Spending Money in Aus..

[Jeff & Helen J]

Going to Cairns in a couple of weeks and wondering whats the best way to get spending money without getting hit with exchange fees etc every time we hit the ATM. We will be there for three weeks and really dont want to carry a lot of cash on us.

[Sinn]

Travelers cheques

[aurora]

Use your credit card...just check their fees, and let them know your travel plans in advance so they don't block your card.

[P.P.]

We always used our credit cards (like Aurora said check with the company as Bl**dy Back of America would cut our cards off anytime we left Alaska) if you want cash just go to the bank and withdrawl cash from your credit card..no fees that way, usually need a passport for ID....

[aurora]

Last time I was home (July) I ended up with "international transaction fees" added to my credit card but the exchange rate was otherwise reasonable. Worth asking as I am sure each card is different.

[RollyTG]

Travelers cheques

I thought travelers cheques were extinct. Would probably work but may be difficult to find someone to cash them. The bank would do it I suppose. I have a bank account in Australia so I don't have a problem.

[Jeff & Helen J]

I thought the same thing...travelers cheques didnt exist any more but I could be wrong. I also have a bank account in Australia but no longer have a ATM card. Going to see if I can get one once we arrive.

[shanti]

What they said, go physically into say a commonwealth bank and withdrawal directly,I did and its free!

[tanya]

my mother used travellers cheques both times she went to alaska... but that was mid 2003 and the end of 2004

[bellebird]

Can you get someone to open a visa travel card for you here or get one in the US. You just top it up as you want it and fees arent that much. Only catch is it took us up to 4 days for the money to go through with the second top up. You can get them by walking into the bank and use them the same day if you want. We just withdrew money when we wanted it in the US and it wasnt that expensive.

[Jeff & Helen J]

I was looking into that. The Commonwealth bank has those for travelling overseas but I cant see why you cant use them locally. Thanks everyone...only 12 days to go!!

[cooee cobber]

Have a wonderful trip back Home Helen - I'm excited for you going!
Looking forward to hearing from you once you return and all about how your travels went.

I think credit card would be the way to go too but definitely worth a call to your bank to make sure they know to expect overseas transactions so you don't run into any problems.