Thinking about getting a prepaid travel card? Whether you’re a solo traveller or a family of five, a prepaid travel card, like our Currency Pass, is a smart way to keep your travel money safe while abroad. 

Tracking exchange rates and figuring out the best way to divide and carry your travel money can be bamboozling – that’s where a prepaid travel card is a real lifesaver. 

So, let’s break down why prepaid travel card like the Travel Money Oz Currency Pass is your best bet when it comes to using and managing foreign currency overseas.

What is a Prepaid Travel Card? 

Unlike debit or credit cards, prepaid travel cards are not linked to your bank and are specifically built for travellers. They can be tapped, swiped, and inserted just like your regular cards, but without the risk of being connected to your bank account. 

They can be reloaded with multiple currencies, and you can ‘lock in’ exchange rates, giving you peace of mind and making it easier to budget while spending overseas.

Now that you have a better idea of what a prepaid travel card is, let’s take a closer look at how Travel Money Oz’s Currency Pass ticks all the boxes.

Benefits of Travel Money Oz Currency Pass 

Avoid Pesky Currency Conversion Fees

Using a bank card overseas can mean paying a fee with every transaction – because you’re really just spending Aussie dollars, not local currency. While some conversion fees can seem low, they certainly add up when you’re making multiple purchases a day. 

Thankfully, you can load and lock your Currency Pass with your preferred currency, so you don’t have to account for any extra fees. More money? More mojitos! 

Load up to Thirteen Currencies 

Planning a trip that requires a few currencies? No stress, you can load up to 13* currencies onto your Currency Pass, including USD, GBP, EUR, NZD, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD, THB, AED, ZAR, CHF, and AUD. 

Better yet, when you've landed in that country, Currency Pass will automatically know which currency to use. For example, the card will withdraw GBP when you're paying for a pint in a London pub, or Euros when you're indulging in a Parisian croissant. 

Lock in an Exchange Rate and Receive Alerts

If the Australian Dollar is soaring against one of the loadable currencies, you can lock in that exchange rate the day you load your card*. That means you can spend overseas without stressing about fluctuating exchange rates. 

Want to keep an eye on exchange rates for your next trip? Easy! 
Using the Travel Money Oz portal, you can set rate alerts for your preferred currency. Let us know what your ideal rate is, and we'll alert you if and when it hits. From there, you can load funds on your Currency Pass and lock in the great rate. 

Spend With Peace of Mind

As we’ve mentioned above, the Currency Pass prepaid travel card isn’t connected to your bank account in any way. So, if your card falls into the wrong hands, your life savings are safe, and the only personal detail visible is the name on the card.

When it’s time to top up, you can reload your Currency Pass anywhere at any time via bank transfer, debit/credit card, or BPAY on our app or online portal. Just keep in mind, though, BPAY can take up to four business days to have the funds accessible in your account, so don't leave reloading until the last minute. 

Easily Track Your Spending

Tapping your travel card overseas just hits different, whether it’s treating yourself to a designer handbag or ordering that second breakfast. That’s why the Travel Money Oz app makes it easy to budget, track your spending, and check your balance on the go – you’ll have oversight over every transaction! 

Add it to Your Digital Wallet and Use Globally

As Hannah Montana would say, you get the best of both worlds – in this case, the choice to spend with either a physical Currency Pass card or a digital version (or both!). 

For Apple users, just add your Currency Pass to your Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Android users can add theirs straight to Google Wallet.

And the best part? Currency Pass is accepted anywhere Mastercard is – which, lucky for you, is just about everywhere.

Access to 24/7 Emergency Assistance 

In the event of an unfortunate event or emergency, know that you can always contact our team to ensure your money is safe and accessible (to you!). 

Between pickpockets and juggling all your necessities on the go, it’s not uncommon for cards to go astray. But we’d never leave you high and dry. 

You can instantly block, unblock, and cash out your funds by logging into your Travel Money Oz portal or through the app. 

Plan Your Next Trip Without Inactivity Fees 

Ever spent less than what you expected overseas? We love that for you! 

Any leftover funds on the Currency Pass will be held safely until your next trip and won’t be eaten up by inactivity fees. Don’t stress, though – you can always convert your funds back to AUD if you’d prefer to spend it before your next trip. 

Do I Also Need to Travel With Cash?

While many countries accept prepaid travel money cards, we always recommend you take some foreign cash with you. It’s no secret that cash has a higher risk of theft, so instead of carrying large amounts, opt for a mixed wallet. 

We want to ensure you are prepared for every situation by having a mix of currency options available. This will vary from country to country, but your best bet is to aim for the following combination:

• 70% of your budget is available on a Currency Pass.
• 30% of your budget converted to cash – this will be handy for markets, taxis, remote shopping, and tipping.
• Carry a credit card for emergencies, and hotel and car hire pre-authorisation or bonds.

So, in our humble opinion, prepaid travel cards are totally worth it. And Currency Pass is a smart choice to keep your travel money safe, convenient, and free from sneaky hidden costs that could dampen your holiday mood. 

Oh, and did we mention it’s free to get? The only thing you’ll need upfront is a $20 minimum load – and that’s yours to spend on your trip anyway.

Ready to get one? You can purchase a Currency Pass online or in any of our 90+ Travel Money Oz stores.