overseas travel debit card

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The Ultimate Guide To The Best Debit Cards For Traveling

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Having the right debit card for traveling is extremely important as it can mean the difference between:

• A stressful experience because your card doesn’t work in your destination / you blew your budget because you didn’t account for hidden fees most banks charge you.
• Being able to pay for things easily both online as well as in person while also saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on fees that you don’t need to pay.

The second option sounds much better, right?

Well the truth is that most banks will charge you fees for foreign transactions, foreign currency conversions, and foreign ATM withdrawals, and if you only travel once a year, the amount you lose on them might not be that much, but if you travel more often than that, you could be losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on these fees!  

In addition, some banks still haven’t caught up to the 21st century and the debit cards that they give you might not even work in other countries because they lack basic functionalities such as a chip & 4-digit number PIN, contactless payments, and Visa or Mastercard integration.

However, there are banks out there that offer no-fee 21st century debit cards that are perfect for traveling.  When it comes to finding the right one for you, it depends on where you live.  

If your current bank offers a card that has all those functionalities and also none of the fees I mentioned earlier, then great!  But most standard banks won’t so you might have to look for a different one.

Luckily for you, I have put together a guide to the best debit cards and bank accounts you can get no matter where you live in the world!

Important information about debit cards:

• Try to limit the amount of payments you make with your debit card since it’s your money that is lost if something happens.  Use it to take out cash and use credit cards for payments if you can as they are safer since you aren’t technically paying with your own money when you use a credit card.
• If you do choose to make payments, always choose to pay in the local currency because the exchange rate offered by Visa & Mastercard will always be better than the one offered by foreign merchants.  The same goes for ATMs.  I go into more detail about this in my Guide to Getting Cash While Traveling .
• If your bank offers this feature, lock your card using the mobile app when you’re not using it to prevent fraud.
• Keep a backup debit card hidden in your luggage in case something happens to your main one and know what to do if your card is lost, stolen, or copied.  See #6 in my Guide to Money Management While Traveling for all the steps you should take.

Table of Contents

Best Travel Debit Card in the USA

Charles Schwab Bank

Charles Schwab Bank’s debit card is often recommended by travelers because of its lack of fees and the fact that any fees you have to pay when using any ATM in the world get refunded to you!  

This is a feature that not many banks offer so this is why they stand out above the rest.  If you’re a US resident, you definitely need to look into getting your hands on this bank account and debit card.

Note: if preventing fraud is a priority and you are looking for a card that has instant notifications for transactions + the ability to freeze & unfreeze your card instantly from the mobile app, check out N26 below .

• No monthly account fees
• No foreign transaction fees
• No foreign currency conversion fees
• No foreign ATM withdrawal fees
• ATM fees imposed by ATMs themselves worldwide get refunded to you by the bank (huge benefit)
• Visa debit card & a US Dollar checking account
• Can sign up online

Eligibility

• You need to be a US resident (with proof of residence) and have a US address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.
• If you are outside the US when opening an account, you must do it using a VPN or else risk requiring a visit to a branch in person.
• You also have to open a brokerage account with them at the same time to use the checking account.  However, it’s free and you don’t even have to touch it if you don’t want to.

Best Travel Debit Card in Canada

While not technically a bank, what STACK offers is the best option for Canadian travelers since there is no Canadian bank that has a similar offering.  

Signing up with STACK gets you a free reloadable Canadian Dollar Mastercard that doesn’t have any foreign transaction, currency conversion, or ATM withdrawal fees.  You can also fund it quickly and easily with e-transfers. Think of it kinda like a prepaid debit card. 

• Sign up using this link and receive $5 for free! (You must click the link with a mobile device to get your $5).
• No foreign transaction fees (max 15 in-person transactions per day)
• No foreign ATM withdrawal fees (max 2 withdrawals per day, max $500 per withdrawal, max $2,000 a month)
• Instant push notifications for any transactions
• Instantly freeze and unfreeze your card anytime from the app
• Contactless Mastercard with a chip & PIN
• Digital wallet compatible
• Easily load the card instantly using e-transfers
• Discounts at certain Canadian retailers
• You need to have a Canadian address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.  You might be able to use a friend’s address.
• It is not available in Quebec (yet). Use a friend’s address in another part of Canada until they offer it in Quebec

Best Travel Debit Card in the UK

Starling Bank

There are a few different options available in the UK, but the absolute best option is Starling Bank thanks to the fact that it doesn’t charge you any fees whatsoever for your travel needs.  

Other similar UK banks like Monzo and Monese have limits to the amount of ATM withdrawals you can make, charging you extra fees for going over those limits. This is why Starling Bank stands out as the best choice for UK residents.

• In addition to British Pounds, you can also hold Euros in your account and even make purchases in Euros using the same card 
• Contactless Mastercard debit card with a chip & PIN
• You need to have a UK address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.  They may also ask for proof of address information so you might not be able to use a friend’s account.

Best Travel Debit Card in Australia

HSBC Everyday Global Account

There are a few decent banking options in Australia, but the HSBC Everyday Global Account takes the cake not only because there are no fees to use it, but also thanks to the fact that it lets you hold a total of 10 different currencies in your account!  

You can choose to pre-load your account with a certain currency before traveling or use your main currency and benefit from no foreign currency conversion fees.

• In addition to Australian Dollars, you can hold 9 other currencies in your account: US Dollars, British Pounds, Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Japanese Yen, New Zealand Dollars, Singapore Dollars, and Chinese Yuan
• Contactless Visa debit card with a chip & PIN
• You need to have an Australian phone number and address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.  If you don’t live in Australia, you might be able to open an account by visiting the nearest HSBC bank to you or by simply using a friend’s phone number and address. 

Best Travel Debit Card in Europe

If you live in Europe (or even if you don’t, see below), you gotta go with N26 .  They don’t offer completely free accounts, but compared to all the others available, they are the best.

You are able to open a Euro account with N26 in any one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.  

Note: they used to be available in the UK, but have left ever since Brexit.  

And even if you don’t live in any of those countries, you can ask a friend living in one of them if you can use their address to receive the card, after which you can change the address no problem!

*N26 has also expanded to the US, but Charles Schwab  is still the better travel bank account and debit card for Americans to use for the time being unless your priority is fraud prevention, in which case N26 is best since it has instant notifications for transactions + the ability to freeze & unfreeze your card instantly from the mobile app.

• No monthly account fees for the standard account (9.90 EUR for N26 You & 16.90 EUR for N26 Metal)
• Free ATM withdrawals in Euros* (See Eligibility)  
• Foreign currency ATM withdrawals come with a 1.7% fee (this fee is waived if you pay for a premium account)
• Free cash withdrawals and deposits at select stores across Germany, Austria, and Italy using their CASH26 feature (deposits over 100 EUR a month get charged a 1.5% fee)
• TransferWise integration for cheaper transfers than most banks
• Online account and customer support also available in Spanish, French, German, & Italian
• Premium accounts come with Travel Insurance, Car Rental Insurance, and even Mobile Phone Theft Insurance!
• The number of free ATM withdrawals in Euros that you get depends on the country you sign up in.  Signing up in Austria or Italy gets you unlimited free withdrawals in Euros, whereas signing up in any of the other countries gets you 5 free ATM withdrawals in Euros in Eurozone countries (and only 3 of them if you sign up in Germany), after which they will cost you 2 EUR per withdrawal.
• You need to have an address (no P.O. boxes) in one of the eligible countries to open an account.  You can easily use a friend’s address when creating your account to receive the card and then change the address in your account once you get it without any issues.  Try to get a friend in Austria or Italy for the unlimited free withdrawals!

Best Travel Debit Card in the Rest of the World

TransferWise Borderless Account

Even if you don’t live in any of the countries I just mentioned or you just want another alternative, you should consider opening a TransferWise Borderless Account.  

In addition to super low international transfer fees, you can keep money in more than 50 different currencies in your account as well as have real bank accounts for the USA, UK, Eurozone, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland which also let you receive payments in those currencies like a local!

You also get a contactless Mastercard debit card which you can use to make purchases and take out cash anywhere in the world.  Whenever you use that card, if you already have the currency in your account, you don’t get charged any fees and if you don’t have it, you only get charged a small conversion fee, making it a great option for travelers.  

Sign up  using this link  and get a no-fee international transfer of up to £500!

Keep in mind that TransferWise is only able to send cards to residents of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, or the USA (but you can always use a friend’s address to get the card as well).

• Foreign currency conversion fees range from 0.24% – 3.69% depending on the currencies involved, but are typically under 2%
• Free ATM withdrawals up to $250 USD (or your currency’s equivalent) per month if you have the currency you’re withdrawing on your balance.  After that, a 2% withdrawal fee will be charged
• Can keep money in 50+ different currencies in your account
• Real bank account details for the USA, UK, Eurozone, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland
• Online account and customer support also available in Mandarin, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Polish, Romanian, and Hungarian.
• You need to have an address (no P.O. boxes) in one of the eligible countries to open an account.  You can easily use a friend’s address when creating your account to receive the card and then change the address once you get it without any issues.
• The Mastercard debit card is free, but you need to have a minimum of $20 USD (or the equivalent in another currency) in your account before you can order it unless you’re in Australia, in which case you don’t need a minimum balance to get the card.

And that’s all there is to it!

Having the right debit card while traveling can make a world of difference when it comes to all those annoying fees that most banks charge.  Don’t be afraid to get a debit card from more than one bank on this list either! It doesn’t hurt to have the best option for every currency possible.

Let me know in the comments below if this guide helped you find the right debit card for your travels and if there are any similar or better cards or banks in your country, let me know so I can update the list!  

And if you want to add a credit card to your wallet as well, check out my Guide to the Best Credit Cards for Traveling .

About The Author

Hi there,  I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my  About page   and find me on social media.

Hi there, I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my About page   and find me on social media.

I’m Sebastian , the founder and creator of Travel Done Simple! I was born in Europe and raised in Canada, but I now consider myself to be a citizen of the world. When I’m not busy exploring new destinations, I’m here giving you the best travel tips so you can do the same! 

You can learn more about me on my About page and if it’s your first time on my site,  start here !

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5 Best Debit Cards for International Travel of 2024

So, you’re finally going to take that long dreamed of vacation overseas. Maybe you’re going to Paris for the first time. Perhaps you’ve planned a trip to Spain to see the running of the bulls.

Or, if you’re the more adventurous type, perhaps it’s a safari in Africa. Whatever place you’ve decided to visit, you’ve put a lot of thought into it.

Traveling abroad takes all kinds of prep work. You’ve likely checked the weather to know what clothes to pack. You’ve checked with your doctor to see if you need any vaccinations.

You have your passport in order, and the plane tickets are waiting for you at the gate. But have you thought about how you’re going to get access to your money once you arrive?

When traveling overseas, it’s not as simple as swiping your debit card at the register or hitting up the nearby ATM. We’ll let you in on the best debit cards for international travel so you can go abroad with confidence.

Best Debit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees

Many big banks may make you pay through the nose to take out some spending cash when you’re on an overseas trip. However, some banks offer debit cards with no foreign transaction fees.

Here’s a list of the top five banks you should use for your debit card if you’re going to be traveling outside the country.

Chime Checking Account: $0 Transaction Fees

• No credit check
• No minimum opening deposit or monthly service fee
• No overdraft fees
• Over 60,000+ fee-free 1 ATMs
• Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit 2

Chime® is an online financial institution offering low-fee checking and saving services. And if you travel a lot, you’ll want to check them out.

They provide a debit card that comes with the major advantage of no foreign transaction fees, thereby saving you money on international purchases.

While there’s a $2.50 charge for using out-of-network ATMs, Chime offers access to over 60,000 fee-free ATMs, allowing you to withdraw money without incurring additional costs.

Even if you can’t find those ATMs when you’re abroad, the Chime Checking account is easy to manage. There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

So if you occasionally have to pay those ATM fees when you’re in another country, the overall cost-saving benefits provided by your Chime account significantly balance this minor setback.

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account: No Fees

• No fee checking
• Unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide
• No minimum balance requirement
• 0.45%APY on your checking account balance

This account comes with a few requirements, but they’re worth it if you travel abroad frequently. There is no foreign ATM fee, and they’ll even refund any operator fees each month.

Additionally, when you sign up for a bank account, you’ll receive a Schwab Bank Visa Platinum debit card . You don’t have to worry about any foreign exchange transaction fees when you use it.

There’s no monthly service fee, and Schwab reimburses you for all ATM and foreign transaction fees incurred.

So, what’s the catch?

It’s a pretty small one. You have to link your checking account to a Schwab One brokerage account. The good news is that as long as you have both accounts, you are not obligated to invest or leave any money in your investment account.

The only downside is that there is a $1,000 minimum opening deposit. But you can always transfer that out once you have both accounts set up.

Fidelity Cash Management Account: ATM Fee Rebates Worldwide

• Hassle-free banking
• Worldwide ATM fee rebates
• No minimum balance or monthly fee
• Earn up to 2.60% APY

The Fidelity Cash Management account , provides convenience if you’re often on the move globally. There is no foreign ATM fee, and Fidelity reimburses all the operator fees incurred, making your overseas transactions smoother.

When you open an account, you are provided with a Fidelity®Visa®Gold Check Card. This card does come with a slight inconvenience – a 1% foreign transaction fee on ATM withdrawals and purchases. However, this minor drawback could be overshadowed by the numerous advantages the card offers.

The account operates with no monthly fee, and the money in the account is safely stored in an FDIC-insured bank account, offering you an additional layer of security.

Plus, Fidelity takes up the responsibility to cover all your international ATM fees, further minimizing your travel expenditure.

Capital One 360: $0 Transaction Fees

• No service fees
• No overdraft charges
• Get paid early up to 2 days sooner

The Capital One 360 checking account is easy to access for anyone. There is no minimum deposit or ongoing balance requirement and no service fee.

Additionally, Capital One does not charge foreign transaction fees when you use your Mastercard debit card overseas.

The same holds true when you use your Capital One debit card for cash withdrawals from any ATM in the world. However, you will have to pay the ATM operator fees.

If you’re traveling in Canada, the UK, Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Australia, you get free ATM withdrawals at either Capital One Bank or Allpoint ATMs.

Betterment: ATM Fees Reimbursed

• ATM fees & foreign transaction fees are automatically reimbursed
• Earn up to 5.50% APY and cash back rewards

Betterment is not a bank. Instead, it offers accounts through its affiliate banks. This means the company can offer banking products without the typical banking fees. And the account is FDIC-insured for up to $250,000, so you know your money is safe.

When you sign up for a Betterment savings account, you won’t pay any fees whatsoever. In addition, Betterment will reimburse you for any ATM fees, regardless of which location you use.

The checking account comes with a Visa debit card that’s equipped with tap-and-go technology. Plus, Betterment’s intuitive mobile app makes it easy for you to manage your account, regardless of where you are.

You can use your Betterment debit card abroad wherever Visa is accepted. Visa does charge a 1% fee on all foreign transactions, purchases, and ATM withdrawals, but Betterment will reimburse you for all of these charges.

Before you go, make sure you contact the company to let them know you’ll be traveling abroad. That way, they can ensure that your debit card won’t get blocked during your travels.

Best International Debit Cards with Low Foreign Transaction Fees

Ally bank: 1% fee.

Ally Bank stands out as a top contender for the best international debit card with low foreign transaction fees. With its low fee structure, Ally charges a 1% fee for foreign transactions, which is one of the lowest rates in the industry.

Many banks choose to charge flat fees, which could be more costly if you’re not planning on withdrawing significant amounts of money during your travels.

Additionally, Ally Bank shows its customer-centric approach by offering a refund of up to $10 each month for out-of-network ATM fees. This means you won’t have to worry about incurring unnecessary costs when you need to withdraw cash while abroad.

Another noteworthy feature of Ally Bank is the Ally Interest Checking Account. This account offers up to a 0.25% APY (Annual Percentage Yield), meaning your balance can grow over time, a benefit not typically associated with checking accounts.

Most importantly, Ally Bank does not impose any monthly or service fees on their account holders. This makes their banking services affordable and user-friendly, especially for those who travel frequently.

So, whether you’re vacationing in Bali or on a business trip to London, Ally Bank’s international debit card offers cost-effective, convenient, and flexible banking solutions.

Citizens Bank: 2% Fee

Citizens Bank is a great regional bank based in Rhode Island that serves a large portion of the northeastern United States.

When it comes to international debit card transactions, Citizens Bank charges a 2% foreign transaction fee. While this fee is slightly higher than what Ally Bank charges, it remains much more competitive when compared to other large institutions like Bank of America or Chase.

For those traveling abroad frequently or conducting international business, this fee structure could lead to considerable savings.

It’s important to note that Citizens Bank charges $9.95 for a basic checking account. Despite this cost, the bank’s services and fee structures offer value that outshines many other banking options, particularly for residents of the 11 states where the bank operates.

However, potential customers should be aware of this geographical limitation, as they will need to reside in one of these states to take advantage of Citizens Bank’s offerings.

Citizens Bank stands out as a sound choice for residents of the northeastern United States seeking an international debit card with comparatively low foreign transaction fees.

How to Choose the Best International Debit Card

If you’re a frequent traveler or someone who regularly makes purchases from foreign merchants, selecting the best international debit card is crucial. With a plethora of options available, making the right choice can be overwhelming. Here are a few factors to consider when picking an international debit card that is tailored to your needs:

• Acceptance: You should ensure that the checking account and debit card you choose is accepted in the countries you plan to visit. You wouldn’t want to be caught in a sticky situation where your card gets declined at the point of sale or while withdrawing money from an ATM. That said, it’s safe to opt for a card that belongs to the Visa or Mastercard network as they are widely accepted internationally.
• Fees: Evaluate is the fee structure associated with the debit card. You’ll want to look for a card that has low or zero foreign transaction fees as they can quickly add up and burn a hole in your pocket. Besides this, it’s worth checking if the bank charges an ATM withdrawal fee or any other fees.
• Exchange rates: Check the exchange rates offered by the bank or the card provider. Having a favorable exchange rate can save you a significant amount of money on foreign transactions.
• Rewards: Some international debit cards come with lucrative rewards programs that allow you to save money or earn points when you use your card. It’s worth considering the rewards offered and determining if they align with your spending habits and travel plans.
• Accessibility: A bank or a card provider with a robust international presence, having a large network of ATMs and branches, can make it easier for you to access your money and get assistance if required.
• Travel insurance: Another vital consideration when traveling abroad is to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance. Some international debit cards provide it as a part of their package, so it’s worth exploring the options.
• International money transfers: If you plan to send or receive money while traveling, you’ll want to look for a debit card that offers international money transfer services.
• Customer service: Having access to reliable customer support can be helpful, especially when you’re in a different time zone. Thus, it’s beneficial to choose a bank or a card provider that offers round-the-clock customer support.
• Security: In today’s digital age, it’s essential to select a debit card that prioritizes safety and security. You’ll want to choose a card that provides enhanced security features, such as fraud protection, the ability to set spending limits, and EMV chip technology, which adds an extra layer of protection against fraud.
• Zero liability: Make sure the debit card you choose has a zero liability policy in case of fraud or theft, which will ensure that you don’t bear any financial loss.

Should you use your debit card when traveling abroad?

The short answer to whether you should use your debit card is yes, you can. Visa, MasterCard, and other major credit card processors operate worldwide.

Your debit card will likely work in most countries you visit. There are, however, a couple of considerations to make before you travel to ensure your safety while getting the best deal.

Let Your Bank Know

When traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to let your bank know where you’ll be going. It’s one thing to have your debit card declined at the Starbucks around the corner from your house. It’s another thing to have your card declined and frozen while exploring the bazaars in Calcutta.

If you tell your bank when and where you’ll be traveling, their fraud alerts won’t be triggered when you purchase falafel thousands of miles from home.

Download the Mobile App

You should also download and activate your bank’s mobile app. Banks and credit card processors can use your phone’s GPS location to determine that you’re in the same location as the card you’re attempting to use.

Visa’s Mobile Location Confirmation software is built into most banking apps. It can confirm your physical location and allow a transaction to occur.

Make sure you accept all the terms and conditions of your banking app if you want to activate this feature. Again, contact your bank if you’re unsure and give them a heads-up that you’ll be out of the country.

Are there additional fees for using your debit card internationally?

Banking fees can vary widely from institution to institution. So, your bank may make it easier and safer to make debit card purchases when you’re out of the country. However, they could be charging you a lot on the back end.

Have you ever withdrawn cash from an out-of-network ATM when you’re in your hometown? Many banks will charge you $3 to $5 to do that, even if you’re just blocks from home. These bank fees can increase even more when you leave the country.

Withdrawing money from an ATM when you’re out of the country is no different from when you’re in the States. The fees you pay, though, will depend on the bank, and you should check before you go on vacation.

You can expect to pay fees that range from $2 to $5, plus an additional 2% to 3% of the total withdrawal amount.

Foreign Transaction Fees: What the Big Banks Charge

Ready to see how your bank stacks up? Here’s a list of nationwide banks that charge relatively hefty fees for international ATM use.

If you make an ATM withdrawal of $100 from an ATM in another country and you use any of these banks, you could be paying up to 8% just for the privilege of accessing your money. Sure, some customers have premier checking accounts and preferred cards, but you can expect to pay some hefty ATM fees if you don’t.

Debit cards are the easiest way to access cash when you’re out of the country, but it will cost you — unless you pick the right bank.

Alternative Payment Solutions for Overseas Travel

While using debit cards for traveling abroad is probably the best option, there are other options as well.

Credit Cards

Many credit cards offer competitive foreign transaction fees and can provide additional benefits such as travel insurance and reward points. Some credit cards also offer zero foreign transaction fees. However, it’s important to inform your bank about your travel plans to prevent your card from being blocked due to suspicious foreign activity.

Mobile Wallets

Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay can be useful for contactless payments overseas, provided that the destination country has the necessary infrastructure. They offer the advantage of not having to carry physical cards, reducing the risk of loss or theft.

Pre-loaded Travel Cards

Some banks and financial institutions offer pre-loaded travel cards that can be loaded with a foreign currency of your choice. This allows you to lock in the exchange rate before you travel.

International Money Transfer Services

Services like PayPal, Western Union, and TransferWise allow you to send money abroad, which can then be withdrawn in the country’s currency. These services, however, often involve fees or exchange rate markups.

Cryptocurrencies

Some tech-savvy travelers use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for international transactions. A small but growing number of businesses around the world accept such currencies. Be mindful, though, that cryptocurrencies can be volatile, and the regulatory environment can vary greatly from country to country.

Traveler’s Checks

Traveler’s checks, once a preferred payment option for globe-trotters, offer security since they can be replaced if lost or stolen. Backed by established companies like American Express, they are recognized worldwide.

However, their utility has diminished over time due to high costs, including commission and exchange fees. In addition, they have limited direct usability, often requiring conversion into the local currency at exchange bureaus.

Prepaid Debit Cards and Gift Cards

Prepaid debit cards , once a convenient, anonymous option for international money transfer, fell from grace due to misuse. They became popular with criminals, leading to the 2009 Credit Card Accountability Responsibility Disclosure (CARD) Act, which now limits their overseas use.

Today’s prepaid Visa or MasterCard requires a name, ID, and usually bank association, but remain a viable option. Check out this list of top-rated prepaid debit cards .

It’s always a good idea to have some local currency on hand for emergencies or for vendors who don’t accept debit or credit cards. Be mindful to exchange your currency in trusted places and not to carry too much cash at once for safety reasons.

Exchanging Currency at the Airport

You can go to a currency exchange like Travelex to swap your dollars for whatever foreign currency you’ll be using for your visit. It’s fast, easy, and you can likely do it on your way to pick up your luggage.

The issue is that you’ll now be carrying large amounts of cash in an unfamiliar place, and there’s still the issue of large foreign exchange fees. Exchange rates at airports are the worst. You’ll pay a hefty currency conversion fee and very high rates.

On the other hand, a debit card can be safely tucked away and easily replaced if it’s lost or stolen.

See also: Where to Exchange Currency: Low-Fee Options

Bottom Line

When deciding on the best debit card to use internationally, it’s not always about the money. Talk to your bank and find out what security services and protections they offer. Transaction fees are important considerations, but so are fraud protection and safety procedures.

The best debit card for you may just be the one that keeps you happy and hassle-free while visiting the port of your dreams or that mountain you’ve always wanted to climb.

Enjoy your vacation!

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Chime generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

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Best Debit Cards for International Travel: Fees, Rates & Features

If you’re planning your next trip overseas, or if you frequently shop online with retailers based abroad, you may be wondering if it’s worth getting an international debit card. International debit cards can cut the costs of currency conversion and foreign payments, making it cheaper and more convenient to spend overseas. 

This guide walks through why a multi-currency travel debit card can be a smart option, and some of the best cards available for US citizens and residents, including the Wise card and Revolut card . Let’s get started.

Quick summary: Best debit cards for international travel

Wise card – Linked to a multi-currency account, the Wise card lets you spend in over 150 countries and includes some fee-free ATM withdrawals. A one-time 9 USD fee is required for your first card.

Revolut card – Choose from three plans and hold and exchange over 25 currencies at the mid-market rate. You can also withdraw up to $1,200 per month or the currency equivalent fee-free, but you’ll need to pay a monthly fee to unlock all account features.

Capital One 360 Checking Account – This Mastercard offers international spending with no foreign transaction fees and uses the Mastercard exchange rate. It only operates in USD and offers an interest rate of 0.10% APY, with potential fees from non-network ATMs. 

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Account – Offers a debit card with no foreign transaction fees and an interest rate of 0.4% APY, but it doesn’t accept foreign wire payments and you’ll have to open a linked brokerage account.

SoFi Checking Account – Comes with a linked international debit card and a competitive interest rate of 4.6% APY, but includes a small foreign transaction fee of 0.2% and potential out-of-network-fees.

Go to Wise Go to Revolut

Best travel debit cards for international travel: 5 Options in the US

Best international debit cards for travel: a comparison.

Choosing the best international debit card for you will require a bit of research. To help you get started we’ve picked out some of your favorite international debit cards for US citizens and residents – here’s what you need to know:

Wise offers physical and virtual cards to easily spend and make purchases in over 150 countries while enjoying free cash withdrawals of up to 100 USD per month, with low fees once you’ve hit your allowance. Spend in currencies you hold in your account, without any extra fees, and when you don’t have the currency balance you need, your Wise card will use smart conversion technology to automatically convert your money from the currency that has the lowest fees possible. You can also freeze and unfreeze your card in the app for added security while you travel or shop online.

Open a multi-currency Wise Account online or in the Wise app for free, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market exchange rate. You’ll be able to order your linked international debit card for a low one time fee of 9 USD, to spend in 150+ countries. Wise accounts also come with local bank details for 10 currencies including major currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP so you can get paid easily from other countries.

Get Wise Card Learn more here: Wise card review

Revolut card

Use your physical or virtual Revolut debit card to make purchases when traveling the world. Revolut international debit cards allow you to spend any currency you hold with no fees, and withdraw up to 400 USD/month anywhere in the world without any fees. You can also freeze your card for extra security and get a one-use virtual card for secure online shopping at home and when making purchases on international e-commerce sites.

Revolut offers accounts for US citizens and residents which can be operated online or in the Revolut app. You can get a Standard plan or choose to upgrade to an account with monthly fees to unlock more features. All accounts can hold and exchange 25+ currencies with the mid-market rate up to the limits in the specific plan type.

Go to Revolut  

Learn more: Revolut card review

Capital One 360 Checking card

  Capital One’s 360 Checking account offers a linked Mastercard you can use for international spending with no extra foreign transaction fee. You’ll get the Mastercard exchange rate when you spend overseas, which is usually pretty fair, and for peace of mind, if you ever lose, misplace or have your card stolen, you can lock it from your Capital One app in just a few taps. Plus, it comes with other handy security features like identity theft protection and 0 USD liability for any unauthorized charges.

Capital One won’t charge you for ATM withdrawals, but if you use an out of network terminal, the ATM operator might have their own fees you need to pay. 

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor card

If you’re looking for a debit card with no foreign transaction fees that’s linked to an account which offers interest on your balance, the Schwab High Yield Investor account may suit you. Use your card to make purchases abroad and online anywhere Visa is accepted and easily withdraw cash from ATMs globally. You can also enjoy unlimited ATM fee rebates wherever your card is accepted. 

You’ll need to have or open a brokerage account at the same time as you get your card, but there’s no requirement to fund the brokerage account if you don’t want to. Accounts have few fees, but do have some limitations – such as no option to receive foreign wires to the account and card network exchange rates apply. 

SoFi Checking card

The SoFi Checking account and card offer another neat way to open an online account, and get a linked international debit card that you can use in over 130 countries , like the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan. You can make purchases and withdraw cash anywhere the Mastercard is accepted, with funds being withdrawn in the currency of the country. However, there is a small fee when you spend internationally. 

Benefit from interest rates on both checking and savings accounts, including 0,50% APY on checking balances and 4.60% APY at the time of writing on savings balances . But , before you choose this account, weigh up if the interest will cover the costs of international spending to make sure it’s the best option for you.

What is an international debit card?

International debit cards work much like your regular debit card, but provide features which are particularly useful when spending in foreign currencies .

You’ll be able to use your card abroad

• to make payments in person, often with contactless and mobile payment functions,
• to pay online
• to make ATM withdrawals overseas.

There are several different types of international debit cards available for customers based in the US, which we’ll look at in more detail a little later.

How do international debit cards work?

As with your regular debit card, withdrawals and payments made with your international debit card will be deducted directly from your account balance. That can make it easier to budget, and ensures you won’t accidentally run into interest or penalty fees as you may with a credit card.

You’ll be able to use your international debit card to make foreign currency purchases, often with better exchange rates and lower fees compared to using a normal card for payments.

International cards are usually quite convenient to order and activate – the entire process can often be done online or using an app.

How can I use an international debit card abroad?

You’ll be able to use your international debit card for payments and withdrawals anywhere the card’s network is accepted.

• It’s worth knowing as a US customer that international cards are commonly offered via the Visa and Mastercard networks, as these offer great global coverage.
• Amex and Discover aren’t as popular in some destinations, so you’ll need to check if your card will be accepted wherever you’re headed.

Different international debit cards have their own terms and conditions, which can include pretty varied fees and charges, too. You’ll need to double check over all the fees applied by the card issuer – your bank or preferred specialist provider. To help, we’ll look at some of the best options out there to kickstart your research in just a moment.

Important fees to watch out for

• Important fees to look at include any foreign transaction fee or currency conversion cost , and any charge to make ATM withdrawals.
• You’ll also need to look out for ATM service fees applied by the ATM operator,
• Mmake sure to always pay in the local currency wherever you are to avoid the high fees that come with dynamic currency conversion (DCC) transactions.

DCC is where you’re asked if you want to pay in dollars instead of the local currency when you’re abroad – it sounds convenient, but actually DCC can be an expensive option .

Using your international debit card to pay in the local currency is almost always the better choice.

How to get an international debit card for travel

If you choose an international debit card from a traditional bank you’ll usually need to open an account online or by visiting a branch.

Specialist providers like Wise allow customers to register and order a card quickly via an app or desktop site. To show how it works, here’s a look at how to get a Wise international debit card for instant, low cost spending:

• Register for a Wise account online or in the Wise app
• Verify your account by uploading images of your ID documents
• Order your card online or in the Wise app, by paying a one off charge
• Your card will arrive in the post soon after

Get Wise Card

International debit card fees & exchange rates

Here’s a comparison of the key costs involved in the 5 international debit cards we’ve looked at so far.

What are the transaction fees applied to an international travel debit card?

Using an international debit card can make it cheaper to spend in foreign currencies. However there are still likely to be some costs to pay which can vary by provider. Here are the most important ones to watch out for.

Foreign transaction fees

International debit cards may charge a foreign transaction fee or apply a fee for currency conversion. This is usually calculated as a percentage of the cost of the transaction. With standard bank debit cards, the foreign transaction fee you pay can often be around 3% of the total cost.

International debit cards can be cheaper with no foreign transaction fees – let’s look at the examples we’ve mentioned in this article:

Wise : No foreign transaction fees for spending currencies held enough balance of in the account, but currency exchange fees may apply. (details in the section below)

Revolut : No foreign transaction fees for spending currencies held enough balance of in the account, subject to a fair usage limit. (details in the section below)

Capital One : No foreign transaction fees are charged on international purchases.

Schwab : No foreign transaction fees are applied to international transactions.

SoFi : A small foreign transaction fee of 0.2% is applied to international purchases.

Currency conversion fees

Currency conversion fees are charged when you use an international debit card to make transactions in a currency that’s different from USD (your currency at home). These fees compensate for the cost of converting USD into your chosen foreign currency and are typically a small percentage of the transaction amount. 

Wise : Charges currency conversion fees starting from 0.43%, which can vary depending on the currency being converted.

Revolut : No fee for currency exchanges during foreign exchange market hours. Outside these hours, a 1.0% fee is applied. Standard plan users have a monthly limit of $1,000 for exchanges at this rate, after which a 0.5% fair usage fee is charged on additional amounts.

Capital One : No currency conversion fee is applied for international transactions.

Schwab : There are no currency conversion fees for Schwab debit cardholders.

SoFi : A 0.2% foreign conversion fee is applied to transactions, which is included in the transaction amount. Additionally, a 0.9% foreign convenience fee is charged but is covered by SoFi.

ATM withdrawal fees

Most international debit cards will have an ATM withdrawal fee, although this may be waived if you use specific ATMs. You may also find your card allows you to make withdrawals to a fixed limit for free, before applying a charge per transaction.

The operator of the ATM may also charge a fee, especially if you’re using a standalone ATM in a store, bar or shopping center. Learn more about How to avoid international ATM fees .

Wise : Offers up to 2 free ATM withdrawals or up to 100 USD per month, then a fee of 1.5 USD plus 2% of the transaction amount is applied.

Revolut : Provides no-fee in-network ATM withdrawals and up to 1,200 USD per month out-of-network without any fees, with a 2% fee applied after.

Capital One : Doesn’t charge for ATM withdrawals, but out-of-network ATM operators might charge their own fees.

Schwab : Offers free ATM withdrawals globally, with unlimited ATM fee rebates.

SoFi : No fees for ATM withdrawals from SoFi, but out-of-network ATM operators may charge their own fees.

Best debit card for international ATM withdrawal

An ATM card is basically just another way to describe a debit card. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, both refer to cards that let you make everyday purchases and withdraw money from your bank account via an ATM. 

When considering the best debit card for international ATM withdrawals, it’s important to look at the fees, exchange rates, and the global ATM network coverage of each provider:

• Wise : Ideal for travelers looking for a few free ATM withdrawals, Wise offers up to two withdrawals or 100 USD per month free of charge, followed by low fees of 1.5 USD plus 2% for every withdrawal after. They also provide competitive mid-market exchange rates for currency conversion.
• Revolut : Allows free ATM withdrawals up to 1,200 USD per month out of network, with a 2% fee after this limit. Revolut maintains mid-market exchange rates during foreign exchange market hours, making it cost-effective for currency conversions.
• Capital One : With no ATM fees from Capital One (though out-of-network operators may charge), and no foreign transaction fees, this card is a good option for those who prefer using a wide network of ATMs without worrying about additional charges.
• Schwab : Offers unlimited ATM fee rebates and no foreign transaction fees – an advantage for those who frequently withdraw cash while traveling.
• SoFi : SoFi doesn’t charge ATM fees, but out-of-network charges may apply. The card also has a small foreign transaction fee of 0.2%. This option might suit those who withdraw less frequently but want to benefit from occasional international ATM use.

Different types of debit cards for international travel

International cards can usually be broken into 3 categories: prepaid cards, debit cards from traditional banks and cards issued by specialist providers. Each card type has its own benefits and drawbacks – here’s a quick run through of what you need to know when you choose the right one for you.

Prepaid international debit card

Prepaid international debit cards, which are also called travel money cards, are usually issued by specialist providers. You’ll be able to order a card online or in some cases pick one up in a store, before topping up with dollars which can be converted for international spending. Prepaid cards have a range of fees which can include costs for topping up your account and converting to foreign currencies.

International card with traditional banks

If you get an international card from your regular bank you may need to specifically ask for your card to be activated for international spending, and a foreign transaction fee is likely to apply. You may also need to pay a foreign transaction fee whenever you convert from USD to the currency in the country you’re in.

International card with fintech providers

Getting a specific account and card designed for international travel can often be the cheapest and most convenient option available. You’ll be able to open and manage your account online or in an app, and depending on the account you select you may benefit from low transaction costs and currency conversion which uses the mid-market exchange rate.

Advantages of the international debit cards

Still unsure if an international debit card is right for you? Here are a few advantages to consider:

• Depending on the account you choose you may benefit from no foreign transaction fee and mid-market rate currency conversion
• Accounts are usually easy to set up, and can often be managed via an app for convenience and security
• Make local cash withdrawals wherever you are in the world, to avoid high fees to get your travel spending money
• Easy to budget and manage your international spending with no interest fees to pay

Are there any limitations on international ATM cards?

International debit cards aren’t always the best option. Before you decide to get a new card, consider these drawbacks:

• You may not be able to use your debit card to hire a car, or pay at the pump when buying fuel
• Debit cards may not be accepted for security deposits
• Accounts may have holding limits which mean you can’t use them for high value spending
• Chargebacks and refunds may take longer to get back to you

What to look at when choosing an international travel debit card

International debit cards are often linked to online or mobile accounts which let you manage your money easily on the go. There are several great providers available – and the card that suits you will depend on how you expect to use it. Here are a few things to consider when you choose:

• How can you access and manage your money – is the app or online service intuitive and easy to use?
• Can you hold and spend the currencies you need with your selected card?
• Is there a monthly fee for your account – or a minimum balance you need to know about?
• What are the currency conversion fees and how easy is the process?
• What exchange rate is used when you convert currencies?
• Is there a cost for making ATM withdrawals with your card – at home or abroad?
• How can you get customer support, and what languages is help available in?

One of the most important things to look at when selecting an international travel debit card will be the costs of currency exchange. The full fee you pay for converting currencies can be spread across an upfront conversion fee and a markup added to the exchange rate. If markups are used on the exchange rate that can mean you’re paying more than you think for your foreign spending – make sure you know the full details for your chosen account before you sign up.

Key takeaways: Best debit card to use overseas

For each of these providers, account opening, maintenance fees and features all vary, but the best card will all depend on your individual needs, including ATM usage, how often you travel and if you need more than one currency.

Wise – Multi-currency account that lets you hold and exchange over 40 currencies at the mid-market rate. Currency exchange fees start from 0.43% and there are no foreign transaction fees for spending in currencies held in your account. There is a 9 USD one-time fee for delivery when you order your first card. 

Revolut – Hold and exchange over 25 currencies at the mid-market rate within plan limits. Monthly fees range from a fee-free Standard plan to 16.99 USD/month for the Metal plan with additional account features. There are no foreign transaction fees for spending currencies you hold in the account, but there is a fair usage fee for conversions beyond your plan limit. 

Capital One – USD account with no account opening fee, no foreign transactions fees and a free card. Capital One doesn’t charge for ATM withdrawals, but out-of-network operators might, and uses the Mastercard exchange rate. 

Schwab  – USD account with free of charge ATM withdrawals and no foreign transaction fees. A brokerage account is required but there are no account opening or card fees. 

SoFi  – USD account with no fees for ATM withdrawals, although out-of-network charges may apply. There’s a small foreign transaction fee of 0.2% but there are no account opening or card fees.

Conclusion: Which debit card is best for international transactions?

Having an international debit card for your foreign currency spending can be cheap and convenient. It’s also far more secure than relying on carrying cash when you travel. There’s a pretty decent range of international debit cards available for US based customers, including cards from global banking brands and specialist providers. Use this guide to compare a few options and decide which might suit you best.

Get Wise card Get Revolut card

Best ATM cards for international travel FAQs

Does my debit card work internationally.

If you already have a debit card issued by your regular bank you may be wondering if you can just use that when you travel. In most cases it’ll be possible to use your US issued card overseas – however, you may run into relatively high fees. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted networks in Europe and many other major destinations, so if you have Amex or Discover you’ll need to check coverage wherever you’re headed.

It’s also worth remembering that if you get an international debit card from a traditional bank you may need to inform them of your travel plans to ensure your card can be safely used overseas.

What is the best debit card to use abroad?

International debit card fees do vary between providers and can include currency conversion or foreign transaction fees, and charges to make ATM withdrawals. You’ll often find costs are lower when you pick a specialist provider rather than a traditional bank.

Which debit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees?

Several US banks have debit cards which don’t have foreign transaction fees – particularly if you choose a digital only account. Alternatively, online specialists often have debit cards you can use overseas with no fees, and multi-currency functionality. Use this guide to pick the right one for you.

Which banks have no international ATM fees?

When you use an international ATM you may be charged by your own bank, or by the ATM operator. Some online providers and traditional banks will reimburse the out of network fees, but there are usually limits applied. Use in-network ATMs whenever possible.

How to get an international debit card?

Get an international debit card from your regular bank – or for an alternative that may be cheaper and more convenient, register with an online specialist provider and get an account and card without needing to leave home.

What’s the advantage of using an international travel card?

International debit cards usually have features which make it cheaper and more convenient to spend internationally. Get an online multi-currency account from a specialist provider and you may also be able to receive, hold and exchange dozens of currencies in the same account.

What happens if my card gets lost or stolen abroad?

You may be able to block or freeze your card through the bank or provider’s app, or by calling them directly. Depending on the situation you may also need to get a local police report. Ask your provider or bank for advice if you’re unlucky enough to lose your card overseas.

Can I transfer money abroad from a foreign currency account?

With specialist providers you’ll be able to send international payments from your multi-currency account to a broad range of countries and currencies – often with a far lower fee compared to your normal bank.

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• Checking Accounts

3 Best Debit Cards for International Travel

• Fidelity Cash Management
• Schwab High Yield Investor Checking
• Capital One 360 Checking

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There's a long checklist of things to be sure you've covered when you're traveling out of the country—like making sure you can spend money. Before jet-setting off to your next big destination, take a few extra steps to make sure you can access your funds if you need to without paying a ton of extra fees. For example, some debit cards charge a foreign ATM fee when you use an ATM in another country. You might also have to pay additional currency conversion or foreign transaction fees on each transaction you make. The best debit cards for international travel will help you reduce, or even eliminate, those fees.

Using a debit card over a credit card can be beneficial, because it's linked to your bank account. When you swipe, the funds are taken out of your checking account. That means you won't have to worry about repaying a credit card balance.

Using a debit card for international travel is useful for withdrawing local currency from an ATM for expenses like tipping or paying merchants who don't accept credit or debit cards. You wouldn't want to use a credit card at an ATM, since the transaction would be treated as a more expensive cash advance . So which are the best debit cards for international travel? Let's take a look.

Fidelity Cash Management Account

As a customer of the Fidelity Cash Management Account, you'll receive the Fidelity Visa Gold Check Card, which is one of the best debit cards for international travel. You'll pay a low 1% foreign transaction fee on transactions completed outside the United States.

You can also access more than one million ATMs worldwide and get reimbursed for ATM fees you're charged from other ATMs. EMV technology ensures that your information is safely transmitted when you're making purchases and withdrawals from ATMs, protecting your account from future fraud.

The card doesn't just save on ATM fees, it also includes a few extra perks that may come in handy while you're traveling internationally. With the Fidelity Visa Gold Check Card, you'll also get a 90-day extended warranty, travel and emergency assistance, worldwide travel accident insurance, and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

With the Fidelity Cash Management Account, you'll pay no monthly fees. You don't have to maintain a minimum monthly balance. Your deposits will be insured up to $1.25 million, which is more than traditional checking and savings accounts at other banks.

Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account

With the Schwab High Yield Investor Checking account, you won't pay any fees on your checking account at all. That means no ATM fees when you use an ATM in another country, and no foreign currency conversion fee if you withdraw funds in another currency. Keep in mind that when you use an ATM outside your bank's network, the ATM operator may also charge you a fee.

You can't avoid the ATM fee, but Charles Schwab will refund it with no limits on the refunds. There are also no service fees or account minimums.

You'll need to open and link a Schwab One brokerage account, which can be opened and maintained with no fees. A brokerage account offers the ability to trade stocks, mutual funds, and other financial products.

Capital One 360 Checking Account

If you don't like the sound of opening a brokerage account, consider the Capital One 360 Checking Account for a debit card for international travel. Capital One doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee on transactions made in other currencies, which means you can use your debit card for purchases without paying for the currency conversion.

If you can locate a Capital One or Allpoint ATM while you're traveling, you won't have to pay an ATM fee on cash withdrawals either. The Allpoint network includes over 55,000 ATMs all over the world. You can download an app to your smartphone to locate an Allpoint ATM near you.

You can open a Capital One 360 Checking Account with no minimum deposits and no minimum balance requirements. You can also earn 0.10% APY on your balance.

Do you need to let your bank know when you travel with your debt card?

It's always a good idea to contact your bank before you use a debit card while traveling. Banks and credit card issuers try to protect you from fraud and will block transactions that look suspicious or outside your normal patterns of behavior. If you don't notify your bank that you'll be spending money far from home, your transactions may be declined, creating unnecessary headaches on your trip.

Should you travel with a debit card?

Yes. Your debit card gives you much-needed access to cash when you're traveling, and it allows you to carry less cash at any given time. You should, of course, be careful not to lose the card—and call your bank immediately to freeze it if you do.

Wells Fargo. " Wells Fargo Consumer and Business Account Fees ."

Capital One. " Is There a Fee When I Use My Debit Card Abroad? "

Discover Bank. " How to Avoid Common Credit Card Fees ."

Fidelity Investments. " Debit Card Agreement and Disclosure Statement ." Page 2.

Fidelity Investments. " Cash Management FAQs: ATM/Debit Card ."

Fidelity Investments. " Cash Management From Fidelity ."

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. " Amendments to Disclosures at Automated Teller Machines (Regulation E) ," Page 2.

Charles Schwab Corporation. " Brokerage and Trading Account ."

Charles Schwab Corporation. " Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® Account ."

Capital One. " Is There a Free When I Use My Debit Card Abroad ?"

Allpoint. " What is Allpoint? "

Capital One. " What’s a 360 Checking® Account? "

The Best Debit Card for International Travel

By Ryan Craggs

For all the joy that comes from traveling, the lead-up can gnaw away at your excitement. Few aspects of planning cause as much stress as money. Even after you've booked your tickets and hotel, you'll still need cash, and banks love to charge you fees; in some cases, you'll pay $5 for the pleasure of using a foreign ATM, plus a three percent foreign exchange fee. If you take out $100 at a time, for example, you'd be paying an eight percent fee before you even buy anything. And currency exchange bureaus, despite their convenience, commit airport robbery worse than the Lufthansa heist , based on the terrible exchange rates.

Rather than letting some middleman take your hard-earned cash, you can avoid heavy fees by simply having the right debit card. Fees vary by bank and account, of course, but avoiding ATM and foreign exchange fees will save you a bundle.

The Simplest, Money-Saving Card

If you're consistently traveling outside the U.S., the Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account debit card will keep your life simple and your wallet fat. Although you'll pay ATM fees—say, $2.50 when you withdraw cash—Schwab reimburses you for all those fees at the end of the month. That applies to both foreign and domestic ATMs, too, so whether you need €40 to pay for cacio e pepe at a cash-only trattoria in Rome, or just need $20 to buy snacks from a New York bodega, Schwab won't charge you for doing business. The bank's generous with its ATM allowance because it has only two brick-and-mortar branches in the entire world—and they're both in Reno, Nevada . Good for Reno, and great for you.

Aside from reimbursing you for ATM fees, the Schwab account also doesn't charge foreign exchange fees—that pesky percentage frequently tacked on by your banks. Even if you take out cash from an ATM in larger amounts (say, $500 at a time), there's no way to avoid that three percent surcharge. Lots of popular checking accounts include that percentage.

• Chase Total Checking : $5 ATM fee, plus three percent foreign currency fee.
• Bank of America Core Checking : $5 for ATMs outside the Bank of America network, plus three percent International Transaction Fee.
• Wells Fargo Opportunity Checking : $5 for non-Wells Fargo ATMs outside the U.S., plus three percent international debit card purchase fee.

Adding $5—or worse, $5 plus three percent—to every transaction adds up pretty quick. And that doesn't even factor in paying the three percent fee when you use your card for purchases.

Now, not all debit cards charge every fee at every ATM. Fidelity's Visa Gold Check Card reimburses you for ATM fees, but it charges a one percent foreign transaction fee. Conversely, the TD Bank Visa Debit card doesn't charge any foreign transaction fee, but does charge $3 for every non-TD Bank ATM transaction. And Bank of America has a robust partner network that allows you to avoid fees at partner ATMs—but that requires you reading up on which banks that involves, and finding those physical branches and ATMs yourself. With the Schwab card, you don't have to think about it.

While it may seem cumbersome to switch checking accounts, you can also just open the Schwab account for the sole purpose of travel, then deposit the amount of cash you think you'll need for your trip. And since it has no minimum balance or maintenance fees , you can even leave it dormant until your next trip, if you so choose. As an added bonus, you'll get 0.15 APY on your balance—a paltry amount, sure, but they give you money just for parking your cash there, instead of charging you for the privilege.

We'll Be Right Back!

• Disclosures

The Best Travel Credit and Debit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees (Updated 2022)

No matter where you go or how long you travel, using a credit or debit card with no foreign transaction fees is one of the easiest ways to save money while travelling, period.

Currency exchange booths at airports and banks can be convenient, but a lot of your money goes towards exchange fees (e.g. $10 per exchange) and hidden commissions padded into poor exchange rates (especially the booths advertising “no commissions”). With a bit of research and planning, you can save  hundreds , if not thousands of dollars in fees over the long-term!

Credit and debit cards with no foreign transaction fees are the cheapest, easiest ways to get money and make payments overseas.  Credit cards are accepted worldwide, and ATMs are internationally networked through the Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus networks. You enter your PIN and withdraw your cash just like you would at home, while the exchange rates are automatically handled by the banks.

However, some credit and debit cards are better than others!  For the majority of cards, banks still try to add commissions and fees to each payment or ATM withdrawal made abroad. Even if you don't travel a lot, these fees add up quickly.

We've rounded up the best credit and debit cards around the world that minimize or eliminate these fees, putting more money back into your adventure funds!

NOTE: These are cards to be used overseas to avoid foreign transaction fees. For the best all around travel points cards, check out the travel rewards cards section of CardRatings , as well as our free guide “ How to Get Free Flights with Travel Credit Cards and Points “!

The best travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Credit cards have various features that can make or break your travel savings. Ideally, these are the features to look for in a credit card:

• Foreign transaction fee of 0%
• Competitive points or cash-back rewards program (at least 1% of the purchase price)
• Extra perks, like free car or travel insurance

The best travel debit cards with no foreign transaction fees

These are the ideal features to look for in a debit card:

• Foreign transaction rate of 0%
• International ATM withdrawal fee of $0
• Refund of third-party ATM withdrawal fees (This is rare, but it exists!)
• Competitive points or cash-back rewards program (at least 1% of the purchase price)

Many banks around the world have come together to establish the Global ATM Alliance . If your card belongs to a bank in the alliance, you can make withdrawals from banks at other alliance member ATMs around the world without paying additional fees . Here's our roundup of the best debit cards for travel.

Essential tips for using debit and credit cards while travelling

1. pay using a credit card whenever possible..

Foreign ATMs can still inflate their exchange rates and charge withdrawal fees, but a direct credit card payment only involves the credit card you signed up with in your home country. And with a good points or cashback program, this beats any other method of foreign payment.

Bottom line? Always pay with a credit card, but  NEVER withdraw cash from an ATM with one. Credit cards charge interest on cash advances from the moment you withdraw it at the ATM.

2. Never take the option of paying in your own currency

Card terminals at shops and hotels will often detect that your card is from another country and offer to bill you in your home currency. Never choose this option – always pay in the foreign currency!  The exchange rate offered will be inflated by the card terminal, so if you’re using one of the credit cards recommended above, you will receive a much better exchange rate.

3. Inform your debit and credit card providers of your travels

Credit and debit cards are frequently being monitored by security departments for suspicious activity. If you're from the U.S. and you make an ATM withdrawal in Thailand when they don’t know you’re overseas, this could appear suspicious to your bank, and your card might be locked the next time you withdraw. Give your bank or credit card provider a call and let them know when and where you’ll be travelling. Take it from us – you  do not want to be stuck without cash and a useless card!

4. Obtain at least one debit and credit card on each of the Visa/Plus and MasterCard/Cirrus networks.

Even if you follow the advice in tip #3, it’s possible your card could get locked anyway. On top of that, it’s easy to find yourself in a situation where an ATM accepts only one network and not the other. For example, when we travelled in Japan, the only ATMs we could find that would even accept international cards were at 7-Eleven, and they only worked with cards on the Visa/Plus network. I speak from experience – there’s nothing more stressful than needing more cash and not being able to withdraw it, so be prepared and bring multiple cards on multiple networks .

5. Consider a credit card with included insurance

The jury is still out on whether it's safe to rely on car and travel insurance that is sometimes provided by credit cards, and unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to file a claim after the accident has happened. If you're concerned about insurance, its best to be safe and purchase it from the car rental company, but if not, you might as well pay with a credit card that offers car insurance and hope for the best if you do end up in an accident. We generally try to use American Express cards when thinking about insurance, as they are managing the insurance on the cards worldwide, whereas Visa/Mastercard insurance is often handled by the card's issuing bank, and may not be as straightforward to redeem.

6. Keep backup cards in your hotel room

If you lose all your credit and debit cards while overseas, you're going to be in quite the pickle. Always keep at least one extra card back at your accommodation in case your main card or entire wallet is lost or stolen while you're out.

7. Bring $100 USD as backup cash

When all else fails, U.S. dollars are the closest thing to a global currency that we have today. It's the most commonly accepted currency, not only at exchange booths, but even at shops and restaurants in other countries. If there are no ATMs in sight or your cards have been stolen, an emergency backup of U.S. dollars will get you out an emergency situation.

Do you have another card recommendation? Know something we don't? Write it in the comments below!

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Thrifty Nomads has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Thrifty Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions expressed here are author's alone. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Nice! This is really helpful thanks!

Great tips for travelers!

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What are the best U.S. debit and credit cards to use overseas?

Just got off a long phone call with HSBC Canada. They are unable to tell me what their card issuer exchange rate surcharge. I had just come back from Mexico and used my HSBC ATM card on a HSBC ATM machine and I calculated the fee to be about 2.1% based on that days interbank rate. Shouldn’t this fee be in the disclosure statements? There was a class action lawsuit I believe many years ago because the credit card companies failed to state their foreign exchange surcharge. From what I’m reading on the Global ATM website is that Visa is involved with the foreign exchange when using an ATM and it states they add a 2.5% foreign exchange fee. You didn’t show this in your nice graphics above. Is it berried in the base exchange rate?

We use Visa Avion, which is good in all categories but I believe they do charge a slight foreign transaction fee. But we have claimed through their default insurance, both car, health, and travel. All minor things, but ya, no issues. The card is not free however, and unless you spend a lot each month or travel frequently it’s not worth it. For us, the points for the business transactions transfer to personal, so it really adds up! (Currently we have more than enough to fly the entire family pretty much anywhere. ) When abroad we usually only use the card for car rental or nicer hotels and of course flights or trains and such (to access insurance benefits one must book the flight etc on that card…) But read the fine print, confirm with the agent. For example, usually to get car insurance you have to wave the rental companies insurance. (This saved us a ton in Africa!) The rental agencies will even phone and confirm if they don’t know the card. These cards were set up for frequent business travelers originally. But read the fine print too, I know our card covers 30 days from home, but you can add insurance to the card for longer trips too. It’s all through RBC, and like any blood sucking corporation there are advantages for the savvy but their ultimate goal is to get you to pay twice for the same thing. Read the fine print, phone your card agent, etc… But we honestly have found the Avion worth it for us because of the company points.

This info is super helpful! For Canadians, what about the Marriott Rewards® Premier Visa® Card? I’ve been looking into credit and debit cards for an upcoming trip to Southeast Asia, and came across this card today. From what I can tell, it seems pretty good (no foreign currency transaction charges and has perks). Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this card? Thanks!

so where do you find that tangerine thrive chequing account info? I have an account with tangerine and I can find no info on this animal on their website

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5 Best Debit Cards for International Travel With No Foreign Transaction Fee (Updated For February 2024)

Jarrod Suda

A writer and editor at Monito, Jarrod is passionate about helping people apply today’s powerful finance technologies to their lives. He brings his background in international affairs and his experiences living in Japan to provide readers with comprehensive information that also acknowledges the local context.

Byron Mühlberg

Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

As an American traveler with experience exploring both Eurozone and non-Euro countries, as well as East and Southeast Asia, I've felt the frustration of dealing with high fees and inconveniences when using traditional bank debit cards for international travel. Having personally relied on Revolut and Wise during my own journeys, I've been able to avoid foreign transaction fees and charges for local ATM withdrawals.

Debit cards with no international transaction fees are solid options because you'll get the low currency conversion rates from VISA and Mastercard, without the markup. But for an even better experience, multi-currency accounts like Revolut allow you to hold local currency and be treated as a local cardholder.

In addition, the ideal debit card should offer additional features like virtual cards for added safety, instant card freezing, and travel benefits. This guide will present five top-notch no foreign transaction fee debit cards, including Revolut , Wise , Chime , and more, designed to meet your needs while traveling internationally.

In general, we consider  Revolut  the best international travel debit card. It has a generous fee-free ATM withdrawal allowance of $1,200 monthly, and you can hold balances of 30+ foreign currencies. ✨ Get three months of free Revolut Premium as a Monito reader with our  exclusive link .

However, if you're from the UK or Canada, here are a few more recommendations to explore:

• Best for travelling from the UK:  Starling Bank
• Best for travelling from Canada:  KOHO
• Best US checking without FX fees: Chime

Key Facts: Using Your Debit Card Overseas

The 5 best debit cards for international travel in 2024.

• 01. Revolut (available globally) scroll down
• 02. Chime (available in the USA only) scroll down
• 03. Wise (available globally) scroll down
• 04. Capital One (available in the USA only) scroll down
• 05. Starling Bank (available in the UK only) scroll down
• 06. Bottom line about the best debit card for international travel scroll down

Consider These Factors When Choosing a Debit Card for International Travel

When it comes to selecting a debit card for your international adventures, there are a few key factors that can ease your travel experience:

• No foreign transaction fees: Look for a debit card that eliminates foreign transaction fees , which often come as a percentage of the purchase total. Make purchases abroad without incurring unnecessary charges, saving your money for more enjoyable experiences.
• Fee-free or low-fee ATM withdrawals: Find a debit card that offers fee-free or low-fee ATM withdrawals . While not all banks will reimburse fees from ATM machines, many will at least not charge you for taking out cash abroad. In many cases, though, you'll incur a fee from the ATM network itself, which is often impossible to avoid entirely.
• Travel perks: Consider debit cards that come with additional travel perks. These can range from discounts on accommodations and transportation to access to airport lounges or travel insurance.
• In-app security: Opt for a debit card that provides virtual card options for enhanced security from pickpockets. Many apps also allow you to freeze your cards instantly if the physical debit card gets lost or stolen.
• Backed by a major issuer: Ensure that your chosen debit card is provided via a major issuer such as VISA, Mastercard, or other reputable companies. This ensures wider acceptance and reliability, giving you peace of mind during your travels.

Do Debit Cards Work Abroad?

Yes, debit cards do work abroad , and you can learn more about why, when, and where in our dedicated guide on the subject .

The key thing to know here is that VISA and Mastercard cards (as well as those from smaller payment providers, although to a lesser extent) are accepted worldwide with few exceptions. As long as the merchant accepts them instead of cash, you'll be able to pay. Accordingly, be on the lookout for signs like this one when you're traveling, which you'll often find on storefronts or next to the teller:

How to Reduce ATM Withdrawal Fees

Although searching for an ATM from which to withdraw cash while you're abroad might seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision, you can often benefit from planning a little in advance.

If you plan to withdraw cash while abroad, we suggest looking for a partner within the Global ATM Alliance network and planning your ATM visit there instead of visiting any old machine you find on the street (especially not the ones at tourist hotspots!). The Global ATM Alliance consists of banks worldwide that waive international ATM access fees. Here's a list of Global ATM Alliance Partners for you to check.

If you don't have access to a Global ATM Alliance bank, always try to use an ATM that belongs to a local bank rather than a generic cash machine like Euronet . By doing so, you can have greater confidence that you will receive the mid-market exchange rate , although you'll probably still incur a fixed ATM withdrawal fee from the ATM network itself. Check out our guide to the cheapest ways to get cash abroad to learn more about keeping your costs down in this regard.

Revolut (Global)

Revolut offers an excellent debit card to use abroad because it allows you to hold over 30 currencies and spend money in over 150 currencies. Revolut charges an industry-low 0.2%-0.4% fee on weekdays to convert your home currency to the local currency of your travel destination. Then, when you use the local currency with your Revolut card, you'll avoid both typical foreign transaction fees and  dynamic currency conversions .

• Trust & Credibility 8.9
• Service & Quality 7.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 8.3
• Customer Satisfaction 9.4

You will also be able to withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide without incurring any fees (up to a $1,200 limit per month, depending on the type of account you have), although third-party ATM fees may still apply. After that $1,200 limit, each withdrawal will incur a 2% fee. This is quite generous when compared to its competitor, Wise, which has a $250 per month limit.

With their paid plans, you can even get discounted airport lounge access for you and a friend, travel insurance for delays and baggage, and medical insurance coverage.

• No  foreign transaction fees ;
• Fixed fee between 0.2% and 0.4% to exchange currency;
• ATM withdrawals of $1,200 per month fee-free;
• More info: Read our Revolut review or visit their website .

Chime (USA Only)

Chime is a good debit card for international travel thanks to its no foreign transaction fees¹. Unlike multi-currency accounts like Revolut (which let you hold local currency), Chime uses the live exchange rate applied by VISA. This rate is close to the mid-market rate, and Chime does not add any extra markup to your purchases.

• Trust & Credibility 9.5
• Service & Quality 8.8
• Fees & Exchange Rates 9.8
• Customer Satisfaction 9.6

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

While Chime waives ATM fees at all MoneyPass, AllPoint, and VISA Plus Alliance ATMs within the United States, this fee waiver does not extend to withdrawals made outside the country. For withdrawals abroad, Chime applies a $2.50 fee per transaction, with a daily withdrawal limit of $515 or its equivalent. This is in addition to any fees charged by the ATM owner. Therefore, we recommend Chime primarily for card purchases rather than relying on it for withdrawing cash while traveling internationally.

• No  foreign transaction fees ¹;
• Uses VISA's exchange rate ( monitor here ):
• A $2.50 fee per ATM withdrawal made outside of the United States;
• More info: Read our Chime review or visit their website .

Wise (Global)

Wise Multi-Currency Account is an exceptional debit card option for international travel, particularly for customers in Canada where Revolut is not available. With the app, you'll be able to hold and spend money in over 50 currencies. When converting your home currency to the local currency of your travel destination, Wise charges a minimal fee, often ranging from as low as 0.35% to slightly above 2% for less common currency corridors. By paying with the local currency on your Wise card, you'll be treated as a local cardholder, bypassing both the typical foreign transaction fees and dynamic currency conversions.

• Trust & Credibility 9.3
• Service & Quality 8.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 7.6

Furthermore, Wise enables you to withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide without incurring any fees, up to a monthly limit of $250. However, make sure to note that third-party ATM fees may still apply. And once the $250 limit is exceeded, each withdrawal will be subject to a 1.75% fee.

• Fixed fee ranging from 0.35% to 2% for currency exchange;
• Fee-free ATM withdrawals of up to $250 per month;
• We ranked Wise as the best account for international students ;
• More info: Read our Wise review or visit their website .

Capital One (USA Only)

Capital One 's 360 debit cards are much more transparent about waiving international transaction fees than other big American banks. When you use the card abroad, Capital One applies the live exchange rate provided by the card issuer (they have a wide range of card options, and they partner with VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and others). Capital One does not impose any additional markups when you spend your USD in foreign countries. However, make sure to enroll in their 360 accounts to avoid potential fees because they may charge a fee of $2, plus 3% of the total transaction amount, for non-360 products.

• Fees & Exchange Rates 10
• Customer Satisfaction 8.7

Capital One is part of an alliance that includes AllPoint, MoneyPass, and other partners, giving you access to over 70,000 ATMs throughout the United States. However, this coverage is limited to the US, so when making international ATM withdrawals, Capital One may charge a fee of $2 per transaction in addition to potential fees imposed by the ATM owner. All of this makes 360 Checking a far better alternative to spending abroad than with debit cards from other US banks like Wells Fargo or Bank of America .

• Uses the live exchange rate provided by the card issuer;
• Potential $2 fee per international ATM withdrawal;
• More info: Read our Capital One review or visit their website .

Starling Bank (UK Only)

Starling Bank stands out as one of the premier debit cards for international travel for customers in the UK , thanks to its absence of foreign transaction fees. If you solely have their GBP account, your Starling Bank card will apply the live exchange rate used by MasterCard, which closely aligns with the mid-market exchange rate. Moreover, Starling Bank provides EUR and USD accounts for an additional fee, making it an ideal choice for traveling to countries that accept these currencies. In such instances, your Starling Bank debit card will access these account balances, allowing it to be recognised as a local card.

• Service & Quality 8.5
• Customer Satisfaction 9.3

One of the most compelling features of Starling Bank is its complete exemption from ATM fees, both domestically and internationally. Irrespective of the amount of cash withdrawn or the frequency of withdrawals, Starling Bank never imposes any fees for ATM transactions. While third-party fees may still apply, as determined by the ATM owner, this travel benefit solidifies Starling Bank's position as the top debit card for international travel for UK residents and citizens.

• Availability of multi-currency accounts in EUR and USD;
• Uses of MasterCard's exchange rate ( monitor here );
• No fees for international ATM withdrawals;
• More info: Read our Starling Bank review or visit their website .

Curious to See How They Compare?

If you'd like to see how the debit cards we explored above compare head-to-head, take a look at the table below:

Last verified: 8 January 2024

Bottom Line: The Best Debit Cards for International Travel in 2024

Now is the perfect time to plan your next trip and ensure you have the right debit cards for seamless international travel. With these cards, you can store local currency, avoid pesky international transaction fees, or reduce international ATM fees when you need local cash.

Best of all, they all offer virtual cards that can be instantly added to your digital wallet for convenient contactless payments while adding an extra layer of security. With their smartphone apps, you'll have complete control, allowing you to freeze the card instantly in case of loss or theft.

Take a look at the summary below for the best debit cards for international travel:

• Revolut : Best overall US debit card for international travel
• Chime : US digital account without foreign transaction fees
• Wise : Multi-currency account with most currency options
• Capital One 360 : Best US bank for international transactions
• Starling Bank : Best ATM card in the UK for international travel

Disclaimers

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

¹ Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may apply. See here for details.

² To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

³ The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change anytime. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance is required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

⁴ On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.

⁵ SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no-interest/no-fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Credit Builder Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no-fee overdraft service attached to the Chime Checking Account available to qualifying members after Visa debit card activation. Both SpotMe on Credit and SpotMe on Debit are sometimes collectively referred to as "SpotMe" or, if you have signed up to use SpotMe with only one account, "SpotMe" means the elected service. To qualify for SpotMe, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account monthly. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or Secured Deposit Account (associated with your Chime Credit Builder credit card) up to $20 but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe Debit Terms and Conditions and SpotMe on Credit Terms and Conditions .

Why You Can Trust Monito

Our recommendations are built on rock-solid experience.

• We've reviewed 70+ digital finance apps and online banks
• We've made 100's of card transactions
• Our writers have been testing providers since 2013

More Guides on International Travel, Debit Cards Overseas, No Foreign Transaction Fees Abroad

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Why Trust Monito?

You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.

Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.

Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.

Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.

A Little Advice… Handling Money for Travel: Credit, Debit, & Cash

Last updated on October 22, 2023 by Shannon

Handling money on the road is an important practicality for any international traveler. Let’s specifically discuss the best credit and debit cards for travel, with a note at the end about when and how to handle your cash (important since many developing countries are cash-based economies).

Although every traveler can benefit from the right card, long-term travelers and expats especially benefit from using cards that eliminate any and all foreign transaction fees. 

Together, my debit and credit cards and I have been through the good (no withdrawal fees), the bad (two percent transaction fees), and the ugly (whaddaya mean withdrawals and transactions are blocked in Slovenia? … I’m in Slovenia right now).

After more than ten years traveling, finding seamless banking solutions for international travel has made a huge positive impact on my travels. 

Let’s talk about all things money on the road. We’ll cover what should know about debit and bank cards, the best credit cards in general, and the best travel  rewards credit cards (those cards offering miles or points you can exchange for flights, hotels, etc.).

Table of Contents

Five Considerations for Travel Credit & Debit Cards

1. transaction fees.

Many credit card companies tack on a 1% to 3% foreign transaction fee to the total price of what you buy. For long-term travelers, this is a clear no-go. Luckily, you have options to circumvent these fees if you research ahead of time.

You must find out the percentage for foreign transactions made on your current cards. That means read the fine print—cards designed for use in the U.S. may charge you several percentage points to use the card internationally.

Check your credit cards, but check your debit card that you’ll use for travel, too. Since you can use debit cards as credit cards (swiped rather than used to withdrawal cash at an ATM), you need to check that fine print as well.

Jot these notes down in a spreadsheet or notebook so you can compare options.

2. Withdrawal Fees

Many banks charge a flat fee every time you use an international ATM. Ask before you leave. Many international banks  also charge a withdrawal fee, so you might get hit twice if your bank card charges a withdrawal fee on your travel debit card!

Only by researching your current bank cards fees can you determine if you should shop around for a travel-friendly bank account. Also look into if your bank has international branches in your destination city where you could use the local branch to avoid fees.

3. Are any countries blocked?

Believe it or not, you might not be able to withdraw any cash in some countries. Back in 2008, my local credit union blocked all transactions from Thailand and Slovenia—my small bank had designated them as locations “highly likely for fraudulent activity.”

And in 2023, my mother visited me in Spain and her credit union’s Mastercard credit card just couldn’t figure out its business—she had put a travel notice on her card but we never got it working throughout her two weeks, despite at least six phone calls.

Now that I use a different bank for primary debit card accounts, including when I travel, this is no longer an issue. If you’re also using a local credit union, talk with them in person about your planned trip. And consider carrying two separate bank debit cards to circumvent any issues accessing your money.

4. Online Banking

Can you access your account balance abroad, and even more, can you handle issues from overseas? You might assume yes, but again, it really can depend on the bank—local credit unions might have an IP address block outside the U.S. (mine does!).

Some banks also demand your personal presence to replace a lost card; other times banks only ship to the address on file. These are all huge potential headaches that you don’t want to know about when you’re traveling and have a credit card problem.

Basically, you want a bank that can handle remote support in case you need assistance from abroad—this particularly important for long term travelers.

Nowadays, most banks also offer a handy app you can use from your smartphone, which is ideal since logging in from random browsers and computers all over the globe is not safe.  

5. Carry Different Brands of Debit Cards

Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit and debit cards and you should to carry one of each type of card. As strange as it sounds, some countries primarily accept just one of the two brands.

Is There Really a Best Debit Card for Travel?

A resounding, yes! Most banks either charge foreign withdrawal fees every time you use your debit card at an ATM outside of your home country, or fees for withdrawals outside of your banking network.

Either way, those fees add up—if you’re on the road for a month and modestly withdraw money twice a week, you’ve blown $30 just on bank fees. Then, stack on top of your bank’s fee the fact that all overseas banks also charge a withdrawal as high as six dollars in many cases, and you are looking at $70 in banking fees—all money that is much better spent on your trip.

The Best Debit Card for International Travel

Charles Schwab is an online-based bank with unparalleled advantages for travelers—even after nine years since I signed up for my Schwab checking account, I have yet to hear of any other U.S. bank that even comes close to offering the range of free services Schwab offers travelers..

The Pros of Schwab for Travelers:

• no foreign transaction fees
• no ATM withdrawal fees
• reimburses withdrawal fees charged by any other bank
• never requires appearance at a bank branch to access services
• telephone customer service is a cinch, and email responses questions are prompt

The Cons of Schwab for Travelers

• there’s no bank branch where you can sit across from a human and demand answers (since nothing has ever gone wrong, I’ve never missed this)
• transferring funds around between accounts outside Schwab is not seamless (though customer service goes out of their to help ease the process)  

How to Avoid Paying Bank Fees When Traveling

When I left on my world travels , the U.S. had just entered the 2008 recession and I was moderately content with the $1 foreign withdrawal fee tacked onto ATM withdrawals from my local credit union checking account. Fast forward nine months.

As the recession hit hard, my credit union upped the fee to $2.50 per withdrawal. That hit my travel budget harder.

Once I returned Stateside, I switched to Schwab. Across nine years and 50+ countries, Schwab has lived up to its fee-less withdrawal promise. At the end of every month, Schwab reimburses my account for any withdrawal fees charged by another bank.

Considering Spanish and Thai banks charge $5+ per withdrawal, I love seeing a credit of $25+ bank into my account each month. This single feature is a huge asset for any travelers, but long-term travelers specifically.

You can’t afford to not bank with Schwab—to my knowledge, no other U.S. bank offers this feature.

Other great debit cards for international travelers:

• ING Direct : Read through the comments below—other people have raved about the ease of money transfers and service with ING.
• Capital One Direct Banking : This option also comes highly recommended in the comments for its easy online interface and lack of transaction fees.
• Caxton FX Global Traveller : This prepaid MasterCard has a diehard contingent of fans among some long-term world travelers.

In addition to ensuring my bank and credit cards cover these main areas, my father is also listed on my bank accounts in case surprising issues crop up (and they have over the years).

If you have a trusted family member or friend, consider allowing them to work on your behalf, if necessary. It takes good faith, because my dad has fully authority on my account, but if you have someone you absolutely trust, it’s handy to have them on your local accounts.

Travel Rewards Credit Cards—Necessary or Folly?

Sinking into deep debt for travel is not likely a great choice for most of us. Although I had debt when I left to travel, I actually spent less on world travel than I had living in Los Angeles and paid off my debt a few years into my long-term travels.

Afterwards, I was leery of credit cards—they fall into dangerous territory if you’ve ever abused them in the past (I had).

That said, things happen and it’s wise to travel with a credit card. They come in handy and should anything happen to your bank account (like no bank withdrawals in Slovenia!), and it’s the preferred way to secure a rental car.

I use my travel credit cards for things where cash won’t work (flights), and when I don’t want to swipe/risk my bank card (I rented a car in South Africa and was so glad that I used it instead of my bank card since they overcharged me and it took months to resolve!).

Then there is the subject of travel hacking—if you’re prepared to invest some time in seeking out good deals, you can amass a decent stash of airline miles or points before you even leave on your trip. You can then exchange those points can for flights, accommodation, rental cars, and more. Let’s assume you’re game for a travel rewards credit card—here are the best ones depending on your personal situation.

Travel Hacking: A Quick Overview

If you’re new to the idea of travel hacking, it boils down to this: You earn reward miles or points that you can then exchange for free travel. The majority of this activity centers on the U.S. market, where U.S. credit card companies offer deals and incentives for those willing to use credit cards and generally chase down special offers.

I am not an expert travel hacker by any stretch of the imagination—that Chase Reserve is my sole gambit into that world. As such, I won’t get into specific tips and advice of how to travel hack. I will just note that even if you approach it lightly, it can be an effective way to offset a few travel expenses.

If you have a long timeline before you leave on your world travels, look into the travel rewards cards so you can accumulate points throughout your daily life as you plan and save for your trip.

Even with just a light amount of travel hacking, it’s easy to offset at least a few plane flights or hotel nights. From just eight months of use on my first travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, I bought a $1,200 flight to Africa.

That’s not an insignificant sum! And that was light travel hacking (Matt gets into what more serious travel hacking looks like). The Chase Sapphire Rewards cards are a truly great deal and have many devotees in the travel hacking crowd, not just me.

How to get started in travel hacking through credit cards:

• Sign up for credit cards with generous rewards programs : Many credit cards offer rewards programs that allow you to earn points or miles for every dollar you spend. These points or miles can often be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or other travel-related expenses.
• Look for sign-up bonuses : Many credit cards offer large sign-up bonuses to new customers who meet certain spending requirements. For example, you might get 50,000 points if you spend $3,000 on the card within the first three months.
• Use your credit card for all of your expenses : To maximize your rewards, you should use your credit card for as many of your expenses as possible, as long as you pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
• Join loyalty programs : In addition to credit card rewards, you can also earn points or miles through loyalty programs with hotels, airlines, and rental car companies. By staying at the same hotel chain or flying with the same airline repeatedly, you can earn rewards that can be redeemed for free or discounted travel.
• Look for promotions and deals : Keep an eye out for promotions and deals that can help you save money on travel. For example, you might find discounted flights if you book during a certain time period, or you might be able to save money on a hotel stay by booking during the off-season.

To dive deeper into this subject, head to the authorities on this topic:

• The Points Guy
• BoardingArea
• Canadian Travel Hacking
• Rewards Canada
• Head for Points UK
• Chris Guillebeau Travel Hacking

Chase Sapphire Reserve: My Concession to Travel Hacking

My first entry into the world of travel hacking happened in the summer of 2013, when I opened a Chase Sapphire Preferred  account as a way to earn enough miles to pay for my flights to Africa.

The card had a 40,000 point signup bonus, attractive ways to earn extra miles, and great international policies on rental car coverage and things of that nature. In 2018, I switched to the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which is even better—it offers priority lounge access, triple points on travel, and more.

Both cards carry annual fees, however. This turned the right option for me, but read on to decide if you’re better off going with a non-rewards travel card, which has no fees and could be better for a round the world trip, or if you’re still paying off your debt .

The Pros of Chase Reserve for International Travelers

• Chase travel cards offer no foreign transaction fees tacked onto international purchases.
• You earn either 40,000 and 50,000 bonus miles if you meet the spending requirement in the first three months—after that, the cards offer either two or three times the points on travel, depending on the card.
• The international customer support is top notch.
• You have full online account access and slick, intuitive interface.

The Cons of Chase Reserve for International Travelers

• The Sapphire cards carry an annual fee, so it’s best if you truly are playing the game of using the card to earn miles, otherwise you can receive many similar travel transaction fee the benefits on cards without annual fees.
• Rewards cards—most truly great travel and airline miles credit card—carry higher fees all around. If you’re prone to carrying a balance on your card, go with a credit card with lower fees.

Another option I have used in the past is Capital One. CapOne is a frequent traveler choice because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. I carried this card until 2013. I hated the company’s customer service, but I couldn’t fault its offerings.

For travelers looking for many of the great benefits of a travel rewards card, but without the annual fee, then look at Capital One VentureOne . Capital One has consistently been the one North American credit card that never charges international transaction fees.

I carried my CapOne card throughout all 15 countries on my world trip itinerary and it worked in every single place. It doesn’t have any annual fees, so it could be a good option.

Now that I pay a hefty annual fee for my Chase Reserve card ($550 with a $300 refundable annual travel credit), I use that card exclusively to amass points there that buy my flights home to Florida see my family now that I am based in Barcelona .

Selecting the Right Credit & Debit Card for Your Travel Needs

I carry my Chase Reserve credit card in my arsenal because it lacks international transaction fees, it offers me lounge access at airports all over the world, and I earn three times the points on all travel dollars charged. The Preferred and Reserve are two of the bested rated travel points credit cards on the market.

If you’re shopping for an airline miles card, look at the Gold Delta SkyMiles by American Express. And for hotels cards, the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card is a Chase Visa card and is a good bet. Note, however, American Express is not widely accepted internationally, but it’s a great way to earn miles if you’re traveling in the U.S., or if you’re several years out from your long-term travels.

Best Credit & Debit Cards for Europe

Contactless payment is huge across all of Europe and the UK and you will feel like a Luddite without credit and debit cards with chips that allow for “tap and pay” features. There’s a good hack though, which turns all of your U.S. cards into European-friendly debit and credit cards.

Add your primary rewards card to your Apple Wallet—then it’s easy to tap and and pay and earn points. Since U.S. cards are not equipped with WiFi like European cards, by using Apple Pay you can seamlessly navigate the tap-and-go world on your European travels. There are days here in my home of Barcelona that I only leave with my iPhone since 95% of the locations accept Apple Pay.

In terms of fees—all of my above recommendations stand as the best options for Europe—and the rest of the world too! Because these cards don’t charge withdrawal fees, you don’t need to worry about finding a partner bank while traveling.

Cash: When and How to Carry it Safely

Many developing countries operate on cash economies. Although credit cards are essential in a pinch and work for booking flights, you will spend most of your money in cash when traveling throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America, Central Asia, and many other locations.

It’s this cash-based factor that makes it so important for travelers to use banks that do not charge withdrawal fees.

This cash factor also means there are times you are carrying a lot of money in your pocket, purse, or money belt! It used to wig me out to have several hundred dollars on my person, but now I accept it as a part of the travel experience.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to make myself an easy target though! Here are some ideas about when, why, and how to safely use and carry your cash while traveling.

Carry a safety $100 dollars in USD.

Although you could use Euros or pounds, the USD is a strong secondary currency in many locations. When I traveled with my niece, I carried $175 dollars as our “just in case” fund, and I always stored it in a different spot than my credit and debit cards.

This cash works in a variety of circumstances: If the local ATM is broken, if you need to bribe your way out of a situation, if you’re injured and need to pay for immediate assistance, if your primary wallet is stolen, etc. I mention these because every one of those situations has happened to me over the past decade of travel.

Withdraw a four-to-seven days worth of local currency at a time.

You want enough cash to get you through the next few days, but not enough that you’re out of money if you’re robbed. By withdrawing a few days at a time, you ensure that a broken ATM or an unexpected emergency is easily handled.

Do not exchange money—withdraw from an ATM.

When you arrive at the airport, steer far clear of the exchange booths and instead hit up the ATM. I use the XE.com currency app so that I always know the local exchange rate, or you can usually be certain that the bottom right withdrawal option is for an amount between $80 and $200.

Keep cash in multiple spots.

Consider keeping cash in at least two spots. And if you are traveling as a couple, split credit cards and cash between you both. I always shove two twenties somewhere in a hidden luggage compartment, or I will put it in a bag with dirty socks and underwear if I am in a very sketchy hotel situation.

Another tactic is to carry a muggers wallet with a day’s worth of cash. My primary wallet is often in my purse, but I also carry a daily wallet (usually a small zip pouch) with charge and a wad of small local currency I can use at markets.

If you’re mugged, you would hand over this wallet and leave your main wallet or money belt hidden unless things were to escalate. Several travel friends have successfully used this tactic when mugged in South America.

That about wraps up every money recommendation from my ten years on the road. Between these three areas—debit cards, credit cards, and cash—there is no financial situation you can’t handle on the road.

If you have a favorite tip—be it for a favored card or a safety tip, let me know in the comments below! And use our other resources if you’re planning your world travels and want insider tips on finding great flights , accommodation , travel insurance , and more.

Disclosure: I have no degree in finance and there are no guarantees if you take my advice on using these companies. This is a personal, friendly recommendation from a fellow traveler; no more and no less. No one paid me to recommend these cards—every recommendation comes from personal experience and reader feedback and I personally have all of these recommended cards in my wallet. :)

30 thoughts on “A Little Advice… Handling Money for Travel: Credit, Debit, & Cash”

Great (juicy) information, but I prefer using my TransferWise debit card (Mastercard): the better option to travel around the world!

Thanks Igor for weighing in. I do like Transferwise in the idea of it, but when I signed up and started using it, I found that since I get paid solely in the U.S., that these cards recommended above all had better withdrawal or conversion rates (free and ATM fees reimbursed—never seen this elsewhere), and I didn’t end up using my Transferwise account at all. In what situations do you prefer it over a regular debit card like Schwab, where you get credits back every month for any bank anywhere that charges you a withdrawal fee?

Thanks so much for this! I’ve found many of your extra cash carrying / hiding habits to be very helpful. Additionally, in hotel rooms, I put a cheap loud motion detector in my closeted bags to scare off people rifling through my stuff. It HAS been set off.

Have you looked into the newish Transferwise “Borderless” accounts that come with a debt card (Mastercard waitlist)? They’re supposedly a boon to digital nomads… in particular for being able to send and receive funds in over 40 currencies. I’m not an expert, but the thing that stood out to me is that the “Borderless” account enables being paid in a slightly more traditional way, since it automatically sets one up with a bank account in 4 different currency zones.

From the website: British Pound – Get your own Account Number and Sort Code. Euro – Get your own SWIFT/BIC and IBAN details. US Dollar – Get your own Routing (ABA) and Account Number. Australian Dollar – Get your own BSB Code and Account Number.

I’d be curious to hear from working digital nomads who’ve used this!

So glad that the information has proven useful! I have looked into the Transferwise “Borderless” accounts, and several of my travel friends just love them. I ultimately decided that I didn’t need one because I have a local bank in Europe now that I am an expat, and my Schwab account has allowed me to transfer in currency from everywhere else in the world (including the UK, the EU, and Australia). But it would absolutely make good sense for many travelers who need to be paid in multiple currencies and either don’t have a Schwab account, or those doing serious business in alternate currencies. Again, several travel friends just rave about it so it’s definitely popular in the digital nomad community!

All excellent info. I will also praise ING. I’ve been using them since 2001 and never had any issues. I also use Schwab, love them but only negative is having to transfer funds from brokerage account into checking, and a Capital One MC, no issues with them. Chase recently eliminated international transaction fees. I’m using a British Airways Chase Visa as my main card and have had zero issues.

Thanks for weighing in Mike! I mail in deposits to my Schwab checking, so I hadn’t realized that they make it difficult to transfer funds like that, but you’re not the only one to point that out – a real drawback! As for Chase, if they really have taken away international fees then I just might get an account there, they have so many rewards points programs and the such! :)

As always Shannon, this is a fantastic bit of advice! I have been pondering the money handling question for a while now (starting my RTW in a week) and this answered a lot of my questions. I only wish Canada has comparable options. I’m hoping my American SSN helps me land a Charles Schwab account. I have read that in SE Asia, American dollars are the way to go. Do you happen to know if they are easy to get there, or if it is necessary to carry cash over (yikes!)?

Glad that you found some helpful stuff in this post Kerri! And it is too bad that you don’t have these options in Canada – though I hear that ING Direct is pretty good through the grapevine (ie other comments here in this thread). …As for the question of dollars – you are definitely going to want to bring over American $ rather than Canadian – and I say that you should always have at least US $100 stashed on you at the beginning of you trip – seriously good to have money on you if you get in a pinch, get stuck, lost – it’s just good to have. As far as restocking cash, Cambodia’s ATMs give out US$ when you use them, so you can restock there if need be! :)

I have to admit that I’m glad I brought my Capital One card with em to Italy. I caleld HSBC card to let them know I’m traveling and they say no problem they’ll make a note. When I got to there the card was decline and won’t let me charge anything. However Capital one worked. (And I never called them too). Good thing I had it with me.

That’s precisely why I love having multiple cards, different companies and logos on them – it’s just craptastic when they decide to not work on you! Glad that your CapOne card worked for you, it’s always in my wallet too :)

I have them both. We’re planning to use these 2 cards for our RTW trip and are test driving them right now. So far we really like them, but I guess the real test drive is still upcoming.

These should really do you well, I haven’t hadn’t had a single problem yet :) Just make sure to give them both the travel warning before you leave! :)

What I meant was, there is NOT a single pic in which your prettiness does not shine.

Great list of tips Shannon! This sounds a lot like the one nomadicmatt just did. Like you, I do cash, credit, and debit cards. Some people may not like using credit cards or could get into trouble with it but I love the idea. I’ve always been responsible with money and love my budget spreadsheet about as much as I do my blog. I am very frugal and financially responsible so I have no issues with a credit card. I know others who do online banking only and it seems to work well for them and it does save money on fees.

However, I do have a question for you. Since American credit and debit cards use magnetic stripe and some other countries use the chip and pin, have you ever run into any issues using your cards while traveling?

That’s a really great question – and I actually only encountered that problem in Europe when I was trying to book bus and train tickets online…they wanted a pin number of some sort… not sure what. But, the whole issue with the chips and what-not is why I always, always have a Visa and a MasterCard (and I carry an AmEx in Europe) and that got me through without any real hitches.

(PS – yeah, I saw Matt’s post but already had this queued up so went with it :)

Wow, Shannon, thanks so much for these tips! I have been thinking about this issue on and off for quite awhile, this helps a bunch.

Glad to help! It can make a difference on the road which one you choose, happy travels! :)

I’m a sucker for airline mile cards but for good ol’ fashioned banking I like ING – the online interface is great and makes it an attractive option even if you just use it to transfer money between other banks. It also has a higher than average interest rate on checking and savings :)

I’ll add ING to the list Anil, I haven’t really had much interaction with them but I like the fact that they’re good with online money transfers, that’s apparently an area where Schwab is not so hot. Will look into them! :)

Shannon, I have the Schwab checking account and maybe I have one that’s slightly different than yours because mine has no ATM fees but doing anything online is impossible. In particular, I can’t move funds around online which drives me insane.

We use Capital One Direct Banking for our checking which I really love because they give me a great rate on foreign currency fees, as well as their whole system is online and easy to use.

I love my Capital One No Hassle Miles card! We’ve actually had really good luck with their customer service. They refunded us $400 when Europcar overcharged us in Australia without any hesitation. I could do ads for Capital One . . . that’s how much I love them.

Hmm…I don’t do a lot of moving funds from my Schwab account because I run out of two accounts, and just really use my Schwab for travel (and fund it before I leave)…it seems a little crazy that they would make it that difficult to do your banking online since they’re an online bank!

Great tip on the CapOne banking – I have never looked into that, but I really prefer easy online systems so you’re not having to Skype on horrible connections to get things done!

This is REALLY helpful info!

I use a Capital One card and absolutely love it–although I feel you on the customer service! My only gripe is that it takes 20 minutes just to do one simple thing because they ask you a million repetitive questions–but in the end, they get it done, and that’s what matters. My home bank is Tri Counties, a community bank in Sacramento. They also never charge for ATM withdrawals and reimburse me for other bank’s fees, similar to Charles Schwab. Plus they give me an amazing interest rate and I love dealing with them when I’m at home–so friendly and helpful! Helps that my whole family banks with them, so I can ask any questions through them when I’m abroad. Might look into Charles Schwab though–been hearing lots of good things, although the online only part would take a bit of getting used to.

Christine, I might check out TriCounties to save money. Right now I use Chase and while it’s big, it has cost me money when I travel. And my current interest rates are AWFUL!

Chase has a lot of great programs and cash back incentives when you are in the States, by best friend uses them, but if you are heading out of the country you should definitely look into a bank that isn’t going to charge you ridiculous fees! :)

Thanks for including your local recommendation – I would love to find a bank that good in Florida, becuase I really like the local feel and being able to walk into a branch sometimes. But, Schwab is worth looking into if you need to change banks, or if you are looking to invest since they are really well known for that side of their business to!

I really enjoyed this, Shannon. I found it very interesting and informative. It was something I was curious about without ever really knowing I was curious about it. I am fortunate enough (for the moment) that I am not living paycheck to paycheck, but finances are always one of my concerns and priorities, and something that holds me back from doing all the things I want to do. I really, really enjoyed this article.

P.S. There is a single pic in which your prettiness does not shine!

Glad you liked it Bill and thanks for commenting! :) If you really really want something then it’s worth saving for…where there is a will there’s a way! What are your finances holding you back from?

Training how to SCUBA, then scuba and cage diving with Great White sharks.

Excellent and well worth waiting then! I know that’s one of your Big Dreams :)

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Credit Card vs. Debit Card: Which is the Best for Travel Abroad?.

Planning a trip overseas involves several aspects, and one important thing to consider is how you will use money when you get there. Failure to cover this part of the equation before leaving can lead to significant losses through fees, which is not how most travelers envision spending their funds.

To avoid these fees, it's crucial to find the best way to access and spend your money while abroad.

What’s the Best Way to Access and Spend Your Money While You Travel Abroad?

There are lots of ways to access your money while abroad, more than ever, in fact.

You could go credit cards only and leave the cash in your bank account to pay for it all when you return.

Or you could use your debit card to ensure that you don’t accidentally overspend (sometimes that credit card swipe can be a little too easy).

But which way is best?

Besides the fact that only you know what will work best for your habits, there are other considerations at play: making the choices that will charge the least amount of fees and that will potentially even earn you money.

Fees to Worry About While You Travel

When it comes to fees and travel, most people worry about the conversion rates.

And they should!

Depending on where you go, your money could either as much as double in value or go down to half of what it’s worth at home.

To a point, there’s not much you can do about it besides creating a budget that keeps that in mind, so you aren’t blindsided when it’s too late.

But conversion rates aren’t the only thing that can cost you money while you travel.

In fact, the fee that can be the peskiest of all is the foreign transaction fee.

Foreign transaction fees are charges that happen on every transaction you make while you’re traveling in a foreign country .

While these fees may not sound like much at first (usually around 3% at the most), they can add up very quickly - especially if you’re not likely to carry any cash while you travel.

Think about it this way, if you buy breakfast, lunch, and dinner while you’re away, that’s already three foreign transaction fees per day - that doesn’t even count buying train tickets or souvenirs or tickets for cultural events and institutions.

Multiply that minimum of 3 fees times one week-long trip, and suddenly you’re paying up to 3% of 21 transactions.

See how quickly that can get expensive?

The math makes this one simple.

No matter what kind of card you’re using to spend your money while you’re traveling in a foreign country, make sure it’s one that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

How You Can Earn Money While You Travel

Now that you know how to avoid fees when you travel let’s talk about how you can earn money while you travel .

Depending on the type of card you’re using (or what kind you get if you’re shopping for a new card), you could earn rewards for all kinds of different spending.

If you’re planning on using a card to make your purchases while you travel abroad anyway, why not earn some points , cash, or rewards for doing so?

If your current debit or credit card doesn’t offer rewards - or if you don’t usually focus on rewards because you spend with cash - consider the benefits of looking into a rewards card for your trip .

Chances are you won’t be using cash - so why not get paid for using your card?

If it’s a credit card, just make sure you pay the balance in full before the interest hits, so you don’t wind up losing more than you earn.

So What’s Best for Travel? Credit or Debit Cards?

Now that we’ve covered the fees to look out for and the ways to earn, let’s get into the real question: whether you should use a debit card or credit card while you travel.

The Pro and Cons of Using a Debit Card

If you’re using a debit card, you’re basically using cash. Whether you enter a pin at the time of purchase or select the “credit” option, that money is coming right out of your account within a few days time.

For someone who doesn’t want to run the risk of spending more than planned, this can be a good option.

After all, as easy as it is to swipe a card, there is still a finite money in your bank account to contend with.

The other benefit of using a debit card is that it also functions as an ATM card.

So if you need cash on hand, you can get it with your debit card. Just beware hefty ATM and exchange fees.

The biggest downfall of paying with debit versus a credit card is the fact that if a debit card is hacked, the funds from your bank account are at risk.

If you don’t have a credit card to use as a backup, then that could severely hamper your entire trip while you wait to get it all sorted out and free up your funds.

When someone makes charges on your account, the money you need for bills and living expenses are immediately taken away, giving you less to manage, overall.

You could face serious financial consequences if your bank account information is leaked and someone manages to use all of the funds.

Pending transactions or checks may bounce, and that could result in hurting your credit score.

It is possible to fix errors that were not your fault, but when a debit card is stolen it could cause you a bigger headache.

The Pros and Cons of Using a Credit Card

Unlike a debit card, there are far fewer limits to what you can spend.

As long as your credit limit is decently high, you have a lot of funds to work with.

The problem is, that makes it a little too easy sometimes to spend more than you can afford.

The benefit of using a credit card while you travel is a double-edged sword.

You can spend roughly as much as you’d like, but you don’t want to spend so much that it will take years to pay off.

One of the best things about using a credit card for foreign travel is that, if it’s stolen, you don’t have to worry about losing access to your real money.

However, you’ll still need to have a backup card (whether it’s debit or credit) if that happens.

Your issuer may still suspend your account while the situation gets resolved.

The con of using a credit card for travel is you won’t be able to use it at ATMs to access the cash in your bank account.

So if you find yourself at a cash-only establishment, you’re going to get stuck if you don’t also have cash or a debit card to withdraw some money.

The Best Approach Is a Combination of the Two

Since both options have a fair list of pros and cons, the real winner here is to use a combined approach.

Rather than asking if you should use a credit card or a debit card while you travel abroad, bring both.

Bringing both a credit and debit card helps prepare you for all the situations listed above - and when you’re far from home, being prepared can be a real game changer.

But when it comes down to which one you should use primarily, consider your spending habits.

If you’re afraid of overspending, stick to the debit card.

If you’re afraid of fraud, use a credit card. (The credit card won’t prevent fraud, but it does prevent your bank account from being accessed in case of fraud.)

No matter what you do, choose the option that works best for you in the end.

Federal Laws Regarding Debit and Credit Cards

What many people do not realize is that consumer protection laws have different guidelines regarding debit and credit card fraudulent activity.

Under the federal credit billing act, if a credit card number is stolen and used, the card owner is not held liable for any charges.

When a credit card is actually stolen, the card owner is not held liable for any charges as long as it is reported missing before transactions take place; otherwise, a maximum of $50 for fraudulent activity could be charged on the card.

Debit cards are a completely different story and give people more to lose if lost or stolen.

If a debit card is lost or stolen and reported before it is used, the card owner is not liable for any of the charges.

However, he/she may be held liable for $50 of fraudulent activity if it is reported within two business days after unauthorized use.

Reporting a stolen card is crucial to avoid paying penalties.

A cardholder could be responsible for up to $500 of fraudulent charges if he/she fails to report a lost or stolen debit card after two days of unauthorized use.

In addition, there is no real limit to the amount a person can lose if a debit card is not reported lost or stolen after the first 60 days of unauthorized usage.

Don’t Forget to Protect Your Money While You Travel

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than not being able to access your money.

That’s why it’s imperative to have some protections in place before you leave.

Here are the two most important things you can do to protect your money before you embark on foreign travel .

Tell Your Card Issuer You’re Going to Travel Abroad

First of all, call your credit card issuer before you go and alert them of your plans.

If you don’t, you might find that the first transactions you make abroad get declined immediately.

Usually, a card issuer would worry that this type of activity is fraudulent - it’s up to you to warn them, so they know it's you making the foreign purchases.

In order to do this, simply look up the customer service number on the back of your card or on your card issuer’s website.

Let them know where you’re going and for how long.

They can make a note of it on your account, so you won’t get declined after you go away.

Keep Your Personal Items on You

Finally, a protected debit or credit card is one that you know where it is.

When you’re embarking on adventures, buy a pack to strap them to your body under your clothes.

When you’re in busy markets, avoid putting them in open purses or your back pocket.

When you’re sitting down, keep your bags near your feet instead of behind or even next to your chair.

It’s not hard for a practiced thief to swipe a wallet or purse.

Keep your personal items on you and you’ll be less likely to endure theft.

Again, a rule that works both abroad and at home.

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The top 5 travel debit cards in 2024.

Debit cards make paying easier, but which is the best debit card for travelling overseas?

Using travel money cards overseas is extremely handy for paying for shopping, taxis, corner shops and withdrawing cash at ATMs.

It's a great option as long your bank does not charge fees for foreign transactions or ATM withdrawals.

So, how do you find out where to get the best travel debit cards?

To save you time, we've compared a large number of debit cards for overseas travellers to help you make the right decision.

The Best Travel Debit Cards:

Wise travel card.

• Revolut Australia Card

Macquarie Transaction Account Debit Card

• HSBC Global Everyday Account Debit Card

ING Orange Everyday Account Debit Card

Revolut Card Offer

Sign up and get a $15 top-up . For new customers only, T&Cs apply .

Best Exchange Rate

• 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

• 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

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.

• No monthly fees
• No foreign transaction fee
• No ATM fees in Australia
• No ATM fees overseas
• Contactless limit with no PIN up to $200 per transaction
• Joint accounts available
• Discounts of up to 10% on eGift cards to use at over 50 leading retailers

• Simple and easy to work out costs for account
• Can be used in Australia as an EFTPOS card
• Instant transfers can be made using PayID and OSKO
• Works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit and Garmin
• Available to 14 year olds and older
• Easily lock and unlock your card in the app if your card is lost or stolen
• Multi award winning account including Mozo Best Everyday Savings for 2021
• $2,000 daily limit for ATM withdrawals
• Exchange rates are MasterCard exchange rates, which are normally 2% - 6%+ the market rate
• Added security with a mobile app that sends actionable push notifications for you to approve or deny online transactions and account activity
• Tools for spending each time you make a transaction, it’s automatically categorised into groups such as groceries, travel, leisure or technology. In addition you can see how you're spending at a glance and over time.

There's a lot to love about the Macquarie Bank Transaction account debit card starting with no fees, no foreign transaction fees, no ATM fees in Australia or overseas. In addition the only fee you will pay is the currency conversion charged by Mastercard.

The debit card works in Australia and the contactless limit is $200, which is super handy. It also works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit and Garmin. Finally it has tools to help you track your spending, can be given to teenagers over 14 and is easy to lock or unlock your card through the app if lost or stolen.

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

• 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.

• No ATM fees
• No account keeping 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

• 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
• Can be used in Australia to buy goods overseas and not pay international transaction fees
• 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.

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

Prepaid Travel Card

Best Travel Card

Credit Card

The difference between a debit card and a travel card is that you preload a travel card with foreign currency before you leave. The exchange rate is set for your time overseas. Most preloaded currency cards have 10 different currencies on them for you to choose from.

A debit card only has Australian dollars in it. You pay a currency conversion fee every time you make an online overseas purchase or pay with your debit card overseas.

Using a debit card overseas is similar to how you use it in Australia and you wave your card over the charging device. You might be asked to key in your pin, which will be the same pin as you use in Australia. It is always advisable to let your bank know you are travelling overseas as they might block the transaction.

A travel card is better for currency exchange rates and a debit card is better for convenience. Both are equally good for security. A travel card has a cheaper currency exchange rate around 2% however a debit card is more expensive at around 4%. A debit card can be used in Australia once your travels are over and if you choose Macquarie , Up Bank , Citibank , HSBC or ING you will not pay for foreign transaction fees.

A good travel debit card will save you lots of money and does not charge monthly or account keeping fees. It does not charge a foreign transaction fee or fees to withdraw cash from ATMs in Australia or abroad. It has good security and is easy to transfer funds into when overseas.

You can use most Australian debit cards overseas, if you advise your bank you are travelling overseas in advance. In some cases you can not use your Australian debit card overseas, so it is best to check before you depart Australia.

The first thing to look for are no foreign transaction fees, these can be between 3-5%. Second, you need to look for a debit card that does not charge for overseas ATM withdrawals, as these can be $5 per transaction plus 3%. Therefore a cash withdrawal of $300 will withdraw $314 from your account.

Third, you need to look for a debit card with no monthly fees or account keeping fees. Finally you need to choose a debit card with good security and is easy to transfer money into while you are travelling overseas.

The pros of using a debit card overseas is that they are very convenient as you can use them when you return to Australia to pay for everyday items like groceries and fuel. They are generally accepted in most places around the world especially if they are linked to Visa or Mastercard.

The cons of using a debit card overseas is that they can get expensive if you choose one with foreign transaction fees, monthly fees and fees for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

Luckily the days of having to call an international number to report a stolen or lost card are gone. In most cases you should be able to notify your bank through the mobile app your debit card has been lost or stolen and they will deactivate your debit card immediately to stop unauthorised spending.

If you choose a Macquarie , Up Bank , Citibank , HSBC or ING debit card then you will not have any ongoing fees with an overseas debit card. If you choose the Commonwealth World, the NAB Platinum or Westpac Choice debit card you will have ongoing monthly fees.

It's simple. To move money to your debit card overseas, you login into the account you want to transfer money from and transfer your Australian dollars to the bank account that is linked to your debit card overseas. If your bank uses OSKO or Pay ID this should happen immediately, even if you are overseas at the time.

According to NerdWallet Mastercard gives the best currency conversion rates globally, giving better rates 70% of the time. This includes the major traded currencies such as the US dollar , Euro, Great British Pound , Australian dollar, Japanese yen , Hong Kong dollars, Canadian dollars , Singapore dollars , Swiss francs and New Zealand dollars . However Visa does give better currency conversion rate for Thai baht , Hungarian forint, Icelandic Krona and Tunisian dinar.

More Travel Card Guides

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).

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.

The Best Travel Debit Cards for Australians In 2024

Tom Goward | 27/03/2024

TLDR ; our experts rated Up ($15 free bonus), Ubank ($10 free on with code C7N1TAZ ) & Revolut (Free $15 exclusive Flight Hacks bonus) as the best travel debit cards for 2024.

No matter where you’re going or for how long, making use of a good travel debit card is one of the easiest ways to save money overseas. The problem is that amidst the excitement, the importance of selecting the best travel debit card often slips the minds of many Australians until the eleventh hour. Most novice travellers fail to realise their mistake until arriving home with an overstuffed suitcase and card fees that could’ve been easily avoided.

The harsh reality is that banks and airport currency exchange services will often rip you off, despite their claims of ‘zero fees’ or ‘0% commission’. Think about it, how can an exchange booth afford the insane airport rent if they don’t make a cent from running their business?!

The good news is that Australians have a few brilliant options when it comes time to select a travel money card. While the array of choices can be overwhelming, with a little research and planning, you can save a considerable sum just by using the right card!

WATCH: our video comparing 11 of the most popular travel cards in Australia!

In this post:

What About Prepaid Travel-Branded Cards?

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Many amateur travellers will use their day-to-day debit card overseas, simply because it’s easy to use a card that already has your money loaded and ready to go. But before tapping away, it’s important to understand the fees you’ll be in for.

When making international purchases, there are three main fees you should understand;

• International Transaction Rate: Charged when you make a purchase with an overseas merchant, often as a percentage of the total transaction. In Australia, many banks charge a foreign transaction fee of 3% or higher.
• Overseas ATM Withdrawal Fee: Charged for the privilege of withdrawing your own money at an overseas ATM, typically a fixed dollar amount per withdrawal. Sometimes the ATM operator will charge an additional fee for using their ATM. How fun!
• Foreign Exchange Markup: This is where banks are especially sneaky. While you might think you’re getting the real exchange rate, like you’d see searching Google or XE, banks will make up their own rate which includes a hidden fee on top. Of course, you will only be shown the ‘final price’ to hide the fee applied to the real rate.

If you’ve been looking for the perfect card to use overseas, you would have seen big banks and loyalty schemes offering travel money cards. But just because your day-to-day bank offers a dedicated travel card, it doesn’t mean you should get one. In fact, if a card has the word “travel” as part of its name, RUN AWAY while you still can. That is, unless you like being shafted by some of the richest companies in Australia.

Prepaid options like the Commbank Travel Money Card and Qantas Travel Money Card typically offer a portal where you can preload a foreign currency, before arriving at your destination. While it might sound logical to have your money in the correct currency before payment, the fees involved can be astronomical. Despite the promise of “fee-free load options”, there’s almost always a huge foreign exchange markup when you send Australian Dollars to a prepaid card.

The other downside is that you’re forced to lock-in the exchange rate when loading Australian Dollars. While this is marketed as a perk, it’s also a potential disaster if the exchange rate moves against you, after you’ve transferred your entire spending money across. So, unless you have a crystal ball that predicts when the exchange rate is best, I wouldn’t see it as a benefit myself.

Although Visa and Mastercard don’t offer cards themselves, they do have a say in determining the foreign exchange rate you’ll get. While prepaid cards devise their own inflated rates, the best cards, which we will share below, utilise the Visa or Mastercard exchange rate without applying a markup. The difference between the two is almost non-existent, so there is no point in selecting your card based on the payment network.

The table below shows how much Visa and Mastercard offered for 1 AUD as of 27th March 2024. As you can see, the rates are identical, except for JPY where the difference is minuscule anyway.

How Much Can I Save By Using A Good Card?

How much you can save will depend on the fees associated with your day-to-day card, how much you spend and where you spend it. Let’s compare transactions if you were to use the Commbank Travel Money, Qantas Travel Money or Up Debit cards.

The Commbank Travel Money card charges a flat 3% fee for currency conversion on purchases and withdrawals. Qantas Travel Money claims to have “no fee” for purchases in their marketing material, but their foreign exchange rate adds an insane markup.

As an example, say you paid your 500 Euro hotel bill using one of these cards. Based on our testing (on 27th March 2024), Commbank would charge a $24.92 fee, while Qantas slaps a disgusting $47.13 or 5.67% markup on top of the real exchange rate. Remember – the Qantas card has access to Mastercard’s foreign exchange rates, and if they so pleased, could offer the same true fee-free rate as Up’s Mastercard option.

The Commbank Travel Money card charges $3.5 for ATM withdrawals, charged in the currency from which you’re making the withdrawal. Qantas charges a different rate depending on which currency you’re withdrawing, but for Euros, it’s €1.5. Of course, Up doesn’t charge a fee.

As an example, say you need to withdraw 500 Euros from an ATM. The conversion fees are the same as above, but you’d need to pay an additional fee for using the ATM. Keep in mind that the ATM you use could charge its own fee, but this will apply to most cards so it’s the same across the board.

Our Picks: Best Travel Debit Cards In 2024

Now that you understand how critical it is to utilise a good debit card overseas, it’s time to explore the best options for Australian travellers. Not all banks provide the same features, so be sure to shop around and find a good fit for you. We’d also recommend packing at least one backup card in the event your main card becomes lost or stolen.

• Payment Network: Mastercard
• International Transaction Rate: 0%
• Overseas ATM Fee: $0
• Account Fee: $0

Sign-Up Bonus: $15 – For a limited time, you can receive a $10 welcome bonus for becoming an Upsider! Join using our Up Bank invite code to score $15 after joining.

Up is a digital bank (owned by Bendigo & Adelaide Bank) that proves it’s possible to love your bank. Setup is a breeze, and of course, Up charges absolutely nothing when you use an Up Debit card overseas. As a neobank, Up doesn’t have any physical branches, with everything easily handled from within the best banking app I’ve ever used. It’s super clean by design and packed full of useful features like payment splitting, the ability to detect recurring charges, easy payments to friends by name and detailed spending insights.

Want the full story? Check out our detailed Up Debit Card Review !

• Payment Network: Visa

Sign-Up Bonus: $10 – For a limited time, you can use our Ubank referral code C7N1TAZ to score $10 in your new Ubank account after making 5 purchases within 30 days of signup.

Ubank is another digital bank with zero fees for using your connected debit card overseas. While the app isn’t quite as fantastic as Up’s offering, Ubank is still a great option. The upside is that Ubank also offers savings accounts that have consistently given some of the highest interest rates in Australia. Not to mention joining takes just a few minutes and they offer a joint account option.

After more info? Read out our complete Ubank Debit Card Review !

• Overseas ATM Fee: $0 ($350-$1400/m fee-free limit based on plan)
• Account Fee: $0-$24.99/month (based on plan)

Sign-Up Bonus: We’ve partnered with Revolut to offer Flight Hacks readers an exclusive $15 in their new account. Join via this link to score $15 after making 1 transaction within 14 days.

Everything money is accessible with Revolut, from spending on your debit card to investing in stocks and EFTs, crypto, gold and silver. From a travel perspective, Revolut offers minimal fees and the ability to preload your card with one of several currencies or spend using AUD at the current exchange rate. SmartDelay also offers complimentary airport lounge passes for you and up to 3 friends when your flight is delayed by more than an hour.

Revolut is also great for those travelling with anyone aged 6 to 17, thanks to the option for parents and legal guardians to create a linked account for their children. The main account holder gains access to a bunch of insights and controls, while under 18’s can spend their own funds with the same money-saving perks as the main account holder.

In Australia, Revolut offers users a free Standard plan, in addition to increased perks on a Premium ($9.99/month) or Metal ($24.99/month) membership. While also including a solid reinforced steel card, the Metal option offers monthly benefits like three fee-free international payments, unlimited fee-free weekday currency exchange and fee-free ATM withdrawals up to $1,400. Not willing to pay for a full year? You can always upgrade for your trip and cancel the plan once you return home.

Ready to learn more? View our Revolut Australia guide !

• I nternational Transaction Rate: 0%

If you’re after a debit card for travel from a big bank, but not quite big enough to rip you off, Macquarie has you covered. Although the app and online banking portal are in desperate need of an update, the product itself is hard to fault.

Macquarie also offers a few perks like a luggage return service that will pester the airline on your behalf, if they mishandle your checked baggage. There is a small service fee for this, but if your bag is not returned within 96 hours, you’ll receive a $100 payout per lost bag. In addition, cardholders have access to a concierge service, card purchase cover and wallet guard cover. Considering this is just a debit card, those are some nice benefits to have up your sleeve.

Deposits made on a Macquarie Transaction Account can also earn interest, up to 4.75% p.a (as of March 2024).

HSBC’s worldwide reach makes its Everyday Global Account an attractive offering. If you need to make an ATM withdrawal, you can visit a HSBC ATM to guarantee zero withdrawal fees around the world! The exception is in Argentina, France, Greece, Mexico, Malta and Turkey where there is a small fee.

There’s an option to buy and transfer between ten currencies (AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, HKD, CAD, JPY, NZD, SGD, CNY), although HSBC does hide a foreign markup here by using their own HSBC Daily Exchange Rate. For the best rate, simply load AUD onto the debit card before spending overseas, where the Visa exchange rate will apply with zero markup.

Plus, if you deposit at least $2,000 into your Everyday Global Account before the last business day of each calendar month, you can earn 2% cashback up to $50 per month. You’ll earn cashback on eligible purchases with Australian merchants under $100, when you spend via payWave, Apple Pay or Google Pay. There are a few transactions that won’t be eligible, including public transport, car parking and vending machines.

• Overseas ATM Fee up to 350 AUD/month: $0
• Overseas ATM Fee over 350 AUD/month: $1.50 ($1.50+1.75% for 3+ withdrawals)
• Card Load Fee: 0% to 2% depending on currency
• Physical Card Fee: $10

Wise (previously Transferwise) used to offer one of the best cards out there, until moving to an overly complex fee structure that feels very ‘banky’. That includes a $10 fee if you’d like a physical debit card, and high fees for withdrawing money overseas, once you go over the small monthly allowance. We do appreciate that those fees aren’t hidden, and you’ll see the exact exchange rate and the Wise fee applied before completing a transfer.

Because they still offer a real mid-market rate and are one of the best options for transferring foreign currency between friends, Wise still makes our list. They also offer a cool virtual card feature, that can be useful for pesky subscriptions or transactions where you want to cancel your card afterwards, without the consequences.

All up, Wise is a solid option if you need to make a bunch of transfers, but one to avoid if you plan on using overseas ATMs.

Keen on Wise? Why not read our Wise Australia review !

We’d be here all day if we reviewed every Aussie debit card with zero foreign transaction fees and fee-free overseas ATM withdrawals. Our guide above covers the best options for most travellers, but there are a few cards that deserve an honourable mention.

• Bankwest Easy Transaction Account
• ME Bank SpendME Transaction Account
• Suncorp Everyday Options Account

Australia’s Worst Travel Debit Cards Revealed

Many big banks and frequent flyer schemes market travel money cards, but often, these come packed with hidden fees that make them completely useless. Unless you enjoy giving away your money (in which case you should send it directly to us), here are some popular options to avoid;

• International Transaction Rate: “free” with hidden markup
• Overseas ATM Fee : approx. $1.95 – $3.00 (varies with currency)
• Card Load Fee: 0.5%

Qantas Travel Money is possibly the worst travel card out there. While advertising zero exchange fees, the ridiculously expensive “Qantas Travel Money Daily Rate” is used when you transfer funds between currencies or make a purchase. For example, in our €500 spend test above, using the Qantas Travel Money would cost a whopping $47.13 more than using a fee-free Up debit card. That’s a hidden markup of 5.67% – and Qantas will still charge an ATM fee!

For international purchases, you can earn 1.5 Qantas Points for every $1 equivalent spent in foreign currency. Even though we love Qantas Points, the insane nearly 6% markup is a complete ripoff and not worth paying to earn points.

• Foreign Exchange Rate: 3%
• Overseas ATM Fee: A$3.50
• Card Load Fee: “free” with hidden markup

Despite its widespread usage, the Commbank Travel Money Card is another terrible option for overseas spending. That popularity comes from Commbank’s extensive customer base within Australia, with many travellers sticking with the one bank, instead of exploring better alternatives. But the thing is, each of the no-fee options listed above can be funded instantly from your existing Commbank account, so there is no upside to using Commbank Travel Money.

While the card itself is free to hold, there’s a 3% conversion fee applied with each transaction made in a different currency. Additionally, you’ll pay $3.50 for every overseas ATM withdrawal. Commbamk becomes an even worse option once you realise how misleading their advertising of “no reload fees” is. While technically true, Commbank makes up its own exchange rate for card loads, which is approximately 4.4% worse than the Visa rate (at the time of writing). Essentially, this translates to a 4.4% fee when loading foreign currency onto the Commbank Travel Money Card.

• Overseas ATM Fee: $5
• In-Store Load Fee: 1.1% or $15 (whichever is higher)
• Online Load Fee: $0
• Inactivity Fee: $4 monthly (once your card is inactive for 12 months)
• Closure Fee: $10

You only have to read the endless list of fees to realise the Travelex Money Card is about as deceptive as it gets. Travelex does offer unlimited fee-free overseas ATM withdrawals, which is nice, but once you realise the other fees that are adding up and decide to close your account – oh wait, there’s a fee for that! You’ll also need to pay Travelex a monthly fee for the privilege of NOT using your card, once it becomes inactive for 12 months.

Travelex’s PDS says their foreign exchange rate is “set and determined by Mastercard”. What they don’t openly admit is that there is a hidden markup, which is easily spotted when you compare the Travelex exchange rate to that offered by Mastercard.

• International Transaction Rate: 3%

When NAB acquired Citibank in Australia, they removed one of the best big-bank travel cards available (the Citibank Saver Plus) and directed new customers to the NAB Visa Debit Card. As far as international spending, this new option is an absolute waste of plastic.

Instead of guaranteed free transitions at Citibank’s enormous overseas ATM network, you’ll get charged $5 at every single overseas ATM – yay! There’s also a juicy 3% international transaction rate, so you’ll pay a fee regardless of how you spend your money overseas.

ANZ Plus is ANZ’s new digital banking service that comes with a transaction account and a linked savings account. ANZ and ANZ Plus are like two peas in a pod, except one pea decided to get a snazzy makeover and call itself ‘Plus’. It’s as if ANZ woke up one day and thought, ‘You know what this bank needs? Another version of itself that’s slightly better but nearly identical’.

In all honesty, ANZ Plus is a solid product to use within Australia, with a cool banking app, competitive interest rate and useful insights to help you save money. But the good news stops there, with ANZ’s better version of itself keeping the fees for international use. You’ll pay $5 for overseas ATM withdrawals and a 3% fee on foreign transactions.

• Foreign Exchange Rate: 0%
• Overseas ATM Fee: approx. $1.50-$3.50 (varies with currency)

As far as big-bank travel cards go, Westpac’s Travel Money Card (also known as the Westpac Worldwide Wallett) isn’t quite as terrible as the rest. Although there are still hidden fees when you load your card, as well as when you withdraw money from an overseas ATM. The only reason we say Westpac’s travel card isn’t as awful is that they use the Mastercard rate when spending in currencies you don’t have loaded, without a markup. But overall, this is still one to avoid.

We used to love ING’s Orange Everyday card for overseas spending. But as the card became more and more popular, ING decided to capitalise by introducing international transaction fees, and then raise them even higher.

You can get all international transaction fees rebated, but you’ll need to make at least 5 eligible purchases and deposit at least $1,000 to one of your personal ING accounts every month. The same can be said for overseas ATM withdrawals, of which the first five fees can be rebated provided you make at least 5 eligible purchases and deposit at least $2,000 to one of your personal ING accounts every month.

Because of this unnecessary step to qualify for zero fees, we no longer recommend the ING Orange Everyday for travel.

With so many fee-free travel debit cards available, there’s no reason why you should pay banks every time you need to spend money overseas. With a little research into a travel debit card that suits you, it’s pretty easy to save thousands in bank fees.

Alongside a fee-free card, be sure to employ these tips when spending overseas;

• Never pay in Australian Dollars: It’s one of the biggest travel card scams out there as merchants will make up their own terrible foreign exchange rate, and then charge a fee on top, to convert the local price to Australian dollars. You’ve probably paid with an EFTPOS machine or used an ATM that asks if you want to pay in AUD instead of the local currency. While it might sound like you’re getting a better deal with Australian dollars, this is almost never the case. Be sure to pay in the local currency, using a fee-free card above.
• Check for fees applied by the ATM: While any good debit card will offer zero ATM fees, that doesn’t stop ATM operators from charging their own fees. The machine should tell you before charging a fee.
• Be prepared with multiple card options: In case your card stops working, is stolen or becomes lost it’s a good idea to have a backup card.
• Use your travel debit card for online purchases: Avoid foreign transaction fees when shopping online with overseas merchants by using your card for travel.

I am going to visit [insert destination] – which card should I use?

The cards we recommend above are great for spending overseas. Be sure to consider the features important to you (eg. no ATM fees) when selecting a card for travel.

Which card uses the best currency conversion rates?

We have compared Visa and Mastercard’s spot rates above – there is little difference. Be sure to use a card that uses these spot rates, without applying a markup.

Can I use any Australian debit card overseas?

Nearly all Australian debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard symbol will work around the globe. There are a few exceptions, for example, many cards are currently blocked within Russia and other regions of conflict.

Should I tell my bank where I’m going?

It’s not something we regularly do, but it doesn’t hurt to notify your bank that you’ll be travelling overseas to avoid international purchases being mistaken for suspicious activity.

Why shouldn’t I transfer a bunch of AUD to the currency I will be spending?

It’s a bad idea to convert money ahead of your trip unless you have a crystal ball and know which way the exchange rate will move. If the exchange rate changes in your favour, you could lose out big time. The most accurate rate is achieved with a fee-free card loaded with AUD, using the payment provider’s spot rate

Can I use any frequent flyer credit card overseas?

While your Australian credit card will work overseas, most will charge a 3% fee when spending in a foreign currency. If your card earns a high number of points per dollar, that fee could be worth paying. It just depends how many points you’re going to get, and what fee you’ll be charged.

Which travel debit card is best for international travel?

The best travel debit card is going to have low or no international transaction fees, as well as the features that best suit you. Be sure to check out the best cards listed in this guide.

Chief Operating Officer & Aviation Nerd at Flight Hacks

Off to Singapore and KL in October, got the BankSA Worldide Wallet card. Unsure whether I’d be better off using a card like the Up debit card instead.

Seems like an “ok” product but they charge for ATM withdrawal, in Europe 2 euros per transaction, 2USD in the US and 1.5GBP in the UK unless you use one of their partner ATMs. I’d say use UP if you’re unsure about whether the ATM you’re about to use is affiliated with Bank SA to save on the fee.

Hi Emmanuel, with the up debit card an u bank card , can you load the money from central america on there to take out? and or can you use the card over there anyway?

No, you can’t. If you want to load a foreign currency, I’d use Revolut or Wise.

Re: unbanked & up – both are digital banks so when I go overseas to Europe how do I notify these digital ‘banking institutions’ of my overseas travel dates so they don’t block my cards?

Hi Jefr, digital bank only means they don’t have a physical branch you can walk into. Personally, I can’t recall the last time I went into a physical bank. As for letting them know you’re travelling, I’ve never done this with either Ubank and Up and have had zero problems. When it comes to fraud, 99% of happens online so they do have a function where you can turn on or off international payments within the app. When you’re traveling and shopping, most of the banks now are smart enough to detect genuine transactions and don’t block you.

I have the Citibank one, it’s fantastic I find. Good rate which I locked in before travel so I know exactly how much I have to spend, I am even in Hawaii at the moment and even though the ATM operator says it charges $4.35USD per withdrawal, my card has not charged it.

I think it’s a mistake to lock in rates before you travel unless you have a crystal ball and know which way the FX market is going to move. Personally, I prefer to convert on the spot which gets you the best rate each time.

Not sure why Wise (previously known as Transferwise) makes on the list but HSBC Everyday Global Account didn’t make the cut. They also offer $0 ATM fees (no cap on withdrawal per month) and 0% overseas transaction fee.

Hi JW, it’s definitely not a complete list and HSBC is a pretty good product as well. I’ve got an HSBC Everyday Global Account but don’t use it because the app is a pain.

how about Bankwest https://www.bankwest.com.au/personal/bank-and-save/bank-accounts/easy

Also not a bad product, does pretty much the same as Up/Ubank etc.

what do you think is the best travel card for Moldova? I know not many people go there, but being a non EU country whose currency isn’t in much demand, I think we get stung when withdrawing from an atm. I’m using the QANTAS travel card. It was many currency wallets, but no Moldovan Leu. In Chisinau, Moldova seems to default to taking US dollars. I get the feeling we are double converting. AUD to USD and then to Leu. Ouch!

Do you know any other alternative?

Hi Ben, one of the debit cards listed here will work just as well. You should never convert money beforehand unless you have a crystal ball and know which way the FX markets will move 😀 The Qantas travel debit card isn’t a great product as they take a much too large percentage on every transaction or conversion you make. I would just use a debit card (or credit card) that doesn’t charge FX and let your bank do the conversion on the spot, much easier.

Thanks for a very interesting article about these attractive products. However, a doubt remains – how do these cards make money out of you? That is, what they do not take with one hand, must be taken by the other.

Hi Tom, most products listed above are not advertised as a “travel card”; why is that you may ask? It’s because the features they offer don’t make them much money, sure they might get a cut from the Mastercard or Visa spot rate but that’s not their main breadwinner. These products offer these specific features in the hope that you will move away from your traditional bank (think Westpac, Commbank, ANZ) and do all your everyday banking with them.

What do you think is better the citibank card, ubank or travelwise? 🙂 Tossing between those 3.

I’d go with Ubank since they are an actual Australian bank and the limits of Transferwise are somewhat limiting (no pun intended). Citi is also good but the app and website are not user friendly IMO. Bonus of Ubank is that they give you $20!

Could you please elaborate more on what the limits are for the Transferwise?

No limits for card payments but there is a very restrictive limit for ATM withdrawals which is $350 a month with max 2 cash out transactions. After that, they charge a fee.

JEN, Citi have withdrawn from the multi currency markets since they where purchased BY NAB. SAD, they were a great card

I have been researching some of the reviews on the cards, some adamantly say don’t use ING because of poor customer support when something goes wrong. Do you know of any that standout as having a good track record for customer support?

I’ve used ING in the past, and didn’t have a bad experience. That said, I’ve never been in a situation where I would need real customer support. For what it’s worth, Up bank has a chat feature within the app so that’s handy when you need a replacement card or something.

Can confirm support is not great, had several issues lately. Call centre times 20-30+ minute wait minimum, which especially sucks while overseas. Need to use Skype, etc or request a call back which can take days. Trying to resolve via messages is useless, appears they are unable to authorise anything this way.

On the plus side only ones that refund ATM fees so unfortunately still recommend them, have saved me a significant amount. Make sure you have several backups, to be honest have all the cards recommended – no fees and no stress if issues occur.

Hey Immanuel, Which is the better of Ubank and Up and why, especially considering you say Mastercard gives better rates than Visa? Thanks in advance!

Also between those and Travelex which I keep reading about?

Maybe times have changed but Travelex offers the worst travel cards/services IMO. As a general rule it’s safe to avoid anything that has the word travel in its name.

I found out that Travelex have competitive rates on their card – and the fees are $0 from our point of view. We can’t protect ourselves from the other side, but at least we can protect ourselves from the Australian point of view.

Plus, you can talk to a physical person in store about it. You can’t do that with the others – I’ve tried wise – and you do a chat – which i hate. I prefer the customer in person approach – especially if things go wrong – you can talk to a person in person and over the phone – and they have toll free numbers around the world for help.

Rates and fees are one thing – BUT HELP AND SUPPORT is a big factor for me when using a Travel card overseas.

Hi Miguel, I would argue the opposite. Travelex makes some of the worst products on the market, that said they do offer convenience (exchange money at the airport). For this, you’re paying a conversion fee of 3.65% (based on the Visa spot rate AUD-USD calculated today), this might not sound like a lot but it’s a rip-off in my book. Up, Ubank, Revolut, Citi Bank, ING etc. offer far superior products with full support (they have a banking license) and best of all they don’t charge fees, on top of that they’re just everyday bank accounts which is an added bonus. The physical people you talk to at Travelex are just salespeople, I’m not sure what sort of support you would need/expect from them? Personally, I carry multiple (free) cards with me so if one gets blocked for whatever reason (which has never happened) I just switch to the other one. Cheers, Immanuel.

Both are pretty much the same, bonus is that you get $20 with Ubank. For rate difference between Visa and MasterCard to matter much you would need to spend a lot of $$, instead, I would prioritise ease of use.

Going to US in 2 weeks. Just wanted to check your advice please. You mentioned “You should never convert money beforehand unless you have a crystal ball and know which way the FX markets will move”. Does this mean I should load up a Ubank Card with AUD and use this for both direct purchases and ATM withdrawals & rely on spot rates? It seems from the discussions above that foreign exchange occur at the UBank end. Is this a correct understanding?

Hi Geoff, your understanding is spot on. Converting currency in advance, hoping you will get a good deal is the equivalent of gambling, nothing wrong with it but the chances you get it right are just as good as the chance of getting it wrong. Ubank is just like any other Australian bank account, free to have money in your account and once you pay with your card it will be converted on the spot by Ubank.

Is there a conversion fee when you buy on the spot with a Ubank or Up card? Also can i book accommodation here in Australia and then just pay at the hotel using the Ubank card and it will just convert with no transaction or conversion fees?

Ubank is an Australian bank, they issue a free debit card (just like any other bank in Australia). You can’t have any currency other than AU$ on it so yes, your account will always have AU$ and it will be converted on the spot to pay for any transaction in any currency that’s supported by Visa, as per our article there’s 0% conversion fee imposed by Ubank (that’s why we like it). The card and bank account have no fees so of course you wouldn’t be charged a fee for booking accommodation using this card either.

Thanks for the article. Do the recommended cards offer travel insurance?

Hi Raymond, for cards with travel insurance you can check out our frequent flyer credit cards here , I can’t think of any debit cards that would offer free travel insurance. Since insurance is very personal, I can’t give you a recommendation as I don’t know your circumstances. However, I can tell you which one I personally use. For me I rely on Amex Business Platinum travel insurance as it’s activated even if I don’t use the card to purchase my flights, it also covers additional card holders so anyone I have listed on my account is automatically covered.

Amex non business credit card don’t give you travel insurance unless u buy your ticket with their card. The issue is if you buy a points flight, which is only technically paying tax, not actual flight, they won’t cover you with travel insurance when u claim as haven’t actually bought a fight. Hard lesson to learn.

ANZ Black or Platinum give you 6 months travel insurance per trip ( including family traveling with you) plus 6 months income protection of $1700/month(may be more $ now, they paid that much in 2017). As long as you spend $250 of your trip eg accommodation on your ANZ card and have a return ticket which can be a points bought one before leaving Australia. Also any auxiliary card holders are entitled to this insurance cover if travelling independently from you. Both my adult children used this to cover them on international trips at great savings. Also earn the most points / $ spend with ANZ black of any credit card except maybe business AMEX card. I never paid for travel insurance and have saved heaps over the years with this. Non cover you for extreme sports though or riding motor bikes if don’t have a bike licence in Australia or illegal to in the country you are riding eg Vietnam. Also can get a certificate prior to leaving saying they are covering you in certain countries of travel if needed.

Hi Immanuel I have a 15 year old daughter going on a 3 month student exchange to Italy at the end of this month. A number of travel websites recommend paying in cash in Italy so regular ATM use will be expected. She will be staying in a smalll village in Tuscany so may not have access to some of the “international/fee-free” ATMs. She will likely be spending around $600 per month (which exceeds some of the monthly fee-free ATM limits). A lot of the recommended debit cards have restrictions for under 18s. What do you recommend for her? Thanks

Hi Stephen, I believe all of these products have an age limit of 16 or older, not sure why but no doubt has something to do with government legislation. What I would do is open an account in your name and just give her the card to use and app login to manage her money. Paying by card is much more popular in Europe now than it ever was and it’s especially usefull when adding the card to a mobile wallet such as iPhone/Samsung etc. Ubank and Up are both very much geared towards young people so I think those would be good options to try out.

Great discussions. Thanks all. How about these cards Westpac – http://www.westpac.com.au/international-travel/travel-money-card/ Commbank Travle money card – https://www.commbank.com.au/travel/travel-money-card.html?ei=prod_TMC

Please advise. Thanks once again.

Westpac is alright but they charge ATM fees so I’d pass for that reason alone. Commbank, avoid unless you want to pay 3% on your transactions. The problem with these cards is that they want you to load it up with foreign currency, however, unless you’re a successful FX trader by profession, the chance of you timing the markets is slim. So essentially you’re gambling on the idea of currency either going up or down, if you were to just let your card convert it on the spot, you would always pay the market price which would then average out over time.

Thanks Immanuel, great discussions. How about wise card and what’s your opinion about it.

Also good but the limits are somewhat prohibitting.

Do you know if you need to convert currency with the Westpac worldwide wallet? I’m travelling to Vietnam and it’s not a listed currency. I would like to withdraw cash.

Hey Mae. Yes, Westpac Worldwide Wallet would require you to convert AUD before using the card, essentially gambling on the exchange rate. While that could work in your favour if the exchange rate worsens, you could also lose out big time. Westpac Worldwide Wallet does not currently support VND. Because of this and the extra fees Westpac charges, you might prefer the UBank or Up cards as mentioned above. Happy travels, Tom.

What is the best travel card for ATM withdrawals. We intend to pay for most things such as meals, taxifares and public transport by cash in the UK and Ireland. Is this the most cost effective method or are we better off just presenting our card when paying for goods and services. TIA

Hi David, Ubank and Up both don’t charge ATM fees so that would be my pick. When paying, it might be easier by card as then you don’t have to convert any leftover currency back but it depends where you go. Small towns in Europe for example sometimes don’t have card facilities so it’s just easier to pay in cash.

Hi Immanuel.

Just confirming, is the link below the ‘travel’ card for UBank, as it is coming up as a ‘transaction’ account rather than ‘travel’ card, so I want to make sure it is the right one?

https://www.ubank.com.au/banking/transaction-account

Any other advice regarding using this card (if the correct one) or UBank’s travel card (please send link) would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Hi Joe, they only have 1 type of account as far as I’m aware. The product isn’t advertised as a “travel card” because they don’t really make money from it. That said, it makes an excellent travel card because it doesn’t charge fees, it’s easy to manage, free and they give you $20 for joining. As previously mentioned, by warry when a product brands itself as “travel” related; there are usually fees associated.

Hi, I was just wondering with up bank do I have to create another account with wise. Just a bit confused. Thanks

Hi, no you don’t unless you plan to send money to family/friends via international transfer. If you just want to use the debit card to pay for stuff and take money out of the ATM, you don’t need to do anything.

Hi Immanuel, Do you know which card would be best to take to Bali? My son will be taking AUD cash as well to change over there for a more favourable rate but lots of cash is a risk.I’ve also heard that ATM’s charge their own fee (randomly) and when making purchases using a credit or debit card a 3% fee is charged. Can you confirm or deny? 🙂 Thanks

Hi Jenny, I wouldn’t take cash, the rate you would get from a vendor will most certainly be worse than what you can get at an ATM. The debit cards listed above such as Up, Ubank etc don’t charge any fees. If an ATM charges you fees, it will always disclose this before you proceed with the transaction, most often it’s a fixed amount. Always use reputable bank ATMs and you will be fine 🙂

Hi Immanuel, thanks for the advice above.

Which is the best card for us?

My partner is heading of the the USA, Canada. Then we are flying across to meet her in Netherlands, then Scotland followed by a trip to Italy for a holiday.

She likes the Wise Travel, I like the Macquarie. I think the limit on withdrawals from atms is a pain in the wise one. She thinks the Wise one has a better currency conversion rate since Macquarie uses Mastercard rate.

What are your thoughts? It’s hard to find detail on ubank and what their currency conversion rate is.

If you plan to use the ATM a lot, I’d stay clear from Wise as they are very limited on withdrawals. If the cards are free, get both that way you always have a backup. Personally, I take an Up debit card and Ubank debit card, if one gets blocked or I lose it somehow I have a backup and it takes seconds to transfer funds from one account to another.

Hi. Just trying to understand how you transfer money if one card has been lost/ stolen, wouldn’t every transaction be blocked ??

You can just lock the card it self. This means you can still use the account.

I just wanted to come here to say thank you Immanuel, so much information – exactly what I wanted to know and have been agonising over! The fact you are still answering the questions a few months after the article was written!

Hey Chantelle, thanks for the kind words! We’re actually planning to add more products to this article soon to expand the comparison for people.

Ditto from me – your info has been really helpful to me to choose the right card for travelling o/s. Just got word from Citibank that they will be closing down their travel card that I have used for last 10 years, so I am in the market for a new one. This article and the follow up discussions have been invaluable. I’m tossing up between UBank & Up Bank. Thanks again for a very informative article and more importantly, the follow up discussions.

Thanks Lisa! Both Ubank and Up are pretty much identical when it comes to real world use. It will come down to which app you find easiest to use. Try them both, it’s free after all 🙂

Totally agree!! How often do we find a site with an article and ability to comment…only to never hear from the author…way too often!

I travel internationally on occasion (Australia bound next month) and I think this discussion is incredibly valuable!! I’ll be getting both Up and Ubank as there is really only an upside to both.

Thanks for the feedback Bryan! When readers take time to comment, we take time to respond. It’s also very useful for others reading this article as it adds information that might not have been clear or mentioned in the main content.

Hi After reading all this I’m still not too sure. I’m traveling to UK and USA in December 22 and have applied for a Revolut card, what do you think? Regards Elly

Hey Elly, Revolut is also really good. You might even want to consider switching to their premium product for the duration of your travel as it might be worth it 🙂

Hi, Interesting article on paying for things overseas! One question/comment. I think it is necessary to advise the bank that your card will being used overseas? Otherwise the bank may put a stop on the account in case it is being used illegally.

Hi Neil, I personally don’t advise them and haven’t experienced any issues (with debit cards that is)

Hi Immanuel, we are travelling to Thailand next year. My sister uses Latitude 28 Degrees Global Platinum Mastercard. Is this any good? Otherwise, I’ll go with the Ubank card. Thanks for some great advice. Regards, Melissa

Yes, it’s good, no FX fees but it’s a credit card so not good if you want to take cash out. Ubank is a debit card/bank account so it’s perfect for taking cash out of ATMs etc.

Hi Just want to which debit card is best for Switzerland? I am traveling from Australia

Hi Ali. Any of the six cards we have listed above will suit your travel to Switzerland.

Im going to europe this year, ill be using card a lot, dont think i need to use atm much. Im considering either UP, wise or NAB platnium. I have considered the NAB platnium because they offer free travel insurance. Do you have any more advice, which would be best for me. Thank you.

Hi Karla, if you plan to use the card a lot it should work out ok since they charge $10 a month account-keeping fee which can be offset by the cashback rebate of up to $10 per month. Just make sure you read the T&C of the insurance to make sure it’d adequate for you.

Hi Immanuel going to Bali and if I get the UBank card do I just put aud in it, and when I pay at restaurants does it just convert to IDR then or do I have to change my Aud to idr.

Hi Chrissie. Good choice! Just load your UBank card with AUD and when you pay it will convert to IDR automatically. Blue skies, Tom.

Hi, thanks for providing such great information it’s really helped narrow down the search for the best debit card to use for our honeymoon. We are travelling to Cancun Mexico and considering either Citibank Plus or HSBC Global account. Do you think we will be fine with these cards?

Hey Adele. HSBC is a good product, although the app needs some serious work. Citi will serve you well along with the other cards listed here. Happy travels, Tom.

Am going on a six month trip – 3 months total in Morocco and Tanzania, and then 3 months in Europe. Am agonising over how to do the money thing – don’t want to carry wads of cash and don’t want to pay loads of fees if I pay by card or make frequent atm withdrawals. Would the Ucard be a good option for me if I just load it up with AUD before I go?

Ubank, Up, Revolut… all good options and will do exactly what you need.

Choosing a card is really hard as the reviews are not that great with any of them. Want to get a card which offers security for my money and easy access to it. I am planning to go to Europe and am worried I wont be able to use my card because its blocked or funds have disappeared (comments in a few google threads). Are all these cards covered by the government guarantee? Are these cards supported by large banks with good customer support should something go wrong?

Many thanks

Hi Diane. We have listed the best cards for travel above, you may wish to consider these for your trip to Europe. Under the Financial Claims Scheme (FCS), deposits of up to $250,000 are protected at licenced banks in Australia. As for the neobanks cards above, Up is backed by Bendigo Bank and UBank by NAB. In my experience, their customer support is fantastic. Cheers, Tom.

Hi Diane. We have compared Visa and Mastercard currency conversion rates above – there is little difference here. As long as you are using a card with zero foreign transaction fees, these are the rates that will apply. Cheers, Tom.

Thank you for the article. My concern is how long will it take for money to be transferred from another bank account onto these Travel Cards so that funds are available? Are you better off getting a travel card from your current bank to get the instant transfer?

Hey Poppy. If your current bank and the the card you will use for travel both support Osko, deposits will be instant. You can check what banks support Osko by clicking here . Cheers, Tom.

Surely ING is worth a mention? As far as I know they’re the only one that offers ATM fee rebates. Unfortunately they’ve recently limited this to 5 per month (whether domestic or international), but depending on the country this could still be worth ~$50. If you only withdraw cash once a week or so while travelling this really isn’t an issue. It’s saved me 100s of dollars in the past while travelling so I’m happy to deal with some sub par support!

Hey Jordan. We did have the ING Orange Everyday card listed when putting this guide together a few years ago. ING was since removed after the benefits became slightly more restrictive, although it’s still a worthy contender for travel. Blue skies, Tom.

We’re going to Argentina in January, which is a money minefield! – with the official dollar rate via banks vs the blue dollar that is worth nearly twice as much when exchanged for USD cash. Apparently the govt is in the process of introducing blue dollar (or better) rates for tourists using foreign cards, so that makes taking a debit card instead of wads of USD cash much more feasible. Are you aware of this? Do you have any advice at all? If not, we’ll take a chance on one of your recommended cards and hope that it works over there. Thank you!

Hi Diane, yes Argentina isn’t your typical country haha the “blue dollar” is the black market exchange rate for USD to the native peso and indeed, you will be much better off bringing USD (make sure you get the newer bills) as everyone in the country wants them. You will still be able to use a debit card at ATMs but when doing so you will convert at the official rate which as you stated is far from favorable. Are you transiting via the USA before getting to Argentina? In this case, I would get USD cash from US ATMs using an Australian debit card, this way you will get the best exchange rate, then take the cash to Argentina and exchange it to Peso on the black market.

Thanks so much for your reply and advice Immanuel. We are flying direct from Sydney to Santiago and from there to Buenos Aires, so no opportunity to use a US ATM I’m afraid. We’ll continue to watch the situation (with a sceptical eye) and assume that USD cash is still the way to go. Sigh.

Hi Diane, if you use Western Union they give you the Blue $ exchange rate. Initially I thought this was only with US $ but according to a discussion on Travel Advisor, it works for other currencies as well. By setting up an account and have Argentina as your home, you can apparently transfer au $ to Pesos while you are in Argentina. Although sometimes hard to find a WU office that hasn’t run out of $, and not always an instant transfer. Apparently you can play around on the WU site to check your exchange rate before doing this. If you already have USD in $100 bills, all very new and clean, you can go to an Arbollito on Florida St and exchange. Remembering the Blue rate does fluctuate.

Cheers Annmarie

link to recent TA conversation if you want to read info https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g294266-i977-k13815837-o30-How_to_get_dollar_blue_exchange_rates_through_Western_Union-Argentina.html

Hi there, I am travelling to the UK and Europe for 4 weeks and tossing up between two options which I can’t choose from. Is it better to use a fee free card overseas (Up in particular) and convert on the spot and cop the varying exchange rate, or preload a travel card so I have converted funds, but risk the fees from ATMs and conversion fees when I need to do so? Cheers

Hi Michael. Check out our section on travel-branded cards above. It is just as likely to lock in a bad exchange rate as it is to lock in a good one. It’s up to you, but seeing I don’t hold a crystal ball I avoid gambling on the exchange rate. Once you pay in foreign currency using Up it will be converted to AUD at the current rate with no fees or markup. Cheers, Tom.

Thanks mate, I’ve made the decision to use Up and even going to change my regular banking there cause I love it! Thanks again

Signed up for the U Bank card, used the code – it appears that actually the referrer gets the $20 credit, not the new signed up customer. I used the code C7N1TAZ as mentioned above.

Hey Dinny. To score the $20 you will need to be a brand-new UBank member and make three card purchases. Cheers, Tom.

Hi! Im travelling to the UK and Europe for a month is December and would prefer to use a travel card as opposed to cash. I’ve looked at all of these options but the reviews are a little worrying. Have you used any personally? What would you suggest? Im ideally trying to not spend a whole heap on fees and things and I dont plan on taking much out at an ATM if at all. Also looking for a card that wont cost be a fortune to put the left over money back into my bank account once ive returned. I was originally going to get a qantas card but once again reviews arent very good. Thanks

Hi Hunta. We have tested and would recommend any of the above. Up or UBank might be your easiest option. Cheers, Tom.

Hi there! How about the Macquarie debit card? seems as good as Ubank!

Yes just as good but you don’t get free money for signing up haha! Also, I’m not sure if their application process is as straightforward. Both Up and Ubank instantly activate your digital wallet while you wait for a physical card.

Thanks for the detailed articles team, I’ve always used cash when I travelled in the past but after reading this article I’ll use debit card instead.

Quick question though, would you recommend using Australian credit card overseas? I understand there’re fees (1-5%) but it earn points in return. Still tossing if points are worth the additional fees.

Hi Daniela, most Australian credit cards will charge you a 3% fee on each converted amount. It’s pretty high but if you earn points it can somewhat offset the cost. There are some credit cards that have no fees and earn points but the earn rate is generally pretty bad + they also have annual fees which might outweigh the benefit of saving 3% Macquarie Platinum Qantas, ANZ Travel Adventures, and Bankwest are a few you can look into.

Hi Immanuel, My 15 year old daughter is going to Japan on exchange for a year. I am a bit worried about sending her with a card in my name in case she is questioned (why she has a card in another person’s name). Other kids are going with CommBank as kids 14 and over can use it but I don’t like the sound of their fees. Any suggestions? Thanks

hey Elizabeth, to play it safe you can always have a Commbank account as a backup. Transferring money from Australian banks is instant via Osko so in theory you could give your daughter a card in your name (to take advantage of the low fees) and have a Commbank card as back up if it should be required. That said, you can also use mobile wallets to store Up, Ubank etc for contactless payments, this way the name on the card isn’t shared or displayed.

If I already have a Ubank account (for savings), will this suffice for using on overseas trip? Don’t have a card attached to it, but daresay I could apply for one. Travelling in the new year to UK and France. Thanks

Hi Denise, yes the Up savings account you got now is what you can use overseas. If you don’t have a physical card, you can order it via the app. It usually takes a week or so.

Which is the best card for recieving overseas payments like the japanese yen, etc. ?

Hi Zara. Any of the above cards can receive overseas payments, but Wise was designed especially with regular international payments in mind. Cheers, Tom.

Hi Zara – this is an excellent site and your advice much appreciated. My 19 year old son is going to Japan for working ski holiday next week for 7 weeks. He will need to use cash Yen in most places and hence, a number of ATM withdrawals. From what I read above, he would probably be best off just using his existing Bendigo Bank debit Mastercard – as he can use for payments as well as ATM withdrawals. Do you agree? Thanks in advance – Ian

Hi Ian, Bendigo bank charges 3% on each converted transaction overseas (that’s very high). Since your son is 19, he would be much better off switching to a bank that doesn’t charge those fees. Up bank, Ubank, Revolut, ING etc all offer better banking features and no fees.

Hi Immanuel, I plan to use Macquarie debit card for my upcoming overseas travel. How does Macquarie debit card compare to Citibank? And would Aud convert to other currencies automatically when I pay with my debit card?

Hey Linh. Your Australian Dollars will convert automatically for all cards listed above. Both Macquarie and Citibank offer good products with zero fees, although I’m not a fan of their mobile apps. At least Citi has a worldwide presence. Cheers, Tom.

Hi, I’m travelling to Vietnam, I have the 28 degree MasterCard but need a debit card to withdraw cash. What are your thoughts on Westpac worldwide wallet? I don’t want to lock in a currency.

Hey Mae. I wouldn’t recommend the Westpac Worldwide Wallet as you will pay extra fees compared to any of the cards we have listed above, for no reason. You would also need to lock in the currency, plus the card does not support VND. The 28-degree MasterCard is also one I would avoid, as you can’t make fee-free withdrawals and they apply a markup to overseas transactions. You might prefer the UBank or Up cards as mentioned above. Happy travels, Tom.

Just fyi – ubank is no allowing joint accounts at the moment. Very annoying as all their marketing says they do, but you get to the “new account” section and get a weird error message. Only after 50mins on hold to the call centre did it all become clear.

The argument is that they are being used for phishing which seems odd/unlikely – each of the joint owners need to give over ID but after Optus etc who knows.

I’ll be checking out some of the others – thanks for the tips!

Interesting, I didn’t know! Any benefit to having a joint account?

I’m hoping to take advantage of the exchange rate for japAn before it drops, I have a trip booked in April.

Can you please advise which travel card would be best. I want to transfer $2000 across as a piggy bank. And then continue to use my up account for purchases once this $2000 is gone.

Would it be better to do this or go to a cash exchange in Australia and change money before I leave as a lot of purchases will be in cash?

How do you know the Aussie will drop against the JPY? If you know for sure, why only bet $2,000? Jokes aside, Revolut would be my #1 choice for converting currency.

I feel that when you recommend these cards you take customer service into account. UBank has been in the news of late for poor service and I wouldn’t have believed it unless I experienced this myself. My daughter is in Rome with a UBank card, that we got for her because we read this review. They did an upgrade last night during the early hours of the morning AEDT but that was peak time in Europe. She was not able to use her card and then when they came back online, she still can’t use the card. I was in a queue for over two hours, which is minimum for them, no chat option, which is terrible for a bank. I spoke to someone and they assured me they would fix it and they still haven’t. Luckily her friends are with her and they are paying for her items, but this is a terrible bank it really is. Please factor this into your reviews and don’t worry about the referral fees, think about the people this affects.

Hi Bill. Sorry to hear about your daughter’s poor experience. I have never had an issue using my UBank card overseas, including getting through on the phone. In my experience their customer service is fantastic, but perhaps following the NAB takeover this is no longer the case. Of course, we would always recommend having a few good travel debit cards at hand, in the event that one card is stolen or stops working. Limiting yourself to a single card is undoubtedly risky, hence why we have listed several above. All the best, Tom.

Hi, I’ll be traveling to Germany and Denmark at the start of next year, all of these cards look viable. Is there a specific one that you would recommend…maybe location-wise? Thanks

Hi David. I am a fan of Up Bank for their outstanding customer support and ideal app layout. But yes, all of the above could work for your travels. Cheers, Tom.

Hey Tom, just opened both an Up Bank and Wise account for my Europe trip , thanks for your help there. If I understood correctly, if I tap and buy something with the Up Bank card, it converts the Australian dollar I have in my account at the Mastercard rate and if I tap and buy something using the Wise card, it converts using the Wise Transfer rate? (assuming I haven’t preloaded the Wise card with Euros already)

Hi Tom So is this correct? I miss my choice if card(atm between Up, UBank & Wise) with AUD and use it to pay for things OS (Canada). Therefore I won’t be charged any fees and the money is converted to CAD at the time of transaction? If I choose to withdraw actual cash OS then I may incur a fee of over $350 is withdrawn for the month?

Hi Jo, each card is different: Up, Ubank don’t have withdrawal limits, Wise & Revolut do have limits on free withdrawal, go over and you will incur a fee. Hope that helps?

Hi Immanuel Yes thanks so if I’m mainly using the card as a debit card and not to withdraw cash, then any of those 4 would be ok? If I want to withdraw cash – more than $350 a month- (I’m assuming it’s withdrawn as CAD) then Up & Ubank are best? Is this correct?

Hi, Im going to Europe for 2 months next year which would be the best travel card with the lowest fees? as i will only be using euros and pounds for the trip. My last pre- covid trip I used an ANZ travel card but they dont offer them anymore.

I would go for either Ubank or Up if you want unlimited ATM use with no fees. If you won’t take out much cash but prefer to pay via card, go with Revolut .

Hi Immanual, I’m travelling to Mexico and Hawaii in feb for the whole month and I’m stuck on which card to get. I’m unsure if I should get a prepaid or a debit card. Do you have any tips? I assume in Hawaii I’ll be using eftpos (transaction) more, whereas Mexico I think cash. But I’m really not sure, I’m just going off what people have said in travel blogs. Thanks!

Hi Ava, the answer to your question is in the article, but in short: pre-paid travel cards suck. Get a debit card or if you want to convert currency before your trip, get Revolut. Pro tip: get 2 accounts, that way you have a backup in case you lose a card or it gets blocked.

Can you sign up to revolut as an Australian? I was looking into Up too. What would be better?

I’ve got HSBC, Revolut, Wise and Qantas. Don’t know why people criticise the HSBC website and app, I’ve never had any issues. Exchange rates are pretty good and there’s 2% cashback on paywave purchases under AUD$100 (not sure if this applies OS). Revolut and Wise have the best exchange rates. Revolut Metal plan offers more ATM withdrawals. Lounge access is nothing special (slightly below normal fee unless there’s a +1 hour delay). Wise has no subscription fee. Qantas exchange rates are terrible, points bonus kicks in for overseas spending. I think Wise is the best all-round option if you don’t need many ATM withdrawals.

Hey John. I find the HSBC app outdated and clunky, but if it works for you that’s great. The HSBC 2% cashback will only apply to purchases made in AUD. Personally, I feel Wise and Revolut are far superior as above. Cheers, Tom.

Hi Emmanuel Travelling overseas first time to Europe for five and half weeks. Spain, France, Italy and Greece. I’m looking at both of these, Up Mastercard Debit card and UBank Visa Debit card, as you said have a back up. 1- I have a westpac bank account, how do I transfer money onto these cards from westpac, will I be charged any fees for transferring? 2- For security is it best to have a seperate westpac account with x amount $ in it that is for transferring onto these two debit cards while over seas? 3- Reason I ask about seperate westpac account, if scammed or the debit card is hacked can the scammers get into my main westpac accounts? 4- Do I transfer onto both cards or just one at a time? 5- Would I only have one as back up with no funds on it, and if needed can I transfer while in Europe? 6- As you mentioned, if the card I’m using eg: Up Mastercard Debit card is stolen, lost or blocked can I automatically transfer the funds on that card to my back up card eg: UBank Visa Debit card? Or because it’s compromised I wont be able to transfer those funds to my back up Debit card? 7- If that happens are my funds gone/ lost. Or will the banks that back these cards reinburst me for funds lost? 8- Is Up Mastercard Debit card backed by Bendigo Bank and UBank Visa Debit card backed by NAB bank? 9- With any funds left on these two cards once back in Australia can all the funds be transferred back into my westpac accounts, is there fees to do this? Thanking you in advance for your reply to all my questions.

1 – You can make a bank transfer the same way as any other bank account/debit card. 2 – Personally I don’t worry about this. 3 – No they are separate banks in the same way Westpac and Commbank are separate. 4 – Up to you, but it can be nice to have a backup. 5 – It is good to have a backup loaded with enough cash to get you out of trouble, but it is very easy to transfer in a pinch. 6 – Yes you can transfer funds and lock the card. 7 – It depends but you might be protected under the FCS. 8 – Yes. 9 – Yes you can transfer AUD back with no fees.

Cheers, Tom.

Hi my grand daughter is travelling to the U.S.A, For sport competition, what would be the best travelcard for her as she is a minor.

Hi, the Revolut card will be the best option as you can set up a free sub-account for a minor. See our full review for more details on this feature: https://flighthacks.com.au/revolut-australia-review/

Hi Immanuel I’m travelling for the fist time overseas to the Pacific Islands of Fiji for a 2 week holiday with family and kids. What card would best suit me? I do have accounts with Commonwealth and ANZ if it matters? Regards Mick

Hi Mick. Any of the cards we have covered in this article could work well for your trip. Enjoy Fiji! Blue skies, Tom.

I’m off to Nepal and Bhutan shortly. What is your opinion on the NAB Platinum Visa Debit Card? I believe it’s targeted at o/s travel but I wonder why it hasn’t made your recommendation list. Cheers

Hi Simone. We haven’t included the NAB Platinum Visa Debit as there are better cards out there (eg. Up Bank, UBank and Revolut). NAB charges a $10 monthly card fee, $5 per overseas ATM withdrawal and $1 per overseas ATM balance enquiry (in addition to what the ATM itself charges). You might be better off with one of the cards mentioned in this article, as many won’t charge these fees. Cheers, Tom.

Hi Tom, We are going to the Maldives in Feb and Europe in June/July, it looks like UP or Revolut are our best options. We are with HSBC which doesnt have OSKO. Would we be best to open an account with these other banks for easy transfer. Do you know if you can get multiple cards for the one account with UP & Revolut?

Hi Heidi, I find that transfers from HSBC usually take 1 business day so while it’s not instant like it is with Australian-based banks, it’s also not that slow. You can only get 1 card for your Up/Revolut account but both options also allow you to generate digital cards which you can generate as often as you want.

Hi – I am curious about the markup fees on these cards. Upbank clearly states they don’t do forex markup fees, but I cannot find information on the others. HSBC Everyday Global Rewards does have a forex mark up fee for the currencies you can load into the card for example. What about Ubank?

Hi Alee, HSBC charges a markup if you exchange money within your account; there’s no fee if you exchange it using the spot rate by paying or using your card in a foreign country. As I’ve said many times in these comments: there’s no benefit in exchanging money beforehand UNLESS you have a crystal ball and know what a currency will be worth at the time that you need it. So I never exchange money, all the cards we listed here do that automatically when you pay or use an ATM and do so without any fees.Ubank doesn’t have any exchange fees for the fact that it doesn’t have the option to convert currencies ahead of time, it simply converts based on the best spot rate as stated above.

Hey! Firstly this is the greatest thread regarding travel cards! Thanks for the replies!

I am travelling to Europe in June with my partner, we are heading to Denmark, UK, Greece, Croatia, Albania, UAE, Italy, France, Macedonia and Lebanon (just over 3 months).

I was originally considering Wise, however I see your point on withdrawal caps without fee.

Tossing between the Citibank plus, Wise, HSBC global and now the UP and UBank (open to others)

What would be your best recommendation for no fees and best exchange rate for these countries?

Could I get 4 best card recommendations for;

1/ Exchange rate and fees? 2/ Exchange rate, fees and atm withdrawal 3/ Atm withdrawal 4/ A extra card to carry to withdraw USD dollars to take to Lebanon (don’t want to be carrying a large amount of cash that I need for my last destination)

Thank you in advance! 🙂

Hi Faydi, personally, I use Revolut, Up and Ubank. Mostly because I like the apps they have; my issue with Citi and HSBC is that the mobile applications are somewhat clunky and not as user-friendly. When it comes to rates, all the cards we’ve listed here either use Visa or Mastercard spot rates (these are the best you can access as a consumer), all the cards listed above have no fees. In any case, I would made sure to have at least 2 debit cards (they are free anyway) so you can transfer money between if one stops working for whatever reason or if you lose a card. With Lebanon, from what I hear, it’s best to avoid ATMs because they will exchange your money at the official rate, since the people there want USD, there is a “black market” rate which is much more favourable but this would mean you have to carry some USD with you.

Hi Emmanuel,

Regarding withdrawing USD to use in Lebanon, my plan was to withdraw the USD in a different country (possibly from Macedonia) so I’m not carrying the cash for 2 months around Europe.

Any cards that are best for withdrawing money from ATM’S?

There’s also ING Orange everyday card? Similar product/benifets?

Thank you for taking the time to hear me out. What would be your best recommendation as I am trying to do a lot of research on what would be the best debit card to use for overseas this year. Travelling through to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, London and Dubai. Would probably mainly try to use the debit card mostly for purchases if that’s what would be best recommended and do minimal cash withdrawals from the ATM. What would be best for saving money on 0 fees and also what would offer the best exchange rate? Secondly would you recommend to load whichever card with AUD and then spend overseas and then apparently when I go through the eftpos machine select the purchase in euro option or exchange the AUD to euro before travelling? And lastly with taking out cash in euro or gbp would you recommend to take out at an exchange rate or public ATM when overseas or exchange it in AUS before travelling ?

Hi Nicholas, in the article, we have listed all our favourite cards. These are the best you can get (in our opinion). While features and fees might vary slightly, it’s negligible. If you plan to mostly pay using the card, I’d go for Revolut as the app is my favourite. As a backup, take Up or Ubank. You can’t go wrong. As for loading money: ALWAYS load AUD. Unless you like to be ripped off. Your card will do the conversion for you at the ATM or eftpos machines. And yes, always chose to pay in local currency overseas, never let the machine offer you a converted AUD rate. As for ATM, again, always take out cash at your destination if you can. This way, you will avoid the fees.

Hi. In regard to using an ATM with an Australian account, do I press the debit or credit option using a debit card??

Debit card because that’s what it is 🙂

Hi there. You mention… many of our top picks use either Visa or Mastercard’s exchange rates, without applying any markup. which ones are these?

All the cards we mention in this article 😀

Between Wise and Revolut which one do you think is better? and why?

Revolut, as they have no fees and the app is better/more functionality.

Hi Immanuel, What a great article! Thank you so much. Can I ask how you think the Mastercard rate compares to the mid-market rate offered by Wise? Thank you.

Wise has a variable fee of 0.44, so the Mastercard spot rate is still better. I’m planning a real-life comparison between all the cards so that should interesting 😀

Hi there. I’m slightly confused with all these options. I have been flying to EU in past and using INg.. would UBank compare? What do I go for? Thank you.

Hi Irena, nothing wrong with ING; it’s actually a really good travel card. The only reason we haven’t listed it is because in order to get the benefits out of ING it takes a lot of requirements to maintain. In our opinion, it’s too annoying to keep track of. Ie: in order to get the fees waived you need to make 5 purchases a month and deposit $1000. This is ok if you use it all the time but it’s too much work if you casually use it as a travel card.

How would you compare the Qantas Frequent Flyer Card thet can be loaded with dollars and used overseas

We have a whole section in the article dedicated to this product and even compared it with the spot rates, did you read it?

hello , we are travelling from AUS to US and staying in multiple hotels and conscious of the Hotel pre-auth holds whilst using Debit cards – could you recommend the best travel credit card for first time users

Hi Ren, there are a few credit cards that don’t charge 3% on top of each converted transaction but the downside is that they have poor points earn rates, and usually they also have high annual fees. Personally, I have Amex Platinum but also use Macquarie Qantas Platinum Visa (only because I get this product fee free). Key ones to look at are Bankwest Platinum & World Mastercard, ANZ Adventures Visa, and Commbank Ultimate Mastercard. There are probably some others I’ve missed but these are the main ones that earn points. I avoid credit cards that don’t offer rewards as they have no purpose other than to create debt. One exception might be 28 Degrees as they have a fee-free card with no annual fee.

Thank you for your reply , totally on your same page about not wanting to get a credit card either but unsure on other options when hotels will take large holds which can take some time to be released , have you used debit cards previously ?

Regarding withdrawing USD to use in Lebanon, my plan is to withdraw the USD in a different country (possibly from Macedonia) so I’m not carrying the cash for 2 months around Europe. Any cards that are best for withdrawing money from ATM’S? Thanks! 🙂

Hey Great article! I am travelling to Japan and Mexico in a month and was wondering what cards I should use while travelling and why. I have the following transaction accounts/cards already Up, Ubank, ING and Commbank debit. I also have a Westpac altitude black credit card. Thanks

Hi Wade. Glad you enjoyed the article. Check out our six cards listed above as we have outlined what you should use while travelling. Cheers, Tom.

Hi thank you this article was very useful for me as I was planning on using a travel money card with preloaded converted currency. I will be travelling to Europe soon, I currently have a Bankwest Easy Transaction account. They do not charge international transaction fees or ATM withdrawal fees. However I don’t know whether they charge any hidden foreign exchange markup fees. Would you recommend this card for travelling.

Hi Fiona, the Bankwest debit card is actually another good one! They also use Mastercard spot rates, so it will be comparable to the likes of Ubank/Up. They have no hidden fees from what I can see. One thing I didn’t like about BW in the past is their somewhat clunky mobile app, but maybe this has been updated since? In any case, make sure you have a backup card of some sort; transferring money from a Bankwest to another OSKO-supported account such as Up, Ubank etc, would be instant.

Thanks for this article, it is really helpful as we try and narrow down our best option. Do you happen to know if the UBank one lets you have a joint account for the times my partner and I are not together ? I will control the app (not his forte) but I would prefer we both have a card we can load to Apple Pay so we can go our own ways at times.

Hey Karen! Yes, they do offer a shared account, you can choose this option during the sign-up process. It will also give you 2 debit cards (one purple and one aqua) to keep it simple to manage. Both of you will need to download the app to verify your identity etc.

Great article – I got the Ubank card without fuss and it has worked without hassle – at a good exchange rate too (way better than i could get cash pre departure).

Only concert is in Apple Wallet you have to choose between Visa, eftpos Savings, eftpos Cheque. Neither of the first 2 worked, i didn’t try Cheque, but the physical card worked. Don’t know why this would be

Hey Alex, thanks for the kind words! As for Apple pay, sounds odd? Which country did you experience the issue? I’ve got Ubank added to apple pay but never had an issue.

Hi Great advice. I am travelling to America, England and Switzerland this year. I will mainly use a card for tap and go purchases what would you suggest. With the CHF is it costing me twice as it appears most options is Euro and not CHF. Thank you

Hi Sarah, both CHF and EUR are very much on par at the moment. Nor sure why it would cost you double? If you don’t take out much cash, I would go with Revolut.

Hello. What would be the best card to use in New Zealand (I am in Australia).

Thanks in advance.

Hi Chris, all the cards we mention here are our favourites. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Personally I use Ubank, Up and Revolut.

Hi! Great article! Have planned a trip to Japan and Korea for March and this is exactly what I needed do THANKS. I’m thinking of getting the Citibank and the UBank cards — thoughts on these for Japan and Korea? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the Citibank card since they have been acquired by NAB. Or do you have any other recommendations on top of the previous ones in the article?

Additionally, along with my current NAB debit card (for emergency, if the previous two cards fail), would you recommend bringing a credit card as well? Thanks again!!

Hi! Yes, Citi is now part of NAB, but NAB also owns Ubank. The key difference would be in the user-friendly side of the apps. Personally, I’m not a big fan of the clunky Citi mobile app. Also, Ubank gives new members $30 with zero strings attached… might as well have a free beer in Japan at their expense 😉

Hi, I’m travelling to Hawaii in a few months and need a new travel card. I’ve always used the Virgin one which was great, but it’s now closed. I’ve been looking at the Westpac Worldwide Wallet, just keen to here your thoughts? They seem to have no fees and the best conversion rate at the moment. The downside it seems is I have to be a Westpac customer. I’ve had poor customer service with uBank before so I want to steer clear of them.

Hi Sam, it’s an “OK” product; however, they do charge ATM fees which we’re not a huge fan of. In Hawaii, you’d be stung US$2 each time you take out cash. As for the exchange rate, it’s a MasterCard, so the spot rate will be identical to Up & Ubank (owned by NAB) and all other debit cards that use Mastercard for their product.

Hi, is it true that Wise has one distinct benefit for travel….it allows purchase verification codes via the app….not SMS? This would be a game changer for me when using o/s sim in phone.

Hi Gary, yes both Wise and Revolut use the app for the verification of payments (usually happens when you make a purchase online)

Hi Immanuel,

I’m travelling to Europe and with NAB – and they don’t seem to have a free option! I’ve clicked the link to Up included in your article. I just followed the prompts and now have a digital card – am I now free to use the digital card on my phone in Europe and incur no fees? Thanks so much for this article by the way!

Hi Micaela, yes that’s correct! You can use the digital card with your phone to tap and pay without fees. Make sure to always pay in the currency of the country you’re in. Sometimes (actually most of the time) the machine will prompt you to choose between Euro or Australian dollar. Always chose Euro as otherwise, you’ll pay 5% for no reason. Up should get you a free physical card within a few days as well though.

Is the westpac worlwide wallet able to be used in unsupported countries such as Denmark? Will it just convert the aud in the account at the time of a purchase?

It will just convert at time of purchase using Mastercard spot rate with no markup. The card is ok but we don’t rate it highly since they charge ATM fees for taking out cash overseas.

Thank you for the article and recommendations. I have been leaning towards the Citi Debit Card to use alongside the Latitude 28 degrees credit card for my 6 weeks overseas trip to Italy in May. This was because the Citi Debit Card has essentially no fees and a worldwide presence (although I am concerned about the constant reference to non user-friendly app). I have just read that NAB will cease sign up to new Citi accounts from May 20th 2023 but will still support active Citi accounts which were opened prior to that date (I’m guessing they are trying to move customers to their UBank product???). Sounds to me that there would be extra risk going abroad with a Citi debit card and it seems from posts by your readers, that there is some question surrounding recent customer service with UBank. I plan to use the Latitude card for most of my purchases and the Debit card for incidentals and ATM withdrawals where necessary. This will be my first foray into the world of internet banking and as such I’m still uncomfortable with the idea of a ‘digital bank’. I will therefore hold my savings in my regular bank account and transfer money from there to my ‘travel debit card’ and my Latitude 28Degrees account. I am thinking to get another debit card as a backup for my Citi card and to cover bases am thinking to go with a Visa network card. I have read your article in Flighthacks re: Revolut Premium. I note that the Standard card does not have 24/7 customer support and I am not keen on paying the monthly account keeping fees when I return to Australia. Could you suggest a pair of Debit cards that can team with my Latitude card to see me comfortably through my travel?

Hi G, digital bank just means they don’t have a physical branch, apart from that they have to comply with all the regulations like any other bank. For example Ubank is just a brand from NAB but geared to a younger audience which means everything can be done via their mobile app. I can’t recall the last time I visited a bank branch. As for support, I have all of these cards and travel frequently. Not once have I had to get support, so for me, it’s not a priority. As always, when it comes to feedback regarding banking support, you will be able to find negative comments on every bank… it’s simply because people don’t complain when everything works as it should. For me the priority for a travel debit card is that it A) has no fees and B) user user friendly app where I can check balances, make transfers and do things efficiently on to go. As for Citi, nothing wrong with it but it’s pretty much the same as all the other products we mentioned with the key difference being an outdated app that will probably lose updates and supports going forward as NAB attempts to integrate these into their own ecosystem. In any case, it’s always smart to have 2 debit cards (since they are free) incase something happens with one you can transfer money to the other one.

I have read most of the comments and will go with one of your suggestions for sure. Only question I have is that I have a few grands of EURO in cash from my last trip and I don’t want to carry it on with myself to spend it. Is there anyway that I load that money to one of the above cards so that I can use it in Europe?

Hi Sam, no you can’t. There’s no way to load Euro to an Australian account without converting it twice. If you were to deposit it, it’s always going to get converted to AUD first. I’d just keep it in cash, alternatively lose a few % and convert it back to AUD at a currency exchange.

Hi there, we have Citi and 28 degrees and have always found them to have the best exchange rates when paying local currencies overseas. Has this changed at all in the last 3 years since we’ve travelled? I did notice on Citi with the new feature to add a global wallet, the exchange rate to lock in a transfer now seems quite a bit lower than the wholesale rate. Is this the new rate that Citi uses even for on the spot transactions overseas?

Citi just uses the Mastercard spot rates so it’s the same as all the other ones that use Mastercard. Exchanging currency within a wallet is always a bad idea, the spot rate will give the best rate on the date as no one can predict FX movements.

Hi Can you tell me if there is a daily withdrawal limit for both Up & Ubank cards.

It’s $1000 for Up and $2000 for Ubank

UBank and Up Bank have appalling review on ‘Product Review’ website, mostly related to customer support and account accessibility. I had personally experienced that with UBank when trying to open a term deposit account and ended up giving up. If one has difficulty, stress, time pressure and frustration getting customer support at home in your comfort zone, imagine what you will experience if you need customer support while overseas. I am sure it will spoil your holidays or might end your holidays with a fatal heart attack. Very afraid and concern about given UBank anothergo and Up Bank ago. I believe online and/or neobanks have less than satisfactory and acceptable customer support. One may also say that customer support by most business are substandard and not meeting consumer expectations and neeeds.

From what I read and understand, Up Bank is not actually a ‘bank’ and not listed as an ADI by APRA but a brand of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited covered by it.

Relating to the above mentioned, do you have any comments or advice regarding other products mentioned in your article or any others not mentioned such as Bankwest, HSBC or Suncorp? Are you aware of any credible and sizable database review by real people using these or any cards while travellig overseas particularly in Europe and ASIA?

Finally, I complement Flighhacks for a well presented article on the topic and so glad that I came across it. Your ongoing discussions and support to readers via this forum is highly commmendable. The fact that I joined the discussion group speaks for itself because I rarely do so. It has been tremendous help and I thank you. I am sure my appreciation is shared by all your readers. Keep up the good work. If banks and businesses are as good and committed as you guys, the world would be different.

Hi Bill, I do my business banking with Commbank. Normally I can do everything online but the other day I got locked out after entering a wrong password. After being on the phone for 2h waiting for “Australian support” the guy told me he couldn’t help because they were also doing a system upgrade. Annoying… yes. Will I run off to “product review” to leave a negative review, probably not but a lot of people would. In any case, my point is that whatever bank you use… sometimes you will run into a less-than-ideal experience. It’s wort noting that Product Review is full of people who are pissed off and want to vent their frustration, people that are happy don’t tend to bother writing reviews about these kinda services so take it with a grain of salt as reviews are skewed to the negative side. I’ve been with Up (Yes they are owned by Bendigo Bank) for 3 years and 10 months. Never had an issue. Customer support is done via their app chat system which for me is super convenient. The only time I’ve hat to reach out was to request a new debit card after mine was stolen. Apart from that it just works… I’m not sure what your issue was opening a Ubank account but I’ve also been using them and had no issues. Bankwest, HSBC, Suncorp also offer similar products. I’ve actually just signed up to Suncorpt to test out their debit card as it has no atm fees and no FX markup which is good for what’s a bigger bank.

Are there any advantages of Ubank over Citibank??

From a fee perspective, no. The only difference: you get $30 for signing up for a free account + the app is lightyears ahead of Citi so it’s just more user friendly.

Hi there. I’m off to Japan in May and I’m considering using the Westpac Worldwide Wallet. I’ve seen your comments about not recommending this option because of ATM withdrawal fees but according to the Westpac website there are no ATM withdrawal fees. Just wondering if I’ve read it wrong.

Hi Tom, Westpac only allows free ATM use when you use a “Global Alliance”. There are no such ATM’s in Japan, so you will be paying the fee. While you did read it correctly on their product page, you should also read the fine print as that’s where they tell you about all the fees.

Hi there, I’m 18 and going to be travelling around europe for 2 months. I’ve read all the comments and it seems like Up or Ubank is the way to go… is there much difference between them which could help me decide what to pick? Would getting both cards be a good idea incase one has issues (lost, not working, etc)? Thanks heaps

Not a huge difference. I think Up is easier to deal with because you can message them in the app. But otherwise just as good, both are free and offer a welcome bonus to sign up 🙂

Im heading to Europe for 2 months and will be in countries that use the pound and euro. What would be my best option regarding what would be the best travel card to take, I’ve been looking online and there is so many options that its kind of confusing me (wise/revolout/aus post/travelex just to name a few) and are travel cards the best option to take?

Just wondering what your opinion would be for the best options, thanks!

Hi Ash, all the products we’ve listed in this article are very good and will suit your purpose. Avoid Aus Post and Travelex unless you want to pay fees for no reason. As I’ve mentioned a few times, personally I use Revolut, Up and Ubank.

Hi Tom, I am going to Europe for 7 months. I have got the basic Revolut plan with the cards. I have already put some Aud and Euro on the card. I have added the Revolut card as my payment card on booking.com and Airbnb. If I choose to pay this accommodation now using this card will they take the money out in Euros or Aud( as I have both on my card?) Also, for a longer stay trip like this should I upgrade my plan? Thankyou for all your advice Leanne

Hi Leanne, it depends on what currency AirBnb is going to charge you in. For example, if AirBnb says AUD$100, you will be charged in Australian Dollars so long as you have enough of that currency in your account. If you had AUD$0 and EUR$200 on your card, you would be charged in EUR as it is the only currency loaded to your Revolut card. As far as upgrading your plan I can’t provide financial advice but can suggest you work out how much you plan to spend, and then compare the fees on a Basic and Metal account. Hope this helps, Tom.

I will be doing some travel in Europe (Malta, Greece, Spain, France etc) before living and working in the UK for a couple of years, paid in GBP. Do you think I should open a local UK bank account to get paid or will one of these travel debit cards work for me as a good allrounder? If yes, which would work best. Just looking to keep it simple.

Hi David. If you are looking to keep it simple and will be in Europe for several years, you might as well open a UK account. You can also get a travel card for when you travel. Cheers, Tom.

Great article / recommendations 🙂

I’m travelling from OZ to the UK, stopping at potentially some European countries (for a few days) I have a bank acc in the UK so can transfer money there (and use UK card in UK where I’ll spend the majority of my time) I’ll probably use the travel card to pay for all bills if possible (rather that use cash)

I’m tossing up between UP card / U Bank?

Any advice from yourself on a preference, and can I get an additional card linked for my partner or do I have to get a separate card?

Thanks in advance for your help 🙂

Hi Matt. Both are good options but I think the Up app is superior, plus the customer service is better and you can message them directly from the app. Both are free and offer a welcome bonus to sign up. Cheers, Tom.

We are a family of 4 (2+2) going to be travelling in India for 1.5 months. Just wanted to get your thoughts on what’s the best card to carry to cover our expenses in India (ATM withdrawal, paying for restaurant/shopping etc.).

Hi Alap. Please read the article for a list of the best travel debit cards. Any of these would work in India. For ATM withdrawals and general spending, I like my Up Debit Card. Cheers, Tom.

Hi I’m travelling to Europe in June for a month with my husband and I’m wondering if wise or Revolut would be best to use? Not sure which one is better but they seem to be very similar, or do you have any recommendations on any other cards Thanks!

Hi Rebecca. Both Wise and Revolut offer a cheap way to spend overseas and you are right in saying they are very similar. The major difference is when you go to make an ATM withdrawal. Both offer AU$350 equivalent of fee-free ATM withdrawals per month before Wise charges 1.75% plus AU$1.50 where Reolut charges 2%. If you subscribe to Revolut Metal for AU$24.99 per month (cancel anytime), you can withdraw AU$1,400 every month before that same fee kicks in (remember the ATM itself might charge a fee). Personally, I like the Wise app more, and use my Up card for unlimited fee-free withdrawals. Safe travels, Tom.

Hi there Thanks so much for this article , it was so helpful I opened a Citibank currency card but they are now closing . I’ve got an Ing orange everyday card which I’ve used before I’ve traveled to japan. Apart from the other comments saying about the bad customer service If you needed to call . And keeping in mind the 5 withdrawals fee free . Do you think it’s on the same level as one u bank ? Much of a muchness ? I won’t be missing out on much if I just take my ing card for convenience sake ? Thanks again

Hi Kath. My preference is UBank has a superior app and more features. Cheers, Tom.

Im travelling Europe later in the year and was wondering with the UP bank card do you convert AUD currency into (euro/pound) or is it payed in AUD? so would you just transfer AUD currency to the card and it withdraws from that?

Hi Jessica, the card automatically converts the money for you using the spot rate. If you use a product that allows you to convert currencies, you’re essentially betting on FX rates going either up or down. Unless you can predict the future, it’s probably smarter to average your FX rates at the time of transaction.

Hi im traveling to Malta soon .Im i better off to use u bank or Up .

Same same really. I use both 🙂

Hi Immanuel, Thanks for the great article and all the chat.

We’re going to France for 10 weeks in late June. We’ll want to be able to pay for some things by card and also withdraw cash. I note you recommend Revolut for paying by card and Up or Ubank for withdrawing cash from ATMs. Is it not possible to pay for things using a debit card? For example, could I pay for hotel accommodation, or some clothing using an Up debit card for example?

We’ve not had a Debit card before, always just had one credit card (NAB Platinum). When travelling in the past we used a NAB travel card and if necessary we used our credit card and accepted any fees that applied. A couple of questions:

1. If we open an Up or Ubank account should we just open it as an individual account for one of us rather than a joint account?

2. You suggest having more than one debit card. Would it be worth getting both an Up and a Ubank debit card or would we be better to get a Revolut card, and either an Up or Ubank debit card?

As we are in WA we might also look into a Bankwest account with a debit card. Thanks.

Hi Michelle, Revolut is a debit card as well. I just like the app interface and they have some extended functionality. It’s definitely possible to pay for things with a debit card. If you have a bank account in Australia, you also have a debit card. Joint or personal… it’s up to you. It would depend on how you like to manage your money. You can try both Up and Ubank and see which one you like the best. The difference would come down to how easy you find the app to use, apart from that they are pretty much the same. As for Bankwest, their debit cards are also pretty good. Just avoid Travelex and Commbank Travel Money card and you’ll be fine 🙂

Thanks for responding Immanuel. I got an Up in my name and my husband got a UBank in his. We haven’t got the physical cards as yet and we haven’t tried the Apps yet so not sure which one we will find the best to use. I think two debit cards will be sufficient so I probably won’t worry about Bankwest. It seems easy to transfer funds from our NAB account to the cards so it should work well overseas. We now just need to decide how to manage internet access whilst out and about in France! Any hacks on best e-sims for data when travelling in Europe?

Hi Michelle, perfect! Yes, you’ll have no issues funding either account from NAB as it’s all instant using the OSKO protocol. For eSim I’ve used Airalo in the past, they are one of the biggest providers. We actually partner with them and we have a discount code for 10% off all their plans with code “HACKS10”. If you do sign up, consider using our affiliate link 🙂

• https://flighthacks.com.au/recommends/airalo/

I am wanting to go overseas and currently have a 28Degrees, Up and Citi account.

With the recent cyber attacks on Latitude would you still use the card while overseas? Would you recommend getting another card together with the Up and Citi or will these two cards be enough.

Also with Citi not taking new customers from May 23 am concerned there will be issues with this card as well.

I am worried as I do not want to be without access to funds should I go overseas?

Appreciate any suggestions you may have.

Thanks so much.

Hi Alisha, I think the Latitude issues only revolve around them exposing your personal information (which is bad), however it shouldn’t affect their credit card product. Up has been great for me and hasn’t skipped a beat. My understanding with Citi bank is that they will be closing down account sometime in the future since NAB now owns them and they are probably not getting much money out of the debit card side of the business.

Hi, what is quickest way to get a travel card in Australia- Westpac travel card any good as believe I can pick up one in person at bank? Thanks RA

We recently did a test and the Westpac Worldwide Wallet card came out as one of the worst options, from our tests you would be 4.6% worse off compared to using the Up debit card. Most cards take about 1 week to arrive so I would go for Up, Ubank, ING, Macquarie, Revolut or Wise. I’d say from all of them my Revolut was the fastest one to get to me.

Hi Immanuel, As we are tight on time, and only travelling to NY for 10 days we would only use the Westpac card for direct purchases (ie: no ATM use as we’ll take a little cash). Would that be a feasible option? Kind regards RA

Hi Immanuel, When comparing the Ubank Visa Debit foreign exchange rate versus the Wise mid market rate + Wise exchange fee, which provides a better exchange rate usually for UK and America? Or is there a general trend, where one is just better than the other?

They are pretty much the same, on the test we did, Wise came out slightly worse. We cashed out 10k JPY, Wise converted that to AU$114.98 and Ubank converted it to AU$114.76 (all fees included). If you’re sending money overseas, the contenders would be Wise and Revolut.

Hi Immanuel, Thanks for the reply. May be a bit of a silly question, but are you saying, if I want to pay by card when overseas, Ubank is marginally better, whereas if I want to send money overseas, Ubank can’t do that, and you recommend Wise and Revolut?

Thanks so much for doing the real world comparison between wise and ubank. I read right through the entire thread to find it after you suggested you might do one. I have to say your responses are outstanding and it’s a rare thing to see an author so committed to sharing useful information.. Also I would like to commend you for your polite manner in the face of so many people asking questions that could easily be answered by actually reading the article and your previous responses. That must be very frustrating. Impressive!

Thank you! I really appreciate it : )

Hi Immanuel, thanks for your dedication to this post and the discussion thread – both insightful and incredible! I’d be grateful for your opinion on the best card for travelling through Taiwan for a couple of months. I expect to be able to pay with a card at most places in the city centres (Taipei, Taichung, etc) but many places only accept cash. So I’ll need the occasional ATM withdrawal facility, preferably with a bank that has a strong local presence in Taiwan. I’d be grateful for your recommendations. Thanks in advance Tony

Hi Tony, any of the card we’ve mentioned here will work perfectly fine for you. Visa/Mastercard are some of the most accepted worldwide and in Taiwan. In our recent test, both Ubank and Up came out on top in terms of the best rates.

What are your thoughts on the ING Everyday Debit Card for travel in The UK and Europe?

Great card, as long as you meet the minimum spend requirements and funding requirements each month. The reason we don’t list it here is because if you are a casual user, the ING Everyday debit card actually works out very expensive. FYI; you need to make 5 card purchases each month as well as deposit $1000 each month to get the benefits.

Hi Immanuel

My partner and I are travelling to Spain/Portugual/Morroco in June. We would like to usE a combination of ATMs (take out a larger sum of money) and travel cards. We also current customers of Macquarie Bank. My partner is a little hesitant in using banks/travel cards of merchants she’s not heard of. Should we contact Macquarie and use one off their Visa cards or get a travel card. Any advice would be great

Hi Scott, yes the Macquarie Platinum Debit card is just as good as Up/Ubank etc. Only difference is that it doesn’t come with free $$ to open one 😀

I was about to open up a CBA Travel Money Card (Visa) and a Westpac World Wide Wallet (Mastercard) today with foreign currencies pre-loaded, but fortunately I stumbled across your site and I’m now going to open up 2 debit cards instead because they have $0/low transaction/international fees. I do like taking both a Visa and a Mastercard overseas in case one of them is not accepted. I’ll probably be applying for an Up Bank (Mastercard) debit card and a UBank (Visa) debit card. Many thanks for your advice.

Glad to hear that David! We’re currently working on a video comparing 11 different debit cards and so far CBA came out as one of the worst options on our real-world test taking out money and spending on the card.

Hi, Great content here and advice – thank you! Quick question though – Have you evaluated the different fx rates between Wise, Ubank or Up at one point in time? Considering either one of these and leaning to Ubank or Up given no ATM withdrawal fees but are there rates worse than Wise?

Hi Adam, yes we have! I’m actually making a video about it but it’s still being edited. We tested both ATM withdrawals overseas and in-store transactions for 11 different cards. Up & Ubank both came out on top with the same rate for cash out at ATM and also the same rate for in-store purchases. Wise came out slightly worse but only by 1c ($1.34 vs $1.35). For cash-out, 10k JPY converted to $114.57 for both Up and Ubank and $114.98 for Wise. Hope that helps!

Hey, I’m off to Japan in a few weeks. Last year when I went to South Korea I got a Wise card/account which is still active. I’m also a Westpac customer and while at the bank today mentioned I’m going to Japan and they gave me a Worldwide Wallet pack with the two cards (why two cards?). What would be the better option? Sticking with Wise, or going Westpac WWC?

They give 2 cards in case you lose one or it gets eaten by an ATM machine or stolen etc. Westpac Worldwide Wallet is one of the worst products we’ve tested. I’d avoid it. Your Wise card is exponentially better.

Hi, just about to go travelling to Europe and came across your article which is very helpful – thank you. I will now be getting an Upbank and U bank debit card based on your recommendation. I was also wondering if you could recommend a good credit card for large purchases when overseas. I currently have a CW platinum Visa. TIA

Hi Colette, for credit cards the ones that don’t surcharge overseas usually have a poor earn rate for reward points. In general, I never recommend credit cards that don’t provide rewards as there’s no real benefit. For reward-earning cards with no 3% surcharge: Commank Diamond, ANZ Adventurers, Bankwest QF Platinum & World Mastercard, Macquarie Qantas Platinum Visa (that’s all i can think off top of my head).

We are travelling to USA/Canada in a few weeks & are still unsure whether to take cash & a credit card or cash & travel card (currently have Stgeorge World Wide Wallet).Any advice would be appreciated TIA

Hi Michael, why would you take cash? Just leave it in your bank account and use an ATM when you’re in the USA/Canada to take out cash when you need it using one of the travel cards we suggested. Converting your AUD to USD in Australia (or US) in an exchange is a rip-off.

Thanks Immanuel – Great advice

Thank you for this article. I am frequent visitor on your website. Always great content. Just a quick question, I have had Citibank card for decade and have enjoyed benefits while travelling overseas. Since they have been bought by NAB and they are changing product services one by one. Have their transaction account been affected as well or they still offering same benefits? Website doesn’t give clear information either.

Hi Manish, from what I understand they will be closing down the free debit card at some stage this year. Personally, I’ve switched to Up/Ubank for my ATM cash-out needs overseas and Revolut for sending money internationally as they have the best rates.

Hi Immanuel, Just wandering if there is much difference between using my standard Suncorp debit card while travelling Europe in comparison to actually getting a travel card like UP? thanky ou

I don’t think there is, I’ve been wanting to test Suncorp as they also offer no fees but I’m yet to receive my debit card after waiting a month!.

I have the Westpac worldwide wallet travel card that I have loaded money into. I was told it is fee free. So I hope that’s true. I also have the Qantas cash card, but the exchange rate is not as good as the westpac card.

Both are pretty bad. We recently did a test of 11 of the most popular debit cards in Australia and Westpac Worldwide Wallet came in 7th place. Their rates where 4.63808% higher than what Up Bank charged. Qantas Money came in 19th place…

Hi, tossing up between UBank, Up or Wise debit card? I can’t decide, which one would you go with? And, was looking at getting the BankWest Breeze Platinum Credit Card? Is this a good credit card to use when travelling in Europe? Lastly, is it best to order Euros before i travel (was going to order thru S Money) or use an ATM in Italy with my Debit card? Many thanks 🙂

Hi Mel, I’ve just posted a video today which answers all your questions. We tested 11 different debit cards to see which one came out best: https://youtu.be/5KjgrNJTe1s

Firstly let me say this site has been extremely helpful and your recent video comparing 11 cards in Japan was also very informative.

A big thank you for creating this site and spending time to make things easier for travellers who need clarity around this topic.

I am about to travel to Europe and thanks to your post have both an Up and Ubank account. I understand there are no fees from these banks to use these cards overseas however I have been told I will still be charged fees by the overseas banks when using their ATMs to make withdrawls and making overseas instore card purchases? What are these fees? Is there any way these fees can be avoided?

Ideally I dont want to pay any fees to banks while I’m overseas and would like to maximise my funds while on my holiday.

Appreciate your time and advise

Hi Dianne, there are no fees charged by Up/Ubank but the owners of the ATM you use will generally charge a fee (that’s how they make money). It varies, for example for the video we made the ATM charged us AU$1.25 for taking out cash. My tip would be to use the ATM of big brand banks as their fees will be reasonable. The fee is always displayed on the screen and the machine will prompt you to accept it or deny. If you deny, your card comes out. There’s no fee for making in-store card purchases with these cards, your AUD is converted on the spot by Mastercard or Visa which is the best rate you can get as a consumer using a card to pay.

Thanks for this awesome up to date review and the video – so helpful. I’ve been reading up the last few weeks in prep. for our next trip knowing you have to be organised well ahead.

I’ve been a UBank and ING customer for years and was planning on using ING for Cash withdrawls on our next trip but was reassessing because they dropped the ATM reimbursement.

I’ve always used 28degrees Mastercard for purchases thinking it would be a better exchange rate than UBank or ING – I don’t know whether they are or not.

Anyway, reason I’m commenting because there are many many articles online saying how good Wise is. Unfortunately, last night, before reading your article and watching the video I joined Wise and was charged $10 for the Card. I paid before reading this article and am really annoyed about it. I paid because I thought they were way ahead on exchange rate so thought overall I’d be better off. But it seems ING and UBank are as good if not better and their cards don’t cost anything.

I’m thinking of cancelling my Wise card – in principle.

What do you think ?

Did you know there was a $10 fee to get the Wise Card ?

Hi Barbara, thanks for the kind words! Your 28 Degrees credit card will use the same Mastercard spot rate used by Up for example. Therefore I’d expect the conversion to be pretty much the same. Wise is really good for sending money overseas but I feel their debit card (although it’s also one of the best) is somewhat lacking compared to the free options out there. My key concerns with them are: card fee for ordering a card as you mentioned, limitation to cash withdrawal and as per our test their conversion rates on in-person payments and ATM cashouts where beaten by Up and Ubank which are both free and have zero limitations.

The Westpac World Wide Wallet card will cost you hundreds of dollars. Westpac claim no fees, but their exchange rate is always poor and slow to change. I have already lost hundreds of dollars converting to Euros. My cousin has one, and he consistently gets a higher exchange rate than myself, because he has more money in his Australian account than I do. I complained and was blown off, my cousin’s higher exchange rate wasn’t even addressed. I wish I’d read some reviews before blindly accepting their lies. There are better cards out there, you might pay a fee, but the better exchange rate will save you a lot of money.

Absolutely! It was one of the worst cards we tested. The best cards are actually free, for our tests Up and Ubank came out on top: zero cost to get it!

So confused with debit cards, travel cards, varying reviews on which one is best and worst. Please help.

Travelling to Europe for 7 weeks in June and we already use a NAB visa credit and an AMEX card so do we need yet another card?

I understand we have fees to tap and use at places and also for atm withdrawal etc but from what i can find its not a lot of $ but guess over 7 weeks it will add up.

Should i get a NAB Ultimate or Mastercard debit card or just use our current visa amex cards? Thanks for any help in advance everyone. Thank you

Hi Chris, this article is mainly focused on debit cards which you’ll need if you want to take money out of an ATM. Credit cards are good for in-person payments but you’ll get charged cash advance fees if you use credit cards to take money out. Also, keep in mind that a lot of credit cards will charge a 3% fee on the converted amount (if you’re earning reward points this is somewhat offset by the value you get back). As for debit cards, we’ve compared 11 of them in our latest video: https://youtu.be/5KjgrNJTe1s

Thank you for the link to video and very informative. When you check out reviews of both Ubank and Up however there is more unhappy customers than happy. Again my confusion grows as to whats best and who actually tells the truth about these cards.

Currently a ING customer. Travelling to Greece,Crotia and Italy. Looking at Up & UBank any preferences on either? Will be hopefully using card most of the time. Should I look at other options? Should I get hung up on currency conversions that HSBC and Wise offer?

Thanks again for the article

Hi Grant, we compare them all in our video so you’ll see that the difference between the top cards is pretty negligible vs the worst offenders. Personally, I’d go with whichever app/website you prefer. https://youtu.be/5KjgrNJTe1s

Hi Immanuel, the Bankwest Debit card seems to offer no fees for international transactions. Is this a good option for travelling overseas, paying and also withdrawing?

AWESOME REVIEW! Just what we’re looking into right now. What do you think would be the best option for travel to the UK.

I previously used the Qantas Cash Card but that was a disaster

Hi Steven, any of the cards mentioned here or in our video will be exponentially better than the Qantas Cash one and will do the job just fine.

Hi I intend travelling to Europe late next year and want to start saving now by putting a certain amount in a card monthly now. I will probably lean toward the ubank option because of their benefits. Is it too early to apply for a card now

Hi Gordon, it’s a free bank account so there’s no such thing as too early 🙂

Hi Immanuel, your article and answers here are incredibly useful. Thank you so much! I will be touing in Morocco for 2 weeks, and of course will have to buy things!. What is best card for me to use please? I have a Wise card already. Should I get another one as well? many thanks

Hi Christina, Wise is great but they do limit how much money you can take out. From our tests Up and Ubank had the best conversion rates.

Hi Immanuel, My wife and I are travelling to Europe for 3 months and whilst we already have Cash Passport cards pre-loaded with some Euros from last year, we are considering debit cards, but need one that provides 2 cards for joint access to the one account. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Hi Kym, from our tests, Cash Passport came out as one of the worst in terms of fees and conversion rates. As for joint account, it’s probably much easier to open a new account for your other half. Up/Ubank both use OSKO which means transfers from 1 account to the other are instant. From what I know, Ubank does offer join accounts during sign up.

Hi there We are travelling to UK/France/Italy next month. Originally we were going to get the card from Travel Guides TV show LOL travelmoneyoz.com/travel-money-card – after reading the comments and your article would it be safe to say the UBank option would likely be better as i think you have to preload the currency onto the Travel Guides one?

Hi Dan, from what I can tell it’s pretty much the same as AusPost and the likes. The giveaway is in their name “travel money oz”, golden rule is to avoid any company that really advertises the travel aspect of their product as the best cards don’t really advertise or push these features (because they don’t make much money from it). You will 100% be better of with Ubank, Up, Wise, Revolut etc.

Hi, thank you for the advice above. As yet, I don’t think anyone has asked about cards for India and Nepal. Do your suggestions of Up, UBank and Revolut still the best for these countries. They do prefer cash in many places so am guessing atms will be needed regularly.

Same rule applies for all countries where mastercard/visa are accepted.

Hi, great review. The one thing I am not clear about is the difference between the VISA or MasterCard exchange rates vs the mid point rate that WISE provides. Can that be a big difference? Also not clear which rate Revolut uses

Hi, Wise uses Visa so to convert transactions on the spot, the mid point rate you refer to only applies when you’re converting money within your Wise account. However, it’s always smarter to convert on the spot. From our tests, the Mastercard spot rate is slightly better than Visa at the moment but it’s negligible. You can check out our video where we test 11 travel debit cards: https://youtu.be/5KjgrNJTe1s

Presently in Japan on vacay, and signed up for the UP BANK, thanks for the referral bonus. As a digital card in Apple Wallet it works well, except a lot of places (regardless of store size) here “no touch, insert card only.” So if coming to Japan, grab UP’s physical card as well. The SUICA travel card is also available in Apple Wallet, and is easiest topped up from your UP BANK. This reduces your need for cash. The exchange rate for UP BANK Mastercard is so much better than CommBank Visa, and am only using the Visa when paying with the phone is not accepted. UP will probably end up being my default bank when we get back.

Hi 🙂 I’m heading off to Singapore in Sept/Oct, in which you can use mostly debit but I will likely withdraw small amounts of money. I already have a ubank card (from back when they were 86 400). I am looking to grab a backup card. Do you think the Wise or Up Bank, and would you suggest 1 VISA and 1 Mastercard to cover all bases? Thanks so much, Bianca

Hi, Up Bank came out on top during our tests. Probably a good back up (no pun intended!).

My partner and I are going around Europe for a month during December and a deciding what cards to take over with us. Based off your article and the majority of the comments I have read through I am thinking the Up or Ubank will be the way to go and also easiest as we won’t have to worry about have lots of different curriences or enough of each currency like a travel card. I also have a Suncorp banking debit card that has no international conversion fees I can take as a backup.

We are just wondering about security deposits for hotels that are paid when checking in- I have read that using a debit card for these can be a disadvantage as the money is withdrawn and can take a while to come back into your account after checkout, leaving you down a few hundred dollars in the meantime. Do you think it would be beneficial to have a credit card for these type of situations? Or would all associated fees make it better to just cut the losses with the debit card and factor in that “missing money” when planning budgets.

Hi Keely, looks like you got it sorted for debit cards! Personally I try use my credit cards as much as possible in order to earn points and have added benefits of not having to touch your own funds as well as the insurance benefits etc. However, I do understand that a lot of people don’t like using credit cards for whatever reason which is one of the main reasons this article exists 🙂 I use my debit cards to take out cash mainly as doing this on a credit card would attract cash advance fees and currency conversion fees. As for credit cards, there are a few that don’t attract foreign exchange fees but their annual fees might make it a not so attractive proposition. I mainly rely on my American Express (Platinum) and Macquarie Qantas Platinum Visa for daily use. I don’t hold any cards that don’t earn points but if you’re after a fee free card that doesn’t earn points but also doesn’t charge exchange fees, 28 Degrees by Latitude is an ok option.

Hi, is one better than the other hsbc vs ubank? Looking at switching from Citibank.

HSBC uses Visa so it would be mostly a Visa vs Mastercard thing. Difference will be minimal but from our testing, Mastercard is currently slightly better. One other downside of HSBC is that they don’t participate in OSKO so if you transfer money it usually takes 1-2 days.

I am travelling to Japan in couple of weeks and interested to hear what debit card is best to use in Japan? Hoping to be able to get actual physical card within a coming week.

Appreciate all your insights, so amazing is come across this article!

Hi Dragan, we answer this exact question in our video, you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/5KjgrNJTe1s

Hi Immanuel, I’m travelling to Egypt in October, and trying to figure out how to handle my money there… This is a great article and has given lots of good info, but wondering if these recommended cards would be OK for travel in Egypt?

Hi Zelly, the same rules apply in Egypt. The Egyptian pound is what they use there and Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted so you shouldn’t have any issues taking out the local currency via an ATM.

I’m travelling in October and was researching cards and saw your site. I was sold on Ubank but not only can’t I complete registration on the App which is so frustrating , I also checked out Customer Reviews on various sites and nearly all the reviews weren’t only bad, they were horrendous. Confused but definitely no longer confident

Hi Deb, with many review sites people are usually incentivised when something goes wrong. That said, I can only speak from personal experience. Having banked with Up since 2019, I have had zero issues. What a lot of people do is just transfer money from their “everyday bank” for example, Westpac, Commbank etc. to Up, Wise, Ubank etc when they need the money for overseas use and just transfer as much as you need.

Hi Deb, we have been with UBank for a very long time with multiple accounts – including travelling overseas very recently. They have been awesome. Hopefully this gives you some confidence, cheers Barbara

I saw ‘Revolut’ on the list above and I wouldn’t touch them with a bargepole. They hold the accounts of, in particular, the Microsoft Scammers. I stupidly got scammed and wrote a VERY bad review on Trustpilot and Revolut responded with a link to address the issue and reimburse the money but the link didn’t work and I never got a refund.

If you get scammed it’s hard to put the blame on anyone other than yourself… not exactly the fault of Revolut.

Update 23 October – Singapore, Spain and Portugal

sorry, some of this might be a repeat of what you have already provided:

I’m not sure where is the best place to put this up to date information as of October 2023: Have just been to Singapore, Spain and Portugal. I hope this information is helpful. Full disclosure – I am allergic to Bank Fees.

Cash – Good News: before leaving Australia how to obtain cash in a cost effective way took a lot of effort searching the internet and I still wasn’t sure until actually travelling and testing ATMs whether we would be successful keeping fees to a minimum.

First Rule: in case you have not read this before – Do Not Use any ATMs associated with Euronet – ever! The charges are outrageous. And Euronet are everywhere, outside convenience stores, restaurants etc… so very tempting – I cringed everytime I saw someone at an Euronet.

ATM machines – Debit Cards (hopefully you know not to use your Credit Card at a ATM) UBank Debit Card & ING Card were equivalent to each other with no fees and the same fair exchange rate: ING has more rules – but I was already used to their rules and managed to do my 5 transactions at the beginning of every month to meet the requirements. If that is too difficult – UBank is awesome. I used UBank and kept ING as my back-up. You need a back-up.

ATM machines – countries Singapore – one ATM was going to charge 8SGD we walked around the corner to Maybank (yellow colour) and it was zero fee. Suggest google the nearest Maybank to your accommodation – there might even be one at Changi. I took out $20 with ING, UBank and Wise to test their exchange rates (fee free so it was a worthwhile exercise as I was travelling for 66 days). All 3 were similar. I don’l like Wise because they charge you to move your money around. UBank and ING are truly fee free.

Spain – The first banks we tried charged Euro8 or more; the 3rd bank we tried was Deutsche Bank, charged Euro3 on a withdrawl maximum of Euro300, and we went with that. I would google Deutsche Bank and go to the nearest one to your accommodation.

Portugal we used Multibanco – Caixa Geral de Depositos and got charged zero fees. Apparently all Multibancos do not charge a fee – but we stuck with the same brand after having success at Caixa Geral de Depositos in Lisbon. We found that brand everywhere in Portugal.

The maximum withdrawl at one time was Euro200. It didn’t matter because 3mins later or after someone else used the ATM or using a different card accessing the same account you can get another Euro200. We got Euro600 out at a time, (3 times) because in Portugal they appreciate cash – and some smaller businesses only accept cash – fair enough.

Note that during the process the ATM asked if we wanted to accept their exchange rate and we pressed Decline, then it asked a second time in a different way, like do you want to lock in the the exchange rate?, we pressed Decline again – then it processed the withdrawl at our banks exchange rate – which is many many Euros better than the rate offered by the ATM – for us anyway as we were using a Debit card with Australian UBank and Australian ING and both give the best exchange rates on offer.

Credit Card – Lattitude 28 degrees: for good exchange rate and no fees is still the best Credit Card for overseas travelling – in my opinion. Unless you are a points gatherer the best fee free / no points earning credit card. As a couple we have an account each and each of us has an additional card with the others account. We use one card / one account all the time – it’s easier to track our transactions using only one card – and therefore to know quickly whether there is a fraudulent transaction. We have the other card as our back-up. You need a back-up. Travelling alone I would either use my UBank Debit Card for everything and keep the 28 degrees Credit Card as back up – or the other way around.

I hope this is helpful

Thanks for sharing such a detailed report!

Thank you for all this information. I have poured over all the posts several times. For three weeks in EU countries, making ATM withdrawals where we have to pay cash (local transport costs mainly, I guess) but mainly using a card to pay for expenses, am I correct in thinking that UBank or Up would be the best options? I read that you personally use these two, but then I also saw that you recommended Revolut for card payments, with UBank or Up as backups (for ATM withdrawals, I assume). I have poured over your comments and exhaustively researched other sites, but I cannot find out why you would use Revolut as your first option for card payments. They seem to offer the same exchange rate as UBank and Wise, whilst Up seems to offer a very slightly higher rate (MasterCard rate). Would you mind telling me what would be the advantage of using Revolut (or Wise) ahead of UBank or Up as your main payment option please? I am not concerned about ATM withdrawal fees in relation to Revolut or Wise, as we would use UBank or Up for these. I am just trying to figure out whether we should open both a UBank and an Up account and nothing else, or whether we should open either a UBank or an Up account and then also get a Revolut or Wise card – two bank debit cards OR one bank debit card and one travel money card? I would really value your advice! Thank you.

Hi Julie, you can check out our video review of 11 of the most popular cards. Up and Ubank do come out on top, I have accounts with all of them (cause it’s free). I use Revolut mostly for sending money overseas (it has the best rates for that) and also as a back up. If you go for their Metal plans they do offer cash back as well overseas which can be handy.

We currently have Commbank Travel Cards, a friend said she tried the Ubank and UpBank cards and said they were good no fees, but can you load more money onto them whilst you’re away? Can the Citibank one be loaded as well.

Hello Fay. You can load money onto a debit card when you have an internet connection, reguardless of your location. Cheers, Tom.

Thank you for this article- I’ve since decided on an Up card for my travels! Out of interest have you encountered many places that only accept Visa and not MasterCard or vice versa?

I don’t think i’ve ever found a place that only accept visa or only mastercard

Went to sign up to the Ubank Debit Card and followed the link, and it says it’s $10 sign up bonus.

Is it now $10 or is it actually $20 if you enter the code?

I can confirm that the $20 bonus is no longer, it is only $10 from FlightHacks.

Money landed in my account this morning.

Citibank Plus account is gone now, except for those grandfathered in who got given a special version of the a NAB account with no forex/ATM fees.

Hasn’t been taking new applications for months, and will close for existing customers in the coming months (except for the aforementioned NAB account, which isn’t available to new customers, afaik).

Thank you for the comprehensive replies and generosity of info provided. It seems Wise & Revolut have the advantage of international money transfers over and above their use as a debit card. However there is little mention of whether fees are charged moving money in or out of these accounts?

I have a number of cards similar to your good self. I also find the Macquarie card of a high standard. Moreover they have an Authenticator app that may be useful if there are issues with a transaction and you don’t have an internet connection

Thanks again for the invaluable advice

Why is Citibank Plus still on this page? It no longer exists. Sadly.

Not to worry! We’ve got a big update to this article coming out soon 😉

Hi. Will your update be available by mid April? I am hoping so as I am off overseas from the 1st week in May.

Hi Jen, we just updated this article a few days ago 🙂

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5 Best Debit Cards for Australians Travelling Overseas - 2024

Here is a list of the 5 best travel debit cards you can take with you on your travels and the positives and negatives for each one:

• Wise - our pick for travel debit cards

Revolut - low fees

• HSBC - good for cashback
• Macquarie Platinum - no bank withdrawal fees
• ING Orange Everyday - cash back option

Wise - our pick for travel debit card for international travel

• No annual fee, hidden transaction fees, exchange rate markups
• No minimum balance requirements
• Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
• Local bank account details in Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR), Canada (CAD) and New Zealand (NZD)
• Available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand

Find out more about the Wise card .

More about the Wise card

With this card:

• It's very easy to set up and order
• You can receive foreign currency into a multi-currency account linked to the card
• Pay with your Wise card in most places overseas where debit cards are accepted
• You can transfer money to a bank account overseas
• Currency conversion using the mid-market exchange rate

It's not all good news though

• There is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• It takes 7-14 days for delivery

Go to Wise or read our review .

• Very easy to use app
• Free to set up
• No hidden fees or exchange rate mark-ups (except on weekends)
• You can use it to transfer money to a bank account overseas

Read the full review

More about the Revolut card

• No purchase fee, load fee, reload fee, exchange rate margin or minimum balance requirements
• Unlike other Travel Cards, its free and easy to use the balance of your currency or convert it back to AUD
• The exchange rates are unbeatable. They use the same rate you see on XE or Google with no hidden mark-up
• For the free Standard account, there is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• The premium account costs $10.99 a month, which can really add up if you are not using it often
• Additional fees for using the card on a weekend
• 2% ATM fee once you withdraw more than $350 in any 30 day period
• 3-4 business days before you receive your card

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Revolut compares

Macquarie Platinum Transaction Account

• Day to day transaction account, which comes with a linked Platinum Debit Mastercard
• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fee to pay when spending
• Macquarie doesn’t charge ATM fees, and will rebate fees charged by ATM operators in Australia
• Available to Australian residents - business accounts are not available

More about the Macquarie Platinum card

With this card you can:

• Spend globally with your debit card, with no foreign transaction fee
• Make withdrawals internationally with no Macquarie fee to pay
• Earn variable interest rates based on your account balance
• Send payments to others locally directly from your account
• International ATM fees may be applied by the ATM operator
• If you want to send money overseas you’ll need to register with a third party provider
• Interest rates are variable and get lower for higher balance amounts
• No foreign currency holding or exchange option

The HSBC Everyday Global Debit Card - good for cash back

• Earn up to $50/month cash back on eligible tap and pay purchases
• No monthly fees and no HSBC transaction fees
• Easy to use everyday account for a range of foreign currencies
• No foreign transaction fees applied

More about the HSBC card

• Buy, hold and spend in 10 currencies
• Earn up to $50/month cash back
• Make ATM withdrawals overseas with no HSBC charges
• Spend on the go using Visa payWave, Google Pay and Apple Pay
• Exchange between currencies in your account instantly with the HSBC banking app

It’s not all good news though:

• Currency exchange may incur a fee in the form of a marked up exchange rate
• Not the broadest range of currencies available
• Eligibility restrictions may apply to unlock some features - you’ll have to deposit your salary to the account to get cash back
• $8 international transfer fee can work out quite steep for lower value payments
• You’ll need to deposit at least $2,000 a month to get cash back
• Limitations apply to the ways you can use CNY currency within the account

Citibank Saver Plus -  not available anymore

• No international ATM or transaction fees
• Fee-free international money transfers to any account worldwide
• SMS notifications through Citi Alert

More info here

More about the Citibank card

• withdraw money for free at over 3000 ATMs Australia-wide and overseas
• take advantage of no foreign transaction fees, monthly fees, or minimum opening balance
• transfer money to friends and family anywhere in the world for free
• Cash deposits available within 24-48 hours
• Can’t have two cards active at the same time
• $5 account closure

ING Orange Everyday - earn interest

• Everyday transaction account with linked Visa debit card
• No annual fee and no maintenance fee
• Deposit 1,000 AUD a month , or complete 5 transactions monthly with your card to have foreign transaction fees waived
• Earn interest on your account balance 
• Available to Australian tax residents, with a valid Australian phone number and email

More about the ING Orange card

• Spend with no foreign transaction fee as long as you meet eligibility criteria
• Qualify for some local ATM rebates
• Get 1% cash back, to an annual maximum of 100 AUD on your utility spending
• Earn interest on your account balance
• You’ll need to deposit 1,000 AUD a month, or meet other eligibility criteria to access full benefits
• 5 AUD international ATM fee
• Only 5 domestic ATM withdrawals qualify for fee rebates - eligibility criteria apply
• 3% foreign transaction fee if you don’t hit eligibility criteria to have the fee waived
• No multi-currency holding or exchange options

What are Travel Debit Cards?

As Australians, we love to travel. Almost 10 million of us took to the skies last year, mostly to our neighbours in New Zealand and Indonesia, but also further away to the US and Europe.

While we travel, we also need safe access to cash. It's not the most glamorous part of our travel plans, but it's equally important to decide on the best travel money option for us, so we're not left worried at any stage of our trip.

Travel debit cards are a good alternative to carrying cash. They also offer the convenience of a credit card, but work differently.

When you use your debit card overseas, you're drawing money directly from your bank account when you make a purchase. It's designed for everyday money transactions and means you're not accumulating debt.

Debit cards are a great option if you've saved money specially for your trip and if you want to budget your overseas spending. Some debit card providers offer virtual cards , which allow you to spend on your phone while you travel and stay protected from fraud.

We also suggest bringing a back-up debit card and a separate credit card  for peace of mind and greater flexibility on your trip.

Pros and cons of travel debit cards

For many people, holding a specific travel debit card alongside one or more regular credit or debit cards can make spending on holiday easier and cheaper. With multi-currency accounts you’ll be able to top up in dollars and switch to the currency you need online or via an app. That gives you total control of your budget and lets you see exactly how much you have available for spending at any one time.

• Currency exchange may include a margin or markup

Should you use a debit card for overseas travel?

Spending with a card when you travel overseas can be a very convenient option. It also means you don’t need to carry a lot of cash with you - which can be safer too. 

Choosing a debit card over a credit card might mean you pay fewer fees when you’re overseas, as you’ll avoid cash advance charges and interest costs. However, you may find your debit card has its own charges which you’ll need to know about before you get started. Look out in particular for foreign transaction fees which are often around 3%, and are added every time you make a purchase or withdrawal in a foreign currency.

Which is the best debit card for overseas travel?

There’s no single best travel debit card. However, there are a few important things to look out for when you’re picking the right debit card for your trip. 

Firstly, it’s worth picking a card on a popular global payment network like Visa or Mastercard. These networks are accepted in most countries around the world, so it’s likely you’ll be able to use them wherever you’re headed.  

Secondly, check your card’s foreign transaction fees. This charge is often a percentage added to every dollar you spend or withdraw in a foreign currency. It may not look like a large amount - often around 3% or so - but it can quickly mount up when you’re away from home.

And finally, one last check - take a look at the fees your bank will charge you for overseas ATM withdrawals. Some accounts from providers like Wise and Revolut have low or no fees for overseas withdrawals - but others can crank up the costs so using your card abroad is far more expensive than using it at home.

Which international debit card has no fees?

Some providers offer travel debit cards with no foreign transaction fees, although it’s often impossible to completely avoid extra costs when you’re spending in foreign currencies. To get the best available deal you might want to pick a card with no foreign transaction fee such as the Wise card , the Revolut card , or the Macquarie Platinum Mastercard. 

Providers like Wise and Revolut, which offer multi-currency account options, can also be handy as you’ll be able to switch your dollars to the currency you need before you travel if you’d like to, so you can see exactly what your budget is in the local currency wherever you’re headed. Then just link the travel debit card they provide and spend as normal with it, with no foreign transaction fee to worry about.

What is the difference between travel debit cards and credit cards?

Travel debit cards and credit cards work in different ways - which might make them better suited to specific customer needs. With a credit card you can spread the costs of your spending over a few months - but you’ll need to pay interest if you choose to do this, pushing up the cost overall. Credit cards optimised for travel may also offer rewards, cash back or benefits such as free airport lounge access, but there may be an annual fee to pay to get these perks.

With a travel debit card you’ll need to have the funds in your account already before you head off - but in return, the overall costs may be a little lower. Travel debit cards from specialist services like Wise and Revolut are also handy as they are attached to multi-currency holding accounts you can use to keep your funds in a foreign currency conveniently. That can ultimately mean you save money, and can access better exchange rates compared to using your normal bank.

FAQ on best debit cards for overseas travel

What is a travel debit card.

A travel debit card is intended to make travel spending more convenient and often cheaper. You’ll be able to add funds to your account in AUD and switch to different currencies supported by your travel debit card, to spend when you travel more easily.

How to choose a debit card for overseas travel?

Before you decide which travel debit card suits you, think about how you’ll use the card, and compare the features and fees on offer from different providers. Picking a card with no ongoing fees and no minimum balance will be important if you don’t expect to travel so frequently. However, upgrading to a card which comes with a monthly fee might be worthwhile if the fees unlock features you value. Take your time to decide - the perfect travel debit card for you is out there somewhere.

Which debit card is best for travel?

The right travel debit card for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some cards offer a really broad range of currencies with easy, low fee conversion. Others have travel friendly perks like free insurance or cash back. By considering the types of transactions you’ll make, and comparing a few options like those picked out above, you’ll be able to find the best travel debit card for your needs.

How do I make my debit card international?

Debit cards issued on major payment networks like Visa and Mastercard are accepted internationally. Your own bank might require you to inform them of your travel plans, so that payments made overseas don’t flag as suspicious on their anti-fraud monitoring. Double check with your card issuer to see if there’s any need to notify them of your travel plans - and don’t forget to also look out for the foreign transaction fees applied to overseas spending, to check you’re not charged more to use your card overseas. If you are, you may be better off with a specialist card from a provider like Wise or Revolut. 

What is the best way to pay when travelling abroad?

Carrying cash when you travel isn’t always convenient - and it can also be risky. For many people, paying for their travel with a small amount of cash, backed up with a good travel debit card and one or two additional credit or debit cards can work well. Use your cards to make payments and withdrawals whenever you need to, with the knowledge you can instantly cancel or freeze the card if you’re ever concerned about their security.

TechBullion

Zero forex card vs. debit card: security, accessibility, and features compared.

At the heart of travel planning is the choice between a Forex Card and an International Debit Card. The key difference? A Forex Card isn’t tied to a bank account, offering a layer of financial separation, while an International Debit Card allows for ATM withdrawals worldwide. 

In an era where global exploration is intertwined with our lives, the convenience of how we carry and spend money while travelling has evolved. Let’s explore the safest ways to manage your finances on your next international adventure.

What is a Zero Forex Card?

A Zero Forex Card is a prepaid travel currency card that allows you to load multiple foreign currencies and make payments abroad without paying any markups on currency conversion. 

What is an International Debit Card?

An international debit card is essentially your regular rupee-based debit card, which can be used for shopping, dining and withdrawing cash abroad. 

Let’s Compare a Zero Forex Card and a Debit Card with the Various Aspects

Security and fraud protection.

When it comes to security against fraud and theft, both Zero Forex Cards and international debit cards offer robust safeguards:

• Zero Forex Cards have in-built spend controls allowing users to set transaction limits and block certain MCC codes and countries for added protection.
• Real-time balance updates on apps with 24/7 customer support assistance further enhance security.
• Debit cards also offer key security features like OTP-based authentication for transactions, SMS alerts, balance updates, etc., controlled via bank mobile apps.
• Both instruments adhere to strict data encryption and are EMV chip and PIN enabled for added protection at POS machines.

Accessibility

When it comes to ease of usage across varied geographies, Zero Forex Cards clearly rank higher than international debit cards:

• Zero Forex Cards generally have a live global acceptance network across both developed and developing nations, including remote locations.
• Works smoothly at 150 million+ POS terminals and ATMs as well as online merchants accepting major payment networks.
• Debit cards, on the other hand, can encounter acceptance issues in certain countries where credit is not widely used.
• Cash withdrawals attract multiple fees like transaction fees, conversion fees and ATM operator charges.

Additional Value-Added Services

This is another area where Zero Forex Cards from new-age fintech issuers come out ahead in terms of value adds compared to regular debit cards:

• Complimentary services like airport lounge access and overseas travel insurance further enhance the travel experience.
• Value-back features in the form of cashback and reward points on spending encourage greater usage.
• Advanced features such as Global Wallet to store multiple currencies and travel planning tools enhance the functionality.

Ease of Purchase and Reloading

When planning your travels, the ease of purchase and reloading a payment instrument also plays a key role. Zero Forex Cards have clear benefits here:

• Offered completely online via issuer apps/websites without the need for physically visiting a branch.
• Approval is instantaneous on submission of basic KYC and delivery is generally 2-3 working days.
• Flexibility to load or top-up funds 24/7 from any part of India via net banking, UPI, cards, etc.

On the other hand, debit cards involve:

• Physically visiting your bank branch or filling out cumbersome application forms.
• Dependence on branch hours and staff approval timelines delaying the process.
• Reloading abroad is tricky, requiring prior planning or high fees wire transfers.

Ease of Account Closure

From the perspective of account closure simplicity after travel needs are over, Zero Forex Cards again have a small edge:

• Account closure happens swiftly within 48 hours of submitting a request via issuer apps or websites.
• No deposit funds are involved, so there are no long waiting periods for refunds as in savings accounts.
• Cards can be reserved for future travels by maintaining a minimum balance instead of full closure.

Meanwhile, for international debit cards:

• Closure requires physical visits to submit account closure forms to bank branches.
• It may take 15-30 working days for deposited amounts to be refunded.
• Supplementary card closures involve additional paperwork hassles.

While both payment options work abroad, Zero Forex Cards from reputed issuers like Niyo edge out debit cards comprehensively on key usage parameters, functionality and overall value. For overseas travels, Zero Forex is certainly the way to go.

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If Your Debit Card Expires While You’re Traveling, Do These 7 Things

T raveling can be an exciting adventure, full of new experiences and memories to cherish. However, it can quickly turn into a stressful situation if you find your debit card has expired. Being far from home without immediate access to your funds can be worrisome, but don’t panic. Here are some important steps to take if your debit card expires while you are on vacation.

Read More: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

1. Contact Your Bank Immediately

The moment you realize your debit card has expired, contact your bank or card issuer. Most banks have international toll-free numbers specifically for travelers who have issues with their debit cards. Inform them about your situation and verify your identity. Banks are familiar with handling these situations and can quickly help you find a solution.

2. Request an Emergency Card Replacement

Ask if your bank can expedite a new debit card to your current location. Many banks offer an emergency card replacement service for travelers. While this might come with a fee, it’s worth the peace of mind. Provide a secure and verifiable address, like your hotel, where the card can be delivered.

3. Use Digital Wallet Services

In today’s digital age, accessing your funds without needing the physical debit card is often possible. If your bank supports it, you can add your debit card to a digital wallet like Apple Pay , Google Pay or Samsung Pay. This way, you can continue to make purchases and pay for services with your smartphone or a smartwatch.

4. Explore Wire Transfer Options

If getting a replacement card is not feasible, consider having money wired to you. You can use wire transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram to receive cash without needing a debit card. You’ll need to provide identification and the transaction details, but it’s a reliable way to access your money.

5. Use Other Cards

Always travel with more than one form of payment. If you have a credit card or another debit card , now is the time to use it. This reduces the inconvenience of having a single expired card and ensures you’re not stranded without access to your funds.

6. Withdraw Funds Through a Partner Bank

Some banks have international partnerships with other banks. In such cases, you might be able to withdraw cash directly from a partner bank’s branch. You’ll need to present your passport and possibly answer security questions, but it’s an effective way to access your money.

7. Precautionary Measures for the Future

To avoid a situation like this in the future, make a note of your card’s expiration date before you leave on vacation. Most banks send out new cards a few weeks before the old one expires, so ensure your address is up-to-date. Additionally, consider setting up travel alerts on your account and inform your bank of your travel plans. That way, you’ll cut down any risk of fraud alerts or blocks issued on your account.

If your debit card stops working while you’re traveling, it can be a hassle, but it’s not a huge disaster. If you act quickly and check out other options, you can still get to your money and have an enjoyable and relaxing time on your trip. Make sure to have a second way to pay ready and the phone number for your bank with you, just in case you need it while you’re on the go.

Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : If Your Debit Card Expires While You’re Traveling, Do These 7 Things