Getting organised and ready to travel can be a busy time. That’s why some of us write lists before we start packing. So here’s a list of important money things it could pay to remember.
Prepare a budget
With so much to see and do, it’s easy to overspend when you’re overseas. Juggling different exchange rates doesn’t help either. So before you leave, it’s a really good idea to work out roughly how much you’ll need each day. Like all budgets, this can be subject to change, but having a good plan will help you with how much you need to save as well as helping you stay on track when you get there.
Organise your Travel Money
Wherever you travel, it’s a good idea to have different ways of paying for things. Foreign cash can be really useful from the moment you arrive, credit cards and debit cards are great for bigger purchases and Traveller’s Cheques are a handy way to have extra funds as a back up.
Foreign Cash
Having a supply of foreign cash is always useful for smaller purchases like transport, snacks or drinks. You can buy a variety of foreign cash currencies from ASB and it’s usually a good idea to take the currency of the country you’re travelling too. However, if we don’t sell the specific currency you’re after we can help you out with which currencies to take to those more exotic destinations. Eg:
- Pacific Islands – Local currency or New Zealand Dollars.
- The Americas, Asia, Africa – Local currency or US Dollars.
- UK and Europe – Local currency or Euro.
It’s easy to order Foreign Exchange online through FastNet Classic, at any ASB branch or by calling ASB TravelLine on 0800 925 566.
MasterCard® Cash Passport
Cash Passport provides you with a convenient way to carry your travel money while you’re overseas. Simply load up your prepaid card before you go, then you can access your funds anywhere MasterCard is accepted, including online and at millions of ATMs, restaurants and shops worldwide. You can also load funds now, even if you’re travelling later. It’s available in five different currencies – AUD, EUR, GBP, USD and NZD. You can have peace of mind, plus the added benefit of global emergency assistance 24/7.
To order a Cash passport card visit any ASB branch.
ASB Visa Debit
An ASB Visa Debit card allows you to use your own money to buy things or get cash out from ATMs while you’re overseas. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted and it even offers the extra protection of microchip technology when you use your card at EFTPOS.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are one of the easiest, most universal ways to pay for things overseas. Even if you don’t plan to use a credit card day to day, it’s a good idea to have one as a back-up just in case. Most ASB credit cards have chip technology for extra security and you can use MasterCard or Visa in-store, online and at millions of ATMs worldwide.
Traveller’s Cheques
Traveller’s Cheques are more secure than carrying cash because you’ll need a passport or other ID to cash them, they never expire and can easily be replaced if lost or stolen. This makes them a safe way to have extra currency as a ‘back up’. Like foreign cash, you can order Traveller’s Cheques through FastNet Classic, at any ASB branch or by calling ASB TravelLine on 0800 925 566. ASB will even convert any left over Travellers Cheques or foreign cash to NZ Dollars commission free.
Sort out Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is extremely important when travelling overseas. It’s less about insuring your belongings (although that’s important), but it’s vital to insure yourself. If you have an accident or become ill when travelling, most countries will charge you for using their medical services. This can add up very quickly indeed. So make sure you’re covered before you take off.
Note down our details
If you’re overseas, it’s not always easy to track down Kiwi phone numbers. So make sure you know how to get in touch with us from afar. You can always call our contact centre on +64 9 306 3000 or email us through our website.
