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Overseas Credit Card Woes - The Mozo Survival Guide

Arm yourself against excessive international fees, skimming, and the aftermath of card theft with our pre-holiday checklist.

Looking for a travel credit card? Look below for our top cards. 

Travel Credit Card Comparison Table - rates updated daily

Search promoted travel credit cards below. Advertiser disclosure.
  • Apply By 2 April 2024
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    American Express Qantas Ultimate Card

    Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 2 April 2024 , are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.

    purchase rate
    annual fee
    balance transfer rate
    23.99% p.a.
    $450
    No current offer
    Details
  • Apply By 15 May 2024
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    American Express Velocity Platinum Card

    Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.

    purchase rate
    annual fee
    balance transfer rate
    23.99% p.a.
    $375
    No current offer
    Details
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    American Express Qantas Discovery Card

    Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee. Redeem your points for Classic Flight Rewards (T&Cs apply).

    purchase rate
    annual fee
    balance transfer rate
    23.99% p.a.
    $0
    No current offer
    Details
  • Apply By 31 July 2024
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    Westpac Altitude Platinum

    Select Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards to receive 70,000 bonus Qantas Points ($4k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). $99 First Year Annual fee and Rewards fee. (T&C's apply).

    purchase rate
    annual fee
    balance transfer rate
    19.99% p.a.
    $250 $99 in the first year
    No current offer
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    NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card

    Earn up to 120,000 Bonus Qantas Points on a new NAB Qantas Signature Card. Min $3,000 spend on everyday purchases in first 60 days and keep your card open for 12 months.

    purchase rate
    annual fee
    balance transfer rate
    20.99% p.a.
    $395 $295 in the first year
    0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)

Tip #1 - Touch base with your credit card provider

Credit card issuers are now clued up on the slightest signs of identity theft, and a sudden series of international transactions will raise a red flag. Problem is, your account might be deactivated or flagged for possible fraud. Such diligence is great if you do experience a thieving disaster, but if the only credit culprit is you, you might find your card being denied just as you're picking up a dinner bill or making that essential holiday purchase. Before you head overseas, contact your credit card issuer to let them know of your plans. Keep them in the loop, and you'll stay flush with funds.

Search the market in seconds for the best international travel credit cards.

Tip #2 - Establish proof of life

It's a worst-case scenario, but if you lose or have your credit card stolen, having it replaced will be much easier with ID. And if that gets swiped too, you'll need to fall back on some savvy planning. Scan your passport and driver's licence and email them to yourself, or place password-protected files on a USB drive so you can access copies in case your essentials are lost or stolen - you'll be able to re-establish yourself more quickly in an emergency.

Tip #3 - Know your limits

A credit card could genuinely be the best way to fuel your holiday fun, but do you know how many transactions you can make in a day - or whether there's a limit to how much you can spend over a certain period? Since you never know what you're in for overseas, it's important to get your head around any overseas transaction or ATM fees, as well as daily spending limits on your particular plastic.

Find an internationally friendly travel debit card or prepaid travel card now!

Tip #4 - Avoid withdrawal symptoms

Since making withdrawals on foreign ATMs and purchasing up a credit card storm all carries international charges, it can be much cheaper to withdraw more money than you might at home, store it in your hotel safe, and pay for those myriad daily expenses in cash - just make sure to mind your wallet.

Compare the best forex debit cards in minutes.

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