I am assuming that ATMs are as prevalent in Aus as it is everywhere else, expecially at Sydney Airport .... please let me know ASAP - would prefer that to travelers checks .... and heading out next week.

Thanks much.

dovebear,

Just back from a month down under. ATM's almost everywhere(except remote roadhouses, where you can always use credit cards). They are certainly available at all airports including Sydney.
Australia may be a sunburnt land, but it is also civilized as well.

A/D

Yes ATMs are everywhere. Travelers checks incur extra fees when cashing and the exchange rates may not be as good. Nonetheless, I always bring some travelers checks in case of emergency (lost ATM card for example) and if unused (which has always the case so far, knock on wood), I cash them in when I get home.

Check with your bank on fees. I was told two days ago for example that everytime i was to go to an ATM it would be $3USD and the exhange rate not as good. The exchange rate quoted to me by Wells Fargo was $.73 but if I drew on the ATM it was going to be $.70.

One other thing was that if I used my Credit Card (Mastercard) I was to be charged 3% on the value of the purchase for conversion to the AUD and if I used my bank debit card the charge on purchases to change it over was 2% of the value.

Anyone know a better way to beat these charges as they will kill you with a few thousand dollars worth of purchases (hotel, car, air, food, etc)?

Dovebear,

We never use travelers checks. As soon as you pass through customs in Sydney & Brisbane, there are ATM's available.

John

I just got a Visa/Debit/ATM card from my credit union that is linked to the Star system, but not the Plus system. Does anyone happen to know if the Star System is available in Australia?

T

I use my American Wells Fargo Visa/ATM card everywhere in Australia.

Before I go, I change my PIN # from 7 to 4 digits because I was told at one time that some banks internationally couldn't handle more than 4 characters.

Don't know if this is still an issue, but I always do it just to be safe rather than sorry.

I think most ATMs here have 4-digit numbers - but I'm prepared to be corrected.

I don't know about the "star system".

As to costs - it costs you to change money - it's as simple as that. Decide what's cheapest for you and go with it. Anguishing just spoils your trip.