Access

International Access

When it comes to getting by in an overseas country, travel experts recommend taking a couple of forms of payment.

Some local cash will be useful for getting through the airport, catching taxis and refreshments. A cash passport or travellers cheques for daily spending and a debit or credit card for bigger purchases if there is a good ATM network where you're going.

BDCU can arrange all of these things for you:

Cash Passport

This is a pre-paid card that is PIN-protected and can be used at over 22 million VISA ATMs around the world. If you need more money, you just transfer more across using BPAY Code 5017 and the 16 digit card number as your reference. Easy! 

The great thing about the card is that if it is lost or stolen, no value is lost. As it is PIN-protected, no one can access the money. Also, you get a second card for free just in case one does go missing. Alternatively, both partners in a couple can have seperate cards and PINS linked to the same account.

The foreign currency Cash Passport cards let you lock in your value at point of purchase, which means you won’t be subjected to exchange rate fluctuations whilst overseas.

When choosing a currency card, consider these points:

  • for European countries, we recommend the Euro card
  • for Great Britain, the Pound card
  • for the USA, the US Dollar card
  • for multi-destinations, we recommend the currency card of your primary destination (if US Dollar, Euro or Pound), as all foreign currency cards can be used to withdraw local currency from ATMs in any country worldwide
  • for countries other than the UK, Europe and USA, we recommend the Australian Dollar card. 

Other Benefits of Cash Passport

  • you can view the balance and change the PIN
  • 24-hour emergency assistance is available 
  • no withdrawal limits placed on the card
  • great for students as cardholders do not need to be over 18 or apply for credit 
  • great for budgeting as you can't overspend

Travellers Cheques

The tried and tested way of carrying spending money. If they are lost or stolen, a refund is just a phone call away. Please call a few days ahead so that we can order in your cheques.

Travellers Cheques available:

 Currency Denominations available 
 US dollars  20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000
 Euro  50, 100, 200
 British Pound  10, 20, 50, 100, 200

Foreign Cash

Banknotes in over 40 currencies are available in a variety of denominations. Please phone a few days in advance so that we can order it in for you. Both foreign banknotes and travellers cheques can be converted back into Australian currency at the end of your trip.

Telegraphic Transfers

We can help you organise to transfer money into an overseas bank account in that currency. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours.

Drafts

These are non-negotiable instruments, like a bank cheque, that can be posted with a letter or invoice directly to the payee. It can only be credited to the payee's bank account unless you endorse the draft, making it a secure and economical way of transferring money to a company or specific person overseas.

If the draft is lost, a stop payment is confirmed and a refund or new draft can then be issued.

Travel insurance

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. We can organise your policy over the phone or in a Advice Centre and provide you with cover for:

  • loss or damage to luggage and
  • loss or theft of travel documents, including your passport and travellers cheques
  • cancellation charges of prepaid travel
  • accommodation and meals for delays over 12 hours
  • overseas medical expenses

Learn more about travel insurance and obtain a quote

Secure Sentinel

Protect your cards, documents luggage, keys and phone with coded tags and registration provided by Secure Sentinel. Learn more about this cost-effective service

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us

Cash Passport, travellers cheques, drafts, telegraphic transfers, and foreign currency are issued by Travelex Limited ABN 36 004 179 953. BDCU is an authorised agent of Travelex and can organise these products for you. The information on this page is general in nature and doesn't take into consideration your travel situation, objectives or needs and so you should consider whether it is right for you in light of these factors. Travel Insurance is issued by Vero Insurance ABN 48 005 297 807. BDCU can arrange it for you. There's a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)  for Drafts and Travel Insurance, which are available at every BDCU advice centre. You should read the relevant PDS before deciding whether to acquire the product. Cash Passport registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518

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