Get easy access to your cash no matter where you are in the world with the STA Travel Cashflex Visa Card
The STA Travel CashFLEX Visa Card is a prepaid card that you load using Australian dollars. You can then use this card to pay for purchases in the local currency anywhere Visa is accepted. Unlike most prepaid travel cards, you don’t have to exchange your Aussie dollars into the supported currencies before travelling. Instead, your Australian dollars will automatically be transferred into the local currency using the exchange rate that applies at the time of the transaction. Plus, you can look forward to saving on overseas transaction fees and some international ATM fees, which means you can put more of your money towards other travel expenses.
| Available Currencies | AUD |
|---|---|
| Multiple Currencies on One Card | No |
| Number of Cards Issued | 2 |
| Minimum Load Amount | $100 |
| Maximum Load Amount | $15,000 |
| Maximum Annual Load Amount | $50,000 |
| 24 Hour ATM Cash Withdrawal Limit | $1,000 |
| Card Issue Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Initial Load Fee | 1% of the load amount |
| ATM Withdrawal Fee | $1.50 on ATM withdrawals under $250, free ATM withdrawals over $250 |
| Reload Fee | 1% of the load amount |
| Monthly Inactivity Fee after 12 months inactivity | $4 |
| Transaction Fee for Purchases | $0 |
| Balance Enquiries | $0 |
| Card Replacement Fee | $5 |
| BPay Reload fee | 1% of the load amount |
| Account Closing Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
|---|---|
| Available To Temporary Residents | No |
Reloading funds and currencies
The STA Travel Cashflex Visa is one of the only prepaid travel cards that doesn’t require you to transfer your funds across to different currencies once you’ve loaded your card with Australian dollars. Instead, when you’re travelling outside of Australia, your funds will automatically convert to the local currency using the exchange rate that applies at the time of the transaction. So if you’re travelling in the UK and withdraw money from an ATM, you would receive British pounds. Your card would use the exchange rate applicable on the day and debit the corresponding amount from your prepaid balance of Australian dollars. Unlike most travel cards, you won’t be charged a foreign currency conversion fee when making purchases overseas.
You have a few choices when it comes to loading and reloading your card. You can walk into any STA Travel Store in Australia and load money on your card using cash or a debit card. In-store loads will appear in your account straightaway. You can also log into the CashFLEX card online platform and load funds with your debit or credit card via an online transfer. You can also transfer funds onto your card via BPAY. Note that you’ll be charged 1% of the load amount each time you top up your card.
Where can you use this travel card?
You can use this prepaid travel money card wherever Visa is accepted, in over 200 countries and territories. This includes ATMs as well as Point of Sale (POS) terminals at hotels, restaurants and other kinds of businesses.
Unlike many other travel money cards, this card does not rely on Visa Worldwide PTE Incorporated exchange rates when you use your card outside Australia. Instead, it sets a day rate at the start of each day, so you know exactly what rate you’ll get in advance. You can confirm the current STA Travel day rate online or over the phone.
Back to topFees and charges
You will incur fees from time to time when you use the STA Travel CashFLEX Visa Card. Here’s what you might have to pay in different situations:
| Fees and charges | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card purchase fee | $0 |
| Overseas transaction fee | $0 |
| Overseas ATM fees for withdrawals over $250 | $0. Note that there is a maximum daily withdrawal limit of $1,000. |
| Overseas ATM fees for withdrawals under $250 | $1.50 |
| In-store, online and BPAY loading fee | 1% of the load amount load amount |
| Paper statement fee | $15 |
| Additional card fee | $0 |
| Replacement card fee | $5 |
| Dormancy fee | $4 per month (charged after inactivity on card for 12 successive months) |
| Cancellation or redemption fee | $0 |
| You can choose to link SMS services to this card. Some of them are fee-free, and some will cost you: | |
| Activate card | $0 |
| PIN reminder | $0 |
| Check balance by text | |
| Load alerts | $0 |
| Card to card transfers | $0.40 |
| Lock or unlock your card | $0.40 |
Card limits
| Card limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum card balance | $15,000 |
| Maximum in-store load (via debit/credit card) | $15,000 |
| Maximum in-store load (cash) | $5,000 |
| Maximum BPAY load | $20,000 |
| Maximum annual load | $50,000 |
| Maximum online credit card load (at any time) | $2,000 |
| Maximum online debit card load (at any time) | $2,000 |
| Maximum daily ATM withdrawal | $1,000 |
| Maximum annual ATM withdrawal | $50,000 |
| Maximum retail purchase (at any time) | $20,000 |
| Maximum retail purchase (annually) | $50,000 |
Manage your account
STA Travel lets you manage your account online, via SMS and over the phone.
- Online. Use the online platform to check your balance, review transaction history, load your card, move money between cards, and report your card as lost or stolen.
- SMS. You can manage your account from anywhere in the world using your mobile phone. All you need is the last four digits of your card along with the relevant text codes. Using these codes, you can activate your card, report it as lost or stolen, block it, get load alerts, check the balance, move money and get transaction details.
- Phone. You can speak to an STA Travel representative over the phone, 24/7, to get account-related information from within Australia or elsewhere in the world.
Security and emergency contact details
The ePayments Code governs your liability surrounding losses arising due to unauthorised transactions. The card provider does not hold you liable for such transactions if it is clear that you have not contributed to them in any way. In such a scenario, you’ll get a refund for the unauthorised or incorrectly executed transaction almost immediately.
When you find out that your card is lost or stolen, contact the stolen and lost card hotline immediately on +44 207 101 6599.
Getting your card
- Ordering. You can order the card online or you can get it by visiting any STA Travel store.
- Loading. You have three options when topping up your card, although a reload fee of 1% of the load amount applies for all:
- In-store. Pop into any STA Travel store in Australia and load money on your card instantly.
- Online. Log into your CashFLEX online account and click the ‘Top Up’ tab. Here, you can register your other bank cards to top up directly from your debit or credit card.
- BPAY. To reload funds with BPAY, you’ll need to log into your online, mobile or phone bank and enter the BPAY biller code 223529 and your unique customer reference number. You can find your reference number in the ‘Top Up via BPAY’ section of your online account.
- Activating. You can activate your card by sending the word ‘ACT’ and the last four digits of your card number to 19911234 (if you’ve registered your mobile number with the card). Otherwise, you can call the Customer Care team on 1300 360 715.
- Closing. If you decided to close your card after you return from your trip, you’ll need to contact the Customer Service team on 1300 360 715 to deactivate the card.
Benefits and drawbacks
Pros
- Global usage. You can use this card in most countries without worrying about whether or not you’re carrying the local currency.
- Save on transaction fees. You can use this card to shop and pay bills without incurring any overseas transaction fees.
- Free additional card. You can get an additional card linked to the primary card for free. Getting one is easy; you can apply online or over the phone.
Considerations in choosing the STA Travel CashFLEX Visa Card
- Cannot load multiple currencies. This travel money cards lets you load only Australia dollars. This means you cannot benefit from fixed exchange rates before your travel. Instead, you have to depend on rates that fluctuate on a day-to-day basis.
- Reload fee. Not all cards charge a fee for loading and reloading the card, so this could cut into your travel budget.
- Hotel reservations. STA Travel advises against using the card for things like hotel reservations. The merchant may pre-authorise a set amount that is higher than the final bill. While the difference is refunded, it can take up to 14 days to credit your card, so you may prefer to use your credit or debit card for these types of transactions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I retrieve my PIN?
You should have received your pin at the time of your application. If you need a PIN reminder, you can either log into your online account and click on the ‘security’ tab or call the Customer Care team who will send you a PIN reminder via SMS.
The PIN is a unique number distributed by STA Travel and cannot be changed.
For security reasons, memorise your PIN rather than writing it down or storing it with your card.
How do I check my balance?
You won’t be able to check your balance at an ATM, but there are a number of alternative ways to monitor your balance:
- You can check your balance by logging in online and viewing your balance and transaction history via the online portal.
- If your mobile number is registered with STA, you can text ‘BAL’ and the last 4 digits of your card number to the phone numbers listed on the website and they will respond with your current balance.
What is Dynamic Currency Conversion?
When overseas, goods, services and ATM withdrawals are generally given in the local currency. You may be offered the choice to pay in Australian Dollars instead. The local merchant or ATM is performing a currency conversion for you and charging its own foreign exchange rate. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion.
You should always decline this option and choose to pay in the local currency, as the exchange rate is usually much higher than the rate your STA Travel CashFLEX Visa Card offers.
Visit the STA Travel website for up to date foreign exchange rates.
Can I use my STA Travel CashFLEX Visa Card to withdraw money from a bank teller?
No, you can’t withdraw funds or manage your account in a bank branch. You can withdraw cash from any ATM displaying the VISA logo and can manage your account via your online account.
How can I close my account?
You can close your online account and deactivate your CashFLEX cards by calling the Customer Service team.
Can I change my card’s PIN?
Unfortunately, the PIN cannot be changed. In case you end up forgetting or losing your PIN, you have to contact the STA Travel customer care team over the phone or via email.
Is there a cash withdrawal limit linked to this card?
Yes. The maximum amount you can withdraw in a day is limited to $1,000 or its equivalent in another currency.
Can I use this card to withdraw money from a bank teller?
No, you cannot. However, you can use it to withdraw money from any ATM that displays the Visa symbol.
When does the card expire?
The card is valid for 36 months from purchase.
Hi. Can I transfer money from my Sta Cash card back to the Australian bank account I loaded it from??
Hi Oliver,
Thanks for your inquiry.
I’m afraid you cannot transfer the load back to your bank account. You may withdraw it from an ATM, withdrawal fee: $1.50 on ATM withdrawals under $250, free ATM withdrawals over $250.
Best regards,
Rench
Whilst trying to load my card on either of my two debit cards it is telling me I have exceeded my monthly load limit but I cannot find anywhere that says my maximum limit! And I don’t know when my month starts or when it ends I’m now stuck in Tokyo with no cash for trains and I can’t load anymore onto my card!
Hi Josh,
Thank you for your inquiry. Just to confirm though that you’ve reached finder.com.au – a third party comparison website and general information service, not actually STA Travel.
You would find the limits of your STA Travel CashFLEX Visa Card below:
Maximum card balance (at any time) = $20,000
Maximum Instore load (via Debit/Credit Card) = $15,000
Maximum Instore load (cash) = $5,000
Maximum BPAY Load (at any time) = $3,000
Maximum Online Debit Card load (at any time) = $2,000
Maximum Online Credit Card load (at any time) = $2,000
Maximum annual load = $50,000
The information on your card limit can actually be found in the “Terms and Conditions” which is on the official page of STA Travel. You may contact STA Travel customer service team for further assistance.
Cheers,
May
How long does it take to transfer money into my sta travel card? It’s been 4 days and no money has entered my account.
Hi Gary,
Thanks for your question.
If you loaded funds on your card in-store, they should’ve appeared in your account immediately. Online bank transfers usually take up to two business days and BPAY loads usually take around 3 business days.
If the funds still haven’t appeared in your account, you’ll need to contact STA Travel on 1300 360 715 or +44 207 0969441 if you’re outside Australia to report the issue.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
I was told id be reimbursed for my phone call of £37. I completed the call and was told id get my money ack for it I just had to get in touch with customer service.
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for your comment.
Just to confirm, you have come through to finder.com.au, not STA Travel.
If you need to get in touch with the STA Travel customer service team, you can contact them on 134 782.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
Just to let you know that I got one of these cards as per my advice from the agent. The exchange rate was terrible and I couldn’t withdraw funds from 97% of the ATMS I visited.
When I called Customer service they suggested I try again and couldn’t assist, I can see Bendigo Bank has a relationship with STA! They should hang their heads in shame
Hello,
Thanks for your feedback and we’re sorry to hear about your negative experience with the STA Travel CashFLEX Visa card.
Not every travel card is suited to every traveller, so you may wish to compare some other travel money cards for your next trip. You can start comparing your travel money options here.
Cheers,
Sally