Most accepted credit card in Australia.

[Jiminkcmo]

Which of the major credit cards, VISA and Mastercard, is more widely accepted in all areas of Australia.

 

I'm taking a 23 day escorted tour starting in mid-Jan. and will be charging meals, beers, toys, etc. etc.

 

Wish I was leaving sooner.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Jim

[R & C]

Both widely accepted most everywhere.

But as you dont say where you are going you might like to bare in mind that you may want to pay for some things with cash in some places especially if you just want a quick bite to eat or a drink along the way.

 

Where is your tour taking you??

[Spikesgirl]

We used both with no trouble whatso ever, but R&C is right. Take along some folding money for small things.

 

Charlie

[Jiminkcmo]

Hi Cheryl and Charlie:

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

My trip will be taking me to Cairnes, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Melbourne, Sydney, Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua and Auckland.

 

Yes, I will have some currency for small things, but was interested if Mastercard is more widely accepted than Visa or vice versa.

 

I only carry one such card with me and want to make sure I have the most usable one instead of one with more limited acceptance.

 

Am really looking forward to my trip and think I've seen every OZ video that my library carries.

 

Wish it wasn't such a long flight but living in a country that is less accessible to the traveling masses does have some advantages. <G>

 

Jim

[lawra09]

Keep in mind Am Express charges a 2% mark-up on all charges in foreign countries. Master Card and Visa charge 3%.

[mipps]

You are sweet on you NZ leg with your master card as well. Most shops except the very small convenience stores will take your CC. As what the others have said .... a few NZ dollars wont go amiss for the small things.

 

Enjoy your trip Jim

 

:)

[Aussie Gal]

Visa is probably the most used card in Australia though Mastercard would be a close second. Amex is not so widely used other than in the major cities and then it is hit and miss. Most Restaurants and the bigger clothing stores will accept Amex. Merchants here in Australia have to pay a much bigger commission to Amex - anything from 3-5% wheras with Visa and Mastercard it is only from one 1-1.5%.

 

I would take heaps of cash for lunch and odds and ends especially up north.

 

Jennie

[Girl from Oz]

Hi Cheryl and Charlie:

 

Yes, I will have some currency for small things, but was interested if Mastercard is more widely accepted than Visa or vice versa.

 

I only carry one such card with me and want to make sure I have the most usable one instead of one with more limited acceptance.

 

Jim

 

Hi Jim,

 

I think I'd be right in saying that wherever Visa is accepted, Mastercard is also accepted here in OZ. They work in tandem. Visa may be the more popular choice (I actually have M/C) but they are EQUALLY accepted. Amex & Diners are accepted in major stores & big restaurants, but many of the smaller stores can't absorb the extra cost of these two.

 

I wish you a safe & happy visit downunder.

[cands]

Hi Jim,

 

I think I'd be right in saying that wherever Visa is accepted, Mastercard is also accepted here in OZ. They work in tandem. Visa may be the more popular choice (I actually have M/C) but they are EQUALLY accepted. .

 

I totally agree with the above. I only have Mastercard and have never had it refused by a merchant who accepted Visa but not Mastercard.

[TenerifeSharon]

Jim,

 

Being so far away from home, wouldn't it be better to also take a second credit card with you -- just in case? Living in Europe, I just don't feel good about leaving on major trips (especially to another continent) with just one cc. (Or maybe you are taking more than one cc with you and just want to know which is best.) The magnetic stripe is so easily damaged.

 

Have a great trip:)

[boards]

We used our Mastercard when we were in New Zealand and then Australia last Nov/Dec. with no problem. We got a second card (Visa) in the event we would have needed it, but we didn't have to use it. There was no extra charge that we noticed on any of the charges we made and believe me I checked them over when the bill came.

[canadiansnowbird]

We have one of each; Visa, Mastercard and Amex (usually carry the Amex and one of the others on me) . And always have an emergency bank card for the ATM's (not carried on our person). Never had to use it though. The bank said if I ever use it, the original one is null & void.

 

Snowbird

[boards]

Your debit card will work just fine. I used it in New Zealand as a test and took out $70 NZ dollars. It was interesting to see how much money it said I still had in my account back home. Too bad I had to change it into Canadian money.

[rollingstone]

Hi,

We do a lot of extended land tours. Capital One (Visa) is the only card that does not charge us a foreign conversion fee. We have used this card on every continent except Antarctica and it has never been refused. Make sure to call the company, though, and tell them that you will be out of the country, and the dates of departure & arrival home. If you do not do this, the charge company may think that the card was stolen & shut off your credit! Also, look into an e-trade account. You use it like a debit card and are allowed 7 transactions per month at no charge If a local bank charges you a fee, e-trade will refund it to you. We have also used this one on all continents.

Keep a second card with you and a copy of your passport. Put them in your shoe or sock. (some travel companies sell socks with zippered compartments just for this purpose) If you happen to be pickpocketed or just leave your belongings somewhere, you will be prepared.

Have a wonderful trip!!!!!

[Jiminkcmo]

MANY thanks for all of the great replies.

 

They are most appreciated.

 

This old dog can learn new tricks.

 

I have gotten a debit card to go along with my checking account.

 

I have applied for a new Capital One credit card to eliminate the foreign conversion fees.

 

These cards, along with my other credit card, are all VISA products which seems to be rated about equally with Mastercard based on comments.

 

Now all I need to do is pack and get going.

 

But that's about 6 weeks away.

 

Just more time for planning. <G>

 

Jim

[Johanna7]

Jim:

 

It is best to call your Credit Card company of the card(s) you will use before you leave. On our cruise in 2005 we ran into many people who had their credit card declined even though they had lots of 'room' on it.

 

They are quite concerned about fraud. We have no problem using our CC in the US without calling them but other areas of the world are a bit different. If you let them know you are going and will be using the car, there should be no problem at all.

 

Good Luck on your trip. Sounds wonderful.

[livingstone]

can I suggest you take a master card and a visa card on a trip down under to Australia. let me explain what I do when traveling. my wife has a visa card in her name and I have a master card in my name carry one card in each wallet because if one of you lose your wallet you can cancel that card and continue to use the other with no disruption to the holiday. you may find in some smaller shops or food outlets they do not always have card facilites and if they do they will say you need to spend over 10 - 15 AUD to use it. you may even find that many shops and businesses in Australia will charge you 1-3% extra if you use the card. if you have Travelers cheques AUD = (australian dollars) would be better. American express is widely accepted here, forget the bank of new york or hong kong bank cheques, just stick to amex or visa for the cheques. better change them in a bank if in usd, better rates I think.

[sewelly62]

Be VERY VERY Careful using you credit card here in Oz. As everyone knows every town in Australia has wild populations of kangaroos that bound throughout the towns on a daily basis.

 

Some unscrupulos thieves have trained Kangaroos to spot gold Visa & Mastercards and they will quickly jump at you, grab the credit card in their mouth and hop off into the sunset.

 

You have been warned so remember to be VERY VERY careful

[Aussie Gal]

And what about the wallabies, wombats and koalas. They will also be on the alert to snatch your cards and pass them on to their masters, the Kangaroos! :) :)

 

Jennie

[Annatoo]

And what about the wallabies, wombats and koalas. They will also be on the alert to snatch your cards and pass them on to their masters, the Kangaroos! :)

 

Jennie

 

SNAKES....they are the silent, slippery serpents who will sneak up on you :eek: My son-in-law warned me of HOOP SNAKES when I came to OZ 25 years ago.... (Kiwis HATE snakes) . He warned me they would roll down hills chasing after me :eek: :rolleyes: :p

B E V

[Aussie Cruisers]

Also, be warned of the "drop bears" at night.... they are especially dangerous. As you walk under the tree where the koala is resting, it will drop down and land on you. They give you a nasty scare, and have been known to scratch a bit, but apart from that are completely harmless.

 

To avoid this, walk with sunnies resting on your head - that way they think that you are looking at them and you will be fine.

 

Mark.

[Jiminkcmo]

WOW!!!!

 

Thanks for the warnings.

 

I'm thinking maybe I'd better pack my gorilla suit so that I can wear that and scare off those nasty creatures that will be trying to steal my credit cards.

 

Will I have any trouble with creatures stealing my shoes?

 

Jim

[newfarmers]

WOW!!!!

 

Thanks for the warnings.

 

I'm thinking maybe I'd better pack my gorilla suit so that I can wear that and scare off those nasty creatures that will be trying to steal my credit cards.

 

Will I have any trouble with creatures stealing my shoes?

 

Jim

 

 

nah, that only happens in New Zealand and they're called hobbits:D

[SailingVol]

I lived in Oz and they are more than happy to accept ANY and ALL cc. I went all over the east coast and I only ran into one place that didn't accept American Express. Have fun and make sure to take in the amazing scenery!

[Aussie Gal]

I have to disagree with Cindy. We live in the 2nd largest city in Australia and both Amex and Diners are not accepted widely like Visa and Mastercard.

 

Department stores, only some clothing shops and most restaurants will take Amex but the smaller shops flatly refuse because of the higher merchant charges, which is around 3% that Amex charges compared to the 1% they pay to Visa and Mastercard.

 

I always carry both my Visa and Amex and try to use my Amex as I get more F.F. points with that card but most times it is knocked back and I have to resort to using my Visa card.

 

Jennie