Wizard Mastercard Cash Advances while overseas

[Gulliver]

I've given a Wizard card to my daughter to use in US, and she's using it for ATM withdrawals well as credit transactions, without incident. (She didn't have to search for any specific ATM or anything. Maybe she just got lucky??)

I try to keep the account in debit when she needs to withdraw cash, so doesn't seem to be any issues with doing that. (Though it's hard to keep it that way with the incoming transactions )

But if the card has been activated, and the verification process done (ie a doctor etc witnessing your signature) (in lieu of 100 point check) so account doesn't get frozen), I don't know any reason why there should be any troubles.
(That theory doesn't help those having hassles hey!)

[aspro2]

Has anyone used there Wizard Mastercard for cash adavances in France...particularly away from Paris.

I've had no probs in France.

Canada/Quebec on the other hand was quite difficult -- relatively few MC/Maestro/Cirrus ATMs.

[lovetravellingoz]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I will put in for one then as she is off in 6 weeks.

I can geta free Citibank for her off my free for life gold...so will get that for purcahses for her...and the Wizard for cash...to utilise its no fee status.

Thanks.

[Gulliver]

Wizard also has no FX fee, so we're using Wizard for ALL international trans.
What does CitiBank charge? I assumed it would be more than the FF points are worth??

[NM]

Wizard also has no FX fee, so we're using Wizard for ALL international trans.
What does CitiBank charge? I assumed it would be more than the FF points are worth??

Citibank Readicredit has no fees for ATM withdrawals, but they have recently added a foreign exchange transaction fee of around 2% (can't remember exact amount) which has made it far less attractive for overseas Cash withdrawals than in the past.

[bobsi18]

Hi there all... Just found this lovely forum I've just applied for a Wizard CC after finding out about it on searches. Previously, when overseas, I always used my Commonwealth eftpos card to get money (at $5 a withdrawl!). Never used my cc, because of the high fees. Have just found this card, but still a little confused, can someone clarify?

- there are no fees for an international/with Australia cash advance, right?

- is interest charged straight away on these cash advances (like a standard cc) or do you get an interest free period? I just re-read the website and saw that it does get charged straight away...

- if I were to put the card into credit by adding extra money, and then do a cash advance, would I be charged interest?

Hope this makes sense, very excited to have found a decent card!

Cheers

[Gulliver]

- there are no fees for an international/with Australia cash advance, right?

Right

- if I were to put the card into credit by adding extra money, and then do a cash advance, would I be charged interest?

No.
So long as you keep from ever having a +ve balance owing, you won't pay interest. Nor fees. Nor FX penalties.

The only problem for me is that I can't take advantage of 55 days interest free on credit purchases if I'm doing this.
(Everytime I want to withdraw cash, I have to pay off full balance plus amount withdrawing.)

Instead of getting an additional card for my wife, she's applied for her own.
We should be able to use one for purchases and the other for cash.

If only it accumulated FF points too.

[bobsi18]

Fantastic. Thanks for the reply. I've also just applied for a Virgin CC - Was thinking that whilst overseas I'll only use the Wizard (I don't mind missing out on the interest free days while travelling, it's easier to keep track of it all if it's my own money) and when back in Aus I'll use the Virgin (to take advantage of their points system and interest free days).

edit: did my own research again, should do that before I post!!

[Gulliver]

...when back in Aus I'll use the Virgin (to take advantage of their points system and interest free days).

What is Virgin costing you? Did you know that Citibank Gold is currently free for life, and pays 1 FF point per dollar spent?
I've heard that thier service sucks, but the only issue I have is they seem to treat every call like a telemarketing opportunity - they won't do as you ask until they've done thier sales speil.
But I'm cheap, and happy to live with poor service to save money

If you're interested, check out the thread re Ezy MasterCard being withdrawn.

[bobsi18]

What is Virgin costing you?

free...

Did you know that Citibank Gold is currently free for life, and pays 1 FF point per dollar spent?

unfortunatly i'm not anywhere near getting a gold card, don't earn anywhere near enough - i'm just a uni student with high hopes

I currently have a card with Commonwealth, and it's free (i.e. no annual fee) - but that's as a student, and my student card expires next year... Not interested in paying the fees associated, as I don't use the card nearly enough to warrant it.