The Post Office Travel Money Card review: key features, rates and fees

If you’re heading overseas, a travel card could be a handy solution for covering your spending. They tend to be cheaper to use than your ordinary bank debit card, and can even offer better exchange rates compared to buying currency.

There are lots of travel cards out there, but here we’re going to focus on the Post Office Travel card. We’ll run through what it is and how it works, along with fees, exchange rates, supported currencies and how to apply for the Post Office multi-currency card.

And while you’re comparing spending options ahead of your trip, make sure to check out the Wise card. This international card can be used in 150+ countries, automatically converting your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market rate.

Learn more about Wise 🌍

But for now, let’s focus on the Post Office travel card.

What is the Post Office travel card?

The Post Office Travel card is a prepaid multi-currency Mastercard that you can load up with up to 22 currencies. You can use it for spending and ATM withdrawals in over 200 countries, in 36 million locations¹.

Simply top up with your chosen currency before you travel, then spend overseas without needing to convert currency. The card is contactless and can be managed using the Post Office Travel app or online.

Key features and benefits of the Post Office multi-currency card

Here are the main features and benefits of the Post Office multi-currency card² at a glance:

• Contactless for making fast and convenient low-value transactions
• Available with Google Wallet and Apple Pay
• Manage, top up, transfer between currencies and freeze your card using the Travel app
• Top up anytime with 22 different currencies
• Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
• 24/7 call centre help is available if you need it
• Wallet-to-wallet feature - where you can transfer between currencies
• No charges when you spend abroad using the local currency loaded on your card (there are some other fees to consider – we cover those next)

Post Office travel card fees and charges

Post Office travel cards are free to order and there are no charges for paying retailers in the currencies held on your travel money card. So, you can spend in shops, bars and restaurants without any charge - as long as you’re paying with an available balance of a currency supported by the card².

If you do use your card in a country with a local currency that isn’t supported by the card, you’ll be charged a cross-border fee of 3%².

For example, if you go to Brazil and use your card at a local restaurant, you’ll be charged the cross-border fee of 3% as Brazilian real isn’t supported by the card.

You’ll also be charged for withdrawing cash from any ATM, even in currencies supported by the card. These ATM fees vary depending on the currency used. For example, if you were to load Pound Sterling, you’d pay £1.50. On Pound Sterling, you also pay a commission of 1.5%, because this isn’t a foreign currency.

One last thing to note on the subject of fees. All Post Office Travel cards are valid for up to 3 years. Exactly 12 months after your card expires, you’ll start to be charged a monthly maintenance fee of £2 until the balance is zero or you request a refund.²

Check out our list of the European countries that charge the highest ATM fees below.

📚 Highest ATM fees in Europe

Exchange rates

The Post Office offers exchange rates that move up and down according to the demand for currencies. So, the exact amount of travel money you’ll receive on your travel card will depend on the rate at the time of your purchase.

You can check the Post Office exchange rates on its website, the Post Office multi-currency card app and branches. Keep in mind though that rates may vary whether you’re buying online, via phone or in-store.

The Post Office exchange rate is also likely to include a margin or mark-up on the mid-market rate. The mid-market rate is close to the rate you’ll find on Google and is generally considered to be a fair rate. A margin added on top of this makes the rate worse for you, so you’ll get less of whichever currency you’re exchanging.

Wise only ever uses the mid-market exchange rate, with no mark-ups or margins. This means that your pounds go further, wherever you’re travelling to.

Currencies supported

You can load your Post Office prepaid travel card with funds in any of these 22 currencies¹:

• EUR – Euro
• USD – US dollar
• AUD – Australian dollar
• AED - UAE dirham
• CAD – Canadian dollar
• CHF – Swiss franc
• CNY – Chinese yuan
• CZK – Czech koruna
• DKK – Danish kroner
• GBP – Pound sterling
• HKD – Hong Kong dollar
• HUF – Hungarian forint
• JPY – Japanese yen
• NOK – Norwegian krone
• NZD – New Zealand dollar
• PLN – Polish zloty
• SAR – Saudi riyal
• SEK – Swedish krona
• SGD – Singapore dollar
• THB – Thai baht
• TRY – Turkish lira
• ZAR – South African rand

Limits

You can top up your card with between £10 and £5,000 in any of the currencies listed above. The maximum you can hold is £10,000, plus you can load and spend up to £30,000 on your card each year¹.

You can withdraw a maximum of £300 per day.²

App overview

The Post Office Travel app is free to download from the Google Play and Apple App stores. You can use it to order and activate your card, monitor your balance and top up with currencies. Using the wallet-to-wallet feature, you can also transfer leftover currency to other currencies of your choice.

You can also buy Post Office travel insurance, book airport parking and access other features through the app.

How good is the Post Office prepaid travel card?

The Post Office travel card is handy to have if you’re travelling and want to keep your money safe. You won’t need to carry cash around with you, or have to take time out of your trip to change currency.

Paying in local currencies is quick and easy, especially as it’s a contactless card. Plus, you can only spend what’s on it, so this can help you to budget.

The card is convenient if you travel regularly or are taking multi-destination holidays, because you can keep 22 currencies on it.

But if you love visiting far-flung destinations, you might need a card that supports more currencies.

One main drawback to consider is the exchange rate. While rates may be competitive (compared to changing money at the airport, for example), the Post Office is likely to include a margin or mark-up on the mid-market rate. There are also charges for using your card at an ATM.

So, it’s important to shop around and compare other travel money cards, as some could offer you a better deal.

Take the Wise card, for example. With this contactless international card, you can spend in 150+ countries and manage 40+ currencies in your Wise account. There are no ATM fees for withdrawing up to £200 a month (2 or less withdrawals) and you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate on every transaction. Note, that Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

The Wise card will automatically convert your money to the local currency at the mid-market rate when you spend, for a small conversion fee*.

Learn more about the Wise card 💳

How to get and use a Post Office multi-currency card

You can only get a travel card from the Post Office if you’re aged over 18 and a resident of the UK.

Ordering your card

There are three ways to order a Post Office Travel card:

1. Download the Post Office Travel app and place an order there.
2. Apply online at the Post Office website.
3. Pop into a local Post Office branch to apply for a card. You’ll need to take a form of photo ID with you, such as a passport or UK driving licence.

If you’re applying in a branch, you should be able to pick up your card there and then. For applications made online or in the app, you’ll need to wait 2-3 days for your card to be delivered.

Card activation

You’ll need to activate your travel card before you can use it.

You’ll be given instructions on how to do this in the welcome letter delivered along with your new card.

Using your card

You can use your Post Office travel card anywhere that accepts MasterCard, online and at ATMs.

If you’re buying something in person, you’ll need to enter your PIN. If you’re in a country where Chip & PIN isn’t as widely available (such as the USA), you may be asked to sign to verify your purchase instead.

You can also make contactless payments for small amounts, although different countries have different rules and limits for this.

The Post Office’s help and support page states that the travel card may not work in certain places, including:²

• Cruise ships
• Planes
• Toll roads

You can't use the travel money card for UK gambling transactions and online gambling money transfers or adult service websites. Head to the Post Office support page for more information on where you can and can’t use the card.

How to top up your card

The easiest way to top up your Post Office Travel card is using the app. If you prefer, you can also top up at the Post Office website or in a local branch.²

Buying back currencies

If there’s any unused currency on your card, you have a few options. You may be able to withdraw it at a local Post Office branch, ATM, or online.²

Alternatively, you can spend the money once you’re back in the UK. Money will be moved to GBP every time you pay for something, at the current Post Office exchange rate, which may not be the most favourable rate.

How to contact the Post Office about your card

You can call the contact centre on 0344 335 0109 when you’re in the UK or +44 (0) 20 7937 0280 when you’re overseas. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can also contact the Post Office Travel Card Customer Services department via the following methods²:

• By post at Post Office Travel card, PO Box 3232, Cumbernauld, G67 1YU
• By email at info@postoffice.travelmoneycard.co.uk.

Post Office Travel Card: troubleshooting tips

Here’s how to deal with some common problems you might have with your travel card.

How do I report a lost or damaged card?

If you lose your Post Office travel currency card or discover that it’s damaged, just phone the contact centre. They’ll block it and send you another. You can also freeze your card using the app.

What should I do if my card is declined or blocked?

Firstly, check your account via the app to make sure you have enough money in it. If you have enough to pay for your item or have less than you should have in your account, call the contact centre.

What if I’ve forgotten my PIN?

You can check your travel money card PIN in the app. Alternatively, you can call the Post Office’s automated line to get your PIN, or change it at an ATM that supports PIN services.²

What happens when my card expires?

You should receive a new card automatically². If it hasn’t arrived after the expiry date, call the contact centre and they’ll issue you with one.

---

And that’s pretty much it - everything you need to know about the Post Office Travel currency card. It’s handy if you don’t want to carry cash around or exchange currency while on holiday. And you can use it in multiple countries, as it supports 22 currencies. The app is another helpful feature, letting you top up and manage your money on the move.

But just remember to compare exchange rates and fees (especially for those all-important ATM withdrawals) before choosing a travel card for your trip - as you could be getting a better deal elsewhere.

Open a Wise Business account online

---

Sources used:

1. Post Office - Travel Money Card information
2. Post Office - Travel Money Card help and support

Sources last checked on 24 February 2026