Sydney Travel Forum

hello again everybody!

My holiday is approaching fast and more and more questions are popping into my head. I got already so much help from the Forum so I hope you can help me out with following question:

When staying in hotels and any other kind of accomodation (not 5star places, more middle-class and low-budget places) is it neccessary to have a credit card with PIN Nr. to hand when checking in or am I fine using my VISA Debit Card?

I never got around to apply for Credit Card since I've been living in England as I didn't see the need of it as I can use my Debit Card here for everything (including Hotels etc.) What I don't know is if my VISA Debit Card (Bank is Barclay's) is accepted in Australia apart from withdrawing money from the ATM.

I do have a german MASTERCARD Credit Card, but can't remember my PIN Nr. for that one as I haven't used it for ages. Here in England we need the PIN Nr. for everything and just a signature is not enough. How is that in Australia, would I be fine with just signing and Identification if my Debit Card is not accepted?

I really would prefer to use only my Debit Card so I don't need to touch my german bank account (for this one I obviously know the PIN)or can I rely just to pay cash in advance when staying in cheap accomodations? I know they usually want a card for a deposit in hotels.
Can you help?

I live in Queensland Australian. When using my credit card for day to day transactions in shops it is generally accepted that you just sign. I have to actually tell most places that I have a pin and sometimes even then I have to sign as well. I am sure your debit card will be fine.

I suggest that you have a credit card as well as debit card- (just in case) because rules can differ from place to place.At present- (for Australians anyway) a signature suffices.) Perhapsyou can find out the pin # of your credit card before you arrive here.

Most hotels require a credit card impression on check in. As for pin number it is starting to get acceptance in Australia but not compulsory. Recommend you contact your bank and find out your credit card pin number.

It is most important to inform your bank the destinations you are visiting, otherwise you might find they reject your card.

Good Luck,
Mike

I have two credit cards and do not remember the pin codes of any of them - and lucky me, have not been asked to use the pin instead or addionally to my signature.

I use my German direct debit card from Sparkasse to get cash from ATM machines in NZ and Australia. In NZ the daily limit is NZ$ 800, should be similar in Australia.

Good info, Sissi. I agree- it is the same here in Australia