Travelling Overseas With Your Commonwealth Bank Credit Card

A common problem with overseas travel is the confusion people find by using their credit card overseas. Find out how to use your Commonwealth credit card when travelling overseas, and the pitfalls to watch out for.

Where credit cards are concerned, travelling overseas can cause a few problems unless you are clued up about how best to use your credit card abroad, and what precautions you should take before and whilst travelling.

Earn rewards points on your purchases when travelling

The Commonwealth Bank Awards credit card will allow you to increase your earning potential with both an AMEX card and a MasterCard for global acceptance

• $89.00 annual fee
• 20.49% p.a. on purchases
• 5.99% p.a. for 5 months on balance transfers
• Cash Advance Rate of 21.49%
• Earn 1.5 Awards points for every $1 spent with a Commonwealth Bank American Express® Card and up to 50,000 points per year.
• Redeem your points for flights, gifts and more!

Click here to read the Commonwealth Bank Awards Credit Card terms and conditions

What card to take when travelling overseas:

MasterCard and Visa are most widely accepted around the world, so either one would be ideal to take travelling overseas. American Express credit cards enjoy less coverage, but carry a little more kudos where they are accepted. Taking a MasterCard or Visa and an Amex would cover all the bases.

Where are Commonwealth credit cards accepted?

• MasterCards are accepted at any ATM displaying the MasterCard and/or Cirrus logos, and at any merchant location displaying the Maestro logo.
• Visa credit cards are accepted at any ATM displaying the Visa or Plus logo, and at any merchant location displaying the Visa or Visa Electron logo.
• American Express credit cards are accepted at any ATM displaying the American Express logo, and at any merchant location displaying the American Express logo.

Not all foreign ATMs will provide you with a receipt when abroad so it is advisable to make a note of any transactions. Your available daily withdrawal limit when travelling overseas is the same as it would be in Australia.

Credit cards and linked accounts:

If your credit card is linked to your main savings or cheque accounts, you can access these with your Commonwealth Bank MasterCard or Visa card through any overseas ATM that displays the MasterCard, Cirrus or Maestro logos. However, this does not apply in Europe, where you can only use your credit card to access your credit card accounts. Whatever selection you make on-screen at an ATM or merchant terminal – savings, cheque, or credit account – your withdrawal will be treated as a cash advance.

Credit card advice when travelling overseas:

Activate your PIN

Many places abroad use PIN verification rather than signature, so you should make sure you have a PIN on your card or you may not be able to use it at certain merchants abroad.

Tell Commonwealth you are travelling overseas

Commonwealth Bank should know that you are travelling overseas, and for how long. If not, you may find that their automated fraud-prevention systems stop your purchases because they will be deemed out of the ordinary due to their unexpected location. Make sure Commonwealth also knows when you will be back home, so that any purchases continuing abroad beyond that date are rejected – in case your details have been skimmed.

Note your card details

Make a note of your credit card numbers, including emergency contact numbers in case you quickly need to contact Commonwealth Bank should your credit card be lost or stolen. Visa, MasterCard and American Express all offer a zero-liability guarantee, but you should still inform the bank the moment a credit card goes missing.

Foreign charges:

A foreign transaction fee will be applied when travelling overseas with your credit card.

• Transactions converted by MasterCard or Visa – 2.95% of the total transaction
• Transactions converted by American Express – 1.95% of the total transaction
• Transactions overseas, but in Australian dollars – 2.00% of the total transaction

American Express transactions are also subject to a 1.50% American Express currency conversion factor which is included in the converted transaction amount.

Be careful of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) when travelling overseas with your credit card. This is where you are charged in Australian dollars rather than the local currency. Transactions made in Australian dollars will attract a DCC fee of 4% or upwards from the foreign retailer or bank. Which currency you are charged in is 100% your choice by law.

• Comparison of Top 10 Credit Card Offers

Editor's Choice: Our Top Credit Cards

Credit Card	Card Details	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Interest free days (up to)
HSBC Credit Card	Editor's Choice: 0% for 6 months Balance Transfer & No Annual Fee Featuring a $0 annual fee for life, and 0% p.a. balance transfer for 6 months, the HSBC Credit Card was voted the Best Transactor Credit Card for 2010.	16.99%	20.75%	0% for 6 months	$0	55
Suncorp Clear Options Standard Visa Card	A great 12 month balance transfer offer, combined with a low annual fee and a good interest rate on purchases.	12.24%	17.99%	1.9% for 12 months	$39	0