commonwealth bank travel visa card

•   Argentina
•   Australia
•   Brasil
•   Canada
•   Deutschland
•   España
•   France
•   India
•   Italia
•   Magyarország
•   Malaysia
•   New Zealand
•   Polska
•   Portugal
•   România
•   Singapore
•   United Kingdom
•   United States
•   繁體中文 (香港)

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.

Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card

AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD, JPY, CAD, THB, AED, VND, CNY, RMB

Mozo editorial review Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card - last updated: 20 May 2022

• Load up to 13 currencies on the one card
• No monthly inactivity fee
• 5.35% cross currency conversion

Mozo snapshot

The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card is a handy prepaid travel card if you are visiting multiple countries on your holiday as it allows you to load up to as many as 13 currencies. You can also transfer funds between the currencies for free while travelling and monitor your balance online or over the phone 24/7.

Key features

The Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card is accepted wherever Visa is and can be used internationally at shops, restaurants, at overseas ATMs and for online purchases.

The card has no purchase fee, whether you order it online or in a branch and it is one of the few prepaid travel cards on the market that does not have an inactivity fee so you can keep the card until your next trip if you have money left on the card (but make sure you check the cards expiry date as they do expire at some point.)

You can store up to 13 currencies at any one time, the most of any prepaid card on the market. This is one of the only prepaid travel cards to preload Vietnamese Dong, Chinese Reminbi and it is one of the few to also have Thai Baht as an option. The smart card feature means that it will always use the currency of the country in which the transaction is made first, as long as that currency is loaded on the card.

The Travel Money Card does have a 3.00% cross currency conversion charge if you make a purchase in a currency other than the one on your card so make sure you have the right currency loaded before you spend.  

There's also a flat AUD $3.50 cash withdrawal fee for ATM withdrawals and over the counter withdrawals made outside of Australia. The fee is charged in the currency you're making the withdrawal with though, so if that's not AUD, the Visa exchange rate (at that time) will be used to calculate whatever that foreign currency equivalent of $3.50 AUD is. 

Who is it good for

Prepaid travel cards are great for the budget conscious traveller as they allow you to set a travel budget and stick to it without the temptation of going into debt over that 'must do' romantic sunset cruise with 50 other tourists.

You don't have to be a Commonwealth Bank account holder to get a Travel Money Card, which makes this a good prepaid card choice for anyone who is visiting more than one country on their trip.

If you want to use your travel card solely for online international shopping you can load the travel card up in several currencies and then go on a global shopping spree knowing exactly what exchange rate to use when comparing costs.

Any catches

Make sure you've loaded the correct currencies onto your card before you start spending, because if you spend in a currency you don't have loaded, you'll be stung by the 3.00% cross currency conversion fee.

Atm withdrawal fee

Minimum load, upper limit, monthly inactivity fee, customer reviews.

This product does not currently have any community reviews. Be the first to write one.

About Mozo’s Editorial Star Ratings

Mozo’s Editorial Star Ratings are a score out of 5 stars arrived at by the author of the review after careful consideration of a product’s rates, fees and features when compared with other products that offer similar features.

As a guide, this is how the Editorial Star Ratings should be interpreted:

• 5 stars - a best in class blend of great value and features
• 4 stars - excellent value and features overall
• 3 stars - good value and features overall
• 2 stars - below average, but may be worth considering for some people
• 1 star - well below average

Ratings are just one factor you may want to consider when choosing a financial product. Our ratings have been determined without considering your personal objectives, and a product with a high rating may not be the best one for you.

Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.

Who we are and how we get paid

Our goal at Mozo is to help you make smart financial decisions and our award-winning comparison tools and services are provided free of charge. As a marketplace business, we do earn money from advertising and this page features products with Go To Site links and/or other paid links where the provider pays us a fee if you go to their site from ours, or you take out a product with them. You do not pay any extra for using our service.

We are proud of the tools and information we provide and unlike some other comparison sites, we also include the option to search all the products in our database, regardless of whether we have a commercial relationship with the providers of those products or not.

'Sponsored', 'Hot deal' and 'Featured Product' labels denote products where the provider has paid to advertise more prominently.

'Mozo sort order' refers to the initial sort order and is not intended in any way to imply that particular products are better than others. You can easily change the sort order of the products displayed on the page.

• United States
• United Kingdom

How to claim the money left on your travel card

Home from your holiday with cash left on your travel money card here's how to get it back..

In this guide

How to get the remaining funds off your travel money card

A comparison of prepaid travel money cards, some mistakes to avoid with leftover funds in your travel card.

Travel Money Cards

If you've still got foreign currency on your travel money card after a trip or your card's about to expire, it's still possible to get your money back. Use this guide to learn how to get funds back and what mistakes to avoid so you can get as much value as possible from your prepaid travel card.

Finder survey: What do Australians do with leftover funds on their travel card?

More than half of the Australians we surveyed simply transferred leftover money from their travel money card to their bank account.

The way you get your unused money varies depending on the travel money card. In some cases, it can be as easy as Internet banking, while in others it might require a trip down to the bank. Here's how it works with the major Australian prepaid travel cards.

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

If you have a Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard, you can get your funds off it by logging in to your account at auspost.com.au/cashpassport or by visiting a participating Australia Post outlet and presenting the card along with a valid form of photo ID. You can get funds even if the card has expired (check the expiry date on the front).

Just take note that the Cash Passport charges a monthly inactivity fee of $0 if you haven't used your card in 12 months. So if you want to cancel your card instead of keeping it for another trip, you can move the remaining balance to your bank account for a fee of $10 by calling Customer Service at +44 20 7166 7822.

The Travelex Travel Money Card

The card attracts a monthly inactivity fee of after 12 months of no usage, which can whittle away at your balance. It also charges a 2.95% withdrawal fee on domestic withdrawals within Australia. You can close your card at any distribution outlet and move remaining funds to your nominated bank account for an extra fee of .

If your card has expired, you can still get your funds through one of these options. Or, if you want to continue to use the account, you can request a new and have the money transferred over to it.

CommBank Travel Money Card

Valid for up to 3 years with no monthly inactivity fee, you can use the CommBank Travel Money Card on your next holiday or close it off and empty the remaining funds into your account at no charge. If you have an everyday CommBank account, you can transfer the money in real-time through NetBank. You can do this up to three months after the card has expired.

If you don't bank with CommBank, you can get your money off the travel card by visiting a branch. You can also withdraw the funds from any CommBank ATM free-of-charge after converting the foreign currency to Australian dollars.

With the , you can withdraw your remaining funds from a local ATM or close your account and have the funds transferred into your nominated account. Do note that withdrawals within Australia incur a 2.95% fee. A fee is also charged for account closures and cashing out any remaining value. You can do this by logging into the Suncorp Bank Multi-Cash Currency portal.

Qantas Travel Money

The Qantas Travel Money card doesn't incur an inactivity fee or ATM withdrawal fees, but a foreign exchange rate will apply when withdrawal is made in Australia on funds that are not in Australian dollars. You can close your card at any time at no cost by calling Mastercard Qantas Cash Global Support on 1300 825 302.

Australia Post

If you have funds remaining on your , you can either exchange the money back into your Australian dollars currency wallet and withdraw the funds from an ATM or fill out the Load&Go balance redemption form to have the funds sent to you via an Australia Post Money Order. It doesn't cost anything to close the account, but you will be charged $1 every month a balance remains in your account following expiry.

If you have money left over on your travel card, be sure to take note of and avoid the following possible pitfalls:

• Leaving your card open. If you're not travelling anytime soon, you might want to close the card once you've withdrawn your funds. Otherwise, you may still have to pay any inactivity fees or annual maintenance fees attached to the card.
• Expired cards. Most providers send a goodwill email to remind you of an impending expiry date. You can then request for closure, but failure to do so will unfortunately result in "Unclaimed Monies".
• Unclaimed monies. While banks previously forfeited your money once your card expired, unclaimed monies legislation now dictates that balances above $500 (which are left untouched after three years or unclaimed after card expiry) must be transferred to the Commonwealth Bank and held in trust. You can run a free search of all unclaimed monies through the MoneySmart website. Amounts below $500 are essentially forfeited if you don't close your account and claim them.
• Spending foreign currencies in Australia. Some banks charge domestic ATM withdrawal fees on your travel card, so be very careful reading the fine print. Since all fees are debited in Australian dollars, if you only have foreign currency on your card, that will incur more foreign currency conversion fees.

It is important to know the rules and conditions around your travel card. Depending on the fees and exclusions set by your provider, it may be wiser to withdraw remaining funds and close the account instead of keeping it for your next vacation. It is also worthwhile to factor in things like the card's loading and reloading fees as well as foreign currency trends when comparing your options.

Sally McMullen

Sally McMullen was a creative content producer at Finder. Sally wrote about credit cards for almost 5 years, authoring almost 900 articles on Finder alone. She has also been published in Yahoo Finance, Dynamic Business, Financy and Mamamia, as well as Music Feeds and Rolling Stone. Sally has a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies majoring in Journalism (Hons) from the University of Wollongong.

More guides on Finder

The Wise Travel Money Card supports over 40 currencies, with free loading by bank transfer and an instant, virtual card. Here’s how its other features compare.

Revolut offers virtual and physical Visa cards, support for over 30 currencies and other travel perks – plus 3-month Premium trial with this offer.

Use finder's interactive world map to learn about variations in beer prices globally. Find out where in the world you'd pay a whopping $15.10 for a pint.

Discover the travel money options available for young people and how to prepare for a trip overseas.

The Travelex Money Card lets you load and spend in 10 currencies, with fee-free ATM options and overseas Wi-Fi. Check out its other features here.

Want to avoid fees and charges when using your card overseas? This guide explains the most common pitfalls when using travel cards.

Use this guide to understand foreign currency exchange and discover how to get the best deal.

Spend in up to 13 major currencies, lock in exchange rates and manage your account with the CommBank app when you use the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card.

With Qantas Travel Money cards (previously Qantas Cash), you can carry multiple currencies using a single card and earn rewards points.

Ask a Question

Click here to cancel reply.

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

• Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
• finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
• We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
• Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

2 Responses

what about Post Office purchased travel Vis card?

Hi Heather,

Thanks for your question!

I’ve added some information regarding the Australia Post Load&Go card to this page.

If you have money left on your Australia Post Load&Go card when you return from your holiday, you can either exchange the money back into your Australian dollars currency wallet and withdraw the funds from an ATM or fill out the Load&Go balance redemption form to have the funds sent to you via an Australia Post Money Order.

Please note that while you won’t be charged for closing the account, you will be charged $1 every month a balance remains in your account following expiry.

I hope this has helped.

How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?

Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.

Important information about this website

Advertiser disclosure.

finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles

We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.

Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.

How we make money

We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.

Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.

Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money .

Sorting and Ranking Products

When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.

Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.

• Investing & super
• Institutional
• NetBank log on
• CommBiz log on
• CommSec log on

Help & support

Popular searches

Travel insurance

Foreign exchange calculator

Discharge/ Refinance authority form

Activate a CommBank card

Cardless cash

Interest rates & fees

Travel / Travel Money Card

Travel Money Card

Features & benefits, $0 issue fee.

Order a Travel Money Card online or in branch for free. Load up to 13 currencies in NetBank and the CommBank app.  Order online now .

Easy to budget

Lock-in the exchange rate   for up to 13 currencies . Always know how much you have to spend, no matter how the Dubain dollar moves.  Reload now .

Online, in-store, phone payments

Use your Travel Money Card to pay for items at over 61 million locations anywhere in the world (wherever Visa is accepted) – online, in-store or over the phone.  Check the fees .

Alerts when your balance is low

We’ll tell you when your balance is low, so you can reload currency before it runs out.  Opt in for free alerts .

Extra card security

Lost or temporarily misplaced your card, or had it stolen? Lock it then let us know. Keep the money on your card secure,  discover how .

Your purchases, covered

Lost or stolen personal belongings? We may be able to cover the cost to repair or replace them up to 90 days after you’ve bought them.  Here's more on that .

• Currency converter

Exchange rates

No reload fees

You can  load up to 13 currencies  on your Travel Money Card. When you’re ready to pay for something, the applicable currency will automatically be used for the country you’re in. 

Make sure you have enough of the correct currency on your card to avoid additional fees. If you don’t, we’ll use the next available currency instead, so long as there’s enough of it loaded on your card.

If you load multiple currencies on your Travel Money Card, you can  change the order  (the next available currency) anytime. 

Rates & fees

See all fees and charges

Who can apply

To get your Travel Money Card, you’ll need to:

• Be at least 14 years old;
• Be registered to use NetBank;
• Provide a valid email address; and
• Have an Dubain residential address

How it works

Before your trip.

• Order a Travel Money Card in  NetBank  (or at your  nearest branch ) and load at least AUD 50 or the foreign currency equivalent to get started
• Once you’ve got your card,  activate and set PIN online  in NetBank or under Cards in the CommBank app
• Lock-in the rate by  loading currency on your card in NetBank  or the CommBank app

During your trip

• Keep your Travel Money Card and back-up card somewhere safe
• The  local currency is automatically selected  when you pay for something, if it’s loaded on your card
• Stick to daily transaction limits. Maximum value of purchases per day: Unlimited, however no more than your available balance. Maximum amount you can withdraw from over the counter per day: AUD 2,500 or foreign currency equivalent. Maximum amount you can withdraw from ATMs per day: AUD 2,500 or foreign currency equivalent. However, most ATM operators have a limit on how much you can withdraw from an ATM per transaction which may be less than our maximum
• Reload in real time , fee free if your balance gets low

When you’re home

• Got leftover currency? Exchange it for another currency or back into your CommBank account from  NetBank  or the CommBank app
• Top up  your Travel Money Card (it’s valid for two years) in preparation for your next trip
• Donate  your foreign (and local) currency to any CommBank or Bankwest branch and every cent will go to UNICEF

Planning an overseas trip?

Discover travel tips to help make the most of your European summer holiday.

See travel tips

Managing your Travel Money Card

You’ve got your new card, here’s how to get the most out of it.

Detailed info on getting started, loading and re-loading currencies, setting a currency order, checking the balance and tracking your spend. Plus info on Purchase Security Insurance Cover.

Discover more

Emergency support & tools

What to do if you’ve lost your card or it’s stolen.

If you’ve lost your Travel Money card, or you think it might’ve been stolen, we can have an emergency replacement card sent to you anywhere in the world.

You may also be eligible for an Emergency Cash Advance, giving you access to cash within 24-48 hours (often on the same day).

Call us in an emergency on:

• 1300 660 700  within Dubai
• +61 2 9999 3283 from overseas (reverse charges accepted). 

When calling from overseas using your mobile, standard roaming charges may apply. To avoid roaming charges, call the international operator in the country you’re in from a landline and give them our reverse charges number +61 2 9999 3283.

Tools & calculators

• Saving calculator
• Budget planner
• How to use a Travel Money Card
• Managing multiple currencies on your Travel Money Card
• Travelling overseas: 10-step money checklist  
• Beginners guide to exchange rates
• Online banking while overseas  
• Planning an overseas holiday

We can help

Your questions answered

Get in touch

Visit your nearest branch

Things you should know

1  The cash withdrawal fee will not apply to cash withdrawals made in Dubai.

As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should before acting on this advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances.  The Product Disclosure Statement and Conditions of Use  (PDF) issued by Commonwealth Bank of Dubai ABN 48 123 123 124 for Travel Money Card should be considered before making any decision about this product.  View our Financial Services Guide  (PDF).

For more information relating to the complimentary Purchase Security Insurance refer to Travel Money Card Complimentary Insurance Information Booklet  (PDF).

To raise a dispute related to your Travel Money Card please complete  this form for transactions  (PDF) or  this form for ATM disputes  (PDF).

BPAY is a registered trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518.

Any withdrawal or balance enquiry fee will come from the currency for which you are using your card. If this currency is not loaded on your card, the fee will be taken from the first (or sole) currency loaded on your card. Any SMS balance alert fee will come from the first (or sole) currency loaded on your card.

The target market for this product will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination,  available here .

• Join CHOICE

Travel money cards with the lowest fees

We look at seven travel money cards from the big banks and airlines..

Prepaid travel money cards are offered by major banks, airlines and foreign exchange retailers like Travelex. Before travelling overseas, you load money into the card account, which locks in the exchange rate for foreign currencies at that time. 

You can then use the card for purchases and cash withdrawals just like a debit or credit card, usually wherever Visa and Mastercard are accepted. 

You can reload money on-the-go via an app or website, and if the card is lost or stolen, it can be replaced (usually at no cost to you).

Prepaid travel money cards also give you assurance that you're not handing the details of your everyday banking account to merchants you're not familiar with, and they provide easy access to cash when you want some, says Peter Marshall, head of research at money comparison website Mozo .

CHOICE tip: Travel money cards are best for longer trips. They're usually not worth your while if you're only taking a short trip, as some have closure, cash out and inactivity fees.

Travel money card fees

A major difference between prepaid travel cards and debit or credit cards is their fees. Some costs aren't immediately apparent, such as hefty margins built into the exchange rates.

And although fees have come down since we looked at these cards two years ago, you still need to watch out for:

• fees to load the card – either a percentage of the total or a flat fee
• ATM withdrawal fees
• a cross currency fee or margin when you use the card in a currency you haven't preloaded
• further fees if you close the account or haven't used the card for a period of time.

Travel money card with the lowest fees and best exchange rate

Westpac worldwide wallet.

Westpac closed its Global Currency Card in July 2021 and offers its new card in partnership with Mastercard.  It's also available from Bank of Melbourne and BankSA.

Currencies: AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, ZAR.

Key features:

• No loading, reloading, closing or inactivity fees.
• Free to use it in network ATMs in Australia and partner ATMs overseas in a range of countries including the UK, US and New Zealand.
• A charge applies at non-Westpac and non-partner ATMs in Australia and overseas.
• Best exchange rates for the US dollar, the Euro and GBP in our comparison.*
• The only card that lets you preload the South African rand.

Other travel money cards

Next to the Westpac Worldwide Wallet, there are six other travel money cards available.

Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard

Available online or at post offices.

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, AED.

• Fee to reload the card via BPay, debit card or instore, but free via online bank transfer.
• Closure fee.
• Fees for ATM withdrawals in Australia and overseas.

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

It's issued by Heritage Bank and is available online and from a number of smaller banks and credit unions (like Bendigo Bank and Bank of Queensland) as well as travel agents. 

• Fee to reload with a debit card or instore, but free via BPay.

CommBank Travel Money Card

CommBank Travel Money Card (Visa)

As NAB and ANZ have closed their travel money cards, this is the only other travel money card available from a major bank. This card has the largest variety of currencies that can be preloaded.

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, AED, VND, CNY.

• Fee if you make a purchase with currencies not preloaded.
• Fee for withdrawals at overseas ATMs.

Qantas Travel Money Card

Qantas Travel Money Card (Mastercard)

The only travel money card offering from an airline. It can be added as a feature to your Qantas Frequent Flyer card, so you don't need a dedicated card, and you can earn points using it.

• Free to reload via bank transfer or BPay, but there's a reload fee if using debit card.

Travelex Money Card

Travelex Money Card (Mastercard)

Travelex is an international foreign exchange retailer. In Australia, it operates more than 140 stores at major airports and shopping centres, across CBDs and in the suburbs. It was the card with the best exchange rate for New Zealand dollars.*

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD.

Fees : 

• Load fee instore, but free via Travelex website or app.
• Reload fee instore or via BPay, but free via Travelex website or app.
• Closure fee and monthly inactivity fee (if not used for 12 months).

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass (Mastercard)

The Travel Money Group is owned by Flight Centre and is a foreign exchange retailer. 

• Reloading the card via an online bank transfer or instore is free, but there's a fee if you reload via BPay, debit card or credit card. 
• Cash out (closure) fee. 

Travel money card tips

• Make sure the card allows the currencies you'll need, and also consider stopovers. For example, the South African rand is only supported by the Westpac card.
• Try to load your card with the right currencies and amounts on days with good exchange rates. 
• Make sure you know how to reload your card if you run out of funds while overseas.
• It may be more convenient to choose a card that has an app that can be linked to your bank account.
• Avoid loading more money than you'll need as there may be fees and exchange rate margins to get the unused money back.
• Remember to cancel the card once you're finished your trip, especially if it has inactivity fees.
• Be mindful that you still may need a credit card, as travel money cards may not be accepted as security for hotels and car rental agencies. 

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

• Investing & super
• Institutional
• CommBank Yello
• NetBank log on
• CommBiz log on
• CommSec log on

Help & support

Popular searches

Travel insurance

Foreign exchange calculator

Discharge/ Refinance authority form

Activate a CommBank card

Cardless cash

Interest rates & fees

Travel / Travel insurance / Travel insurance included

International travel insurance included with your card

For eligible credit cards, you must spend at least $500 in a single transaction on your prepaid travel costs and activate to ensure you receive any cover, including Overseas Medical cover # . For World Debit Mastercards, you need to activate to receive comprehensive cover. Overseas Medical cover and personal liability insurance is automatically included.

International travel cover eligibility & activation

Effective 7 February 2024, the Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet  has changed.

Note: These changes are not applicable to World Debit Mastercards.

If you activated/departed on or before 6 February 2024, please refer to the Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet – effective 2 June 2023 .

The changes include:

• You need to spend $500 in a single transaction on your prepaid travel costs (e.g. the cost of your return overseas travel ticket, prepaid accommodation, cruise, travel or tour) by charging the cost for that trip on your eligible credit card account before leaving Australia and activate to receive any cover. You will no longer automatically receive Overseas Medical cover.
• The excess for Benefit 2: Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses; is no longer reduced to $250 upon activation. This will remain at $500 upon activation. No cover will be provided where you do not activate.
• We removed Benefit 6: Travel Service Provider Insolvency and Transit Accident cover. Business, Corporate Cardholders and Travel Management Account users will retain Transit Accident benefits, refer to the Certificate of Transit Accident .
• Platinum Awards * credit cards have the same benefits, maximum duration per journey, benefit limits and sub-limits as Gold credit cards.
• The maximum benefit limit for Cancellation Costs for Gold and Platinum credit cards is reduced to $5,000 – cardholder only and $10,000 – cardholder with family
• Refer to the Summary of Travel Insurance changes for a full list of the changes or contact Cover-More directly on 1300 467 951 , 8am-5pm Mon - Fri and 9am-4pm Sat (Sydney/Melbourne time).

Cards with comprehensive international insurance cover available

International travel insurance is available with Low Fee Gold, Low Rate Gold, Gold Awards ^ , Platinum Awards * , Diamond Awards * , Smart Awards  and  Ultimate Awards CommBank credit cards and World Debit Mastercard when you activate your insurance in NetBank, the CommBank app or by contacting Cover-More .

Then you, your spouse and up to 10 accompanied children, if they’re travelling with you for the entire journey, are protected. 

If you don’t have an eligible CommBank credit card or World Debit Mastercard, take a look at our CBA International and Domestic Travel Insurance   instead.

Check if you are eligible

For eligible credit cards​

To receive cover, including Overseas Medical cover#, before you leave Australia you must:​

1.    Spend at least $500 in a single transaction on your prepaid travel costs using your eligible credit card; and​

2.    Activate your travel insurance​ ​You will also qualify if the $500 worth of prepaid travel costs is redeemed using CommBank Awards points.​ You will need to provide a copy of the letter/statement/email confirming the redemption.​

​For World Debit MastercardTM ​

You need to activate your insurance to receive comprehensive cover.  ​

Overseas Medical cover, which includes overseas emergency medical assistance and hospital expenses and personal liability cover is automatically included.  

Activate your included insurance in NetBank , the CommBank app or by contacting Cover-More .

Upgrade your cover to include more adventurous activities or if you or a family member travelling with you for the entire journey, has an existing medical condition that's been approved. A premium will apply.

Once activated, your Certificate of Insurance will be emailed to you shortly thereafter. If you don’t receive it or you’re unsure if it’s been activated, contact Cover-More on 1300 467 951 or email [email protected] .

Looking for a credit card with included international travel insurance?

Browse all cards

Check what's covered

This table is a summary of the key benefits and their maximum benefit limits. If any excess applies, it’ll be included on your Certificate of Insurance.

For everything that’s covered including benefit limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions, carefully read our  Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement  (PDF) or  World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet  (PDF).

If you have activated international travel insurance included in your CommBank credit card on or before 6 February 2024, please refer to the Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet – effective 2 June 2023

If you have activated international travel insurance included in your World Debit MasterCard on or before 9 August 2022, please refer to the World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet – effective 29 September 2021 .

Remember to check the  Travel Alerts page  regularly to see if there are any global events that can affect you and your travel insurance policy.

Doing more than relaxing? 

Consider adding activity cover. Refer to our  Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement  (PDF) or  World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet  (PDF) for more information.

Cruise cover  

• Available for an additional premium after you activate your insurance policy in NetBank or the CommBank app
• Lost or damaged formal cruise clothes, pre-paid shore excursion cancellation, cabin confinement due to illness or injury and marine rescue diversion

Snow sports cover

• Cover for hire, repair or replacement of snow sports equipment, alternative ski arrangements due to weather conditions and more
• Cover has clear exclusions e.g. not racing

Motorcycle/Moped riding cover

• Cover has clear exclusions e.g. not for motocross, and clear inclusions e.g. you must meet licensing eligibility criteria and wear a helmet

Adventure activities cover

• Designed for the intrepid traveller. It covers a range of more adventurous sports activities not automatically covered in your policy
• This includes bungy jumping, jet skiing, jet boating, horse riding, white water rafting, scuba diving to a depth of 30m and more
• Cover has some exclusions and eligibility criteria e.g. participating in a professional capacity

Any existing medical conditions?

Why this is important.

You and anyone travelling with you needs the reassurance that you’re protected, no matter what. That includes claims directly or indirectly relating to an existing medical condition.

Let’s debunk a myth - being honest about a medical condition doesn’t always mean you can’t get travel insurance.

It pays to be upfront when you answer this, give Cover-More a call if you’re not sure. 

What’s listed?

Many conditions can be automatically included on your activated policy provided you and your condition meet the specified criteria.

Conditions include:

• Coeliac Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol

For a full list of conditions and criteria (including pregnancy), check our  Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement  (PDF) or  World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet  (PDF). 

Mine’s not there. Now what?

If all of your existing medical conditions or your travel companion’s conditions aren’t automatically included, you’ll need to complete an online health assessment as part of activating your travel insurance or call 1300 467 951 for help.

You’ll instantly know if they’re covered. If approved, you’ll need to pay an additional premium to cover your existing medical condition.

80 or over?

If you’re 80 or over, you must apply for Upgrades cover. Check our  Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement  (PDF) or  World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet  (PDF) for more information.

How to make a claim

Make a claim online or call cover-more - our travel insurance provider.

Make a claim online or call 8am - 5pm Mon - Fri and 9am - 4pm Sat (Sydney/Melbourne time)

• Within Australia: call Cover-More on  1300 467 951
• From overseas: call Cover-More on + 612 8907 5060   (call charges may apply)

If you’re unable to upload supporting documents, post them to:

CommBank Travel Insurance c/o Cover-More Private Bag 913 North Sydney NSW 2059 Australia

It’s important to also include your policy number and contact details.

What you'll need to submit your claim

If you need to make a claim, in addition to your Certificate of Insurance, you’ll need to provide evidence of a minimum $500 pre-paid travel, trip-related transaction made before leaving Australia, on your eligible credit card statement (or confirmation of redemption if using CommBank Awards points).

The transaction cannot appear on another account, for example, your debit card or savings account.

View  how to make a claim  to see what you should consider and which documents and information to have handy before making your claim.  

Other Insurances

A range of other insurances are also available on eligible credit and debit cards.

Please read the  Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement  (PDF) for Low Fee Gold, Low Rate Gold, Gold Awards^, Platinum Awards*, Diamond Awards*, Smart Awards and Ultimate Awards credit cards or the  Credit Card Insurances Information Booklet  for Low Rate Standard, Low Fee Standard, Awards Standard and Essentials Credit Cards or the  World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet  (PDF) for more information.

In an emergency

Make a local or international call

Within Australia:  call Cover-More on 02 8907 5641  (24/7)

Within Australia, to report a lost or stolen CommBank card:   call us on 13 2221  (24/7)

From overseas: call Cover-More on +61 289075641  (24/7)

From overseas, to report a lost or stolen CommBank card: call us on + 61 2 9999 3283  (24/7)

Managing your travel insurance policy online

Update your contact details, locate your Certificate of Insurance, add or remove travellers and make changes to your travel insurance policy.

Discover how

We're here to help

Message us in the CommBank app or call to connect to the right help.

Get instant help from our virtual assistant or connect to a specialist.

Search support and our most frequently asked questions.

Find a branch

Find a branch, ATM or specialist near you.

Things you should know

^  Gold Awards cards are no longer available for sale from 23 March 2018.

* Platinum Awards & Diamond Awards cards are no longer available for sale from 3 June 2023.

#  For eligible credit cards, you will need spend at least $500 in a single transaction on your prepaid travel costs (e.g. the cost of your return overseas travel ticket, prepaid accommodation, cruise, travel or tour) by charging the cost for that trip on your eligible card account before leaving Australia and activate to receive any cover, including Overseas Medical cover. You will also qualify if the $500 worth of prepaid travel costs is redeemed using CommBank Awards points. You will need to provide a copy of the letter/statement/email confirming the redemption.

Insurance is provided by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited, ABN 13 000 296 640, AFS Licence Number 232507 through its agent Cover-More Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 95 003 114 145, AFSL 241713 (Cover-More) for Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).

Terms, conditions, restrictions, exclusions (including for pre-existing medical conditions and persons aged 80 years or over), benefit limits, sub-limits and excesses may apply to all insurances. Please read the  Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet (PDF) for Low Fee Gold, Low Rate Gold, Gold Awards^, Platinum Awards, Diamond Awards, Smart Awards and Ultimate Awards credit cards or the Credit Card Insurances Information Booklet  for Low Rate Standard, Low Fee Standard, Awards Standard and Essentials Credit Cards or  World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet  (PDF) for more information.

If you have activated international travel insurance included in your CommBank credit card on or before 6 February 2024, please refer to the Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet – effective 2 June 2023 .

If you have activated international travel insurance included in your World Debit MasterCard on or before 9 August 2022, please refer to the  World Debit Mastercard insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet – effective 29 September 2021 .

Where used, the term “unlimited” only means there is no capped dollar sum insured. All costs and expenses claimed must be reasonable. You are only covered for treatment received and/or hospital accommodation during the 12 month period after the sickness first showed itself or the injury happened. Sub-limits may apply.

The target market for this product will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination,  available here .

For products offered by Cover-More, information about the Target Market can be found in the Target Market Determinations (TMD) available  here .

CBA and its related bodies corporate do not issue or guarantee this insurance. It does not represent a deposit with or liability of either CBA or any of its related bodies corporate. We do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. If you purchase an upgrade policy, we (CBA) receive a commission which is a percentage of your premium.