If you’re headed overseas, whether it’s for work, family, or just a well-earned break, choosing the right travel card can make a big difference to your wallet. The best travel cards give you access to a wide range of currencies, with competitive exchange rates and low-cost, transparent fees.
In this guide, we'll dive into the best travel money card options for Kiwis, featuring popular providers like Wise, Revolut, and banks such as Westpac. You want to be able to spend during your travels with confidence, knowing you’re not paying more than you need to.
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A travel card (also known as a travel money card) is a type of debit card that’s specifically designed to make spending overseas simpler and more cost-effective. The travel cards are often linked to digital accounts which can hold foreign currencies. This means you can add money in NZD when you choose to, and then convert to the currency you need to spend or let it do the auto-conversion for you.
You usually find that there’s no fee to spend and withdraw in a currency you hold in your account, and no foreign transaction fee. When compared to the cost of using a normal credit or debit card, this can help save you money while abroad.
As you review the various options to decide which is the best currency card for your travels, including the ones we’re about to go through, consider these things:
- Are the currencies you’ll likely be spending in supported?
- What exchange rates apply and how do they compare to the mid-market rate?
- Is there a foreign transaction or currency conversion fee?
- Do account fees apply for having the card; are there setup fees, monthly fees, or fees for inactivity?
- Can you manage the account online or through an app while you travel?
- How are ATM withdrawals handled?
- Does the account come with a physical, virtual card or both, and can you freeze or cancel the cards if needed?
| Features | Wise | Travelex¹ | Revolut | OneSmart² | Cash Passport Platinum⁴ | Westpac Global Currency⁶ |
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| Account fee | No fee | No fee | Depends on plan chosen⁸ | 1 NZD per month if there’s funds in the account | No fee | No fee |
| Virtual card | Available | Not supported | Available | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported |
| Available currencies | 40+ | 9 | 40+⁷ | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Exchange rate used | Mid-market rate | Mastercard rate | Revolut’s variable exchange rate⁹ | OneSmart rate which includes a margin³ | Mastercard rate | Mastercard rate plus a potential margin |
| ATM Withdrawal | Up to 2 withdrawals per month, to 350 NZD in value, fee free | Free abroad 2.96% within NZ | Free monthly withdrawal allowance that varies depending on plan | 3 free international ATM withdrawals per month $2 for domestic withdrawals | 4 NZD in New Zealand and currency specific when abroad⁵ | Free abroad 4 NZD within New Zealand |
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Now let’s take a look at each provider in more detail.
Wise is a global fintech company that offers the international multi-currency Wise Account and Wise card. The account allows you to receive, hold and send various currencies while the card can be used to spend in 150+ countries.
Main features:
- 40+ supported currencies and it’s free to spend currency that’s already held
- Add money in NZD or in 8+ other currencies using local and SWIFT account details
- Mid-market exchange rate used for currency conversion
- Monthly fee free allowance for ATM withdrawals
- No inactivity fees or minimum account balances to worry about
Fees
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Travelex is a travel money company that offers the Travelex Money Card.¹ The card supports 9 currencies in total; USD, AUD, JPY, GBP, EUR, HKD, SGD, CAD and NZD.
Main features:
- Card can be topped up through the Travelex app or in-store
- Physical card details are visible through the app for online shopping
- Unlimited free ATM withdrawals abroad
- Access to exclusive offers from Mastercard Priceless Cities
- Accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted
Fees
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A fintech that specialises in managing money in multiple currencies, Revolut offers the Revolut account and card. It supports over 40 currencies to hold and more to spend.⁷
Main features:
- Choose the plan you want; Standard, Metal or Premium⁸
- 40+ supported currencies and it’s free to spend currency that’s already held
- Premium and Metal plans come with perks like travel insurance
- Fund the account using the NZD account details it comes with
- Manage the card through the Revolut app
Fees
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Offered by Air New Zealand, the OneSmart travel card is a travel money card that also rewards you with Airpoints Dollars. Like Travelex it supports 9 currencies; USD, AUD, JPY, GBP, EUR, HKD, SGD, CAD and NZD.
Main features:
- Hold 9 currencies
- Earn 1 Airpoint Dollar for every 100 NZD spent abroad and 200 NZD in New Zealand, for eligible purchases
- No card payment fee when it’s used to book Air New Zealand flights online
- 3 free international ATM withdrawals per month
- Accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted
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Backed by Mastercard, Cash Passport Platinum is a travel money card that allows you to spend in 140 currencies and load 10 currencies; AUD, EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, CAD, HKD, SGD, NZD and AED.⁴
Main features:
- Hold 10 currencies and spend in 140
- No card issue fee
- Fee free reloads online for bank transfers or bill payments
- Comes with access to Flight Delay Pass
- Various Mastercard purchase protections available in case of damage, theft or price discrepancies
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Available from one of New Zealand's biggest banks, the Westpac Global Currency Card is a travel card that supports 9 currencies; AUD, USD, GBP, SGD, EUR, NZD, HKD, JPY and CAD.⁶
Main features:
- No purchase fees or monthly fees
- 9 currencies supported for holding
- Free ATM withdrawals abroad
- No inactivity or cash out fees to worry about
- Hold a maximum balance of up to 75,000 NZD
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When searching for the best travel card, the ideal choice truly comes down to your unique travel style, spending habits, and what features matter most to you on your overseas adventures.
Travelex and CashPassport offer in-person support and lounge perks, but come with higher currency conversion fees. Revolut suits frequent travellers who want subscription perks like travel insurance, while OneWorld is great for Air New Zealand customers chasing Airpoints. The Westpac option works for people who’d prefer to remain with a traditional bank and want a no-frills travel card. In terms of flexibility, transparency and low fees though, Wise is one of the leading options.
With Wise, you get the mid-market exchange rate with no foreign transaction fee, the ability to hold 40+ currencies all through a single account that’s easy to manage online or via the app and spend in . With its low fees and even some free ATM withdrawals, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.
Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
*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.
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