFTPOS card in the US. As per above, I usually have to withdraw cash once there.

      I'm with CBA so have the travel money card linked to my account and can transfer to and from it on the fly using the app with whatever the current exchange rate is. Makes it very easy.

      • tangobox on 07/12/2023 - 09:45
        +6

        This is bad advice imho. If you could reliably time forex in your favour you wouldn't be posting on here. And Travel Money cards are terrible. Dud exchange rate, weird loading mechanism. Also why do you bank with CBA?

        • 1st-Amendment on 07/12/2023 - 13:52

          weird loading mechanism

          On mine it is in the app the same as my regular accounts, so loading is as simple as transfer from one account to another.
          Generally when I know I'm traveling I keep an eye on the exchange rate and wait for a bump in the market in my favour then xfer. Sure it's not reliable, but it works more times than not as is the case with my USD at present. When in hit 75c it was a high point so jumped in, and since then the dollar dropped to almost 60c (slowly creeping back up now) so it turned out very good for me since I'm traveling again next month.
          If I relied just on a credit/debit card at time of purchase I'd be at the mercy of the spot rate which is an even bigger gamble IMO since you have to execute at the point in time. The flexibility of choosing when to exchange is an advantage IMO

          Also why do you bank with CBA?

          That's where my money is… it does what I need it to do… I know how it works… and moving is too much risk/effort.

          I also have an NAB account and an UP account but found them not as good for me.

    • bigbadboogieman on 06/12/2023 - 17:06
      +1

      Used Bendigo in US quite extensively and can confirm it's good as long as you don't need cash because of Cash Withdrawal fee. Used ING back when they had international ATM fee rebates. I had gotten Bendigo when they had the 16 months interest free on purchases promo then maxed it out while travelling in the US while keeping equivalent cash aside in Offset.

    • this is us on 06/12/2023 - 17:18
      +1

      I've been using Wise for years all around the world and I have no reason to complain. It's so easy to use and convert currencies, always with reduced fees and best rates compared to MC/Visa/AMEX usual rates.

      • YesPleaseThankYou on 30/12/2023 - 19:52

        One issue with Wise is that it is not part of the Financial Claims Scheme in Australia, refer https://www.apra.gov.au/financial-claims-scheme-0

        If Wise ever went bust, you would lose your money. Of course, you can limit any potential loss by not keeping a lot of money with Wise.

        • OzFrugie on 11/01/2024 - 12:22

          Same as revolut i guess?

    • Doesnotcompute on 06/12/2023 - 17:40
      +5

      I would have recommended getting a citibank plus transaction account as no international transaction fees and there are many citibank ATMs in the US to also withdraw cash and avoid ATM fees. However unsure if this product will exist in the near future - ive recieved comms from NAB about my citi plus account being converted to a NAB account..not sure if ill be maintaining this citi perk.

      Otherwise Ing transaction account also has no international fees, however you must meet the monthly criteria. Not sure if there are ING atms in the US to avoid atm fees when you deicde to withdraw cash.. but sure that wouldnt be too hard for you to find out.

      Note these are both transaction accounts so no need for credit application.

      • bigbadboogieman on 06/12/2023 - 18:03
        +1

        ING got rid of the international ATM fee rebates. That's was a deal breaker for me so in the process of closing down ING and moving elsewhere.

        • Doesnotcompute on 06/12/2023 - 18:43

          Were these rebates when withdrawing from non-ing atm? Surely ING doesnt charge an atm fee if withdrawing from an ING atm?

          • JohnSy on 06/12/2023 - 19:41
            +2

            @Doesnotcompute: The rebates were for all ATM fees. It basically meant you could withdraw $20 in foreign currency whilst overseas and not have to factor in a $10 ATM fee etc.

          • bigbadboogieman on 06/12/2023 - 21:25
            +1

            @Doesnotcompute: ING doesn't have ATMs in AU or US. These were from all non-ING ATMs (local and international). They still do local ATM rebates if you meet their eligibility criteria each month.

      • twiz911 on 06/12/2023 - 19:53
        -1

        We've been converted to NAB Classic Banking accounts which have no such perks :(

        • StingyGeek on 06/12/2023 - 20:22
          +6

          The NAB card that is being issued specifically to replace existing Citibank Plus cards, still has zero account fee, zero forex fee, and zero foreign ATM fees. This differs from anyone applying for a new 'regular' NAB Classic Banking account.

          • aidenh37 on 07/12/2023 - 12:24

            @StingyGeek: And for new customers the Platinum debit card exists.

          • Fexofenadine on 07/12/2023 - 14:07

            @StingyGeek: Thank you. I couldn't find any confirmation that the rate is still the base rate (I guess Visa's instead of Mastercard's?), has anyone been able to find this or ask NAB?

          • tangobox on 10/12/2023 - 17:25

            @StingyGeek: To clarify, do you mean 'zero foreign ATM fees' like ING used to do, where they'd actually cover any ATM operator charges?

      • 1bargain on 06/12/2023 - 21:20

        From what I read with the new Nab Classic Account I think they might maintain the same benefits as the Citi Plus. I’ve only joined Citi in May for travel in September so when looking at the 2 accounts, they both seem similar (no fees, no international fees…)
        Has anyone looked into the details of the transfer? I feel like it’s being grandfathered but the info is not very easy to find regarding the international fees.

      • marko62 on 07/12/2023 - 05:30

        I have just recently closed my Citibank account due to the fact they kept refusing to authorise transactions. I even rang them before I went on a cruise and they still didn't authorise the holding deposit for the ship.

      • Jared17 on 07/12/2023 - 09:45

        I have been notified my Citibank transaction and savings accounts will be moved to nab by Feb next year. New nab accounts already set up and waiting.

        Looks like confirmed my Citibank card won't be working at that time. Shame as I found it very useful when I was overseas

    • twistedbow on 06/12/2023 - 18:12
      +2

      I recently came back from 3 week trip to US (LA and Vegas) and I say safest way to spend that much money is with credit card. Only time I really had to use cash was gambling and tipping at buffet. You can tip using your credit card at restaurants so cash is not needed. However, do take some cash for emergency just in case you go somewhere that do not accept credit card. As for getting USD, you can purchase via fx exchange in oz before you leave (auspost has bad fx rate) or just take a debit card with no fx fee and international atm fee (you may be charged atm fee by US banks) and take money out there.

    • Gavman on 06/12/2023 - 18:45
      +2

      Too bad Citi bank Debit card wound up… that card would been perfect.. you can use it overseas, even withdraw ur own cash for free from citibank ATMs in USA.. no fees, no conversion fees but NAB bought them and are in process of closing those accounts

    • Dealsguri on 06/12/2023 - 18:46
      +4

      If you are looking for debit card, try Ubank (Owned by Nab). No transaction fee and overseas ATM fee
      if you are looking for credit card, try Bankwest Zero platinum card. No Annual or foreign transaction fee + free insurance + all mastercard platinum benifits
      Credit cards are always safe because if you loose your card overseas or someone use your card, you can just dispute.

      • Gavman on 06/12/2023 - 18:52

        Do Ubank change currency conversion fee? Or do they convert at a commissioned rate?

        • Dealsguri on 06/12/2023 - 18:53
          +1

          No, they charge spot rate by visa.

    • StingyGeek on 06/12/2023 - 20:13
      +8

      I am going to the US this month. I have been trying to find out which ATM's are the best ones to use regarding fees, to draw cash, but have been unable to find info online.
      I am taking:
      1) Ubank visa debt (Good for shopping at Costco USA as they do not take MC!)
      2) Up debit Card (MC)
      3) Macquarie debit (MC)
      4) Citibank debit (MC) ( the one you can not get anymore and stops working on 24 Feb 2024)
      5) and hopefully, the NAB card being issued to replace the Citi card (if it arrives in time.)
      My plan is to see which one is the best one for drawing cash.
      ALL of these cards have Zero annual fee, zero forex fee, zero foreign ATM fees, and use the MC or Visa exchange rate.
      The only unknown fee is what the ATM operator may charge to use their ATMs. This is what I want to find out.
      I promise to report back to the Ozbargain community on my findings.

      Other than that, I have the Combank Ultimate Credit card as my primary CC and the 28º card as a backup. (both MC, both zero forex fee, both MC exchange rate)

      Not directly related to your question whatsavage, when you travel get yourself an eSim for your phone. Cheaper and/or easier than other options such as Roaming or using a local sim. (I use Airalo) There is plenty of info on Ozbargain about this.

      • The king on 07/12/2023 - 14:25

        @StingyGeek I have maple leaf lounges for sale to use US and domestic, let me know if you’re interested. TIA

  • KaitoKid1412 on 06/12/2023 - 16:55

    Is the exchange rate for this card just the MasterCard rate, or does Bendigo Bank apply an extra margin?

    • E5TOQUE on 06/12/2023 - 16:57
      +1

      From comments I've seen online Bendigo Bank use the Mastercard rate you see here:
      https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/convert…

      I can personally confirm that UP Bank also uses the mastercard rate (I've personally cross checked that one)

      • pizzaguy on 06/12/2023 - 17:02

        With 0% International Fee (as opposed to eg. CommBank having 3% fee), that would make it absolutely comparable with Revolut. For the most popular currencies at least.

      • KaitoKid1412 on 06/12/2023 - 17:15

        Thanks for the reply!

    • Gavman on 06/12/2023 - 18:46
      -1

      You find all banks will pass on some sort of currency / margin for exchange rates. No one will give you pure Spot Rate.

  • askvictor on 06/12/2023 - 16:59
    +4

    This also has rental vehicle excess insurance even if you're not interstate (a lot of credit cards rental insurance only applies interstate/overseas). For zero fees this alone makes it pretty useful.

    • NBaidya on 06/12/2023 - 20:15

      Which credit card would be best if you are going to rent vehicle overseas considering no annual fee & no international transaction fee and also has better rental vehicle related insurance cover?

      • askvictor on 06/12/2023 - 22:42

        No idea sorry

  • TaurusHead on 06/12/2023 - 17:03

    0% International Fee

    this means if I use the card in different country or online transaction for Non-AUD currency then there won't be any currency exchange fee?

    • rlf on 06/12/2023 - 17:08
      -5

      Yes but they still will use their own FX rates which are often juiced compared to current market rates.

      • jeefbeef on 06/12/2023 - 17:23
        +2

        This is just not true - if Bendigo uses the official Mastercard rates (like Bankwest and 28 Degrees) then they are essentially the best rates you can get on purchases in foreign currency.

        Certainly way better than the rates used for cash conversions or travel money options.

          • toomuchdogfur on 06/12/2023 - 18:55
            +4

            @1st-Amendment: The CBA Travel Money card uses their own exchange rate table, which is noticeably worse than other options like cards using the MasterCard exchange rate or the Wise debit account (which allows currency preloading like TMC does).

            For example as of right now, the TMC load rate for USD is $USD0.6318 per $AUD1, so loading $USD1,000 will cost $AUD1,582.78.

            For the same amount, Wise converts at the spot rate of $US0.6591 + $AUD7.28 fee = $AUD1,524.50. That is $58.28 or 3.7% less than TMC!

          • jeefbeef on 06/12/2023 - 22:33
            +1

            @1st-Amendment: Please provide an example based on your experience which gives a better exchange rate at the current spot rate.

            The second point isn't even relevant - I'm surprised you didn't just say you exchanged the cash in 2010 when AUD / USD was parity, and "where can I get that rate now?".

            You said any place that offers "no-fee" will have crap rates, which is clearly not true for the Mastercard rate. If you had used the Mastercard rate the last time to the US, you would've gotten a better result than travel money. You can then decide to get some additional USD via travel money if you were "anticipating a drop".

            Of course if you time the market you can always try to get a better rate, but the flipside is you can get a worse rate too.

            • 1st-Amendment on 07/12/2023 - 08:13
              -3

              @jeefbeef:

              Please provide an example based on your experience

              I did exactly that above, can you read?

              which gives a better exchange rate at the current spot rate.

              I specifically said that the advantage of travel money is that you have the choice of WHEN you buy into a rate, but you chose to ignore that…

      • E5TOQUE on 06/12/2023 - 17:29
        +1

        They use the Mastercard exchange rate.
        It’s very close to the actual exchange rate.

  • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 06/12/2023 - 17:10

    How do people fare with approvals for Bendigo credit products? I've had zero success with them and their subsidiairies (Tic Toc), and suspect being a credit card churner is the reason.

    • Brick50 on 06/12/2023 - 18:01
      +1

      Bankwest Zero Platinum offer the same thing, and I found they were great at approvals. Got called up next morning after applying for a couple questions from the local call centre and got approved a few mins after

      • evgpek on 06/12/2023 - 19:20

        Min 6k limit though

      • onlybargains on 07/12/2023 - 06:54
        +1

        I haven't read the PDS yet, but Bankwest reduced their level of complimentary insurance a while back.

        So Bendigo may have an edge on them here

        • onlybargains on 07/12/2023 - 07:05

          OK, I have read (skimmed through) the PDS and it looks like for my needs Bendigo's insurance is much better than Bankwest.

  • lawyerz on 06/12/2023 - 17:29

    Would you replace 28 degrees with this card as the default international credit card?

    • E5TOQUE on 06/12/2023 - 17:31
      +1

      Depends which 28 degree card you have. If you have the card from years and years ago with that price protection insurance, I doubt you would give it up.

      For anyone else, this seems to be the better card.

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