Are you looking to purchase some Indonesian rupiah (IDR) notes to carry along with you on a trip to Indonesia?
You can buy Indonesian rupiah from Australia or while travelling using your existing credit card.
Read on for more details on what you need to know.
Inside this guide
Before travelling
Buying Indonesian rupiah with a credit card in Australia
It is possible to buy rupiah using a credit card. If you've not used it before to buy foreign currency and aren't sure about the charges involved — which can rack up — check first before making your purchase to avoid any surprises.
What cards you can use
- American Express, Mastercard, and Visa. You can purchase Indonesian rupiah with any Australian credit card. Foreign currency purchases are classed as a cash equivalent and therefore you'll be charged interest at the cash advance rate and incur the one-off cash advance fee too.
Where you can buy Indonesian rupiah with a credit card
- Your bank's local branch. It is possible to buy rupiah from most banks, although it’s unlikely that the exchange rate will be very competitive.
- Currency exchangers. Travelex, Travel Money Oz, and other exchangers trade rupiah and various other foreign currencies. You can find them in every city and most large suburbs.
- Money transfer services. You can use an international money transfer service to send funds to a person or a company in Indonesia from Australia.
While overseas
Buying Indonesian rupiah with a credit card while in Indonesia
Here’s how to get Indonesian rupiah when you are in Indonesia with your card. There are pros and cons to take into consideration.
- At a bureau de change. Getting rupiah from an exchange while in Indonesia will be treated as a cash advance. You'll have to pay interest at the cash advance rate and a cash advance fee. The card’s foreign currency fee may also be charged.
- Withdrawing from an ATM. You can get Indonesian rupiah from ATMs. However, you'll have to pay the cash advance rate and cash advance fee in addition to the overseas ATM withdrawal fee and possible foreign currency fee. This is a very costly way to get rupiah.
What it might cost
Fees
| Type of fee | Incurred in Australia? | Incurred overseas? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash advance interest | Yes | Yes | Around 20% (daily, no interest-free period) |
| Cash advance fee | Yes | Yes | 2 - 3% (one-off) |
| Foreign currency fee | Yes | Yes | 2 - 3% (one-off) |
| Overseas ATM withdrawal fee | No | Yes | 2 - 3% (one-off) |
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Want more help?
FAQs
Can you earn credit card points when buying Indonesian rupiah?
No. When you buy any foreign currency like Indonesian rupiah, Japanese yen, and Canadian dollars, it will be treated as a cash equivalent and will not earn points credit card.
Can you get cashback when buying Indonesian rupiah?
No. Since buying foreign currency will be classed as a cash equivalent transaction, it will not be eligible for cashback.
