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Travelex Money Card Review Australia

The Travelex Travel Money Card replaces the pre-existing Multi-currency Cash Passport with enhanced features and benefits. Learn about the Travelex travel card in this review to help you decide whether this is the card for you.

What is the Travelex Travel Money Card?

The Travelex Travel Money Card is a prepaid Mastercard%C2%AE currency card, designed specially for your overseas adventures. It replaces the Multi-Currency Cash Passport, which is no longer available.

Travelex itself is owned by Finablr, a financial company that owns many well known brands like Remit2India and UAE Exchange.

The company listed on the London stock exchange in 2019 with an implied valuation of about 1.23 billion pounds, making it one of the largest foreign exchange businesses in the world.

Pros and cons of the Travelex Travel Money Card

• Smartphone app and Free Wifi
• $0 international ATM fees
• Lock in exchange rates
• Limited number of currencies
• Expensive - high cross-currency conversion, extra initial loading, inactivity and closing fees
• ATM fees in Australia

When to use (and avoid) the Travelex Money Card for your travels

We think the Travelex Money Card is ideal for an organised traveller going to popular holiday destinations like Europe or the US. It comes with free Wifi, which fantastic for you to keep in touch with family or friends. Travelex has better online rates than your bank so you can lock in a good initial loading rate and save. Plus they don't charge you ATM fees while you're overseas.

Unfortunately, all of these conveniences comes with a high price tag. If you're looking for cheaper travel money options , you can also try the Wise (formerly TransferWise) debit card or Revolut .

Best way to use the Travelex card

The best way to use this card is to take cash from ATMs, because your limit is $3,000 and there are no additional ATM fees. The limit for in-store purchases is only $350 per day, which isn't much.

We also think it's a good idea to get a spare card, kept securely and separately from your main card. This way if your card gets lost or stolen, you won't have the hassle of ordering and waiting for a new card.

Learn more about the Travelex Money Card

Benefits of the travelex money card.

• Chip and PIN
• 24/7 Global Travel Assistance
• Emergency card/cash available if stolen/lost

Convenience

• Easy way to manage, spend and save on multiple currencies
• No bank account required
• Contactless payments

• No international ATM fee
• Lock in exchange rate by loading funds to foreign currencies and avoid fluctuations

Manage Your Money

• Reload and manage your funds easily online
• Redeem your unused funds easily on your return

How does a Travelex card work?

There are three main steps to setting up the travel money card with Travelex Australia, outlined below. You can also watch our video tutorial for a complete guide.

Step 1: Purchase Card

Order your Travelex Money Card online , over the phone or in your local Travelex store. Make an initial load amount of A$100 minimum. Get your travel card.

Step 2: Activate

Register your travel card details through the Travelex website or via the Travelex Money app and activate your card. You can manage your account online or through your app.

Step 3: Top-Up

Top up or reload money onto your travel card online, over the phone or via the Travelex Money app.

How much does the Travelex Money Card cost?

Travel money cards have multiple fees associated with them, which can make it difficult to compare.

For the Travelex Money Card, the initial load fee for Australian Dollars are the greater of 1.1% of the initial amount or A$15.00, but for loads or top-ups into all other currencies it's free. There is also a A$4.00 monthly inactivity fee.

Travelex exchange rates

Travelex provides a currency calculator on their website . However Travelex quotes the market rate, which is not necessarily the rate you will get when you load currencies on your card.

Travelex sets the exchange rate at the time you move your funds from one currency to another. If you don't have enough currency in your account and have made a purchase, Travelex will use the Mastercard%C2%AE exchange rate ("FX Rate") plus a margin of 5.95% of the transaction value to cover the cost.

All prices are in AUD * Foreign currency conversion is charged when you spend in a currency that is not loaded in the card

All prices are in AUD

Does the Travelex Money Card have an App?

Yes. When you have an account with Travelex, you can top-up your card through their website, or through their iOS and Android apps. This means Travelex is available to both Apple and Android users.

Like their website, Travelex's Money Card app is very easy to use. Having the app makes loading currencies and taking out cash on the go when you're travelling much easier.

Travelex Customer Reviews

TrustPilot TrustScore: 8.9/10

On TrustPilot , Travelex have four stars and most customers think it's an "excellent company" to use. Generally customers speak favourably about their experiences with Travelex Australia as a whole.

However customers are more negative when it comes to reviewing Travelex's travel money card. A lot of customers complained about difficulty in using the app and issues with reloading money onto the travel card.

With too many negative user experience stories in online forums, we think a comparison with alternative travel cards for your situation is a good idea.

Is the Travelex Money Card safe to use?

Yes. Travelex is regulated in Australia. They have an Australian Financial Services Licence, and are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). They also have strict regulatory guidelines to follow.

How to contact Travelex if you have a problem

Website: https://www.travelex.com.au/travel-money-card/contact

Phone: https://www.multicurrencycashpassport.com/contact-us/card-service-numbers/

Frequently asked questions about Travelex Money Card

How do i get a travelex card.

You can buy a Travelex Money Card from any Travelex store or online and can collect it from any Travelex store in Australia. In-store fees for the card are more expensive than buying online.

Where can I get a Travelex Money Card?

Travelex have plenty of stores all over Australia . They have 1,400 Bureau de Change outlets principally located in airports and tourist locations in over 100 airports, across 26 countries. You can pick up your Travelex Money Card instantly from any Travelex store.

Can I use my Travelex Money Card in Australia?

Yes, you can use your Travelex Money Card in Australia. However if you are withdrawing money from an Australian ATM you will be charged 2.95% of the total amount you are withdrawing.

What currencies can you load on your card?

Your Travelex Money Card can be loaded with Australian dollars, which is your default currency.

You can load up your card with 9 additional currencies, including US dollars (USD), Euro (EUR), Great British pounds (GBP), New Zealand dollars (NZD), Hong Kong dollars (HKD), Canadian dollars (CAD), Singapore dollars (SGD), Thai baht (THB) and Japanese yen (JPY).

Can I still use my Travelex Multi-Currency Cash Passport?

If you're an existing Cash Passport customer with Travelex, you can still use your card until the expiration date on the front of the card. Positively, you can also order and use a Travelex Money Card should you wish to do so. You can even transfer the balance from your existing Cash Passport to your new Travelex Money Card, in the same currencies and at no extra cost.

What happens if I lost my Travelex card?

If you lose or misplace your card you can contact 24/7 Global Assistance. Travelex quickly and securely provides you with emergency cash and a free replacement card.

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Is a Travelex money card worth it?

Hello, I was looking into some of my options for accessing my money abroad, and I came across the Travelex money card while ordering some euros from travelex.com. I was wondering if the Travelex money card would be worth getting for a 2 month trip. Mainly, I want to avoid incurring large fees for converting USD to Euros via my debit card, so I was originally thinking just carrying cash, but that’s a good way to get robbed and be broke in a foreign country for a couple months. So, a card that I can load with euros as well as other currencies for my 2 month trip seems like a better option, but I’m not sure if it’s the best option. Thanks.

Go to your nearest credit union (or find one online). Get an ATM card from them. They don't charge exorbitant fees because they're not-for-profit (I pay 1% of each transaction with my ATM card, no other fees). Get cash as you need it, use a no foreign exchange credit card whenever you can. No need to reinvent the wheel here. Travelex is not a good option for anything (haven't you discovered this when ordering money from them? what was the markup?). I don't believe this money card will be readily accepted anywhere, which is an even worse problem.

Give this a read: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money

I didn’t notice a major markup using Travelex to order cash, but I did notice that when the hostel I booked for my arrival charged my chase account, I was charged a $5 transaction fee as well as a 5% markup. As for a credit union, I just checked and the nearest one to me requires you to be retired (I live near a wealthy retirement community), and the next one is over 70 miles away, so a credit union isn’t really an option.

Hate to tell you, but I think virtually everything you've written above is a mistake.

Two things which are highly contradictory...

I want to avoid incurring large fees

ordering some euros from travelex.com

Anything involving Travelex = you are paying VERY high fees, you are getting gouged.

There is no reason to "order euros", from anyone (least of all, from Travelex). There's also no reason to pay large fees for pulling your own money out of an account via debit card. As stated above, just use any reasonable bank or credit union, use their ATM in Europe to pull out Euros (or other local currency). The fees should be pocket change (unless your bank is a terrible one - in that case, join a local credit union).

You do not need to get Euros before you leave home, and you do not want to "exchange" money. You land at any airport in Europe, there will be ATM machines there, you use your ATM/debit card to pull out cash, any fees charged will be less than the cost of a beer.

It's easy, reliable, a non-issue.

As for a credit union, I just checked and the nearest one to me requires you to be retired (I live near a wealthy retirement community), and the next one is over 70 miles away, so a credit union isn’t really an option.

This is hard to believe. Credit unions are everywhere and they're prolific. I could be wrong, but I'd guess that your search for creit unions may not have been very effective. Where do you live? Would that be the Wyoming town in your username?

Wherever you are, try this link - a decent search engine for finding credit unions near anyplace: Credit Unions Near Me

Note: is says there are 50 credit unions near Cody, WY (although their definition of "near" may be a little loose)...

Travelex is synonymous with high cost foreign currency exchange. Germans don't like credit cards because the merchant usually has to pay about 3% fee and the money is slow, 7 to 10 days, to make it into their bank account, and rubs Germans the wrong way. So a 5% adder is common, especially for smaller establishments when using a credit card.

Besides credit unions, there are internet banks, like CapitalOne that don't charge foreign currency transaction fees.

Or open an online account with Charles Schwab and fund the checking account with the amount you want to have for your trip. No fees. When you need cash, you get the local currency from an ATM. Use a credit card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.

perhaps this will help you search for a CU

http://www.asmarterchoice.org/

Thanks for the help. So, the overall message I’m getting is that Travelex is horrible, normal banks are a necessary evil, or credit unions are the best options in my case? Would incurring the transaction fees from chase be better than atm fees, or is cash the way to go in Europe? From my experience, cards have always been better, but I’ve read a lot that Europe is different in where cards are useful. I want to avoid issues with using USD on an ATM where I wouldn’t be able to, or are there no issues so long as I use an ATM that has the currency I need? For example, can I use my debit card with USD on an ATM in France to get Euros, and an ATM Switzerland to get Francs? Do they have to be special ATM’s?

I dumped my big bank for a credit union long ago. The fees are lower and the customer service is better. I still don't know what the advantage of a big bank is for checking and savings.

(You get the local currency from the ATMs in Europe - in France you get Euros, in Switzerland, Francs, etc. No USD comes from an ATM in Europe. The currency is converted for you - plus any other fees charged.)

There are plenty of credit unions you can join. You don't even have to visit physically. If you want one just for traveling, the Andrews Federal Credit Union in Maryland for example offers an ATM card (not even a debit card if you don't want a checking account) with no fee per-use and 0% currency conversion fee. I've used one for years. Andrews also offers a visa credit card with no foreign transaction fee and no annual fee (but no rewards program to speak of). It's also a chip and PIN card that works in train station ticket machines and unattended gas pumps, where many US chip credit cards won't work.

The only stipulation is that, to be eligible, you might need to join the American Consumer Council (ACC) - a one-time $5 fee.

If it bothers you to join a credit union that isn't local, no doubt you can join a local one even if it doesn't have quite the same rates as Andrews.

Credit unions offer reciprocal use of ATMs through something called the Co-Op network. You can use your local credit union's ATM without belonging to it, for no fee, if you use your ATM card from another credit union. And sometimes they offer something called "shared-branch banking" so you can do transactions in person with your remote credit union (like Andrews) without being a member there.

As for your Chase visa: they certainly offer some visa credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and no per-charge fees. All of their cards have different terms.

My take on Travelex prior to arriving in Europe....forget it period. Even the most generous exchange rate offered is just plain bad! There is a Travelex at SFO in the international departure area.

A couple of years ago I got 1,000 Euro from BofA, the minimum at which no service or any sort of fee would be charged. I went to a major branch office in SF, was told the cash would be available in a few days. They certainly did not have it on stock, so to speak.

It was, either I could have it mailed to me or come back to pick it up. The bank said I would receive a phone call so that I could come by to pick the cash. I chose that option instead of receiving in the mail

Part 2....credit cards are not necessarily better. It does depend upon where you are and who is being paid with your US credit card.

In Austria and Germany the small hotels/Pensionen and restaurants which don't primarily cater to tourists would much prefer cash. On the last 2 trips, 2016 and 2017, I've found myself paying more often with cash in Germany, so I didn't have to bother with a credit card, or I would not even check if the Visa/MC logo was on the restaurant door or window before stepping in.

You can use the credit card more freely in France and London.

Emma, my plan is to start in Paris, go to Lauterbrunnen, all over Italy, Athens, Budapest, Germany, Vienna, Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.

Travelex is fine for getting a starter pack of the local currency, whether it's Euros, Forints, Korunas, or English pounds. While you'll be paying a premium on the exchange you can minimize the damage by withdrawing the minimum, ie just enough to get you started, then rely on ATM's upon arrival...using a no fee debit card as others have suggested. Capitol One credit cards are a good choice for foreign travel.

I do not mean to be rude, condescending, obnoxious, etc to the OP, but - I am shocked at how many times this question has been answered in these pages with the same information over the several years I have been here, and how many times this same question gets asked, with the same anti-consumer products being looked at, and the same information always being given in response.

If you open a bank account online with CapitalOne or Schwab, since you say a credit union is not working for you, you will get an ATM card that working in the system will have a cost to use of between point-three and point-seven of one percent over the interbank exchange rate at the time. You cannot do better. Neither of these, as well as the various credit unions, charge a fee for ATM use (and Schwab refunds the fee if an external ATM charges you). European banks by law do not charge ATM fees. While the CapOne card is an ATM card only, the Schwab card is a chip-and-pin debit card and thus also may be used for ticket machines, automated gas, point-of-sale, overseas purchases online, and so on. If this is a joint account you can get a card for each of you with different numbers with the daily limit applied separately to each card. We have used these cards in 18 countries without any problem - ever. That there may be no physical bank within 500 miles of you will not matter, as you can transfer money to these accounts online from your regular daily bank.

I hope this article will help you choosing a good credit card for overseas travel (only for credit card purchases, not cash withdrawals)...give it a read (there is a link to cards with zero foreign transaction fees, which is helpful): "What to ask before taking credit cards overseas" https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/taking-credit-cards-overseas-1.aspx

By the way, my credit union is in CA and I live in VA. Everything is done online, I don't visit the "bank" at all.

I use Schwab. I put 50% more than what I think will be needed into the Schwab account. I can access those funds on any terminal on the Plus system, which is common. No direct fees. As Larry notes, the conversion rate is how the system makes money. We have the Chase Sapphire card which does not charge fees for foreign transactions. As Larry says, these are well-known options.

European banks by law do not charge ATM fees.

That statement might be a little strong, since the Unicredit (big Italian bank) ATM's in Italy charged ATM fees last year when I was there. Walked down the street to an ATM operated by an Italian equivalent of a credit union/savings bank and they did not have ATM fees.

Caixa, a major Spanish bank, charged me its own fee as well as the ATM fee imposed by my own bank. Fortunately that is an exception. The OP should understand that a user fee for foreign exchange is charged by the issuer of the card back in the US. The exchange rate is a separate issue. Any way to get foreign currency -- over the counter, by bank card or credit card -- is actually buying the currency. The customer will pay more than the published exchange rate, and if selling it back at the end of the trip, will receive less than the published rate. The difference is profit margin for the bank. While fees for plastic vary, there's little to no difference on exchange rates. If I land at a European airport with no euros in my wallet, I will seek out a bank machine, even Travelex if no bank as available, and withdraw enough euros to keep my going until I get to an ATM in a bank near my hotel. There is no need to buy the euros back home, which is often more expensive. As a precaution, I maintain chequing accounts with ATM cards at two different financial institutions, so I have back-up. Travelling solo, I also never carry all my plastic in the same wallet. And I do withdraw substantial cash; it's no less secure than at ATM that gets lost/stolen/mangled.

Not all credit unions offer debit/ATM cards providing zero foreign transaction fees. The ones near me charge 3%. Search the Travel Forum for prior posts which include a full description of Travelex costs....high.

You've asked a good question. You are wise to be thinking in advance about such things.

Debit Cards: I have the Charles Schwab Investor Checking Account that I use exclusively for travel. I've used it for several years and have been very pleased. There are never any ATM fees period. There are no foreign transaction fees. This is better than anything you will get at a credit union. I have been pleased with their service. This is a great debit card for travel. I have found a secondary plus is that I put my travel savings into it each month and then it is separate and I always know how much money is available for travel. Note: In order to open this account, you also open a brokerage account. Don't be mislead by this. Although you open the brokerage account, you have no requirement to put any money into it. I never have. It is quite a simple process to do.

Credit Cards: There are several credit cards out there that do not charge foreign transaction fees. Next look for added features such as travel insurance, discounts, cash back, or frequent flyer miles. Andrews Federal Credit Union (anyone can join by first joining a consumer protection group) offers one of the few true chip and pin credit cards out there. Most of the time you will not need a true chip and pin unless you are dealing with automated services such as ticket machines or toll booths.

Travelex: They provide a service and do charge fees. If that service has enough value to you so that you don't mind the fees, there is not a problem with using them. They will cost more than other options.

Sam is correct, some Italian banks, along with Spanish banks, are in fact charging ATM fees. But note these are Italian banks. We used German bank ATMs in Italy and Spain the ,last two trips, they did nto charge fees as per their policy.

Regarding Travelex ATMs, we tested the Travelex ATM in Heathrow and were charged the identical conversion rate that we received later that morning at a NatWest Bank in London. With all ATMs and credit cards you must make certain that the transaction is being done in the local currency, and do not accept their offer to do this in your currency, which will be at a 3 to 5% mark-up.

For a really good version of the Chase Sapphire card, their Amazon card is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, 3% cashback on Amazon purchases, 25 cashback on gas, drugstores, restaurants and office supplies, and 1% on everything else. Foreign charges are exactly at the conversion rate as there is no friction to pay for ATM servicing. So using this at restaurants in Europe is the least expensive option, since you get cash back.

There are many many fees for everything you do on a Travelex money card. A fee to buy the card, a fee to add money to the card, an exchange fee to convert your USD to EUR to load to the card, a fee if you spend the money as a different currency than what you asked to be loaded to the card, a fee to get money from an ATM, a fee to use it to make a purchase, a fee to check the balance, a fee to close out the card after your trip if you want the remaining cash, and so on. Sounds like the exact opposite of what you wanted.

The default Capital One Debit card which has no fees is a Debit card with a MasterCard logo on it. It is not an "ATM only" card as reported in one comment. I have had one now for nearly 15 years and have never had it not work in Europe when getting cash from an ATM (which is the only thing I use it for). There is absolutely no cost for the Capital One 360 account, no minimum balance requirements (the account will never close as long as you have at least $1 in it), no fees to move money in and out. You can sign up for it online and never have to go to a physical location. Much better than the 5% + $5 the big US banks charge per transaction.

Unfortunately some European ATMs now do charge a fee. It is clearly indicated so you can avoid the fee by going to an ATM operated by a different bank. Also, never allow an ATM or a merchant to bill you in your home currency, always insist on being billed in the local currency (EUR, GBP, etc) or they will use an exchange rate that is very inflated in their favor costing you up to 5% over what you should pay. Your account will always get billed in your home currency anyway when the transactions settle.

Looking into both Shwab and Capital One, neither of them look like they’d work. Capital One says it’s used at their locations or ATMs to withdraw cash, so wouldn’t I still be hit with the same fees as Chase? And Shwab doesn’t have an ATM in Paris (just searched as an example), so wouldn’t it be the same scenario? Or would I just use a random ATM wherever I’m at?

Plus Shwab requires the brokerage account which says has a minimum $1,000 deposit.

I have no idea why people make this so complicated. I've had my Andrews FCU ATM card for years. $0 fee and 0% conversion fee sure is nice in Europe. Maybe someday I'll actually visit an Andrews branch if I ever get to Maryland - but I doubt it.

I don't think you have a very clear understanding of now ATMs work. Do you currently have and use a debit card at ATMs in your area? Second, the ATMs is a machine that processes your card regardless of who issues the card. It is the card issuer - generally the bank - who determines the fees charge for using the debit card. Therefore, Chase can charge different fees than Schab, or Bank One, or Capitol One, etc. There is no question that the cheapest and most convenient way to obtain local currency is via debit card at a bank owned ATM. It is best if your debit card charges low or no fees, but even if your debit card charges a standard 3% fee it is still cheaper than any other alternative -- including Travelex.

Ive always used a Wells Fargo card with Wells Fargo atms, and chase with chase atms. I was always told never to use other atms, so this scenario is completely new to me.

Will you withdraw $1000 while in Europe? If yes, then open a Schwab account and transfer money from the account as needed to the related checking account. What's so challenging?

I was always told never to use other atms

This makes sense as they probably charge you high fees to use other ATMs, and it keeps you loyal to Wells Fargo. The key is to find a less punishing bank because there is a spectrum of greedy to super greedy. A credit union works for me, I don't care to be shaken down when accessing my own money.

Every banking product (whether credit union or for-profit bank, or ATM debit card or credit card) spells out all the various fees on a one page-disclosure/summary. No one can answer what the fees are for the cards you are using, or plan to use overseas because each card has its own terms specific to that card (there are a variety of different combinations). You have to look up the exact card and the fees will be spelled out. It's not even small print, it's pretty large print so it's impossible to miss.

100% agree with Agnes. I never need to worry about hunting down an ATM in Europe from some specific bank - just use the closest most convenient one and never get charged any fees. Some people warn you away from ATMs not owned by banks, but I've never been charged a fee to use my credit union ATM cards anywhere in Europe over many trips. (In some countries e.g. Spain I hear some ATMs do charge fees but I've never been there.)

I'm one who will warn you to avoid ATM's not owned by banks. That's only because some machines that resemble ATM's have names on them like Travelex and are really exchanges that charge big fees. Stick with something that has bank, banc, banco, etc. in the name. I've really only seen the automated exchange machines in airports.

As for paying fees, if it's a bank ATM, the European bank won't charge you a fee (the comment about Italy is the first I've heard of in Western Europe). Your bank probably charges something. Shop for foreign transaction fees when you pick a bank or credit union. Some banks and brokerages have free options but they come with requirements. If the requirements work for you, great. The biggest banks often charge something like $5 per transaction plus three percent, which adds up quickly. It's fairly easy to find a one percent flat fee option from smaller banks and credit unions. Finally some banks advertise free transactions at participating ATM's in Europe. I'd avoid these. Unless you know exactly where a free ATM will be, and it's convenient, you're likely to spend too much effort trying to find a free machine and end up just paying big fees. I'm sure there are millions of ATM's in Europe. A couple thousand free one's may seem like a lot, until you start searching for them.

Schwab requires $1,000 in the brokerage account? Really? Do you have that in writing? Because I can tell you that my required Schwab brokerage account has ZERO dollars in it, and that has been the balance since it was opened several years ago. The checking account keeps about 2 grand in it, not because it is required, but because that is a comfortable amount for me to leave there and have ready. If there even is a minimum for the checking account, it can't be more than a hundred, but this simply is something I can ignore.

Perhaps you are confusing the $1,000 with the $1,000 that you are allowed to withdraw from it daily.

As for my CapOne account, the card is in fact an ATM only debit card, it has no chip, and CapOne says I will not be getting one with this account, which is their hi-interest money market account and I think is no longer an offered product. This is no problem, as with both cards, plus no foreign transaction fee credit cards from CapOne and the Chase's Amazon card we have all our cash needs covered.

And please, codyw - - it's been stated so many times here and in the past - CapOne and Schwab DO NOT CHARGE FEES AT THEIR END FOR ATM WITHDRAWALS - period.(sorry for theCaps)

The $1000 Schwab brokerage minimum is waived if you have a checking account.

"The Minimum Deposit Requirement is waived if you open a linked Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® account or establish an incoming monthly transfer of at least $100 through direct deposit or Schwab MoneyLink.®"

https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/nn/agreements/schwab_pricing_guide_for_individual_investors.html

There's currently a $100 bonus for new Schwab customers. It's not totally clear if the $1000 in brokerage account is necessary for the bonus. Opening the accounts will result in hard credit pulls. Google "schwab $100 bonus" for the bonus link plus details on various financial blogs.

I've used a Capital One bank ATM card pretty widely in Europe (it's the back-up to my credit union card). No problems and no fees. I did encounter an ATM in the eastern part of Germany that did not like my US ATM cards, and the bank confirmed that its machines were touchy that way. That was just one place in the eleven countries I've visited recently.

I think Brad hasn't spent much time in Spain in the last few years. As others have stated, there are most definitely some European banks charging ATM-usage fees. Several of them have machines in Barcelona, enough that it was sort of annoying. But there were also plenty of machines with no fees, so it was a matter of paying attention to which bank's machines you liked and which you wanted to avoid.

First of all, you do not have to fund a Charles Schwab brokerage account, only open it. Many, many people on this forum have done just that. You are not reading the information correctly.

A Debit card with a Visa logo (such as the Charles Schwab one) works at any ATM that takes VISA. This is pretty much any ATM anywhere in the world. They do not charge fees. If the local bank charges a fee, then Schwab credits your account back.

You are not required to use the same bank as issues your card.

I think we should drop the discussion about Schwab because it is just adding a lot of confusion -- yes they do. No they don't. We are mixing up the discussion about two complete different fees. ONE - a fee to use an ATM and TWO a fee for converting your money into the local currency -- currency conversion fee.

It is obvious that codyw does not have a good handle on how ATMs and Debit cards work. Too bad we cannot have a phone conversation for this one. It would be easier. See if I can keep it simple.

In the US and Europe all ATMs are owned by someone -- generally a bank. Generally any debit card with a VISA or Mastercard brand can be used at any ATM in the US and Europe. In the US the bank customers of the bank that owns the ATM can use that ATM for free. All other users will be charge a fee if they use a different bank's debit card at that ATM. That fee is often $2 or $3.

Therefore this is why your statement ----- Ive always used a Wells Fargo card with Wells Fargo atms, and chase with chase atms. I was always told never to use other atms .... is not totally accurate. You can use other ATMs but you will be charged a fee. OK ?? Free to use you own ATMs but not someone else.

In Europe, it is NOT common for the bank owner of the ATM to charge a fee to non-customers of that bank. Therefore, it is generally free to use your debit card with any other bank owned ATM. OK ????

The other fees we are discussing is commonly called the currency conversion fee (3-5%). THAT fee is totally determined by the card issuer and can be anything that they want to charge but it must be disclosed to you. Cannot be hidden. Any question about fees being charged -- call your bank.

I didn’t notice a major markup using Travelex to order cash

Really? You need to pay more attention.

Right now, according to Oanda.com, the Interbank (official exchange) rate is 804,18€ for $1000 US.

I just checked with Travelex's website and their rate is 729,90€ for $1000 US. That's for cash or to load a card. That's a 9¼% exch rate discount.

Wells Fargo, today, will give you 706€ for $996.97 US, which is a 5.2% discount. (Actually, Wells sets their rate or the day at 5% sometime in the early morning. As the day goes on, and the Interbank rate changes, the WF rate might be more or less than 5%.)

I was charged a $5 transaction fee as well as a 5% markup.

I guess I wouldn't be surprised for Chase, because I consider them crooks, but Wells Fargo only charges 3% for "exchange conversion" and charges $5 only for foreign ATMs, not other transactions. I put exchange conversion in quotes because it's really a foreign transaction fee. The bank will charge you this whether they pay in local currency or USD. So, Dynamic Currency Conversion, where the bank or vendor changes the charge for you into USD at their rate doesn't save you anything. Your bank will still charge you 3% regardless.

Good job Frank .

I think on the subject of fees to use an ATM, it can also be expanded to the 2 separate fees. In the example of the OP having accounts at Chase and Wells Fargo. If the OP tried to use the Chase card at a Wells Fargo, he would incur 2 fees, one from Chase for using somebody else's ATM, and another from Wells Fargo for using a card from somebody else's bank. The first would just show up on his bank statement, the second would be disclosed on the ATM screen before the cash is dispensed and you would have to click on the "OK" button to accept the fee and get your money.

So now, for the purpose of minimizing fees, lets use CapitalOne Bank as an example. CapitalOne is an internet bank that has no ATM's, so they can't charge a fee for using somebody else's ATM. The ATM owner may charge a fee, but that will be disclosed at the time of the transaction. Most, but not all, banks in Europe do not charge a fee for using the ATM. Since CapitalOne does not charge foreign currency transaction fees, that will be at the interbank rate prevailing at the time of the transaction. Currencies trade just like stocks, the precise rate changes constantly as millions of $ worth of currencies are being exchanged continually through out the day, 24-7.

Ok, so I think I understand now. Basically, even though capital one doesn’t have any ATM’s in Paris for example, I can use any ATM without incurring a fee on capital ones end? The only fees I’d occur would be on the end of whoever owns the ATM, and I can avoid those by finding an ATM with no fees?

Just the reverse of what you said. It is your card issuer that determines the fees.

Yes Frank, but doesn’t the capital one card have no fees so that means any fees would bevfrom the atm’s end?

Okay, this thread has become confusing for just about everyone....

First of all. Make sure you are talking about a Debit or ATM card (not a credit card). Credit Cards should not be used at ATMS unless it is the only option available to you. With Credit cards you accrue interest on a cash advance.

Secondly, each bank or credit union that issues a debit card has its own policy regarding ATM fees and foreign transaction fees. You want a card that 1) Does not charge ATM fees anywhere 2) Credits your account back for any ATM fees charged by ATM provider 3) Does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Several cards that meet these requirements have already been suggested in this thread so I won't go through it again. If your Debit Card has the VISA logo on it, you should not have difficulties using it in almost any ATM around the world. If you sign up for an account with the features listed above, you should not have any fees associated with the transaction.

No, Frank. You might still get charged a fee to use the ATM by the ATM's owner, particularly if it is not a bank ATM. There have been posts here about that happening.

Credit Cards should not be used at ATMS.

Correspondingly, I would say that debit cards should not be used for POS transactions.

CapitalOne is an internet bank that has no ATM's, so they can't charge a fee for using somebody else's ATM

Capital One has bank branches, ATMs, and Allpoint ATMs associated with it. It's not an internet bank, it has brick and mortar locations throughout the US. There is no evidence (that I know of) that they can't or don't charge for using other ATMs.

Capital One doesn't charge for use of European ATMs. I haven't tried using my Capital One ATM card in another bank's US ATM so cannot say for sure what would happen.

Cody, I saw nothing wrong with your short summary.

Why not? That is exactly what they are designed for. I use my debit card a lot more than my credit card, both to extract money from an ATM and for shopping. I only use the credit card on the internet (sometimes, debit card is often cheaper), or when travelling and the shop doesn't accept debit cards.

On the US end, of course lots of people use debit cards for POS. The issue is that credit cards have more legal protections than debit cards. Maximum liability for fraudulent use is $50 I believe, and even that almost never happens. When the statement is viewed, you can dispute and be reimbursed for fraud. With a debit card, someone can drain your entire bank account and the fine print of your bank agreement says the bank is not liable for the lost funds. In practice, banks usually do reimburse their customers, but it can be a hassle in time spent being "pennyless" until it gets cleared up and all the proper hoops have been jumped through.

Lately, the fraudsters have been using skimmers and tiny hidden cameras on unattended gas pumps, so they get both the card number and PIN.

When I am in Germany, I use mostly cash, which I get from ATMs with my debit card, for almost everything. The small, independent hotels or guesthouses I use almost never take plastic, and they are always less expensive than those that do. If I do use a credit card, it is usually for a purchase from a major retailer, and I never lose sight of the card.

At home, I have a debit card that I use for internet sales. It is tied to a checking account in which I usually keep less than $100, with no overdraft protection. I did this on the advise of my bank after they called me one day to ask if I had charged $18,000 to Avon for cosmetics.

You have to be careful which Capital One account you get: It must be the 360 online account they offer to guarantee you have no fees for ATM transactions. Some of their other accounts do charge fees for ATM use.

I have had the 360 account for over 15 years. I have never been charged any ATM fees by Capital One (or its predecessors for this account) anywhere in the entire world. I have used that Debit card in ATMs all over Europe.

I agree with the statement made about being told to not use your Wells or Chase card at ATMs not belonging directly to them. This is good advise in the US where ATM owners love to charge large fees when you use their ATMs. Since most places in Europe do not charge fees at the ATM, not something to really worry much about as long as the ATM is run by a bank. You do have to worry about the fees your bank will charge you for international transactions. They charge just because they can. . And no, you will not find ATMs operated directly by US banks anywhere in Europe so don't waste time looking for one.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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Travelex Retaining Personal Currency Transaction

On 08 June 2023 I converted UK Pound Sterling to 290 U.S. dollars and was only offered the Travelex Money Debit Card. I accepted this offer with the assurance that once I returned to the U.S. that day I would be able to obtain my funds in U.S. dollars, which my Travelex receipt reflected. Upon return to the U.S. I have been unable to access my funds after two attempts at my financial institution. I sent an email to Travelex on 8 June 2023 requesting they provide me funds through through traditional methods and they have failed to respond.

Date of experience : June 08, 2023

My 18 year old granddaughter tried to…

My 18 year old granddaughter tried to order a Travelex card. The first time, It didn't go through, although funds in her bank account were placed on hold pending the transaction. Once the funds were back in her account, tried again, including a phone call to Travelex. The request still didn't go through even with Travelex on the phone, guiding the process. They didn't know why the transaction couldn't go through. I ordered Canadian funds without any problem, and they were delivered by FedEX as promised.

Date of experience : August 09, 2020

The whole experience went well

The whole experience went well. Being pretty much confined to the house during the coronavirus event, I found it helpful to order online. I was able to pay with my credit card (air miles), free shipping, and the package arrived in a couple of days as promised. Perfect experience. Will definitely do business with them in the future.

Date of experience : March 26, 2020

Legacy customer

I have been using TravelEx ever since I was 18 going abroad for the first time on my own, back then I just stopped by the store in Tampa. These days my travel has grown a bit more rushed and time sensitive. It is nice to know I can go online and order local currency for delivery the next day amazing. Many local shops won’t swipe your credit card for small purchase as they do in the US/CA. You would be surprised how many experiences you can miss out on because you don’t have cash.

Date of experience : May 01, 2020

Could not understand the foriegn guy…

Could not understand the foriegn guy with the accent who disconnected phone connection after I had to ask him repeatedly what he was saying and was going to ask him to speak slower and louder but he decided hanging up was easier. I can understand accents but not low fast mumbling. Have your people speak slower and ANUNCIATE. My other preceeding French born English Rep was 5 stars.

Date of experience : June 10, 2020

Excellent Service/Excellent Rates

I travel to Brazil often; once or twice each year, and always use Travelex for my currency exchange. Your online systems are quick and easy and I love the fact I can pick-up my cash locally at the airport. Also, I trust your conversion rates, which I often compare with the conversion rates my friends give me from Sao Paulo. Often your rates are spot on, or sometimes better. I appreciate your service and thank you for being a very important part of my international travel. For frequent customers, it would be nice to have a personalized account, information on best conversion rates and places to travel in the world, etc. T.

Date of experience : May 05, 2020

The only way to exchange money

The website timed out on me which was frustrating after putting all the required information in; it also rejected a perfectly good credit card. Once I resolved those issues, it was smooth and expedient. Received the cash less than 24 hours later!

Date of experience : April 19, 2020

Great service!

This was the first time I've used this website and I will definitely do it again. The process was simple, well thought out, and uncomplicated. The funds were delivered promptly as promised. Thank you for making this transaction painless and successful!

The process was clear and easy

The process was clear and easy, you could edit and navigate backwards well on the site to explore options. I bought Euro very close to the most recent exchange rate and do not feel I got nickeled and dimed at all so that was refreshing.

Date of experience : May 08, 2020

As a result of purchase

As a result of purchase, I was exspecting large bill notes more than two hundred dollars notes. Easier to work with while vacationing. Especially, since it was not purchase in Mexico. This certainly is an incentive to anyone wanting to visit Mexico. Also, a good selling point and public relations to Americans. More purchasing power.

Date of experience : June 16, 2021

I have ordered foreign currency twice…

I have ordered foreign currency twice and was extremely happy with the delivery and the ease of ordering. Your customer service department is excellent . I know I will be ordering again in the future as my daughter is now living abroad. Thank you.

Date of experience : July 09, 2020

I love the idea of being able to travel with local currency.

I love the idea of being able to travel and carry local currency purchased in advance, avoiding on site exchange fees and other issues with credit cards, etc.; the Travelx allows you to do just that. The only issue I have is with the navigability of the website and reloading a card .. it’s clumsy and not intuitive. Part of that is understandable security, but part of it is website design.

Date of experience : April 25, 2020

Bulls purchase

Date of experience : May 09, 2020

Was making a trip to Canada and ordered…

Was making a trip to Canada and ordered Canadian cash. Was delivered on time however trip may be canceled. Unless Trevelex can make Covid disappear then I'd say the experience was pretty good.

Date of experience : April 10, 2020

I’ve used this site twice now and have…

I’ve used this site twice now and have been pleased. The arrival date you pick option is great since it’s definitely a package you don’t want to miss. The staff are pleasant when you call. One thing to note: there are no tracking numbers for security reasons. Just call the day your package is set to arrive and they will let you know the time it will be there.

Date of experience : April 23, 2020

An excellent travel card!

The ease of working through my card reload was great, effortless and quick! Much improved and I feel that my transaction and information are secure. Thank you for improving the site so much!

Date of experience : April 30, 2020

Easy, simple online transaction and convenient in this era of a global pandemic. Something to consider is this ease is costly, not inexpensive albeit convenient. The credit card transaction is processed as a cash advance, not just a regular credit card purchase transaction. A visit to a nearby storefront using cash would not have the added $60 onto my purchase. Quite steep, and have not other choice but to pay for the convenience.

Date of experience : April 17, 2020

Brilliant!!!

What fast, friendly, trustworthy and with a smile (by way of telephone) customer service experience I had today with Travelex US! I will share my delightful experience with everyone I know. Due to Travelex professionalism and attention to detail I won't hesitate to place my next order with Travelex US. The best darn currency exchange company on the planet!

Date of experience : March 27, 2020

Legit business

Legit business. Reasonable charges. I only wish you could order specific denominations. I use most of the currency for tipping at the resort we stay at, not shopping.

Date of experience : March 22, 2020

Travelex could make club or monthly prior to vacation for foreign currency to where you are vacationing one or multiple countries.

Travelex is buy currency each month in anticipation to prepare & go on vacation. If you have the local economy currency, it is easier to start your vacation, usually you need the taxi once you arrive. They conveniently break up the currency into lower denomination to higher denomination. If you get taxi in another country if you have the lower denomination, then you do not have to hear I do not have change. The money is quickly shipped & think they should have more sales. Also they should have account that will send smaller amounts each month year out. You can purchase currency & be ready for vacation. In the country you have to deal with currency exchange & I personally found, some times you get what you pay for & sometimes you do not. The hotels with currency exchange are the most fare, but you will spend more to convert the currency. Reproable hotel will give you proper amount with less chance of them skimming from the exchange. Exchanges on the economy, in some places if they give you the rate, take moment and do the math. Cell Phone or watch calculator, see they try to skim the money, even the change. You can go to restaurants, but they will give you change unless you are super sharp, you do not know if correct or not.

Date of experience : May 07, 2020

• United States
• United Kingdom

In this guide

Restrictions

Your reviews, ask a question, travelex money card review.

The Travelex Money Card lets you carry 10 currencies, with no fees for international ATM withdrawals or top-ups made through Travelex, but a 1% fee for BPAY loads from your bank account.

Travelex Money Card supported currencies

You can load funds and spend them in these 10 currencies:

• Australian dollars (AUD)
• Canadian dollars (CAD)
• Great British pounds (GBP)
• Euros (EUR)
• Hong Kong dollars (HKD)
• Japanese yen (JPY)
• New Zealand dollars (NZD)
• Singapore dollars (SGD)
• Thai baht (THB)
• US dollars (USD)

Features of the Travelex Money Card

• Support for 10 currencies. As well as Australian dollars, you can load 9 supported currencies. This gives you a way to avoid exchange rate changes and manage your travel budget.
• No currency conversion fees for other currencies. If you're paying in a currency not supported by the card, the funds will be converted as part of the transaction, with no currency conversion fee. In comparison, some other cards charge a currency conversion fee of around 2–4%.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access. This card offers complimentary Wi-Fi access at millions of locations around the world through Boingo. Just pre-load $100 or more on your card, then register via the Boingo website to get up to 3 months of free Wi-Fi. You can also get an additional 3 months free for further top-ups of $100 or more.
• Worldwide acceptance. You can use this card in over 200 countries and regions around the world, wherever Mastercard prepaid cards are accepted.
• Fee-free ATM withdrawals. The Travelex Money Card does not charge a withdrawal fee at overseas ATMs. There's also no ATM fees in Australia if you have Australian dollars loaded on the card. Just keep in mind that some ATM operators charge a fee, which is typically displayed before you make a withdrawal.
• Card management. You can check your balance, load foreign currency, view details of current exchange rates and manage other details for your card through the Travelex website and Travelex Money app. There are also no fees when you top up through the Travelex website or app.

How much does the Travelex Money Card cost?

• Purchase fee. There is no purchase fee when you order the Travelex Money Card online through the website or Travelex Money App. When you get one in-store, you won't pay a fee if you're loading foreign currency directly onto the card but when loading in AUD, you'll pay 1.1% of the initial load or $15 (whichever is worth more).
• Loading AUD in store: 1.1% of the initial load or AUD$15 (whichever is worth more).
• BPAY from a bank account (not through Travelex): 1% of the reload amount.
• Monthly inactivity fee. A fee of $4 per month applies if you have not loaded or made a transaction with this card in the past 12 months. This fee won't be charged if you start using the card again, if the balance on your card is less than the fee or if you cancel the card.
• Closure/withdrawal fee. A Mastercard Prepaid fee of $10 applies when you close your card or withdraw from your card funds.

How to apply

You can apply for the Travelex Money Card online or through the Travelex Money App. You can also get one in a participating Travelex store. Just make sure you meet the following requirements.

• Australian address. You'll need to provide a valid Australian residential address, including if you're not an Australian resident.
• Identification. You need to provide a valid form of government-issued photo ID, such as your driver's licence or passport.
• Age. If you apply online or through the Travelex Money app, you'll need to be at least 18 years of age.

If you get a card in-store, it will be ready to use once you load funds onto it. But keep in mind the exchange rates in-store may be different to those online.

If you order a card online or through the app, you'll just need to activate it and load funds before you can use it.

• Travelex Money Card information PDF
• Travelex Money Card TMD

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December 13, 2023

how to cancel a travelex money card after my holiday has ended

Amy Bradney-George Finder

December 14, 2023

Hi Catherine, You can cancel your card by contacting Travelex online or over the phone on 1800 440 039. You can also arrange to cash-out any remaining funds on the card, but be aware that there is a $10 fee when you close the account or withdraw money (set and charged by Mastercard Prepaid). I hope this helps.

July 23, 2019

I have used Travelex Money Card in the U.S. Travelex Money Card is basically Cash Passport with a “Travelex” logo printed on it. I have found it be fine to use for small transactions, e.g. purchasing meal at an airport, souvenir at gift shop. However, I have not always found it reliable for instances where your address details have to be transmitted with your CC details through the EFTPOS system. Cash Passport uses what’s called the Address Verification System (A/V.S.) as one means to verify the cardholder. All it does is try to match up the numerical components of the cardholder’s address – as stored in Cash Passport’s records – with the billing address provided to the merchant If the system does not recognize a ‘match’ for whatever reason, then the transaction is declined.

I used it a number of times pver the past 5 years with a particular motel in the U.S. with success. But then the last time I used it. the card was rejected because of some formatting error with the address. The staff member serving me didn’t seem very knowledgeable (she wasn’t the manager), and suggested I call Cash Passport. They told me it was an address error, and I asked them to detail me exactly how my address was recorded in their system, right down to lettering, full stops, spaces, abbreviations, etc. Then I instructed the merchant to enter my address again exactly as provided to me by CP. Still no joy. The CP consultant advised me that the only other option with the card was to withdraw from an ATM. On this occasion I did so, and had to withdraw a number of times, because ATM’s in that area had a USD $200 limit, and charged for each transaction. I suspect the merchant I was dealing with could have overridden the decline if she knew how (I provided I.D. and verification of my address). Unfortunately the manager was away for a few days. I did have another card to try, a debit card, and that did not work either.

Unfortunately, I did not get much help from Mastercard in trying to understand exactly why the transaction declined. They just told me it was an A.V.S. failure to do with ‘bad address’. Some cursory research suggests to me that A.V.S. is capable of some false positives, and is not reliable with prepaid cards. Furthermore, U.S. and Canadian providers using A.V.S. don’t seem to ‘handshake’ very well with CC’s issued outside of those countries… in terms of verification of address. (I believe Cash Passport is ‘issued’ by Heritage Bank).

In my case, I suspect the decline was a combination of the merchant’s system and Cash Passport’s AVS.

Moral of the story? Have a contingency plan. Take a mix of money sources (which I did), e.g. backup card, currency. And find out in advance where your nearest ATM’s are, especially in a small town/city. If you are taking your CC linked to your native home account, make sure you advise your bank of your travel plans before you go (which I did). And preferably use a travel card that doesn’t employ A.V.S., which I am doing now.

October 17, 2018

If I have a Travelex money card with Euro and English pounds loaded, can I use it to touch and go on public transport and taxis overseas? Would there be fees attached? Cheers

Charisse Finder

Thanks for reaching out to finder.

You can use the Travelex money card to make contactless payments as long as the public transports and taxis have Mastercard payment terminal (EFTPOS) that has contactless symbol. If you will be using the card to pay in any currency other than the currency available on your card, a foreign exchange margin applies to the transaction amount.

You can visit Travelex’ website to see the full information on their rates and fees.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Charisse

October 07, 2018

I need to use a travel card to go OS. However, I am going to Switzerland, Hungary, and Austria – I’m not sure if Austria has euro, but the other 2 don’t. What’s the best way for me to work out my money if cards like Travelex don’t hold currency that I want? I have used Travelex before in USA.

October 08, 2018

Thanks for your question.

Apparently, there are no travel money cards that can hold all the currencies of the three countries you’ve mentioned. However, you may want to do deeper research on a practical way of bringing money/cards to those countries. You may need to consider the fees charged for currency conversion and international ATM withdrawals when comparing your options. Furthermore, you may like to check the following guides instead to get an idea of which card you could possibly get and use overseas:

• Travel Money Guide to Switzerland
• Travel Money Guide – General for all other countries.

Best to check the reviews of your chosen card to make sure that it provides you the benefits considering your travel plans and spending habits.

I hope this somehow helps.

Cheers, May

August 02, 2018

I’m trying to sign up for the free wi-if but it says my card is not eligible

Joel Marcelo

Thanks for leaving a question on Finder.

You are supposed to get free WiFi from Travelex. All you have to do is to load at least $100 on your Travelex Money Card, enter your card details at mastercard.boingo.com, and wait 24 hours for it to be verified. If you can confirm that you have the steps I mentioned, you can contact them directly to ask what could be causing this decline. Cheers,

Amy Bradney-George

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full profile

• Debit cards
• Wise Travel Money Card Review
• Revolut travel account review
• South Korea

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International Money Made Simple

Travelex Card Review

About Author: Hi, I’m Quinn Askeland. In 2014, I started Transumo after experiencing expensive, slow, and frustrating international money transfers and payments through banks. Once I discovered how to manage my own international currencies much better, I became driven to help others improve their transfers and payments. Fortunately, today, there are many excellent options. See My Full Bio .

7 Things You Need To Know Before Getting One

The Travelex card a multi-currency prepaid Mastercard you can top up in your local currency and use around the globe in other currencies and save on expensive ATM fees.

Good or Not?

In some situations it may be the best choice, but in others there are likely better options.

The card holds various currencies ; the actual number varies by country No fees for ATM withdrawals worldwide Available in various countries, including the USA, Australia, UK, and New Zealand Physical locations (like airports everywhere)

Less competitive exchange rates and fees (compared to competition) Mandatory initial loading and high inactivity fee Limited to holding the following currencies or less – AUD, USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, THB

• Is a Travelex Card Right for You?
• How Does the Travelex Card Work (or Not)
• Travelex Card vs. Bank Debit Card: Main Differences
• How to Get a Travelex Card
• Travelex Card Countries
• Travelex Card Fees and Limits
• Final Verdict

1. Is a Travelex Card Right for You?

Travelex card has received mixed reviews from its users. On Trustpilot, it has a low rating of 2.3/5 from 41K+ reviews. Many customers complained about the bad exchange rate and the customer service issues. On the contrary, it has better ratings on App Store with 4.5/5 from 5.5k reviews.

Compared to using your debit or credit card from home, Travelex card can help you save some money on exchange rates and hold multiple currencies in your account. Also because there are no ATM withdrawal fees , it can be a better option when you’re traveling overseas.

But that does not mean it is right for everyone.

Although not available in the US, the Wise Card (review) may be a better option.

Travelex is quite simply not the most competitive card of this kind. While the company was one of the first to offer a travel card – many emerging companies offer a far cheaper service , and some even let you hold many more currencies .

Travelex may be right for you if:

• You live in a country where travel cards like Travelex are limited (like the USA)
• You plan to visit countries where you have to withdraw high sums from ATMs. Most similar cards apply ATM withdrawal fees

Here is a video that shows the positives of the card. Read on to get the full picture.

2. How Does the Travelex Card Work (or Not)

Travelex is a prepaid card issued by Mastercard . You can top it up via bank transfer from your bank account (using the 16 digits on your card as payment reference), or from the Travelex app . The latter is the fastest method, and you can use either your debit or credit card to add funds to your Travelex Card.

It is possible to add funds either in your local currency or top up in foreign currency directly.

You can then use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide or make payments in any location that accepts Mastercard .

Because Travelex is a prepaid card, it also has some limits. To begin with, you can only spend funds that have already been added. This could be a positive thing if you want to keep your spending under control, but it’s not possible to arrange overdrafts.

As is the case with some prepaid cards in general, some vendors may also refuse to accept your card ; for instance, it is unlikely to be able to use it for hiring a car or to make online bookings at some tourist facilities.

3. Travelex Card vs. Bank Debit Card: Main Differences

The main difference between Travelex and a bank debit card is the possibility to hold multiple currencies on the same card. While some banks offer multicurrency accounts , their debit cards are issued in local currency only.

Founded in the pre-internet era, Travelex has over 1,000 stores and ATMs in 26 countries. If you have any issues with your card, you can ask for support in any of these locations.

Alternatively, you can benefit from online and in-app support.

4. How to Get a Travelex Card

Unless there is a Travelex store near you, the easiest way to get a Travelex card is by ordering it online. The card is usually delivered in the next business day, although delivery times could vary from country to country.

You can also order the card online and opt for store collection. In this case, you will usually be able to collect the card after 14 days.

You will have to activate your Travelex Card upon arrival. It is possible to activate it from your desktop or mobile app, or by calling the Card Services.

5. Travelex Card Countries

Travelex is currently present in 26 countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, some countries in the EU, as well as countries in Asia, Middle East, and South America.

The Travelex Card may hold more or fewer currencies depending on the country where you order it. For instance, it holds 10 currencies in the UK and Australia, but US customers can only hold six.

6. Travelex Card Fees and Limits

Travelex Card is one of the most expensive prepaid foreign currency cards despite its free ATM withdrawals.

Here are the fees and limits you can expect.

For comparison, the Wise card has an exchange fee of 0.35% to 2% compared to 5.5% for Travelex.

In the video above, this traveller suggests the solution is cash, but the problems with this is that you still get charged a conversion fee by you bank which is potentially even less competitive. The solution is a multi currency card that offers a good exchange rate of which there are many in recent years, such as TransferWise, WeSwap, and Revolut.

7. Final Verdict

Travelex Card could be a great financial product , but many of its competitors offer better deals and more advantageous currency exchange rates which is where the majority for fees often get charged.

Currently, the card is popular mainly in the USA, due to a lack of solid competition in this country.

However, it will likely lose clients as soon as other similar services start to expand their business.

Is Travelex Card worth it? If you live in the US and need a card for traveling, Travelex is undoubtedly a great alternative to a traditional bank debit card . Consumers in the UK, Oceania, and the EU surely have better options to choose from.

Happy Travels!

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Travelex Money Card Review

Learn about the Travelex Money Card in this review to help you decide whether this is the card for you.

The Travelex Money Card is a prepaid Mastercard® currency card, designed specially for your overseas travels. Travelex Money Card also replaces the pre-existing Multi-currency Cash Passport with enhanced features and benefits.

With the Travelex Money Card there is no need to carry around a lot of cash. You can load up to 10 currencies and benefit from contactless payment.

You can also download the Travelex Money App, which allows you to check your balance on the go, or reload more/different currency in seconds.

And what if you need some cash for all those smaller purchases? With the Travelex Money Card you can withdraw cash at no extra cost as there are no ATM charges overseas.

Another benefit is the 24/7 Global Assistance. This means you don’t have to worry about losing your card or the card being stolen. Travelex quickly and securely provides you with emergency cash and a free replacement card.

Pros and cons of using Travelex Money Card

• Smartphone app and Free Wifi. Manage your account instantly with the Travelex Money app. Enjoy free WiFi at over 1 million Boingo Hotspots.
• $0 international ATM fees. This is a huge benefit if you are travelling often and prefer to take out local cash from an ATM.
• Lock in exchange rates. Set your exchange rates ahead of travel, so you don't have to worry about currency movements when you withdraw.
• Limited number of currencies. New Zealand dollars only available for in-store deposits - unavailable for online loading or reloading.
• Local Operator ATM fees. Travelex do not charge ATM fees, but local operators may charge or set limits. Check the ATM before using.
• Expensive. High cross-currency conversion fee of 4%. Extra initial loading, inactivity and closing fees. Plus 2.95% fee at New Zealand ATMs.

Benefits of the Travelex Money Card

• Chip and PIN
• 24/7 Global Travel Assistance
• Emergency card/cash available if stolen/lost

Convenience

• Easy way to manage, spend and save on multiple currencies
• No bank account required
• Contactless payments

• No international ATM fee
• Lock in exchange rate by loading funds to foreign currencies and avoid fluctuations

Manage Your Money

• Reload and manage your funds easily online
• Redeem your unused funds easily on your return

Currencies and Countries

Currencies supported.

• Australian dollars (AUD)
• US dollars (USD)
• Great British pounds (GBP)
• New Zealand dollars (NZD)
• Hong Kong dollars (HKD)
• Canadian dollars (CAD)
• Singapore dollars (SGD)
• Thai baht (THB)
• Japanese yen (JPY)

All prices are in NZD * Foreign currency conversion is charged when you spend in a currency that is not loaded in the card

All prices are in NZD

The Currency Shop Says: So why should you consider this card?

We think the Travelex Money Card is ideal for an organised traveller going to popular holiday destinations like Europe or the US. It comes with free Wifi, which fantastic for you to keep in touch with family or friends.

If you're good at planning and know your budget, Travelex has better online rates than your bank so you can lock in a good initial loading rate and save. But always check the rate you've being given against the market rate online.

Unfortunately, the savings you get by locking your rate can be offset by other Travelex fees. And with too many negative user experience stories in online forums, we think a comparison with alternative travel cards for your situation is a good idea.

Apart from fees, you should also be aware of limits. For example, you can only withdraw a maximum amount of $400 or equivalent over the counter at any financial institution in any 24-hour period. Also, your card won't have your name on it, so it might be an issue to use in US retail stores, where they sometimes check your name and photo ID.

The best way to use this card is to take cash from ATMs, because your limit is $3,000 and there are no additional ATM fees. We also think it's a good idea to get a spare card, kept securely and separately from your main card. This way if your card gets lost or stolen, you won't have the hassle of ordering and waiting for a new card.

How Travelex Money Card Works

1. Order your card

• Order your Travelex Money Card online, over the phone or in your local Travelex store
• Make an initial load amount of NZD$250 minimum (up to A$75,000 maximum)

2. Pick up your card

• Pick up your card from any of the Travelex stores

3. Register

• Register your card online to manage your account

4. Load/Reload

• Load or reload onto your card online, over the phone or via the Travelex Money app

Travelex Money Card Review

While it’s straightforward to obtain foreign currency overseas, a quick trip to an ATM, or a currency exchange bureau, can leave you at the mercy of hidden fees and exchange rates. This is when a travel money card can be your friend. Travel money cards allow you to load up on foreign currency online wherever you are, so you can enjoy your holiday without the worry of sky-high exchange rates and fees.

What is a Travelex Money Card?

Founded in 1976, Travelex is a foreign exchange company that has been helping international travellers shop and spend around the globe for decades.

In 2011, the company partnered with Mastercard to create its current Travelex Money Card.

What can I use a Travelex Money Card for?

The Travelex Money Card is a multi-currency travel money card that can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted.

The Travelex Money Card is a safe and convenient alternative to cash and can be used both instore and online.

Some key features of a Travelex Money Card include:

• Load or top-up with NZD
• Load up to eight additional currencies
• Move money between currencies on your card 24/7
• Contactless payment option
• No international ATM withdrawal fees
• Competitive exchange rates
• Optional additional emergency card 24/7 global assistance
• Exclusive discounts with Mastercard Priceless Cities benefits
• Maximum card limit of NZ$75,000

How do I get a Travelex Money Card?

Purchasing a Travelex Money Card is a fairly straightforward process.

You can order a card online or in-store . Either way, you need to collect your Travelex Money Card personally, instore. Note that when you order your card, you can add an additional emergency card. This is the only time you can add an emergency card.

If you order your card online, you need to wait 1-2 days before collecting your card in-store, when you will need to present the following documents:

• Proof of address

Or, if you’re purchasing your card instore, you’ll need to bring:

• Passport + proof of address or;
• NZ driver’s licence + supporting ID + proof of address or;
• NZ firearms licence + proof of address

Click here to see the complete list of accepted supporting ID and proof of address documents.

Once you have your Travelex Money Card, you need to register it online, here.

You can manage and check your balance online at any time.

Does a Travelex Money Card cost to use?

The initial (and replacement) Travelex Money Card is free. However, there are some associated fees when using the card, including:

• Distribution outlet reload fee
• Bill payment reload fee of 1%
• NZ$5 additional card fee
• 2.95% domestic ATM withdrawal and POS transaction fee
• NZ$4/month inactivity fee
• NZ$10 cash out/card closure fee
• Currency conversion fees

More information regarding Travelex Money Card fees and limits can be found here.

Compare Travel Money Cards with Canstar

Written by: Caitlin Bingham | Last updated: August 31, 2023

Other travel money cards from

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Wise: the Best Travel Money Card in New Zealand

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Travel money cards with the lowest fees

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel money card fees

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

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

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

Travel money card with the lowest fees and best exchange rate

Westpac worldwide wallet.

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

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

Key features:

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

Other travel money cards

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

Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard

Available online or at post offices.

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

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

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

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

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

CommBank Travel Money Card

CommBank Travel Money Card (Visa)

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

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

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

Qantas Travel Money Card

Qantas Travel Money Card (Mastercard)

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

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

Travelex Money Card

Travelex Money Card (Mastercard)

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

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

Fees : 

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

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass (Mastercard)

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

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

Travel money card tips

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

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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Travelex UK   Reviews

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Reviews 4.3.

41,894 total

Most relevant

Swift service

Left getting my euros until last minute and checking local shops which varied between 1.06 at the post office and 1.10 at sainsburys so I ended up ordering my travel money online for collection at the airport and got 1.14 rate Smooth service and dealt with very promptly as literally showed passport and bank card and had my travel money in under 2 minutes then ready to board the plane

Date of experience : 19 April 2024

Reply from Travelex UK

Hi, it is delightful to hear such positive words and it’s always a pleasure to serve our customers. Kind regards, Online Support Team

Good rates, friendly staff.

Booked online as the rate was better than a lot of other places I had checked out. Assistant at Glasgow landslide was very helpful when picking up my money.

Date of experience : 20 April 2024

Robbed by Travelex/uk

I was given a receipt for my currency exchange and led to believe this amount was final and what I would be charged. No, not quite. They added on another unidentified 30 euro. Do not consider this a company with any integrity whatsoever.

Date of experience : 24 April 2024

always sends ideal amount of…

always sends ideal amount of Denominations, Received on Day requested every time. Neve need use anyone else.

Date of experience : 11 April 2024

Quick and easy

Quick and easy to place our order online and then collect it at Glasgow Airport airside. Smooth start to the holiday - as well as knowing currency rate was very competitive.

Date of experience : 18 April 2024

It's all good man .....

It's all good man ..... Staff at counter were helpful in answering my questions and able to process my transactions

Date of experience : 09 April 2024

Easy airport pickup.

Simple and easy to arrange online. Suits me to pick up my travel money airside after going through security.

Quick home delivery

Quick home delivery. Time slot adhered to. Easy to order online Only thing I would have liked was a list of converting currency from sterling to euros.

Date of experience : 17 April 2024

Excellent service

Excellent service, the cash was there waiting for us. The cashier was so impressive and very helpful. We always use travelex and would recommend it, to anyone.

Date of experience : 12 April 2024

Having order the money

Having order the money, it said I would have to wait a week before I could pick up from my airport. But as I was going away for the weekend which was within 48 hours, so I selected a delivery date after the weekend, but it was delivered on the Saturday when I was away! And how can it get posted to me quicker than I could pick it up in person at an airport Travelex? Not sure I'd use again unless I had to

Hi, thank you for taking the time to provide your experience, it is appreciated. We are sorry to hear there was a delay and your order was not available on the day requested. Feedback will be given and as a valued customer we hope to welcome you back soon. Kind regards, Online Support Team

Easy process

Easy process . Good exchange rate . Arranged to collect at airport which was much better than waiting for delivery at home .

Date of experience : 15 April 2024

Very efficient

Very efficient, very friendly, no quibble, absolutely did what they said they would!!

Litigation for the benefit of TRAVELEX

Hello, I was extremely surprised to see this morning on my account that I had been debited €624.57 even though I had withdrawn from the TRAVELEX ATM at Glasgow Airport on 04/19/2024 , the sum of €500 as on the attached ticket. But even with the rate you apply of €1 for £0.945 I don't understand how I can have a difference of €124.57 when the pound is stronger than the euro. Thank you for your quick response, however, I still don't understand how €500 turned into €624.57. There is a problem with the rate applied, if the pound sterling is at 0.86 even if you have a different resale rate for one euro how does 500€ become 534£ except with a pound sterling at more than 1. 🤔 I hope you will resolve my problem quickly. Respectfully, Mr Malherbes.

Hi, thank you for your feedback. We are always very transparent about our rates and charges which will be displayed before a transaction is completed, whether in-store, online or via an ATM, we give the option to cancel the transaction should customers not wish to proceed. Our online and in store rate is always different as stated in our Terms and Conditions, because of this we do always recommend ordering online to get the best rates. We do hope to welcome you back to www.travelex.co.uk/ in future and trust that your next visit will be a more positive experience. Kind regards, Online Support Team

Great service

So easy to use. Collected after security at leeds bradford. No queue.

Good rate of exchange

Easy to order. Better rate then other exchange centres even with the cost of postage. Used comparison sites.

Date of experience : 16 April 2024

Obtained card from Perth airport

Obtained card from Perth airport. Service was fantastic. Jess explained everything really well and the process was completed quickly and efficiently even though it was the other assistant’s first day. Very impressed and card works really well

Date of experience : 08 April 2024

Hi, thank you for the 5-star review! Kind regards, Online Support Team

Gave us ¥120,000 in ¥1000 notes..

Travelex had the best rate for Japanese yen so we bought £1000 for an upcoming trip. The website said we could not request denominations but all orders were generally filled with mixed notes so we felt okay. I went to pick them up in central London and was given almost an inch thick wad of notes. There was just 1 x ¥10,000 (£50) note and only about 10 x ¥5000 (£25) notes. The remaining ¥120,000+ was in ¥1000 notes worth about £5. Paying for a hotel or something with these would be seriously embarrassing not to mention heavy and bulky to carry around. If I use Travelex again I will call after ordering and request a mix of denominations, and if they can’t fulfil that I will cancel the order.

Hi, thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback, it is appreciated. Unfortunately, we cannot specify denominations for order. If you are collecting the order from a Travelex store, you can email: [email protected] before collection to make a request for certain note sizes and the store will attempt to do their best depending on stock availability. We look forward to welcoming you back to www.travelex.co.uk/ . Kind regards, Online Support Team

If I could rate 0 I would

Travelex unfair dismissal of its staff demonstrates a complete disregard for employee well-being and rights. The callous actions of this company reflect a lack of ethical standards and compassion towards its workforce. It is disappointing to see such blatant mistreatment of employees, and this behavior should not be tolerated in any workplace. Employees deserve to be treated with respect and fairness, qualities that Travelex sorely lacks. Absolutely disgusting and should be ashamed of yourselves. Will be taking this further. Redruth Bureau.

Date of experience : 23 April 2024

Not a bad exchange rate

Not a bad exchange rate. Cards and cash arrived as advertised. Would use this service again.

Quick, easy service

Quick, simple service. Very polite chap on the desk. Decent rate as I booked in advance. All good

Date of experience : 21 April 2024

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

Best travel money cards in 2024.

Travel money cards are essential when travelling overseas.

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

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

Best Travel Money Cards:

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

Wise Travel Card - Great Exchange Rates

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

Wise Travel Card

• 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.

Travelex Money Card - Best All Rounder

Best features.

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

Read our Travelex Travel Card Review

Travelex Money Card

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

The Travelex Card is a good all rounder.

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

Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card - Lowest Interest Rate

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

Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card

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

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

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

HSBC Everyday Global Debit Card

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

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

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

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

Best Student Card

Pelikin student traveller card.

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

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

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

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

Best Rewards Card

Qantas travel money card.

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

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

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

Other popular travel money cards

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

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

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

Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card

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

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

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

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

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

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

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

Macquarie Travel Card

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

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

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

Up Bank Travel Card

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

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

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

Westpac Travel Money Card

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

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

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

ANZ Travel Adventure Card

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

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

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

ING Orange Everyday Account Debit Card

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

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

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

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

Australia Post Travel Money Card - Platinum Mastercard

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

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

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

Greater Bank Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Prepaid Cards

Credit Card

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.

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Travelex USA 2020 Review

Learn about the biggest travel money provider in the world, including their services, rates, and fees with our complete review.

Important update:  Travelex no longer operate in the USA.  In a message on their website, the say "Due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Travelex has made the difficult decision to close our online and retail operations and cease trading in the United States and Canada. These are unprecedented times and despite our efforts to preserve the business, the existing and anticipated future impact of COVID-19 has proven too challenging."

Travelex is good for

• Wide availability of stores across the US and around the world.
• Fast and convenient currency exchange face-to-face or via the Travelex website.
• Safe and secure travel money from a trusted brand.

Travelex rating: 3.0 / 5.0

You can buy the following currencies from Travelex

• Argentine pesos
• Australian dollars
• Bahraini dinars
• Barbadian dollars
• Brazilian reals
• Canadian dollars
• Cayman Islands dollars
• Chilean pesos
• Chinese yuan
• Costa Rican colons
• Croatian kuna
• Czech koruny
• Danish kroner
• Dominican pesos
• Fijian dollars
• Guatemalan quetzals
• Hong Kong dollars
• Hungarian forints
• Indonesian rupiahs
• Israeli shekels
• Jamaican dollars
• Japanese yen
• Jordanian dinars
• Kenyan shillings
• Kuwaiti dinars
• Malaysian ringgit
• Mexican pesos
• New Taiwanese dollars
• Nicaraguan cordobas
• Norwegian kroner
• Omani rials
• Peruvian nuevo soles
• Philippine pesos
• Polish zloty
• Qatari riyals
• Saudi Arabian riyals
• Singapore dollars
• South African rand
• South Korean won
• Swedish kronor
• Swiss francs
• Tunisian dinar
• Turkish liras
• UAE dirhams
• United Kingdom pounds
• Vietnamese dong

Is Travelex US legitimate and safe?

4.5 / 5 star rating on trustpilot.

Yes. Travelex is the largest travel money exchange service in the world , and it has been in existence since 1976, over 40 years. Travelex processes over 5,000 transactions every hour and services 40 million customers a year. You can find Travelex shops and kiosks in many countries and over 1,000 locations. Travelex is rated by the Better Business Bureau at an A+.

Travelex also scores well with its customers. According to Trustpilot, Travelex US scores an average of 4.5 out of 5, with 86 percent of reviews saying they are “Excellent” or “Good” and 8 percent saying they are “poor” or “bad.”

Travelex is fully regulated and the website uses strong encryption technology to keep your identity, transactions, and money safe. Travelex also partners with other businesses including some popular US banks, the American Automobile Association (AAA), and Mastercard.

How fast is Travelex in the USA?

If you’re exchanging travel money at a kiosk or counter, you can get most of the popular currencies immediately.

If you order home delivery, you can expect to receive your currency in two to three working days. Not bad.

How much does it cost to exchange money with Travelex?

For online transactions through the Travelex website, the only fees you will pay are hidden in the exchange rate you get. These hidden charges can be very expensive, upwards of eight percent of the total amount you’re exchanging. It’s possible that if you choose to exchange dollars or another currency at a Travelex kiosk or counter that you might be charged a service fee, which will reduce how much you get of a foreign currency.

If you order home delivery for your currency, you will need to pay a fee if you order less than $1,000.

Travelex US online exchange rates

The main concern we have with Travelex is how much it charges to exchange travel money. You could end up paying around nine percent of the total amount you’re converting in exchange rate fees, which is not great. This means if you’re exchanging $1,000 for travel to another country, you could pay up to $90 in hidden charges. It’s a bit of a rip-off!

Let’s look at a few examples.

Exchanging US dollars to euros

If you’re traveling to Europe, you’ll want to convert USD to EUR. Here’s how Travelex stacks up.

The base, midmarket exchange rate* is 1 USD to 0.909 EUR.

The Travelex website offers a rate of 1 USD to 0.829 EUR.

Exchange 500 USD to EUR

If you’re exchanging 500 USD, you would get 414.75 EUR with Travelex, compared to 454.50 at the base exchange rate. That’s about $44 more expensive, around 9 percent of the dollars you’re converting.

Exchange 2,000 USD to EUR

If you’re exchanging 2,000 USD, you would get 1,659 EUR with Travelex, compared to 1817.20 EUR at the base exchange rate. That’s about $175 more expensive, around 9 percent of the dollars you’re converting.

Exchanging US dollars to British pounds

If you’re visiting the UK, you will need to convert USD to GBP. Here’s what it could cost.

The base, midmarket exchange rate* is 1 USD to 0.805 GBP. The Travelex website offers a rate of 1 USD to 0.725 GBP.

Exchange 500 USD to GBP

If you’re exchanging 500 USD, you would get 367.55 GBP with Travelex, compared to 402.68 at the base exchange rate. That’s about $43 more expensive, around 9 percent of the dollars you’re converting.

Exchange 2,000 USD to GBP

If you’re exchanging 2,000 USD, you would get 1,470.20 GBP with Travelex, compared to 1,610.73 GBP at the base exchange rate. That’s about $174 more expensive, around 9 percent of the dollars you’re converting.

Unfortunately, these hidden charges are similar across many currencies including Australian dollars (AUD), Japanese yen (JPY), New Zealand dollars (NZD)and others.

*The midmarket exchange rate is the rate that banks and other financial institutions use to transfer money between themselves. Although it’s unlikely you would get this rate yourself, it’s a useful way to compare exchange rate fees, with many providers charging much lower fees than Travelex.

You can definitely get better exchange rates elsewhere.

How you can pay Travelex

You can pay for your Travelex travel money online through the website by using a debit card or a credit card. If you use a credit card to buy your foreign currency, it’s very likely you’ll be charged a cash advance fee by your credit card provider.

You will also probably need to start paying interest on the cash advance amount immediately and you may be charged at a higher rate. If you are going to use Travelex, we strongly recommend using a debit card instead.

Travelex foreign currency services in the US

Travelex offers a variety of travel money and currency exchange services to people in the United States.

Order foreign travel money on the Travelex US website

Travelex gives you an option to order currency online through the website. It’s a fast and easy process and you can easily pay by debit or credit card.

Pick up currency you’ve ordered online from a Travelex location

When you order through the Travelex US website, you can choose to pick the money up from a local Travelex shop or kiosk, super-handy if you live in a major city or near to an airport.

Have travel money delivered to your home

Travelex can also send travel money directly to your home address. You should receive the money within one to three business days but there is an additional charge for delivery if you order less than $1,000 in currency.

Buy travel money at a Travelex location

You can easily buy money-face-to-face at a Travelex counter or store. These locations keep more popular foreign currencies in stock, so depending on where you’re going, you can get your travel money straightaway. It’s important to note that the exchange rates at Travelex stores are likely to be very poor compared to what you could get elsewhere.

Use a Travelex ATM

Travelex has over 1,000 ATMs around the world. You can use these to withdraw money in popular currencies, although beware of poor exchange rates.

Spend on the Travelex Money Card

Travelex offers a prepaid debit card called the Travelex Money card. You can preload and top up this travel card in dollars or another currency and then spend on it like you would a debit card in other countries. The card is expensive though, charging a 5.5 percent currency exchange fee, which is much higher than other popular cards.

The Travelex Cash Passport

The Travelex Cash Passport is an older product that’s no longer available. You can still log in to Travelex and manage your Cash Passport through the website.

The Travelex mobile app

If you want to manage your money on-the-go, Travelex provides mobile apps for both Apple and Android devices. The app allows users to order cash for delivery or collection and to manage the Travelex Money card, check the card balance, and see recent transactions. The app scores well on Apple’s app store with a review score of 4.7 out of 5. It does not rate highly on the Google Play store, where it only scores 1.5 out of 5.

International money transfer and payment

Travelex allows you to make international transfers and payments through a partnership with OFX , another popular currency exchange company. If you have a Travelex International Payments account, you can use those details to log into OFX and send money overseas to an individual or business bank account.

You just need to login to OFX and follow the instructions. You will need to provide information on the country and currency where you want to send money and the bank account details of the recipient. You can then pay for your transfer and OFX will convert the money and send it.

Selling foreign currency back to Travelex US

Once you’ve completed your trip, you can sell unused banknotes back to Travelex. You will normally get Travelex’s standard exchange rate, which is considerably worse than the midmarket rate. This means you could pay up to nine percent of the amount you’re exchanging when you buy the foreign currency and another nine percent when you sell it!

Travelex store, kiosk, and counter exchange rates

Unfortunately, Travelex does not list its face-to-face exchange rates on the Travelex.com website, and individual locations do not provide exchange rates over the phone. We do know from anecdotal evidence that the rates charged by Travelex counters are more expensive than those offered on the Travelex website. We’ve heard reports that face-to-face rates can account for 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of currency you’re converting.

If you’re exchanging smaller amounts, Travelex may also charge a service fee, which will reduce the amount of currency you get back.

While Travelex is a trusted travel money provider, their fees are among the highest we’ve seen. You can get a much better deal on your travel money by comparing and shopping around. Enjoy your trip!

Travelex contacts

• Available during business hours
• Toll-free: 516-300-1622 or 877-414-6359
• Live chat support available
• Email: [email protected]
• Head office: 355 Lexington Ave, Floor 3, New York, NY 10017

Ready to go?

Your currency knowledge centre, the 5 best tools to read and calculate exchange rates.

Here are some super-helpful tools so you can find exchange rates and work out your conversions.

• Read more ⟶

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Travelex reviews

Travelex are rated Poor in 180 reviews

Travelex was founded in 1976 and has since grown to become one of the most recognised brands in the Travel Money sector with over 1,100 branches worldwide. As well as providing currency services for many banks and supermarkets, Travelex also operate 900 ATMs around the world.

Reviews by day

Showing reviews 1-15 of 180

5 April 2024

Ordered a currency card

The money card itself was ok - the exchange rate wasn't the best but also not the worst. The problem was trying to close the card. After 12 months inactivity they will start charging a £2 monthly fee on the card. If you want to transfer your remaining balance off the card over the phone there is a £6 fee for that too. The alternatives are to visit a branch in person to withdraw it, withdraw what's left on the card from an ATM (which in my case was not possible in my case because the remaining balance on the card was so low), try to spend exactly what's left (again, not possible in my case because the remaining balance on the card was so low), or donate it to their chosen charity. The predatory fees are completely unacceptable. Avoid the card at all costs.

4 April 2024

Avoid this card at all costs. Bought it to use in Taiwan. Lost most of my money in the exchange rate and halfway through my holiday the app locked me out and I could not access my own money. A nightmare to deal with and an added stress when you don’t have your resources to sort through the mess.

27 February 2024

There is no Option for 0 Star, otherwise I would have given it. They have the lowest currency conversion rate. I was travelling to Turkey on Fen 2024 and I exchanged £350 at the rate £1 to 26 Turkish Lira at Travelex plus £5 service charge. But when I landed in Istanbul airport, the exchange rate was £1 to 35 Turkish Lira and outside the Istanbul airport, the rate was £1 to 38.5 Turkish Lira on the same day. I feel I am cheated from Travelex. I will never use their service and will never recommend to anyone.

Rajeev Goyal

6 February 2024

Sold Indian rupees

I would rare them zero star , but since there is no option below 1 srar, they are robbers and there staff are very rude and don’t listen to customer

I had to take refund my refund of vat at sharjah Airport , which was 5% , as per govt policy I should get 4.25%, but surprisingly they returned only 3.5%

they did this by manipulating the exchange rate

the prevailing Rate was 23-24 for aed to inr , but they gave us 19.5 inr for 1 aed

Earlier they were giving only 19 but when we argued they made it 19.5

to our surprise they were only offering £ and Inr no usd , when we said give us usd they said we don’t have.

so as a customer we feel cheated and itd appeal to dubai govt that pls don’t these type cheater conpany for such type , this will spoil country’s tourism image.

Its a request and advice to all pls don’t deal with travelex

Daniel Haigh

I was offered a Travelex Money Card at a London airport in June 2022. This seemed a good alternative especially as they say to "travel abroad more safely without needing to carry all your cash." We invested £400 and on that holiday had one withdrawal of £200. We've travelled once since but this card was considered emergency funds so not needed. Subsequently Travelex started charging inactivity fees of £2 pcm. To my mind, stealing my money. Have just called them for justification for which they had none, except to say the fees are valid, in their T&C's, and non-refundable. This was not mentioned and who reads T&C's at an airport? I cashed out with a balance of £146. I consider this theft and an outrage. Who are Travelex to decide when I spend the money I have given them in safekeeping? What's the point of having an emergency fund that they are running down? I will never use Travelex again.

5 January 2024

Be super wary of using this company, I loaded my card before leaving Australia for Bali, I get to Bali and card not working, they decided to cancel it, and not inform me called them up and for some reason they now want 3 months of bank statements, and they can’t tell me why or why no one even thought to inform me that it’s cancelled and they offer no solution so in Bali with no access to money

30 December 2023

Bought £100 worth of Euros

App doesn’t work properly I couldn’t register and no helpful staff. Customer service was awful.

I need use up money and will never top up.

16 November 2023

Transferred funds overseas

Travelex has the worst app I've ever used. It doesn't work properly. I have to re-enter my card details every time I want to transfer money from my bank account to my Travelex card. Everything loads very slowly. Please fix your app because its very difficult to use.

Niko Oliver

13 October 2023

Bought £661 worth of Euros

I used a Travelex ATM at the Hamburg baggage claim. At the time the exchange booth was unmanned. I visit Germany quite regularly and have never had an issue withdrawing money from an ATM. On Jul 11th when I arrived in Hamburg Germany I tried to withdraw 500 euros using my bankcard. The ATM had an error code and shut down mid transaction. I was able to retrieve my card but I didn't receive any funds. I waited around a few minutes to see of the ATM would reboot, and it did not. I proceeded to baggage claim to get my bags. As I exited the baggage claim I used another ATM (not Travelex) and withdrew 500 euro (my bank limits me to 500 a day). So fast forward two days later I see that an amount was debited from my account. I immediately call my bank suspecting fraud, only to learn that the funds were withdrawn from my account even though I never received any cash from Travelex. I contacted my bank who told me to get in touch with Travelex. I contacted Travelex, who then directed me back to my bank. I have been going in circles for 3 months now trying to get refunded. I have never experienced any issues with ATMs in Germany over a three year span. This is the first time I am having an issue and Travelex downright refuses to help.

2 October 2023

Bought £150 worth of Euros

Terrible experience. Tried topping up funds via payid while away and it's still sitting in the ether. Funds have left my bank account but haven't hit the travelex card - 4 days after transfer. I contacted travelex who have a 1 -2 day response time. Too late , the holiday will be over, and I've had to use alternatives. I can't shout from the rooftop enough for people to avoid this debacle.

27 September 2023

Would rate this under 1 star if I could. Card was rejected multiple times abroad, only managed to use it on a few payments and only in the airport. Turns out the payments I was trying to make WERE charged to the card but rejected at point of sale so I ended up paying on credit card and this card, and they are totally useless in resolving this.

13 September 2023

Bought Euros

Awful exchange rate, card was randomly declined, and the app is so slow to update my balance I never knew how much money I had. Closed the card as soon as I came home after first trip.

9 September 2023

Bought £2,000 worth of US dollars

I would rate this card 0 if I could! This card is a joke, do not recommend at all! 3 days for money to transfer when you’re overseas is ridiculous, cars still has plenty of money on it and just randomly declines (cannot be linked to a merchant buffer limit - there’s $200 on it for a $10 transaction declined as an example)! It’s left us high and fry several times in this day and age where many businesses don’t take cash which is our backup option! Tried to contact them, they just tried to pawn us off to MasterCard to deal with the issues, but clearly it’s the travel card that has the issues! Should’ve just used our bank, but you’d think a business that’s entire purpose is travel cards would get the job of travel cards right - no! We missed out on several experiences because the card wouldn’t work and cash wasn’t an option, absolutely ridiculous - do not use!!

23 August 2023

Bought £315 worth of Euros

I've just collected my currency at LBA at the desk after security as instructed on the reservation. It's meant to open at 4am. At 4.15 I had to contact customer service by phone as no one had appeared. The representative couldn't get hold of anyone but left a message for the area manager. At almost 4.30 a staff member appeared saying that she'd been at the entrance desk as they have to collect euros from there.

No printout of my reservation which she had to locate "on the system".

Really poor service. After years of using them I won't be giving them my custom again.

Felipe Freitas

20 August 2023

Bought £1,700 worth of United Arab Emirates dirham

She helped me a lot with the money exchange!

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Travelex Money Card Review: Safety, ATM Fees, Usability, and Monito's Verdict

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.

Travelex is a good travel card provider (7.8/10) peer-reviewed by the experts at Monito. Serving millions of customers across the globe, Travelex is trusted and highly credible (9.0/10) as well as very well rated by customers (9.3/10). Though it ranks highly for its convenience, the company’s Money Card offers limited and very specialized currency exchange services (7.1/10), where it offers a stress-free way for travellers to enjoy spending abroad but does not provide many of the convenient banking features that its competitors do (5.8/10).

What Monito Likes About Travelex Money Card

• Worldwide availability in airports and popular city centres.
• ATM withdrawals with no transaction fees.
• Travelex services are secure and regulated.

What Monito Dislikes About Travelex Money Card

• Travelex's exchange rates are poorer than the mid-market rate .
• Your travels may be limited by the 10 supported currencies.
• Top up fees are charged if not done through Travelex.

Spend Abroad with a Travelex Money Card

The Travelex Money Card is a reputable travel card for international spending and withdrawing cash. However, we recommend users to read Monito’s comparison guide on travel cards , which also waive ATM fees and offer even better exchange rates.

Key Questions About Travelex Money Card Answered

• 01. Is Travelex safe? scroll down
• 02. How good is the Travelex Money Card? scroll down
• 03. What are Travelex Money Card's fees and costs? scroll down
• 04. What are customers saying? scroll down
• 05. How do I open a Travelex Money Card account? scroll down
• 06. Is Travelex right for you and what are the alternatives? scroll down
• 07. Other frequently asked questions about Travelex scroll down

Last updated: 06/12/2021

Who Is the Travelex Money Card For?

Travelex is ideal for travellers looking for a safe way to spend cash abroad. Being only available to load up in ten currencies, it is particularly aimed at travellers in South East Asia or the Transatlantic region. The card includes a nice bonus to customers with free connection to all Boingo W-Fi hotspots.

Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible for a Travelex Money Card as long as they have been issued a valid government photo ID. Customers in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the 17 other countries that Travelex operates in may purchase a card and top it up online. Non-residents of these countries are still eligible but must go to a Travelex branch with their government ID to buy a Travelex Money Card.

Travelex also announced in 2021 that they have ceased operations in the United States and Canada , which includes their online services and their stores in airports and cities across the two countries. Americans and Canadians will now have to find a Travelex branch abroad to access the Travelex Money Card and its top up services.

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We only recommend the products and services we'd recommend to our friends and families too.

How Monito Reviewed Travelex's Services

In order to review the Travelex Money Card, we applied Monito’s rigorous methodology to score Travelex along with 20+ of its most popular competitors, including Wise (formerly TransferWise), Azimo , and WorldRemit , to see how it fared. The scoring process began with setting up a Travelex Money Card account and included thorough testing of its services both on desktop and on its mobile app. Finally, we ran a background check on Travelex, looking at how they were regulated and by which authority, and considering their security practices along with whether they had any publicly known legal, privacy, fraud, or technical issues. As with all Monito reviews, our Travelex score was peer-reviewed by at least one Monito expert.

Reviews are written independently by Monito's editors and recommendations given are our own. Services you sign up with using our links may earn us a commission. Learn more .

Trust & Credibility

Background check.

In compliance with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.

Security & reliability

During its data breach, Travelex complied with the Criminal Finances Act of 2017 to resolve the case.

Company size

Millions of customers worldwide and £729 million in annual revenue.

Transparent pricing

A full overview of pricing is easily accessible and provides all fees as per the regulator-standard fee schedule.

Is Travelex Safe?

Travelex is a very safe option. It is an experienced currency exchange business that has operated for more than 40 years and they are widely regulated in countries around the world, serving millions of customers a year.

However, the company was victim to a cyberattack in early 2020, compromising both customer and company data. Despite the hit to its reputation, Travelex contacted the competent authorities and filed an official investigation against the infamous Sodinokibi hacker group ¹ . 

With their customer support up and running again, you'll be able to contact Travelex’s customer support team in any of the following ways:

• Website FAQ : The Travelex support page is nicely organized to easily answer your questions about the Money Card.
• Email : You can send an email to [email protected] to send your comments or general queries about your card.
• Card Services : Travelex offers 24/7 phone support for Money Card holders. You may reach them at 0800 260 0355 if you are calling from the UK. If you are calling from other countries, please consult this list of toll-free phone numbers to get in touch. 

Service & Quality

Using the mobile app.

Standard and intuitive interface, although lacking an option to freeze card for emergencies.

Managing the account

Basic travel card features with no international money transfers, joint account, overdraft, or interest.

Making card payments

Contactless and online payments are supported by Mastercard, but Travelex does not support direct debits.

Contacting support

FAQ, email, and 24/7 phone support are offered but live web chatting is not supported.

Travelex Money Card's Product & Service Quality

Travelex was founded in London as a brick-and-mortar currency exchange business, which has expanded to 27 countries with over 1,500 stores. While their traditional services of cash home delivery and cash pickup continue to serve customers worldwide, Travelex’s Money Card pioneered the way for the prepaid travel card industry.

Currency Exchange, ATMs, and Benefits — How To Use the Card

With your Travelex Money Card you will be able to top up in foreign currency, which will be ready in an instant to spend on your holidays abroad. By holding the local currency in your country of travel — New Zealand dollars (NZD) in New Zealand, for example — ATMs and merchants will treat your card as any other local's card. In other words, the teller machine will never prompt you with the option of paying in foreign currency (also called a dynamic currency conversion ).

The Travelex Money Card charges no ATM withdrawal fees, giving you full access to cash on your trip. Its association with Mastercard also allows you to shop online and at stores with any and all merchants who accept Mastercard. If you decide to become a Travelex Platinum member , you will even get access to exclusive discounts at participating businesses.

Travelex Mobile App Review

With the Travelex mobile application, users can top up their cards repeatedly, buy cash for pick up, and even transfer balances between currencies.

While the app interface is simple and intuitive, it does not provide the ability to freeze your card instantly in case of emergency. Mixed reviews on the Apple App Store as well as on the Google App Store may also suggest its functionality does not compare to other travel card providers .

The Travelex app offers you the following features, among others:

• Link your bank account details;
• Top up card in 10 currencies*;
• Transparently lock in exchange rates before purchase;
• Biometric authentication.

* UK users can get: GBP, AUD, USD, EUR, NZD, CAD, SAR, TRY, CHF, and AED. Australian users can get: AUD, GBP, USD, EUR, NZD, CAD, JPY, THB, SGD, and HKD.

Fees & Exchange Rates

Everyday use.

No monthly fees but the card lacks local transfer and direct deposit functionality.

ATM withdrawals

Travelex charges zero fees for all international ATM withdrawals.

Online spending

Transactions that require a currency conversion will be charged a 5.75% foreign exchange fee.

International spending

Travelex applies its exchange rates to your top ups in foreign currency.

How Pricey Is the Travelex Money Card?

The Travelex Money Card can be a very competitive option if customers use it only for its intended purpose: making cash transactions in the local currency of your holiday destination.

Topping Up Your Card

The first step of your holiday — topping up the card in foreign currency — is the most costly party. Travelex converts your home currency into your desired currency at their own exchange rates, which are poorer than the true rate you see on Google (called the mid-market rate ). If we assume that a British traveller uses Travelex to top up £5,000 for their European travels, then Travelex would use their rates* to convert that amount into around €5,732.

Contrast that to using Wise , a London-based global money transfer service, for the same top up. With Wise's multi-currency card , you'd pay only $17.64 in service fees without an exchange rate margin . The rest of your sterling would be converted at the true mid-market rate**, topping your card up with around €5,864. This is €132 more than if you had made your conversion with Travelex.

* Conversion done at 1 GBP to 1.1464 EUR on 07/12/21 13:00:00 GMT. **Conversion done at 1 GBP to 1.1754 EUR on 07/12/21 13:00:00 GMT.

Spending With Your Card

Now with local currency ready to spend on your holiday abroad, you can really take advantage of the Travelex Money Card features. Travelex will never charge you for either domestic or international ATM withdrawals . Although there is a 24-hour withdrawal limit of £500, there is no limit to the number of times you can visit an ATM. This is an advantage when compared to many other travel cards that do begin charging you after your third or fourth ATM withdrawal.

Spend in the Local Currency

Just be sure to use the mobile app to keep track of the amount active on your card. If you only have €30 left on your card but make a purchase of €50, then the transaction will either be declined or you will have to use the other currencies on your card until the transaction is satisfied. Failing to spend in the local currency will be costly because Travelex will automatically apply a 5.75% exchange rate margin to convert your foreign currency into local currency to complete the purchase.

Take a look at the table below to get an idea of the fees that Travelex charges:

Last updated: 25/05/2021

Spending Limits

Travelex has set some spending limits to mitigate against the case of stolen or lost cards. To freeze your current card, you will have to call up a representative . In addition, you can request a replacement card, which is free of charge and can be loaded with emergency cash up to the value that remained on the previous card.

To get a better picture of these limits in action, see the table below:

Last updated: 07/12/2021

The Travelex Money Card is a multi-currency card, which means that you can load up to 10 different currencies all at once. Since you will be limited to carrying £5,000 on the card at any one time, it will be important to plan how you want to divvy up the currencies — if you go on a multi-country trip.

For example, if you go on an east coast trip from Montreal, Canada to New York City, USA, then be sure to load up the right amount of Canadian dollars and US dollars accordingly. Otherwise, you will be penalized with that 5.75% exchange rate margin for spending US dollars in Canada, and vice versa.

Customer Satisfaction

Customer review score.

Rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

Number of positive reviews

Around 34,800 four- and five-star reviews on Trustpilot.

What Experiences Do Travelex Customers Report?

In general, Travelex has earned great feedback from users across the board, garnering an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot at the time of writing.

Users frequently comment that Travelex's services are clearly detailed and easy to use. Travelex has a wide reach with brick-and-mortar counters in airports around the world, which all conveniently offer the Travelex Money Card and on-the-spot top ups to customers in a hurry.

However, current users do often complain about the mobile application that comes with your account to manage the card and your top ups. These complaints generally refer to being unable to see the account balance. Other customers have found that Travelex's exchange rate margin can be quite high.

How To Open a Travelex Money Card Account

Opening an account with Travelex and getting their travel Money Card is an easy process, which can be done online, on the phone, or at a physical Travelex counter. If you decide to open a Travelex account, you'll need to go through the following steps:

• Get your card: Order your Travelex Money Card online, over the phone or in-store. You can have it delivered to your home within around 5 days or opt to pick it up at a local branch.
• Activate your card: You will get your PIN immediately if you buy or collect your card in-store. Otherwise, you can activate the card online or on the phone by calling card services at 0800 260 0355 in the UK.
• Register your card online: Register with Travelex to manage your account and keep track of your card activity.
• Top up and spend: You can top up the card either online , over the phone , or via the Travelex Money app .

Is Travelex a Good Travel Card and What Are the Alternatives?

Overall, we at Monito consider the Travelex Money Card to be a standard travel card that may serve travellers well if they spend their holiday in countries that operate mainly in cash, such as Japan or Hungary. For these cases, we like that Travelex charges zero fees on all ATM withdrawals around the world.

The Travelex Money Card charges no fees when you make a purchase in the local currency, which beats using your traditional debit or credit card that may charge foreign transaction fees. However, there are many new multi-currency products on the market that provide this same service without the same exchange rate margins that Travelex charges.

We, therefore, recommend our readers to compare other travel card providers and assess their services and benefits before choosing Travelex. Here's how Travelex fares against N26, Revolut, and Wise:

Best Travel Money Cards for 2022 Compared — Revolut vs N26 vs Wise vs Currensea

See how to Travelex Money Card fares with other travel cards provided by innovative neobanks and digital bank-like alternatives.

Last updated: 07/12/2021 ¹ Germany, Austria and Italy only ² On the first $6,500, up to 2.5% thereafter (Fair usage limits and Terms & Conditions apply.) ³ On the first $300 per month, 2% thereafter (Fair usage limits and Terms & Conditions apply.) ⁴ Free at Allpoint ATMs ⁵ Up to 2 withdrawals or €200 per month, then 1.75% ⁶ 2% FX rate over £500pm

Frequently Asked Questions About Travelex

Protected with a PIN and partnered with Mastercard, your money is safe on the Travelex Money Card. Travelex also offers 24/7 Global Travel Assistance by phone. Upon request, they can provide an emergency card and cash if your card is stolen or lost.

You will have to call up a Travelex advisor to close your account. Please reference this list of official phone numbers .

The Travelex Money Card is a standard travel money card option but will serve you best if you deal primarily with ATM withdrawals and cash transactions on your holiday. Monito recommends that you compare travel cards before you make your decision.

The Travelex Money Card is a travel card product designed by Travelex, one of the world's foremost currency exchange companies in the world. The Travelex Money Card allows users to top up a debit Mastercard with up to 10 different currencies, which are instantly ready for either international ATM withdrawals or holiday spending at local merchants.

References Used in This Guide

1. The Wall Street Journal. Travelex Paid Hackers Multimillion-Dollar Ransom Before Hitting New Obstacles . 9 April 2020.

Also See These Digital Banks That Offer Travel Money Cards

• Travel Money Card

Get our best rate on the award winning Travelex Money Card

Buy currency, top up card.

Rate last updated Wednesday, 24 April 2024 7:10:53 PM AEST. Please note that these are the Travelex online sell rates.

[fromExchangeAmount] [fromCurrencyCode] Australian Dollar

[toExchangeAmount] [toCurrencyCode] [toCurrencyName]

Enter the card number of the Prepaid Card you would like to top up. The number of the Prepaid Card you are topping up must be the Primary Card Number and must have been originally purchased from Travelex.

Card number confirmed

Select the currency you would like to top up to your card

Enter how much you'd like to top up, either in Australian Dollars, or in the foreign currency amount for the currency you have selected.

This section is optional on mobile

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Get Dollars on Us with the Travelex Money Card!

This offer is available online, in-store and via the Travelex Money App.

The Travelex Money Card

Travel Card Exchange Rates & Currencies

Choose your currency, $0 currency conversion fee when spending a currency not on your travel card:.

The below calculator is a handy tool to help you estimate the applicable exchange rate for your transaction 2 :

Spend Calculator

You can use this calculator to see what your spend would look like for your trip. It will help you estimate the applicable exchange rate for your transaction.

• Netherlands
• Vatican City
• Czech Republic

Get Dollars on Us!

Load more, save more with the travelex money card.

• Save up to AUD $240! View all available discounts codes here .
• Available online, in-store, or via the Travelex Money App. Ends 28 April at 11.59pm AEST. T&C Apply.

Save with the Travelex Money Card

$0 Eftpos Fees

$0 atm fees 1, $0 currency conversion fees ^, $0 online shopping fees*, $0 free delivery to your home, special offer, load aud on your travelex money card and save when spending in the below currencies.

• Free Online AUD Load and Top-Ups
• $0 International ATM Fees

Features and Benefits

UNLIMITED FREE overseas ATM withdrawals 1

Highly competitive exchange rates

NO fees when you buy online $0 Currency conversion fee ^

24/7 Global Assistance

Convenient Mobile App Download it here

Shop at millions of outlets wherever Mastercard is accepted and on international websites with the local currency

Buy online, collect in-store or get it delivered to your home (allow up to 7 days from when payment is received)

5 ☆ outstanding value award winning travel money card

Exclusive offers with Mastercard Priceless TM Cities

No account or membership required

How our Travel Card Works

Order your travel card.

Order your Travelex Money Card online or in-store (passport or driver's license required)

Get your travel card

Collect from a Travelex store or delivered FREE to your home (allow up to 7 days from when payment is received)

Download the App

Download the app from the Google Play and Apple App stores

Register for My Account

Simply activate your card by registering your account via the app or online

Manage and check your balance online and on your mobile

Exchange leftover currency

After your trip, exchange leftover money for another currency, transfer into your bank account or withdraw in-store or at an ATM.

Fees and Limits

NO fees online $0 Currency conversion fee ^

Withdraw daily up to AU$3,000 (or currency equivalent)

Maximum Card limit of AU$50,000

Free initial and replacement card

The following fees and limits apply. Fees and limits are subject to variation in accordance with the Terms and Conditions. Unless otherwise specified, all fees will be debited in AU$ Currency

If there are insufficient funds in AU$ Currency to pay such fees, then we will automatically deduct funds from other Currencies in the following order of priority: AU$, US$, EU€, GB£, NZ$, THB, CA$, HK$, JP¥, SG$.

• Online: FREE via travelex.com.au or the Travelex Money App • In-Store: FREE for loads of foreign currency (loads of Australian dollars (AUD) incur a fee of 1.1% of the amount or $15 whichever is greater).

• Online: FREE via travelex.com.au or the Travelex Money App • In-Store: FREE for top-ups of foreign currency (top-ups of AUD incur a fee of 1.1% of the amount or $15 whichever is greater). • BPAY: Top-ups not made via travelex.com.au or the Travelex Money App incur a fee of 1% of the amount. - MasterCard Biller Code: 184416 - Reference No: your 16 digit Travelex Money Card number - Funds will be allocated to your default currency. To check your default currency login to your account.

FREE (note: Some ATM operators may charge their own fees or set their own limits)

• Charged at the start of each month if you have not made any transactions on the card in the previous 12 months
• Unless your card is used again, or reloaded, this fee applies each month until the card is closed or the remaining card balance is less than the inactivity fee.

AU$4.00 per month

• Charged when you close your card or withdraw from your Card Fund. This fee is set and charged by Mastercard Prepaid.
• This is applied when you move your funds from one currency to another currency.

At the then applicable retail foreign exchange rate determined by us. We will notify you of the rate that will apply at the time you allocate your funds from one currency to another.

• Applied when a purchase or ATM withdrawal is conducted in a currency either not loaded or sufficient to complete the transaction and the cost is allocated against the currency/ies used to fund the transaction.

FREE* *The Spend Rate will apply to foreign exchange transactions in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.

AU$350 or currency equivalent AU$100 or currency equivalent

AU$50 or currency equivalent

The maximum amount you can load on the card at the time of the initial online purchase is AU$5,000 equivalent.

to a maximum of $10,050 per single top-up; and to a maximum of $10,050 top-up value over 24hrs; and to a maximum of $20,000 top-up value over 21 days.

AU$3,000 or currency equivalent

AU$15,000 or currency equivalent

Other Important Information

Please read the following information about your Travelex Money Card carefully:

• Your Travelex Money Card does not generate any interest or any other similar return. You do not earn interest on the amount standing to the credit of the Travelex Money Card Fund accessed by the card.
• Although the issuer of the card is an authorised deposit-taking institution in Australia, the Card is not a deposit account with the Issuer.

Important Information about Fees & Limits for loads/top ups made online:

• If you are making a purchase or topping up the Card online via www.travelex.com.au (i) the initial load and top up fee may differ to (but not be greater than) those contained in the “Fees and Limits Table” of this Product Disclosure Statement; and (ii) the limits may differ to those contained in the “Fees and Limits Table” of this Product Disclosure Statement. Travelex may also charge a card surcharge if you pay with a credit or debit card. Please refer to the relevant online terms and conditions available at www.travelex.com.au for details of the applicable fees and limits.
• AU$ cannot be loaded or topped up onto a card online via www.travelex.com.au

Terms & Conditions

Download the travelex travel money app.

Convenience on the go

• Top up your Travelex Money Card
• Check your balance
• Quick touch log in

The app requires Android 5.0 and up or iOS 10.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Other Ways to Get Foreign Currency

All the easy options to access foreign currencies with travelex.

About Travelex Money Card online and in-store

• Travel Insurance

Discover more of the world with travel insurance by your side

All you need to know getting foreign cash with Travelex

Get foreign cash from an ATM in Australia

About Your Destination

Browse our Destination Guides

Historical Rates

Check out current and historical AUD to FX Travelex rates

Track Currency Rates

Receive an alert when your selected foreign currency has reached your desired rate

• Find a Store

Purchase cash, a Travelex Money Card or transfer money in-store

Travelex Travel Card Currency Information

Travel card faq links.

Getting Started

Using the Card

Topping up the Card

Travelex Money Card FAQ

You can only hold one card in your name at any one time.

Top-up via the Travelex website

Note that you must use your unique reference number when paying or the transfer may be delayed.

Top-up via the Travelex Money App

Move currencies on your card, instantly.

If you have AUD (or any other currency) already loaded on the card, you can move your funds to another currency within the Travelex Money App. Instant top-up!

Top-up in a Travelex store

Direct top-up via bpay:.

Top-ups not made via travelex.com.au or the Travelex Money App incur a fee of 1% of the amount. You must make payment using your own account.

MasterCard Biller Code: 184416 Reference No: your 16 digit Travelex Money Card number

Funds will be allocated to your default currency. To check your default currency login to your account. Top ups will generally take two business days to be processed however may take longer if the payment is not made before 2pm on a business day Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Yes, travel money cards come with a host of advantages that can save you money when travelling. These include the ability to load multiple currencies at a fixed and competitive exchange rate, and the capability to make purchases in-store, online, and at ATMs worldwide with no overseas ATM or withdrawal fees.

• Locking in fixed foreign currency exchange rates and avoiding foreign transaction fees before you travel
• The ability to load multiple currencies onto one card, similar to a travel debit card
• The ability to spend money conveniently and comfortably overseas
• No overseas ATM withdrawal fees
• No fees when making online purchases
• Travel money cards can be ordered online and collected in store next day (when paying by debit/credit card).
• Just walk in store. Cards purchased and loaded in-store are active and ready-to-use on the spot. We will automatically transfer funds between currencies complete your card transactions.
• Home delivery within 5-7 business days (from when payment is received).

Most common questions

The best travel money card for Australians is the one that caters to the currencies available at your destination, removes ATM withdrawal and foreign purchase fees, and has the best exchange rate. The Travelex Money Card is a prepaid travel card and has been awarded the best prepaid travel card by Mozo two years in a row.

A travel money card is a global currency card that allows you to load several foreign currencies into a personal account at a prevailing exchange rate . Like debit and credit cards, a travel money card can be used to make purchases in stores, online, and to withdraw cash at ATMs while travelling. You can buy currencies and add or reload them into your travel money card account via a mobile app whilst abroad.

One of the best ways to use the Travelex Money Card is with the Travelex Money App. The Travelex Money App makes ordering, transferring, and checking currencies quick and simple on your travel card. You can also use the Travelex travel exchange rate tracker to check currencies in real time.

You can order a travel money card online or purchase one directly from a Travelex store. Find a store near you.

• Travel money cards can be ordered online and collected in store next day.
• Home delivery within 5-7 business days.

The Travelex Money Card is a Mastercard travel card, meaning it is free to make international withdrawals at ATMs displaying the Mastercard acceptance mark. It is also free to obtain cash over the counter and to make online purchases with a travel money card. However, some ATM operators may charge their own withdrawal ATM fees. Be sure to check with the ATM in question prior to making cash withdrawals.

Similar to any bank account, you can withdraw money from your travel money card at ATMs worldwide. When withdrawing cash, select the “credit” option on the ATM machine screen to access funds. You will not be charged credit card fees by selecting this option. If the “credit” option does not work, try selecting “debit” or “savings”. The maximum withdrawal amount is 3,000 Australian dollars each 24 hour period. Bear in mind that some ATMs may also have their own ATM fee, adding a cost to your withdrawal.

The Travelex Money Card is a multi currency card that can be used in most countries around the world. Widely considered the best travel money card for overseas travel, the Travelex Money Card can be used in the US, Europe, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, and many more countries.

The initial card fee is free, subject to minimum load amounts. Please see the fees and limits section for more information. There are fees associated with the way you use your card e.g. the type of transaction, the currency you use, and when you move currencies on your card. Limits also apply to top up amounts and method of top up. Please see more information on applicable fees and limits section.

Activity on your Travelex Money Card is monitored every day to detect unusual behaviour, and if something is spotted you'll be contacted to check your transactions. There are also things you can do to help keep your travel money secure: • Sign your card as soon as you receive it • Check your transactions regularly and report anything unusual to Card Services immediately • If you print statements from the internet, keep them safe and shred them when you've finished using them • Never give your personal details to someone on the phone • Don't give out your details in response to unsolicited email • Be wary of anyone who asks for common security details like your mother's maiden name, passwords, date of birth, or information about your work • Never give your PIN to anyone, even if they claim to be from your card issuer • Don't let yourself get distracted when using cash machines or point of sale terminals - somebody may be trying to find out your PIN

Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386 837) arranges for the issue of the Travelex Money Card in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited (‘EML’)(ABN 30 131 436 532, AFSL 404131). You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement for the relevant Travelex Money Card and Target Market Determination available at www.travelex.com.au , before deciding to acquire the product. Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

* Transacting via some online merchants may incur a surcharge.

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• Map:  Suite 45.01, Level 45, 25 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000