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Commonwealth Travel Card Review – [2023]

The Commonwealth Travel Money Card is a prepaid Visa debit card you can top up in 13 different currencies, for global spending and ATM withdrawals. That can be handy for managing your budget when you’re overseas, as you can lock in exchange rates in advance so you know exactly what you have to spend.

This guide covers the Commonwealth travel card in detail, including how the card works and the fees that you’ll pay to use it. We’ll also touch on a couple of Commonwealth travel card alternatives from Wise and Revolut , which support more currencies and may come with lower fees.

Commonwealth travel card: key features

The Commonwealth Travel Money Card has a good selection of supported currencies, and is globally accepted wherever you see the Visa logo. However, there are currency conversion fees to pay when you use the card to spend unsupported currencies, or when you don’t have enough balance to cover the cost of your purchase in a particular currency. Plus, you’ll pay an ATM fee at home and abroad.

This guide walks through the Commonwealth Travel Money Card in detail – to kick off, here’s a quick look at the key pros and cons of using the card on your travels.

Travel money cards can be handy when you’re away. They let you convert funds to the currency you need in advance, so you know your budget before you leave – plus, they’re not linked to your normal bank account which can increase security and offer peace of mind when you travel. However, the features and fees you find in travel money cards from different banks and providers can vary pretty widely. Shopping around is essential to make sure you get the best deal for your specific needs – this guide should tell you all you’ll need to know to help you pick.

Who is the Commonwealth travel card for?

The Commonwealth travel card supports 13 currencies including those used in popular holiday destinations like Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and New Zealand, plus major global currencies like US dollars, euros and British pounds. That can mean it’s a handy card to have for people travelling for business or pleasure, or for anyone shopping online with overseas retailers.

What is the Commonwealth travel card?

The Commonwealth Travel Money Card is a Visa debit card you can load in advance in AUD or any of the other supported currencies, for international spending and withdrawals. You can use your Commonwealth travel card when you travel, and also for online shopping in foreign currencies.

Is the Commonwealth Travel Money Card a multi-currency card?

Yes. You can add AUD to your Commonwealth card, and convert to any of the following supported foreign currencies:

• United States dollars (USD)
• Euros (EUR)
• Great British pounds (GBP)
• Japanese yen (JPY)
• New Zealand dollars (NZD)
• Hong Kong dollars (HKD)
• Canadian dollars (CAD)
• Singapore dollars (SGD)
• Thai baht (THB)
• Vietnamese dong (VND)
• Chinese renminbi (CNY)
• Emirati dirham (AED)

There is a fee – in the form of an exchange rate markup – added when you switch to the currency you need from AUD. However, it’s then usually free to spend the currencies you hold in your account.

If you’re looking for different currencies – or you’re planning on travelling more widely – you can also consider a travel card from a specialist service like Wise or Revolut. Wise supports 50+ currencies, while Revolut covers 25+ – more on that, including some other important features of Wise and Revolut, next.

Alternatives to Commonwealth travel card

The Commonwealth travel card has some handy features, but there are also some fees you’ll need to think about before you order one. One important cost is rolled into the price of switching from one currency to another. There’s a markup added to the exchange rate used when you initially switch from AUD to the currency you need, and if you use your card to spend an unsupported currency, or if you run low on the currency you need while you’re away, extra fees of 3% kick in too.

To weigh up whether the Commonwealth card is best for you, take a look at our comparison against alternative providers Wise and Revolut:

Information taken from CommBank Travel Money Card desktop site and Fees , Wise pricing page , Revolut international transfer fees and Revolut Australia ; correct at time of writing, 24th May 2023

As you can see, Wise and Revolut both support a broader selection of currencies compared to the Commbank card, which can be helpful if you’re travelling more widely. Plus, you may find you get lower overall currency conversion costs with a specialist service. Revolut has some fee free currency conversion which uses the mid-market rate for all account holders – even if you’re using a standard account plan with no monthly fees. And Wise has mid-market rates for all currency exchange, with low fees based on the currencies you need, starting at 0.41%.

There’s a quick introduction to Wise and Revolut next, to help you decide if either may suit your needs.

Read a full Wise review here

Wise accounts can hold and exchange 50+ currencies, and come with an optional linked Wise card to spend with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.41%, in 170+ countries. You can apply, and manage your account, from your smartphone, and get extra perks like fast payments to 70+ countries, and local bank details for 9 currencies, to get paid easily from 30+ countries.

Get a Wise travel card

Revolut accounts come with linked debit cards, and can hold 25+ currencies. You can either get a standard plan which has no monthly fees, or pay a monthly charge to access extra features and perks. Revolut currency exchange uses the mid-market exchange rate to plan limits, with fair usage fees after that. Out of hours fees may also apply if you switch currencies when the global markets are shut.

Go to Revolut

Commonwealth travel card fees & spending limits

Let’s take a look at the fees and limits that apply to the Commbank travel card. First, here are some important limits to know in advance:

And what about the charges involved with using a Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card? Here’s a rundown of the key costs:

Information correct at time of writing – 24th May 2023

Exchange rates

When you top up your card in AUD and convert to a foreign currency for overseas spending, the Commbank retail exchange rate applies. This rate can be found online, but it’s handy to know it won’t be the same as the mid-market rate you find using a Google search or currency conversion tool, as it includes a margin – which is a fee. The margin used by Commonwealth Bank can vary depending on the currencies in question, so you’ll need to take a look on their website to see the rate for your currency pair, and then compare it back to the rate you get from a conversion tool, to spot the margin that’s been added.

If you’re spending a currency you don’t hold in your account, the exchange rate applied is set by Visa, and there’s then an extra 3% fee to pay. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it can mount up quickly if you’re travelling for a while.

As an alternative, you might want to check out prepaid international debit cards which offer the mid-market exchange rate – like those from Wise and Revolut.

How to get Commonwealth travel card

You can order a Commonwealth Travel Money Card if you fulfil the eligibility criteria:

• You must be at least 14 years old
• You must be a Commonwealth Bank customer, registered to use NetBank
• You’ll need an Australian residential address

Assuming you fit these criteria you can order in a Commonwealth Bank branch, or online. Once you have your card in your hands, you then need to activate it in NetBank or the Commbank app. You can also set a PIN for security.

What documents you’ll need

To open a Commonwealth Travel Money Card account you’ll need to be registered with NetBank. That means you’ll also need a valid Commbank account and card to get started. If you already have a Commonwealth Bank account you can open your travel card account with no new documents – just log into NetBank or visit a branch to get started.

If you don’t have a Commbank account yet, the process is a bit more involved as you’ll have to first select and open a bank account. This normally means you also need to provide proof of ID and address, which you can upload online or show in a branch.

What happens when the card expires?

The Commonwealth Travel money Card is valid for 4 years. Once it expires it’s not automatically replaced with a new card. You’ll need to request a new card in NetBank. If you don’t do this within 3 months of the card expiry date, you’ll lose access to your account – so make sure you open a new card in time, or remove any remaining funds from the account to avoid extra hassle.

How to use a Commonwealth travel card?

The Commonwealth travel card is a Visa debit card you can use online and in person for spending and withdrawals. You can also send money from the card account to other Commbank cards and accounts, although fees may apply for this service if you’re switching currencies as part of the transfer.

How to withdraw cash with a Commonwealth travel card?

Once you have funds on your Commbank card you can make withdrawals around the world, just as you would with your regular debit card. There’s a Commonwealth ATM limit of 2,500 AUD per day – although most ATMs have their own limits which are likely to be lower than this. You’ll also pay a fee of 3.5 AUD or the currency equivalent when you make a cash withdrawal, plus any applicable currency conversion fee if you’re withdrawing in a currency you don’t hold in your account.

Is the card safe?

Yes. Commonwealth Bank is a trusted and regulated bank, making it a safe provider to use. Plus, using a prepaid travel card when you’re abroad can be safer than using your normal card. As it’s not linked to your main day to day account, even if you’re unlucky enough to have your travel card stolen, thieves don’t have access to your primary account balance.

How to use the Commonwealth travel card overseas?

The Commbank travel card is issued on the Visa network, which means you can use it in millions of ATMs and with merchants worldwide. If you’ve got a balance in the currency you need, there’s no extra fee for paying at a merchant abroad. However, it’s useful to know that a 3% fee applies if you spend in a currency you don’t hold in your account, or if the balance you have in that currency isn’t enough to cover the purchase. This can push up costs significantly, so it’s worth keeping an eye on your balance in the Commbank app, so you don’t run low without realising.

Conclusion: is the Commonwealth travel card worth it?

The Commonwealth Travel Money Card is a helpful card for travel to any of the countries and regions covered by the 13 supported currencies. Using a prepaid card can help you set your travel budget in advance as you’ve locked in exchange rates before you leave. However, the Commbank card isn’t free to use. There’s a fee to switch currencies – either a 3% conversion cost for direct spending, or a margin added to the exchange rate when you convert within your account. Plus, there’s a 3.5 AUD fee for ATM withdrawals overseas.

Compare the costs and flexibility of the Commbank travel card against alternatives like the international debit cards from Wise and Revolut. Both offer a broader selection of currencies, and use the mid-market exchange rate to switch over your funds from AUD to the currency you need. This can cut the costs overall, and it’s more transparent as you can easily see all the fees involved in currency exchange.

Commonwealth travel card review FAQ

How does the Commonwealth travel card work?

The Commonwealth Travel Money Card is a prepaid international Visa card you can use for spending and withdrawals around the world. You’ll need to add money in AUD and can then convert to any of the 13 supported currencies within NetBank.

Is the Commonwealth travel card an international card?

Yes. The Commonwealth Travel Money Card can hold 13 different currencies, and as it’s issued on the Visa network you can use it more or less anywhere in the world. There’s a 3% fee to spend currencies you don’t hold in your account though – so if your currency isn’t supported by the Commbank card you might be better off with an alternative like the multi-currency cards from Wise and Revolut.

Are there any alternatives to the Commonwealth travel card?

Commonwealth Travel Money Card alternatives are available from banks and specialist digital providers. Compare the options from Wise and revolut as an example – both offer dozens of supported currencies, with low, transparent fees and great global acceptance.

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Wise Vs CommBank Travel Money Card Comparison

Updated: Oct 10, 2024, 10:10am

Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here . Read our advice disclaimer here .

Table of Contents

Wise vs commbank: what’s the difference, which is better: wise debit card or commbank travel card, wise vs revolut: summary of services and pricing, bottom line: wise vs commbank travel card, frequently asked questions (faqs).

If you’ve been searching for a travel card to take away on your next holiday abroad, chances are you’ve come across Wise (previously known as TransferWise) and Commonwealth Bank’s Travel Money Card.

So how do you decide which one is best for you? Forbes Advisor Australia took a close look at each of the bank’s offerings to help you decide, including their pros and cons, as well as the stand-out features of each.

Related: Wise vs Revolut 2024 Comparison

Featured Partners

Research from consultancy group EY shows that 79% of Australian respondents are still primarily tied to a traditional bank.

That’s why it’s no surprise that Commonwealth Bank, the biggest of the Big Four , is offering its own travel card in a bid to shoulder their way into the travel card sector.

The banking and capital markets leader for EY , Tim Dring, says Covid-19 “significantly accelerated what was an already growing appetite for digital banking solutions and more personalised online product and service offerings”.

That’s where Wise comes in. While it’s only been around since 2011 (launching in Australia in 2016), it has already gained more than 10 million customers worldwide thanks to its versatility and ease of use.

Both Wise and Commonwealth Bank are also regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Related: How To Buy Shares In Commonwealth Bank

There are a number of factors to consider when looking at a travel card. For sake of clarity, Forbes Advisor Australia has chosen to compare each of the offerings based on the following factors:

• Ease of use, including eligibility;
• Cost of card and replacement card costs;
• Any associated account-keeping fees;
• Number of currencies available;
• Currency conversion fees;
• ATM fees and limits;
• Exchange rates; and
• Availability of overseas bank details.

Our side-by-side comparison of the offerings provided by the Wise Debit Card and the CommBank Travel Card are shown in the table below.

There are a range of differences between the two travel cards. To begin with, the Wise card can be used both as a banking card (with international bank accounts that can send money seamlessly to other international bank accounts), while the CommBank Travel Card is specifically related to travel.

The CommBank Travel Card also has a limited number of currencies, while Wise has more than 40. However, the CommBank Travel Card is available to Australians aged 14 and over, which can make it a great option for teenagers heading abroad and wanting to take care of their own finances—whether the holiday is with family or on a school trip.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each card:

Pros and Cons of Wise

• Local accounts in different currencies
• Ability to spend in 40+ currencies
• Mid-market exchange rate
• Immediate transfers from AU bank accounts can be more costly
• Cost for card and card replacements
• Only available to 18+

Pros and Cons of CommBank Travel Card

• Available to those aged 14 and over
• Immediate and free transfers from Commonwealth Bank accounts
• No card ordering fee nor replacement card fee
• Limited currencies
• Can’t send money overseas
• $3.50 AUD charge for every ATM withdrawal, plus any applicable ATM fees

While both products received low average scores on ProductReview, there were also some positive individual reviews of both Wise and CommBank. Wise users called the card a “must have travel accessory” and noted that it offers “the best FX fees by a margin”.

For CommBank Travel Card customers, many said it was “exactly what they needed” while travelling, and that transfers between Commonwealth Bank accounts to the CommBank Travel Card were “seamless”.

It’s important to note that these ratings were not from a large number of reviews, and therefore should be weighed up among a range of other factors.

Overall, the Wise card may be better for those looking to be paid in different currencies or send money abroad while travelling, while the CommBank Travel Card may be more convenient for those needing a safe option to spend their funds abroad, especially when they are under 18 years old.

Are both Wise and CommBank Travel Cards available in Australia?

Yes, both cards are available in Australia and can be ordered to Australian residential addresses. The banks are also both regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

How many currencies can you have on the CommBank Travel Money Card?

There are 13 currencies that you can load onto your CommBank Travel Money Card:

• Australian Dollars (AUD)
• Canadian Dollars (CAD)
• Chinese Renminbi (CNY)
• Emirati Dirham (AED)
• Euros (EUR)
• Great British Pounds (GBP)
• Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
• Japanese Yen (JPY)
• New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
• Singapore Dollars (SGD)
• Thai Baht (THB)
• United States Dollars (USD)
• Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Is Wise or CommBank better for travelling Europe?

When it comes to travelling through Europe, both Wise and CommBank can be great options: after all, CommBank’s Money Travel Card includes both the Euro and GBP. However, there are many countries in Europe that don’t use the Euro, such as Croatia, Poland, Denmark, Czechia and more.

With Wise, you are able to load all of the currencies of the above countries onto your Wise card, therefore making it a more seamless travel card for trips in Europe that are outside the Eurozone.

Revolut is a direct competitor of Wise and a popular choice for those looking to travel Europe (and/or receive money to international bank accounts). You can read our comparison of Wise vs Revolut here .

Which is cheaper for travelling: Wise or CommBank?

Whether Wise or CommBank turns out to be “cheaper” for your holiday will largely depend on where you are going and how you will be spending your money. For example, if you plan to only visit the United States and won’t be taking cash out, the CommBank Money Travel Card could be more suitable for you seeing as it has USD as an available currency and doesn’t cost any money to order.

On the other hand, if you were needing to make frequent withdrawals, the $3.50 AUD charge at every ATM (plus any applicable ATM charges) could quickly add up—as could the changing interest rate determined independently by Commonwealth Bank. Plus, if you were then to travel to South or Central America where other currencies are used, you’d be charged a high currency conversion fee.

Alternatively, for those travelling to a wide range of destinations, and looking to both send and receive money in different currencies, Wise could end up being a more cost efficient option despite the $10 fee for the card. It has more currency options and therefore allows for more flexibility, and its mid-market exchange rate means you know you are getting a fair deal based on what the major banks are offering.

Related: Wise Personal Account Review

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Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

Travel Money Card Comparison

How to find the best card for your next overseas trip.

• Credit cards
• Frequent flyer
• Credit score
• Money management
• Sustainability

In this guide

Travel money card comparison

What is a travel money card, the pros and cons of different options, what are the travel money card fees i should know about, how to find the best travel money card, top travel money tips, australian travel statistics, faqs about prepaid travel money cards.

Travel Money Cards

Key takeaways

• The most important features to compare are the foreign transaction fees, exchange rates and usability.
• If you want to withdraw cash, a prepaid travel card or debit card will likely be cheaper than a credit card.
• It is a good idea to have several travel money options in case of loss, damage or theft.

What is the Finder Travel Money Score?

Finder scores explained.

• 9+ Excellent - These are the best travel money cards in Finder's database, with low fees, high maximum load amounts and generous withdrawal limits.
• 7+ Great - Quality cards that offer a good mix of features with reasonable fees, but a bit short of the best in the market.
• 5+ Satisfactory - These travel money cards get the job done and may be well suited for certain customers, but the fees are higher and the cards have more limited features.
• Less than 5 – Basic - These cards have higher fees than most options on the market and limited features.

A travel money card is a prepaid card which you can add multiple foreign currencies onto to use while you're travelling overseas. You can use it to make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs.

Prepaid travel cards work similarly to debit cards as you can deposit a certain amount of money into the card and only spend what you've got available in the account. However, unlike a standard debit card, a prepaid travel card allows you to lock-in exchange rates before you travel.

You can also avoid some of the fees that you might be subject to if you were to use your normal bank card. Many transaction accounts have international transaction fees or other limitations, so getting a travel money card can save you money there. It can also feel safer to have a travel money card, avoiding the risk of losing your money if something were to happen to your bank card.

Prepaid travel money cards

Advantages of a travel money card.

• Pre-load your funds. Depositing your money on the card in advance can help you to stick to a budget, though you can always reload if needed.
• Multiple currencies. You can convert Australian dollars into several supported currencies (great for a multi-country trip) and avoid currency conversion fees.
• Locked-in exchange rates. Funds are converted based on the exchange rate at that time, so you avoid any exchange rate fluctuations while travelling. Caveat: this can be an advantage or a disadvantage.
• Frequent flyer points. The Qantas Pay prepaid card means you'll earn frequent flyer points for your spending both overseas and in Australia.
• ATM fees. Many travel money cards don't charge overseas ATM fees.

Disadvantages of a travel money card

• Additional fees. Some card charge additional fees including ATM, reloading, account closure and inactivity fees.
• Reload delay. Some cards may take a few days for the funds to be available.
• Acceptance. Travel money cards are not as widely accepted as debit or credit cards in some countries.

Disadvantages of debit cards

• Foreign transaction fees. Unless your debit card offers 0% international transaction fees , you could be charged between 1% and 4% for payments made overseas.
• Dynamic currency conversion. Paying in Australian dollars means the transaction will be processed using dynamic currency conversion, which usually adds between 6% and 8% to the transaction cost. Tip: when given the option, choose to pay in local currency to avoid this cost.
• Daily currency exchange rate. You will receive the daily exchange rate for your withdrawal from Mastercard or Visa. Due to the uncertainty of exchange rates, this may be favourable or provide a lower rate than securing a rate with a prepaid travel card before you leave the country.

Newcastle Permanent Everyday Account

There is no universal best travel money card as your options vary from country to country and person to person. In saying that, some of favourable features of travel cards include:

• No additional fees: including ATM fees, reloading fees and card closure fee
• The option to lock in exchange rates before you leave
• The option to add multiple currencies onto the one card
• Digital wallet compatibility so you can add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay
• Low or no additional cost to convert your left-over money back to AUD
• Security, including card pin

You should also consider exchange rates, conditions, limits and safety.

Here are our top travel money tips:

• Pay for your purchases in the local currency. This will help avoid any currency conversion fees.
• Keep an eye on your transactions . It's always a good idea to regularly check your transaction history to make sure there's no unauthorised transactions - and if there are, you should report them to your bank immediately.
• Always take more than one travel money option. You don't want to be left stranded if you lose your card or it gets stolen. Consider bringing 2 forms of travel cards to avoid being left cashless in a foreign country.
• Keep your travel money in a few different places. Having all your foreign cash and cards in a wallet means you'll have no backup if you lose your wallet. Instead, consider keeping some of your travel money in a separate place. For example, you could keep most of your cash in a hotel safe or a locked part of your luggage.
• Inform your bank. If you're using your regular debit or credit card, let your bank know. You wouldn't want your card to be cancelled due to a 'suspicious transaction' while you're overseas because your bank thinks you're still in Australia.

How do you top up travel money cards?

You can top up your travel money card if you need more money while you're on your trip. Depending on your specific travel money card, you can reload your card online, using BPAY, through your bank's app or via your bank's branch. Look into the card you are topping up because some methods do incur fees e.g. the Qantas Pay Card has an instant reload fee of 0.5% while its BPAY and bank transfers are free.

Can you get your money back if you don't spend it all?

You can generally get your money back if you don't end up spending it all while overseas. However, you might encounter fees to get the remaining money back into your regular bank account.

What should I do if my travel money card is lost or stolen?

The first thing you should do upon discovering that your card is missing is call your card provider. Reporting the theft or loss immediately will help protect the funds on your card.

Most of the card companies provide 24/7 customer service emergency numbers. Some even accept reverse charges, so it can be as simple as dialling the operator to connect your collect call. If you dial the number directly, you may be charged for the call.

• CommBank Travel Money Card: +61 2 9999 3283
• Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard: +44 207 649 9404
• Qantas Pay Card: +61 1300 825 302
• Travelex Money Card: 1800 303 297
• Revolut: +61 1300 281 208

What are the travel money card exchange rates?

Travel credit cards typically use the Mastercard or Visa network and use the daily exchange rates that the networks provide. You can find out the daily exchange rate by going to the Mastercard or Visa website. Prepaid travel cards allow you to lock in the exchange rate beforehand, so if you find a favourable one you can lock it in and not have to worry about fluctuations while you're away.

What is a cross currency conversion fee?

A cross currency conversion fee is charged when you use your Australian card with Australian dollars to make a purchase in a foreign country. The money is exchanged from Australian dollars into the local currency electronically. You can avoid this fee by choosing to pay in the local currency.

When are inactivity fees charged with prepaid travel cards?

If you have a travel card that charges an inactivity fee (a fee that's charged every month when your account is inactive for a period of time), you will lose any remaining funds on the card, but your account won't go into a negative balance. Once the card has a zero balance, this fee will not be charged.

Amy Bradney-George

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

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Compare the travel products which are cheaper to use to withdraw and spend baht in Thailand.

Learn about your travel money options for Japan and the cards which will cost you less to use.

The USA has a culture of credit, and it’s a society of card payments, read our travel money guide to find out which travel products to use and which to avoid using in the USA.

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320 Responses

When travelling from Australia to Switzerland is it best to exchange money at Australia Post from AU dollars to Swiss Franc in advance rather that change on arrival in Switzerland.

Hi Marjorie,

If you exchange your money at an airport or at a kiosk once you’ve arrived overseas, you may pay a hefty commission – it’s hard to know what charge in advance. Banks and licensed currency exchange outlets are likely to offer the best rates overseas but again, its hard to know what fees you’ll pay.

AustPost exchange is conveneint but it is not always the cheapest. Today, if you exchange $1000: – At AustPost, you’ll get CHF541.80 – The same transfer with Travelex is CHF550.80 – With Wise, you get CHF572.05

It pays to shop around and compare to find the best value.

Hope this helps!

I want a good all-rounder card, locked in FX, no maintenance charges, ATM fees , no withdrawal fees. What card is best ?

Hi Charles,

The comparison table in this guide includes details of ATM fees, load and re-load fees that can help you compare different options. For example, currently the Wise Travel Money Card and Revolut standard card both offer $0 ATM withdrawal fees for the first $350 per month, with charges for further ATM withdrawals. The Travelex Money Card also offers $0 ATM withdrawal fees.

All of these cards also let you lock in FX rates for supported currencies, but may charge fees when you’re spending in a currency that’s not loaded on the card. So it’s a good idea to consider which currencies you plan to spend, as this could have a big impact on the overall costs and help you choose a card that’s suitable for you. You can also view more details on potential costs for each card on Finder’s review pages. I hope this helps.

I am going to the Uk in 2019. Confusions is supreme. I see there is information about conversation currency fees, however on individual travel card sites they claim 0 fees. If I have a facility with my current domestic bank that charges no fees to transfer money to another facility and I use a travel card that states they have 0 fees for upload and currency conversation fee, am I correct in believing that there will be no cost to me to upload AUD to GBP. I am traveling for about 3 months and with a budget of around AUD 20,000. What cards should I consider compared to using my domestic Credit and Debit cards. I have tried using your search engine for best card for country but it is not uploading.

Thanks for getting in touch.

Sorry to hear about your confusion as to which card you would bring to the UK and apologies as well if you’re having a hard time uploading our page. Nevertheless, to help you narrow down your options, you can refer to our guide on travel money to the UK . From the page, you’d be able to compare your options for pre-paid, debit, and credit cards, and even foreign cash. Just click on the tabs to see the list. Once you have chosen a particular travel card, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.

With regard to the cost, usually, there’s no cost in loading AUD to the prepaid travel cards. If the currency is supported by the card, say GBP, it’s also free.

I hope this has helped.

Cheers, May

Hello, just wanted to let you know that unless I’m mistaken, the Qantas Cash card has differing information on your website. On one page it says that there is a 1% reload fee and on another that there is 0%. That said, thanks for offering unbiased easy to understand information, much obliged…

Thank you for your inquiry.

There are actually two ways to reload your Qantas Cash Card. The first option is via bank transfer or BPAY which has 0% fee and the second option through Direct Debit that charges 1% of the total amount. As a sample, this is how Direct Debit works:

If you wish to load or reload 200 AUD onto your card using Debit Card Load, you will be charged a fee of 1% of the load amount being AUD 200 x 1% = AUD 2. This means you will be required to pay AUD 202 to complete your Debit Card Load transaction.

Please also note that you may be charged other fees by third parties in relation to the Debit Card reloading transaction like the fees charged by your financial institution.

I hope this information helps.

I am traveling to South Africa and wanted to take a prepaid debit card but do not know who to contact for something like that. I talked to Travelex but they do not deal in South African currency. Any suggestions?

Thank you for contacting Finder .

Our Travel money guide to South Africa will provide you some options that may suit your needs. On the page, is a comparison table for a list of travel debit cards and prepaid travel money cards. You can use the table to help narrow down your options. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.

Before applying, please ensure that you read through the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Danielle

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Ticket prices and travelcards

Fares for Moscow's public transport network are the same for every mode of transport making it really easy to travel. See all the different tickets here !

Troika Ticket

This is the most economical option if you're spending a few days in the Russian capital. The card can be purchased and recharged at various station machines or even with the special Moscow Metro application. Your balance can be checked on the app or in the small yellow terminals inside the metro stations. A trip works out at ₽ 42 ( US$ 0.40), but if you change transport within 90 minutes, you'll only pay ₽ 23 ( US$ 0.20) for the next trip.

The day ticket for the Moscow metro can be purchased at any of the stops in the city. The price is ₽ 265 ( US$ 2.80) per day and ₽ 500 ( US$ 5.30) for three days.

90-Minute Ticket

The most convenient card if you want to take several types of transport within an hour and a half period. It costs  ₽ 65 ( US$ 0.70) per person and allows one metro ride and an unlimited number of trips on other types of public transport in Moscow during the time of its duration.

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Moscow's crazy traffic and its excellent metro network mean that the city's buses and trolleybuses aren't the number one option for tourists.

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Banking options for a better life

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How to use a Troika card on Moscow’s Metro, and other ways to buy tickets

Passengers pass turnstiles at the Serpukhovskaya station of the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Moscow metro line.

Moscow residents can now top up their Troika transport cards with the official Moscow Metro app, subway representatives announced on Oct. 31. To put money on the card, passengers simply need to download the app and transfer money via NFC connection. What other ways can you pay for riding on Moscow’s public transport?

Troika card

It’s by far the most convenient option for using public transport in the Russian capital. This plastic card is valid for five years, so you don’t need to throw it away after your trip to Russia. You can ride with a Troika on the Moscow metro, as well as Moscow’s Central Ring, buses, trams, and trolley buses.

One ride costs 35 rubles ($0.6), but if you change transport within 90 minutes you will only pay 19 rubles ($0.33) for the next journey. Further changes within those 90 minutes are free.

You can top up your card with the subway attendants who sit behind the glass panels, automated terminals, or via the special Moscow Metro app . Kiosks accept both cash and cards. According to the Moscow Metropolitan official site, you can only keep 3,000 rubles ($51) on your Troika. If you don’t use up all your credit before you leave Moscow, you can cash in the card and get your money back - but this is only possible to do at Metro Service Centers (Ulitsa 1905 Goda street, 25 or  Staraya Basmanaya Street, 20 bld 1; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily).

Your Troika’s balance can be checked on the app or on the small yellow terminals inside the metro stations.

Important point – one card should only be used by one person (the subway’s rules state that every person should have their own ticket). You can also be hit with a fine of 1,000 ($17) if caught riding the underground without a ticket.

How to get a Troika: Get the card in any metro kiosk or automated ticket office. The card is free, but you need to leave 50 rubles ($0.85) as a deposit. You can return it after.   

United (Yediny) ticket

This red paper card can have 1, 2, 20, 40, or 60 rides on any kind of Moscow public transport, and the price depends on the number of rides (more rides you buy the less you pay for a ride), from 55 rubles ($0.95) to 28 rubles ($0.48). If you plan to use transport a lot, you can buy a ticket for 60 rides for 1,700 rubles ($30). A ticket for one or two rides is only valid for five days, while other kind of tickets can be used for 90 days.

If you don’t plan to use metro, you can order a card for ground transport only (it will be dark blue with TAT letters on the cover). This card costs 1,150 rubles ($19) for 60 rides.

How to get it: You can buy this card in any metro kiosk. Cards for one or two rides can be also purchased in automated ticket offices.

Daily tickets

Muscovites often buy tickets without ride limits for specific periods – 30 days, 60 days, or one year. But Moscow Metro suggest special tickets for tourists – for one day (210 rubles, or $3.6), three days (400 rubles, $6.9) or seven days (800 rubles, $13.8). They also can be used on any kind of public transport. Tourists’ tickets also have no limit for rides.

How to get it: You can buy this card in any metro kiosk.

90 minute ticket

Another kind of ticket allows one ride on the metro and any number of rides on other Moscow public transport within 90 minutes. The card can be for one (65 rubles, or $1.1), two ($130 rubles, or $2.2), and 60 rides (2,650 rubles, or $46). This card is useful if you have to catch different kinds of transport for a short time.

It’s helpful to add this card to your Troika. Moreover, it will save the paper.

Payment via smartphones

Smartphone owners can  pay  travel fares via Samsung Pay and Apple Pay, linked with MasterCard credit card and the Wallet app. Apple Pay can also be installed on iWatch. The price for one fare costs 40 rubles ($0.7). You can also use these apps for buying usual tickets in kiosks.

Since late 2016, this system has been available at all ring railway stations and 80 metro stations across the city.

In the future, smartphone-enabled ticket turnstiles will be installed at all Moscow metro stations.

How to get it: Download the Samsung Pay and Apple Pay and start riding!

Unique tickets have recently appeared in Moscow. Bracelets, rings, and keychains with transport microchips are not only a souvenir from the Russian capital, but also a serious way to use metropolitan. The deposit price for a bracelet is 450 rubles ($8), for a keychain – 350 rubles ($6). One ring costs 2,200 rubles ($38). The price for a fare is the same as for the Troika card.

How to get it: Only at the Pushkinskaya metro station souvenir kiosk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations.

Actually there are other options to inserts transport microchip – for example, in 2015 Moscow engineer Vlad Zaitsev implanted a chip in his hand, so all he has to do is wave at the turnstile and he’s away - but we recommend enjoying Moscow’s transport in a more conventional way. 

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

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