Travel debit cards to use overseas
Spend less money on debit card fees so you'll have more to spend on pool-side cocktails and hotel room service.
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Key takeaways
- Look for a debit card with low or no international transaction fees to use when you're overseas.
- Fee-free international ATM withdrawals can save you money when accessing cash abroad.
- Some debit cards offer extra features such as cashback or the ability to earn interest.
What is a travel debit card?
A travel debit card is a regular debit card with features designed for travel. For example, the card may charge no international transaction fees on overseas purchases or no overseas ATM fees. Or, it may allow you to hold different currencies as well as AUD.
The debit card is attached to a bank account with your own money, and you can only spend what's available in the account. You can use the debit card to make purchases in stores or to withdraw cash from ATMs while you're overseas, just like you would here in Australia.
What's the best debit card to use overseas?
Our expert says
"The good part about the ability to hold multiple currencies is that you can transfer money before you go. So when the Australian dollar is strong against a particular currency, I transfer money into that account, and then when I go, I just spend in local currency. That way, I'm not getting hit with a potentially higher exchange rate, or being forced to spend in AUD and charged for the conversion."
How to find the best travel debit card
No account keeping fees
Look for a debit card with no monthly account keeping fee.
No overseas ATM fees
This is charged by your bank when you use your card at an overseas ATM, and can be as much as $5 (or more) per transaction on top of the fee charged by the ATM operator. It's best to look for a debit card without this fee, if possible.
No international transaction fees
This is charged by your bank when a currency conversion is needed (e.g.: when using your AUD card to make purchases in the UK). This fee can be as high as 4% of the transaction value. Luckily, there are several Australian debit cards that don't charge this fee.
Account accessibility
It's handy to choose a debit card from a bank that has a good mobile baking app, which you can use overseas to keep an eye on your account and transfer money if needed.
Multiple currencies
Some debit cards allow you to hold multiple currencies at once. This is handy for travelling as it allows you to load up on the currency you need ahead of your trip while the exchange rate is good.
Contactless payment options
Being able to link the debit card to Apple Pay or Google Pay could be helpful while you're travelling if you don't want to keep your physical debit card on you.
Additional safety features
Some debit cards will come with a 'card lock' feature in the attached mobile banking app that allows you to temporarily freeze or lock your card if you've misplaced it while travelling.
Is it better to use a debit card or credit card overseas?
Unlike debit cards which only allow access to the money in your account, a travel credit card offers a line of credit for you to spend what you need and then repay at the end of the payment period (usually monthly). This can be helpful to manage cashflow while you're travelling, so you know you'll always have money available.
However, if you don't repay it in full, you'll be charged interest at a fairly high rate. There are also annual fees and other charges for credit cards that debit cards don't have.
Some credit cards allow you to earn points or other rewards as you spend, which could end up allowing you to upgrade your flights from economy or use a special airport lounge. Some credit cards also offer things like complimentary travel insurance, which isn't offered with a debit card.
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Going to Sri Lanka. We have 28 degrees for shopping, hotel payments etc. Is there a debit card available that would give us better rates for cash withdrawals in Sri Lanka. Thanks.
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
While we don’t provide a specific product recommendation, we can help guide you through the process of comparing your options. This page provides a list of debit cards for overseas travel and online shopping, you can use our comparison table to help you find the card that suits you. You can also visit our travel money guide for Sri Lanka to know your other travel money options.
Once you have chosen a particular card, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
I hope this helps.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Jeniƒ√
If I use my debit / credit card overseas to purchase items Restuarants etc but do not use A T M S to get cash out I know I will incur 3% transaction fee is there any other charges I can incur because I have looked at getting a travel card and loading it with foreign currency but the conversation rates are very low then if I dont spend all the money I would be charged a fee again to convert the money back to aussie dollars what can you advise
Hi Gigio,
Thanks for your inquiry.
For credit cards, you have to take note of 3 charges. Foreign transaction fees, Annual fees, and ATM withdrawal fees. For travel money cards, you need to be mindful of conversion rates and the time it takes to reload the card. Travel money cards can take up to 3 days to make funds available when you transfer more money onto your card in a reload. This is not ideal because it can leave you stranded if you do not have another payment method with you and you have run out of money on that card. For convenience, I would opt for a credit card. You may check a list of overseas travel credit cards here https://www.finder.com.au/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold
Hello
just slightly confused about this point stated above:
You can avoid international transaction fees. Just about every Australian debit card you use overseas will require that you pay currency conversion fees every time you use your card.
This is down as a benefit which confuses me. Could you please explain why this is a positive?
Hi Kieran,
Thanks for your question.
That statement falls under benefits because unlike the usual debit cards with high-interest charges on foreign currency transactions, the travel debit cards we feature on this page have minimal or no foreign transaction fees.
Cheers,
Anndy
I am co-treasurer for a group of 40 travelling to South Africa for a month. We want to pre-fund an account in Australia before leaving and have access to the money in South Africa to meet group expenses. A debit card for myself and my co treasurer seems the best. Question is which card is best for wide access within South Africa?
Look forward to your suggestions. Thanks
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your question.
There are a couple of things to consider when looking for a debit card to use overseas.
Fees and access – there are some debit cards on the market that charge little to no fees for international transactions or ATM withdrawals.
For example, Citibank Plus doesn’t charge ATM withdrawal fees from Citibank branded ATMs or international transaction fees. However in South Africa, although Citibank operates there, there are no ATMs so you may be charged ATM fees by the owner of the ATM.
It sounds like you’re keen to use a prepaid travel money card. You may find our travel money comparison page useful. Travel money cards allow you to load it with your own cash before you travel overseas. This means you can ‘lock-in’ exchange rates and avoid ATM withdrawal fees.
Please note, we are a comparison site and as such can provide general advice only.
I am moving to China from Australia and have a commonwealth bank savings/debit card account which l want to keep active to pay for loan repayments in Australia, and will have my wages paid in RMB at a Chinese bank. Can l manage my Australian account online, and can l transfer funds from my Chinese account into my commonwealth acct in Australia. Lastly, do you advise l get a travel debit card from the commonwealth bank before l leave?
Thank you :)
Hi Julie-Ann,
Thanks for your question.
Yes, you can continue managing your account from overseas, however, please be mindful international transfers will incur fees.
If you would like to open a travel debit card, we recommend looking into how its features would benefit you. The travel debit card features will vary between products and it would be worth comparing these before opening an account. For example, with the Citibank Plus Everyday account, you can make withdrawals from any Citibank ATM around the world at no charge. There are also no international transaction fees. This travel money debit cards page might also help you compare other products.
Hope that helps.
Clarizza