cruisey

Hi,

I use a Visa credit card here in the UK to buy just about everything. When we go to Oz we won't have jobs, and hence (I believe) won't be eligible for a credit card.

However, we do have Oz HSBC bank cards with Maestro, Cirrus, giroPost and eftpos logos on the back. Will this be good enough to get by (petrol, food, bills etc.)? Are they widely used and therefore we won't need a credit card??

Thanks !!

WBB

i think they are similar to a debit card here in the UK, you can only spend what is in your account (or overdraft)

a credit card has a little bit more flexibility and i will miss mine.

cruisey

Cheers. Are these logos widely accepted in Oz, just like the Visa/Mastercard logo??

Sandra

EFTPOS - you are fine, comes out straight away - work it like switch...and it is perfect for all sorts, only issue I ever had was at the cinema, they want credit card or cash at the big ones.

I still say I want to switch it! you also get extra cash out with EFTPOS when buying items, shopping bill plus a hundred cash...saves on ATM bills.

Cheers

PeteY

But don't call it cashback, or you'll just get a funny look...in Adelaide anyway

"can i get $50 cashback please"?

"erm.....come again??????"

OzTennis

Yep, agree with all the posts - EFTPOS is the way to go. It is similar to switch but different in that the money is transferred from buyer to seller's account the minute you hit return on the keyboard in the store. Another thing to get used to (in Victoria anyway) is 'do you want fly buys'? at the cash register (ie air miles). I would have thought that like the UK they will be queueing up to give anyone a credit card - might be wrong.

OzTennis

Sandra

'fly buys?' - that is the question, but only in certain stores.

and no as a blow in you have the 100 point check and even then they can say no. So My advice if you need a little credit hold on to the UK card, leave some money in the UK account to pay for it! And then wait 3-6 months, if you don't need it after that why get credit, if you do pay it off at least every 3 months!

Cheers

AussieinLondon

There is, of course, nothing to stop you using your UK credit card until it expires. So long as the account is open and you can pay it off (eg. over the internet) you can even update your credit card and never have an Australian one if you really want.

CHnJ

In Britain you can oly get cashback in £5 multiples. Sometimes in Oz we would use EFTPOS at a local shop to get an odd amount of cash out like $12.50 to pay for something specific without having to take out a A$20 bill from the ATM. This was about 6 years ago, and it was often useful as i would always spend the change from a full bill. Is it still possible?

cruisey

Thanks guys. This forum is much more interesting than doing my work on a Friday afternoon..

Sandra

Because of the ATM charges in AUS you tend to use one transaction to save, eg shopping and cash back counts as one, I get larger amount out (Goodness help grannys and muggings) but you can get any amount out you want yes, inclduing 12.50!

Cheers

tinaj

We are planning on using our UK credit cards over there until we get established.
You can access your account online if you have a Barclaycard and you can see what your balance is and also pay online. Just remember to check when the payment is due to avoid interest charges!

Internet banking is a great invention, paying your bills from 10 000 miles away will be wierd.

Gill and Rob

If using your UK credit card abroad for a long period don't forget to mention to the CC company that you are going abroad. Otherwise when they see a change in your spending pattern they may put a stop on your card and you will end up having to ring them at considerable cost.

Rob

tiredwithtwins

Sorry to appear thick, but what does this mean?? I have heard mention of a 100 point check before but never got round to asking what it meant!!
Sue

LondonNurse

What do you ask for if you want cashback then?