Page 1 of 1

travel cards

Posted: May 14, 2018, 6:23 pm
by bluejets
Previously always used American Express Travellers Cheques when coming back to Thailand.

Found them easy to use and safe.

Now it seems I've had more problems and phone calls to the ANZ bank in Australia as local branches no longer issue the above and when I applied online as I was instructed, found myself once again on the end of a **** phone for more than 2 hours.

Question is, has anyone had experience with the Travel Cards that ANZ are making it difficult to avoid.
Are they as easy to use as the American Express Travellers Cheques and are they acceptable over the counter at places like our usual bank Ayudhya (Krungsri)?

Cheers Jorgo

Re: travel cards

Posted: May 15, 2018, 6:16 am
by harry68
I have used the ANZ travel cards over the past 8 years
what they is a pre paid credit card u top up with your own funds.
have never had it rejected anywhere

Re: travel cards

Posted: May 15, 2018, 2:01 pm
by thighlander
AMex Travelers checks are almost gone with the wind, here. You pay a fee on every check....Years ago, they were better than paper currency. Things change. A good Visa Card is great, and Master Card..almost as good, and Amex in a distant third, probably behind Union Pay. But pre-paid do stuff like Foreign transaction fees, and you may end up losing 3% every time you use it, and some Thais wont hesitate to add on another 2-3% (like the dentists) for any card. It can be a challenge, but try to get a bank account here....if you have a long stay visa, it is easy. You still have to worry about them stealing one of your kidneys, though.

Re: travel cards

Posted: May 15, 2018, 5:30 pm
by bluejets
harry68 wrote:
May 15, 2018, 6:16 am
I have used the ANZ travel cards over the past 8 years
what they is a pre paid credit card u top up with your own funds.
have never had it rejected anywhere
Great, thanks.

It had been advertised here that they(travel cards) were accepted anywhere that visa was so that might be the way to go. I realise there would be some sort of charge and I primarily need it for over the counter at the bank.
The latter reportedly does not incur a charge at some places but as said, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Had an account there back in 2012 but the wife emptied it out before coming to Aus. At that time I had a multiple entry visa and opening an account was fairly easy. Trouble was when it was emptied it expired. In hindsight it would have been an advantage to keep it open however, have heard of instances involving unused accounts and tend to be wary.

Just what are the charges if it is not a rude question?

Re: travel cards

Posted: May 15, 2018, 9:34 pm
by harry68
im not sure cant remember but i know it cheaper than using your Aus debit card
Mine has expired and it needs to be renewed in Aus
have no plans of going there soon