What is a Travel Card? A Complete Guide to Travel Money, Debit, and Credit Cards

*Pricing claim based on comparative data for select airports and passes. Live pricing is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
📱Find out how to get lounge access

Travel cards are a secure option for spending and making cash withdrawals when you’re overseas - and can also be helpful for online shopping in foreign currencies.

You may be wondering which one to buy - and how to use a travel card when you’re overseas. This guide covers key questions: what is a travel card, why might I want one, and what will it cost? You can also learn more about the Wise card, an easy way to stretch your dollars when paying in foreign currencies.

What is a travel card?

A travel money card is a payment card that’s optimised for overseas and foreign currency use. Travel cards are usually prepaid cards which are issued by banks and specialist providers and which can hold a balance in foreign currencies, which you can then spend or withdraw while you’re away from home with no additional fee. This allows you to add money to your card in AUD and convert to the currency you need to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget instantly.

Travel credit cards may also referred to as travel cards, these are credit lines optimised for overseas spending. While they usually bill you in AUD and convert the currency at the point of sale, some travel credit cards may waive the standard 3% foreign transaction fee. These cards usually offer travel-centric rewards, such as complimentary overseas insurance, airport lounge access, or frequent flyer miles, but they come with eligibility requirements and annual fees that you should also consider. Additionally, using them at an ATM typically incur cash advance fees and high interest rates that accrue immediately.

How does a travel money card work and how to use it

In many ways, a prepaid or debit travel card works like a bank issued debit card. You’ll need to hold a balance in your account before you can spend, but then you can use your travel money card for payments and withdrawals, including:

• Tap and pay- contactless payments in stores, to your card limits
• Mobile payments- link your card to Apple Pay or similar wallets to make mobile payments on the move
• Link to mobile apps - add to things like ride sharing apps and delivery services for seamless payments
• ATM cash withdrawals- get cash from ATMs around the world so you don’t need to exchange travel cash before you leave
• Digital payments- spend online and in apps, including in foreign currencies

Travel card vs credit card vs debit card

A travel card is usually a specific prepaid or debit card which is linked to a dedicated account for travel and foreign currency spending. This isn’t the same as a bank issued debit card linked to your everyday account.

Standard bank debit cards often have foreign transaction fees when spending in foreign currencies, which can make them more costly than a travel card.

You may also find some travel credit cards referred to as travel cards. These cards are optimised for travel - like a prepaid travel card - but as a credit card you may find there are annual fees, and there are normally interest and penalty fees which can apply depending on how you use your account.

Here’s a quick travel card vs credit card vs debit card comparison table to summarise:

Where and how to get a travel card in Australia?

A travel card can be a handy tool for your overseas trips, but where can I buy a travel card most conveniently?

Many travel card providers, such as Wise, offer digital services so you can order online or in an app with no need to leave home. Let’s take a look.

Here’s how to get a travel card with Wise as an example:

1. Download the Wise app or head to the desktop site
2. Tap Sign up and register an account with your personal and contact details
3. Follow prompts to complete the verification process by uploading an image of your ID (Passport, Driver’s license or National ID card)
4. Once verified, tap the Cards tab to order your Wise travel card

In Australia, standard Wise delivery times are 7 to 14 days, or you can choose expedited delivery to have your card in 4 days.

➡️ Order a Wise card

How long does it take to get a travel card?

If you’re wondering how long it takes to get a travel card then it’s good to know you have options. Some travel cards are ordered online and may take several days to arrive by mail. But if you’re in a hurry there are also options to buy a travel card in person at places like Australia Post branches. Be aware that you’re likely to need to take along a government issued ID like your passport or driving license to buy your new travel money card in a physical location.

Tips for choosing and using your travel card

• Select a card which supports a broad range of currencies so it’s useful for more than one trip
• Watch out for transaction costs including ATM fees, top up charges and cash out fees
• Choose a card which offers the mid-market rate for currency conversion, or as close as possible to it, to get more foreign currency for your dollars
• Look out for inactivity fees which can drain your balance if you don’t transact regularly

If you're looking for travel card options in Australia, check out our guide on the best travel cards in Australia.

Save on foreign transaction fees and get the mid-market rate with the Wise card

The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 4x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card