Advice On Which Cards To Use In Australia and any other hints.

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Forums › Finance and wealth management › Advice On Which Cards To Use In Australia and any other hints.

Eva888

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#306241 6-Jul-2023 15:00

I have a Wise account used a couple times to transfer funds to offspring. It worked more by luck than any ability on my part as I found it a little confusing and thus was unsure if done correctly.

We are planning a trip soon to Sydney and wondering if it’s worth it and safe ordering a Wise Debit Card and is this something I would use at the supermarket etc on a daily basis or should I just use an ASB credit card.

The Apple App Store has recent reviews on Wise that are concerning.

Also wondered if it would be better to exchange cash at the NZ airport for Aus$ as you can’t get cash from the banks now or is there a better way. Any advice re handling travel money welcome. Haven’t travelled out of NZ since Covid.

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#3100644 6-Jul-2023 15:10

I get cash out when i am over there.

use C/Card as normal

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lxsw20

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#3100646 6-Jul-2023 15:13

I've personally set myself up to use Wise for an upcoming UK trip. I've been using it for years.

What specific issues on app store reviews are you seeing? The first one I see screams "I use the same password everywhere" to me.

Handle9

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#3100649 6-Jul-2023 15:35

How much money are you talking about? If it’s a few hundred dollars just use your credit card and get cash out of ATMs. You’ll pay for the privilege but it’s a few percent and it’s convenient.

Wise works pretty well, it’s just more admin.

marpada

434 posts

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#3100651 6-Jul-2023 15:36

I've used my Wise card in Sydney many times, both online and contactless payments, without issue. Also used my Wise AU account to pay to other bank accounts, including BPAY. I only used it once to withdraw money from an ATM and took me a while to find an ATM with a low fee, I think the trick is to use a bank branch ATM and not other ATM networks like the ones in convenience stores and malls. Anyway always have at least another card just in case.

Kyanar

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#3100657 6-Jul-2023 16:07

marpada:

I've used my Wise card in Sydney many times, both online and contactless payments, without issue. Also used my Wise AU account to pay to other bank accounts, including BPAY. I only used it once to withdraw money from an ATM and took me a while to find an ATM with a low fee, I think the trick is to use a bank branch ATM and not other ATM networks like the ones in convenience stores and malls. Anyway always have at least another card just in case.

Good luck with that, banks here have sold off close to their entire ATM networks to companies like Armagard, and they almost all now carry a minimum $3AUD or so fee, even some branch-attached ATMs.

Stu1

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#3100663 6-Jul-2023 16:26

Often take 200 cash for the China town markets and Cc for everything else

tanivula

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#3100705 6-Jul-2023 17:55

Having a wise card was awesome when we were in Sydney. Used the real one plus a couple of virtual ones while we were there. Other than normal purchases, was handy AF for the tap on and off if you plan on using public transport. I really wish public transport was like that here (one can hope aye).

Eva888

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#3100791 6-Jul-2023 23:14

Thanks all. Will be using public transport and Opal card which will need top ups. Don’t like them much as kept getting charged for not tapping off when I knew I had and draining the card, but too much hassle to try and claim.

The Wise reviews in App Store implied they were victims of fraud and Wise didn’t have adequate systems to ensure security. Sorry can’t copy paste the reviews.

Daughter got scammed by Sydney Uber driver once and accounts got skimmed, so just trying to find a safe way to make payments when shopping or using uber and thus the questions about the Wise Debit Card.

I’d rather just use cash to be honest. It feels safer but I suspect there are high charges for using the ATMs. Used to be able to take out $600 per time not sure what the daily limit is anymore.

Eva888

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#3100793 6-Jul-2023 23:15

tanivula: Having a wise card was awesome when we were in Sydney. Used the real one plus a couple of virtual ones while we were there. Other than normal purchases, was handy AF for the tap on and off if you plan on using public transport. I really wish public transport was like that here (one can hope aye).

Can you explain about the virtual cards please.

openmedia

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#3100811 6-Jul-2023 23:45

Eva888: I have a Wise account used a couple times to transfer funds to offspring. It worked more by luck than any ability on my part as I found it a little confusing and thus was unsure if done correctly.

We are planning a trip soon to Sydney and wondering if it’s worth it and safe ordering a Wise Debit Card and is this something I would use at the supermarket etc on a daily basis or should I just use an ASB credit card.

The Apple App Store has recent reviews on Wise that are concerning.

Also wondered if it would be better to exchange cash at the NZ airport for Aus$ as you can’t get cash from the banks now or is there a better way. Any advice re handling travel money welcome. Haven’t travelled out of NZ since Covid.

I haven't used a cent of cash in my last 5 trips to OZ. Wise card debit for anything personal and Credit card for anything work related.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

shk292

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#3100832 7-Jul-2023 07:40

About six months ago I got scammed on my Wise card. I was lucky it was this card, because as soon as the fraudulent transaction was made, the app alerted me to it and I could report it. Money was refunded in good time and a new card issued. While waiting for the physical card, you can still pay by Google pay using the new card number.

I haven't travelled much recently but will be using Wise when I do

openmedia

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#3100884 7-Jul-2023 10:35

shk292:

About six months ago I got scammed on my Wise card. I was lucky it was this card, because as soon as the fraudulent transaction was made, the app alerted me to it and I could report it. Money was refunded in good time and a new card issued. While waiting for the physical card, you can still pay by Google pay using the new card number.

I haven't travelled much recently but will be using Wise when I do

I use a virtual number for Google Pay and any online orders like Aliexpress. Also thanks to the "Jar" support very little of my money is at real risk.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Kyanar

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#3100891 7-Jul-2023 10:53

Revolut is another option if you can sign up. Though it does have a daily limit, I believe it would be similar to Wise.

Sydney does not require an Opal card, you can just tap on and off with your regular credit or debit card. Same with Brisbane, though not yet on council buses. Melbourne I believe still requires a Myki.

Eva888

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#3100915 7-Jul-2023 12:08

Just tried to order a Wise card, got as far as address and method of delivery and I get the Oops there is a known issue. Chose DHL rather than free postage, same problem. Will keep trying but not looking as if it will be available in time. Also wonder where it gets sent from…UK or NZ.

Senecio

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#3100921 7-Jul-2023 12:26

If you can get past the issue, you don't need to have the physical card. A virtual card will be issued within the app that you can add to your Apple/Google Pay wallet.

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