International and travel FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about our international and travel services, including our SWIFT code and opening accounts with overseas banks.   Currency converter
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Answers to some frequently asked questions about our international and travel services
>	Westpac New Zealand’s SWIFT code and transferring money from overseas
>	transferring money from Westpac New Zealand account to Westpac Australia account
>	opening an overseas bank account from New Zealand
>	cost of using a Westpac credit card or debit/ATM card for overseas transactions
>	using credit cards in the UK and Europe
>	using Westpac debit/ATM card overseas
>	accessing accounts from overseas with no internet access
>	just arrived in New Zealand, how to open a Westpac bank account
>	opening a bank account before moving to New Zealand
>	contacting Westpac while overseas
>	Westpac’s acceptance of cheques from overseas
>	paying a Westpac credit card from overseas
>	foreign currency fees applied to purchases made overseas
>	exchange rate used when using credit card or debit/ATM card for overseas transaction
>	difference between buy and sell rates
>	why buy rates are different
>	cost of buying or selling foreign currency
What is the SWIFT code for Westpac New Zealand and how do I transfer money from overseas?
SWIFT codes are assigned to banks around the world to help with electronic payments.
The SWIFT code for Westpac New Zealand is
	WPACNZ2W
Depending on the country you’re in, you may also be asked for
	a BIC (bank identifier code)—this is the same as the Westpac SWIFT code: WPACNZ2W
	an IBAN (international bank account number)—use the full bank account number that is to receive the funds, with no spaces or dashes
	a BSB, sort code or FW—use the bank and branch number of the account receiving the funds i.e. the first 6 digits of the full bank account number.
Telegraphic transfer is the fastest way to transfer money between countries
>	more information on telegraphic transfers
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Can I transfer money from my Westpac NZ account to my Westpac Australia account?
Westpac Australia and Westpac New Zealand operate different banking systems
	transactions in NZ can’t be directly processed to a Westpac Australia account, even if the account holder is the same
	we recommend transferring money between your Westpac NZ and Westpac Australia accounts using a telegraphic transfer or draft.
>	more information on telegraphic transfers and drafts
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I want to open an account with an overseas bank. Can I do this in New Zealand?
Westpac New Zealand can’t open an account on your behalf with an overseas bank.
To open an account with Westpac Australia
	contact them directly for information, including about opening accounts at Challenge Bank and Bank of Melbourne.
>	visit the Westpac Australia website
To open a bank account in the UK
	one option is to go through Travelex—they use HSBC—or go directly through HSBC.
You could also purchase a ‘bank account set-up’ package from a travel company.
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How much will it cost to use my Westpac credit card or debit/ATM card for overseas transactions?
You will pay a foreign currency fee of 2.50% when you use your Westpac credit card or debit/ATM card to make an overseas transaction.
This fee is made up of two portions
	one charged by Westpac (currently 1.5%)
	one charged by the credit card scheme that processes the transaction: Visa (1.0%) or MasterCard (1.0%).
Transactions made overseas with a Westpac Debitplus Visa card
	are processed by Visa.
Transactions made overseas with a Westpac debit/ATM card
	are processed by MasterCard.
All foreign currency fees will be displayed on your statement.
>	more information on credit card foreign currency fees
>	more information on debit card foreign currency fees
International transaction fee
	when you use your debit card at an overseas ATM you’ll pay an $8 international transaction fee
	you can avoid this fee by using an ATM at a bank belonging to the ATM Global Alliance.
>	more information on the ATM Global Alliance
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Can I use my Westpac ATM card overseas?
You can access the money in your everyday account by using your Westpac ATM card at a large number of ATM’s. Look for ATM’s that have the same logo as the one on the back of your card – this will either be a Cirrus or a PLUS logo. Use ATM’s displaying the same logo as your card.
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I am overseas and don’t have access to the internet; how can I access my accounts?
You can access your accounts using Phone Banking
	call +64 4 915 6666 and follow the voice prompts to get a balance, order a chequebook, transfer money, pay bills and more. International toll charges will apply.
To set up Phone Banking, or for account assistance
	call +64-4-912 8000. (7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, international toll charges will apply.)
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How do I open a Westpac bank account if I’ve just arrived in New Zealand?
To open a bank account with us
	visit any one of our branches
	bring your passport as proof of identification
	bring proof of New Zealand address documentation.
>	find your nearest Westpac branch
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How do I contact Westpac while I’m overseas?
You can contact us from overseas by
	calling Customer Support on +64-4-912 8000. (7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, international toll charges will apply.)
You can also
>	select the appropriate phone number for your query from our phone list
>	email us
Note: Please don’t include any personal or confidential information in your email. For security reasons, we are unable to update your address details, provide information on specific transactions, or make changes to your accounts via email.
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Does Westpac accept cheques from overseas?
Westpac accepts cheques on a case-by-case basis.
However
	some overseas cheques can take 6 weeks or longer to clear
	a telegraphic transfer or draft may be a better way of transferring funds.
>	more information on telegraphic transfers and drafts
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How can I pay my Westpac credit card from overseas?
You can pay your credit card from overseas using
	Online Banking
	Phone Banking
	a draft
	a telegraphic transfer.
Online Banking customers can use Online Banking to
	pay their credit card balance in full
	pay the minimum amount
	choose their own amount to pay.
>	register now for Online Banking
Phone Banking customers can
	get their credit card balance
	make a transfer from another Westpac account
	call +64 4 915 6666 and follow the voice prompts to make a transfer. International toll charges will apply.
To register for Phone Banking
	call +64-4-912 8000. (7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, international toll charges will apply.)
Transferring money using a telegraphic transfer or draft
	you will need the following information Account name: Westpac Credit Card Payments Card Payments Account number: 03 0990 0998907 082 Details of Payment: Your full credit card number (16 digits) and the cardholder’s surname and initials.
	please instruct the initiating bank to send the money directly to Westpac Banking Corporation Wellington New Zealand SWIFT code: WPACNZ2W
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Do foreign currency fees only apply to purchases I make while overseas?
Foreign currency fees will apply
	when you make a transaction in a currency other than New Zealand dollars—e.g. an online or phone purchase in any other currency.
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What exchange rate is used if I use my credit card or debit card for an overseas transaction?
All overseas credit card transactions are converted into New Zealand dollars at the exchange rate(s) fixed by MasterCard or Visa. Westpac does not set the applicable exchange rate.
MasterCard and Visa will
	convert any foreign currency transaction either directly into New Zealand dollars, or
	convert the transaction amount first into United States dollars then into New Zealand dollars.
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What is the difference between the buy and sell rates?
The rate at which you buy foreign currency is described as the bank's sell rate.
When you convert foreign currency to New Zealand dollars
	the rate used is the bank's buy rate
	this rate will differ depending on the type of transaction
	New Zealand has a floating currency so rates will change every day, if not every minute.
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Why are the buy rates so different?
For most currencies, we quote three different buying rates depending on the type of transaction.
Our different buying rates include a
	cash rate when buying foreign notes—coins are not accepted
	rate for travellers' cheques and foreign cheques issued on an overseas account
	T/T buy rate for telegraphic transfers received from overseas.
Rates differ depending on how long it takes Westpac to be reimbursed for the transaction by overseas banks.
Telegraphic transfer
	money is available for payment on a specified date (normally within two days of the money arriving in NZ)
	this offers the best exchange rate.
Travellers' cheques and personal foreign cheques
	take an unspecified period of time before Westpac receives the money—this includes international money orders.
Foreign cash
	is held by the bank until someone buys it again
	the exchange rate reflects margins to cover security and freight costs.
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Will it cost anything to buy or sell my foreign currency?
Whenever you buy foreign cash from us, a commission charge will apply.
The commission for cash is
	1% of the NZ dollar amount or a minimum of $6.
The commission for travellers' cheques is
	1% of the NZ dollar amount or a minimum of $10.
If you are selling foreign cash or travellers' cheques to us, no commission is deducted.
For a full list of our commission charges
	call us on 0800 400 600. (7am to 11pm, 7 days)
Going overseas? Get Travelbag
Travelbag can help you save time and money by looking after your travel insurance, foreign cash, travellers’ cheques and credit card needs.
>	more information on Travelbag