Taking advantage of very good USD/AUD rate

Hey guys,

I am seeking the following advice.

I am travelling to the USA from Mid June - Mid July.

I do not want a "credit card," rather I want opinions on the best possible travel money Visa/MC Loadable/Reloadable card that acts as a Debit Card.

I don't care about rewards. Due to the fact that the AUD is buying around 80 US Cents, I figure it is a good time now to lock in some Greenbacks.

I am looking for a card with a low to no setup cost (s)

Low fees on converting AUD to USD and Vice Versa.

I want the opportunity to be able to load more cash quickly if necessary (a few hours max... I was in the USA in mid 2016 and from memory I used the cashpassport card or the westpac one; not sure? I remember being in vegas and I was able to Load and Transfer AUD to USD within a few hours.)

Other benefits I am looking for are Low/Zero ATM withdrawal fees and the same goes for purchases.

What do you marvellous travellers recommend?

PS I do my banking with Westpac.... if that helps

Thanks guys :)

I saw an Ad from ING saying there are no ATM locally or internationally.

I use the Westpac travel card, ex rates seem very competitive if you are a westpac customer it is very easy to push money onto the travel card with access to the funds pretty well immediatley.

Try calling ttt moneycorp, I have used them for locking in futures and they are very sharp

Personally I’ve never liked the travel cards due to the bad exchange rate which occurs in both directions when you transfer your unused money back.

Try Velocity Global Wallet?

Citibank Transaction account. No fees including account keeping, commission (you get the bank swap rate) or account keeping. Can’t go wrong.

Citibank hey? I have a debit card on a transaction account. Same one you've all suggested. I agree that it is the best option. However, their security is way too OCD. On a trip to US and Canada (Citibank's bread and butter market) they suspended the card three times when they suspected that it was being used fraudulently. That involved me rining back to Oz using reverse charges. Have you tried to do that in this day and age? Painful. Each time I was assured that all would be back to normal. Nup. In the end I put the card back into my wallet and addressed the matter when I arrived home. Lesson: Always take a back up and avoid anything Citibank.

DO NOT use Velocity Global Wallet!!!!

The Velocity Global Wallet is a joke. Avoid.

Originally Posted by @7e7

I've never had any issues but I think you bring up an important point - always have two ways to get cash out (even if your second method is just your regular account back home). Also, I always carry a small amount of US dollars when overseas - just in case. You can always exchange them wherever in case of dire emergency.

1. Along with everyone else I concur: Citibank Debit Visa for cash withdrawals, 28Degrees for all credit card transactions (especially rental car and hotel reservation deposits - tie up the banks' money, not your own), However both these cards give best exchange rate on the day meaning you can't lock in foreign currency rates today for future use.
2. It's easy to make a reverse charges call to Australia when in Trumpistan: call 1-800-682-2878 and follow prompts.

Citibank as well and I have a US Citibank card also, so transfers etc are easy and free and the security may be easier to manage, but you have to be a regular visitor or stay ther a while. The US card requires a minimum $1500 balance to avoid fees. So depends on your circumstances.

I use the Qantas FF card with mastercard all over the US. Put money in it when the exchange rate is good for me (like now) and it usually had changed by the time I get there.

I have and use the CBA travel card which was useful in my last trip to the USA but have found its cheap putting your money in but not so getting it out so have given Qantas FF card a go this time. Keeping both cards active and valid and use a backup Bankwest Platinum MC for hotels etc.