Compare Travel Money Cards
Load foreign currency ahead of your trip and spend like a local with a prepaid travel money card.
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Looking for a travel card for your next overseas trip? A prepaid travel money card lets you load the foreign currency you need onto the card before your leave Australia. This means you'll be ready to use the card in stores and at ATMs when you're travelling without having to worry about converting your Aussie dollars.
In this guide we outline the main features and benefits of a travel money card and help you compare travel cards using the table below.
Compare prepaid travel money cards
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How do prepaid travel cards work?
A travel money card is a convenient way to access your travel cash while you're on holiday. There are three main types of travel cards available in Australia: prepaid travel cards, credit cards and debit cards. This guide focuses on prepaid travel cards and their benefits.
Prepaid travel cards
How it works: Prepaid travel cards let you lock-in exchange rates before you travel. This type of travel card allows you to budget more effectively, by knowing exactly what exchange rate you have secured and how much money you have on the card.
Why you should consider a prepaid travel card.
- Lock-in exchange rates. Preload and secure your exchange rate before you travel
- Multiple currencies. Load up to 10 popular currencies for with prepaid cards
- Avoid fees. No fees for currency conversion when you're there
Things to consider when choosing a prepaid travel card.
- Currency availability. If you are travelling to multiple destinations, some of your currencies might not be supported
- Lower exchange rates. Lock-in exchange rate from the bank is lower compared to physical foreign exchange (cash) and credit cards
What additional benefits come with prepaid travel money cards?
There are a number of different prepaid travel cards on the market. They can be broken down into the following categories.
Prepaid travel cards with frequent flyer points.
The Qantas Cash travel money card allows you to earn Qantas Points when you use the card to make eligible purchases. The Global Wallet from Velocity, functions in the same way, only rewarding you with Velocity Frequent Flyer Points. Points are awarded for eligible purchases, which are your usual everyday transactions. You won't earn points on cash transactions like ATM withdrawals. These cards couple the convenience of being able to spend without being charged international fees with rewards points earning. There are other products on the market that offer rewards and frequent flyer points when you spend, but these cards may also attract currency conversion fees, which negate any real value of rewards or frequent flyer points.
How to compare prepaid travel money cards
Fees
The main fees to look out for include:
- Initial load fee. Depending on the card, you might be charged a fee (such as a percentage of the loading amount) when you first load funds on the card.
- Reload fees. If the card doesn't charge an initial load fee, it may charge another fee each time you load funds on the card. If this is the case, you might want to reconsider how often you reload the card.
- ATM withdrawal fees. Some cards will charge a different ATM withdrawal fee depending on where you're withdrawing your cash. If the bank provider belongs to an ATM alliance, you might be able to avoid ATM withdrawal fees from the issuer. It's important to note that local ATM fees may still apply.
- Inactivity fee. An inactivity fee is charged if you don't use the card (usually after 12 months) and there's money remaining on the account.
- Currency conversion fees. Charged when you make a purchase overseas.
Acceptance
When comparing travel money cards to find the right one for you, check the available currencies on the card. Find a card that will allow you to load the currencies of the countries you plan to visit. If you spend on a currency not loaded onto the card, you will be charged for currency conversion. Remember that each type of travel card has its own pros and cons to accessing currencies, so travellers often take a combination of prepaid, credit and debit cards for convenience.
Exchange rate
In terms of receiving the best exchange rate, you can either pre-load currency or withdraw when you arrive at your destination.
- Prepaid travel cards. Allow you to pre-load and secure your currency. Whilst the exchange rate may be considerably less favourable than the market rate, you are safeguarding yourself from receiving a worse exchange rate closer to your trip.
- Credit and debit cards. Provide you with the exchange rate set by the card network (Mastercard, Visa) when you withdraw. This exchange rate is much closer to the market rate compared to prepaid travel card rates. To find out the exchange rate provided by your network on the day, simply google the "network + exchange rate + currencies" e.g. Mastercard exchange rate AUD to USD.
Pros and cons of prepaid travel money cards
Pros
- Spend like a local. Prepaid travel cards allow you to preload multiple foreign currencies onto the card at a time. Spend in a currency loaded onto the card and you avoid a fee for currency conversion.
- Backup card. Designed specifically for travel (and the mishaps that happen when you're travelling), prepaid travel cards come with a backup in case the first card is lost or stolen.
- Manage your travel budget. Reload the card when you need funds. The exchange rate is locked in. This protects you from movements in the exchange rate and also allows you to budget down to the last dollar.
Cons
- Travel card fees. As convenient as these accounts are, they do come with fees and charges. Fees are usually charged when the card is first issued, when you first load the account with funds or when you reload the card with funds. Inactivity fees and ATM fees are also common among different travel money cards.
- Exchange rates. It's worth having a look at the exchange rates offered through travel card products. Often, travel card issuers will have a different exchange rate for travel cards.
- Reloading time. Typically, BPAY is the easiest way to reload your account with funds. BPAY transactions can take up to three business days for the transaction to process. It can take up to six days for the funds to clear in your account when you factor in Australian bank holidays and weekends.
Frequently asked questions about prepaid travel money cards
What should I look for in a travel money card?
This all depends on where you're going and how you plan to spend. In some destinations, you can use your plastic like you would in Australia. In other places, cash is king — so ATM withdrawals fees will factor into your comparison. Compare travel money cards and check out our travel guides to find the best one for your holiday.
How do I load funds onto my travel card?
This will depend on the card itself, however, BPAY is generally an accepted method for reloading your travel card with funds. Some cards use different systems, however, the card can be reloaded through your online banking facility. Make sure you can get internet access while you're travelling.
What is a currency conversion fee?
A currency conversion fee is an additional charge (expressed as a percentage of the total value of the transaction — usually about 3.00%) which is applied when you make a purchase or withdrawal in a currency which is not loaded onto the card. Travel cards have a 'default currency order'. This is the order available currencies will be debited from your account if you do not have the currency of the transaction.
How do I use my travel money card?
When you want to use your travel money card to make a purchase or withdrawal, press 'credit' when you want to complete the transaction. Travel cards use the Visa and Mastercard international payment networks and are accepted in most places where Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
Will an inactivity fee be charged if I do not have any money left on my card?
Some of these accounts will charge you a fee if your account is inactive for a period of time. A monthly charge will deduct the remaining balance on the card until the account has no funds remaining. Inactivity fees are listed within our travel card comparison and reviews.
If I had a Citibank plus account which allows me to withdraw funds my own account without fees, would I be likely to get a better exchange rate in the US on the day of withdrawal rather than getting a travel card and preloading it with US dollars?
Hi Therese,
Thanks for getting in touch! Having a travel money card locks in exchange rates for times when you use the card and the exchange rate on the day is lower. That is the advantage, however, since exchange rates are volatile, for times that exchange rates are higher than when you exchanged and locked in your money, that would be the disadvantage.
Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki
I am about to travel overseas. I am 64 and never been out of Australia. I will have a credit card. What do you suggest I do for cash transactions. Of course, I do not want to pay lots of fees. I will be away two months. I am looking at incidentals.
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Having a travel card is a good option if you are not bringing much currency to the country you’re travelling to. Unlike credit cards, travel cards will not charge you cash advance fees and incur interest for withdrawing money from an ATM. You may also lock-in exchange rates.
To help you decide on this matter, you may also use our travel money guide. You may also click on the country you’re going to at the left side of the page to know your travel money options.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Do you have any advice on the best cards to use in Vietnam with the lowest atm fees and transactions fees? Also what banks have the lowest atm fees in Vietnam?
Hi LCM,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
The best card to use in Vietnam would depend on your needs, preference, and budget. You may refer to our Vietnam travel money guide. On that page, you will see a table that allows you to conveniently compare your travel money options for Vietnam. You would also be able to compare your options based on ATM and transaction fees. Once you found the right one for you, click on the “Go to site” green button to learn more or initiate your application.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi,
I’m going to Thailand. Which travel card is the best to use there?
Hi Adel,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Basically, Visa and Mastercard branded travel cards, debit cards and credit cards can be used for over the counter purchases and ATM withdrawals in Thailand. There’s quite a few Australian travel cards support the Thai baht such as the ANZ Travel Card, NAB Traveller Card, Qantas Cash Card, Velocity Global Wallet and more. Choosing the best travel card for you depends on your travel needs and lifestyle. You may use our travel money guide for Thailand and compare your options.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other inquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I am travelling to New Zealand in a couple of weeks & thought of a travel card.Next year we are doing a big trip to Europe would I be able to use same card??Also do I just load Aus$ onto card & chose currency I need in relevant country or buy the relevant currency prior to travelling
Hi Carole,
Thanks for reaching out to finder.
Yes, you will still be able to use your travel card for your future travel to Europe, provided it has not expired yet as these cards also have expiration dates.
You can just load AUD into your travel money card and convert it to any of the currencies it supports at anytime you feel the need to, then use it to pay for your purchases or withdraw the money in any ATM with Visa/Mastercard logo. Please note that certain fees will apply such as currency conversion and ATM withdrawal fees.
Please make sure that you read the product disclosure statement and terms of agreement to see what works best for your needs, before making a decision. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Charisse