The Features That Business Travellers Should Look for in a Debit Card

When choosing debit cards available for business trips, you should look carefully at the specific cards that are suited to be used for this purpose. Business debit cards give you the convenience of using your own money to make business purchases wherever the card is accepted. It’s also linked to a business transaction account or business savings accounts so you have more control over your business banking while travelling.

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Name	Product	Card access	Own network ATM fee	Fee Free Transactions p.m.	Monthly account fee
NAB Business Everyday Account ($10 Monthly Fee Option)		Visa	$0		$10	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Commonwealth Bank Business Transaction Account ($10 Monthly Fee Option)		Visa	$0	20	$10	More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Business Extra		Visa	$0		$10	More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What are the key considerations when travelling with a business debit card?

• Security

  One of the most important features of your business travel debit card is security. All debit cards have a number of different security standards that they are required to adhere to. Whether it’s protected by Visa or Mastercard, the security that a debit card offers is the biggest reason why you should use a card for your travels instead of cash. Cash is extremely easy to steal, and if you lose it when you’re travelling, it’s going to be near impossible to replace.

  However, be mindful that your debit card is linked to your business transaction account, which means whoever is in possession of your debit card has access to all the funds in the account. If the worst case scenario the debit card does get stolen you’ll need to notify the relevant bank immediately.

• Convenience

  Debit cards are also better suited for business travel because they are easier to handle than cash. Business travellers are in a unique situation because their work may take them all over the world. This makes using cash for business expenses less than ideal, because each of the places you may travel to may require a different currency. Keeping each form of currency in cash for every place that you will travel is simply more trouble than it is worth. If you use cash, not only do you have to worry about the potential security problems, but you also have to worry about having the right amount of the right currencies as well. You can also organise your money online, over the phone or in person wherever your debit card is accepted.

• Currency exchange

  Using a debit card also saves you the trouble of exchanging your leftover currency back to Australian dollars. This can save you the fee involved in doing the exchange twice.

• Complimentary insurance

  Some high tier debit cards in Australia also offer complimentary insurances such as overseas travel insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty. Although purchase protection and extended warranty usually only applies to purchases made in Australia, complimentary overseas travel insurance can greatly benefit you when travelling. Instead of paying for an external travel insurance policy, you can save by meeting the terms and conditions set out on the business debit card.

• Fees

  If you’re a frequent flyer or traveller, your number one feature to look at in a debit card is international usage and the fees that apply to it. You want to make sure that the debit card company will not gouge you with fees if you use your card abroad.

  With a debit card, the hassle of working with other currencies is taken care for you because most debit cards in Australia only deal with Australian dollars. While you don’t have to worry about having a certain amount of a currency, you do need to worry about foreign transaction fees and ATM fees. Some debit cards don’t charge these fees, but most of them do.

Debit cards can be used where Visa and Mastercard are accepted, whether it’s an ATM or over the counter. They are linked to your business bank account and cards are generally protected against fraud by banks and other security agreements.

Written by

Shirley Liu

Publisher

Shirley Liu is Finder's global program manager. She was previously the publisher for banking and investments and has also written comparisons for energy, money transfers, Uber Eats and many other topics. Shirley has a Master of Commerce and a Bachelor of Media, Journalism and Communications from the University of New South Wales. She is passionate about helping people find the best deal for their needs. See full bio