VLJ

Our son is leaving for a two month holiday in the UK and Europe.
He applied for the Qantas cash card - as his only means of finances (other than his own bank atm card). He does not have a credit card - his personal choice as he pays cash for everything, no credit.
However obviously he needs a card to access funds and was advised by a friend the QCC was a good option - so he applied - he still has not received it and he leaves this weekend, we have called a number of times and they cannot guarantee it will be here on time.
This means he only has his bank atm card to access funds if he can find an atm which will allow him to.
His father already has a QFF silver card which includes the Qantas Cash facility on the reverse side. We have activated it now - as it appears this may be our son's only other option to access funds. He will transfer his funds onto this card to use overseas.
My question is - do you see any problem with him using his father's QCC which is basically a FF membership card with Mastercard debit facility?
We rang twice - one consultant said - it's your card, your choice to give it to your son (even though it's loaded with his funds, not ours)
The other one suggested it wasn't a good idea as he would need all the security info. If he is using it as a credit card wouldn't he only need the four digit pin number? Who asks for identification these days when buying in a store or accessing funds?
We are worried about his situation for the trip - he has more than enough funds but difficulty accessing.

Dave Noble

Is it just an ATM card or is it a mastercard/visa debit card

if it have a Visa/Mastecard logo ( or one of the other internationally accepted logos )
, then should just be able to go to ATMs and take money out just as if in Australia

Can just forward his card when it arrives

As far as using someone elses card goes, it could be a problem if asked for id. whether he will get asked for it is an unknown

If really wanting a cash card, perhaps just go to the local post office and get one there. I am pretty sure that they are available there

VLJ

All QFF have them now when new cards issued - when you turn over your membership card it has the Mastercard logo.
So you activate the Cash Card option and just load funds into it in the currency preferred - for instance he will be using GBP and Euro - and then he uses it like a credit card but he is not actually using credit, he is accessing his funds. He can also use it as an ATM card. It's a good option for him as he doesn't use credit at all.
Yes - the QFF consultant basically said - do you ever get asked for ID when using credit card - the answer being no - but then the other consultant said not a good idea for security reasons.
We could forward his card for sure - but he will be moving around so much - London 5 days and then many many countries after that

Dave Noble

Why is it a better option than just doing what he is currently doing? Loading funds up in GBP or EUR is no better than going to an ATM and taking out GBP and EUR ?

I can't see many benefits of cash cards tbh, but if wanting one, easy to get one on the spot in an Auspost shop rather than worrying about the Qantas one

If he a merchant does choose to check id, he could indeed have hassles if he is using someone elses card

VLJ

Because the ATM locations and options aren't always accessible at the time you most need it - for instance on a Contiki tour he may run out of money and not be able to access an ATM which accepts his card at the time he needs to access funds.
Whereas a card to be used like a credit option in a store is a good backup to ensure he doesn't run out of funds.
Will check out Auspost thanks.

Dave Noble

As long at the debit card is a visa or mastercard one, there are extremely few cash machines that he would be unable to use and would be just as useable in shops

Having a 2nd card is useful indeed in case a problem does occur. Just checking at http://auspost.com.au/travel-id/load...avel-card.html their card handles both GBP and EUR

og

Be sure he notifies the bank of the upcoming overseas travel so overseas spending is less likely to trigger a false fraud warning and subsequent cancellation of the card.

VLJ

Good point og - will get him to see bank tomorrow to advise of sudden large withdrawals.

Dave he only has an Eftpos Westpac Handycard - no Visa or Mastercard attached.
It will only be for cash withdrawals at a suitable ATM.
No credit facility.

og

It only needs a phone call - the WBC staff handle this easily. Alternatively, it can be done via the bank's web site.

Also, finding the right overseas ATM works well with Handycard in minimising fees (moreso than a credit card withdrawl) - again, a search on the WBC website will identify overseas banks' ATMs which work with Handycard.

pandaperth

Look on the back of the card. If it is the same as my Handycard, it will have the Cirrus logo - means he can make withdrawals at any ATM displaying that logo (which means just about any ATM in UK and Europe). I always use this card for overseas cash withdrawals; only had problems in out of the ways places (IIRC they were Peru and Ethiopia!).

Westpac charges a standard $5 fee for each overseas withdrawal; it has agreements with some overseas banks, which means no charge for withdrawals from their ATMs. See this page

AustralianPoochie

It takes 3 days to load by bpay.
Or 1 day with bank transfer, but bank transfer needs 2 tasks, go to QCC and get a special code, and then use that code to transfer funds to the QCC.
Also, if the boy for some reason needs to stay in a place that has preauthorisation, it can indeed be true that the hotel or the EFTPOS org overseas, can hold onto the funds for a month.
I checked out of the Novotel Auckland Airport on the 17/07, more than a week, and the funds are still tied up in preauthorisation.
The goss on the web says, and I did it as a sort of a test, and its true, can take a month for the funds to clear back. The Novotel took NZD$100 and its still tied up.
Not sure if hostels take preauthorisations or not though!
I think, bad as it is, might be better too, to get a Treavelx cash card, or the Aust Post one. And keep either of them in a place where thieves can't easily get to.
Here in Aust, we are very lucky, in the sense that we don't have the gypsies or others who are daring enough to put hands into pockets, or daring enough to cut open bags etc.
Brave on the boy to go into big world out there, and best of luck too on the trip.

AustralianPoochie

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VLJ

Thanks so much - all good advice.
And thank you AustralianPoochie for your good wishes to our son which we passed on.
It is his first time away and going for so long and to so many countries, we are very excited for him but he is not an experienced traveller, so we do worry.
He also has a heart condition and pacemaker so we are nervous parents of course ... but he is fiercely independent and likes to do everything himself. He saved and paid for his whole trip in advance and has a large amount of savings from years earning in his bank account - but not so savvy with access to those savings overseas.
Unfortunately Qantas have not assisted with speeding up the process so we just hope all goes well.
I would like him to have more than just his Handycard as access to funds so will look into the others also thank you.

og

Pleased to see that Travellers Cheques have not been suggested. These are "dead, buried, cremated" (without apologies to the Oz PM). Although AMEX says "don't leave home without them", they are almost impossible to use in most places - and just try to find a bank or business in Northern European countries that will accept them. And if you do, expect massive fee gouging. And, bank tellers under 35 years of age look at the cheque with a strange look of panic and think of saying "come on sunshine, do you seriously expect me to give you cash for that fancy bit of paper - where's it's mag stripe, where's it's chip?"

Dave Noble

There would be very little difficulty converting them to cash at UK banks, especially if in GBP

Their usefulness as a tourist tool is indeed limited these days, but I do still find that they do have some uses