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Pay by visa debit card in Sydney, Australia

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  • 13-10-2019 9:59pm
    #1
    thebourke
    Registered Users Posts: 1,302 ✭✭✭


    Can you pay by visa card in most places (shops,restaurants,tourist attractions in Sydney) or would I better getting money exchanged before i go over?
    I am going there in a months time for 5 weeks


Comments

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    #2
    cobham
    Registered Users Posts: 765 ✭✭✭cobham


    No problem using cash machine in small place outside Sydney......4 yrs ago.


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    #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    I just returned from 2 weeks in Iceland. In total I was charged €42 in visa debit card charges because it wasn't within the EU. Beware.


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    #4
    jimmy86
    Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭jimmy86


    No problems using your visa debit anywhere! You should sign up for Revolut or one of the fintechs to avoid bank charges though!


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    #5
    Gael23
    Registered Users Posts: 12,089 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    You can use it but you will be charged extra fees which over a few weeks will add up


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    #6
    kerry4sam
    Registered Users Posts: 15,127 ✭✭✭✭kerry4sam


    Thread moved to where it would be better suited.

    Thanks,
    kerry4sam


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    #7
    Peregrinus
    Registered Users Posts: 26,117 ✭✭✭✭Peregrinus


    You can buy prepaid Visa/Mastercard debit cards specifically for travel purposes, in which you can put money in one or more foreign currencies. Then, when you spend it (or draw it as cash from an ATM) there is no foreign exchange charge. (There is a foreign exchange charge when you buy the foreign currency to prepay the card, but this tends to be much less. You can set it up so that you can reload the card online from your bank account in Ireland.

    An Post sell them, and I imagine the banks do as well.


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    #8
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    An example of charges from BOI outside EU+EEA

    3.5% on ATM withdrawal
    2% on all transactions. Both contactless and chip and pin.

    Then you also have to deal with their currency conversion rate which may or may not be favourable.

    The rates for your bank should be online.


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    #9
    Peregrinus
    Registered Users Posts: 26,117 ✭✭✭✭Peregrinus


    tuxy wrote: »
    Are you sure this was not currency conversion charges?
    Some banks give great rates while others are awful.
    Card issuers typically give you a not very great exchange rate and also slap on a further charge for handling a foreign currency transaction. It's convenient to be able to use your regular credit/debit card outside Euroland, but it's not especially cheap. Costs are lower if you use one of the foreign currency travel cards that I mentioned, but they need to be organised a little in advance.


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    #10
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    Peregrinus wrote: »
    Card issuers typically give you a not very great exchange rate and also slap on a further charge for handling a foreign currency transaction. It's convenient to be able to use your regular credit/debit card outside Euroland, but it's not especially cheap. Costs are lower if you use one of the foreign currency travel cards that I mentioned, but they need to be organised a little in advance.

    Yup, just realised that and edited my post :o


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    #11
    hussey
    Registered Users Posts: 6,240 ✭✭✭hussey


    100% sign up for Revolut or a similar card. Bank card like BOI AIB etc will lug you with extra charges.
    Sydney is a tap and go haven, it has a $100 contactless limit. so no wasting time with pin or signature.


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