Travel Wisely: Navigating Cards and Cash
If you’re planning a trip and wondering how to manage your money and travel cards, you’re in the right place! This comprehensive guide about Travel Cards and Cash, covers tips on cash handling, card usage, currency exchange rates, top-rated travel apps, and hacks for utilising flight points. You’ll discover the travel cards we recommend and learn why they are perfect companions for your adventures. Get ready for a hassle-free journey with this ultimate guide to managing your finances while travelling.
Remember to prioritise your safety and follow all these tips through out our blog page Travel Cards and Cash, and when using your card, also cover your PIN code. Always shield your hand while entering it, and take your receipt with you. Count your money in a secure location, away from prying eyes, to avoid attracting unwanted attention or potential threats. Stay vigilant and avoid situations where strangers may target you for your belongings.
Cash tips and tricks, and currency
When travelling abroad, we find it more advantageous to carry cash in developing countries rather than exchanging money in Australia at our local banks. This is due to the more favourable exchange rates offered in those countries. Additionally, this approach helps us avoid fees associated with transferring money to a travel card, converting currency, and withdrawing cash from ATMs. Numerous hidden fees exist, but by using the right credit or travel cards, we can share insights on how to circumvent these charges below.
Cash
Heading for Taking Cash Over and Converting it at Currency Shops:
When travelling, it’s crucial to be cautious when exchanging money and withdrawing large amounts from your hotel. Always keep your cash secured in a locked safe and avoid carrying large sums around. A strategy we employ is to take cash with us and store it safely in our hotel safe. Each day, we withdraw only $100 to $200, which we then take directly to a currency exchange shop. After converting the necessary amount, we return to our hotel and place any remaining cash back in the safe. This way, we minimise the risk of carrying a substantial amount of money and ensure our finances are secure during our travels.
Beware of Currency Exchange Scams: Count Your Money Twice
When you’re at a currency exchange shop, it’s important to stay vigilant. Often, the staff will count the money right in front of you, and you’ll see the exact amount you should receive. However, it’s not uncommon for them to drop a few notes on their lap during this process. Always make sure to count the money carefully in front of them before leaving. If you don’t double-check, you may find yourself without proof if any money goes missing. Protect yourself by confirming the amount they hand you before you walk away from the counter.
Using a Credit Card
Credit card hacks: to Collect Points/Activate Travel Insurance
We’ve connected our credit card to all shopping at Woolworths and Coles, allowing us to earn Qantas points and Velocity points with Virgin. Using our credit card to book holidays also activates travel insurance at no extra cost. There are numerous ways you can travel for free. We have booked several flights using points, only spending a $60 booking fee.
Maximising Your Credit Card Benefits While Travelling Abroad
When using a credit card overseas, you can take advantage of its acceptance at most ATMs, which helps you avoid international transaction fees—a significant advantage. However, it’s essential to remain vigilant while using your credit card at ATMs. Always cover your PIN when entering it to protect your information, and ensure you take all receipts with you. Being cautious not only enhances your security but also helps you manage your finances effectively while enjoying your travels.
Currency Apps
Currency converter | apps
Sending money can be a tedious experience. However, it’s important to stay vigilant and be aware of various scams that exist. Familiarise yourself with these scams by visiting this link: Scams to be aware of (pending).
For all our price-checking needs, we rely on a fantastic app that you can download for free: Currency converter plus. Whether we’re shopping or simply curious, we quickly activate it like a trusty calculator. With just a few taps, we can convert prices from IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) to AUD (Australian dollars), giving us a clear understanding of an item’s value. This app is user-friendly and consistently provides up-to-date exchange rates, catering to our specific needs with a wide range of currency options.
This top-notch currency converter covers 171 currencies worldwide, offering real-time updates on currency rates. We love using it while we are using Travel Cards and Cash – Whether we are globe-trotting or exploring new horizons, this invaluable companion never fails to assist us.
Here are two screenshots showing a glimpse of the currency conversion tool in action.
Slideshow of images showcasing the Currency app
Travel Cards
Travel cards
Since our first adventure in 2017, our beloved ‘’Travel Money Oz ’ card has been our constant companion. Maintaining a separate monetary reserve while leaving our physical credit cards behind grants us unparalleled security. Safeguarding our financial assets from potential theft gives us peace of mind. While many alternative travel cards exist, we chose this one due to its affiliation with Flight Centre, which offers both proximity and easy accessibility.
We strongly advise conducting thorough research on travel and credit cards to optimise the accumulation of reward points during your journeys.
Point hacks with Qantas
points for using credit cards
We are avid users of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program and are excited to share the intricacies of this fantastic system. Through our trusted credit card, we accrue valuable points for various travel-related activities, from booking flights to securing accommodations and even leisurely spending. Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty details.
One of our preferred strategies is using our credit card to pay for hotel expenses either before or upon arrival. This method eliminates transaction fees and helps us accumulate additional points. We also use our credit card to top up our Travel Money Oz card, ensuring a seamless travel experience. In rare instances where we need urgent cash, we withdraw funds from ATMs using our credit card, earning points for each transaction.
By employing these tactics, we maximise our earning potential within the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, reaping the rewards of our financial efforts.
Additionally, we’ve integrated our credit card with the app ‘Grab’ for booking drivers, which serves two purposes. It covers any international transaction fees incurred when using the app or bank account in different countries, allowing us to book drivers without worrying about unexpected costs. Secondly, it enhances our security, ensuring safe transactions.
By implementing these strategies, we optimise our Qantas Frequent Flyer membership. It allows us to earn points on a wide range of expenses, cover transaction fees, and enjoy a seamless travel experience from start to finish. We’ll let you in on a little secret: this is how we manage to have 2-3 holidays a year, using everything to our advantage when we can. You can find out more via this link: All tips and tricks to afford travel (pending).
We extend our gratitude for reading this blog on Travel Cards and Cash, and trust you have acquired valuable knowledge to travel with financial ease and make informed choices regarding your preferred travel card for future expeditions.
Next up we have our blog post about ‘Our tips for choosing a family-friendly holiday’.