2FA (Two-Factor) - Paying Overseas for 6 weeks

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › 2FA (Two-Factor) - Paying Overseas for 6 weeks

pdh

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#323997 14-Feb-2026 04:11

Planning an overseas Trip - how best to manage/spend money (gas, tolls, parking, buses food & hotels) where banks increasingly want 2FA ?

This has been discussed on Geekzone - but now almost a year ago...

Details that may matter:
Two Adults - to Europe in September - driving holiday (10+ countries, no UK);
Cards: Wise Debit + AMEX + ANZ Visa + WestPac M/C;
Phones: Samsung S23U (SM-918B on Skinny monthly) & S25U (SM-938B on One pre-pay).

I plan to get 2 Europe-wide SIMs (physical or E) for Euro-voice & data while travelling.
No business or personal need to roam internationally - or keep NZ SIMs active.
Any voice comms to NZ can be via Messenger / WhatsApp.
Not worried about missing NZ texts or phone calls/messages.

International roaming seems extravagant - merely for 2FA - and only 50% effective.
(It looks like Skinny doesn't support half the countries I'll be in.)
I think Skinny would want 7x 7 day roaming packs at 17 $ = 120 $ (plus a nightmare to time 7 purchases in the heat of travel).
One's prepay option looks like 7 x 22 $ = 154 $ (plus a similar hassle of remembering to sync each just as it expires at 24:00 NZ time).

I don't think I'll be able to do all payments on the Wise cards.
Using a credit card can be much easier than Debit cards - (eg: accommodation where the charges are not fully predetermined).
Plus using online banking to make (non-automatic) payments & transfers needs 2FA.

Why was it so much easier with travellers' checks ?

What are the smart ways you manage this ?

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#3461378 14-Feb-2026 07:44

If you're using your Westpac card overseas you'll likely need to be able to receive SMS to your NZ mobile number for 2FA / 3DS.

But be aware that some countries block SMS.

Unsure how 2FA with ANZ works.

Both the phones you have are dual SIM.

Set your international/European SIM / e-SIM as your preferred SIM for calls, texts, data.

And keep your NZ SIM active, that way you can still receive SMS from the NZ bank as needed. You don't need to pay for a roaming pack to just receive SMS.

Linux

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#3461382 14-Feb-2026 08:29

stevob:

But be aware that some countries block SMS.

@stevob If you are a NZ subscriber roaming this is not correct

sqishy

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#3461384 14-Feb-2026 09:09

Suggest you need data and use esim.io

stevob

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#3461402 14-Feb-2026 10:25

stevob:

But be aware that some countries block SMS.

@Linux Thanks, that was poorly worded!

To clarify - some SMS originating from an overseas short code are blocked in some countries / by some overseas carriers (not all SMS). It is being done as part of spam/scam prevention measures and can affect 2FA SMS originating in NZ.

OP has multiple payment options so the risk of disruption if this happened for one payment method is mitigated.

richms

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#3461403 14-Feb-2026 10:27

Tell your bank they need to sort this out and their product is not fit for purpose if you have to spend on other companies products just to use theirs. Its not like non SMS 2 factor technology is new or hard to deploy. In fact I think some of them have existed longer than using 2 factor for it.

Consider moving to a telco that dos wifi calling so you can at least get SMS when in wifi without being reamed for roaming costs.

Richard rich.ms

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#3461405 14-Feb-2026 10:34

Using SMS for MFA is just stupid 🙄 change banks I really like the way bnz do MFA via the app

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richms

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#3461412 14-Feb-2026 11:01

stevob:

@Linux Thanks, that was poorly worded!

To clarify - some SMS originating from an overseas short code are blocked in some countries / by some overseas carriers (not all SMS). It is being done as part of spam/scam prevention measures and can affect 2FA SMS originating in NZ.

OP has multiple payment options so the risk of disruption if this happened for one payment method is mitigated.

Which country and which NZ telco roaming to it has had that happen? I have got all my SMSs incoming fine when in AU in the past with my NZ vodafone sim in the second slot not being used for anything outgoing.

Richard rich.ms

SpartanVXL

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#3461470 14-Feb-2026 12:29

Isn’t this the reason you go tell your bank you’ll be in this country at this time etc.?

I’ve never needed to 2fa to use my ASB credit card overseas, unless this is a fairly recent thing.

Wise also doesn’t care when using the physical card at a terminal.

Also all the providers OP mentioned have a phone app that can do 2fa if needed so just have active data and should be sorted?

robjg63

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#3461475 14-Feb-2026 13:04

We always use the Wise card for supermarkets, restaurants, buying public transport tickets, the occasional cash withdrawal etc - ie the daily sundry stuff.

Loaded it up with an amount in NZD and converted it to a Euro wallet. Though you dont have to - it will work that out for you if you keep it as NZD.

If an EFTPOS terminal or ATM asks to convert to your home currency (e.g., charging in NZD while in Europe), select NO or "Pay in Local Currency".

Otherwise their banks will charge a usually unfavourable rate. If you pay in the local currency, Wise will sort it out at their great exchange rates.

Worked like a charm. Let you see what you were spending when you looked in the app and you could see if your spending was what you expect/budgeted.

We usually use Booking.com to pay for pre booked accomodation - we paid for some in advance to get a slightly better rate - that doesnt need 2FA for payments.

Paid for some hotels at the desk. BNZ Visa was just the usual - pop it in the machine and enter your PIN.

I would think your ANZ visa would be exactly the same wouldnt it?

Always let your bank know when you will be overseas and which countries you are going to, so they dont block your transactions as fraud.

We used roaming (Wife on Spark and me on Skinny - yes its a bit of a rip off but if someone needs to call you they can).

Accomodation host often email, text or Whatsapp details a day or so before you arrived - things like access codes etc. Whatsapp seemed to be the overwhelmingly popular communication method.

Its huge in Europe because the Telcos overcharged for SMS back in the day - so everyone just uses Whatsapp.

If you are going to be using a lot of mobile data then maybe buy a local data SIM.

If you think you can disable your NZ numbers then go for it I guess.

Travellers cheques were the most god awful things - I dont recall a single easy thing about them to be honest.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

rscole86

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#3461476 14-Feb-2026 13:24

3 ish years ago, solely used ANZ credit card ans Wise. Never had any transactions request 2FA or seemingly decline due to a lack of. I had a back up AMEX, never needed it.

Exclusively used local sim cards, but my Kogan sim was still online, but only via WiFi.

ANZ were provided specifics of the travel plans.

johna8

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#3461478 14-Feb-2026 13:35

Just use: WiFi Calling as long as your phone/provider supports it. I was travelling in Australia. I'd turn on my NZ number from time to time to receive 2FA codes - no roaming charges either (2Degrees even though it kept spamming me I'd be charged and ensure 100% data roaming was Off).

I also set a limit charge on my account to ensure I don't occur excess charges either. For day to day and data usage I signed up with a local provider and used the eSIM mainly.

100% Wise card - digital or physical card - handy for withdrawing in Australia from ANZ ATMs was a very low fee $2 when I needed to withdraw actual cash. Compared to using your credit card you will pay higher % conversion rates/fees compared to Wise.

Had a look at the travel hub on the Wise app - UK most are no fees for Wise too.

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Ge0rge

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#3461481 14-Feb-2026 14:46

robjg63:

Always let your bank know when you will be overseas and which countries you are going to, so they dont block your transactions as fraud.

I'm currently in Antarctica. Several of us rang our different banks to let them know they may see some strange transactions from the USA and from NZ on the same day.

We were all told similar yarns along the lines of "we'll pass that on but can't guarantee your card won't be blocked"

A couple of people have had their cards blocked while down here as a result of purchases made, so calling your bank is not necessarily the golden ticket one would expect.

robjg63

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#3461494 14-Feb-2026 18:23

Ge0rge:

robjg63:

Always let your bank know when you will be overseas and which countries you are going to, so they dont block your transactions as fraud.

I'm currently in Antarctica. Several of us rang our different banks to let them know they may see some strange transactions from the USA and from NZ on the same day.

We were all told similar yarns along the lines of "we'll pass that on but can't guarantee your card won't be blocked"

A couple of people have had their cards blocked while down here as a result of purchases made, so calling your bank is not necessarily the golden ticket one would expect.

Interesting use case!

The banks still suggest/request you let them know. You can only do so much....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Stu

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#3461496 14-Feb-2026 18:29

Use your bank's internet banking or app based messaging system to advise them you're travelling. That way it's in writing. If you're still blocked while away, that should make it much easier to remove the temporary blocks.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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wellygary

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#3462134 17-Feb-2026 10:14

ANZ credit card verification has now been rolled into their Gomoney app,

They have stopped using SMS notifications, so as long as you've got data/wifi you should be good to go..

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