Enjoy the safety and convenience of a CommBank Travel Money Card that lets you load 13 currencies at the same time.
The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card is a prepaid Visa card that lets you load up to 13 foreign currencies. You can lock in exchange rates and save on currency conversion fees that you’d usually incur with a standard credit card or debit card when shopping overseas. You can manage your account online, save on loading fees and enjoy peace of mind thanks to chip and PIN-protection.
| Available Currencies | AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB, USD, VND, CNY, AED |
|---|---|
| Multiple Currencies on One Card | Yes |
| Number of Cards Issued | 2 |
| Minimum Load Amount | $1 |
| Maximum Load Amount | $100,000 |
| Maximum Annual Load Amount | Unlimited |
| 24 Hour ATM Cash Withdrawal Limit | $2,500 |
| 24 Hour POS Transaction Limit | Unlimited |
| Card Issue Fee | $15 |
|---|---|
| Initial Load Fee | $0 |
| ATM Withdrawal Fee | AUD 3.50, USD 2.50, GBP 2.00, EUR 2.20, NZD 3.50, CAD 3.00, JPY 220, SGD 3.50, HKD 17.00, THB 80.00, VND 50000, CNY 15.00, AED 10.00 |
| Reload Fee | $0 |
| Transaction Fee for Purchases | $0 |
| Balance Enquiries | $0 |
| Card Replacement Fee | $15 |
| Currency Conversion Fee | 0% |
| Account Closing Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Age | 14 |
|---|---|
| Available To Temporary Residents | No |
What currencies can I load on the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card?
The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card supports 13 major currencies including:
- Australian dollar
- United States dollar
- Euro
- Great Britain pound
- Japanese yen
- New Zealand dollar
- Hong Kong dollar
- Canadian dollar
- Singapore dollar
- Thai baht
- Vietnamese dong
- Chinese renminbi
- Emirati dirham
There are no fees involved when you load funds into a foreign currency wallet, transfer funds between currency wallets on the card, or spend money in a currency that isn’t loaded or supported by your card. Instead, a retail foreign exchange rate determined by CommBank is applied at the time of conversion. You can find the foreign exchange rates on the CommBank website or on the CommBank app under “Tools & Calculators” and “Foreign Exchange Toolkit”.
Your currencies will be locked in at the bank’s retail foreign exchange rate applicable on the day your transfer or payment is processed. When loading or reloading, the money will be available the same day for transfers from CommBank transaction accounts and up to two business days for BPAY transactions.
What if I want to spend money in a different currency to the ones loaded on my card?
When spending money in a currency that is unsupported or insufficiently loaded on your card, the next available currency balance in your currency order will be used. You may customise your currency order through NetBank or by calling +61 1300 660 700. Otherwise, the following default currency order applies.
Default currency order:
2. Euro (EUR)
3. Great Britain pound (GBP)
4. Australian dollar (AUD)
5. Japanese yen (JPY)
6. New Zealand dollar (NZD)
7. Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
9. Singapore dollar (SGD)
10. Thai baht (THB)
11. Vietnamese dong (VND)
12. Chinese renminbi (CNY)
13. Emirati dirham (AED)
To illustrate, when paying for a US$50 lunch in Los Angeles, it turns out that you only have US$21 in your US dollar wallet. Instead of declining the transaction, your card is debited in Euros instead, since you have sufficient Euros in your account. CommBank’s prevailing retail foreign exchange rate is applied to convert your Euros into US dollars.
The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card enjoys the worldwide acceptance of the Visa network and can be used in-store, at ATMs, online, over the phone and by mail order. However certain merchants and financial institutions may not accept the card, including stores where Visa prepaid cards are not accepted or where merchants process transactions manually.
You also can’t use your travel card for direct debits, for installments or recurring payments, for direct credit payments including sales tax refunds, for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, or for transactions in countries prohibited by US government sanctions and laws (e.g. Cuba, Iran, Libya and Sudan).
Features of the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card
When you apply for a Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card, you can look forward to the following benefits and features:
- Locked-in exchange rates. When you load funds on your card, they’ll be locked in at the exchange rate you got when you loaded your card. This will give you peace of mind and help you manage your budget since you don’t have to deal with fluctuating exchange rates. Foreign exchange rates are available on the CommBank website or in the CommBank app by following “Tools & calculators” to the “Foreign Exchange Toolkit”.
- Additional card. Your free backup card ensures that you’ll still be able to access your money should the first card be lost, damaged or stolen.
- Smartphone app. Enjoy the modern convenience of currency planning from your smartphone with the CommBank app. Monitor your expenses, convert currencies and reload funds while on the go.
- Worldwide ATM alliance. The robust Visa alliance ensures that you will be able to access cash almost anywhere in the world.
- Concierge service. Enjoy the luxury of personal concierge services when you need dinner reservations, air tickets, accommodation or concert tickets booked for you.
- Purchase security insurance. If an item purchased on your card gets lost, stolen or damaged in the first 90 days, your card insurance coverage ensures that it will be repaired or replaced for free.
How much does the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card cost?
This table lists the costs associated with this card and when you’ll be charged them.
| Type of fee | Cost | When you’ll be charged |
|---|---|---|
| Issue fee | $15 | This is a one-time fee when you purchase the card. Gold, Platinum and Diamond credit card holders, as well as Platinum Debit Mastercard holders and students, can get this fee waived by applying in-branch. |
| Load/reload fee | $0 | This includes the first time you load your card and each subsequent reload. |
| Currency conversion fee | $0 | No fee is charged whenever you transfer funds between currencies on your card or whenever you spend in a currency that’s not supported or loaded on your card. CommBank’s retail foreign exchange rates apply at the time of conversion. |
| International withdrawal fee |
| Each time you withdraw cash, these charges apply respectively to the currency you are withdrawing |
| Inactivity fee | Nil | Some travel cards may charge a fee when your card has been inactive for a stipulated period. |
| Closure/Cash out fee | $0 | You will not be charged a fee for closing your account and your funds will be credited to a nominated Australian bank account in Australian dollars converted at prevailing retail foreign exchange rates. |
| Replacement card | $15 | While your back-up card is free, you will be charged $15 when requesting a replacement for a lost or stolen card. |
How to use the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card
Follow these simple steps to start using your Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card:
1. Activating the card
For cards purchased in-branch, your two cards have already been automatically activated. For cards purchased online via NetBank, including replacement or reissued cards, you will need to activate your cards online. In any case, you should set up a PIN for each card by logging in to NetBank, going to a CommBank branch or calling the Travel Money Customer Service Centre at 1300 660 700, or +61 2 9374 0609 from overseas.
2. Loading funds on the card
Different currencies can be loaded on your card at the time of purchase, which will be subject to the bank’s foreign exchange rates at that time. When reloading the card, funds will be accepted in Australian dollars and converted into your primary currency according to your currency order. The applicable exchange rate is taken on the day your payment is processed, which is instant when paying cash in-branch or transferring funds via NetBank from a CommBank transaction account and up to two business days when using BPAY.
When reloading via BPAY, you may only load one currency at a time. You will need to wait for your first BPAY transaction to be completed before changing your currency order and making another transfer to that primary currency. Each load and reload must be more than the equivalent of AUD$1 and less than AUD$100,000.
3. Managing your online account
You can manage your account online at NetBank or on your smartphone’s CommBank app. You can view your balances and transaction history, transfer currencies within the account, reload funds, and make real-time fund transfers to and from eligible CommBank accounts. You can also change your PIN and currency order, set up SMS alerts and lock or unlock your card for security reasons when necessary.
What do I do if I return home with foreign currency remaining on the card?
You could choose to keep the funds for your next trip or withdraw the cash in Australian dollars via an ATM. Since ATM fees apply, you could also transfer the funds to your Commonwealth Bank transaction account via NetBank, if you have one. You may also consolidate currencies by transferring funds to another Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card, if you have one.
Who do I contact if my card is lost, stolen or damaged?
Report loss or theft immediately by calling 1300 660 700 or +61 2 9374 0609 when overseas. Similarly, if you suspect your card has been subject to unauthorised use, notify the bank immediately by calling 13 22 21 or +61 2 9374 0609 when overseas.
How to apply for a Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card
For existing CommBank customers with NetBank accounts, ordering is a simple online process which involves logging into NetBank. Your card will then arrive in the mail in under six business days. If you are not an existing CommBank customer, you may get your card straight away by heading into any CommBank branch. Bring your Australian passport or driver’s licence for identification purposes.
Are there any eligibility requirements?
While you do not need to be an existing Commonwealth bank customer, you must be more than 14 years old and satisfy customer identification requirements. You will have to register with NetBank when purchasing the card. Also, you are limited to only having five active Travel Money Cards at any one time.
The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card offers up to 13 major currencies, fee-free loads and reloads and no currency conversion fees. Make sure to factor the card issue, replacement fees and ATM withdrawal fees when comparing your options, though. When deciding which travel card to get, use our travel money comparison table to compare your available options and find the right card for your spending needs.
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Hi, We are travelling to Iceland. Had planned on taking 28*, & either CBA or ANZ travel cards, loaded only with AUS$. Will I have any problem withdrawing Icelandic Krona ?
Hi Leslie!
Not a problem at all! :). Although, it will be subject to currency exchange rate and potentially ATM fees too.
You may want to check with your bank to ensure how much that is and how they compute such.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Can I go into a Commonwealth bank branch and purchase a travel card for my 14 year old son without having him with me? He is already a customer.
Hi Charmaine!
Guess what? You can actually open a travel money card online for your son. Go to CommBank and click “Order a Travel Money Card”” and you’re good to go.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Can I use my travel card to prepay a hotel accommodation account. Then when I check out have the initial deposit refunded and replaced by the actual charge?
Hi Nick,
Thanks for your question.
You can use the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card where Visa is accepted. However, for your specific situation, you may have to get in touch with the merchant/hotel operator to confirm if this arrangement is possible.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi, I am commonwealth Bank Customer. Which one is better for International travel ? My comm Bank debit/credit card or Travel Money Card ? As I have to pay fees when I use either card.
Whats the major difference between these two cards ?
Thx.
Hi Amin,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, we cannot recommend what is best for you. Our company finder.com.au is a financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers to make a better decision. Please note we do not represent any company we feature on our pages.
If you wish to have an additional option/s for comparison you may want to consider the Travel Money providers listed here.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi Amin,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, we cannot recommend what is best for you. Our company finder.com.au is a financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers to make a better decision. Please note we do not represent any company we feature on our pages.
If you are travelling overseas you may want to consider the option/s available here.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi,
Am I able to order/use this card if I am not a Commonwealth customer? I am happy to open a new account just for my overseas trip – is this possible?
Thanks!
Hi Kiarra,
Thanks for your question.
To apply for Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card, you don’t need to be an existing CommBank customer.
However, you need to comply with the following eligibility criteria among others:
-At least 14 years old
- With valid IDs
-With email address
-With Audtralian residential address.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi, i will be traveling to Barcelona – Europe in July 2018 for 4 weeks. My travel card expires in September 2018, will my card be ok or do i need to purchase a new card from the branch before i leave to Europe.
Hi Russell,
Thanks for your question.
When your card expires September 2018, you will still be able to use your existing card until the last day of September. So basically, if your trip is in July, you can use your Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card for the entire duration of your trip. However, if you have the intention of extending your stay, you may want to consider getting a new card before your trip.
Kindly note that within 6 months prior to the card expiry date and up to 12 months after the card expiry date, you may request to renew your Travel Money Card and your balance will be automatically transferred to your new cards for free. Travel Money Cards are not reissued automatically upon expiry, so you must request for a new card.
Cheers,
Anndy
If the QANTAS travelcard is loaded with Australian dollars prior to travelling to a country such as Iceland, are the Australian dollars converted to Icelandic Krona when you make a purchase or use an ATM?
If so, what fees are charged for the payment or for an ATM withdrawal?
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for your question.
Qantas Card with Qantas Cash does not support the Icelandic Krona, so in this case, the card draws funds from another currency in accordance to its default order of priority as listed on our review page.
This card does not charge foreign currency transaction and currency conversion fees. However, it does charge ATM Withdrawal Fee.
Cheers,
Anndy
How do I use and am in Italy, and can i use it at every atm
Hi Regina,
Thanks for your question.
The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card can be used at millions of locations around the world, both in-store and online anywhere Visa is accepted.
Kindly note that when using the card for ATM withdrawals or EFTPOS purchases overseas, you’ll need to select “credit” and enter your PIN to complete the payment.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi
I am travelling to Hong Kong and have 3 questions.
We will load our combank travel money card in Australia before leaving but if we require more money we will use internet banking to re load card.
Are there any issues to be concerned with regarding internet banking when accessing account from H.K?
Are there any fees charged to top up in H.K using internet banking?
Is there a fee to transfer Hong Kong currency back to aus dollar i.e money left over when we return ?
Thanks
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your inquiry.
1. Are there any issues to be concerned with regarding internet banking when accessing account from H.K?
Since it’s all done online, there shouldn’t be any problem when you access your Netbank account while you’re in Hong Kong.
2. Are there any fees charged to top up in H.K using internet banking?
CBA will not charge you each time you reload additional funds
3. Is there a fee to transfer Hong Kong currency back to Australian dollar i.e money left over when we return?
No. CBA does not incur a fee when you request to transfer funds from one currency to another on the same card.
Hope this has answered your questions.
Cheers,
May
I am travelling to Switzerland. I see that Swiss Francs are not a currency option on the Travel Money Card. What is the best option for me in this scenario – load it with AU$ and then use it for EFTPOS purchases in Switzerland (will I just incur the conversion rate every time?), withdrawal a lump sum of cash on the spot in Switzerland (what is the withdrawal fee?), or convert to another currency (Euro maybe?).
Hi KP,
Thanks for your question.
Please note that Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card does not charge currency conversion fee but it charges ATM withdrawal fees (please refer to the above list of atm withdrawal fees per currency you’re withdrawing). This means that you can simply load AUD in your account and when using it in Switzerland for purchases, you won’t be charged currency conversion fees.
Furthermore, our Travel Money Guide: Switzerland may help you when deciding a travel money option.
Cheers,
Anndy