prepaid travel money card anz

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Travel money cards with the lowest fees

We look at seven travel money cards from the big banks and airlines..

Prepaid travel money cards are offered by major banks, airlines and foreign exchange retailers like Travelex. Before travelling overseas, you load money into the card account, which locks in the exchange rate for foreign currencies at that time. 

You can then use the card for purchases and cash withdrawals just like a debit or credit card, usually wherever Visa and Mastercard are accepted. 

You can reload money on-the-go via an app or website, and if the card is lost or stolen, it can be replaced (usually at no cost to you).

Prepaid travel money cards also give you assurance that you're not handing the details of your everyday banking account to merchants you're not familiar with, and they provide easy access to cash when you want some, says Peter Marshall, head of research at money comparison website Mozo .

CHOICE tip: Travel money cards are best for longer trips. They're usually not worth your while if you're only taking a short trip, as some have closure, cash out and inactivity fees.

Travel money card fees

A major difference between prepaid travel cards and debit or credit cards is their fees. Some costs aren't immediately apparent, such as hefty margins built into the exchange rates.

And although fees have come down since we looked at these cards two years ago, you still need to watch out for:

• fees to load the card – either a percentage of the total or a flat fee
• ATM withdrawal fees
• a cross currency fee or margin when you use the card in a currency you haven't preloaded
• further fees if you close the account or haven't used the card for a period of time.

Travel money card with the lowest fees and best exchange rate

Westpac worldwide wallet.

Westpac closed its Global Currency Card in July 2021 and offers its new card in partnership with Mastercard.  It's also available from Bank of Melbourne and BankSA.

Currencies: AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, ZAR.

Key features:

• No loading, reloading, closing or inactivity fees.
• Free to use it in network ATMs in Australia and partner ATMs overseas in a range of countries including the UK, US and New Zealand.
• A charge applies at non-Westpac and non-partner ATMs in Australia and overseas.
• Best exchange rates for the US dollar, the Euro and GBP in our comparison.*
• The only card that lets you preload the South African rand.

Other travel money cards

Next to the Westpac Worldwide Wallet, there are six other travel money cards available.

Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard

Available online or at post offices.

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, AED.

• Fee to reload the card via BPay, debit card or instore, but free via online bank transfer.
• Closure fee.
• Fees for ATM withdrawals in Australia and overseas.

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

It's issued by Heritage Bank and is available online and from a number of smaller banks and credit unions (like Bendigo Bank and Bank of Queensland) as well as travel agents. 

• Fee to reload with a debit card or instore, but free via BPay.

CommBank Travel Money Card

CommBank Travel Money Card (Visa)

As NAB and ANZ have closed their travel money cards, this is the only other travel money card available from a major bank. This card has the largest variety of currencies that can be preloaded.

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, AED, VND, CNY.

• Fee if you make a purchase with currencies not preloaded.
• Fee for withdrawals at overseas ATMs.

Qantas Travel Money Card

Qantas Travel Money Card (Mastercard)

The only travel money card offering from an airline. It can be added as a feature to your Qantas Frequent Flyer card, so you don't need a dedicated card, and you can earn points using it.

• Free to reload via bank transfer or BPay, but there's a reload fee if using debit card.

Travelex Money Card

Travelex Money Card (Mastercard)

Travelex is an international foreign exchange retailer. In Australia, it operates more than 140 stores at major airports and shopping centres, across CBDs and in the suburbs. It was the card with the best exchange rate for New Zealand dollars.*

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD.

Fees : 

• Load fee instore, but free via Travelex website or app.
• Reload fee instore or via BPay, but free via Travelex website or app.
• Closure fee and monthly inactivity fee (if not used for 12 months).

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass (Mastercard)

The Travel Money Group is owned by Flight Centre and is a foreign exchange retailer. 

• Reloading the card via an online bank transfer or instore is free, but there's a fee if you reload via BPay, debit card or credit card. 
• Cash out (closure) fee. 

Travel money card tips

• Make sure the card allows the currencies you'll need, and also consider stopovers. For example, the South African rand is only supported by the Westpac card.
• Try to load your card with the right currencies and amounts on days with good exchange rates. 
• Make sure you know how to reload your card if you run out of funds while overseas.
• It may be more convenient to choose a card that has an app that can be linked to your bank account.
• Avoid loading more money than you'll need as there may be fees and exchange rate margins to get the unused money back.
• Remember to cancel the card once you're finished your trip, especially if it has inactivity fees.
• Be mindful that you still may need a credit card, as travel money cards may not be accepted as security for hotels and car rental agencies. 

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

Travel money

Ways to pay and get foreign currencies, including using overseas ATMs.

Will my card work overseas?

You can use your ANZ Visa Debit and credit cards in most countries. 

Be prepared for a few differences if you make transactions that would usually require a PIN if you were in New Zealand:

• United States – you may be asked to enter a five-digit ZIP (postcode) as well as your PIN. Add a zero after your New Zealand postcode, e.g. 7011 becomes 70110
• European Union – you may not be asked to enter a PIN due to different settings on some payment terminals. 

Countries where you can’t use your card (sanctioned countries)

ANZ’s Sanctions Policy means your ANZ Visa Debit or credit card will not work in these countries:

• North Korea

For more information on sanctioned countries, see our  Sanctions Policy (PDF 154KB) .

The New Zealand government’s Safe Travel website provides official guidance for New Zealanders travelling or living overseas. This includes information on how you can access funds while travelling.

Travel money options

It’s a good idea to take a mix of payment methods, like foreign cash and your ANZ Visa Debit and/or credit card. 

Credit and debit cards

In most countries you can use your ANZ Visa Debit and credit cards – including Apple Pay — or Google Pay™ —  – to make purchases and get cash from ATMs.

You’ll pay a 1.3% conversion charge for foreign currency transactions online and overseas.

• ANZ Visa Debit card – to withdraw cash at ATMs and make purchases using money in your everyday account. 
• ANZ EFTPOS card – to withdraw cash at ATMs using money in your everyday account. If you also want to make purchases overseas, you can upgrade your EFTPOS card to an ANZ Visa Debit card — .
• ANZ Visa credit cards – to make purchases.
• ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum —  card – to make purchases. You may also be eligible for Overseas Travel Insurance — . 

Overseas ATMs

You can use your ANZ Visa Debit card at any ATM around the world, apart from sanctioned countries.

We do not charge an Overseas ATM fee for using ATMs outside New Zealand. Banks and other financial institutions who own overseas ATMs may charge a fee for using them.

ANZ has ATMs in Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. To find an ANZ ATM near you, you can:

• Use the Find a branch or ATM feature in goMoney
• Search by location on Find an ANZ branch or ATM .

Our currency conversion charge of 1.3% of the NZD amount applies to foreign transactions, including cash withdrawals from overseas ATMs.

Before you travel

Before you leave New Zealand, it’s a good idea to:

• Check your card expiry dates and PINs
• Tell us your travel plans so we can guide you on managing your banking while overseas.

Even if you tell us you’re overseas, some transactions may be temporarily blocked while we check if it’s fraudulent.

Lost or stolen cards

If your card gets lost or stolen, you can use ANZ Internet Banking or the ANZ goMoney mobile app — to:

• Block your card so no one can use it
• Cancel the card and order a replacement (courier charges may apply)
• Set a PIN for your new card.

Once we issue a new card, you can instantly add it to your mobile wallet to make contactless payments. You don’t have to wait until you have a physical card.

Foreign cash and travellers' cheques

We don’t buy or sell foreign cash. To access foreign cash, you can use your ANZ Visa Debit card to withdraw cash from overseas ATMs. For other options, see We no longer offer foreign currency cash .

We don’t issue travellers’ cheques. We only accept travellers’ cheques previously issued by ANZ if these will be deposited into an ANZ account. 

Managing your money overseas

Take your banking with you 24/7.

With ANZ's smart money management tools – goMoney and Internet Banking —  – it's easy to keep control of your finances while you're away.

ANZ Fraud Check

We have fraud monitoring systems and a dedicated team who review banking activity around the clock for anything potentially suspicious or fraudulent. We may send you a text or email if we suspect a transaction might be fraudulent. You won’t be asked to click on a link, we’ll simply ask you to reply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to confirm if the purchase was authorised.

• If the mobile number we have for you is a New Zealand (+64) or Australian (+61) number, and your phone is on and roaming, you’ll be able to receive and reply to ANZ Fraud Check texts. If you’re overseas and you reply, there may be a charge depending on your network and subscription. 
• If the mobile number we have for you is from a country other than New Zealand or Australia, we’ll send you an email instead. If we don’t have an email address for you, we’ll try to call you.

If you choose not to reply, we’ll follow up with an email to you to confirm if the transaction was yours or not. Your card will remain blocked until we’re able to contact you.  

Visa 3-D Secure for online purchases

ANZ uses Visa 3-D Secure to provide extra security when you’re making purchases online with your ANZ Visa Debit or credit card.

If you plan to shop online while overseas, make sure you can receive the one-time Visa 3-D Secure passcode to your mobile phone:

• If you’re travelling with your New Zealand mobile phone, switch on roaming while buying online
• If you’ll use an international number, tell us so we can update your contact details.

Remember to change your phone number back when you return to New Zealand.

ANZ Card Manager to block and unblock your cards

You can use ANZ Card Manager — in Internet Banking or goMoney to instantly block or unblock your credit and debit cards, for example if you lose your card or want to save it for emergencies only.

Help and support

Important information.

Our  financial advice provider statement  has some important information you should know about ANZ and our financial advice services. Please take the time to read it.

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Travel money cards were ranked in order of highest value of USD/ euros after fees and conversions

Here’s a list of the Top 10 best travel money cards to use when holidaying in the United States and Europe, revealing the least withdrawal fees.

This article may contain links from our affiliate and advertising partners. When you click on them, or share this content, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

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When it comes to travelling there’s lots to tick off the “to-do” list and more often than not, travel money cards become an afterthought.

But don’t be lazy, that’s the advice from comparative site finder.com.au ’s money expert Bessie Hassan, who says by settling for your standard credit or debit card it can leave you with plenty of unexpected fees .

“Taking your everyday credit or debit card on holiday instead of getting a travel money card will mean you’ll be charged on average 3 per cent per transaction,” Ms Hassan said. “That’s a lot in fees so don’t be lazy or leave it to the last minute.”

Most people will turn to their avid travelling mate for advice on which banks provide the best travel cards and according to the site that’s Travelex Money Card and ANZ Travel Card.

The Best Travel Money Card analysis also revealed that NAB’s Traveller Card was the only one not to have any fees, but it ranked fifth for not offering as much as the others when converting $10,000 to US dollars and euros.

Unfortunately for some travellers, it’s not until they check out of that luxurious hotel on the Amalfi Coast or go on that major shopping spree in Hawaii, when they realise their everyday card has clocked a bunch of fees.

Ms Hassan said prepaid travel money cards are often a better alternative than taking your standard card as you can load it with different currencies at a locked-in exchange rate.

“Often, you can load up to 10 different currencies on the card and they typically come with fewer fees, such as $0 foreign currency conversion fees,” she said.

“Travel money cards protect you from exchange rate fluctuations while you’re travelling, and they also help you better stick to your budget.”

TRAVELLING TO AMERICA

Based on the lowest withdrawal fees, reload fees and initial load fees, the best travel money card is Travelex, according to the finder.com.au.

It topped its Best Travel Money Card survey for having no ATM fees when it comes to withdrawing money and gives you the most when converting $AU10,000 to US dollars at $7140.

While the NAB Traveller Card was the only one out of the 10 to not have any withdrawal, reload or initial loading fees, it gives you $US7,066 when converting it from $10,000 (that’s $US74 less than Travelex) — ranking it as fifth on the list.

ANZ Travel Card came in second, followed by CBA and Suncorp.

All three slapped customers with a $AU3.50 withdrawal fee but gave the most US dollars when converting $AU10,000.

Westpac Global Currency Card had a $AU2.00 withdrawal fee and Qantas came second, behind Tavelex and NAB for having the least overall fees, but respectively came sixth and seventh on the list when it came to converting it to $US10,000.

Travel Money Oz had a $AU3.50 withdrawal fee and the highest reload fee at 1.10 per cent.

Finder.com.au accessed the travel money cards based on fees and conversion rates then ranked them in order of the highest value of US dollars after fees and conversions.

TRAVELLING TO EUROPE

Based on the lowest withdrawal fees, reload fees and initial load fees, the best travel money card is the ANZ Travel Card, according to finder.com.au.

Please note, the ranking in the euro table is different when compared to the USD table due to the conversion rate.

Again, NAB Traveller Card was the only one out of the 10 with no fees.

It only ranked fifth for giving €95 less than ANZ’s card when converting it euros (€6,047 compared to ANZ’s €6,142).

In second spot was Travelex Money Card which also had no additional fees, except a 1 per cent reload fee.

Suncorp Cash Passport Platinum and CBA Travel Money Card both have $3.50 ATM withdrawal fees but no reload or initial load fees, ranking them in third and fourth place.

Westpac Global Currency Card and Qantas Cash followed Travelex and NAB for having the lows withdrawal fees at $2.00 and $1.95 respectively, but their overall currency conversion offered less than those who had the higher withdrawal fees.

Travel Money Oz had the most all-round fees, offering just €5,988 when converting $10,000, compared to ANZ at €6,142.

But it was AusPost Cash Passport that ranked 10 for its $AU3.50 withdrawal fee combined with its currency conversion of €5,951 which was €191 less than ANZ.

Finder.com.au accessed the travel money cards based on fees and conversion rates then ranked them in order of the highest value of euros after fees and conversions.

TOP TIPS — finder.com.au

• The right travel money card depends on your personal situation, including your destination, the length of your trip, and the features you value most.
• Opt for a travel money card with $0 conversion or ATM withdrawal fees, and one that supports the currencies you’ll need.
• Be cautious of fees including initial load fees and inactivity fees that may apply to ensure you get the most cost-effective product.
• If you choose a card with an inactivity fee, make sure to take any remaining funds off your card when you get home as fees can result in your money dripping away unnoticed.

BIGGEST MISTAKES — finder.com.au

• Taking your everyday credit or debit card on holiday instead of getting a travel money card will mean you’ll be charged on average 3 per cent per transaction.
• Withdrawing too little from the ATM — having to find an ATM when you’re travelling is not only annoying when but will add up if your bank charges international ATM fees.
• Not all travel cards give you the same exchange rates, and while only 1c seems small, it can add up substantially if you’re converting thousands of dollars so don’t forget to compare the exchange rates between providers.
• Using a card with foreign transaction fees — by using a card with no international transaction fees you’ll save on ATM fees. Depending on where you’re travelling to, it may also be safer and more convenient than having to carry cash.

THE MAIN FEES TO LOOK OUT FOR — finder.com.au

• 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.

Shireen started her career as an automotive writer for an online magazine before joining News Corp's community newspapers covering local news and politics. During this time she had a stint on Sky News Australia as News Local's correspondent. She then moved to London and Frankfurt working as a journalist and freelance travel writer before returning home to join the news.com.au team.

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Travel money cards were ranked in order of highest value of USD/ euros after fees and conversions

HERE’S a list of the Top 10 best travel money cards to use when holidaying in the United States and Europe, revealing the least withdrawal fees.

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WHEN it comes to travelling there’s lots to tick off the “to-do” list and more often than not, travel money cards become an afterthought.

But don’t be lazy, that’s the advice from comparative site finder.com.au ’s money expert Bessie Hassan, who says by settling for your standard credit or debit card it can leave you with plenty of unsuspecting fees .

“Taking your everyday credit or debit card on holiday instead of getting a travel money card will mean you’ll be charged on average 3 per cent per transaction,” Ms Hassan said. “That’s a lot in fees so don’t be lazy or leave it to the last minute.”

Most people will turn to their avid travelling mate for advice on which banks provide the best travel cards and according to the site that’s Travelex Money Card and ANZ Travel Card.

The Best Travel Money Card analysis also revealed that NAB’s Traveller Card was the only one not to have any fees, but it ranked fifth for not offering as much as the others when converting $10,000 to US dollars and euros.

Unfortunately for some travellers, it’s not until they check out of that luxurious hotel on the Amalfi Coast or go on that major shopping spree in Hawaii, when they realise their everyday card has clocked a bunch of fees.

Ms Hassan said prepaid travel money cards are often a better alternative than taking your standard card as you can load it with different currencies at a locked-in exchange rate.

“Often, you can load up to 10 different currencies on the card and they typically come with fewer fees, such as $0 foreign currency conversion fees,” she said.

“Travel money cards protect you from exchange rate fluctuations while you’re travelling, and they also help you better stick to your budget.”

TRAVELLING TO AMERICA

Based on the lowest withdrawal fees, reload fees and initial load fees, the best travel money card is Travelex, according to the finder.com.au.

It topped its Best Travel Money Card survey for having no ATM fees when it comes to withdrawing money and gives you the most when converting $AU10,000 to US dollars at $7140.

While the NAB Traveller Card was the only one out of the 10 to not have any withdrawal, reload or initial loading fees, it gives you $US7,066 when converting it from $10,000 (that’s $US74 less than Travelex) — ranking it as fifth on the list.

ANZ Travel Card came in second, followed by CBA and Suncorp.

All three slapped customers with a $AU3.50 withdrawal fee but gave the most US dollars when converting $AU10,000.

Westpac Global Currency Card had a $AU2.00 withdrawal fee and Qantas came second, behind Tavelex and NAB for having the least overall fees, but respectively came sixth and seventh on the list when it came to converting it to $US10,000.

Travel Money Oz had a $AU3.50 withdrawal fee and the highest reload fee at 1.10 per cent.

Finder.com.au assessed the travel money cards based on fees and conversion rates then ranked them in order of the highest value of US dollars after fees and conversions.

TRAVELLING TO EUROPE

Based on the lowest withdrawal fees, reload fees and initial load fees, the best travel money card is the ANZ Travel Card, according to finder.com.au.

Please note, the ranking in the euro table is different when compared to the USD table due to the conversion rate.

Again, NAB Traveller Card was the only one out of the 10 with no fees.

It only ranked fifth for giving €95 less than ANZ’s card when converting it euros (€6,047 compared to ANZ’s €6,142).

In second spot was Travelex Money Card which also had no additional fees, except a 1 per cent reload fee.

Suncorp Cash Passport Platinum and CBA Travel Money Card both have $3.50 ATM withdrawal fees but no reload or initial load fees, ranking them in third and fourth place.

Westpac Global Currency Card and Qantas Cash followed Travelex and NAB for having the lows withdrawal fees at $2.00 and $1.95 respectively, but their overall currency conversion offered less than those who had the higher withdrawal fees.

Travel Money Oz had the most all-round fees, offering just €5,988 when converting $10,000, compared to ANZ at €6,142.

But it was AusPost Cash Passport that ranked 10 for its $AU3.50 withdrawal fee combined with its currency conversion of €5,951 which was €191 less than ANZ.

Finder.com.au accessed the travel money cards based on fees and conversion rates then ranked them in order of the highest value of euros after fees and conversions.

TOP TIPS — finder.com.au

• The right travel money card depends on your personal situation, including your destination, the length of your trip, and the features you value most.
• Opt for a travel money card with $0 conversion or ATM withdrawal fees, and one that supports the currencies you’ll need.
• Be cautious of fees including initial load fees and inactivity fees that may apply to ensure you get the most cost-effective product.
• If you choose a card with an inactivity fee, make sure to take any remaining funds off your card when you get home as fees can result in your money dripping away unnoticed.

BIGGEST MISTAKES — finder.com.au

• Taking your everyday credit or debit card on holiday instead of getting a travel money card will mean you’ll be charged on average 3 per cent per transaction.
• Withdrawing too little from the ATM — having to find an ATM when you’re travelling is not only annoying when but will add up if your bank charges international ATM fees.
• Not all travel cards give you the same exchange rates, and while only 1c seems small, it can add up substantially if you’re converting thousands of dollars so don’t forget to compare the exchange rates between providers.
• Using a card with foreign transaction fees — by using a card with no international transaction fees you’ll save on ATM fees. Depending on where you’re travelling to, it may also be safer and more convenient than having to carry cash.

THE MAIN FEES TO LOOK OUT FOR — finder.com.au

• 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.

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• Credit Cards

Our Pick Of The Best Prepaid Travel Cards For Australians

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Updated: Jun 25, 2024, 9:04pm

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Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here . Read our advice disclaimer here .

With one-third of Australians saving and planning on going overseas in 2024, according to research by NAB Economists , it’s no surprise that a travel card is top of mind for many.

While using your debit or credit card abroad may be the most convenient option, you’ll be hit by hefty charges— from foreign transaction fees, withdrawal fees, and even fees just to check your balance at an ATM.

That’s why prepaid travel cards are a great alternative, especially if you’re savvy about the card you choose, as they offer a convenient way to hold multiple currencies, spend and withdraw money abroad, and perhaps even accrue a few travel perks along the way, such as access to airline lounges.

Let’s unpick Forbes Advisor Australia’s five favourite prepaid travel cards for Aussies travelling abroad in the near future.

Note: The below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice.

Featured Partner

Wise Personal Card

CashPassport Platinum

Commbank money travel card, our methodology, what is a prepaid travel card, how to choose the right travel card for you, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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On Wise’s Secure Website

Card Issue Fee

Number Of Currencies

40+ currencies

Currency Conversion Fee

Depends on the currency and amount; starts at 0.42% of the transaction

10 currencies at a time on the card, with 22 currencies all up

Travelex's independent exchange rate applies at the time of conversion

The Travelex Money Card is a multi-year award winning prepaid travel card, and for good reason. The free card (with free replacements) operates with 22 currencies, allowing for 10 different currencies to be loaded onto the card at once.

It is free to load money onto the card online via the Travelex website or app, and unlike most prepaid travel cards, offers unlimited free ATM withdrawals (although some ATM operators may charge their own fees). You can also withdraw up to $3,000 AUD in cash (or the foreign equivalent) in a 24-hour period.

You can have up to $50,000 on the card, with the initial load needing to be $350 AUD or currency equivalent and any subsequent reloads at a minimum of $50 AUD (or currency equivalent). Over a 12-month period, the balance across all currencies cannot exceed $75,000.

Unfortunately, Travelex charges a $4 AUD monthly inactivity fee and a $10 account closure fee, meaning it may only be valuable to frequent travellers.

• Unlimited free ATM withdrawals
• No card fee or replacement fee
• Award winning card
• Monthly inactivity fee
• Card closure fee
• Limits on card balance

Despite the initial charge for a Wise card, in our opinion, the benefits and savings outweigh the small fee.

With 40 currencies and counting available, Wise can be used in more than 160 countries around the world. This makes it perfect for travellers on around-the-world trips or individuals who travel frequently.

Plus, you can receive local bank details in nine different currencies, meaning you can transfer and receive money straight into these currencies rather than having to receive into your AUD account and transfer to the appropriate currency.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few fees when it comes to the currency conversions and reloading money onto the Wise card, depending on how you choose to complete these reloads. However, they all start at 0.42% of the transaction, and the Wise app will tell you exactly how much you will be charged before you complete a reload, a currency conversion, or a transfer.

To add money to your Wise account, you can choose to pay via manual bank transfer, Apple or Google Pay, PayID, or debit and credit cards. Plus, you can withdraw up to $350 AUD (or the local equivalent) for free from an ATM every month.

Read More: Wise Review

• Local bank account details
• Numerous reload options
• Card issue fee
• Varying currency conversion fees
• Limited free ATM withdrawals per month

$0 (Free Plan)

Depends on the currency and amount

Revolut would be considered Wise’s biggest competitior , with both companies offering a card that allows travellers to add funds for more than 40 currencies and the ability to open local bank accounts.

With Revolut, you must sign-up to a subscription model: the Free Plan, or it’s paid ‘Metal’ and ‘Platinum’ accounts. The paid subscription models cost $99 and $225 respectively and include travel perks, such as airline lounge access. However, this review has focused solely on the Free Plan as that is the most popular choice among Australians.

To order a Revolut free plan card, there is no charge, while replacement cards cost $8.99 AUD; there is  a $0 reload fee from an Australian bank account or debit card. It’s conversion fees depend on the currency, the amount you are converting, and how you choose to reload your money onto your card. Despite not having a specific conversion fee rate across the board, Revolut’s app is user-friendly and you can view the fees up-front.

If withdrawing cash from an ATM, you’ll be charged a fee of 2% after you hit the $350 AUD withdrawal limit in a month.

Read More: Revolut Review

• Can open local bank account
• No fee to reload from Australian account
• ATM withdrawals slugged at 2% above $350 per month
• Varying currency conversion fee
• Subscription model can be costly

11 currencies

The CashPassport Platinum by Mastercard is a great option for Aussies wanting to go abroad, with 11 different currencies available, including Australian and US dollars; the British Pound and the Euro.

There is no fee for the card, and the initial load fee is also waived. However, the minimum reload amount (including the initial load onto the card) must be more than $100 AUD or the currency equivalent.

While abroad, users can reload money onto their card in three different ways: instantaneously via a debit card (with a fee of 0.5% of the amount), bank transfer (which will take one business day), or BPAY (which can take up to two business days).

There are also maximum reload limits:

• $15,000 AUD in any 24 hour period;
• $30,000 AUD in any 7 day period; and
• $50,000 AUD in any 30 day period.

In Australia, you will be charged 2.95% fee at ATMs. When abroad, the fee you will be charged by CashPassport depends entirely on the currency you are withdrawing. For example, withdrawing USD would incur a charge of $US2.50 ($3.75 AUD), while withdrawing Japanese Yen incurs a ¥260.00 ($2.35 AUD) fee.

• No card issue fee
• No initial load fee
• No fee for converting between currencies
• 2.95% fee at domestic ATMs
• ATM fees change depending on the currency
• Minimum and maximum reload limits

13 currencies

CommBank Retail Foreign Exchange Rate applies at the time of the conversion

Commonwealth Bank was the only Big Four bank to make our top list of prepaid travel cards. We like the fact that the CommBank Money Travel Card is free, is available to those aged 14 years and older, and has no initial load nor reload fees.

There are 13 currencies available on the card, with ‘lock-in rates’ also available so you can maintain that conversion rate regardless of how the Australian dollar moves.

However, it is essential that you make sure you have the right currency on your card when making a payment or a withdrawal from an ATM. If you don’t have the currency loaded, or when CommBank needs to automatically transfer funds between currencies on your card to enable the transaction, you will be charged the exchange rate at the time of the conversion plus an additional 3%.

This means if you’re travelling to destinations that don’t take the 13 currencies available, it could end up costing you quite a fair bit in fees. Plus, there are no free ATM withdrawals: you will be charged $3.50 AUD for every withdrawal or the foreign currency equivalent, and the conversion fee if necessary.

Read More: Wise Vs CommBank Travel Money Card Comparison

• No load or reload fees
• Available for 14 years and over
• Ability to lock in conversion rates
• High fees if you don’t have the correct currency on the card
• $3.50 AUD charge for each ATM withdrawal
• Fewer currencies compared to others

To establish the above list, Forbes Advisor Australia conducted independent research of the prepaid travel cards currently available on the market for new customers.

In order to establish our top picks, we considered the following data points:

• The number of currencies available;
• If the card has a card issuing fee or not;
• What the currency conversion fee charge is;
• If there is a charge for loading money onto the card initially, and for subsequent reloads;
• Whether the card will charge for ATM withdrawals, or if it has limits on how much you can withdraw;
• Any other applicable fees and charges to consider; and
• Consumer reviews online via ProductReview.

A prepaid travel card is known by many different names: a foreign currency card, a travel money card, a multi-currency card and more. But regardless of the name, there is a key similarity: these cards allow you to load funds onto a card to then use abroad in different currencies.

The term ‘prepaid’ comes from the fact that they work in a similar manner to a debit card : it’s funds you already have, rather than funds you are borrowing from a bank. You load these funds onto the card from another bank or account, and then you can transfer them between the currencies available on the card. This makes for a helpful budgeting tool , as you can put a set amount of AUD onto the card before you leave for your trip.

Can You Load More Money Onto a Prepaid Travel Card?

The term ‘prepaid’ may make you think that you can’t load extra money onto the card and that once the funds are cleared, that’s it—but this is not the case.

Travel cards allow you to load more funds as needed even while you’re abroad, with different cards offering different ways to facilitate this. Some cards may allow you to add more money via your credit card, while others may only allow reloads from your bank account.

There are also different charges that apply for loading more funds onto the card, depending on which card you choose. Some won’t charge you at all.

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to travel cards—or any type of debit or credit card, for that matter. Instead, you need to consider your financial habits while abroad to choose the best prepaid travel card to suit your holiday.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• Whether it has the currencies you need for the destinations you are visiting;
• If it doesn’t have the currencies, how much it will charge you for ATM withdrawals in a foreign currency, or to complete transactions in that currency;
• How much ATM withdrawals cost in the local currency, and if there are any limits;
• The amount it costs to order the card and whether there are any account keeping fees;
• Whether you are charged each time you load money onto the card or not;
• Any balance limits, such as if you can only add $10,000 AUD onto the card within a month;
• If you can shop online with the card, or anywhere that it may not be accepted; and
• The accessibility of the card and your balance—does it have a user-friendly app?

Benefits of a Travel Card

There are many benefits to having a prepaid travel card. With multiple currencies on offer, it allows you to save money on having to go to a currency exchange store to exchange AUD for the local currency.

This is particularly important in the post-pandemic world, where many places are no longer accepting cash as a form of payment. Thus, having a card that can pay in the local currency and skip foreign transaction fees that your regular debit or credit card would charge can definitely be a blessing.

As previously mentioned, it can also be a helpful way to stick to your budget while abroad by having all of your funds in one place—even if in numerous currencies. Most travel cards will have a smartphone app associated with them, allowing you to view your balances in real time and make sure you aren’t going overboard with your spending.

There are many other benefits to prepaid travel cards but, since all card offerings are different, it’s best to look at the product disclosure statement of the cards you’re considering to see if the benefits suit you. These could include:

• Locked currency conversion rates;
• Complimentary travel insurance;
• Fraud protection;
• Free reloads; and
• Other travel perks.

Should I Use My Bank’s Travel Card?

It can be tempting to simply choose the travel card that the financial institution you already use offers, as quite a few of them do—including the highly ranked CommBank Travel Money Card or the Westpac Worldwide Wallet.

Unfortunately due to the rise of independent bank travel cards, many of the bigger institutions are winding back their offers. The NAB Travel Card was discontinued in November 2020 for new customers, while the ANZ Travel Card closed in October 2022.

If your bank still offers a prepaid travel card option, then the convenience of using a card offered by the bank you are familiar with can be enticing—and may also come with pitfalls. You may be met with high currency conversion fees, limited currencies to load onto the card, ATM withdrawal charges and more.

A key benefit of using your standard bank for your travel card is often that it allows for simultaneous transfers, therefore helping you out if you need to reload your prepaid travel card in a hurry.

With many other cards on the market offering instantaneous transfers, too—without all the hidden charges—it’s definitely worth shopping around and considering a card outside your usual banking habits.

Ultimately, prepaid travel cards are a great investment if you’re going abroad. Yet with so many on the market, it is essential to carry out your own research to decide which would be the best fit for you: whether this is due to the ATM withdrawal charges and fees, the number of currencies available, or the methods of reloading.

Should I have a prepaid travel card or a credit card for travelling?

Taking a prepaid travel card overseas with you is a wise financial move, as having your funds in one spot makes budgeting a breeze. You can also transfer between currencies with ease, and dodge the high interest charges associated with credit cards.

Plus, many credit cards have high currency conversion fees, which could mean you’re spending a lot more than you intend to. However, taking a credit card overseas with you is still also beneficial for many reasons, such as if there’s an emergency that requires more funds than you have on hand or if you have booked your trip using your credit card in order to receive complimentary travel insurance or frequent flyer points.

Of course, there’s no reason you can’t take both away with you: the prepaid travel card for spending, and the credit card in case of emergency.

Related: Our Pick Of The Best Frequent Flyer Credit Cards

Is Wise better than the CommBank Travel Money Card?

Both Wise and the CommBank Travel Money Card are highly ranked by Forbes Advisor Australia, each making our list of the top five prepaid travel cards

While Wise is ranked higher overall due to its many currencies and transparent fees via its app, CommBank Travel Money Card could be more beneficial to those who are travelling to a single-use currency area (such as the United States) due to the ease of transferring from an existing Commonwealth Bank account and the fact that it can be used by those under 18.

You can read more about our comparison between Wise and theCommBank Travel Money Card here.

Does ANZ have a travel card?

No, ANZ closed its dedicated travel card to new customers in 2020 before officially being taken off the market in October 2022.

ANZ said that the decision to close the card was a move to “meet the needs of our customers” following “customer feedback and research conducted” by the bank.

The closure happened during the Covid-19 pandemic when international travel was not taking place, and the rise of neobank offerings became more popular when the borders re-opened and consumers searched for more affordable ways to travel.

Related: How To Save Money In Cost-Of-Living Crisis

The information provided by Forbes Advisor is general in nature and for educational purposes only. Any information provided does not consider the personal financial circumstances of readers, such as individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Forbes Advisor does not provide financial product advice and the information we provide is not intended to replace or be relied upon as independent financial advice. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Forbes Advisor encourages readers to seek independent expert advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to their own financial circumstances and investments before making any financial decisions. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forbes Advisor provides an information service. It is not a product issuer or provider. In giving you information about financial or credit products, Forbes Advisor is not making any suggestion or recommendation to you about a particular product. It is important to check any product information directly with the provider. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Target Market Determination (TMD) and other applicable product documentation before making a decision to purchase, acquire, invest in or apply for a financial or credit product. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the PDS, TMD and other documentation. Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our partners. For more information, read our Advice Disclaimer here .

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

• Credit cards
• Personal Finance

What Is A Travel Money Card?

How does a travel money card work?

How many currencies can you load at once, other features to compare, how to get a travel money card, when is a travel money card worth it, alternative options.

A travel money card, also called a prepaid travel card, is a type of card that can hold foreign currencies. It’s intended for overseas travel, and you can use one to withdraw foreign cash from ATMs and to make purchases in a local currency. 

Think of a travel money card as a debit card that uses local currency. Before you use a travel money card, you’ll preload a set amount of a specific international currency onto the card at the day’s exchange rate. For example, if you’re travelling to Italy and France for two weeks, you’d load Euros (€‎) onto the card and use it instead of your regular debit or credit card during your trip. 

You can continue reloading money onto the card via an app or website as you spend your funds. So, if you blow through your Euros in Rome, you can top off your card’s balance before arriving in Paris. 

Understanding the value of your exchange

The value you exchange currency for will depend on when you load your funds. Rates change from day to day, but you’ll lock in the rate used at the time you exchange currency. So, you’ll know the exact worth of the foreign currency in Australian dollars every time you use your preloaded card. 

On the one hand, a locked-in rate protects you from volatile currencies with fluctuating values. However, if the rate drops, you could be stuck with devalued foreign funds. So, while you can’t predict the future, try to coordinate the load when the exchange rate is most valuable — even if that means waiting a few days. 

The number of foreign currencies available will depend on the company providing the card, but you’ll generally find a wide variety of options. Even if dozens of currencies are available, there are typically limits to the number someone can load onto a travel money card. These limits vary by card, but these cards generally only allow for about a dozen currencies at once.

For example, here are common travel money cards and the number of currencies they can support simultaneously:

• Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard: up to 11 currencies
• Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard (issued by Heritage Bank): load up to 11 currencies
• CommBank Travel Money Card: up to 13 currencies
• Qantas Travel Money Card: up to 10 currencies
• Travelex Money Card: up to 10 currencies
• Travel Money Oz Currency Pass Travel Money Card: up to 10 currencies
• Westpac Worldwide Wallet: up to 10 currencies. 

The number of currencies available and the ability to load multiple currencies onto one card have obvious advantages: it helps you save on fees and makes it easier to manage your money while travelling overseas .

However, there are other key features to compare when choosing a travel money card.

Another thing to look for is reduced or waived fees for loading or reloading funds, account keeping, account closing and emergency card replacements.

Be sure to check for any potential fees when accessing leftover foreign funds you didn’t use on your trip, as there may be an unloading fee or an extra charge to withdraw funds and close your account. For example, Travelex charges a $4 monthly inactivity fee when the card hasn’t been used for more than 12 months. 

Top-up options

How easy it is to use a financial product is typically important, but simplicity and convenience may feel more essential when you’re on holiday. In that case, options to quickly load or reload funds and notifications when your balance is low can be very helpful. Some cards may allow you to top up your balance immediately and with little cost. With others, you may have to wait a few days and pay a small fee.

Top-up methods also vary. For example, you can use BPAY with certain cards, but not all. Some cards may require you to use a specific app or portal. If convenience and flexible top-up options are important to you, compare options accordingly.

Perks and benefits

Travel perks, such as airport lounge access or the ability to earn rewards, are also great features to look for. Digital wallet compatibility, allowing you to use a virtual version of your card, can also be helpful.

Security and customer service

Security features are also important. Look for a card with a PIN to use at ATMs and the ability to lock the card instantly if lost or stolen.

And, since you’re travelling overseas, 24/7 customer support is essential to ensure you have access to help when you need it.

To get a travel money card , you can go through your bank, an airline, a foreign exchange retailer or a payment merchant.

Prepaid travel card eligibility is comparable to the requirements for a debit card. For example, CommBank requests that cardholders are at least age 14, are registered with NetBank, and provide a valid email and residential address. 

You can apply directly on the provider’s website once you choose your favourite prepaid travel money card. Make sure to submit your application at least a few weeks before your trip in case of delays. 

» MORE: How old do you have to get a credit card?

Activating the card

Once you receive the card: 

• download the provider’s app and familiarise yourself with how it works
• register your account
• activate the card
• convert your money to the chosen currency. You might want to start with a smaller amount for the first part of your trip and reload while overseas or make one big transfer. 

While overseas, you’ll likely alternate between paying in local cash and pulling out your travel card. Your goal is to find the best travel card that allows you to pay for items with minimal fees and maximum protections flexibly. 

Possible advantages

• Provides access to multiple currencies. Most options allow you to convert Australian dollars into several different currencies simultaneously. That means you can have secure access to a handful of foreign funds during your next multi-country adventure. 
• Saves on ATM fees. Credit card holders won’t usually be charged the standard 3% foreign transaction fee or pay extra for in-network ATM withdrawals, loading, and topping up their cards. However, these are just generalisations — each credit card company or bank will have its own fee structure.
• Exchange rates are locked. You’ll pay for the local currency using the exchange rate available when you load funds, which locks in the rate. Having dependable value for your funds goes a long way for peace of mind, especially when travelling. 
• Fewer risks when lost. Losing a prepaid card while travelling is undoubtedly a hassle. However, a lost or stolen credit card can mean more risks, like thieves potentially accessing your personal banking details and account funds. Since a lost travel money card is unlikely to result in identity theft and fraud , some travellers find it a safer choice while abroad.
• Helps with budgeting. Trying to keep to preloaded funds may help you stick to a budget while on vacation. Plus, you see the value of money in the local currency, which can help you manage your finances while travelling. 
• May come with rewards and perks. Some travel money cards earn frequent flyer points or come with other special travel perks, like overseas customer service. For example, the Qantas Travel Money Card earns Qantas points, and the Westpac Worldwide Wallet prepaid travel money card offers airport lounge access to the cardholder and one companion access when a flight is delayed. 

Potential risks

• There are delays when reloading. If you need to top up your balance, you may need to wait up to a few days before funds are available to use. 
• Other fees. Some travel money cards may levy typical credit card fees for reloading funds, emergency card replacement, account maintenance, closures, inactivity and more. For example, Travelex and the Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard charge a $10 account closing fee.
• Limited acceptance. Travel money cards are less common than other payment options, so you may need help using one for all purchases. So, it’s always a good idea to carry emergency cash. 
• Typically lack rewards or major perks. Travel money cards may come with some, but these extras are usually less robust than the offerings on rewards credit cards . 

The right travel money card supports a stress-free trip, but you don’t have to use one when travelling overseas — your bank card or credit card could also be a suitable option. 

If you’re deciding between a travel money card and a travel credit card , it’s important to understand the differences in how they work. 

• Travel money cards are preloaded with foreign currencies, while travel credit cards spend borrowed money. Travel money cards are generally easier to obtain as they don’t require good credit or income thresholds. With a travel money card, you can withdraw funds from an ATM without incurring interest or cash advance fees . 
• Travel credit cards don’t usually hold foreign currency but offer perks such as international buyer protections, free insurance , airport lounge access and frequent flyer travel points . 

Be sure to consider other important features — such as security, reduced fees and travel perks — to decide if a travel money card is worth it for you. 

Frequently asked questions about travel money cards  

The available currencies will depend on the card, but you’ll generally find the following options: 

• United States Dollars (USD)
• Europe Euros (EUR)
• Great British Pounds (GBP)
• Japanese Yen (JPY)
• New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
• Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
• Canadian Dollars (CAD)
• Singapore Dollars (SGD)
• Thai Baht (THB)
• Vietnamese Dong (VND)
• Chinese Renminbi (CNY)
• Emirati Dirham (AED).

Most Australian banks — including Westpac, CommBank, ANZ and NAB — have some sort of travel product, whether that’s a travel money card, a travel-friendly debit card or a travel credit card. However, ANZ and NAB no longer offer prepaid travel money cards.

About the Author

Amanda Smith is a freelance reporter, journalist, and cultural commentator. She covers culture + society, travel, LGBTQ+, human interest, and business. Amanda has written stories about planning for retirement for…

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4 Best Travel Cards in Australia

These days, we have heaps of choices when it comes how we spend our money overseas, quickly find the best travel card in Australia.

Who has time to look through a comparison table for the best travel card in Australia? Prepaid travel cards have different features and fees, but the most important thing when choosing a card is considering how it will be used. To save you time we have compared a dozen of the most widely used travel cards and offer the following 4 travel cards:

• Wise Travel Debit Card - Best multi-currency travel debit card
• Travelex Money Card - Best overseas travel card for frequent travellers
• ANZ Travel Card - Best travel card for single trips
• Citibank Plus Everyday Accoun t - Best multi currency travel card for long trips over a month

Best multi-currency travel card

If you travel frequently, a debit card where you can hold and convert multiple currencies is what you might need.

Wise Travel Debit Card is our top choice for this - it's easy to use and you won't be charged any mark-up for converting money within your account.

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate to convert money, no mark-up. It only adds a small fee for each transaction. You can free ATM withdrawals from more than 2 million ATMs worldwide (up to 200 GBP per month). You can use it instantly with Google Pay or Apple Pay. The Wise travel card gives you the best rate for spending in 54 different currencies .

Our verdict: Wise Travel Debit Card

Best overseas travel card for frequent travellers

If you head overseas frequently, make sure the card you use has the best exchange rates. This will make a big difference to the cost of buying currency. It's also important to avoid a card that has a reload fee.

The other fee to look out for is the cross currency conversion fee. This is particularly relevant for frequent travellers.

Cross currency conversion example: Chris loads up $5,000 US dollars but when he stops off in Thailand, the transaction goes through in Thai Baht. He can still use the US dollars on his travel card but may incur an additional fee to convert it to Thai Baht.

Our verdict: Travelex Money Card

Why? The Travelex card had the best exchange rates of the cards we compared. It also has no reload fees or cross currency conversion fees. The downside of this card is that it comes with a closure fee and an inactivity fee but both are easily avoided if you are travelling often.

Honourable mention: Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card & Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Card with Qantas Cash.

Best travel card for single trips

If you plan on buying a travel card for a specific holiday, make sure you find out the set up and closure fees. The Australia Post Load and Go and Virgin Global Wallet both have $0 set up fees. But, the Global Wallet is only available to Virgin Frequent Flyer members. Recently ANZ and NAB offered to waive the set up fee, so keep up to date with any special promotions. Some travel cards also charge you a percentage of your initial load.

Most cards have a closure fee between $10 - $15. Cards without a closure fee usually have an inactivity fee which will slowly eat away at any balance left on it.

Our verdict: ANZ Travel Card

Honourable mention: Australia Post Load and Go and the Virgin Global Wallet.

Best multi currency travel card for long trips over a month

Moving overseas is a massive effort and with hundreds of things to plan and do. It's easy to overlook which card you use but it could end up costing you more than you realise.

Likewise, if you are travelling overseas for more than a month, choosing the best card can save you a small fortune.

For bigger trips or moves abroad, you want a card that offers you the interbank or wholesale exchange rate that you can see on Google, Yahoo or xe.com.

Our verdict: Citibank Plus Everyday Account

Honourable mention: 28 Degrees Platinum Credit Card

View the full list of Travel Card Reviews here.

How to compare travel cards

Having a debit card to use when you travel can be a good way to manage and keep track of your foreign currency spending - and it can make day to day life easier when you're abroad, too. Before you choose a travel debit card make sure you compare a few cards, looking at features and fees, so you'll know you're picking the right one for you. Take a look at how easy it is to get hold of a card, the available currencies, fees you're likely to run into, and the exchange rates applied. Here's a rundown of the key details for our top travel debit card picks:

Features of a travel debit card

Travel debit cards are convenient for anyone who transacts often in a foreign currency . Top up your account in dollars, and convert to the currencies you need - cards often let you hold, exchange and spend multiple currencies all in the same account. Pick the right card for you and you could save money too - here are the key features of travel debit cards:

• Save money in advance for planned travel
• Some travel debit cards let hold and convert different currencies within your account
• Spend in person, online and - in some cases - with just your smartphone
• No risk of accumulating debt or running up credit charges
• Secure - get instant transaction notifications and manage your card online
• No need to carry large amounts of cash - just withdraw at an ATM when you want to
• Check your balance instantly online or through a smartphone app

How do I use a travel card?

While different travel debit cards have slightly different features, they generally work in much the same way once you're up and running. Here's how to use your travel debit card when you travel:

• Sign up for an account with your chosen provider - this can often be done online or through an app
• Link your bank account to your travel debit card account
• Top up your travel debit card in dollars from your linked bank account
• Convert your funds to the currency - or currencies - you need
• Tap and swipe like a local when you pay at vendors

Make sure you compare currency cards

No matter what your situation, make sure you compare travel cards before making a decision.

The easiest way to do it is to check out a few travel money card reviews or use a travel card comparison table .

Is it worth getting a travel money card?

Travel money cards can be a secure and convenient way to pay for things when you travel. Finding a card which suits your needs can be well worthwhile, as you'll be able to pay and withdraw funds in a range of currencies - and often cut your costs, too.

What is a multi-currency travel card?

With a multi-currency travel card you'll be able to add money in dollars, and then convert within your account to the currency you need. This is easy to do, makes planning and budgeting simple, and can often mean you get a better exchange rate compared to converting cash. Simply use your card to spend and withdraw in a range of currencies when you travel, just as you would at home.

What if my travel debit card is lost or stolen?

If your travel debit card is lost or stolen you'll need to report it as soon as possible to the card provider. Travel debit card companies often have smartphone apps which let you cancel or freeze your card instantly from your phone - if this is available you'll want to block your card to prevent it being used fraudulently, and get in touch with the issuer to get advice on how to proceed.

Activate your OneSmart™ card

And make spending overseas as easy as spending at home

Activate now

Don't have a card? Request one.

What is OneSmart ™ ?

If you’re an Airpoints™ member travelling the world, we can help make life a little easier when it comes to making purchases overseas.

OneSmart is a reloadable multi-currency prepaid card that can be used anywhere in the world that Mastercard is accepted.

OneSmart makes spending in different countries effortless – load up to eight foreign currencies, plus New Zealand Dollars.

The only prepaid card that earns you Airpoints Dollars™. You’ll earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $100NZD spent overseas. i

Learn more about the benefits of using OneSmart

Activate OneSmart

When you receive your card, sign the back of your card, and activate it . You’ll only be able to use OneSmart after you’ve activated it.

To activate a new card, you’ll need two forms of identification. Have your driver’s license, birth certificate, NZ citizenship document, AA membership or a recent utility bill handy.

If you’re activating a replacement card, simply log in and follow the prompts or call our OneSmart Customer Service Centre for assistance on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you’re overseas (charges may apply).

Activate OneSmart now

Set a PIN for OneSmart

If you are a new member activating OneSmart for the first time, select New Card and follow the instructions on screen. You will be prompted to set up a PIN during this activation.

If you have already activated OneSmart, here’s how you can reset your PIN:

- Login to OneSmart -Select 'Settings' (located at the top of the page, next to your Airpoints number) -Select 'Card settings’. -Select 'Set your PIN’. -Follow the screen prompts by answering the security questions and selecting a 4-digit PIN for your card.

If you have any questions, or run into issues setting your PIN, please call our OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you’re overseas (charges may apply).

Load money onto OneSmart

1. Via a Mastercard or Visa debit card issued in New Zealand. Instantly load NZD or any of our eight foreign currencies available with your debit card. A fee of 1.5% of the load value applies per transaction. Your funds will be available immediately.

2. Via Bank Transfer

Load directly into foreign currency or NZD without a fee.

Here are the steps: i. Log in to OneSmart ii. Select Settings, then 'Load settings' iii. Follow the instructions for Bank transfer Allow one business day for the funds to be available in OneSmart.

3. Via Bill Payment

Set up OneSmart as a bill payee through internet banking and use it to transfer NZD only to your OneSmart without a fee.

Here are the steps i. Login to OneSmart ii. Select Settings, then 'Load settings' iii. 3. Follow the instructions for ‘Bill Payment’ Allow up to 2 business days for the funds to show up in your OneSmart account.

Exchange Rates

• AUD Rate: 0.8865
• USD Rate: 0.6021
• GBP Rate: 0.4539
• SGD Rate: 0.7832
• EUR Rate: 0.5383
• HKD Rate: 4.6968
• JPY Rate: 86.7438
• CAD Rate: 0.8092

I have…

New Zealand Dollar

I need…

Fees & limits.

In addition to the currency exchange rates, the following fees and charges apply to OneSmart. The fees and charges may be altered by EML at its discretion by providing you with at least 20 days prior notice.

There are limits that apply to the use of your OneSmart facility. These limits are set out below but may be altered by EML from time to time pursuant to the Terms and Conditions.

Show fees & limits

Lost your OneSmart card?

You can temporarily suspend your card in the settings tab in ' My Account ' or lock your card via the OneSmart app

Alternatively, cancel your card by calling our OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555, or +64 9 377 8535 if you're overseas (charges may apply). We'll send you a replacement and you can use your new card to continue spending.

Download the OneSmart app

Use the app to load money and check the balances of each currency in your account, transfer funds between currencies, review your transaction history, view your Airpoints Dollar balance and more.

OneSmart Mastercard Priceless ® Specials

Discover exclusive Mastercard® curated offers and discounts with OneSmart. Available across a range of categories including entertainment, dining, arts and culture at home and overseas. Plus, you’ll earn Airpoints Dollars™ on eligible purchases 2 . Find out more

Frequently asked questions and contact help

Use OneSmart online or in-store, whether you are overseas or in New Zealand.

Load NZD or any of our eight foreign currencies and use OneSmart for purchases 1 wherever Mastercard® is accepted iii . Your card will utilise the funds available in the currency of transaction unless it is not an available currency or if there is insufficient balance in the relevant currency. In such cases, your card will draw on any available account balances in the following order of priority: NZD, AUD, USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD, JPY. You can also use OneSmart to withdraw local currency from ATMs wherever you go as long as the ATM machines carry a Mastercard® symbol.

Note: It is currently not possible to use OneSmart due to restrictions in Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Russia, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Additionally, all Mastercards will not work at Russian merchants or ATMs. If you attempt to withdraw cash from an ATM or use your card in any of these countries, your request will be declined. In addition, card acceptance is subject to ATMs and individual merchant POS terminals who may choose not to accept Prepaid Cards.

Your OneSmart Account cannot be used for:

a)        Purchases from merchants where the transaction is processed manually (through a zip-zap machine)

b)        Direct debit, reoccurring or instalment payments

c)         Purchases from merchants who do not accept prepaid Mastercard branded cards.

d)        Gambling merchants

e)        Adult entertainment

f)       Transactions in countries prohibited by US Government sanctions and laws. 

We recommend that you don't use OneSmart to "pre-authorise" payment for hotel bookings or car hire. This is because the hotel or car hire company can put the payment amount plus an additional 15% on hold as a deposit and you won't be able to use that money during the hold period. There is no issue in paying for your hotel using your OneSmart Account at the end of your stay, but we suggest you don't pre-authorise payment on it when booking.

We also recommend you don't use OneSmart for 'pay at the pump' terminals at petrol stations. These terminals place a hold on funds, and that hold may not be removed from your account for some days.

You can use your OneSmart for transactions anywhere Mastercard® is accepted electronically overseas. Simply load NZD and spend local currency wherever you are. You can also use OneSmart to withdraw local currency from ATMs as long as the ATM machines carry a Mastercard® symbol.

Note: Mastercard conversion rates and currency conversion fees will apply.

The limit for ATM withdrawals using OneSmart is NZD $3,000 or the equivalent in a foreign currency over any 24-hour period. Some ATMs may set their own withdrawal limits which may be lower than this.

No. When making a booking through the Air New Zealand website, payments made using OneSmart will not incur the advised card payment fee

For all new Silver tier members, OneSmart will automatically be sent to you. As you move up the tiers, you will be sent a new card if you have activated and used your OneSmart account previously. If you no longer receive OneSmart on your tier renewal, you can request a card at any time by calling the OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you're overseas (charges may apply).

Your OneSmart card details are on the back of your Airpoints membership card. Expiry is set at 4 months after your tier renewal date. This means that if you're overseas and haven't received your new card, you can still continue to use your existing card for purchases. Your OneSmart account will remain active, and you can log in using the website or app to manage your account.

The maximum balance allowed at any one time across all currencies is NZD $100,000 or currency equivalent.

Only one card is issued for each OneSmart account. Each family member who is a New Zealand based Airpoints member and who is over 16 can request to have their own OneSmart card. Card to card transfers between two activated OneSmart accounts can be done so you can transfer money to another OneSmart cardholder at no additional cost. Transfers can take up to two business days to process before funds are available for use.

You can view up to date OneSmart Conversion Rates here

If you are transferring funds between currencies, you can lock in your exchange rate at the time you make the transfer, so you know exactly how much it will cost and what will be loaded onto your card.

The side of your Airpoints card with the chip should be facing upwards and the chip goes into the ATM first.

Your card’s security code or CVC is the 3-digit number on the reverse side of your Airpoints card.

Some merchants may offer Dynamic currency conversion (“DCC”) that allows you to pay in your home currency or another currency when you are spending overseas or online. If you accept a Dynamic currency conversion transaction, you may end up incurring two currency conversions which could make the transaction significantly more expensive.

If you make a purchase or ATM withdrawal in a country where the local currency is the same as a currency on your OneSmart (e.g. using your US Dollar funds in the USA) and you opt in to a Dynamic currency conversion service, this may result in a foreign exchange transaction at additional cost to you as the card will seek to transact in New Zealand dollars.

We recommend that if you are given a choice of currency for a transaction and have sufficient funds, that you should choose to pay in the local currency.

Some merchants or ATM operators may charge a fee for dynamic currency conversion, which you might not be advised of at the time of the transaction.

For all eligible purchases with OneSmart 1 , we'll add the Airpoints Dollars you earn to your Airpoints account around the month anniversary of the date you activated your Account.

If you don't have enough funds in a particular currency to pay for a transaction, the balance of the transaction will be automatically processed from other currencies in the following order of priority. The order in which currencies are withdrawn cannot be changed.

NZD AUD USD CAD EUR GBP SGD HKD JPY In this case a currency conversion fee will apply each time a currency that is different to the transaction currency is used to fund all or part of the transaction. If after checking the available balances of all currencies there are still insufficient funds to pay for a transaction, the transaction may be declined, or the retailer may allow you to pay the balance by some other means.

If you had sufficient funds loaded in that currency, then you may have used Dynamic currency conversion.

When you’re paying with your OneSmart card, it will intelligently select the currency of the country you are in. If you do not have sufficient local currency loaded to complete the transaction, the card will deduct funds on the card in this set order of priority.

NZD AUD USD CAD EUR GBP SGD HKD JPY

You cannot spend money you haven’t loaded, as the card is a prepaid facility only. You can load straight into the available currencies of your choice in 'My Account' and lock in up to eight foreign currencies as well as NZD at the daily exchange rate ii .

An unsupported currency is any currency that is not included in the 9 supported currencies including NZD, which your OneSmart account can hold. The nine supported currencies are: New Zealand Dollars, Australian Dollars, Singapore Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, Japanese Yen, Pounds sterling, Euros, Canadian Dollars, and United States Dollars.

The order in which currencies are withdrawn cannot be changed.

You can manage your OneSmart balances by signing into your account and selecting the Transfer money option from the main menu. To transfer money from your OneSmart account to your bank account follow the prompts for ‘Cash out’ to close your account and cash out any balance on your card free of charge.

You can also manage your OneSmart balances from the OneSmart app .

If you did not make a particular transaction showing on your transaction history, you should call OneSmart Customer Service Centre immediately on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you’re overseas (charges may apply).

You can download a Dispute Claim Form here . Please allow up to 45 days for your dispute to be processed.

You will need the last 4 digits of your OneSmart card, and the email address associated with your OneSmart account; this may be different from the email address associated with your Airpoints account.

If you'd like to close your account, you can do so by calling the OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you're overseas (charges may apply).

Before you close your account, make sure you've transferred your money out of your account. You can also transfer any remaining balance back into NZD and into your bank account. This can be done online and via the OneSmart app.

The expiry date of your OneSmart card is printed on the OneSmart side of your Airpoints card. You cannot use your OneSmart Card to access money loaded onto your OneSmart facility after the expiry date. If you have an active OneSmart account and have made a transaction within the last five years a new card will be sent to you near your expiry date.

All Airpoints members who upgrade to Silver will receive a OneSmart by default. You can request a replacement OneSmart Card at any time. If your OneSmart Card expires, you will still be able to obtain your money loaded onto your OneSmart facility from EML through a cash out.

If you cease to be a member of the Airpoints Programme, you will not be able to continue using OneSmart and will need to cash out your OneSmart facility.

Still have a question?

Contact the OneSmart Customer Service Centre, we’re here to help 24/7.

Within NZ  0800 787 555

From Overseas +64 9 377 8535 (charges may apply)

OneSmart ™ Login

Forgotten your password.

Please enter your details below and we'll recover your password for you.

Password recovered

Password changed, change password.

To maintain security over your account you need to enter a new password to continue. To change your password, type your current password and your new password twice.

Are you activating a:

New to OneSmart and this is a first time activation.

Existing OneSmart member and this is a new card replacement activation.

Replacement card

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ANZ Falcon® technology monitors millions of transactions every day to help keep you safe from fraud. 

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Falcon® is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation.

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Travel Adventures with your ANZ credit card

There are a number of reasons why credit cards are popular for travel adventures. From complimentary insurances for some cards to anti-fraud protection and more, we explore the benefits of packing your credit card next time you leave home. disclaimer

• Flyer points programs
• Rewards and Qantas Points cards
• Frequently asked questions

Pay off your holiday at your own pace with an ANZ Instalment Plan

ANZ Instalment Plans  can be a handy way to repay your credit card purchases. Put your flights, hotel bookings and more on your credit card and apply for Instalment Plans to get 0% p.a. interest disclaimer on your repayments over 3, 6 or 12 months. disclaimer

Approval, eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Setup Fee applies.

At your service! A personal concierge 24/7

You could enjoy the assistance of a personal concierge to help you with restaurant or hotel bookings, gift ideas, travel recommendations and much more. disclaimer

Available on ANZ Black and Platinum cards only.

Complimentary insurances

You may be eligible for some complimentary travel or shopping insurance with your ANZ credit card, including International and Domestic Travel Insurance, Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia, Extended Warranty Insurance and Purchase Protection Insurance. disclaimer Learn more  

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, applicable sub-limits and eligibility criteria apply. Available on ANZ Black and Platinum cards only.

24/7 anti-fraud protection

All of our credit cards come with 24/7 anti-fraud protection with  ANZ Falcon security . If we identify any unusual transactions, we’ll contact you to help protect your money.

Frequent flyer points programs

Anz reward points.

With an ANZ Rewards Black or Platinum credit card, you can redeem your ANZ Reward Points for frequent flyer points disclaimer  through these airline partner programs:

Qantas Points

You don’t have to convert your points with ANZ Frequent Flyer Black or Platinum cards. It’s all done for you. Qantas Points disclaimer are automatically credited to your existing Qantas Frequent Flyer account every month. disclaimer

See our Rewards and Frequent Flyer cards

ANZ Rewards Black credit card

Highest ANZ Reward Points earn rate disclaimer

$15,000  Minimum credit limit

$375  Current annual fee disclaimer

See ANZ Rewards Black

How to use ANZ Rewards Points 

Earn 180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points and $150 credit back to your new card

when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval of your new ANZ Rewards Black credit card . disclaimer

New Rewards card. T&Cs, eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply (including an annual fee of $375). disclaimer

ANZ Rewards Platinum credit card

Uncapped ANZ Reward Points earn rate disclaimer 

$6,000 Minimum credit limit

$149 Current annual fee disclaimer

See ANZ Rewards Platinum

Earn 100,000 extra ANZ Reward Points disclaimer and $50 back to your new card

when you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval of your new ANZ Rewards Platinum credit card. disclaimer

New Rewards card. T&Cs, eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply (including an annual fee of $149). disclaimer

Earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points disclaimer

Get 70,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval of your new ANZ Rewards Platinum card. disclaimer Plus, an additional 30,000 Velocity Points when you keep the card for more than 15 months. disclaimer 

To be eligible, switch on and keep on auto-redemption within 3 months from approval. New Rewards card. T&Cs, eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply.

ANZ Frequent Flyer Black credit card

ANZ's highest Qantas Points earn rate disclaimer;

$15,000 Minimum credit limit

$425 Current annual fee disclaimer

See Frequent Flyer Black

Earn up to 130,000 bonus Qantas Points! 

Earn 90,000 bonus Qantas Points and $200 credit back to your new ANZ Frequent Flyer Black credit card when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval. Plus, earn an additional 40,000 bonus Qantas Points when you keep your card for over 12 months. disclaimer

New Frequent Flyer card. T&Cs, eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply (including an annual fee of $425). disclaimer

ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum credit card

Uncapped Qantas Points earn rate disclaimer

$295 Current annual fee disclaimer

See Frequent Flyer Platinum

Earn 75,000 bonus Qantas Points and $100 credit back to your new credit card

when you spend $2,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval of your new ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum credit card. disclaimer

New Frequent Flyer card. T&Cs, eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply (including an annual fee of $295). disclaimer

Decisions? Decisions? Need help choosing a credit card?

Explore our range and compare features, trade-offs and fees to help you choose the card that suits you best.

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Travel checklist

Get travel-ready.

It's good to be prepared for any unexpected situations that may affect your credit cards while overseas. 

See credit card travel tips

Boost your online security

Find out the security options that you can adopt to improve your online banking security and access while abroad. 

Check out security options

Contacting us from overseas

If you're away from Australia and need to get in touch, there's a few ways that you can contact us.

How to get in touch

Your questions answered

Yes you can change from one ANZ credit card type to another. But please note that if you change your credit card, you won’t be eligible for promotional offers advertised on ANZ.com, which are available for new card applications only.  

To request a change of credit card, choose one of the following options.  

Log on to ANZ Internet Banking and select your credit card account  

Over the phone:

Call 13 22 73  between 7am-11pm (AEST) 7 days a week.

Call +61 3 9683 9999 from overseas.

Our Frequent Flyer credit cards are for Qantas Frequent Flyer points earning only. Velocity Frequent Flyer members may like to check out our Rewards credit cards, which allow you to redeem your ANZ Rewards Points with our other airline partners, including Velocity Frequent Flyer. disclaimer

ANZ Rewards Points

You can check and redeem your ANZ Reward Points by logging in to the ANZ Rewards website .

ANZ Reward Points must be used to claim a reward within 36 months of 31 December of the year in which the Reward Points were added to a points record. Reward Points that remain unused after that period will be cancelled. In the event your ANZ Rewards account is closed, any Reward Points that remain unused must be used within 90 days of the date of closure. Reward Points that remain unused after that period will be cancelled.

Please refer to the ANZ Rewards – Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) for further conditions. We may also cancel Reward Points at our sole discretion if you die, if your card account is suspended, if you breach or any additional cardholder breaches the ANZ Rewards Terms and Conditions or the ANZ Credit Cards Conditions of Use or if we reasonably suspect you are operating your card account fraudulently.

Yes, you can apply for this card. You’ll also receive complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership if your application for an ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card is approved. disclaimer

Your Qantas Points are automatically credited to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account every month. To find out how to use your Qantas Points and when they expire, visit the Qantas website .

You can redeem your Qantas Frequent Flyer points online at the Qantas website . Points may be spent on flights, hotels, shopping and more.

You can check your Qantas Frequent Flyer balance by logging into your Frequent Flyer account at the Qantas website.

Credit scores

The credit reporting bodies will provide you with one free credit report per year. Additional reports can be requested at a cost.

To obtain your credit report you’ll need to contact one or a combination of the credit reporting bodies.

Visit the Credit Smart website for more information

There is no quick fix, improving your credit score will take time. Getting on top of your repayments and ensuring they are made on time is a good place to start. For more tips on how to improve your score, visit the Credit Smart website.

ANZ Instalment Plans

ANZ Instalment Plans are a tool that eligible ANZ credit card customers can apply for in the ANZ App.

They can be used to pay off a selected Amount on an eligible ANZ Credit Card disclaimer via monthly Instalments. disclaimer  You can pay bit by bit.

If you are eligible to apply for a Plan you will see the option “Instalment Plan” in the “Manage” section of your credit card in the ANZ App.

From there, the steps to apply for a Plan are simple: disclaimer

• First click on the “ANZ Instalment Plans” link in the ‘Manage’ section of your credit card in the ANZ App.
• Choose the Amount you’d like to apply to pay off in Instalments.
• Choose the number of Instalments.
• Review the details of the Plan and submit your application. 
• If approved, once set up your Plan Instalments will form part of your Minimum Monthly Payments. 
• You can cancel your Plan at any time. Easy as.

While we’d love to make this promotion available for all customers, not everyone meets eligibility criteria all the time. If you can’t see Instalment Plans in the app this may either be because your account currently doesn’t meet the applicable eligibility criteria to apply for a Plan or because you may not be on the latest version of the ANZ App.

It can be possible to have more than one ANZ Instalment Plan on an account at a time.  A separate Plan is created for each Amount that is successfully enrolled in an ANZ Instalment Plan.

You can find information about the rates, fees, and charges that would relate to a particular Plan (if approved) on the “Confirm details” screen in the app. Once a Plan is active you’ll also be sent a confirmation with details and can refer to your statements of account.

Connect with our specialists

Our team are available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm (AEST).

Call 13 22 73

Find your nearest ATM or branch.

Book an appointment

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Important information

Applications for credit are subject to ANZ’s credit approval criteria. Terms and conditions, and fees and charges apply. Australian credit licence number 234527.

The ANZ App is provided by Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. Super and Insurance (if available) are not provided by ANZ but entities which are not banks. ANZ does not guarantee them. This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. ANZ recommends that you read the ANZ App Terms and Conditions available here for iOS (PDF) and here for Android (PDF) and consider if this service is appropriate to you prior to making a decision to acquire or use the ANZ App.

Purchases made overseas with an ANZ credit card may incur an overseas transaction fee. You may also have to pay a cash advance fee and an ATM operator fee if you use an overseas ATM. Other fees may also be applicable. For full details, please refer to the  ANZ Personal Banking Account Fees and Charges (PDF)  booklet and  ANZ Credit Cards Condition of Use (PDF)  booklet, available online and in ANZ branches in Australia.

A Plan interest rate is a discounted purchase interest rate that applies to an ANZ Instalment Plan balance if and while it’s enrolled in a Plan. For more information, see the ANZ Instalment Plan T&Cs (PDF) .

T&Cs and eligibility criteria apply. Fees and charges may apply.

The ANZ Concierge Service is available for all ANZ Rewards Black, ANZ Rewards Platinum, ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures, ANZ Platinum, ANZ Frequent Flyer Black and ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum credit cardholders.

ANZ may change, replace or withdraw the ANZ Concierge Service by giving you reasonable notice.

Complimentary insurance covers: AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631(trading as Allianz Global Assistance) under a binder from the insurer, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 has issued a group policy to Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234527 which allows eligible ANZ account holders and cardholders to claim under the group policy as a third party beneficiary by reason of the statutory operation of Section 48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth).  The eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the group policy are set out in the  ANZ Platinum and Black Credit Card Complimentary Insurance booklet (PDF) which may be amended from time to time. An excess may be deducted from any benefit paid. ANZ does not guarantee this insurance. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.  You must check whether or not it is appropriate, in light of your own circumstances, to act on this advice.

Minimum Redemption thresholds apply. To redeem ANZ Reward Points for frequent flyer points, airpoints or airmiles, you must be a member of the relevant program and an ANZ Rewards Account Holder. Refer to the relevant program terms and conditions for details: Velocity Member Terms and Conditions , KrisFlyer Terms and Conditions , Airpoints Terms and Conditions and Asia Miles . ANZ Reward Points are subject to  ANZ Rewards – Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) .

Qantas Points and Bonus Qantas Points are earned and redeemed in accordance with the ANZ Frequent Flyer Reward Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF) (please call 13 13 14 for a copy). Certain transactions and other items are not eligible to earn Qantas Points, for details refer to the  ANZ Frequent Flyer Reward Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF) . Account Holder must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Earn rates and earn rate bands are subject to change. Existing customers should call 13 13 14 for information regarding their account.

ANZ Reward Points are earned and redeemed in the ANZ Rewards store in accordance with the ANZ Rewards – Rewards Program Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF) . Certain transactions and other items are not eligible to earn Reward Points, for details refer to the  ANZ Rewards – Rewards Program Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF).

For ANZ Rewards Platinum, a total annual fee of $149 applies, which includes a $94 Annual Fee and a $55 Rewards Program Service Fee. For ANZ Rewards Black, a total annual fee of $375 applies, which includes a $320 Annual Fee and a $55 Rewards Program Service Fee.  For Additional Cardholders on ANZ Rewards Platinum and ANZ Rewards Black, an annual Additional Cardholder Fee of  $10 and an annual Rewards Program Services Fee of $55 will apply per Additional Cardholder on the account. These fees are current as at today's date and are subject to change. The fee information displayed on this page applies to new customers only.

Offer available to new and approved applicants who apply for an ANZ Rewards Platinum Credit Card and is limited to one offer per applicant. ANZ may vary or end this offer at any time without notice. Not available in conjunction with other offers, packages or promotions, or when transferring from an existing ANZ credit card. The time it takes to process, approve an application and deliver or activate a card can vary and there may be delays. Eligible applicants must meet the spend criteria within 3 months of the date of approval. The date of approval of an application is the disclosure date specified in your Letter of Offer. Some transactions and other items are not eligible purchases as they are not eligible to earn ANZ Rewards Points. For details see the ANZ Rewards - Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) . The 100,000 extra ANZ Reward Points and the $50 will generally be credited to your credit card account within three months of meeting the spend criteria. The $50 credit will be applied to the Purchases balance and does not constitute a payment under your contract with ANZ. The 100,000 extra ANZ Reward Points will not be credited and you will not be eligible for the $50 back if your credit card is cancelled, suspended, transferred, or you have breached either the ANZ Credit Card Conditions of Use (PDF) or the ANZ Rewards – Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) . You are not eligible for this offer if you currently hold or have held an ANZ Rewards Credit Card in the last 12 months.

Minimum redemption threshold applies. Allow up to 5 business days for your Velocity Points to be allocated to your account. To redeem Reward Points for Velocity Points, individuals must be both an ANZ Rewards account holder and a Velocity Frequent Flyer member. Velocity membership and Velocity Points earned and redeemed are subject to the Member Terms and Conditions, available at velocityfrequentflyer.com/termsandconditions as amended from time to time. Once ANZ Reward Points have been redeemed for Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, they are governed by the Velocity Frequent Flyer Program Terms & Conditions and cannot be reversed. ANZ holds no responsibility for flight availability, which may be limited, or any other redemption items available at velocityfrequentflyer.com . Flight availability is at the sole discretion of Virgin Australia and airline partners.

Offer is for new and approved credit card applicants and is limited to one offer per applicant.

ANZ may vary or end this offer at any time without notice. Not available in conjunction with other offers, packages or promotions, or when transferring from an existing ANZ credit card. The time it takes to process, approve an application and deliver or activate a card can vary and there may be delays.

If approved, you must activate the card, turn on auto-redemption to Velocity Points and meet the spend criteria within 3 months of the date of approval. The date of approval of an application is the disclosure date specified in your Letter of Offer. Some transactions and other items are not eligible purchases as they are not eligible to earn ANZ Reward Points. For details see the ANZ Rewards - Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) . To be eligible for this offer, you must set up auto-redemption within 3 months from the date of approval and automatically transfer your ANZ Reward Points to Velocity Points for a consecutive period until the bonus Velocity Points under this offer are made available for redemption. The 70,000 bonus Velocity Points will be available for redemption within 3 months of meeting the spend criteria. The 30,000 bonus Velocity Points will be available for redemption within 3 months of keeping your credit card for 15 months. The bonus Velocity Points available under this offer will not be credited if your credit card is cancelled, suspended, transferred, or if you have breached either the ANZ Credit Card Conditions of Use (PDF) or the ANZ Rewards – Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) prior to the bonus Velocity Points being credited to your Velocity account. You are not eligible for this offer if you currently hold or have held an ANZ Rewards credit card in the last 12 months. Offer starts 12:01am (AEDT) on 15 May 2024 and ends at 11:59pm (AEDT) on 15 November 2024.

To enable you to redeem the 70,000 bonus Velocity Points, we will send you an: (i) SMS with a link to a redemption website and your Reward Code to enable you to continue with the redemption process; or (ii) Email to the email address listed on your ANZ account with a link to a redemption website to switch on ANZ Rewards Auto-Redemption for Velocity Points with and your Reward Code to continue with the redemption process.

To enable you to redeem the 30,000 bonus Velocity Points, we will send you an: (i) SMS with a link to a redemption website and your Reward Code to enable you to continue with the redemption process; or (ii) Email to the email address listed on your ANZ account with a link to a redemption website and your Reward Code to continue the redemption process.

The redemption website is powered by Digital Glue Pty Ltd ABN 36 127 466 899. It may take up to 90 days from the eligible criteria being met to receive your SMS or email. You must redeem the Reward Code for the eligibility offers before the expiry date listed in the SMS or email, otherwise you will forfeit any entitlement to do so.

To redeem ANZ Reward Points for Velocity Points, individuals must be both an ANZ Rewards account holder and a Velocity Frequent Flyer member. Upon accruing ANZ Reward Points to the value of the minimum threshold set-up on auto-redemption, allow up to 5 business days for your Velocity Points to be allocated to your account. Velocity membership and Velocity Points earned and redeemed are subject to the Member Terms and Conditions, available at velocityfrequentflyer.com/termsandconditions as amended from time to time. Once ANZ Reward Points have been redeemed for Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, they are governed by the Velocity Frequent Flyer Program Terms & Conditions and cannot be reversed. ANZ holds no responsibility for flight availability, which may be limited, or any other redemption items available at velocityfrequentflyer.com . Flight availability is at the sole discretion of Virgin Australia and airline partners.

Offer available to new and approved applicants who apply for an ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card and is limited to one offer per applicant. ANZ may vary or end this offer at any time without notice. Not available in conjunction with other offers, packages or promotions, or when transferring from an existing ANZ credit card. The time it takes to process, approve an application and deliver or activate a card can vary and there may be delays. Eligible applicants must meet the spend criteria within 3 months of the date of approval. The date of approval of an application is the disclosure date specified in your Letter of Offer. Some transactions and other items are not eligible purchases as they are not eligible to earn ANZ Rewards Points. For details see the ANZ Rewards - Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) . The $150 will generally be credited to your credit card account within three months of meeting the spend criteria. The $150 credit will be applied to the purchases balance and does not constitute a payment under your contract with ANZ. ANZ Rewards Points will generally be credited to your ANZ Rewards Account within 3 months of meeting the spend criteria. ANZ Rewards Points will not be credited and you will not be eligible for the $150 back if your credit card is cancelled, suspended, transferred, or you have breached either the ANZ Credit Card Conditions of Use (PDF)  or the ANZ Rewards – Rewards Program Terms and Conditions (PDF) . You are not eligible for this offer if you currently hold or have held an ANZ Rewards credit card in the last 12 months.

For ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum, a total annual fee of $295 applies which includes a $240 Annual Fee and a $55 Rewards Program Services Fee. For ANZ Frequent Flyer Black, a total annual fee of $425 applies which includes a $370 Annual Fee and a $55 Rewards Program Services Fee. For Additional Cardholders on an ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum or ANZ Frequent Flyer Black credit card, an annual Additional Cardholder Fee of $10 and an annual Rewards Program Services Fee of $55 will apply per Additional Cardholder on the account.  These fees are current as at  and are subject to change. The fee information displayed on this page applies to new customers only. Existing customers may be subject to different fees and should call 13 22 73  for information regarding the fees that apply to their account.

Offer available to new and approved applicants who apply for an ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Credit Card and is limited to one offer per applicant.

Eligible applicants must meet the spend criteria within 3 months of the date of approval. The date of approval of an application is the disclosure date specified in your Letter of Offer. Some transactions and other items are not eligible purchases as they are not eligible to earn Qantas Points. For details see the ANZ Frequent Flyer Reward Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF) . The 75,000 bonus Qantas Points and $100 will generally be credited to your ANZ Credit Card Account within 3 months of meeting the spend criteria. The $100 credit will be applied to the purchases balance and does not constitute a payment under your Credit Card Contract with ANZ. The 75,000 bonus Qantas Points will not be credited and you will not be eligible for $100 back if your ANZ Credit Card Account is cancelled, suspended, transferred, or you have breached either the ANZ Credit Card Conditions of Use (PDF) or the ANZ Frequent Flyer Rewards Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF) . You are not eligible for this offer if you currently hold or have held an ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card in the last 12 months.

Eligible applicants must meet the spend criteria within 3 months of the date of approval. The date of approval of an application is the disclosure date specified in your Letter of Offer. Some transactions and other items are not eligible purchases as they are not eligible to earn Qantas Points. For details see the ANZ Frequent Flyer Reward Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF) . The 90,000 bonus Qantas Points and $200 will generally be credited to your ANZ Credit Card Account within 3 months of meeting the spend criteria. The $200 credit will be applied to the purchases balance and does not constitute a payment under your Credit Card Contract with ANZ. The 40,000 bonus Qantas Points for retaining the card for over 12 months will be credited to your Qantas Points balance within 3 months from the second annual fee being charged. The 130,000 bonus Qantas Points will not be credited and you will not be eligible for $200 back if your ANZ Credit Card Account is cancelled, suspended, transferred, or you have breached either the ANZ Credit Card Conditions of Use (PDF) or the ANZ Frequent Flyer Rewards Terms and Conditions booklet (PDF) prior to the bonus Qantas Points or $200 being credited to your ANZ Credit Card Account. You are not eligible for this offer if you currently hold or have held an ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card in the last 12 months.

This joining fee waiver is offered by ANZ. It is available to new applicants or existing ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card account holders who are not already Qantas Frequent Flyer members and who apply for membership online at the  Qantas website . This offer is non-transferable and not available in conjunction with any other offer. Qantas Frequent Flyer membership and each application is subject to approval by Qantas. Current joining fee $99.50 as at 7 April, 2022, subject to change.

Not all ANZ credit card accounts are eligible to apply to enrol an Amount in an ANZ Instalment Plan.  If you are eligible to apply for a Plan you will see the option “ANZ Instalment Plans” in the “Manage” section of your credit card in the ANZ App. 

T&Cs apply. You can learn more about the ANZ Instalment Plan T&Cs (PDF) here .

MASTERCARD BENEFIT INQUIRIES

Within the U.S.: 1-800-Mastercard (1-800-627-8372) | Outside the U.S.: Mastercard Global Service Phone Numbers

Availability of insurance benefits on your card may vary by card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for complete insurance benefit coverage terms, conditions and exclusions.

*Card registration required. Certain exceptions apply. Click here for terms and conditions .

†Requirements may vary. See card packaging for details or contact card issuer.

This content has been selected, created and edited by the Finextra editorial team based upon its relevance and interest to our community.

ANZ introduces pre-paid travel currency card

Australian banking group ANZ has launched a pre-paid re-loadable Visa payment card designed to replace paper travellers' cheques and cash.

15 February 2007 Be the first to comment

The PIN-protected ANZ Travel Card costs A$11.00 and can be loaded with up to $20,000 in US, Australian and New Zealand dollars, euros and British pounds. The cards can be used to pay for purchases anywhere that Visa is accepted electronically and can be used to withdraw funda at Visa-accepted ATMs. The cards can be re-loaded over the phone or online, or at select ANZ branches. Cardholders can also check card balances and access a transaction history via the Internet. Chris Cooper ANZ MD, debt and transaction services, says the card provides a cost effective, convenient and simple travel money solution for business people and holiday makers. "You don't have to be an ANZ customer to take advantage of this handy new travel product, because ANZ Travel Card is not linked to a deposit account," adds Cooper.

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I used credit card rewards to take a dream vacation to Belize for just over $1,000

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

• I traveled to Belize with friends recently and had a great time for under $1,000.
• By traveling during the low season, I was able to get a cheaper room, and cheaper flights.
• I cashed in points from my travel rewards credit card, which makes it easy to save hundreds.

Every summer, my friends and I like to vacation together. We try to find affordable locations that offer beaches, nice accommodations, and good food. Since summer is the low season in most of Central America, we decided to plan a trip to Belize, which is known for its affordability.

Belize is a popular vacation destination because of its warm weather, beaches, and great exchange rate. We knew a large part of our budget would go toward our hotel. We wanted a beachfront apartment at an adults-only property. After researching, we found an ideal property in Placencia, a sleepy beach town south of Belize City, and split the cost of the room.

Traveling during Belize's low season means experiencing high temperatures and a few rain showers. However, low-season travel has some advantages, such as uncrowded beaches and restaurants and deals on flights and hotels. I used points from my travel rewards credit card and spent just over $1,000 in total.

I spent $628 on accommodations

Our biggest expense was our accommodations. We stayed at Caribbean Beach Cabanas, which offers a sliding-scale discounted rate for booking during the low season, depending on the room level. We booked a two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa with a fully equipped kitchen, living room, and an oversized deck that overlooked the hotel pool.

Our total cost for the villa for five nights was $1885, which we split three ways. We did take advantage of the hotel's low season rates (though it only saved us about $30 a night since the villa is their largest unit), but we felt like we got our money's worth.

We felt comfortable splurging on the villa because the hotel was right on the beach and within walking distance of Placencia's main street. This meant we didn't have to budget for taxis to get around all week, and the hotel also offered complimentary round-trip transportation from the local airport. Although there were less expensive accommodations in Placencia, we wanted to stay at an adults-only property, and we enjoyed having a full kitchen and living room.

My flights were just over $100 

After we booked the villa, I set a tracker for flights, and I found a good deal on my flight. I booked an American Airlines flight from Miami to Belize City and spent $272 on a roundtrip flight, hundreds below peak prices. I'm an American Airlines AAdvantage member, so I also used the flight to accumulate frequent flyer miles, which I can eventually cash out on future flights.

Once we arrived in Belize City, we had two options for getting to Placencia: rent a car and drive for two to three hours or take a "puddle jumper" plane that would get us to our destination in about 15 minutes. We opted for the plane and purchased the additional flights from Belize City to Placencia on Tropic Air, which cost $129 each way, or an additional $258 round trip.

I'm a Bank of America Travel Rewards credit cardholder, and I cashed in $425 worth of travel credits (which were applied to my next billing cycle) to bring the cost of my flights down to just over $100. I use my Bank of America Travel Rewards card for nearly all of my everyday spending. The card doesn't have an annual fee, and I earn 1.5 points on all purchases. A few times a year, I cash out my points to cover flights or hotels.

Our food and activities were very affordable

Food was the least expensive part of our trip — in total, I spent around $350 on food and activities. Our hotel offered complimentary coffee and pastries every morning for breakfast, and we ate at local restaurants for lunch and dinner. Most of our meals were under $20, and instead of ordering drinks at each meal, we picked up a bottle of wine to enjoy back at our villa.

Plencencia is a very low-key vacation spot, perfect for lying out on the beach, which is what we did most of the day. We alternated between hanging out by the pool and the beach, and the hotel also had a few complimentary kayaks, inner tubes, and snorkel gear.

We also explored Placencia by walking and using the hotel's complimentary bikes to get around town. We skipped the expensive excursions and rented a golf cart for one day, which cost $50, which we split three ways.

I came in just over my $1,000 budget, but I don't regret splurging on the villa — especially because I was able to accumulate points for my flight and food purchases I charged to my credit card.

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