using eftpos for 3 weeks?
Mar 10th 2004, 7:19 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
using eftpos for 3 weeks?
going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take money
and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
any advise please??
craig
and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
any advise please??
craig
Mar 10th 2004, 8:10 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 20:19:04 -0000, "craighannay"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take money
>and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
>should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
>option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
>use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>any advise please??
>craig
ATM's are everywhere. Very few traders will have seen a traveller's
cheque, let alone cashed one.
Just check with your bank to make sure yours will work out here (most
do). When I travelled over there I used a bank debit card in the ATMs,
that way I didn't incur an interest penalty on my credit card.
Cheers, Alan
<[email protected]> wrote:
>going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take money
>and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
>should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
>option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
>use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>any advise please??
>craig
ATM's are everywhere. Very few traders will have seen a traveller's
cheque, let alone cashed one.
Just check with your bank to make sure yours will work out here (most
do). When I travelled over there I used a bank debit card in the ATMs,
that way I didn't incur an interest penalty on my credit card.
Cheers, Alan
Mar 10th 2004, 9:54 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
ATM!!
Virtually all machines are Cirrus and Plus affiliated. If you stick to bank
or Credit Union owned machines (which is all of them except for those in 7 -
11's, and some machines in malls) the only fee you pay will be whatever your
card provider charges!!
"craighannay" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take
money
> and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
> any advise please??
> craig
Virtually all machines are Cirrus and Plus affiliated. If you stick to bank
or Credit Union owned machines (which is all of them except for those in 7 -
11's, and some machines in malls) the only fee you pay will be whatever your
card provider charges!!
"craighannay" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take
money
> and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
> any advise please??
> craig
Mar 10th 2004, 11:45 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
>
> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>
> any advise please??
Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it before
you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest rates.
You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or at
cambios.
> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>
> any advise please??
Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it before
you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest rates.
You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or at
cambios.
Mar 10th 2004, 7:25 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
We took a couple of hundred £ in travellers cheques. You can never tell when
the banks computer system will go down. I learned this on a Sunday morning
in Rome. If you don't use them you can bring them home. No harm in taking
some.
WM
"Raffi Balmanoukian" <[email protected] a>
wrote in message
news:BC75318C.21D50%[email protected]...
> >
> > should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with
the
> > option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along
and
> > use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
> >
> > any advise please??
> Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it
before
> you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest
rates.
> You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
> purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or at
> cambios.
the banks computer system will go down. I learned this on a Sunday morning
in Rome. If you don't use them you can bring them home. No harm in taking
some.
WM
"Raffi Balmanoukian" <[email protected] a>
wrote in message
news:BC75318C.21D50%[email protected]...
> >
> > should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with
the
> > option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along
and
> > use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
> >
> > any advise please??
> Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it
before
> you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest
rates.
> You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
> purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or at
> cambios.
Mar 10th 2004, 7:39 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 08:25:49 -0000, "demon news" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>We took a couple of hundred £ in travellers cheques. You can never tell when
>the banks computer system will go down. I learned this on a Sunday morning
>in Rome. If you don't use them you can bring them home. No harm in taking
>some.
>WM
If you want to carry a float, a couple of hundred in local cash is
better. Traveller's cheques out here are as current as dinosaurs.
We travelled 20 countries (US, EU +Czech+Swiss+UK) last year, using
debit cards from the National Australia Bank for cash , and using Visa
and MC for purchases. The only minor problem was the occasional ATM that
charged a small fee for the service. Ignore the balance on any
statements, the exchange rate turns them into gibberish.
Good luck finding someone in a major Oz city that would take pounds
sterling (or even local) traveller's cheques. Your chances in Bourke or
Oodnadatta would be remote; they might offer 1:1 on the exchange rate if
you're desperate.
0ne little point we noticed on returning home. Banks will only accept
foreign currency notes. As far as they are concerned, the coins are
worthless, even if thay add up to a substantial sum. So if you can't
exchange your cash before heading for home, at least turn the coins into
notes.
Cheers, Alan
wrote:
>We took a couple of hundred £ in travellers cheques. You can never tell when
>the banks computer system will go down. I learned this on a Sunday morning
>in Rome. If you don't use them you can bring them home. No harm in taking
>some.
>WM
If you want to carry a float, a couple of hundred in local cash is
better. Traveller's cheques out here are as current as dinosaurs.
We travelled 20 countries (US, EU +Czech+Swiss+UK) last year, using
debit cards from the National Australia Bank for cash , and using Visa
and MC for purchases. The only minor problem was the occasional ATM that
charged a small fee for the service. Ignore the balance on any
statements, the exchange rate turns them into gibberish.
Good luck finding someone in a major Oz city that would take pounds
sterling (or even local) traveller's cheques. Your chances in Bourke or
Oodnadatta would be remote; they might offer 1:1 on the exchange rate if
you're desperate.
0ne little point we noticed on returning home. Banks will only accept
foreign currency notes. As far as they are concerned, the coins are
worthless, even if thay add up to a substantial sum. So if you can't
exchange your cash before heading for home, at least turn the coins into
notes.
Cheers, Alan
Mar 11th 2004, 5:49 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
Alan wrote:
> 0ne little point we noticed on returning home. Banks will only accept
> foreign currency notes. As far as they are concerned, the coins are
> worthless, even if thay add up to a substantial sum. So if you can't
> exchange your cash before heading for home, at least turn the coins into
> notes.
Or put them in the charity donation box at the airport before you leave.
I always thought that was a nice little way of saying "thanks" to the
country I just visited.
Tom
> 0ne little point we noticed on returning home. Banks will only accept
> foreign currency notes. As far as they are concerned, the coins are
> worthless, even if thay add up to a substantial sum. So if you can't
> exchange your cash before heading for home, at least turn the coins into
> notes.
Or put them in the charity donation box at the airport before you leave.
I always thought that was a nice little way of saying "thanks" to the
country I just visited.
Tom
Mar 11th 2004, 7:47 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
"Raffi Balmanoukian"
> Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it
before
> you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest
rates.
> You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
> purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or at
> cambios.
The only place I've travelled and needed TC's was in India
Here in Australia I've noticed signs in banks in popular tourist areas like
Byron Bay warning customers that there is a service charge for cashing TC's.
Banks here in Australia want you to do the minor deposit, withdraw and
exchange transactions with them via ATM machines and internet banking. Bank
staff and tellers cost money. Banks prefer you talk to their computers
rather than a real human being.
There is one bank (maybe more) here that offers its customers a savings
account with no bank fees. The only drawback-- you can't go to a teller to
ask questions, deposit or withdraw money. All transactions need to be done
on the internet, ATM.s, over the phone or at an affiliates kiosk.
I scratch my head and wonder when I see a line of backpackers in line at the
bank waiting to cash their TC's when there is a ATM out front begging to be
used. Get with it folks, it's a digital work we live in.
Kerry
> Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it
before
> you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest
rates.
> You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
> purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or at
> cambios.
The only place I've travelled and needed TC's was in India
Here in Australia I've noticed signs in banks in popular tourist areas like
Byron Bay warning customers that there is a service charge for cashing TC's.
Banks here in Australia want you to do the minor deposit, withdraw and
exchange transactions with them via ATM machines and internet banking. Bank
staff and tellers cost money. Banks prefer you talk to their computers
rather than a real human being.
There is one bank (maybe more) here that offers its customers a savings
account with no bank fees. The only drawback-- you can't go to a teller to
ask questions, deposit or withdraw money. All transactions need to be done
on the internet, ATM.s, over the phone or at an affiliates kiosk.
I scratch my head and wonder when I see a line of backpackers in line at the
bank waiting to cash their TC's when there is a ATM out front begging to be
used. Get with it folks, it's a digital work we live in.
Kerry
Mar 11th 2004, 9:00 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 12:49:03 -0600, tom <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Alan wrote:
>> 0ne little point we noticed on returning home. Banks will only accept
>> foreign currency notes. As far as they are concerned, the coins are
>> worthless, even if thay add up to a substantial sum. So if you can't
>> exchange your cash before heading for home, at least turn the coins into
>> notes.
>Or put them in the charity donation box at the airport before you leave.
> I always thought that was a nice little way of saying "thanks" to the
>country I just visited.
>Tom
I remember seeing one as I left Mascot outbound. Must admit it never
occurred to me coming back. At that time I was just concentrating on
getting out of the country in the middle of the BA strike last year (23
July) and I never noticed any charity bins. It was hard enough getting
through the queues and the crowds.
It can add up. When we totalled the coins, it came to well over AU$150
between us, in US Dollars, Czech crowns, Swiss Francs, Euros, Pounds and
Singapore dollars. Not difficult when each Pound at that time was $2.50,
so a two-quid coin was $5 and a couple of Euros was $2.50.
Also, try not to bring too much foreign currency home in notes either -
your bank will charge a lot more to deposit it, in fees and poor
exchange, than it cost to get it from the ATM.
Cheers Alan
wrote:
>Alan wrote:
>> 0ne little point we noticed on returning home. Banks will only accept
>> foreign currency notes. As far as they are concerned, the coins are
>> worthless, even if thay add up to a substantial sum. So if you can't
>> exchange your cash before heading for home, at least turn the coins into
>> notes.
>Or put them in the charity donation box at the airport before you leave.
> I always thought that was a nice little way of saying "thanks" to the
>country I just visited.
>Tom
I remember seeing one as I left Mascot outbound. Must admit it never
occurred to me coming back. At that time I was just concentrating on
getting out of the country in the middle of the BA strike last year (23
July) and I never noticed any charity bins. It was hard enough getting
through the queues and the crowds.
It can add up. When we totalled the coins, it came to well over AU$150
between us, in US Dollars, Czech crowns, Swiss Francs, Euros, Pounds and
Singapore dollars. Not difficult when each Pound at that time was $2.50,
so a two-quid coin was $5 and a couple of Euros was $2.50.
Also, try not to bring too much foreign currency home in notes either -
your bank will charge a lot more to deposit it, in fees and poor
exchange, than it cost to get it from the ATM.
Cheers Alan
Mar 11th 2004, 11:27 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
>There is one bank (maybe more) here that offers its customers a savings
account with no bank fees.<
Most banks have such accounts; but YOU'VE got to find them. They are
remarkably restrained when it comes to marketing lo/no fee accounts. My 29
year old son has one with the CBA. Every year they contact him asking if he
wants to retain an account with no 'features' at all. Every year he assures
them no features - no charges is just fine with him!!
"Kerry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Raffi Balmanoukian"
> > Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it
> before
> > you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest
> rates.
> > You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
> > purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or
at
> > cambios.
> >
> The only place I've travelled and needed TC's was in India
> Here in Australia I've noticed signs in banks in popular tourist areas
like
> Byron Bay warning customers that there is a service charge for cashing
TC's.
> Banks here in Australia want you to do the minor deposit, withdraw and
> exchange transactions with them via ATM machines and internet banking.
Bank
> staff and tellers cost money. Banks prefer you talk to their computers
> rather than a real human being.
> There is one bank (maybe more) here that offers its customers a savings
> account with no bank fees. The only drawback-- you can't go to a teller to
> ask questions, deposit or withdraw money. All transactions need to be done
> on the internet, ATM.s, over the phone or at an affiliates kiosk.
> I scratch my head and wonder when I see a line of backpackers in line at
the
> bank waiting to cash their TC's when there is a ATM out front begging to
be
> used. Get with it folks, it's a digital work we live in.
> Kerry
account with no bank fees.<
Most banks have such accounts; but YOU'VE got to find them. They are
remarkably restrained when it comes to marketing lo/no fee accounts. My 29
year old son has one with the CBA. Every year they contact him asking if he
wants to retain an account with no 'features' at all. Every year he assures
them no features - no charges is just fine with him!!
"Kerry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Raffi Balmanoukian"
> > Stuff TCs. Use your credit card. If you put a credit balance on it
> before
> > you leave, you can use an ATM and not bear the preposterous interest
> rates.
> > You will also usually get a better exchange rate than you will get
> > purchasing foreign dollar travelers' cheques (or redeeming GBP ones) or
at
> > cambios.
> >
> The only place I've travelled and needed TC's was in India
> Here in Australia I've noticed signs in banks in popular tourist areas
like
> Byron Bay warning customers that there is a service charge for cashing
TC's.
> Banks here in Australia want you to do the minor deposit, withdraw and
> exchange transactions with them via ATM machines and internet banking.
Bank
> staff and tellers cost money. Banks prefer you talk to their computers
> rather than a real human being.
> There is one bank (maybe more) here that offers its customers a savings
> account with no bank fees. The only drawback-- you can't go to a teller to
> ask questions, deposit or withdraw money. All transactions need to be done
> on the internet, ATM.s, over the phone or at an affiliates kiosk.
> I scratch my head and wonder when I see a line of backpackers in line at
the
> bank waiting to cash their TC's when there is a ATM out front begging to
be
> used. Get with it folks, it's a digital work we live in.
> Kerry
Mar 12th 2004, 3:20 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
craighannay <[email protected]> wrote:
> going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take money
> and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
>
> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>
> any advise please??
Standard advice: Credit-card *and* another CC (in case there is a
problem with the first) *and* some cash (drawn from an ATM) to get you
through the next few days (in case there is no ATM, or it is not open,
or it is broken, etc.; mainly a concern in remote areas, small towns,
etc.).
> going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take money
> and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
>
> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>
> any advise please??
Standard advice: Credit-card *and* another CC (in case there is a
problem with the first) *and* some cash (drawn from an ATM) to get you
through the next few days (in case there is no ATM, or it is not open,
or it is broken, etc.; mainly a concern in remote areas, small towns,
etc.).
Mar 12th 2004, 3:38 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
in article [email protected], Frank Slootweg at
[email protected] wrote on 3/12/04 12:20 PM:
> craighannay <[email protected]> wrote:
>> going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take money
>> and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
>>
>> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
>> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
>> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>>
>> any advise please??
>
> Standard advice: Credit-card *and* another CC (in case there is a
> problem with the first) *and* some cash (drawn from an ATM) to get you
> through the next few days (in case there is no ATM, or it is not open,
> or it is broken, etc.; mainly a concern in remote areas, small towns,
> etc.).
Most major banks will also be able to get you AUD cash within a couple of
business days. You will likely pay a service fee and get a terrible
exchange rate, but it's worth having a couple hun on hand on arrival for
exactly the reasons Frank mentions. I've landed at least once at a time
when the cambios at the airport were shut down and the ATMs didn't work.
Since I never hire a car at the airport (too cheap to pay the concession
recovery fee) it would have been fun getting downtown!
RAB (who always keeps a few bills from his last Australian trip for the next
one)
[email protected] wrote on 3/12/04 12:20 PM:
> craighannay <[email protected]> wrote:
>> going to melbourne in may for 3 weeks and unsure the best way to take money
>> and to manage our finances for such a small period of time?
>>
>> should i get a travellers cheque and open a tempory bank account with the
>> option of eftpos with limited transactions,or take my visa card along and
>> use the hole in the wall ATM machines?
>>
>> any advise please??
>
> Standard advice: Credit-card *and* another CC (in case there is a
> problem with the first) *and* some cash (drawn from an ATM) to get you
> through the next few days (in case there is no ATM, or it is not open,
> or it is broken, etc.; mainly a concern in remote areas, small towns,
> etc.).
Most major banks will also be able to get you AUD cash within a couple of
business days. You will likely pay a service fee and get a terrible
exchange rate, but it's worth having a couple hun on hand on arrival for
exactly the reasons Frank mentions. I've landed at least once at a time
when the cambios at the airport were shut down and the ATMs didn't work.
Since I never hire a car at the airport (too cheap to pay the concession
recovery fee) it would have been fun getting downtown!
RAB (who always keeps a few bills from his last Australian trip for the next
one)
Mar 13th 2004, 2:31 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 19:39:51 +1100, Alan wrote:
> Good luck finding someone in a major Oz city that would take pounds
> sterling (or even local) traveller's cheques. Your chances in Bourke or
> Oodnadatta would be remote; they might offer 1:1 on the exchange rate if
> you're desperate.
Travellers cheques in Aussie dollars aren't a problem. I've had them
accepted in plenty of places in the past including the pub in Coral Bay,
which is fairly out of the way. And last time I went there, there still
wasn't an ATM in the township, only EFTPOS which doesn't usually work on
foreign cards.
Jason
--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for trip reports including diving
the wreck of the President Coolidge in Santo, Vanuatu
> Good luck finding someone in a major Oz city that would take pounds
> sterling (or even local) traveller's cheques. Your chances in Bourke or
> Oodnadatta would be remote; they might offer 1:1 on the exchange rate if
> you're desperate.
Travellers cheques in Aussie dollars aren't a problem. I've had them
accepted in plenty of places in the past including the pub in Coral Bay,
which is fairly out of the way. And last time I went there, there still
wasn't an ATM in the township, only EFTPOS which doesn't usually work on
foreign cards.
Jason
--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for trip reports including diving
the wreck of the President Coolidge in Santo, Vanuatu
Mar 13th 2004, 7:12 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
Jason <[email protected]> wrote:
[deleted]
> Travellers cheques in Aussie dollars aren't a problem. I've had them
> accepted in plenty of places in the past including the pub in Coral Bay,
> which is fairly out of the way. And last time I went there, there still
> wasn't an ATM in the township, only EFTPOS which doesn't usually work on
> foreign cards.
In my experience, EFTPOS is no problem for a 'foreign' *credit* card
(like MasterCard). It *is* a problem for foreign *debit* cards. For
example they don't take our Dutch "Europas" (Maestro) (which *can* be
used to draw money from ATMs).
[deleted]
> Travellers cheques in Aussie dollars aren't a problem. I've had them
> accepted in plenty of places in the past including the pub in Coral Bay,
> which is fairly out of the way. And last time I went there, there still
> wasn't an ATM in the township, only EFTPOS which doesn't usually work on
> foreign cards.
In my experience, EFTPOS is no problem for a 'foreign' *credit* card
(like MasterCard). It *is* a problem for foreign *debit* cards. For
example they don't take our Dutch "Europas" (Maestro) (which *can* be
used to draw money from ATMs).
Mar 14th 2004, 12:43 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: using eftpos for 3 weeks?
in article [email protected], Frank Slootweg at
[email protected] wrote on 3/14/04 4:12 AM:
> Jason <[email protected]> wrote:
> [deleted]
>> Travellers cheques in Aussie dollars aren't a problem. I've had them
>> accepted in plenty of places in the past including the pub in Coral Bay,
>> which is fairly out of the way. And last time I went there, there still
>> wasn't an ATM in the township, only EFTPOS which doesn't usually work on
>> foreign cards.
>
> In my experience, EFTPOS is no problem for a 'foreign' *credit* card
> (like MasterCard). It *is* a problem for foreign *debit* cards. For
> example they don't take our Dutch "Europas" (Maestro) (which *can* be
> used to draw money from ATMs).
I've had the same experience, although my bank card also worked with some
machines. Check your bank at home to see if it's on one of the major
networks (plus, cirrus, etc.) and then check the Aussie bank. If there's a
match, it SHOULD work.
Hint: if you have trouble first time around with the machine and it spits
your card back out, go away or use another one. Some machines (even in your
home country) are programmed to keep and eat your card if it doesn't process
the transaction the second or third time around. Can be a bit of a bastard
if you're leaving town or it's after hours or whatnot.....
[email protected] wrote on 3/14/04 4:12 AM:
> Jason <[email protected]> wrote:
> [deleted]
>> Travellers cheques in Aussie dollars aren't a problem. I've had them
>> accepted in plenty of places in the past including the pub in Coral Bay,
>> which is fairly out of the way. And last time I went there, there still
>> wasn't an ATM in the township, only EFTPOS which doesn't usually work on
>> foreign cards.
>
> In my experience, EFTPOS is no problem for a 'foreign' *credit* card
> (like MasterCard). It *is* a problem for foreign *debit* cards. For
> example they don't take our Dutch "Europas" (Maestro) (which *can* be
> used to draw money from ATMs).
I've had the same experience, although my bank card also worked with some
machines. Check your bank at home to see if it's on one of the major
networks (plus, cirrus, etc.) and then check the Aussie bank. If there's a
match, it SHOULD work.
Hint: if you have trouble first time around with the machine and it spits
your card back out, go away or use another one. Some machines (even in your
home country) are programmed to keep and eat your card if it doesn't process
the transaction the second or third time around. Can be a bit of a bastard
if you're leaving town or it's after hours or whatnot.....
