Wise Travel Money Card Review
- Initial Load Fee
- $0
- Reload fee
- $0
Summary
This physical and virtual travel money card lets you hold over 40 currencies, with 2 free ATM withdrawals up to $350 a month and a one-time $10 activation fee.
The Wise Travel Money Card is suited to people who want to spend in a lot of different currencies without thinking about complex currency conversion rates. It gives you a way to hold and spend in over 40 currencies, which is a lot more than most travel money cards on the market in Australia. It also converts currency at the mid-market rate, while most other cards (and even money transfer services) set their own rates to make a profit on the exchange.
When you’re comparing this card to other travel money options, make sure you factor in the $10 activation fee and other potential costs for additional ATM withdrawals or spending in currency that’s not loaded on the card.
Details
Features
| Available Currencies | AUD, USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, JPY, NZD, SGD |
| Multiple Currencies on One Card? | Yes |
| Number of Cards Issued | 4 |
Fees
| Card Issue Fee | $0 |
| Initial Load Fee | $0 |
| ATM Withdrawal Fee | 2 free ATM withdrawals per month up to AUD$350, then AUD$1.50 and 1.75% per withdrawal |
Restrictions
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Available to Temporary Residents? | Yes |
Wise Travel Money Card supported currencies
This card lets you hold over 40 currencies, including:
- Australian dollars (AUD)
- Canadian dollars (CAD)
- Chinese yuan (CNY)
- Emirates dirham (AED)
- Euros (EUR)
- Great Britain pounds (GBP)
- Hong Kong dollars (HKD)
- Japanese yen (JPY)
- New Zealand dollars (NZD)
- Singapore dollars (SGD)
- Thai baht (THB)
- United States dollars (USD)
You'll also typically be able to use the Wise Travel Money Card in most countries and regions around the world, with any business that accepts Mastercard/Visa. But places where your card won't work include Cuba, Iran, Iraq and Myanmar.
Features of the Wise Travel Money Card
- Support for over 40 currencies. The Wise Travel Money Card lets you hold and spend in a wide range of currencies, which can make it easier to keep track of your spending and budget.
- Competitive exchange rates. Wise uses the mid-market rate for exchanges so you get the same rate that's typically listed on Google, Bing and other search engines.
- 2 free ATM withdrawals per month. Wise won't charge an ATM when you withdraw up to AUD$350 over 2 or less transactions in a month. After that, you'll be charged fees worth AUD$1.50 and 1.75% of each withdrawal.
- Instant virtual cards. You can get up to 3 virtual cards linked to your Wise account to keep track of different types of spending. You'll also be able to start using your virtual card as soon as you've set up your account by adding it to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Plastic card. You'll also get 1 plastic card sent to you, which you can use for in-person payments anywhere Mastercard/Visa are accepted.
- Wise app. The Wise app lets you top up and convert currency in real time, so you know exactly how much you'll have in any of the supported currencies. You can also freeze your card, organise a new one and manage other account features.
How much does the Wise Travel Money Card cost?
- Application fee. A one-time $10 fee applies when you first get this Wise card.
- ATM fees. After the first $350 of withdrawals in a month, a fee of 1.75% applies. You'll also pay a $1.50 fee for each ATM withdrawal after the first 2 you make in a month.
- Load fees. There is no fee to load funds on by bank transfer from Australia. But a fee will be charged for loading funds by debit card, credit card or SWIFT. The exact fee will be shown on your Wise account when you select "Add Money".
- Currency conversion. If you're spending in a currency that's not loaded onto the card, there will be a fee to convert it. The fee starts from 0.43% of the transaction value and varies by currency.
- No currency order. Unlike many prepaid, multi-currency travel cards, Wise does not have a set drawdown order when you're spending in a currency not loaded on your account. Instead, the funds will be taken from the balance that has the lowest currency conversion fee.
- Funding other accounts. If you use your Wise card to fund an e-wallet, cryptocurrency account, betting account or any other account that may be convertible to cash, a 2% fee applies.
"I love this travel money card so much that I recommend it to all my family and friends. I’ve used it in the US, UK, Morocco, France, the list goes on. I love that I can transfer money easily between currencies, so if I have extra money at the end of my holiday, I can easily move it to another currency the next time I’m overseas. Given the Wise card can be used like a regular transaction card, I never have to worry if it will be accepted by a business. Tap away and I’m good to go!"
How to apply for the Wise Travel Money Card
If you already have a Wise account, you can order a Wise Travel Money Card in a few minutes by logging into your account.
If you're new to Wise and over 18 years of age, you can get this card by following these steps:
- Sign up and add your first balance to the account.
- Request a card through your account and follow the prompts to verify your identity.
- Set up your virtual card/s and activate the plastic card when it arrives in the mail.
You can use the virtual cards instantly. And after you've activated the plastic card, you can use it to spend the funds loaded on your Wise account around the world and online.
Frequently asked questions
Your reviews
Amy Finder
Editor
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Angus Kidman Finder
November 14, 2024
Hi Lyn, Oceania’s site notes that it requires an Amex, Mastercard or Visa credit card – which does indeed suggest that it might not accept other travel money options. So you will likely need a credit card for that – but you still might want a travel money card for onshore spending as well.
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Ozzie
October 14, 2024
Does the Wise card allow you to transfer unused funds back to your normal bank account at the end of a holiday?
Angus Kidman Finder
October 15, 2024
Hi Ozzie, Yes, you can transfer funds back – but there will be fees associated with the transfer, depending on the currencies involved.
Rachael
September 06, 2024
What is the equivalent to a Wise Travel Money Card for a 17year old traveling to Japan?
Angus Kidman Finder
September 15, 2024
Hi Rachael, Unfortunately, most travel money card providers don’t allow customers under 18. A possible choice is a debit card which doesn’t charge international transaction fees – there are lots to choose from and many will allow anyone over 12 to open an account. Hope this helps!
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Erin
June 14, 2024
Does wises cover Fiji?
Sarah Megginson Finder
June 17, 2024
Yes, you can use the Wise card for everyday spending in Fiji and to pay for things in Fijian Dollars.
Lyn
November 13, 2024
I have been told that cruise ships will not accept pre-paid travel cards. In particular, Oceania cruise line. We are travelling on it in about 6 weeks. Do you know if this is the case? The travel agent says so. ??
Lyn