Page 37 - Ultimate Australia

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exchange cash, you’ll usually need your passport and bills in good condition (not worn, torn,
or dirty). New bills (post 2004) are best. Never exchange money on the street. All exchange
methods involve fees, which may be built into the conversion rate; ask beforehand.

ATMs

When using the ATM, keep in mind that it may only accept cards from local banks, and may
not allow cash advances on credit cards; you might need to try more than one ATM or more
than one card.

Many banks charge a fee of $1-$5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a
percentage of the amount you withdraw. We recommend that you check with your bank before
you depart.

Lastly, don’t forget to memorize the actual digits of your card’s PIN number (many keypads at
foreign ATMs do not include letters on their keys—they only display numbers.)

Australia: ATMs are widely available throughout large cities and small towns in Australia.
New Zealand: ATMs are widely available throughout large cities and small towns in
New Zealand.

Credit & Debit Cards

Even if you don’t plan on using a credit card during your trip, we still suggest that you bring
one or two as a backup, especially if you are planning a large purchase (artwork, jewelry).
We also suggest that you bring more than one brand of card (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, American
Express) if possible, because not every shop will take every card. For example, although the
Discover card is accepted in some countries outside the U.S., it is not widely adopted, so other
brands will work at a much larger range of stores, restaurants, etc.

Australia: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Australia. Some hotels may
charge additional fees for credit card payments on supplementary charges (such as bar bills,
room service, etc.). Australian shops and banks use a PIN-based credit card systems. You may
be able to authorize a payment by signature if your card was issued by an overseas provider,
but this is becoming rare. A PIN is usually required so keeping varied payment options
available makes sense.

New Zealand: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout New Zealand, though
American Express and Diners Club may be more limited than some of the other majors credit
card providers (such as MasterCard or Visa). Some hotels may charge additional fees for credit
card payments on supplementary charges (such as bar bills, room service, etc.). New Zealand
shops and banks use a PIN-based credit card systems. You may be able to authorize a payment
by signature if your card was issued by an overseas provider, but this is becoming rare. A PIN
is usually required so keeping varied payment options available makes sense.

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