In Reply to: cash passport atm card - anyone know posted by yevisha on Saturday, 8. March 2008 at 19:30 Bali Time:
Are you talking about the Travelex Cash Passport card? I've used these a few times in Asia. I've found them simple to use (stick the card in any ATM that has a VISA symbol and enter your pin number to withdraw cash).
I find them convenient because, unlike a credit card, if someone pinches it, it's unlikely they can use it, because you have a pin number for the card. For one account you get two cards - one to keep on you and one to keep in the safe at the hotel. You can even apply two different PIN numbers for the cards (have no idea why anyone would want to do that anyway). And you can BPay money into the account very easily as well.
The only downside is the fees associated with the cards. I think each time you withdraw cash, you are charged something like $3.75 (AUD), so you are best to withdraw large sums at a time. And there are other fees as well, such as for depositing cash, etc. But I am happy to wear these fees, as I think the cards are more secure than carrying around a credit card.
There is also another type of Travelex that I haven't used - attached directly to VISA so that you can use it like a VISA debit card (where, here in Australia, you would just need to sign a form). I haven't used this type though. I think if you were to get this type, you may as well use you normal VISA debit card anyway. I am guessing this type would carry the risk that a thief could just forge your signature at a shop to use the card, unlike the standard Cash Passport which require your PIN in all cases.
There's my rant.... I'm an advocate for Cash Passport, it's just like using your normal keycard in an Australian ATM!