ANZ travel card
I got an ANZ travel card for my trip to Southeast Asia. I used it in South America without any problems but I've seen on the internet that people have had problems accessing money and some people can only use it in the ATMs. My debit card is due to expire and stupid westpac has had delays in sending it so I'll probably be leaving it before I receive the card so I probably won't have backup. Has anyone used the ANZ travel card in South east Asia? Has it worked out ok for them?1
NEVER travel with just one card - things happen - cards get eaten, mag strips corrupted, or you simply lose it. Take cash or traveler's checks as a backup (depending on where you're going TCs are cost effective in Thailand). Did you tell Westpac that you are traveling - I've found banks cooperate if you can give them a good reason why you need a replacement card sooner4
The credit card that a lot of backpackers are using (me included) is the 28 Degrees MasterCard (it used to be Wizard) as when overseas, there are no fees to withdraw fund. Worked well in South America as well as South East Asia. You just have to have the account in credit, ie Bpay extra dollars into before you go. However, as with all credit cards, sometimes they wont work in a particular ATM, maybe the link is down at that time, and you will need to use another brand (take two brands). And always let the bank know you are heading off, otherwise they will put a stop on it without warning when they see a transaction in a strange country and they have no record of you intending to go there. They are happy with a generalise advice of "South East Asia"8
I'm talking about Australia and my parents said if I get into trouble they can send me money through Western Union9
#7 Sounds like it may be different in NZ, but here in Oz the banks will block your card after that first strange withdrawal or transaction in an overseas country if they haven't been notified prior. There has been instances of the blocked card's owner returning home to find a message on their phone answering system from the bank enquiring of their whereabouts. It really is essential to let the banks know of your travel plans, at least for Australian banks.#8 It is risky relying on just one credit card, maybe head off to your local Westpac branch and see what they can do. Banks can often issue a card on the spot. It's just that sending money through Western Union is expensive and even a day or two delay with the transfer could upset your travel plans.
