The days of Aussies stashing large wads of currency in
socks, down pants, up jumpers or under caps to avoid
excessive ATM fees when travelling overseas are numbered
thanks to the upcoming launch of a new MasterCard® Cash
PassportTM product by BOQ.
Aussie travellers can now depart our shores on their next
overseas adventure knowing that their money is safe, secure
and easily accessible without the sting of excessive
international ATM fees with the next generation of
multi-currency prepaid travel cards in their wallet,
according to BOQ Head of Foreign Exchange and International
Business, Bruce Schmidt.
"For years, Aussie travellers have used a variety of
inventive ways to try to keep their cash safe and avoid
paying withdrawal fees when travelling overseas,"
Bruce said.
"With the Multi-currency Cash Passport Prepaid
MasterCard® currency card, available through all BOQ
branches from Monday 6th February, we're offering a way
for travellers to avoid these fees without strapping their
money in their underwear!"
"Foreign cash will always have a place in any
traveller's wallet, but this new Cash Passport is a
safer option than just taking cash alone," he said.
With an ultra secure Chip & PIN enabled card for wider
acceptance, Aussie travellers have access to seven major
currencies wherever they travel, $USD, £GBP, €EUR, $SGD,
$NZD, $HKD and $AUD, all stashed on the one card accessible
through MasterCard's global ATM and retail networks -
one of the biggest in the world.
But unlike other multi-currency cards currently available
to travellers, in an industry first, the Multi-currency
Cash Passport does not charge international ATM fees*.
"When traveling overseas, Aussies want to make their
money go further and would often risk theft by carrying all
their hard earned holiday currency on them, rather than use
their Australian credit or debit card overseas and get hit
by ATM fees," Bruce said.
"Not only does this card get rid of international ATM
fees*, it also gives the savvy cardholder the power to lock
in the exchange rate on the day they choose to load or
reload^."
"Plus if you blow your holiday budget taking a hot air
balloon ride across the Serengeti or skydiving over the
Swiss Alps - no problem - the card's smart wallet
functionality will draw from another currency balance on
the card to cover the transaction if required. Aussie
travellers can also easily reload anytime online via BPAY
or at any BOQ branch when they are back at home."
As with other products issued or distributed by BOQ,
security and ongoing customer service and support is of
course imperative and, as Bruce details, the Multi-currency
Cash Passport is no different.
"As your card is not connected to a bank account, your
financial details are never exposed and if the proverbial
does hit the fan, customers are supported by 24/7 Global
Emergency Assistance where any lost or stolen cards can be
rapidly replaced."
"In addition, the Multi-currency Cash Passport will of
course come with the one-on-one personal service that BOQ
prides itself on, which is something our bigger competitors
don't seem to understand," he said.
"Some of our competitors are making a lot of noise
about products they're offering, but customers are
smart enough to understand a great product like this must
be backed up by a great level of service - and that's
where BOQ shines through."
The combination of these industry first features with
BOQ's exceptional personal service makes the
Multi-currency Cash Passport the ultimate companion
travellers simply cannot afford to leave home without.
For more information, visit
http://www.boq.com.au/personal_travelmoney_cashpassport.htm
(available from Monday 6th February)
* Other fees (including domestic ATM fees) payable. ATM
operator or merchant surcharges may be payable.
^ Reloads are made at the relevant exchange rate on the
date that the reload is processed.
Multi-currency Cash Passport Prepaid MasterCard®
features:• Load up to 7 currencies onto one easy to
use Card. Before you make a decision to acquire the Card,
please check
www.cashpassport.com/multi for the latest currencies
supported
• Chip and PIN protected
• Access your money in local currency from over 1.9
million MasterCard ATMs worldwide displaying the MasterCard
acceptance mark
• Accepted at over 29 million MasterCard retailers
worldwide and online with no transaction fee**
• Cash Passport is available instantly over the
counter and is activated for use within 2 business
hours
• Only one form of valid photo ID required along with
a completed application form
• You don't have to be 18 to purchase a Card
^ Note, some merchants and ATM operators may charge a local
fee
** Subject to any surcharge that may be imposed directly by
a merchant
Access Prepaid Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL
386 837) arranges for the issue of the Cash Passport in
conjunction with the issuer, Heritage Bank Limited (ABN 32
087 652 024, AFSL / ACL 240 984). You should consider the
Product Disclosure Statement for the relevant Cash Passport
available at
www.cashpassport.com.au before deciding to acquire the
product. Any advice does not take into account your
personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and
you should consider if it is appropriate for you.
