Buy from Amazon USD or AUD at checkout when paying with debit card

dmc900 on 22/02/2013 - 22:10

I'm purchasing a $110 item from Amazon.com, I'm going to pay with Commonwealth Bank Debit MasterCard which makes a 3.5% international transaction fee.

But then I noticed you can buy using AUD or USD rate, I read online that Amazon conversion is bad and that I should use USD. But since I'm not using a 28 Degrees card like most use, will buying with my debit card encounter a 3.5% international transaction fee when I pay in AUD?

If it does then I should probably use USD, so I don't end up paying more twice (amazon conversion + bank conversion and fee).

I know it probably silly worrying about a couple of dollars it might save, but every cent counts, mainly for an OzBargainer :) Oh and I was going to open a 28 degrees card but the sign up process was a bit more complicated than CBA credit card sign-up. Needed two phone numbers, I only have my mobile and then needed a friend or relatives number not from the same address which seems a bit annoying just for a credit card and since I don't buy overseas too much I may as well cough up the 3.5% from my CBA card and well I do shop overseas a fair bit but most have paypal.

Oh and Amazons
Applicable Exchange Rate:
1 USD = 1.0135072295 AUD

Simple overview if you got confused with my large chunk of text.
AUD 110.92 + debit card currency conversion + 3.5% fee (yes/no) | not sure what rate CBA use on their debit cards either
USD 109.44 + (I know that I will be charged 3.5% fee from CBA but will it cost more.

Thank you very much for reading everyone.

General Discussion

Related Stores

Amazon US
Amazon US

Comments

  • fatwombat on 22/02/2013 - 22:29
    +1

    AMEX would be better than a CBA credit card. You are better off paying in USD. You will definitely be charged a Currency Conversion fee if paying in AUD and of course plus a poor conversion rate from Amazon, the same for a Debit Card. 28 Degrees card so far gives the best rate and no Currency Conversion fee.

  • mrhorseham on 22/02/2013 - 22:42

    USD will work out slightly cheaper by like $1

    EDIT: sorry i read something wrong, USD is cheaper

  • dmc900 on 22/02/2013 - 22:56

    Thanks for your input everybody, I will go ahead and buy in USD. :)
    and will try harder to get a 28 Degrees Card, might just use a close relatives number for my home number or something and use my mobile too. It does have an option to use a work number but they don't really like personal calls.

    Once again thanks :)

    • retiredfeline on 22/02/2013 - 23:04
      +1

      Just give them a reli or friend's address and instruct them to say you're not in but you will call them back. I don't think they actually use the second number unless they can't get you on the first to tell you there's been a possible breach of security and they will issue you a new card.

      • kobrien456 on 26/06/2013 - 12:52

        I'm not working currently and should have applied for this while I was. If they don't check anything would I get away with pretending I am still working? (I'm actually hoping to retire- if I'm frugal enough with OzB should be OK :)) This card sounds too good to be true though and I'd love to have one.

        • retiredfeline on 30/06/2013 - 11:23

          I don't really know. I've never been called by any issuers of cards (credit or debit) during the approval process. Mostly they just want to know that your credit history is good and that you are a real person living at the address you gave.

        • kobrien456 on 30/06/2013 - 11:46

          Thanks Greenpossum

  • KBZ on 23/02/2013 - 00:53

    Just a question do you people get charged a transaction fee for a Citibank card as well?

    • dmc900 on 23/02/2013 - 01:47

      http://www.citibank.com.au/aus/static/feesandcharges.htm

      On there site it says
      3.3% for Visa Citibank card
      3.4% for Mastercard Citibank card

      • leonheart1 on 30/06/2013 - 13:57

        That's only for the credit card though, the Citibank debit card still has no fees, right?

    • fatwombat on 23/02/2013 - 11:33

      Yes, there is a charge if you buy from a Online site in AUD or foreign currency registered as an Overseas seller.

  • fatwombat on 23/02/2013 - 11:29

    If you are applying for a 28 Degrees card, go for a $2000 credit only. They don't check anything, not your payslip nor phone number. Also, $2000 is plenty for online shopping. You can apply for a 28 Degrees card online and you should get it approved and sent to you within 1 week.

    When buying from Amazon, you can always get help and questions answered through their Live Chat system. They are very helpful.

  • bobjane on 23/02/2013 - 16:39

    It's an international transaction fee, not a currency conversion fee. You get hit with this whenever the merchant is foreign, regardless of whether they charge you in USD or AUD.

    Always choose the merchant's local currency, in this case USD. What people don't seem to understand that 'shopping in your currency' isn't provided for your benefit, it's for them to make extra money on!

  • Sagasu on 31/10/2020 - 22:07

    Was looking to buy something on Amazon.es and came across this old thread. I took advice as above, and paid in the local currency of Euro. The amount charged back here to my Citibank debit card is at the going rate of exchange, thanks to Citibank's very good conversion rates and absence of international transaction fees. Brilliant!

    The uncertainty for me was the wording on the Amazon web page which asked you to check one of two boxes:

    1. My card is in Australian Dollars
    2. My card is in another currency - (option to select below).

    I opted for 'another currency' and selected 'Euro', and that was no problem.

    So for anyone else who may want to pay in the local currency, it was fine to select the option from 'my card is in another currency' even though your own account may be in Aussie dollars. Hope this helps others who may be planning to buy on an overseas Amazon site.

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