Travellers and New Arrivals

Transcription

1 A Guide For Travellers and New Arrivals A Guide Brought To You By

2 Table of contents Introduction 3 Travelling Overseas? 4 Should I get a credit card if I am travelling overseas? 4 What is the best credit card to choose for going travelling? 5 What should I look out for? 6 Should I get a personal loan for travelling? 6 Do I need travel insurance for travelling overseas? 6 Just Arrived? 7 Do I need a bank account while I m travelling in Australia? 7 How do I set up an Australian bank account? 7 Can I get a credit card as a traveller in Australia? 8 Are there any alternatives to having a credit card? 8 Debit cards 8 Pre-paid credit cards 8 Do I need travel insurance while travelling in Australia? 9 I m an overseas student, do I need medical insurance while I m in Australia? 9 Copyright CreditCard.com.au

3 Introduction Whether you re an Australian planning a trip overseas, or you are new to Australia and plan to travel over here, sorting out your travel money will make your experience run more smoothly. Read our handy guide so you can spend more time planning that kayak tour, mountain hike or scuba diving training than organising your money and insurance. Copyright CreditCard.com.au

4 Travelling overseas? Should i get a credit card if i am travelling overseas? Credit cards can be extremely useful when travelling. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are considered the global currency, and unless you are going off into the true wilderness you will find that most places accept these. You can use travellers cheques and cash while travelling overseas, but it can be easier and sometimes safer to use a credit card. Travellers cheques are regarded as safe, and can usually be replaced if stolen, but it can be a hassle to get them cashed. On the other hand, cash is always convenient, but if it s lost or stolen, then it s gone. Travelling with a credit card is a wise choice. Most places accept them, they are excellent in emergencies, and can be cancelled if they are stolen. Fantastic plastic is a hassle-free way of paying. And if you have a travel rewards card, it can offer bonuses such as reward points for future travel, travel insurance and other perks. Copyright CreditCard.com.au

5 What is the best credit card to choose for going travelling? There are several different types of travel credit cards, all geared towards rewarding you in different ways. Rewards and Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Rewards credit cards and Frequent Flyer credit cards are the natural choice for travelling. They allow you to earn rewards points that can be used for your trip, on flights, accommodation, car rental and so on, and can help you earn points for future travel while you are actually on holiday as well. Gold and Platinum Credit Cards These will help you provoke those stares of envy from weary families travelling economy as you re ushered past them to your first class upgrade, the executive lounge, complementary limousine pick up, bottle of champagne, massage whatever you can think of really. Gold and Platinum cards can offer truly excellent perks when travelling. If you re not into creating travel envy though, then just enjoy complimentary travel insurances, and the services of a personal concierge. Low Interest Rate Credit Cards A low interest rate card can be a great way of saving money on interest while you are travelling. You can save on interest while using your credit card overseas, meaning you have less to pay back overall. Balance Transfer Credit Card: A balance transfer credit card is a great choice if you have current credit card debt that you want to pay off. Offering low or no interest on balance transfers for a certain period of time, you can save interest on your existing debt. Some balance transfer cards offer low or no interest on purchases as well, leaving you extra time to pay them off without having to worry about interest. This can be a great bonus when you are booking your trip. Use your credit card to pay for flights, accommodation or tours, and avoid interest charges for a good few months. It can also help when you are actually travelling, as purchases made overseas may not start accruing interest until you get back home. There are also a number of other credit card budget travel tips that we recommend. Copyright CreditCard.com.au

6 What should i look out for? If you are using your credit card overseas, you need to understand the fees you will have to pay. Many credit cards charge a foreign exchange fee for overseas purchases. You may be charged for ATM withdrawals. Also check the interest rate on purchases. Check the terms and conditions on your card before travelling, monitor your account online and read your statements when you get back from your trip. Be sure to query suspicious charges or fees as soon as you see they have been applied to your account. Should i get a personal loan for travelling? Applying for a personal loan to fund your trip can also be a good idea. Budget for how much you will need to borrow, and then find a personal loan that suits your situation. Compare interest rates, and any charges that may apply if you want to pay the loan back early. With a personal loan you will always know how much your repayments will be and when they are due, and you will know exactly when your loan will be paid off. Do i need travel insurance for travelling overseas? Travelling without insurance is not a good idea. You never know what can happen, and you need to protect yourself. Travel insurance can cover against cancelled flights, lost luggage, stolen or damaged property, medical and legal problems and much more. The last thing you want from your holiday is to end up in a foreign hospital with no insurance, and a medical bill that runs into the thousands of dollars. Check whether your credit card offers travel insurance when you use it to book. You ll avoid paying a commission to an insurance company that way too. If not, there are loads of options for travel insurance so shop around for cover that suits you. Copyright CreditCard.com.au

7 Just arrived? Do i need a bank account while i m travelling in Australia? If you ve just arrived in Australia and you re planning on travelling around for a while, then it may be worthwhile getting an Australian bank account. If you have a working visa and you want to get a job while you re here, then getting a bank account is essential. Even if you re not working, opening a bank account may help you to save money if you re going to be here for a few months. By transferring your travelling money into an Australian bank account, you should be able to save on foreign transaction fees from your bank at home, and it will give you easier access to your money. If you re only here for a month or less, then it probably isn t worth your while getting a bank account. If you re unsure, take a look at the different accounts on offer. how do i set up an Australian bank account? Setting up a bank account is simple. First, find the account that suits you. There are many different providers out there, so spend some time checking out all the options. A transaction account will probably be more suitable than a savings account, and will usually come with a Visa or Mastercard debit card that can be used with the account. Next, it s time to fill in the application forms. This can usually be done online, and will only take about 10 minutes. After the application is complete, you will probably need to visit a branch to provide them with ID a passport should be fine. You might be required to deposit a minimum amount of money in the beginning, then you will receive a welcome pack, and you can get started with your account. You will be given a BSB (Bank, State & Branch code) and an account number. Keep these safe. They will need to be provided to your employer to ensure you get paid, and for tax purposes. Copyright CreditCard.com.au

8 Can i get a credit card as a traveller in australia? Most credit card providers won t issue non-residents with credit cards. Check the small print on the credit card you wish to apply for to find out. If you re ineligible for some reason, there s no need to stress. You can find more information about applying for your first credit card here. Are there any alternatives to having a credit card? There are two excellent alternatives to having a credit card in Australia. The first option is a Visa or Mastercard debit card, and the second option is a pre-paid credit card. Debit Cards Setting up a bank account in Australia will usually mean you can apply for a debit card to access money in the account. Depending on the bank, you will be given a Visa or Mastercard debit card that works like a credit card, without leaving you in debt. Debit cards are accepted for purchases made online, over the phone, and in-store. Items purchased with the card will have money taken directly out of the linked transaction account. This means you don t have to worry about interest, credit card fees, or debt. Pre-Paid Credit Cards If you don t have a bank account, you can still get a pre-paid credit card. These are loaded with a certain amount of money, and you can t spend more. No credit checks are needed, and you don t need to give any personal details. These cards are accepted everywhere regular credit cards are accepted, and can be re-used by topping them up with more Copyright CreditCard.com.au

9 do i need travel insurance while travelling in australia? Travel insurance is essential while travelling in Australia. If you did not sort out travel insurance before you left home, you should arrange it now. This may mean you need to contact an insurer at home, or you may find suitable insurance in Australia. Accidents can happen, and if you re not covered with suitable insurance, they can be very expensive. I m an overseas student, do I need medical insurance while I m in Australia? If you have a student visa to study in Australia, you will usually need to have Overseas Student Health Cover. If you ve not done so already, check your visa requirements for the kind of cover you need. Having health insurance is incredibly important. If you get sick or have an accident, trips to the doctor or hospital, treatment and medication can be very costly. Cover yourself with suitable insurance and it could save you a lot of money in the future. Copyright CreditCard.com.au