Planning a Trip
Big trip? No big deal.
We’ve got everything you need to ensure the financial side of your trip goes off
without a hitch.
Ways to Pay While You're Away
National Bank Travel Card
The National Bank Travel Card is the smart way to carry cash overseas. And
because it's pre-loaded with the local currency, you can spend, and live, like a
local. The National Bank Travel Card is a MasterCard® so
you can spend at more than 25 million locations worldwide.
For more information visit www.mytravelcard.co.nz
or pick your National Bank Travel Card up from any National Bank branch.
Thoroughbred Card and Platinum Visa
A Thoroughbred Card,
Gold Thoroughbred Card or
Platinum Visa is an ideal travelling companion.
Just as in New Zealand it's the one card you need.
You can use a Thoroughbred Card or Platinum Visa card as a credit card in 150 countries and 22 million locations. You can also
load your primary current or savings accounts onto your card to access "fastcash" at thousands
of ATMs* around the world.
Please note that currency conversion charges
and some fees apply when you use your card overseas.
Visa Classic card
Visa Classic is accepted for goods and services in most countries,
at millions of locations. You can also use it to obtain cash advances on your credit card account from
member banks or from many overseas ATMs.*
You can also use your Visa Classic at credit card phone booths displaying the Visa or PLUS symbol.
Please note that currency conversion charges
and some fees apply when you use your card overseas.
Cashpoint card
You can use your Cashpoint card to pay by EFTPOS wherever you see the "Interlink" Cashpoint Card
You can use your Cashpoint Card to pay by EFTPOS wherever you see the
"Interlink" logo. If you need local currency, you can also use your card at
overseas ATMs* carrying the "PLUS" logo. You’ll find them in hundreds of
thousands of locations.
If you don't have a Thoroughtbred Card, Platinum Visa, Visa Classic or Cashpoint
card you'll need to apply a week or two
before you travel.
Please note that currency conversion charges
and some fees apply when you use your card overseas.
* Please note - ATM access and limits may vary from country to country. Cash advance fees apply.
Foreign currency
You may want to carry enough foreign currency to cover minor expenses
like taxis/transport, tips, snacks etc.
The National Bank can provide foreign currency in a wide range of currencies.
Use our Foreign Currency Calculators to get an indication of what
your NZ dollar is worth in a foreign currency or vice versa.
Order foreign currency in advance by calling 0800 18 18 18 any time 24
hours, 365 days, or call into any branch.
Online Banking and touchtone phone banking from overseas
Wherever you are, you have access to your accounts and a range of services using any PC or with a
simple toll call.
Online Banking gives you the convenience of banking from anywhere, 24 hours, 365 days. As long as you
have access to a PC with Internet access and a browser that supports 128-bit encryption you can complete a
range of banking transactions anytime, day or night. The first step is to register online before you
leave by visiting Online Banking.
With touchtone phone banking you just need to call us on
+64 4 499 0949 from any touchtone phone and meet the cost of the international call.
You can use Online Banking or touchtone phone banking to:
-
Check account balances
-
Make bill payments
- e.g. your credit card account
-
Transfer funds between accounts
-
Obtain information on past transactions
Please note: the usual Online Banking, touchtone phone banking and transaction fees will apply.
Tips Before you Leave
To ensure your trip goes off without a hitch consider these suggestions:
-
If you're taking a credit card, make sure you'll have enough credit to cover
your needs while you're travelling. Top up the account before you go or if
necessary, apply for a higher limit.
-
Travel Protect Insurance is
recommended. You never know what unexpected events may occur, and Travel Protect
Insurance provides comprehensive protection for a wide range of events such as loss of
personal baggage, medical expenses, loss of money or travel documents, delayed
flights or missed connections to name a few.
-
If you have a Gold
Thoroughbred,
Visa Gold or
Platinum Visa card, your card comes with
extensive Overseas Travel Insurance* for you and your family. As long as you meet the eligibility
criteria, your cover is provided automatically when at least half of your prepaid travel expenses
are paid for with your card. For full details, see your Gold Card or Platinum Visa Overseas Travel
Insurance Policy document.
-
Set up automatic payments or direct debits for regular payments such as your
credit card minimum balance, insurance, rates etc. Make arrangements to ensure
there'll be enough in your account to cover these payments.
-
Getting set up for Online Banking or touchtone phone banking is a good idea.
Then you can check the balance of your accounts, make bill payments or transfer
funds between accounts (e.g. to your credit card account) simply by calling +64
4 499 0949 or using an Internet PC anywhere in the world.
-
Arrange for someone you trust to hold your cheque-book, with an "authority to
operate" signed by you before you go.
-
Never rely on one source of funds when you travel. A combination of a National
Bank Travel Card, some foreign cash and a National Bank credit card will mean
you can pay for your expenses in most circumstances.
-
When you receive your National Bank Travel Card you will notice you are given
two cards. One card is a back up card just in case something happens while
you're away. We recommend that you keep the two cards separate i.e. one in your
wallet and the other in your luggage or in a safe place. If you lose the first
card or it's stolen, call us on 0800 724 200 (+44 1 733 294 440) and let us know
immediately. But you can still use the other card to access your money.
Keeping Accounts Open While You're Away
They're available for either a standard Current Account, Current Account with thoroughbred benefits
or Graduate Current Account.
To qualify you need to be an existing Current Account holder and planning to be away between
6 months and 3 years. If that's you, just call into your branch with your travel documents.
Transferring Money
If you're working on your trip, you can transfer money back to New Zealand - e.g. to top up your
Current Account to pay your Visa bill - using an International Money Transfer or by sending a bank draft.
You can also have money sent to you overseas from New Zealand.
You need to sign a "fax indemnity" form before you go, so we can act on the instructions you send us
from anywhere in the world - ask at your branch.
Most overseas banks offer International Money Transfers, although fees will vary.
For more information on any of our travel products call us on 0800 18 18 18 anytime, day or night.