Westpac PNG review

The listed card type is debit and it runs on the visa network, so it works like a standard payment card for everyday spending. Debit accounts for 100% of cards in the site's debit ranking, which makes this a conventional setup rather than a specialist product. A credit card is offered alongside it.

Currency conversion is charged at 2.5%. That sits above the 2% upper quartile of travel cards in the site's ranking, so foreign spending adds up quickly on a trip. The card is tagged for travel use, so travel is an intended use even though the conversion charge is the part to watch.

The credit card is priced at 19.5%, higher than the 13.55% lower quartile of travel cards. Interest at that level is easy to run up if a balance is carried, so the card suits short-term spending more than borrowing held from month to month. Staying on the debit card avoids the rate entirely.

Customer support runs on phone only, and phone is the commonest channel in the site's debit ranking at 68.6%. Account questions, card faults and fee queries are therefore handled by a call, which suits people comfortable sorting issues down the phone rather than in writing.

The listed audience is business, so the card is built for business customers rather than for general consumer spending. In practice the debit card covers purchases from company funds and the credit card covers borrowing when the business needs it. Support sits on phone for either card.

Westpac PNG is headquartered in Papua New Guinea, and the card runs on the visa network, so it is accepted wherever that network works. Budget for 2.5% on transactions in another currency, and remember that support runs on phone, so anything urgent while overseas means a call.

The range pairs a debit card for spending, charged 2.5% on currency conversion, with a credit card that charges interest at 19.5%. Spending that stays local works out cheaper on the debit card, while travel and a carried balance raise the bill. Support on phone is the same either way.