Debit cards can be used abroad in the same way that they are used in Australia, but there are some important differences that should be understood.
Debit cards are a useful method of paying for goods with an available balance rather than credit. However there are some dangers in using debit cards, and they should be watched.
Debit cards are good for people who don’t like carrying so much cash. They can be more convenient and safer, and they can also allow cash holdings to earn interest. However, it may not be possible to be completely cash free.
Sometimes debit cards are mysteriously declined mysteriously. But there are a number of good reasons this may happen. Some debit cards are now associated with savings accounts, which aren’t like traditional transaction accounts. Most savings accounts don’t carry an overdraft facility, so if the account’s balance is low, a debit card transaction which would empty [...]
Debit cards are often promoted as a cheap alternative to credit cards. While this can be true in many cases, overdraft fees from the associated account can be a trap for the unwary if they are not watched with reasonably care.