CommBank's range of travel money services and travel insurance help keep your money safe and give you peace of mind wherever you go.
Here, we take a look at the different features and benefits of these travel money products and who they are suited to so that you can make more informed decisions about what CommBank travel money products will suit your needs.
History of Commonwealth Bank
The Commonwealth Bank or 'CommBank' is one of Australia's leading issuers of financial services and is one of the most recognised financial brands in Australia. They provide a full range of retail banking services including home loans, credit cards, personal loans, transaction accounts and term deposits.
The group also offers 24-hour access to banking services through telephone banking and has one of the most extensive EFTPOS and ATM networks in Australia (not overseas). They are also a leader in the online financial services in Australia with facilities such as NetBank, Commsec and the CommBank app.
- Money magazine's Bank of the Year 2013
Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card
HOW TO NAVIGATE THE COMMONWEALTH BANK TRAVEL MONEY GUIDE
Travel cards
The CommBank Travel Money Card is designed to be a convenient and affordable way to access money wherever you are in the world.
This prepaid, reloadable debit Mastercard lets you load up to 13 currencies at a time, which means you can lock in exchange rates before you leave. You can also use the card at more than 38 million locations, wherever Mastercard is accepted.
Benefits of CommBank Travel Money Card
- Security. The card features 24/7 fraud monitoring and chip-and-PIN technology.
- Free backup card. You get a free additional card so that you'll still have access to cash if the Travel Money Card is lost or stolen.
- Card issue fee. There is a one-off $15 fee for issuing the card. This cost can be waived if you are a CommBank Gold, Platinum or Diamond credit card customer, or a Platinum Debit Mastercard customer.
- NetBank access. The card is managed through CommBank's secure NetBank service, as well as the CommBank mobile app.
- SMS alerts. Set up SMS alerts so you know when your balance on the card is getting low.
- ATM fees. There are set fees for ATM withdrawals made with the card that vary depending on the location and currencies loaded onto the card. For example, ATM withdrawals in Australia are charged AUD$3.50, while in the USA they are US$2.50.
- No reload or transaction fees. CommBank charges no fees for reloading the card or using it for transactions (other than ATM withdrawals).
- NetBank or BPAY loading options. You can load money onto the card directly with an eligible CommBank account, or transfer money from any account using BPAY.
When you use the CommBank Travel Money card overseas, it will automatically use the currency of the country you're in, providing you have that currency loaded on your card and can pay for the full transaction. This means you can avoid foreign transaction charges that can come from using an Australian debit card or credit card.
The CommBank Travel Money card lasts for three years and there are no fees for inactivity or cancellation of the card, giving you flexibility to use it as much or as little as you want without paying more for the service.
Read the full review and benefits of CommBank Travel Money Card
Other CommBank debit and credit cards for travel
You can also use your regular CommBank debit card or credit card for overseas transactions. While this is often a convenient option, it's important to be aware that it could attract a range of fees, including:
- International transaction fee. When you use a CommBank debit card or credit card overseas, you will be charged an additional 3%.
- Cash advance fee. A fee of AUD$2.50 or 2.00% of the transaction amount (whichever is greater) will be charged for cash withdrawals or other cash advance transactions made on a CommBank credit card when you are overseas.
- Emergency issue/lost/replacement card. If you lose your card overseas, a $20 fee will be charged to replace it.
There could also be other fees for using your CommBank debit card or credit card overseas, so make sure you check the standard fees and charges brochure and plan ahead if you want to take your regular CommBank card/s with you.
Traveller's cheques
Traveller's cheques can be used like cash or exchanged for local currency in many locations around the world.
Unlike cash, however, traveller's cheques usually have a fixed value and recorded serial number that makes it easier to verify their value if they are lost or stolen. You'll also be able to replace the cheques with a single phone call, and could be reimbursed within just 24 hours in some cases.
CommBank offers American Express traveller's cheques in five foreign currencies:
- United States Dollars
- Euros
- Great British Pounds
- Canadian Dollars
- Japanese Yen
Like prepaid travel money cards, traveller's cheques let you lock in an exchange rate before you travel, which can make it easier to budget for trips. There's no expiry date on them either, so you can save any unused cheques for your next trip or cash them in when you get back.
CommBank traveller's cheques can be purchased in branch or online via ExpressFX. There is a purchase fee of 1% of the total sale amount (minimum $12 per currency), with different minimum and maximum values for the cheques depending on the chosen currency.
This type of travel money is usually recommended for travel in one particular country or area, as the currency you purchase is fixed according to the cheque. Not every merchant will accept traveller's cheques as payment, so make sure you check these details or have another money option before you go abroad.
Currency exchange
CommBank's foreign cash service gives you the chance to buy or sell money in a wide range of currencies whenever you need it. This means you can have the correct cash on hand when you arrive in another country, which is often useful making small purchases such as meals at airports, or for catching a taxi to wherever you're staying.
It also allows you to save money by locking in competitive exchange rates before you leave and means you can avoid expensive foreign ATM fees. The range of currencies available through CommBank includes:
- Brazil Real (BRL)
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Chilean Peso (CLP)
- Chinese Renminbi (CNY)
- Euro (EUR)
- Fijian Dollar (FJD)
- Great British Pound (GBP)
- Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
- Indian Rupee (INR)
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
- Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Mexican Peso (MXN)
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Singapore Dollar (SGD)
- South African Rand (ZAR)
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Thai Baht (THB)
- US Dollar (USD)
- Vietnamese Dong (VND)
You can buy foreign currency from CommBank in branches, online via ExpressFX or at selected Foreign Exchange ATMs around Australia. There is a 1% fee for foreign cash purchases made at CommBank with a minimum charge of $8, and purchases made online will arrive at your nominated bank branch within 48-72 business hours.
If you need a currency that is not currently listed, CommBank can also order it in for you. Just make sure you leave enough time for it to arrive at your selected CommBank branch before you go overseas.
Travel insurance for CommBank
CommBank has a wide range of travel insurance options to suit your budget and needs, so that you can protect yourself and your valuables when you travel overseas. Policies are available for individuals and families, with basic, comprehensive and multi-trip options. CommBank travel insurance is underwritten by Cover-More and features a range of benefits, including:
- Emergency medical assistance and hospitalisation overseas. Cover-More provides emergency assistance when necessary. All hospital costs will be covered, but you must do your best to keep expenses to a minimum.
- Cancellation fees and lost deposits. All unused travel and accommodation costs will be covered by your travel insurance plan.
- Luggage and personal effects. Your plan will cover the replacement or repair of lost or damaged luggage. In the case of misplaced or misdirected luggage, you will need to show written proof from the carrier.
- Travel documents. Your policy will cover the replacement of stolen or destroyed travel documents, bank cards and traveller's cheques.
Complimentary travel insurance included with Commonwealth Bank Credit Cards
Complimentary travel insurance is included if you are a current cardholder of a Commonwealth Bank Gold, Platinum or Diamond Cardholder (personal or business).
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I am using Commonwealth bank account. If I withdraw cash in Malaysia, how much is the charge. Please help me with this.
Hi Danya,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Please note that we are not affiliated with Commonwealth Bank or any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
You will be charged 3.50 AUD for the ATM withdrawal fee when you are in Malaysia.
Cheers,
Rench
If I get a commonwealth travel card and put $100 in Australia if i was to go to an atm in Bali how much would be available to me there
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The amount you’ll get entirely depends on the exchange rate between Indonesian Rupee and AUD at the time of conversion. Please note that the foreign exchange rate will be determined by the MasterCard and the overseas merchant or ATM may charge you fees on conversion. These additional costs are charged on top of the standard international transaction fees charged by CommBank.
Cheers,
May
I like the look of the Commonwealth Bank travel money card as it has much better fees and charges than the “Multi-Currency Cash Passport” issued by my current financial institution. My question is do I need to be a Commonwealth Bank account holder to have one of their travel money cards or are they issued to non account holders?
Thanks
Bob
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your question.
No, you don’t need to be a Commonwealth Bank account holder to apply for the Travel Money card. However, you will need to meet the identification requirements and be aged 16 years or older to apply.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
Hi , I’ve have travel money cards since 2013 they are locked and showing reissue on net bank . Will I be charged a fee for the reissue ?
Hi Glenn,
Thanks for your question.
If you have to order another card, you’ll be required to pay the $15.00 issue fee again.
Cheers,
Sally
hello! im travelling in thailand.. i have my travel money card (commonwealth bank) and im going to Malaysia the next week, i want to know if i can get cash form the atm whit it. thank you!
Hi Santiago,
Yes, you can use the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money card to withdraw funds wherever MasterCard is accepted.
When you’re in Thailand, you’ll be charged an ATM withdrawal fee of THB80.00. In Malaysia, you’ll be charged AUD$3.50.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
What email contact do you have to discuss problem with CommBank travel money card?
If no direct email contact, how to email?
Hi Brendan,
Thanks for you question.
Please refer to your email, I sent there the contact details of Commonwealth travel money.
Cheers,
May
Hi Sally,
when I load money onto a comm bank travel card, USD, from my netbank account what conversion rate is used, is it the interbank rate or a commonwealth bank exchange rate that is 3-5% more expensive?
Can I load or deposit USDs onto the travel card either in cash when in the USA say at a bank or by bank transfer (eg a friend wants to transfer USD onto my travel card from his bank in the US). Is that possible?
Thanks
Justin
Hi Justin,
Thanks for your questions.
It should be the Commonwealth Bank exchange rate.
Unfortunately, you can’t load USD directly on the card. Instead, you have to transfer the funds in AUD and then exchange them to USD.
Cheers,
Sally
AFTER MY TRIP IS FINISHED AND I TRANSFER ANY MONEY BALANCE BACK TO MY HOME ACCOUNT DOES THAT NOW EMPTY TRAVEL CARD ACCOUNT ATTRACT ANY FEES OVER THE REMAINDER OF ITS LIFE ?
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your question.
No, there isn’t an inactive or closure fee when you’re finished with the card.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
My son lives in America and survives by using his travel cards. He has lost one travel card and the other has been damaged. He now would like replacement cards and has asked me for an e-mail address to follow up with the Commonwealth bank. Can this be provided as he has problems scrolling through the various web pages the bank has on line?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your question.
If your son needs a replacement Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card, he can contact the customer service team on +61 2 9374 0609.
Otherwise, he will need to login to his NetBank to make an online enquiry. He can do this by following these instructions:
1. From the home page in NetBank, select More
2. Under security select Lost, stolen or damaged card
3. Choose the card and select an action you would like to perform
4. Follow the prompts.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
When you pay a hotel bill 2 charges appear on the account, one correctly charged and the other the same amount as Pending. As a result the funds are tied up and you can’t access the funds. I have returned from overseas and still can’t access my money – and the bank says they can’t help. I don’t know if I will get my money back. I would not recommend this card. I used cash passport previously and the same thing happened. I thought I would be safe with CBA. I have called travel money customer service to no avail.
Hi AM
Thanks for your question and we’re sorry to hear about the inconvenience you’ve had with the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Guide.
You should receive your funds back, but generally it’s recommended that you use your credit card for hotel deposits rather than a prepaid card as the funds do often get tied up.
If you’re unsure, you might need to contact the hotel to determine how long it’ll be until you get your funds back.
I’m sorry there isn’t much more we can do. Good luck!
Cheers,
Sally