How to Pay for Things in Fiji Using a Card
It’s a fact. Australians love Fiji. We love Fiji so much that we account for 42% of the island nation’s annual visitors. After all, what’s not to love? Fiji tempts us with its stunning beaches, laid back culture, and crystalline waters.
So how do you get the most out of this Soft Coral Capital of the World and its 300+ islands? Finding the right travel money options will help you make the most of your time away AND will save you money in the long run.
The best way to take money to Fiji will depend on your own needs and circumstances. It’s possible you already hold one of the travel-friendly debit or credit cards we’ve listed or you feel most comfortable carrying cash.
One option is to mix up your methods, carrying some cash on you while having a card spare for plastic payments or further cash withdrawals.
This doesn’t just give you multiple opportunities to pay. It’ll cut down the stress, save you money, and allow you to fully enjoy your trip.
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Using Your Bank Card in Fiji
Many, but not all, Fijian merchants have EFTPOS terminals so you can pay by card in Fiji. Some of the best travel money cards include debit, credit and prepaid cards.
Whether you choose to pay with a debit or credit card is up to you, as long as you’re aware of the fees and charges incurred by the different cards.
Debit Cards
Debit cards are most useful for ATM withdrawals but many venues will allow you to pay by card too.
Depending on the card, you could be facing excessive bank fees for each transaction, including foreign ATM withdrawal fees and conversion fees.
One way to get around these fees is to find a bank card that’s made for frequent travellers. Wise, ING, Citibank and Revolut have travel-friendly debit cards that waive some of the charges.
You’ll find card facilities in most major Fijian cities and tourist establishments – particularly in big resorts. But you’ll still need cash to buy small necessities and souvenirs from the locals.
Debit cards are great to use overseas – but only if you have the right card. Depending on the bank, you may end up paying a lot in currency conversion fees and international transaction fees.
Credit Cards
High-end resorts, restaurants, shops, car hire companies, and travel agents generally accept major credit cards; you should have no trouble paying with Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
Just be mindful that many businesses apply a 3-5% surcharge for credit card payments.
Some cards come with alluring features for frequent travellers, including complimentary travel insurance, rewards points, and additional security measures.
But the perks are countered by some exorbitant charges if you use your card overseas, including:
- International transaction fees
- High exchange rate margins
- ATM fees
- Potential ‘cash advance fees’ if you use an ATM
As with debit cards, there are some exceptions. Bankwest Platinum and 28 Degrees cards are designed for travellers and waive the currency conversion fees.
Prepaid Travel Cards
Prepaid travel cards are only advantageous to travellers if you’re heading to the right country.
Unfortunately, no Australian prepaid travel card currently supports the Fijian currency, making them virtually useless for travel to Fiji.
The only way it would be worthwhile to pick up a travel card for Fiji would be to ensure it waives foreign currency conversion fees on unsupported currencies.
Even if it does, it’s worth weighing up the value in buying a prepaid travel card rather than getting a travel-friendly debit card such as from Citibank and ING.
