Best Travel Cards for Australians Heading Overseas in 2024
Using a card to spend and withdraw cash when you travel is simple, secure and convenient. However, using your normal debit or credit card overseas can mean paying a whole range of extra costs - it may come with foreign transaction fees, high overseas ATM fees, and exchange rates, your trip overseas could cost you more than you expected.
Travel cards optimised for overseas use are an excellent alternative. Depending on which you pick, you may be able to manage multiple currencies, spend, and withdraw money abroad with low or no fees, and even enjoy travel perks.
Wise - our pick for travel card
- No annual fee, hidden transaction fees, no exchange rate markups
- No minimum balance requirements
- Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
- Local bank account details in Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR), Canada (CAD) and New Zealand (NZD)
- Available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand
Find out more about the Wise card.
With this card:
- It's very easy to set up and order
- You can receive foreign currency into a multi-currency account linked to the card
- Pay with your Wise card in most places overseas where debit cards are accepted
- Get the mid-market rate for currency conversion
Go to Wise or read our review.
It's not all good news though
- There is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
- It takes 7-14 days for delivery
What you need to know about travel cards
A travel card is a debit, prepaid or credit card which has been optimised for overseas use. Depending on the card you pick, you may be able to hold a foreign currency balance, avoid foreign transaction costs, or earn rewards as you spend internationally. Here’s what you need to know:
- Travel cards are designed for spending and withdrawals overseas
- Travel cards can be prepaid, debit or credit cards, and all have their own unique features
- Travel cards may have fees to pay which can include card order fees, monthly charges, and currency conversion costs
When you’re selecting the right travel card for your specific needs, you’ll want to check if it supports spending in the country or countries you’re heading off to. It’s also important to take a look at the exchange rates used for currency conversion, and any other fees which may apply like monthly charges or inactivity fees.
How do I pick the best travel card for me?
Fed up with ATM charges when you travel overseas? Or running out of money when you need it the most? You probably brought the wrong card with you.
It can be tricky to choose the best travel card to use when you travel overseas. The best one for you will really depend on what you need from the card you're using.
You will generally use travel cards to make purchases online, in-stores and to withdraw money at ATMs. All travel cards have these basic capabilities. This means what you should really compare between travel cards are the following:
Exchange Rates and Fees
Compare exchange rates and fees
Conditions and limits
Spending conditions and max/min limits
Safety
Make sure your money is secure
Travel cards pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Some travel cards let you hold foreign currencies for easy overseas spending | ❌ Some travel cards have ongoing fees to pay |
| ✅ Travel cards can be issued as prepaid, debit or credit cards | ❌ Currency exchange and ATM fees can apply |
| ✅ You’ll be able to view and manage your card transactions with your phone when you travel | |
| ✅ Travel cards are issued on globally accepted networks like Visa and Mastercard |
Best Travel Cards for Australians Travelling Overseas
Wise is our pick for travel debit card
With this card:
- It's very easy to set up and order
- You can receive foreign currency into a multi-currency account linked to the card
- You can transfer money to a bank account overseas
- Currency conversion using the mid-market exchange rate
It's not all good news though
- There is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
- It takes 7-14 days for delivery
Click here to see the full list of cards and how Wise compares
- No annual fee, hidden transaction fees, exchange rate markups
- No minimum balance requirements
- Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
- Local bank account details in Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR) and New Zealand (NZD)
- It takes 7-14 business days to receive the card
- Can't always access local technical support depending on where you are
- Free cash withdrawals limited to under $350 every 30 days
- Only currently available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand
Revolut - multi-currency travel card
With this card:
- No purchase fee, load fee, reload fee, exchange rate margin or minimum balance requirements
- Unlike other Travel Cards, its free and easy to use the balance of your currency or convert it back to AUD
- Mid-market exchange rate, they add a mark-up for currency conversion during weekends
It's not all good news though
- For the free Standard account, there is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
- The premium account costs $10.99 a month, which can really add up if you are not using it often
Click here to see the full list of cards and how Revolut compares
- Very easy to use app
- Free to set up
- No hidden fees or exchange rate mark-ups (except on weekends)
- You can use it to transfer money to a bank account overseas
- Additional fees for using the card on a weekend
- 2% ATM fee once you withdraw more than $350 in any 30 day period
- 3-4 business days before you receive your card
- Ongoing subscription fee for Premium and Metal cards
Citibank Saver Plus - bank travel card
The Citibank Plus Everyday Account - bank debit card. With this card you can:
- withdraw money for free at over 3000 ATMs Australia-wide and overseas
- take advantage of no foreign transaction fees, monthly fees, or minimum opening balance
- transfer money to friends and family anywhere in the world for free
We think this is the ideal debit card whether you're staying local in Oz or travelling to destinations in Asia or Europe.
- No international ATM or transaction fees
- Fee-free international money transfers to any account worldwide
- SMS notifications through Citi Alert
- Cash deposits available within 24-48 hours
- Can't have two cards active at the same time
- $5 account closure
28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard - travel credit card
28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard - travel credit card. With this card:
- There are no annual fees
- No overseas purchase fee or currency conversion fee
- You get 55 days interest free on purchases
- Access to free 24/7 concierge service
- Emergency card replacement worldwide
The 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard has additional benefits including shoppers and repayments benefits cover. For more information read our review.
- Can have 9 additional cardholders
- No overseas purchase fee, or currency conversion fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- Free Replacement Card
- High interest rates after the initial 55 days
- Minimum credit limit is $6000
- No introductory offers or rewards
Learn more about the 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard
Travelex Money Card - prepaid travel card
Travelex Money Card - prepaid travel card. With this card:
- There are no ATM fees so you can withdraw cash at no extra cost
- You can access Travelex's online rates
- You can lock in your initial loading cross currency rate
- Ideal for the organised traveller.
- Can load up to 10 currencies including AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CAD, THB, SGB, HKD and JPY.
- Smartphone App & Free Wifi Cross
- $0 overseas ATM fees (Australia excluded)
- Free Replacement Card
- 24/7 Global Support
- Limited Currencies
- 5.95% currency conversion rate
- $100 minimum initial load
- 2.95% Australian ATM withdrawal fee
Learn more about the Travelex Money Card
What are the other travel card options?
Check our travel card comparison table for a comprehensive list of fees and features for different travel debit and credit cards available for Australians travelling overseas.
| Debit cards | Monthly Account fee | International ATM fee | International point-of-sale fee | Currency conversion fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ING Orange Everyday Visa | $0 | $5 | 3.0% | 3.0% |
| NAB Classic Banking Visa | $0 | $5 | 3.0% | 3.0% |
| ANZ Access Advantage Visa** | $5 | $5 | 3.0% | 3.0% |
| CBA Smart Access Mastercard | $4* | $5 | 3.0% | 3.0% |
| Travel money accounts | Monthly Account fee | International ATM fee | International point-of-sale fee | Currency conversion fee |
| HSBC Everyday Global Account | $0 | $0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Citibank Global Currency Account | $0 | $0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Credit cards | Annual fee | Currency conversion fee | Free travel insurance | Conditions |
| Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard | $0 | 2.95% | Yes - Platinum card holders only | |
| 28 Degrees by Latitude Mastercard | $0 | 0% | No | |
| CommBank Low Rate Credit Card Mastercard | $59 | 3% | No | |
| NAB Low Rate Credit Card Visa | $59 | 3% | No | |
| Travel money card | Purchase fee | Reload fee | ATM fee | Currency conversion fee |
| Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard | $0 | $0 for bank transfer 1% for BPAY | $3.50 | 0% (Spend rate applies, which may include a markup) |
| Travelex Money Card | $0 | $0 online and in store - 1% for BPAY | $0 | 0% (Spend rate applies, which may include a markup) |
| Qantas Travel Money | $0 | $0 for bank transfer or BPAY, 0.5% for debit card | $1.95 | 0% (Spend rate applies, which may include a markup) |
| Westpac Worldwide Wallet | $0 | $0 | $2 | 0% (Spend rate applies, which may include a markup) |
| Travel Money Oz Currency Pass | $0 | Up to 1.1% online, or 1% BPay | $3.50 | 0% (Spend rate applies, which may include a markup) |
| Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard | $0 | $0 for bank transfer 1% for BPAY | $3.50 | 0% (Spend rate applies, which may include a markup) |
| CBA Travel Money Card | $0 | $0 | $3.50 | 3% |
*ATM operators will often charge their own fees.
** Up to 5 ATM fees and unlimited currency conversion costs may be rebated if you deposit $1,000 and make 5 purchases per month.
***Account fee waived if you meet eligibility criteria, including depositing $2,000 per month
What is a travel card?
Travel cards available for Australian customers include travel debit cards, travel prepaid cards and travel credit cards. They all work a little differently - but the main benefit of any of these travel card options is that they’re designed for use overseas.
Some travel prepaid or debit cards have multi-currency account functions, which means you can hold a balance in the foreign currency of your choice, to spend later. Some travel cards have no foreign transaction fees to cut the costs of spending and withdrawals. And some - particularly travel credit cards - have perks like travel insurance and lounge access as part of the package. Use this guide to pick the right card type and provider for your specific needs.
What are the different types of travel card in Australia?
There are 3 popular travel cards you can take with you on your trip:
1. Prepaid Travel Card
For prepaid travel cards, you're able to load the card with a set amount of money in the currencies you need. Ideally you do this before your trip, but often you can reload them as well.
Most prepaid travel cards allow for multiple currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.
With prepaid travel cards you need to be careful, as they can have numerous fees and charges which can make it more expensive than other options. But if you're organised and travelling to multiple cities a prepaid travel card is a good option. Read more of how to find the best travel card with no foreign transaction fees.
If you need more flexibility or you don't want to pay the multiple fees associated with prepaid travel cards, the HSBC and Citibank global accounts are better options.
Fees
- Exchange rate margins when you load your card
- Exchange rate margins when you close the card
- Flat or percentage-based fees to load the card
- ATM withdrawal fees
- Exchange rate conversion fee when you use the card
- Reloading fees
- Closing fees
Prepaid travel cards are best if:
- You want to lock in a rate
- You want to stick to a budget
- You lose it/it's stolen
Prepaid travel cards are not great if:
- You want the absolute best rates
- You need to hire a car, make payments on a cruise ship, or pay for a hotel
2. Travel Debit Card
An international card or your bank card offers the convenience of a credit card, but work differently. They draw money directly from your bank's everyday transaction account when you make a purchase. It's designed for everyday money transactions and means that you're not accumulating debt.
A debit card could make you stick to your travel budget, because you can't overdraw money from your account. And for daily purchases, we think a debit card can help you stick to your travel budget, because you can't overdraw money from your account.
We recommend bringing both a debit card and credit card for safety, flexibility and convenience on your trip.
Fees
- Currency conversion fee for overseas debit transactions
- Flat fee or percentage-based ATM withdrawal fees
- Foreign ATM owner fees
- Flat fee or percentage fee for debit card purchases via EFTPOS
Debit cards are best for:
- When you have time and you're happy to open a bank account to get one
- Fee-free cash withdrawals from ATMs
Debit cards are not great if:
- You switched from a better account to get one
- Or if you want to switch, but pick a costly travel debit card instead
3. Travel Credit Card
Credit cards have obviously been around for a long time. But now there are specialised travel credit cards. Generally, these cards give you longer to pay back what you've spent but the interest rates after this time can be quite high.
The main advantage with credit cards are the reward points you get in return for your customer loyalty when you spend. But it only works if you pay off the balance in full each month.
Credit cards are great to use for car hire, restaurants and accommodation - larger expenses that are easier for you to pay back over time. Some services only take credit cards to hold purchases so they can definitely be handy while you're travelling.
Fees
- Annual and reward scheme fees
- Cash advance fees
- Interest charges
Travel credit cards are best for:
- Getting the best spending rates
- If you have decent credit score and are legible for the credit card
- Frequent flyer points to help you get discounted or free flights
- Low or zero international transaction fees
- Complimentary travel and/or medical insurance offered with a lot of cards
Travel credit cards are not great if:
- Your credit score is poor
- You won't repay in full every month
- Can't afford high minimum credit and annual fees
- Want additional card holders (usually an extra cost)
- Your monthly salary minimum isn't high enough
- For some travel credit cards you have to be a permanent Australian resident
Can you load money onto a travel card?
Most prepaid and debit travel cards come with a linked account. To use the card you’ll need to load money onto the account. Different cards offer different options to load or top up - you might be able to pay with a bank transfer or BPAY, or with another card, for example.
Some cards which are offered by providers which have physical locations might also offer ways to top up in cash. Fees may apply to different top up or load methods, so you’ll need to check your chosen card’s terms and conditions before you get started.
How to choose the right travel card for you
Different travel cards have their own features and fees. Comparing a few is the best way to decide which is the right one for you. Here are a few things to consider:
- What are the card fees - particularly any ongoing charges? If your card has a monthly or annual fee to pay this increases the overall cost of using it
- Where can you use the card? Check the card you pick is issued on a global network like Visa or Mastercard for good acceptance worldwide
- Does the card offer multi-currency account options? If your card has multi-currency features you can add money in AUD and convert to the currency you need for spending easily
- Is the provider or bank trustworthy and regulated? Make sure you know how to get in touch with the provider if anything goes wrong, and check customer feedback on a site like Trustpilot to see what other customers think of their service
Benefits of a travel card
Using a travel card could offer these benefits:
- Hold a balance in the currency you need for spending overseas, allowing you to set your budget ahead of time
- Cut the costs of currency conversion and avoid foreign transaction fees
- Make cash withdrawals to get your foreign currency cash - that’s safer and more convenient than using a money changer
- Some cards also offer extras like travel rewards or partner discounts
Best travel money card tips
Before you decide which travel money card will best suit your needs, it’s worth comparing a few, bearing in mind these handy travel money card tips:
- Exchange rate - check what rate is used to convert your dollars to the currency needed for spending in your destination. A card which uses the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually the best value
- Coverage - make sure your card covers the currency you’ll need in your destination, as fees may apply if it doesn’t. Picking a card which covers a large number of currencies can also mean you’re able to use your travel money card on future trips.
- Safety - check the card’s safety features. Most cards are linked to an app which allows you to view transactions, check your balance and freeze or unfreeze your card if you need to
- Fees - read through all the possible fees associated with your card before you sign up. Costs may include a foreign transaction fee when spending an unsupported currency, ATM fees, a cash out charge or inactivity fees if you don’t use your card often for example
- Rewards - some travel money cards also offer some nice extras, like ways to earn rewards or discounts, or free wifi when you travel. Travel credit cards in particular have lots of rewards on offer, although you may have to pay an annual fee to get them
Travel card fees
The fees you pay for your travel money card will vary depending on the type of card you select, and the specific provider.
Travel prepaid cards fees can include:
- Fees when you get your card in the first place
- Load or top up fees
- An exchange rate margin when topping up foreign currencies
- Foreign transaction fees if you spend a currency you don’t have in your account
- ATM charges at home and abroad
- Cash out, close or inactivity charges
Travel debit card can include:
- Card delivery fee
- International ATM fees
- Currency conversion charges
International credit card fees can include:
- Annual fees to hold the card
- Cash advance fees if you use an ATM
- Foreign transaction fees
- Interest if you don’t repay your bill in full
- Penalties if you don’t pay your bill on time
Should I use my bank's travel card?
While some Australian banks do offer travel cards, they’re not the only option. It’s well worth comparing a few travel cards before you choose one because the features, fees and benefits can vary quite a lot between banks and providers.
Ultimately there’s no single best travel card for Australian customers - so doing your research is the only way to decide if your bank’s card or a card from a different, non-bank provider would be better. Compare the travel card your bank offers against an alternative from a provider like Wise or Revolut, to get a good feel for the options out there.
Should I have a travel card or a credit card for travelling?
Travel debit and prepaid cards can often end up cheaper than using a credit card when you’re abroad. You can find travel cards like the Wise card which have no annual or monthly fee, and no foreign transaction fee - plus travel debit and prepaid cards often let you hold a foreign currency balance.
Travel credit cards don’t let you hold a balance in other currencies, but might let you spend fairly cheaply when you’re away. They can offer good rewards and extras as part of the package - like insurance or lounge access - but there might be an annual fee, and you could run into interest and penalty charges depending on how you spend.
For many customers, having several different cards for travel makes sense. Getting a travel prepaid card for day to day use, and having a travel credit card for larger purchases or emergency use may ultimately be the best bet.
Conclusion - What is the best card to use while travelling?
There’s no single best travel money card - which works best for you will depend on your personal preferences and where you’re heading.
Using a multi-currency debit card which supports a large range of currencies can keep your costs low and allow you to skip foreign transaction fees. Plus you’ll be able to use your card for online shopping in foreign currencies, or for your next trip abroad, with no ongoing fees to worry about.
Prepaid travel money cards are safe and easy to use, and you can often pick one up instantly if you’re in a hurry. You’ll be able to add travel money before you leave or top up as you travel, although it’s worth converting to the currency you need in advance, and looking for a card with mid-market exchange rates to avoid extra costs.
Generally using a credit card will come with the highest overall fees - but you’ll be able to spread out the costs of your travel over a few months if you need to, and you may also be able to earn rewards or cash back as you spend. Use this guide to compare different card types and options, and pick the perfect one for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Best travel cards to use overseas
Which is the best travel card for use in Australia?
The Citibank Plus Everyday Account is the best travel debit card for use in Australia. It works as a normal debit account, with no ATM fees at 3000 ATMs across Australia and has no account minimums.
Which travel card is best for Europe?
The best travel card for Europe is Wise. Not only do you get a great rate when spending in Euros, You get a set of bank account details with which you can recieve EUR transfers, as if you were a local.
Which high-street bank has the best travel card?
The best travel card from an Australian high-street bank is either the Citibank Plus Everyday Account or the CommBank travel money card. While Citibank's card offers more as a travel card (fee-free ATM withdrawals and excellent exchange rates), CommBank has far more in-person branches in Australia if you're someone who prefers doing your banking in person.
Is Wise better than the Commbank travel card?
The Wise card supports 40+ currencies which gives more flexibility than the Commbank card which has 16. Wise also uses the mid-market rate for currency conversion, while Commbank might add a markup to the rate used to convert your AUD for overseas spending. However, the Commbank card has no issue fee, and Wise does charge a one time card order fee. Compare both to see which works best for you.
What is the best card to use while travelling?
There’s no single best travel money card - which is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Usually having a few different ways to pay is a smart move, so packing a travel debit card or prepaid card, your credit card and some cash can mean you’re prepared for all eventualities.
Which bank travel card is best?
Australian banks offer travel credit cards, and some also have travel debit or prepaid card options which can be worth considering. Which is best for you will depend on the type of card you’d prefer, so comparing a few options from banks - and from specialist providers like Wise or Revolut - can help you find the best deal for your needs.
Does ANZ have a travel card?
ANZ Australia used to offer travel cards, but this product was withdrawn and closed for existing customers in October 2022. Consider an alternative like the Wise card or the Revolut card, to meet your travel needs.
