Advantages of travel money cards
- Pre-load your funds. Depositing your money on the card in advance can help you to stick to a budget, though you can always reload if needed.
- Multiple currencies. You can convert Australian dollars into several supported currencies (great for a multi-country trip) and avoid currency conversion fees.
- Locked-in exchange rates. When you put money on the card it's converted to the local currency based on the exchange rate at that time. This means you don't have to worry about a sudden spike in exchange rates costing you more money.
- Frequent flyer points. The Qantas Pay prepaid card means you'll earn frequent flyer points for your spending both overseas and in Australia.
- ATM fees. Many travel money cards don't charge overseas ATM fees.

I am travelling to the US and Canada do I need to take US and Canadian money or convert US dollars while in the US to visit Canada. Would the exchange rate be higher in the US than purchasing Canadian dollars in Australia.
I am looking for the easiest way to travel without carrying a lot of money on me.
I have a velocity mastercard which I can load with my own money or would a Travelex travel card be a better way to go.
I do not know whether to buy now while the US dollar is around .76 or wait closer to the time when I leave.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your question.
When you travel overseas, it would be best to bring a combination of cash and card for your needs.
Unfortunately, we can’t tell if the rate in the US is higher than in Australia when purchasing Canadian dollars. We also cannot forecast the movement of US dollar rate in the coming weeks.
In regards to having a Velocity Mastercard, since you did not mention the full name of the card, I am unable to check its complete features and fees. Generally, credit cards charge foreign currency transactions fees while Travelex Travel Money does not charge currency conversion and international ATM withdrawal fees.
You may want to read our Canada travel guide and USA travel guide for more tips on how you can safely and effectively spend money while you’re in your trip.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Anndy
I’m travelling from Australia to Argentina then NY and LA. what are the best options for travel cards when a credit card or any kind of loan is out of the question?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your question.
If you’ll be spending most of your time in the US, you may compare your US travel card options featured on our website.
Alternatively, since you mentioned going to Argentina, you can also check our South America travel card comparison page.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi im going to the UK and europe i have a travel card i tried to get a 28degree credit card just for a backup but was denied I have a visa card but i don’t want to use it because of all the fees .what i want to know is would it be cheaper to transfer $2000 from my commonwealth credit card and put it in my commonwealth travel card while im still in australia and when i come back if i haven’t used the $2000 transfer back to the visa card
Hi Donna,
Thanks for your question.
When transferring a balance/money from a credit card to another account, that would be treated as a cash advance, so most likely, you’ll be charged cash advance fee and interest on your credit card.
So in this case, if you will load your CBA travel card with funds from your CBA Visa credit card, then the CA fees and interest will be applied to your credit card.
Cheers,
May
Hi Coming from UK to AU soon would i get a better rate taking sterling ? Regards Brian.
Hello Brian,
Thank you for your question.
Since your destination is from the UK to AU you may check our Australia Post Travel Money guide. You will read important details about this topic.
Cheers,
Harold
Going to china / sth Korea
Lots of travel cards don’t lock in these 2 currencies some have Chinese currency only. Think better getting cash. Which site is best for updated cash currencies comparisons. Many institutes state can match a retail quote if done same day . Thanks
Hi Jon,
Thanks for your question. You can compare your travel money options for your holiday using our China travel money guide and South Korea travel money guide.
Unfortunately, no travel cards currently support the Korean Won, so you might want to consider a prepaid travel credit, credit card or debit card that doesn’t charge currency conversion fees.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally