Hi guys

just rang Westpac Migrant Banking centre in London and talked through opening my account with them.
Mentioned I did not want a credit card but very much wanted a Visa Debit card. The guy told me they do a Mastercard Debit but it is only available to Australian citizens. Is this correct? It is not a credit card I am after but a Visa Debit type thing so if I go outside Australia (ie, home to the UK for a visit) I can use my Ozzie Visa Debit to pay for things in shops.

Thanks
Kelly

You get an EFTPOS card when you get a bank account which is the same as switch which you can use abroad which sounds like what you're looking for. Maybe they don't do Visa debit cards like they do here, but I've never heard of a mastercard debit card.

Thanks Suzy, however with an Eptpos card I don't think I'd be able to pay for goods in shops (or meals in restaurants) outside Oz which is why I wanted a Visa Debit.

Also meant to add - is it normal for Westpac to send my debit cards to an Ozzie branch of Westpac for me to collect even if I have gone to Westpac in London to complete my 100 point ID validation?

What branch should I get the cards sent to - we are moving to Hervey Bay but wanted to spend a few days in Brisbane first to buy a car, for which we need access to our Westpac account.

Many thanks.

I've got a Westpac debit card at home, I'll have a look to see if it is Mastercard or Visa, but I think the former. I've never tried to use it outside Oz though, I'll have to give it a try.

Yes it's usual to make you pick up your cards in Oz (and you'll need to come up with the same identification you did at the London office). I'd get them sent wherever you can get to first, they will send them somewhere other than your "home" branch if you ask them to.

I was looking on the ANZ website before, and I vaguely remember it saying that an EFTPOS card could be used abroad where there was a cirrus or Maestro label, someone might correct me if I'm wrong. I presume Ozzies do travel outside Oz , so if we can use our Maestro cards there then EFTPOS cards can be used here.

Also It depends if you want your cards staright away, if you do I would either collect them at the Main Brisbane branch otherwise wait until you get to Hervey Bay.

Thanks for your help guys - the problem with the Maestro and Cirrcus symbols is that although you can get cash out of the hole of the wall abroad you can't settle hotel bills abroad or hand over your cards in restaurants to pay for a meal, it seems.

I tried using my British HSBC Maestro card in Barcelona to pay a hotel bill but they wouldn't take it - I had to get the cash out of the hole in the wall using 3 different bank accounts as the hotel bill exceeded my daily cash withdrawal limit!!

Has anyone else had this problem?

I'm akward cos I refuse to use credit cards I know. Most Ozzies and Brits abroad pay for everything on credit cards.

Westpac definitely do a Mastercard debit card, and they posted my card and my partner's card to us here in the UK. We've used it for booking accommodation etc for Aussie visits prior to moving. Never tried to use it outside of Oz though.
There's a Cards Customer Service Call Centre number on the back of my card, from overseas its +61 2 9374 7082. You might have more luck talking to the Aussies direct than the London branch.

Hi Kelly

We've got a Westpac "handycard" which seems to be the equivalent of a debt card, ie replaces the old fashion cheques. We have used this in both Oz and UK, I'm sure in the UK we have used it in Barclays to withdraw cash from the Cashpoint. there is a phone number on mine - +61 3 6345 1058 perhaps they can help further. However it sounds like it's the "handycard" you're after

Pete

We have a debit mastercard with Westpac. We can use it as a debit/EFTPOT card or as they say a Mastercard.

I have also paid for stuff online and overseas with it and had no problems.

Mastercard Debit is as good as visa debit (most places that accept Visa accept Mastercard).

They told me the same thing but changed their mind once I was working. I think you're supposed to be PR (as opposed to citizen) but even as a Temporary resident they gave me one once I'd rung them up and told them I'd got a job.

Don't get confused between EFTPOS and Debit cards: the UK doesn't have a direct equivalent to EFTPOS.

Remember also that you also can't use EFTPOS cards to order stuff online.

If you get any problems when you arrive, then have a look at the Citibank Citiplus account - it comes with a Visa debit card as standard, irrespective of visa status, and is also fee free if you have your calary credited to the account.


S

We went to London as well, still took 5 days after going in to the branch in Brisbane for them to be sent out

Thanks guys, on your advice I queried this again and got told as my hubbie is a Kiwi we can have a debit Mastercard after all!

Then someone else at Westpac said as long as we had gave an Australian address at the time of applying for the debit Mastercard we would have got one anyway!

Can I ask a stupid question - I get the impression you can use the debit mastercard as either a debit or credit card depending on whether you choose the "credit" option on a chip and pin machine. Am I right? If so, what do I press on a chip & pin machine if I DON'T want to use it as a credit card, which I most definitely don't!!

Also, what do Aussies call their basic, everyday current accounts? I remember when travelling in Oz 10 years ago you had to choose either "cheque account" or "savings account" when taking money out of an ATM, and that used to confuse me no end!! Is this still the case at ATMs?
If so, what option do you pick to take money out of your current account?!!

Thanks!!

We still have 3 options at all EFTPOS outlets (supermarkets, etc.) and ATMs - savings, cheque, or credit.

If you are using a Westpac Debit Mastercard then you will never have to select "credit". I have one. When I run it through the EFTPOS machine (e.g., paying for groceries at the supermarket), I select "savings" and enter my PIN. If I ever use it as a credit card, like in a restaurant, then the card is swiped and I sign the slip of paper they give me - no PIN required.

Any transaction just comes out of the account anyway. There is no actual credit.

By the way, when you have your card set up you can nominate your account as either "savings" or "cheque". Default is probably "savings".

With the debit mastercard, when you select CREDIT, the money still comes directly out of your account. It isn't credit to you, but the retailer pays charges as if it was: ie, maybe 3% of the sale.

But, if you select DEBIT, the ONLY difference is that the retailer pays charges as if it is a debit transaction: ie, maybe 25cents.

I am quoting figures that we used to pay as a merchant, some years ago, the figures may be a bit different now, but it is the retailer that pays it. There is no difference to you, the cardholder, whether you select Debit or Credit on a Debit card.

The basic "everyday current accounts" are normally "savings", even the HSBC cheque account is Savings, and not "cheque" !