Kiwi Questions

[Sleuth]

How credit card friendly is New Zealand? We'll be in Auckland, Cormandel, Rotorua, Tuapo, Hamilton plus the spaces in between and I am hoping I don't need tons of Kiwi dollars.
How about internet access in hotels? Is that pretty much a standard freebie or do you have to pay everytime you log on?

[Star Gazer]

it is credit card friendly except maybe for the odd small shops. they also use etpos, cash card, a lot which is similar to how the octopus works.

i guess major hotels would have an internet corner or some sort but most of time i was there you had to pay. but then i stayed in lodges and motels not the big 5 star hotels.

[back2HK]

Mastercard & Visa friendly, but not Amex in the smaller places. You can use your ATM card to withdraw NZD. Even small towns will have Bank of NZ.

Most motels are wireless enabled, but you need to pay..

[totoro83]

from my experience, you can pretty much use credit card (almost) everywhere you go in new zealand. we did a road trip around the country and never had a problem. even at smaller towns, and i remember we went to this salmon farm in the middle of nowhere and they have credit card facility.

tho, please note that atm is not prevalent esp in smaller cities, you might want to withdrawal cash with your bank atm card in advance at places where you see atms. you can't use your atm card to make eftpos (like EPS in HK) over in NZ cos your card doesn't run on the eftpos system (unless if its an aussie/kiwi bank card that is) so otherwise, stick to your credit card for bigger purchases.

internet, wireless or lan, are almost never free in B&Bs and 4/5-stars hotels. not sure about lodges or backpackers hotels.

have a great time. i've always loved nz.

[Mile High]

Sleuth

Re Internet access in NZ. Free internet access points were few and far between.

Having just travelled around staying in B&B's, motels & hotels it was the B&B's (up market) that were free along with one motel. The rest wanted $$$. Most not only charged an access fee but a data charge if you exceed their download limit.

Only found one coffee shop offering free internet.

Auckland airport is also $$$.

[Sleuth]

Thanks for all the advice! I left my lap top at home.
But I will concur that free internet access in NZ is rare. The Hyatt and Westin in Auckland had it; the motel we stayed at in Taupo had a single terminal that could be used. The rest were charging.