Travel Tips

What are some alternatives to the Commbank Travel Money Card in Canada?

Piyush Singh

30.12.25

Read time 2 minutes

Commbank's Travel Money Card offers several appealing features for travellers, but since it requires an Australian residential address¹, most Canadians aren't eligible. Fortunately, there are other providers offering similar services in Canada.

This guide compares top options, including Wise, and explores each card's main features, benefits, and drawbacks.

What the Commbank Travel Money Card Offers

The Commbank Travel Money Card is a prepaid Visa accepted worldwide. You can load more than 15 currencies and lock in rates before you travel, helping you budget with confidence. It also has no international transaction fees, which can make your travel spending go further.

Alternatives to the Commbank Travel Money Card in Canada

Since the Commbank Travel Money Card requires an Australian address, Canadians will need other options. Below are several alternatives available in Canada: compare their features and fees based on how you plan to use your card.

RBC Visa Platinum Travel Credit Card

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum Travel Credit Card lets you earn and redeem points for travel-related purchases, including flights, hotels, and car rentals in Canada and abroad.² It also includes travel insurance for medical coverage and trip cancellations.

The annual fee is 120 CAD, with a purchase interest rate of 20.99% and a cash advance rate of 22.99% (or 21.99% for Quebec residents).²

This card suits travellers who want to earn points on domestic spending. You can use it worldwide³, but note that exchange-rate markups and cash-advance fees at ATMs can add costs. Pairing this card with a specialist like Wise can help reduce conversion fees when spending abroad.

Wise card

The Wise card is linked to your Wise multi-currency account. You can hold 40+ currencies and spend in 150+ at the mid-market exchange rate: the real rate without hidden markups. You can get a physical card and have a virtual card backed up as well.

There are no monthly fees. Wise charges a small upfront fee starting at 0.48%* for CAD conversions.

What's more: In case you run out of money in the local currency in your Wise account, Wise converts money to the local currency using smart conversion. This ensures that the conversion applied has the lowest available conversion fees.

As a specialist in currency exchange, Wise often provides low costs and high transparency, making it an excellent option for Canadians spending abroad.

How to choose the right Canadian travel card alternative

Choosing the right travel card helps keep your trip smooth and affordable. Decide first whether you prefer a credit card or a prepaid/debit card:

Credit cards often earn points or rewards but charge higher FX and cash-advance fees.
Prepaid or debit cards usually have lower fees and are ideal for managing foreign-currency spending.

Typical fees to compare include:

Annual or monthly account fees
FX markups and exchange-rate margins
Upfront conversion fees
ATM or cash-withdrawal charges

Understanding these costs, especially hidden FX markups, lets you choose the card with the lowest total fees.

If you plan to withdraw cash abroad, a debit card like Wise may be cheaper overall.

Conclusion

Most Canadians can't access Commbank, but several strong alternatives exist. The best card depends on how you travel:

Travel credit cards can earn rewards on everyday purchases.
Prepaid options like Wise help you spend abroad at lower FX costs.

By combining a rewards credit card with a Wise travel card, you can enjoy both perks and savings, keeping global spending flexible and cost-effective.

Sources:

Commbank - Travel Money Card

RBC - Visa Platinum Avion

RBC - Credit card benefits

Commbank - International exchange rates

RBC - International banking: Spend and access

Commbank - Travel Money Card fees and charges
Sources verified on 30 December 2025

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.