The smarter way to travel

Multi-currency Cash Passport™. One Card, Ten Currencies.

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Multi-currency Cash Passport

10 currencies, locked in rates.

Lock in exchange rates each time you load and top up. Load up to 10 different currencies on one card. Pound Sterling, Euros, US Dollars, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, New Zealand Dollars, South African Rand, Turkish Lira, Swiss Francs and Emirati Dirhams.

Stay in control

Manage and track your Cash Passport on the go via your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC. Login to  My Account  and stay in control of your money. 

Accepted at millions of locations

Preload your Cash Passport and use like you would a credit or debit card in-store, online or to withdraw local currency at ATMs.

Global assistance

Help is only a call away. If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, we can replace it quickly or provide you with emergency cash up to the available balance on your card (subject to availability).

Today's exchange rates*

Running low on travel money.

Multi-currency Cash Passport is reloadable, allowing you to top up any of your currencies, anywhere, anytime.

You can top up in 5 ways:

  • Bank transfer (via phone or internet banking)
  • Via the mobile app
  • Over the phone
  • In participating branches

Learn more about your top up options.

Keep track of your travel money

You can use your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC to login to My Account  and stay in control of your travel money.

Register for My Account , so you can:

  • Track your spending
  • Top up your card
  • Transfer between currencies
  • Retrieve your PIN number
  • Suspend your card temporarily

You can also download the Cash Passport mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices.

Travel with confidence

Safe and secure access to your money

Cash Passport uses Chip and PIN technology which means you can rest assured you have additional security making your card safer than carrying cash. Accepted at millions of locations and cash machines worldwide.

Looking for a back-up card for safe keeping? Simply purchase an additional card when ordering online or in-store.

We're here to help

We're only a call or email away at all times. Our global assistance team will help you if your card is lost, stolen or damaged.

We can replace your card quickly or provide you with access to emergency cash up to the available balance on your card (subject to availability), so you can keep enjoying your holiday.

Need further help?

View our frequently asked questions or feel free to contact us .

travel card cash passport

Cash Passport™ app

The new Cash Passport app has an improved design that makes managing your travel money faster and easier.

travel card cash passport

Start travelling smarter in just a couple of taps. Activate your Cash Passport card from your mobile, download the app from the iOS or Android store, log-in, and load up with your preferred currency. Simple!

Now you can securely store your payment card details in the Cash Passport app, so whenever and wherever you are, you can top up with up to 10 currencies, including Euros, US, Australian and Canadian Dollars and British Pounds at the touch of a button.

Stay in control the smart way. The new message centre feature lets you stay on top of tailored notifications, including low balance and transaction alerts. Keeping you up to date with your own personal need to know information.

Move money between your currencies with just a couple of taps – it’s that simple! Quickly move money between 10 currencies and spend more time enjoying your holiday.

Priceless Cities

Priceless Cities is a program available exclusively to Cash Passport cardholders and provides access to unforgettable experiences in the cities where you live and travel.

There’s a world of possibilities waiting for you to explore, so why not break free from your routine for a moment, a night, or even a weekend? Fuel your passions. Make memories to last a lifetime. Start Something Priceless.

Find out more

Multi-currency Cash Passport is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard  International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

*Foreign exchange rates can fluctuate and the rate that applies one day will not necessarily be the same on any other day. The exchange rates set out on this website apply to top-ups that are made via this website only and that are applied to your card account within four hours. We will provide you with the applicable exchange rate at the time you top up.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

Today’s exchange rates*

travel card cash passport

Cash Passport™ Platinum Mastercard® – The smarter way to travel

Order now   Quick reload  

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

11 currencies, locked in rates~.

Lock in exchange rates each time you load and reload. Load up to 11 different currencies on one card: USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, THB, CAD, HKD, SGD, JPY, AED and AUD.

No load fees

$0 initial load fee and $0 card issue fee. Travel fluently with no fees when ordering your Cash Passport Platinum.

Accepted at millions of locations

Use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, worldwide – in-store, online, or to withdraw local currency at ATMs

24/7 Global Assistance+

Help is only a call away, whenever and wherever you are. If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, we can replace it quickly or provide you with emergency cash.

Today's exchange rates*

Running low on travel money.

Cash Passport Platinum is reloadable, allowing you to top-up any of your currencies, anywhere, anytime.

You can reload online in three ways:

  • Transfer funds from Debit Card (instant)
  • Bank transfer (1 business day)
  • BPAY (up to 2 business days)

If you purchase your card in-store, you can reload in-person at your original place of purchase.

Keep track of your travel money

You can use your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC to login to 'My Account' and stay in control of your travel money.

Register for 'My Account', so you can:

  • Track your spending
  • Reload your card
  • Transfer between currencies
  • Retrieve your PIN number
  • Suspend your card temporarily
  • Cash out your remaining balance

You can also download the Cash Passport mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices.

Stop lining up, start experiencing more

Enjoy the freedom of ultra-fast contactless payments, with Tap & Go at retail stores, restaurants, convenience stores and more.

Wherever you see the universal contactless symbol, your Cash Passport Platinum is ready to go .

Traveling to London? You can even use your Cash Passport Platinum to tap on and off the London Tube, never having to line up again.

Travel with confidence

Spend securely as your Cash Passport Platinum is protected by CHIP and PIN. 

Cash Passport Platinum is secured by  Mastercard Zero Liability protecting you against unauthorised and fraudulent transactions, should your card ever be reported lost or stolen.

We're here to help

We're only a call or email away at all times. Our global assistance team will help you if your card is lost, stolen or damaged.

We can replace your card quickly or provide you with access to emergency cash, so you can keep enjoying your holiday.

Need further help?

View our frequently asked questions or feel free to contact us .

travel card cash passport

Platinum benefits

  • Register a flight – Go to Flight Delay Pass to register with your name, flight details, email and mobile number. The flight registration must take place no later than the flight's scheduled departure time
  • Flight monitoring – Mastercard tracks flight status and sends you an email and SMS with your lounge passes when a flight is delayed more than 2 hours
  • Redeem lounge visit – Simply flash the lounge pass sent by Mastercard Flight Delay Pass to gain lounge access

Get your Cash Passport (fast!)

Order online.

Select your currencies and verify your identity using your Australian driver’s license or Australian passport.

Make payment

Pay for your initial load instantly with Debit Card. Don’t have a debit card? We also accept BPAY.

Get your card

Upon receiving your load, your card will be immediately dispatched to your home address within 3 business days.

travel card cash passport

Cash Passport™ app

The Cash Passport app makes managing your travel money faster, easier and even more secure. 

travel card cash passport

Get fast and easy access to your Cash Passport app by using Touch ID. The new fingerprint recognition feature operates using highly secure biometrics and is an easy alternative to using your online password. Even lock or unlock a misplaced card for added protection.

Be smart about your money. Monitor all of your activity, whether you’re reloading or transferring funds, it’s all accounted for here in one simple, secure place allowing you to stay up to date with transactions and card spending. Plus includes integrated support screen for frequently asked questions.

Move money between your currencies with just a couple of taps – it’s that simple! Quickly move money between 11 currencies, including EUR, USD, SGD, CAD and GBP and spend more time enjoying your holiday.

Eco certified cards

Concerned about your environmental impact?

The Cash Passport Platinum card is made from 100% recycled PVC. You’ll know your helping to reduce the environmental impact of your wallet when you see the Card Eco Certification imprint on your Cash Passport card.

Priceless Planet Coalition

Mastercard established its sustainability efforts more than a decade ago, and continues to develop programs that help consumers contribute to the future of the planet, such as the Priceless Planet Coalition

Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386 837) arranges for the issue of the Multi-currency Cash Passport™ (“Cash Passport”) and Cash Passport™ Platinum Mastercard®  (“Cash Passport Platinum”) in conjunction with the issuer,   EML Payment Solutions Limited ('EML') ABN 30 131 436 532 , AFSL 404131 .  You should consider the  Product Disclosure Statement  for the relevant Cash Passport facility available at  www.cashpassport.com.au  before deciding to acquire the products.  Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. 

Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

~ Lock in your exchange rates means the exchange rate is locked in for the initial load only. The exchange rates for subsequent reloads will be set at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the transaction.

*The prevailing exchange rate is locked in for the initial load value only. Subsequent card reloads will be processed at the then prevailing exchange rate on the day of the reload transaction, and will be locked in at that rate. The exchange rates set out in this website apply to reload transactions that are booked on this website only and that are settled within four hours. Different exchange rates will apply to cards which have not been purchased on this website and initial card load and reload transactions in our partner branch locations. We will provide you with settlement instructions and the applicable exchange rate at the time you book a reload transaction. Different exchange rates will also apply to reload transactions that are conducted directly via Bank Transfer or BPAY (i.e. without booking an online transaction). For more information on how we set exchange rates please see the   Product Disclosure Statement .

+ T&Cs apply. Customer must contact Customer service to report lost or stolen card. Emergency cash can be arranged up to the balance on your Cash Passport, subject to availability of funds at the approved agent location.

# Flight Delay Pass is provided to you on the basis you are not in breach of Cash Passport MasterCard® Product Disclosure Statement and Terms & Conditions and your card remains open. It must not be sold in any way and Mastercard reserves the right to cancel the pass that are in breach of this policy. Access may not be available if the applicable lounge is full or near capacity at the full discretion of lounge staff. Access and use of the lounges is subject to its own terms and conditions. Mastercard reserves its right to amend or withdraw the Flight Delay Pass at any time and where possible, provide prior notice to you. Visit here for Terms and Conditions

Today’s exchange rates*

travel card cash passport

Common questions about Cash Passport

Choose a topic.

About Cash Passport Travel Money Card

Cash Passport is a prepaid, travel money card. You can use Cash Passport to pay for goods and services, online and in-store, at millions of locations worldwide (anywhere that Mastercard is accepted). You can load multiple currencies on a single card, locking in your exchange rates at the time of booking your reload via the website, so you know exactly how much you have to spend. You can also withdraw local currency from millions of ATMs where the Mastercard acceptance mark is displayed.

If you purchase your Cash Passport online, we will dispatch your card the moment payment is received. When buying your card, you can opt to pay via Debit Card or BPAY. Debit card means we will get the funds faster, so if you are in a rush to receive your card – this is your fastest method. BPAY can take up to 2 business days for us to receive your funds from your bank. Your card will be delivered within 3 business days to your home address.

Cash Passport is not a credit card nor a debit card. Cash Passport is a prepaid travel money card that is not linked to your everyday bank account. You will need to load money onto your Cash Passport before you can use it. When you make a purchase or withdraw cash from an ATM, the amount is deducted from your prepaid balance.

Yes. You can use your Cash Passport to shop online (within the limits and restrictions of your card) at any merchant that accepts Mastercard. By using a Cash Passport loaded with the currency that the online site trades in, you know exactly what your purchase will cost and won't be stung by unknown exchange rates, as may happen if you used your domestic credit or debit card.

Cash Passport may not be used for money transfers or for accessing or purchasing goods from adult or gambling internet sites and must not be used for any unlawful activity. You must comply with all laws and regulations (including any foreign exchange controls) in respect of the Card in the country of purchase and/or use.

Cash Passport can be loaded up to 11 currencies, including AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, THB, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD, AED.

You can transfer money between currencies at your convenience, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via 'My Account'.

An exchange rate set by Mastercard Prepaid Management Services will apply when you load funds to the card or transfer funds between currencies. The exchange rates will be displayed to you before proceeding with your transaction at www.cashpassport.com.au

You will be able to use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Your Cash Passport should not be declined in any shops that accept Mastercard unless you have an insufficient balance or that particular store does not accept prepaid cards at their own personal choice. Please note that some restaurants and car hire companies require your card to have an available balance greater than the purchase amount before they will authorise payment.

It is currently not possible to use your Cash Passport in a number of countries. If you attempt to withdraw cash from an ATM or use your Card at merchants in any of these countries, your request will be declined.

The countries and geographical regions currently affected by sanctions are: Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Crimea.

Managing your Cash Passport Travel Money Card

Your default currency is initially set to Australian dollars. You can change your default currency at any time via cashpassport.com.au or the Cash Passport mobile app.

If funds are sent to your card without a currency being specified via cashpassport.com.au, they will be loaded to the default currency.

When you load your card directly from your bank account using Bank Transfer or BPAY®, without first booking an order via My Account, funds will automatically be loaded into your default currency.

For example, if your default currency is USD, loads will automatically be credited to your USD currency.

If you plan on travelling and want to load directly onto your card in local currency via your internet or telephone banking you can change your default currency to the local currency.

It's always best to login to 'My Account' and book your exchange rates with an order when loading your card.

No, only Australian dollar amounts can be transferred onto your Cash Passport. E.g. you use AUD to load onto your card, into the foreign currency of your choice.

If your card is lost or stolen, Card Services will help you get you back in control of your money. If your card is lost or stolen, contact us immediately.

If your card is stolen, we’ll close it to prevent fraud. You may be eligible for an emergency cash disbursement, allowing you to access funds on your card, if your card is lost or stolen whilst you are overseas. Simply contact us.

You can suspend your card online via www.cashpassport.com.au or by contacting Card Services if it is lost or stolen.

You will still be able to transfer funds between currencies on your card, but you will not be able to transact using your card, while it is suspended.  If you find your card, you can reactivate your card online via 'My Account' or by contacting Card Services. 

Some ATMs will display your total Cash Passport balance in local currency. For accurate balances for each currency login at cashpassport.com.au. Remember, many ATMs will charge you for checking your balance, so opt instead to visit www.cashpassport.com.au and login to 'My Account'.

Your Card Expiry Date is printed on the front of your card. You cannot use your card for purchases or cash withdrawals after it has expired. Please do not load funds onto an Expired Card.

You will not be able to use your card, whether topping up your card or using your card in-store or at an ATM. Please contact card services on 1800 098 231 to arrange replacement cards. You may also Cash Out by logging into My Account and follow the prompts and have funds transferred to a nominated bank account.

  • Login to My Account
  • Select Transfer money > Cash out to a bank account.
  • Select all the currencies you’d like to Cash out.
  • Enter the full amount you’d like to Cash out for each currency.
  • Enter your bank account details: Account name, BSB, Account number will be required. Please check these details to ensure a successful Cash out.
  • Select complete Cash Out and you are done!

Funds will arrive into your nominated bank account within 3-5 business days.

Please contact card services on 1800 098 231 to arrange a replacement card and your positive balance will be transferred to your new cards. It can take up to 15 days for your new cards to arrive.  

Your new cards will be valid for up to 5 years.  

Transactions

Your Cash Passport Travel Money Card Transactions

Yes, however it is not recommended.

Cruise Ships often charge a security bond by pre-authorising your card to cover incidentals, similar to hotels.

These pre-authorized funds cannot be used whilst onboard or until such a time those funds are released by the cruise company themselves (not us), which can take up to 30 days after the cruise has finished. It is suggested that you use a credit card to cover any such pre-authorized amounts and Cash Passport can be used at ATM's or at merchants onboard.

Some overseas merchants and ATM operators may give you the option of paying in the local currency, or in Australian Dollars (this is called Dynamic Currency Conversion or DCC).

If you make a purchase or ATM withdrawal in a country where the local currency is the same as a currency on your Cash Passport facility (e.g. using your US Dollar funds in the US) and you opt to pay in Australian Dollars, this may result in a foreign exchange transaction at additional cost to you as the card will seek to transact in Australian Dollars. If you have funds loaded on your Cash Passport facility in the currency of the country you are in, you can select to pay in the local currency to ensure that the transaction is taken from the correct currency loaded on your card. If the merchant gives you the option of paying in AUD please note that they will then determine the exchange rate used to convert your AUD to the local currency.

A pre-authorisation is a hold over card funds.  Hotels, cruise lines and car rental companies may estimate the cost of your bill and ask you to provide a card as a guarantee.  This will place a hold on funds, which cannot be used to make transactions, and can last up to 30 days. If a merchant requests a pre-authorisation we recommend using a credit or debit card, instead of Cash Passport.

 As Cash Passport is a prepaid facility a pre-authorisation will temporarily reduce your available funds. You can still settle your final bill with Cash Passport. If you do use Cash Passport for a pre-authorisation and need access to the held funds within the 30 day period, you’ll need to contact the merchant directly to request they lift the pre-authorisation.

Dynamic currency conversion, often referred to as DCC

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is an optional service that is sometimes offered by foreign retailers and ATM operators, giving cardholders the choice of paying in either the currency of the country they are visiting or their own domestic currency. If you make a purchase or ATM withdrawal in a country where the local currency is the same as a currency on your Cash Passport (e.g. using your US Dollar funds in the USA) and you opt in to a DCC service, this may result in a foreign exchange transaction at additional cost to you as the card will seek to transact in Australian dollars. If you have funds loaded onto your Cash Passport in the currency of the country you are in, you should NOT opt in to DCC.

A transaction may be declined if you’re shopping online and use a different billing address to the address you used to apply for Cash Passport. Your billing address and Cash Passport address must match.  You can update your Cash Passport address to match your billing address at any time by contacting Mastercard Cash Passport Global Support.

For some purchases a minimum balance on your Cash Passport facility is required to pre-authorise the transaction.

These include: • Purchases at an automated fuel pump – minimum balance of AU$ 80 (or foreign currency equivalent) required • Telephone calls – minimum balance of AU$11 (or foreign currency equivalent) required • Utilities bills – minimum balance of AU$ 15 (or foreign currency equivalent) required  If you spend less than these minimum pre-authorisation amounts you will not be charged for the excess; however any unused portion of the minimum amount may be temporarily unavailable.

Your transaction history may display differently depending on whether you are using the Cash Passport mobile app or cashpassport.com.au

All of your transactions, including pending transactions will be shown on cashpassport.com.au. Pending transactions are transactions which have not yet settled. Pre-authorisations and tolerances may result in a pending transaction. For pending transactions, the transaction amount will be held, and not available for use, until the transaction has cleared. Once this occurs you‘ll be able to access the pending amount. Pending transactions will not be shown on the Cash Passport mobile app until they are settled, which may be several days after the transactions were made. To view these transactions go to www.cashpassport.com.au

Some merchants may add an additional amount to your transaction as an anticipated service charge or tip. This is common amongst both prepaid and debit cards and protects your card from unexpectedly going into a negative balance.

The most common place for this to occur is bars and restaurants.Some restaurants or bars may add an additional amount (usually 20%) to your bill as an anticipated service charge or tip. If the additional amount is not used for a service charge or tip, it will be temporarily held and then become available for you to use.  For example, if you spend $100 on a meal, you may be charged $120 ($100 plus an anticipated service charge or tip of $20, as 20% of the total amount). If you leave a $10 tip on your meal, bringing the total charge to $110, the remaining $10 portion of the anticipated charge may be temporarily unavailable until the transaction settles.

Taxis may also add an additional amount (usually 15%) on top of your anticipated fare to cover possible service charges, road tolls or tips (when a pre-authorisation is obtained against your card). Likewise, some petrol stations may apply a pre-authorisation (usually AUD75) against your available balance when using an automatic ‘pay at pump’ service. Once the transaction is settled, the temporary hold on the anticipated charge will be lifted and any remaining funds will be available for you to use.

If you don’t have sufficient funds in local currency to complete a transaction, the balance of the transaction will be automatically processed using available funds from other currencies in the following order of priority: 1. Australian Dollars (AUD) 2. United States Dollars (USD) 3. Euros (EUR) 4. Great British Pounds (GBP) 5. Thai Baht (THB) 6. New Zealand Dollars (NZD) 7. Singapore Dollars (SGD) 8. Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) 9. Canadian Dollars (CAD) 10. Japanese Yen (JPY) 11. Dhiram (AED)

If you don’t have enough funds available across all of your currencies to complete a transaction, the transaction will be declined.

Cash Passport Travel Money Card Security and Privacy

You can spend with confidence knowing your card is chip, PIN and signature secured; giving you added security against fraud. Cash Passport is not linked to a bank account, so it’s a great option for making purchases overseas or online.

You’ll have the additional security and convenience of not having to carry cash, as Mastercard is accepted at millions of Mastercard locations worldwide.

You’re covered by our 24/7 Global Emergency Assistance service if your card is lost or stolen. You can log online at www.cashpassport.com.au where you can access PIN reveal.

Heritage Bank Limited is the Issuer of Cash Passport and Cash Passport cardholders’ contractual relationship is with Heritage Bank Limited rather than Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd.  Under the Mastercard rules Heritage Bank Limited is liable at all times to settle all legitimate cardholder transactions. Further information can be found in our Product Disclosure Statement.

You’ll be protected by the Mastercard Zero Liability~ policy for unauthorised transactions made using your card in-store, online or over the phone. You’ll need to take reasonable measures to protect your Cash Passport and PIN from unauthorised use for the policy to apply.  

Refer to the Cash Passport Product Disclosure Statement for further information.

Please contact Card Services by visiting the contact us section of this website.

Transfer between Cards

Domestic and International Card to Card Transfer

‘Card to card’ gives Cash Passport cardholders the ability to instantly transfer money from one Cash Passport to another, in both Australia and New Zealand, across currencies of your choosing.

As long as your friends and family have a Cash Passport purchased in Australia or New Zealand, they will be able to send money:

Domestically – From one Australian Cash Passport cardholder to another

Internationally – From an Australian Cash Passport cardholder to a New Zealand Cash Passport cardholder (and vice versa)

Simply login to ‘M y Account ’ and select ‘Transfer Money’.

You will then need to enter the details of the card you wish to send to. Remember, you must enter your friend or families details exactly as per their account details.

Wish to send money to them again in the future? Too easy. Simply ‘Save payee’ when completing your transfer.

Card to card transfers are instant. The recipient (your friends and family) will immediately see the money in their ‘My Account’ upon transfer.

A confirmation screen will appear upon successful transfer. You will also receive an email receipt confirming your card to card transfer was successful.

You cannot send money to Cash Passport cardholders who purchased their card at Travelex.

Sending from one Australian Cash Passport to another Australian Cash Passport is FREE . Sending money between Australia and New Zealand Cash Passport cardholders (and vice versa) may have fees apply. Please see ‘ Fees & Limits ’ for more information.

Yes, limits do apply. Please see ‘ Fees & Limits ’ for more information.

Recipients need to be validated before you can successfully process your transfer. You will need to provide their full first name, last name and card number to find them. Remember, you must enter their first and last name as it appears on their account at signup.

For example, if you signed up with the name “Alexander Williams” – a transfer to “Alex Williams” will not work, as the first name has been abbreviated.

Please check the spelling of the first and last name, and check with your friend / family that the card number is correct.

If the details do not match, you will not be able to validate them.

Please also ensure that the card you are trying to send to, was not purchased at Australia Post or Travelex. These partners do not currently have card to card enabled.

travel card cash passport

Global Wi-Fi

Free global Wi-Fi at millions of hotspots around the world.

Cash Passport Platinum card holders are eligible for Boingo Wi-Fi, which allows one individual a three month membership in their plan, as well as additional three month memberships each time you top up your prepaid card. The Boingo Wifi for Cash Passport Platinum cardholders benefit offers you unlimited international access to premium Wifi at:

Over 1 million global hotspots Thousands of premium hotels (including Marriott, Hilton and Accor), retail locations, cafes and restaurants Hundreds of airports (including ORD, LGA, JFK, LAX) You can now enjoy simultaneous worldwide access for up to four devices without worrying about data usage limits or roaming fees.

The device limit for Boingo Wi-Fi for Cash Passport Platinum holders is 4 devices, and can include any combination of smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Each eligible top up to your prepaid card will activate Boingo Wi-Fi for Cash Passport Platinum holders benefit for three months. This is subject to activation within 12 months of the day you initially load your prepaid card.

Each time you top up you will have another 3 months free Wifi access only.

An eligible top-up requires your prepaid card to be topped up with $100 or more.

Check if your card is eligible for the Boingo Wi-Fi for Cash Passport Platinum holders benefit by entering your card number in to the eligibility checker.

Create your Boingo account. Your use of Boingo’s Wifi services is subject to Boingo's customer agreement, end user license agreement and other applicable legal terms and conditions, including Boingo's terms of use, privacy and security policies as stated at http://www.boingo.com. Receive email confirmation of your newly created Boingo account. Have access to all Boingo hotspots, Wifinder application, and Boingo Passpoint.

When your 3 month Boingo Membership has ended, simply return to the registration site used when first creating your Boingo account.

Enter your card number in to the eligibility checker.

If you’ve made an eligible top-up, you’ll receive a confirmation that your Boingo Membership has been activated for a further 3 months.

You can locate accessible hotspots by visiting http://wifi.boingo.com or downloading the Boingo Wi-Finder app. There is a map of hotspots on the website as well as on the mobile app, accessible via the Wi-Finder hotspot locator.

Please note that Boingo Wi-Fi for Cash Passport Platinum holders only provides international internet access and does not include access to hotspots in your home market.

You can find articles that address common questions and technical issues by visiting http://support.boingo.com/Consumerwifi or call/email the Boingo Customer Support Center.

To find out more about the Cash Passport Platinum Cardholders Program Details, visit: https://redeem.boingo.com/mcsi/program-details/

If you have any other Boingo FAQs, visit: http://www.boingo.com/FAQs/

The Boingo Customer Support Center can be reached at [email protected] or the international toll-free phone numbers found at https://Mastercard.boingo.com/contact-us.

Flight Delay Pass

Enjoy complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide, upon a flight delay.

2 registrations per year, whether or not your flight is delayed.

2 travellers per registration (cardholder plus 1 additional passenger per registration)

Min 6 hours before flight departure, max 364 days before flight departure.

Flights to be registered from 16 November 2017 – 15 November 2018

Flight must be tracked by FlightStats. There is a LoungeKey lounge at the departure airport.

Min 2 hours flight delay (discrete or cumulative within 24 hour period)

The number of lounge passes are limited and will be available on a first come first serve basis. Passes are allocated only upon flight delays, and not at point of registration; ie confirmation of registration does not guarantee availability of lounge passes should a flight delay occur.

24 hours from receipt. Unused vouchers are forfeited.

You can cancel or re-register up to 6 hours before scheduled departure time. You can do this via the link on your email confirmation. If you cancel a registration it will be credited to be used again.

Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386837) arranges for the issue of the Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard® (“Travel Mastercard") in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited ('EML') ABN 30 131 436 532 , AFSL 404131 . Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No. 338646), the card distributor, acts as an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340, AFSL 457551). You should consider the Travel Mastercard Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide before deciding to acquire the product. The Target Market Determination for this product can be found here auspost.com.au/travelcard . Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

^Pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases when travelling, when you load your Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard with USD or EUR currencies supported by the product, and transact in that same currency. 

Before you make a decision to acquire the card, please check auspost.com.au for the latest currencies supported. Lock in your rates means the exchange rate is locked in for the initial load only. The exchange rates for subsequent reloads will be set at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the transaction. Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386837) arranges for the issue of the Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited ('EML') ABN 30 131 436 532 , AFSL 404131. Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No. 338646), the card distributor, acts as an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340, AFSL 457551). You should consider the Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide before deciding to acquire the product. These can be found together with the Target Market Determination for this product at auspost.com.au . Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Terms, conditions and fees apply. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386837) arranges for the issue of the   Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard   in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited ('EML') ABN 30 131 436 532 , AFSL 404131. Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No. 338646), the card distributor, acts as an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340, AFSL 457551). You should consider the   Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard   Product Disclosure Statement   and   Financial Services Guide   before deciding to acquire the product. The Target Market Determination for this product can be found   here.  

Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Terms, conditions and fees apply. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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.

The smarter way to travel

Multi-currency Cash Passport. One Card, Seven Currencies.

Get your card  

travel card cash passport

Multi-currency Cash Passport

7 currencies, locked in rates.

Lock in exchange rates each time you load, reload and move money between currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, CAD and AED.

Stay in control

Manage and track your Cash Passport on the go via your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC. Login to ' My Account ' and stay in control of your money.

Accepted at millions of locations

Use your Multi-currency Cash Passport  like you would a credit or debit card, except with your own prepaid funds. In-store, online or to withdraw local currency at ATMs.

24/7 Global Assistance

Help is only a call away, whenever and wherever you are. If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, we can replace it quickly or provide you with emergency cash up to the available balance on the card.

Keep track of your travel money

You can use your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC to login to ' My Account ' and stay in control of your travel money.

Register for ' My Account ', so you can:

  • Track your spending
  • Transfer between currencies
  • Retrieve your PIN number
  • Suspend your card temporarily

You can also download the Cash Passport mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices.

Running low on travel money?

Just return to any participating branch of the location where you bought your Cash Passport (in South Africa), and they can reload it for you. You will be asked to present your Multi-currency Cash Passport, a form of payment, proof of residence, your travel documents and your valid passport.

* The card may only be used outside the Common Monetary Area (being South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia). The Card may be used for online purchases provided that the website used is not registered in the Common Monetary Area. In addition, there may be some other countries or geographical regions where usage of the card is prohibited. Please see ‘Where can I use the Cash Passport?' to verify the list of countries and regions with restrictions

Travel with confidence

Spend securely as your Multi-currency Cash Passport is protected by chip and PIN.

Looking for a back-up card for safe keeping? Simply purchase an additional card when ordering in-branch.

We're here to help

We're only a call or email away at all times. Our global assistance team will help you if your card is lost, stolen or damaged subject to availability in your location.

We can replace your card quickly or provide you with access to emergency cash up to the available balance on the card, so you can keep enjoying your holiday.

Need further help?

View our frequently asked questions or feel free to contact us .

travel card cash passport

Cash Passport™ app

The new Cash Passport app has an improved design that makes managing your travel money faster and easier.

travel card cash passport

Get fast and easy access to your Cash Passport app by using Touch ID. The new fingerprint recognition feature operates using highly secure biometrics and is an easy alternative to using your online password.

Be smart about your money. Monitor all of your activity, whether you’re reloading or transferring funds, it’s all accounted for here in one simple, secure place allowing you to stay up to date with transactions and card spending.

Move money between your currencies with just a couple of taps – it’s that simple! Quickly move money between 7 currencies and spend more time enjoying your holiday.

Priceless Cities

Priceless Cities is a program available exclusively to Cash Passport cardholders and provides access to unforgettable experiences in the cities where you live and travel.

There’s a world of possibilities waiting for you to explore, so why not break free from your routine for a moment, a night, or even a weekend? Fuel your passions. Make memories to last a lifetime. Start Something Priceless.

Find out more

Cash Passport™ is issued by The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

P lease view the important information page for user guides and terms and conditions.

Cash Passport 4+

Mastercard prepaid management services limited.

  • 4.6 • 5.2K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Cash Passport™, Mastercard®, is designed to help you Outsmart Travel. Cash Passport is a reloadable, multicurrency prepaid travel money card – which helps take the stress out of spending internationally. Here’s how: - Cash Passport is more secure than carrying cash; - It’s accepted in millions of places (everywhere Mastercard is accepted); - It allows you to load multiple currencies; - It gives you the ability to lock-in exchange rates so you’ll know exactly how much money you have to spend; and - 24/7 phone support to all Cash Passport customers no matter where you are in the world. The smarter and savvier new app comes with improved usability and added functionality, so you can spend more time holidaying. Key features: - Touch ID for fast and secure sign in; - Real time view of your balance(s); - Instantly transfer between currencies; - Reload your card (where in-app top-ups are allowed); - Monitor your transactions and spending; and - Manage your personal and card details. To find out more about Cash Passport and outsmarting travel, visit CashPassport.com

Version 41.0.0

· Minor Enhancement · Defect fixes

Ratings and Reviews

5.2K Ratings

Perfect travel companion

I’ve had this card for 3 years now. I got it in May 2019 when we went to Ibiza! And just as we were due to go on our first abroad holiday this year since covid thought I would look around at the new deals as this card surely would be out of date in terms of use and what is new! How wrong was I! After looking at all the new travel cards out there I wasn’t overly impressed so I went to speak to a lady at the sainsburys bureau who said that as my card was still in date it could still be used. And it now had extra features like free cash withdrawals abroad and a very good exchange rate that held. And once I downloaded the app to my phone I really couldn’t believe how easy it was to use. Easy to load, easy to change money back and easy to access on my phone which I did every day I was away so I could keep an eye on my spending! It was accepted everywhere and was instant transactions debit or credited!!!! Absolutely love this card so much! Can’t recommend highly enough!! I’m also using it in the UK now I’m back with left over euros converted to GBP! Don’t look at any other cards - get this one! And you don’t need to take a vent with you! 5 ⭐️ well done Sainsburys!

Developer Response ,

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a positive review. We hope you continue to enjoy the benefits of your Cash Passport card.

Sainsburys Cash Passport

Cashier in Sainsburys recommended this when I was getting Euro. My partner and I were going on a walking holiday and didn’t want to carry a lot of cash. It has been the best thing ever and so easy to top up sitting in comfort of your own home or anywhere. I was pleasantly surprised that the Currency rate is good. I had the App downloaded onto my iPhone but it was difficult to read. I got a new iPhone and put app on again and it’s easy to read now. My partner and I have a card each linked to the 1 account. Our New Year’s resolution is to transfer some money every month. I tell everyone about the Cash Passport.

Clearer instruction needed

Have just come to use my Cash passport for the first time in a couple of years and it still has a year to run. Bank card normally used to top up funds has now expired and I was unable to find an option to change my card details. I rang the helpline, but seems they only usually handle enquiries regarding Cash orders, but Arran was very helpful and transferred me to Mastercard Card Services, who, though they understood what I wanted to do could not direct me on how to do it. After two suggestions that didn’t work we mysteriously got cut off. I went back onto the app and added the CVC number of my current card for the account I normally use to top up and lo and behold it offered me the option to change my card details. Still rather complex though and I have a suspicion that I may have topped up twice now as, though I have already authorised a transfer on my banking app, it’s now asking me authorise a transaction..another one 🤯
We are sorry to hear of the difficulties you have experienced. We strive to provide you with the best possible service, and where this does not meet your expectations we would like the opportunity to investigate this further. Please email us at [email protected] with the specific issues you were experiencing.

App Privacy

The developer, Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Limited , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

  • Financial Info
  • Contact Info
  • Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, Portuguese

  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

Corporate Cash Passport

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travel card cash passport

Cash Passport™ Platinum Mastercard® – The smarter way to travel

Order now   Quick reload  

travel card cash passport

Features of Cash Passport

10 currencies, locked in rates.

Lock in exchange rates each time you load and reload. Load up to 10 different currencies on one card: NZD, AUD, EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, CAD, HKD, SGD and AED. 

Stay in control

Manage and track your Cash Passport on the go via your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC. Login to 'My Account' and stay in control of your travel money.

Accepted at millions of locations, worldwide^

Use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, worldwide – in-store, online, or to withdraw local currency at ATMs

Safe, secure and fun to use

Protected by chip, PIN and signature. Cash Passport is also protected by Mastercard zero liability . Focus on the fun of travel.

Flight Delay Pass

Turn a delay into a lounge stay! Enjoy complimentary access to over 1,000 Loungekey TM airport lounges worldwide when your flight is delayed for 2 hours or more # .

Getting your pass is easy

  • Register a flight – Go to Flight Delay Pass to register with your name, flight details, email and mobile number. The flight registration must take place no later than the flight's scheduled departure time
  • Flight monitoring – Mastercard tracks flight status and sends you an email and SMS with your lounge passes when a flight is delayed more than 2 hours
  • Redeem lounge visit – Simply flash the lounge pass sent by Mastercard Flight Delay Pass to gain lounge access

Order your Cash Passport online today

You can now order your Cash Passport online and have it delivered to your door. Its fast and easy – it only takes a few minutes. 

Today's exchange rates for direct currency loads*

Stay in control, outsmart travel money..

Cash Passport Platinum is a prepaid, reloadable travel money card, packed with features.

Running low on travel money?

Cash Passport Platinum is reloadable, allowing you to top-up any of your currencies, anywhere, anytime.

You can reload online in three ways:

  • Transfer funds from Debit Card (instant)
  • Bank transfer (1 business day)
  • Bill Payment (up to 2 business days)

If you purchase your card in-store, you can reload in-person at your original place of purchase.

Keep track of your travel money

You can use your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC to login to 'My Account' and stay in control of your travel money.

Register for 'My Account', so you can:

  • Track your spending
  • Reload your card
  • Transfer between currencies
  • Retrieve your PIN number
  • Suspend your card temporarily
  • Cash out your remaining balance

You can also download the Cash Passport mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices.

Stop lining up, start experiencing more

Enjoy the freedom of ultra-fast contactless payments, with Tap & Go at retail stores, restaurants, convenience stores and more.

Wherever you see the universal contactless symbol, your Cash Passport Platinum is ready to go.

Traveling to London? You can even use your Cash Passport Platinum to tap on and off the London Tube, never having to line up again.

Travel with confidence

Spend securely as your Cash Passport Platinum is protected by CHIP and PIN.

Cash Passport Platinum is secured by Mastercard Zero Liability protecting you against unauthorised and fraudulent transactions, should your card ever be reported lost or stolen.

Looking for a back-up card for safe keeping? Too easy, simply purchase an additional card when ordering online.

We're here to help

We're only a call or email away at all times. Our global assistance team will help you if your card is lost, stolen or damaged.

We can replace your card quickly or provide you with access to emergency cash, so you can keep enjoying your holiday.

Need further help?

View our frequently asked questions or feel free to contact us .

travel card cash passport

Cash Passport™ app

The Cash Passport app makes managing your travel money faster, easier and even more secure.

travel card cash passport

Get fast and easy access to your Cash Passport app by using Touch ID. The new fingerprint recognition feature operates using highly secure biometrics and is an easy alternative to using your online password. Even lock or unlock a misplaced card for added protection.

Be smart about your money. Monitor all of your activity, whether you’re reloading or transferring funds, it’s all accounted for here in one simple, secure place allowing you to stay up to date with transactions and card spending. Plus includes integrated support screen for frequently asked questions.

Move money between your currencies with just a couple of taps – it’s that simple! Quickly move money between 10 currencies, including EUR, USD, SGD, CAD and GBP and spend more time enjoying your holiday.

Eco certified cards

Concerned about your environmental impact?

The Cash Passport Platinum card is made from 100% recycled PVC. You’ll know your helping to reduce the environmental impact of your wallet when you see the Card Eco Certification imprint on your Cash Passport card.

Priceless Planet Coalition

Mastercard established its sustainability efforts more than a decade ago, and continues to develop programs that help consumers contribute to the future of the planet, such as the Priceless Planet Coalition

The Multi-currency Cash Passport™ (“Cash Passport”) and Cash Passport™ Platinum Mastercard® (“Cash Passport Platinum”) are unsecured debt securities issued by EML Payment Solutions Limited (“Issuer”). Cash Passport and Cash Passport Platinum are not guaranteed by the Issuer or any other entity. Before you make a decision to acquire a Cash Passport or Cash Passport Platinum, we recommend you read the Product Disclosure Statement for the relevant Cash Passport facility which is available free of charge here

Mastercard® is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

* The exchange rates set out in this website apply to reload transactions that are booked on this website only and that are settled within four hours. Subsequent card reloads will be processed at the then prevailing exchange rate on the day of the reload transaction, and will be locked in at that rate. You will be notified of the exchange rate applicable before you confirm your transaction using a particular reload method. When you book a transaction and load NZD or a foreign currency directly onto your card, you will receive the exchange rate notified to you in the "Today's Exchange Rate for Direct Currency Loads" table. Where you conduct a purse to purse transfer and transfer funds already loaded on your card into another currency, you will receive a different exchange rate than when loading funds directly onto your card. You will be notified of the applicable exchange rate before you confirm your purse to purse transaction which may be less favourable than the rate displayed in the "Today's exchange rate for Direct Currency Loads" table. We will provide you with settlement instructions at the time you book a reload transaction. Different exchange rates will apply to card loads and reload transactions in our partner locations or to reload transactions that are conducted directly via Bank Transfer or Bill Payment (i.e. without booking an online transaction). For more information on how we set exchange rates please see the Terms and Conditions.

Please refer to the important information page to view the Product Disclosure Statement, terms and conditions and privacy policy.

^ Some ATM operators may charge an additional withdrawal fee.

~ T&Cs apply. Customer must contact Customer service to report lost or stolen card. Emergency cash can be arranged up to the balance on your Cash Passport, subject to availability of funds at the approved agent location.

# Flight Delay Pass is provided to you on the basis you are not in breach of Cash Passport MasterCard® Product Disclosure Statement and Terms & Conditions and your card remains open. It must not be sold in any way and Mastercard reserves the right to cancel the pass that are in breach of this policy. Access may not be available if the applicable lounge is full or near capacity at the full discretion of lounge staff. Access and use of the lounges is subject to its own terms and conditions. Mastercard reserves its right to amend or withdraw the Flight Delay Pass at any time and where possible, provide prior notice to you. Visit here for Terms and Conditions

** Promotional rate available from 9:00am NZDT on 5th December 2023 to 11:59pm NZDT on 15th December 2023 (“Promotional Period”). The exchange rate for subsequent reloads after the Promotional Period will be set at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the transaction. You must load directly into AUD online at cashpassport.co.nz or on the Cash Passport App to take advantage of the promotional rate. Currency transfers between purses and card-to-card transfers are excluded from the rate sale. Due to constant market and currency fluctuations, the promotional rates may be adjusted daily during the Promotional Period but will always be preferential to the standard rates which would have been offered for each respective day during the Promotional Period. The rates during the Promotional Period cannot be compared to another day’s rates. We may, in our sole discretion, cancel or vary the promotion at any time. If we cancel or vary the promotion, we are not liable to any person for any costs, loss or damage whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, such cancellation or variation and are not required to conduct the promotion at any other time.

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Editorial note: We may not cover every product in this category. For more information, see our Editorial guidelines .

Best travel money cards in 2024.

Travel money cards are essential when travelling overseas.

They allow you to easily make payments whilst travelling overseas. They make paying easier for shops, restaurants, hotels and ATMs.Travel money cards work in a similar way to ATM cards. They use a pin when you purchase goods or services overseas.

In this guide, we have compared travel money cards to help you make the best selection for your next trip.

travel money card

Best Travel Money Cards:

  • Wise Travel Card Best Exchange Rates
  • Revolut Best for Low Fees
  • Travelex Money Card Best All Rounder
  • Bankwest Breeze Platinum Best Travel Credit Card
  • Pelikin Student Traveller Card Best Student Card
  • HSBC Everyday Global Travel Card Best Travel Card by Bank
  • Qantas Travel Money Card Best Reward Benefits

Wise Travel Card - Great Exchange Rates

  • 40+ currencies available
  • Best exchange rates globally
  • One of the lowest conversion fee on the market
  • No international transaction fees
  • No annual or monthly fees
  • Extremely low costs to send money overseas

Wise Travel CArd

Wise Travel Card

  • Cross currency conversion fees are between 0.24–3.69%. AUD to USD, EUR or GBP was 0.42%, which is one of the lowest on the market
  • Free cash withdrawals up to $350 every 30 days. However after that, Wise charge a fixed fee of $1.50 per transaction + 1.75%
  • Daily ATM withdrawal is $2,700
  • Issue up to 3 virtual cards for temporary usage
  • It takes between 7 to 14 business days to receive your card
  • Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted

The Wise Travel Card is great for frequent travellers as it offers over 40 currencies at the inter-market exchange rate, which is the cheapest rate globally. In addition you can buy goods online from overseas with no transaction fee plus get the best exchange rate. However if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees. Finally Wise Travel Card lets you transfer money to an overseas bank account with extremely low fees and the best exchange rate.

Our Wise Travel Card Review

Revolut - Low Fees

  • 30+ currencies available
  • One of the best exchange rates globally
  • No annual or monthly fees for standard membership
  • No initial card fee
  • Instant access to a range of cryptocurrencies

Revolut Australia Travel Card

Read our Revolut Card Review

Revolut Travel Card

  • No fee ATM withdrawals up to A$350, or 5 ATM withdrawals, whichever comes first, per rolling 30 day period and 2% of withdrawal amount (minimum charge of A$1.50) after that
  • Exchanging currency on the weekend can incur a 1% mark-up fee
  • Fees on international money transfers were introduced in April 2021.
  • Can be used wherever Visa is accepted

The Revolut Travel Card is a decent option for those who travel a lot as it offers over 30 currencies at a great exchange rate, which is the cheapest rate globally. However if you exchange currency on the weekend you can incur a one-percent mark-up fee. In addition they have introduced fees for international transfers. Finally if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees.

Travelex Money Card - Best All Rounder

Best features.

  • Unlimited free ATM withdrawals
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Initial and replacement card are free
  • Lock in up to 10 currencies

Travelex Australia Travel Card

Read our Travelex Travel Card Review

Travelex Money Card

  • Minimum load of $100 and maximum load of $100,000
  • Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
  • Fees include a $10 closure fee, $5 for an additional card and $4 inactivity monthly fee.
  • While Travelex don't charge ATM fees, some ATM operators may charge their own fees.
  • Currencies that can be loaded are AU$, US$, EU€, GB£, NZ$, TH฿, CA$, HK$, JP¥, SG$
  • If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash in your account through Moneygram or Western Union agents, with no charge
  • Boingo hotspots offer free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map

The Travelex Card is a good all rounder.

You can use it to take money out of the ATM, for merchant purchases like restaurants and even for online shopping in foreign currency. While the exchange rates aren't as good as the Wise or Revolut Card abroad , the support network if the card is lost or stolen is very good.

Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card - Lowest Interest Rate

  • Lowest interest rate at 9.90%
  • No international transaction fees on purchases
  • 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
  • Up to 55 days interest free on purchases
  • Low annual fee
  • Complimentary international travel insurance

Bankwest Breeze Platinum Card - one of the 5 best credit cards for Travel in 2022

Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card

  • Free annual fee first year, then $69 annual fee
  • 55 interest free days
  • Free international travel insurance that includes the basics but does not cover cancellation costs, pre existing conditions and travellers over 80
  • $6,000 minimum credit card
  • 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then reverts to 9.90%
  • 21.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances
  • Cash advance fee of the higher of $4 or 2% of cash advance

The Bankwest Breeze Platinum is a great no frills credit card that offers ‘no foreign transaction fees’ and the lowest interest rate on the market, at 9.90%. These two factors alone will save you hundreds of dollars when travelling overseas.

In addition it has a low annual fee and complimentary international travel insurance. Finally for its price point it is a great value credit card that will be accepted most places around the world.

HSBC Everyday Global Debit Card

  • No initial card or closure fees
  • No monthly or account fees
  • No international ATM fees
  • No cross currency conversion fees
  • Lock in very competitive exchange rates before travel
  • No maximum balance
  • Earn 2% cashback

The currency used in Europe is the Euro, €.

  • 10 Currencies can be loaded are AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, HKD, CAD, JPY, NZD, SGD, CNY (currency restrictions apply to CNY)
  • Awarded 5 gold stars by CANSTAR in 2021 for Outstanding Value
  • Very competitive exchange rates on all currencies when you have currencies already loaded on your card
  • ATMs within Australia need to be HSBC and overseas they need to display a VISA or VISA Plus logo, not be be charged fees
  • Earn 2% cash back when you tap and pay with Visa pay wave, Apple Pay or Google Pay for purchases under $100. With a maximum of $50 cash back per month. In addition you need to deposit $2,000 or more into your Everyday Global Account each calendar month.
  • Daily maximum ATM withdrawal is $2,000
  • Fraud protection covered by Visa Zero Liability

The HSBC Everyday Global Debit Card is a good option to take travelling and to spend money in Australia with no international transaction fees, international ATM fees and monthly fees. In addition there is no maximum balance on currencies held and a 2% cash back incentive when you tap and pay under $100.

Finally it is one of the only travel cards that offers Chinese Yuan. To avoid ATM fees you need to find HSBC branches in Australia and only use ATMs overseas with a VISA or VISA Plus logo.

Best Student Card

Pelikin student traveller card.

  • Use promo code SMONEY10 for a $10 discount
  • Up to 15% off international flights
  • A globally accepted virtual student ID card
  • 2% cash back on food & drinks, transport and accommodation
  • Over 150,000 discounts worldwide

Pelikin Student Youth Travel Card

  • $30 for 12 months
  • 20+ currencies available
  • Split bills, pay and get paid instantly

Pelikin is one of the only travel cards in Australia specifically for students. While it has a small annual fee, the range of discounts and offers more than make up for it.

The app is relatively easy to use and card arrives in under a week.

Best Rewards Card

Qantas travel money card.

  • No monthly fees, purchase fees and currency conversion fees
  • No load fees if you pay by bank transfer or BPay
  • Locked in exchange rates: 4%+ margin on exchange rates
  • Earn 1.5 Qantas points for every AU$1 spent in foreign currency

The currency used in Europe is the Euro, €.

  • 10 currencies offered USD, GBP, EUR, THB, NZD, SGD, HKD, CAD, JPY, AED
  • Free Australia ATM withdrawals
  • 0.5% fee debit card reload fee
  • ATM fees overseas (USD 1.95; GBP 1.25; EUR 1.50; THB 70; NZD 2.50; SGD 2.50; HKD 15.00; CAD 2.00; JPY 160; AED 6.50)
  • Minload of $50 and max of $20,000
  • Available to 16 year olds, has a lower age restriction than most credit cards (18 year olds)

Qantas Travel card is a great option to spend foreign currency overseas if you are already a loyal Qantas customer and use your frequent flyer points regularly on flights, accommodation or gifts. The fees are low, the exchange rate is average however the ATM fees are expensive and will easily add up.

Other popular travel money cards

Aside of the Top 5 travel money cards, there are many more options to consider. These include well known brands such as the Commonwealth Bank and Travelex and less known services like Up Bank and Revolut.

Here is a rundown of their best features, fees and available currencies:

  • 13 currencies available, including Vietnamese Dong and Chinese Yuan
  • No issue fee, load fees, closure and card replacement fees
  • Additional card offered
  • Can be accessed through Commonwealth Bank app

Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card

  • $3.50 fee at ATMs overseas
  • 13 currencies offered USD, GBP, EUR, THB , NZD, SGD, HKD, CAD, JPY, AED, AUD, VND & CNY
  • Minload of $1 and max of $100,000
  • Available to 14 year olds, has a lower age restriction than most credit cards (18 year olds)
  • When you use your card for a purchase or withdrawal in a currency that is not loaded, or when they automatically transfer funds between the currencies on your card to enable the completion of the transaction at the Visa retail exchange rate plus 4%
  • To transfer money between currencies or a transaction account, it will be at the bank rate which is normally 4% above the market value

The Commonwealth Bank travel money card is great if you are already a Commonwealth bank customer who banks online and knows exactly how much money in each country you want to spend. However if you need to transfer between currencies or make a purchase in a currency you don't have funds loaded, then you can get an additional expensive charge. Watch how many withdrawals at ATMs you make as well to keep the costs down.

  • Exchange rates most competitive for USD, GBP and THB
  • No fee on initial card or load (not BPay)
  • No fee on reloads via bank transfers
  • No monthly or inactivity fees
  • Card is valid for 5 years

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

  • 1.1% reloading fee via Travel Money Oz Login or with debit or credit card
  • 1% reloading fee for BPay
  • $10 closure fee and replacement card fee
  • 2.95% on withdrawals from Australian ATMs is expensive
  • Roughly $3.50 on withdrawals from overseas ATMs is expensive.
  • $3.99 + 5.95% fee on cross currency transactions
  • 10 Currencies can be loaded are USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD, THB & AUD
  • Exchange rates for SGD and CAD are the least competitive
  • Minload of $20 and max of $10,000
  • Only 1 card per account
  • According to the website they won't take online orders if you are departing within 14 days as the card can take up to 2 weeks for delivery.

The Travel Money Oz travel money card seems to be an outdated version of the Travelex or Australia Post travel card as it does not offer Global Emergency Assistance or Boingo hotspots. However exchange rates and fees are similar to Travelex, so if you are travelling to the US, UK or Thailand, this is a great card to pay for accommodation and things in shops. We would avoid using it at any ATM, to save costs.

  • No ATM fees in Australia or internationally
  • No minimum monthly deposit
  • No account keeping fees
  • Can be used in Australia as an EFTPOS card
  • Available to 14 year olds and older

Macquarie Travel Card

  • $2,000 daily limit for ATM withdrawals
  • Simple and easy to work out costs for account
  • Exchange rates are MasterCard exchange rates, which are normally 4%+ market rate.
  • 90-day theft and damage protection on eligible purchases and stolen wallet protection up to $500
  • Can be used in Australia to buy goods overseas and not pay international transaction fees
  • Get discounts of up to 10% on eGift cards to use at over 50 leading retailers

The Macquarie Travel Card is a very good option to take overseas for ATM withdrawals as they are all free. In addition in Australia you can buy goods online and not pay an international transaction fee. Furthermore you can use the card like a normal debit card in Australia with no hefty fees or monthly minimum deposits. However the exchange rate is the MasterCard rate which is normally 4%+ above the market rate. Finally we would recommend this card for cash withdrawals at ATMs internationally but not paying for accommodation due to the added margin on the MasterCard exchange rate.

  • Cheapest way to send money overseas through a bank
  • UI and UX better than traditional banks making it super easy to use
  • Competitive savings interest rate

Up Bank Travel Card

  • Backed by Bendigo Bank and Adelaide Bank and partnered with Wise so it has financial backing and access to the cheapest exchange rates to send money overseas
  • Nifty online tools to help you track spending, budget and save. These include a detailed transaction history often including a company logo, when you paid down to the minute and the suburb where the transaction was made. In addition it has a ‘Regulars feature that detects regular billers and estimate of upcoming bills so you get a heads-up before they are due
  • Good savings account interest rates of 1.85% (0.10% base rate plus 1.75% bonus). Bonus interest is easily unlocked after making five successful card or digital wallet purchases each month

The Up Bank Travel Card is aimed at younger markets who are looking to save on bank costs and receive online tools to help them budget and save for their goals. It is also able to be used overseas at any ATM without fees, no international fees and is the cheapest way to send money overseas through a bank due to their partnership with Wise (the largest money transfer company in the world). In addition the exchange rates are Mastercard rates which are normally 4% above interest rates. Finally, while this card is very useful domestically and for ATMs overseas we would not recommend it for big ticket items overseas as it is an expensive card to use.

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No fee on initial card, load, unload or inactivity fees
  • No cross currency transactions fees
  • Lock in exchange rates before you leave
  • Exchange rates most competitive for USD, GBP, EUR and CAD and JPY
  • No ATM fee at 50,000 Global Alliance ATMs worldwide
  • Free additional card
  • Flight delay pass

Westpac Travel Money Card

  • 11 Currencies can be loaded are USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD, THB, AUD & ZAR
  • $2,000 maximum limit on ATM withdrawals overseas within 24 hours
  • $50,000 maximum limit on currencies loaded on to travel card
  • $3 roughly for ATMs that are not within the Non Westpac Global Alliance
  • If you run out of one currency on the card, you can pay with other currencies without the expensive cross currency transaction fee
  • No foreign transaction fees, initial card, load, unload or inactivity fees
  • According to the Westpac it can take upto 8 business days to receive the travel card
  • Secure from fraudulent transactions with Mastercard Zero Liability protection
  • 2 cards per account for free

The Westpac Travel Card is a no frills handy travel card with very low fees, no foreign transaction fees, access to some free ATMs worldwide and competitive exchange rates, especially on USD, EUR, GBP, CAD and JPY. In addition it has the South African Rand (ZAR) which is not common in prepaid travel cards. Finally it has access to a flight delay pass in case your flights are delayed and you need to access airport lounges.

  • Linked to ANZ Rewards program
  • 7 types of insurance for free
  • 55 days interest free
  • Good security on card purchases

ANZ Travel Adventure Card

  • 20.24% interest on purchases and cash advances
  • $120 annual fee
  • No international transaction fees in person or online
  • Offer 7 types of insurance for free
  • ANZ Reward points can be used to buy gift cards, swap for Virgin or Singapore airline points or cash into your account.
  • Earn 1.5 Reward points per $1 spent on eligible purchases up to $2,000 per statement period
  • ATM fees at non ANZ ATMs
  • Minimum credit of $6,000

If you utilize rewards points then the ANZ Travel Adventure Card might be suitable for you. Reward points can be used to buy a wide range of gift cards, swap for Virgin or Singapore airline points or cash into your account. In addition no international transaction fees are charged for purchases online or whilst you travel overseas. Finally this card is not recommended for cash withdrawals as the interest rate of 20.24% will eat up any savings.

  • No ATM fees
  • Can be used in Australia with no additional costs
  • No fees for paying via bank transfer or Bpay
  • Transfer limits can be set by user

ING Orange Everyday Account Debit Card

  • As long as you you deposit at least $1000 and make at least 5 payments each month ING will waive international transaction fees and refund overseas ATM withdrawal fees
  • Can be used in all countries
  • Works with Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Visa currency conversion rates apply, which are normally 4% above market

The ING Orange Everyday Account Debit Card is a good card for most Australians travelling overseas for ATM access, with no fees. It also allows you to to buy goods online without an international transaction fee.

Furthermore you can use it in Australia for free and there are no fees to get your initial card, for account keeping or to top up your card. A word of caution however, if you travel overseas for longer than 1 month, you still need to deposit at least $1,000 and make at least 5 payments each month to get the rebates.

  • Initial card and replacement cards are free
  • Increased protection with Mastercard Zero Liability
  • Access to cash from your account through the Global Emergency Assistance, if your card is lost or stolen

Australia Post Travel Money Card - Platinum Mastercard

  • 1.1% Admin fee for instore loads, including initial load
  • $5 fee for reloads via debit bank card
  • $10 closure fee
  • $3.50 on withdrawals from overseas ATM is expensive
  • Currencies that can be loaded are USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, THB, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD , AED and AUD
  • Minload of $100 and max of $100,000
  • If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash that is in your account through Moneygram or Western Union agents, with no charge
  • Boingo hotspots offer the free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map

The Australia Post travel money card is a popular option for Australian travellers due to the convenience of stores. However we would recommend the Australia Post travel money card for paying in shops or accommodation as it is costly to withdraw cash from ATMS. As the Australia Post travel money card is fee heavy we recommend not making withdrawals at ATMs or making cross currency transactions to keep additional fees down.

  • Up to 11 currencies available
  • Manage your account and card online
  • 24/7 global assistance
  • Access to emergency cash
  • Free additional card when ordered at time of purchase
  • Can be used at millions of locations worldwide – wherever Mastercard purchase symbol is displayed

Greater Bank Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

  • $5 fee for reloads via debit bank card, FREE reloads via BPAY
  • Admin fee of up to the greater of 1.1% of the load/reload amount or $15 for in-store purchases
  • Debit card load fee 0.5% of the amount loaded, per Debit Card Load transaction
  • Domestic ATM fee 2.95% of value Withdrawn
  • International ATM fee USD 2.50, EUR2.50, GBP 2.00,NZD 3.50, THB80.00, CAD 3.50,HKD 18.00, JPY260.00, SGD3.50, AED 10.00, AUD 3.50
  • Minimum load of AUD100 and a Maximum of AUD100,000

The Cash Passport is one of the most popular travel cards in the Australian market. With Greater Bank, you can purchase it online and at one of their branches, then download the app or use the website to manage your card. While the card may be useful for international purchases, be mindful when using an ATM both locally or overseas as the fees can add up if you are withdrawing money often.

Learn more about the Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard through Greater Bank .

The best travel card in Australia depends on its use, for ATM withdrawals it is ING Orange , for best exchange rates it is Wise Travel Card, the best credit card is Bankwest Breeze Platinum , for overall best card by a bank its HSBC Global  and the best rewards card is the Qantas Travel card .

A travel money card is safer than cash overseas and if you select a Wise travel card , it is the best exchange rate as well. Most places around the world accept MasterCard or Visa, so you should be able to pay for all your purchases by card.

Yes you can use all travel cards in Australia but you might choose not to due to the fees. ING , Macquarie , Up , Citibank are all good examples of travel money cards that do not charge for ATM withdrawals in Australia. However examples of travel money cards that charge $3.50 per Australian ATM withdrawal include Travelex , Australia Post and Travel Money Oz .

Both if you buy your cash from S Money and pay with a Wise card overseas, as they both use the exchange rate you see online and charge very low fees. However if you buy your foriegn currency at the airport, you are paying top prices so using a card is cheaper.

There are many travel money cards that no longer exist but appear in search engine page results. Travel money cards that no longer exist include 7-11 Just Go, NAB Travel Money Card, Travelex Cash Passport, Australia Post Cash Passport, ANZ Travel Card, Westpac Global Currency Card and the Virgin Velocity Global Wallet program.

Learn more about the best debit, credit and prepaid cards for travel

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Learn more about the best travel money cards for your holiday destination.

ASIC regulated

Like all reputable money exchanges, we are registered with AUSTRAC and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

ASIC regulated

S Money complies with the relevant laws pertaining to privacy, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance. This means you are required to provide I.D. when you place an order. It also means the order must be paid for by the same person ordering the currency and you must show your identification again when receiving your order.

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How a Travel Credit Card Can Be Your Ticket to Big Savings

Melissa Lambarena

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Next time you're planning a vacation, a travel credit card could defray some or all of the costs if it packs the right incentives. Typically, cards with higher annual fees provide the most value with perks like ongoing rewards, free checked bags, airport lounge access or other benefits. But even cards with low or no annual fees make it possible to earn some value toward travel, if you can qualify.

These cards generally require good credit (scores of 690 or higher), and even if you're eligible, it's not worth pursuing one if you can't pay off the credit card bill in full every month to avoid steep interest charges. And if you're working toward paying down existing debt, it might not be worth chasing points and miles until you've made progress on that front.

But as long as travel credit cards align with your financial goals, their potential savings merit consideration — even if you travel just once or twice per year. Explore the flexibility of a general-purpose travel credit card to book travel anywhere, or a branded credit card to book travel with a favorite hotel or airline. Either option may offer money-saving benefits toward your next trip.

Valuable features can lower costs

Offers will vary among general-purpose travel credit cards and airline- or hotel-branded credit cards, but some savings opportunities may include:

If a credit card offers a lengthy list of perks, the value can quickly add up. Here are some features to look out for:

A sign-up offer: Travel credit cards generally come with lucrative sign-up offers that let new cardholders earn a pile of points or miles by meeting a minimum spending requirement. It’s easier to snag if you can strategically time a credit card application around planned purchases during a heavy-spend month or season.

Free checked bags: Some airline credit cards offer free checked bags , which can add up to real savings when applied per person on a round trip. This is one way that Doug Figueroa, a content creator at the YouTube channel Zorito y Doug, makes up the cost of the $150 annual fee on an airline credit card. “The savings are $70 round trip per passenger listed in the same reservation,” he says. 

TSA or Global Entry credit : Some travel cards issue a credit (up to $100) when you use them to pay for a TSA or Global Entry application fee. These expedited airport security screening programs can save time while traveling.

Travel credits: Depending on the card’s terms, travel credits may be used to save money on a variety of travel expenses like rideshare services, airfare or accommodations. 

Airport lounge access: You can skip the pricey airport food with some travel credit cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access . Austin Maxwell, a South Carolina-based content creator at the blog The Maxwells Travel, uses a travel credit card to avoid those costs. “I’m saving $20 to $30 every time I go to the airport because I don’t have to buy food or drinks during a layover or preflight,” he says.

A companion ticket: Some airline credit cards cover the cost of a ticket for a friend or family member. Depending on the card's terms, you may have to pay taxes and fees on the fare, the companion ticket may have an expiration date and/or a spending requirement may apply.

Automatic elite status: You may earn elite status without much effort on some hotel-branded credit cards. Elite status can add up to valuable savings if the program offers free food, bonus points or suite upgrades.  

Free nights: If your favorite hotel has a branded credit card that offers annual free night awards, it can stretch your vacation budget. 

Protections and other benefits

A travel credit card that offers trip delay or cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance, rental car coverage or other protections may also be of value to you. To qualify for these benefits you typically need to pay for the trip or covered purchase with the eligible credit card. Read the terms carefully to understand the extent of your coverage.

Figueroa says he saved $90 over three days with his card’s primary rental car coverage on a trip to Miami.

“Once you make the online reservation, you must decline all insurance offered by the rental company and pay for everything with your [card],” he says.

High-value reward redemptions

Points or miles on some travel credit cards might lose value if they are used for non-travel redemptions like cash back, gift cards or other options. Travel redemptions typically offer the best value, and you might squeeze out even more value with a general-purpose travel card that allows points to transfer to airline or hotel partners. It’s a strategy that Maxwell uses often to his advantage.

“It’s even better if there’s a transfer bonus associated with that," he says. "Credit card companies offer transfer bonuses — 15%, 20%, 30% bonus — if you are to transfer points to a specific airline.”

He says he has also transferred points to hotel partners to book hotel rooms with them. “It would be the equivalent of getting a hotel room at $120 that’s actually valued at $500,” he adds.

To determine whether to redeem rewards for travel or transfer them to a partner, compare costs by checking the credit card’s booking platform and the partner’s website. Also factor in whether rewards transfer on at least a 1:1 ratio, meaning that you'll get the equivalent value in points or miles transferred.

On a similar note...

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The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport that has no visa pages. The card is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, and has the same length of validity as the passport book.  

The card is for U.S. citizens who travel by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries.

The card is not valid for international travel by air and is cheaper than the passport book.

You can apply for either the book or card, or both documents.  

Steps to Apply for a Card

  • Applying for the first time:  Apply in Person page .
  • Applying for your child: Children Under 16 page .
  • Renewing as an adult:   Renew by Mail page .  
  • Change your name or correct an error on the document.  

We use the same forms for both passport books and cards. The first step on our forms is to select if you want a passport book, passport card, or both documents. 

Comparing a Passport Book and Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i apply for the passport card and passport book using the same application.

Yes. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using the same application. When completing your form, let us know if you would like to apply for one or both documents. 

If you're renewing both your passport book and passport card, you must provide both documents. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using Form DS-82.

Can I get a passport card if I already have a passport book?

Yes. If you already have a passport book and   you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card by mail as a "renewal" even if it is your first passport card.

You can do the same and apply for your first passport book by mail as a "renewal" if you already have a passport card.

May I use a passport card to fly?

You cannot use the passport card to fly to or from a foreign country.

The Transportation Security Administration accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights in the United States.

The passport card is for U.S. citizens who live in northern and southern border communities and cross the border by land.

Use the passport book for international air travel.

Can I use my passport card at Ready Lanes?

Yes. You can save time at the U.S.-Mexico border by using Ready Lanes that read the U.S. passport card’s Radio Frequency Identification technology. Find a complete list of documents accepted at Ready Lanes. 

I don't have any citizenship evidence or photo ID to apply. How can I get these documents?

Go to our Citizenship Evidence page and Photo ID page for examples of documents we accept.

Don't have a birth certificate?

If you were born in the United States, contact the county, city, or state where you were born and ask for a certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

If you were born outside the United States, follow the tips on the Citizenship Evidence page. 

Don't have a driver's license?

We accept other types of government-issued, primary photo ID. We will accept secondary photo ID if you do not have a primary ID. 

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Travel money cards with the lowest fees

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

travel money card next to model plane

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.

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Credit Cards

Why I got the Citi Custom Cash Card this year instead of another travel rewards card

Kevin Payne

Julie Sherrier

Julie Sherrier

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 6:27 a.m. UTC March 27, 2024

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Featured Image

megaflopp, Getty Images

Citi is a Blueprint partner. 

I love travel rewards . They have played a pivotal role in our family’s travel plans for over a decade. We’ve redeemed countless points and miles for flights, hotel stays, vacation rentals, Disney World tickets and other travel experiences. 

As a credit card writer, I’ve covered a wide range of cards over the years. While I’ve reviewed and written about dozens of cash-back cards, it wasn’t until this year that I added one to my wallet. I was recently approved for the Citi Custom Cash® Card . Although it’s not the flashiest card, it’s been a godsend this year. 

Here’s why I opted for Citi Custom Cash instead of another travel rewards card. 

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

  • No annual fees.
  • Easy-to-redeem cash-back rewards.
  • Introductory APR period.
  • Charges foreign transaction fees.
  • There’s a balance transfer fee.
  • Limited cash-back reward categories.

Card Details

  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ®  Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.

It comes with an attractive intro APR offer 

The primary reason I decided to get the Citi Custom Cash Card was its intro APR offer. It comes with a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and from the date of the first transfer for balance transfers within the first four months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. There is a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer with a $5 minimum.

I had no interest in doing a balance transfer and, normally, an intro 0% interest rate wouldn’t matter because I pay my balances on time and in full each month. However, I knew our family had several large financial obligations coming up. Having the option to finance those purchases for up to 15 months without incurring interest charges provided additional flexibility if we needed it. 

Have your eye on a Citi card with a balance transfer offer? Here’s how to do a balance transfer with Citi .

It earns elevated cash-back rewards across a range of eligible categories

While plenty of cash-back cards feature intro APR offers, what drew me to the Citi Custom Cash was its unique bonus rewards structure. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent each month and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

These are the 10 eligible spending categories where you can earn 5% cash back, up to the $500 monthly billing cycle maximum:

  • Restaurants.
  • Gas stations.
  • Grocery stores.
  • Select travel.
  • Select transit.
  • Select streaming services.
  • Drugstores.
  • Home improvement stores.
  • Fitness clubs.
  • Live entertainment.

Our monthly budget almost always includes several of these categories, so it’s easy for us to max out our rewards potential every billing cycle. The best part is that I don’t have to activate or opt into these categories or track my rewards. Citi automatically assigns the bonus cash back designation to my top eligible spend category each month. 

It features an easily attainable bonus offer 

Earning welcome bonuses is one of the simplest ways to earn a ton of rewards quickly. Typically, you have to meet a specific spending requirement within a certain time period to earn that bonus. With the Citi Custom Cash Card, you’ll earn $200 cash back, in the form of 20,000 ThankYou points, after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. 

While that’s not the lowest spending requirement I’ve seen to earn a bonus, I hit the mark in the first month without straying from our typical monthly spending. That’s a nice chunk of cash back in my pocket for purchases our family was going to make anyway.

It has no annual fee

There’s nothing wrong with paying an annual fee, especially if you get enough value from a card’s rewards and benefits to offset the cost. But it’s also nice to have in your wallet a valuable credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee . 

The Citi Custom Cash doesn’t offer many extra benefits, so it’s hard to say if I would value it as much if it included a yearly fee. 

How I am using Citi Custom Cash as part of my overall credit rewards strategy

So far, I’ve only redeemed rewards earned from Citi Custom Cash as statement credits, but it offers other redemption options, such as cash back via direct deposit or check, gift cards, travel and Shop with Points at Amazon.com. 

Cash back rewards come in the form of ThankYou® points . And, because I already have the Citi Premier® Card * The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , Citi lets me pool my points together and take advantage of another valuable redemption option—point transfers to Citi’s hotel and airline transfer partners.

Wondering how to use your Citi ThankYou points for travel? Read our complete guide to the ThankYou travel portal .

The Citi Custom Cash offers few additional card benefits beyond its rewards and intro APR offer. But because I have multiple rewards credit cards, I can already access a full suite of perks, like travel and consumer protections, annual credits, partner perks and elite status upgrades. I don’t need those types of benefits from my new cash-back card. 

It’s not a perfect card by any means. The bonus cash back is capped at the first $500 in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle. So far, we’ve maxed out our bonus cash back potential every cycle. The base cash-back rate on all other purchases is low, so I use the Citi Custom Cash for spending in a specific category and rely on other cards with higher rewards rates when spending in other categories. 

The Citi Custom Cash does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, but since I have several other rewards cards that don’t charge a fee for international purchases, it’s not a dealbreaker.

Final verdict

Cash-back rewards like those earned with the Citi Custom Cash don’t get much love from travel rewards enthusiasts because they’re perceived to offer less value. But regardless of point valuations and the perceived “best” way to earn and redeem rewards, value is in the eye of the beholder. 

Often, it’s better to survey your current circumstances to see if there might be a credit card that fits your needs better than those generally regarded as the best rewards cards. By adding the Citi Custom Cash to my wallet, I have a more diverse card selection to choose from without having to pay another annual fee. 

Read more: How to choose the right credit card for you .

*The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Kevin Payne

Kevin Payne is a personal finance and travel writer who covers credit cards, banking, and other personal finance topics. In addition to Forbes, his work has been featured by Bankrate, Fox Business, Slick Deals, and more. He is the budgeting and family travel enthusiast behind Family Money Adventure. Kevin lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and four kids.

Julie Stephen Sherrier is a personal finance writer and editor based in Austin, TX. She is the former senior managing editor for LendingTree, responsible for all credit card and credit health content. Before joining LendingTree, Julie spent more than a decade as the managing editor and then editorial director at Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She also served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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travel card cash passport

Headed to the Paris Olympics? Pack These 6 Essentials

A s the Summer Olympics approach, start planning your packing list now. A trip to the Paris Olympics , which will run from July 26 to Aug. 11, can call for some essentials that you might not need for a trip elsewhere.

Sure, you might need to buy some new clothes and comfortable shoes for the occasion. But you might also need to apply for a visa and perhaps a new credit card. Besides the predictable guidebook recommendations around what to pack, here are six items to consider acquiring before departure:

1. A Visa credit card, otherwise cash

Visa has sponsored the Olympics since 1986 in an agreement that’s set to run through at least 2032. That deal allows Visa to dominate how you pay for certain Olympic purchases.

If paying by credit card, Paris 2024 Official Shops only accept Visa. If you want to buy official swag in Paris but you’ve got a card from another credit card processing network (say American Express, Discover or Mastercard), you’ll need to pay cash.

You'll also want to check if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees . Incurred when you use your credit card at a non-U.S. retailer, these common fees run from 1% to 3% of the cost of your transaction.

Many travel credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, so these cards could save you some money at souvenir stands and other retailers or restaurants in the city.

But you may not want to apply for an entirely new credit card purely to avoid transaction fees when buying souvenirs. In that case, it might be helpful to think ahead about how you can save on international ATM fees or order foreign currency .

2. A passport and perhaps a visa (the other kind)

Citizens of certain countries need a visa to enter France. The French government website outlines which visitors need a visa and, if so, how to start that application.

According to the U.S. Embassy, U.S. citizens with valid passports don’t need a visa as long as they’re traveling for tourism or business and for 90 days or fewer within each six-month period.

Your passport must also be valid for at least three months after your departure date. The U.S. Embassy recommends your passport have at least six months’ validity remaining. If yours doesn’t, consider renewing your passport now.

3. A light jacket

July and August are the hottest months in Paris, with average daily maximum temperatures of 25.7 degrees Celsius (78.3 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Météo-France, the French national meteorological service.

Still, bring layers, as average lows drop to 16 degrees Celsius (60.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Plus, indoor competition venues might be chilly, and you might want a jacket in case it rains.

4. A small folding umbrella

Speaking of rain, you might also want an umbrella. According to Météo-France, July and August experience seven to eight days of rain on average. But don’t bring large, non-folding umbrellas. Only small folding umbrellas are allowed inside competition venues.

5. A portable smartphone power bank

More aspects of travel necessitate phones. These days, you might use your phone to scan your boarding pass or as a hotel room key . The 2024 Paris Olympics has a dedicated mobile app to display competition schedules, results, interactive maps and details about sessions.

But the app only works if your phone works. Portable smartphone power banks can cost less than $20 and provide a boost to low batteries — as well as some peace of mind.

And while many phone functions work without a cellular connection, you might still want to text, call and use data while abroad . If so, plan ahead. Using data abroad can sometimes be expensive without the right international phone plan.

6. Comfortable shoes

While event organizers say they are working to increase public transport availability, expect large crowds on shuttles between venues. In some cases, walking might be a more practical way of getting around the 2024 Paris Olympics .

Plus, public transit fares will be higher between July 20 and Sept. 8. Valérie Pécresse, the president of the Île-de-France region that includes Paris, said in a video posted to social media that single metro journeys will temporarily cost 4 euros, up from the current price of 2.15 euros.

Walking won’t cost you any money, though it might cause blisters without the right walking shoes. Pack shoes you’ve already worn for long walks pain-free.

What items to skip

While knowing what to pack is critical, so is knowing what not to pack. There will be security checks to enter the 2024 Paris sporting venues . Security guards will not allow items such as alcohol, professional cameras, laser pointers or even certain containers. Check with the venue for a full list of prohibited items. And don’t expect any official bag checks where you can stow your belongings if you do bring anything that's prohibited.

Also, there are stringent guidelines for certain items. For example, plastic or metal water bottles are OK — but not glass bottles or bottles 75 centiliters (about 25 ounces) or greater.

And as is often the case with packing: Less is more. If you can minimize your stuff to the point that you’re flying carry-on, you may have a more peaceful flying experience. Plus, arriving with fewer things just means more room for souvenirs.

More From NerdWallet

  • Ask a Travel Nerd: Why Is Comparing Travel Prices Still So Hard?
  • Surviving Costs, Other Drama for a Multigenerational Family Trip
  • 7 Things to Do in Paris This Summer Besides the Olympics

Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

The article Headed to the Paris Olympics? Pack These 6 Essentials originally appeared on NerdWallet.

July and August are the hottest months in Paris, but temperatures can drop in the evening, so bring layers and a light jacket.

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