how to activate westpac travel card

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Travel money card

It’s easy to activate and start using your Worldwide Wallet at home and overseas.

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See our  foreign exchange rates page or use our  currency converter  to view the latest foreign exchange rates.

1. Load AUD onto your travel money card

Logon to Internet or Mobile Banking and instantly transfer funds from your linked account to your Worldwide Wallet, or transfer funds from another financial institution using your account’s BSB and account number. 

2. Convert AUD to another currency

Open your Worldwide Wallet account in Internet or Mobile Banking and select ‘Convert currency’ to convert your AUD to 10 foreign currencies.

• AUD - Australian Dollar
• USD - United States Dollar
• GBP - British Pound
• NZD - New Zealand Dollar
• CAD - Canadian Dollar
• JPY - Japanese Yen
• THB - Thai Baht
• ZAR - South African Rand
• SGD - Singapore Dollar
• HKD - Hong Kong Dollar

Using your travel money card overseas and at home

Contactless ways to pay.

Add your Worldwide Wallet to Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay™, or use your card to tap and go.

No ATM withdrawal fees

No ATM withdrawal fees at Global ATM Alliance ATMs around the world. 1

Shop online from home

Use your travel money card at home when shopping on overseas sites and pay no foreign transactions fees.

Extra perks

Complimentary airport lounge access for flight delays.

You and a companion could be eligible for complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges in more than 100 countries with Mastercard ® Flight Delay Pass. 2  In the event it’s delayed by 120 minutes or more, you could be enjoying drinks, nibbles and Wi-Fi. You could also benefit from special dining offers at selected cafes and restaurants. Make sure you register each flight before its scheduled departure time. T&Cs apply. To find out more information and pre-register your flight, visit  flightdelaypass.mastercard.com/worldwidewallet.

Access unforgettable experiences and rewards

Your Mastercard gives you access to  Priceless® Cities  with unforgettable experiences in the cities where you live and travel. 3   You can also get cashback when you shop overseas with your Worldwide Wallet, thanks to  Mastercard Travel Rewards . 4

You’ll be prompted to set up a PIN during the activation process.

You can update your PIN at any time using one of the below methods.

In the St.George App

• Sign in and tap on the  services icon  at the bottom right hand corner
• Tap  Change Card PIN or Activate card  (Set Card PIN - you will be prompted to set your card PIN once your card has been activated)   under  your cards 
• Select card  or  activate your card  and tap  Continue
• Follow the authentication prompts and enter the  SMS code
• Enter your new PIN twice and tap  confirm

In Internet Banking

• Sign in and click on  manage my accounts
• Select  Change Card PIN  or  Activate card  (Set card PIN - you will be prompted to set your card PIN once your card has been activated).
• Select or Activate your card
• Follow the authentication prompts and enter the  SMS code
• Enter your new PIN twice and select  confirm

If we don’t offer the currency you’re paying in, your Worldwide Wallet payments will be processed using other currencies in your account, as long as you have enough funds to cover the transaction.

The order in which your currencies are used is called the ‘drawdown sequence’ and the applicable exchange rate at the time will apply. That means you’ll still benefit from no foreign transaction fees. Read more in our  Product Disclosure Statement (PDF 1MB) .

You can load AUD into your Worldwide Wallet account instantly by transferring from your transaction or savings account in Internet or Mobile Banking. 

You can also transfer AUD from another financial institution by using your Worldwide Wallet’s BSB and account number. Please note, funds availability is dependent on the other financial institution’s cut off and processing times. We will make your funds available in your account within 1 Business Day from the time we receive instruction from the other financial institution. We are not responsible for processing interruptions or delays beyond our control.

If another St.George account holder transfers funds to your Worldwide Wallet, the funds will be available in your account within 1 Business Day from when the owner of the eligible St.George account receives confirmation that the transfer has been processed.

Mastercard Flight Delay Pass is a service that offers you and companion complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges2 in the event of a flight delay of two hours or more. You will need to register each flight before its scheduled departure time. If you are under 18 years old, you must be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age and older) to enter participating lounges. Please note to hold a Worldwide Wallet you must also be 14 years or over. Other terms and conditions apply. To learn more about Flight Delay Pass, pre-register your flight or read the T&Cs, please visit  flightdelaypass.mastercard.com/worldwidewallet . 

You can continue to access your funds if you have your spare card handy. When travelling, it's a good idea to keep your cards separate.  For your security, the spare card should only be used by yourself, and not given to anyone else.

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Westpac travel card review 2024

If you’ve planned a trip overseas, a dedicated travel money card can be a good way to make overseas spending easy and secure. Get the right card, and it could also mean you pay less overall, too.

Westpac offers its Global Currency Card which you can top up in NZD, and then convert to any of the 9 supported currencies for easy spending and withdrawals as you travel.

This guide covers the key benefits and fees of the Westpac card. Plus, we’ll also touch on a couple of popular alternatives for travellers from New Zealand, the ANZ debit card and the Wise travel money card, so you can compare them and see which works best for you.

Westpac travel card: key features

Westpac’s Global Currency Card is available to anyone aged over 18, resident in New Zealand, and with the right paperwork to get verified. There’s no fee to get a card – you just order online, top up to the minimum opening balance, and your card is sent to your home directly. The money you’ve put on your card is yours to spend – just add whatever you need for your trip, and you can then view and manage your balance via the Westpac app.

Before we look at how the Westpac travel money card works in detail, let’s get an overview of some of the Westpac travel card pros and cons:

Who is the Westpac travel card for?

The Westpac travel money card can be helpful in a broad range of situations:

• For anyone travelling to a country which uses one of the supported currencies
• For people who shop online in the supported currencies
• For travellers who want to load funds in advance and convert to the destination currency so they know their budget ahead of time
• For anyone looking to lock in exchange rates when they’re good – just add NZD and switch when you spot a good rate

What is the Westpac travel card?

The Westpac travel card is a multi-currency Mastercard which you can use to hold 9 different currencies, and for spending anywhere you see the Mastercard logo. You’ll be able to order your card online for home delivery, and can top up in NZD and convert in advance to the supported currency you need in your destination. It’s worth knowing that you’ll need to convert your funds in advance to avoid paying the 2.95% fee for spending a currency you don’t hold in your account.

There’s no fee to make an international ATM withdrawal with your card, and you can view and manage your card account online and in the Westpac app, making budgeting a breeze.

Is the Westpac Travel Money a multi-currency card?

Yes. The Westpac card supports the following currencies for holding and exchange:

• New Zealand dollars
• Australian dollars
• Pounds sterling
• Japanese yen
• Canadian dollars
• Hong Kong dollars
• Singapore dollars

You can also spend in other currencies, but you’ll pay a 2.95% fee when you do.

Alternatives to Westpac travel card

Westpac’s travel money card is a good option, but it doesn’t support all the currencies you might need if you’re headed off the beaten track. Plus, there are some fees to consider such as the 2.95% charge if you spend in a currency you don’t hold in your account already.

To check if the Westpac Global Currency Card is right for you it’s worth comparing it to a few other options available locally, such as Wise and ANZ.

Here’s a quick overview of how these providers line up on some key features:

Information taken from Westpac travel card desktop site and fee information , Wise pricing page , ANZ money transfers and ANZ New Zealand ; correct at time of writing, 27th July 2023

The Westpac travel money card can be convenient if you’re happy to convert over funds in advance of travel, and if you’re going to a country which uses one of the 9 supported currencies for holding and exchange. However, it’s worth comparing it to other cards to see if it’s the best for your particular needs, before you sign up.

The Wise card, for example, has a couple of advantages – you can hold a broader range of currencies, and there’s no need to convert your funds in advance. You can just leave your money in NZD and let the card automatically convert to the currency you need based on where you are, with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.43%.

Alternatively if you bank with ANZ already you can just use your normal ANZ debit card when you’re spending foreign currencies with a relatively low 1.3% foreign transaction fee.

Wise digital multi-currency accounts can hold and exchange over 40 currencies, and the Wise card can be used for spending and withdrawals in 150+ countries. Open your account online or in the Wise app, and top up in NZD or any of the other 20 or so supported top up currencies. There’s no need to convert to your destination currency in advance if you don’t want to, as the card can do this for you with the lowest available fees every time. That said, if you want to set your budget in advance, or if you spot a really good exchange rate, you can also convert and hold in any of the 40+ supported currencies, making this a good card to pick even if you’re headed to a more unusual destination.

Wise travel card review

Get your Wise travel card  

ANZ recommends customers just use their normal debit card when spending on foreign currencies. This has the advantage that there’s no extra hassle or fee to get a new card – but the drawback that you’ll be charged a foreign transaction fee every time you spend. Your spending will be converted using the network exchange rate, and the foreign transaction fee is set at 1.3% of the transaction value.

Read more about 4 best travel debit card for overseas travel

Westpac travel card fees & spending limits

As with all financial products, there are some important fees to know about when you’re thinking of ordering a Westpac travel card. Here are the key limits to bear in mind as a starting point:

*Information correct at time of writing – 27th July 2023

And here are the key Westpac fees you’ll want to consider when you’re deciding if this is the card for you.

Exchange rates

Westpac exchange rates may include a markup, margin or fee. Exactly how this works depending on the type of conversion you need to carry out.

If you’re topping up your account in a currency other than NZD, the rate used will be the Mastercard rate + a margin which you’ll be notified of at the time of top up. This is likely to apply if you need currency conversion within your account, or when you cash out too. You’ll see the full terms and conditions when you start the transaction, so you can double check the costs.

Once you have currencies in your account it’s free to spend them. However, if you’re spending in a currency other than one of the 9 supported currencies – or if you don’t have enough balance in your account in a specific currency to cover a purchase or withdrawal, a 2.95% conversion fee will apply on top of the Mastercard rate.

How to get Westpac travel card

You can apply for your Westpac travel card online. Here’s how to get a Westpac travel card, step by step:

• Open the Westpac Global Currency Card website and click Apply Now
• Follow the prompts to enter your personal and contact information
• Complete the verification step with your New Zealand passport or driving licence
• Top up at least the minimum opening balance amount
• Your card will be dispatched in 5 to 10 days, and will arrive by mail

What documents you’ll need

There’s a verification step needed when you order a Westpac travel money card. This is to keep accounts safe and comply with local and international law. Generally getting verified is very easy. In the first instance you’ll be prompted to enter information from either:

• Your New Zealand passport
• Your driving licence

Mastercard will then look to match your information with ID records. If this can’t be done – because you’ve changed your name or recently moved home for example – you can use your AA membership. If you’re still struggling with the verification process, you can email a copy of your relevant ID to Mastercard for manual verification. This should take just a couple of days.

What happens when the card expires?

Your Westpac card has 5 years validity. Once your card expires you’ll need to order a new one online, and can apply to have any residual balance moved from the old card to the new one for spending. If you don’t want to get a new card, you can also cash out the amount, minus any applicable fees.

How to use the Westpac travel card?

You can use your Westpac card anywhere you see the Mastercard logo. You’ll be able to tap to pay wherever contactless payments are supported, or use your physical card and PIN. Your card will check if you have a balance in the required currency. If you do not, your account will be debited according to a preset order of currencies, and the conversion fees will apply.

How to withdraw cash with the Westpac travel card?

Make cash withdrawals at ATMs globally that support Mastercard. You’ll need to enter your PIN to get cash, for security reasons. It’s also good to know that while there’s no Westpac fee for international ATM withdrawals, an ATM operator might charge a fee which Westpac doesn’t control. Local NZD withdrawals cost 4 NZD each.

Is the card safe?

Yes. The Westpac card is issued through Westpac and Mastercard – both large, well reputed and trustworthy providers. In fact, using a travel card can be a safe way to manage our travel money because it’s not linked to your everyday account, and you won’t need to carry lots of cash when you’re overseas, either.

How to use the Westpac travel card overseas?

Use your Westpac travel card overseas in the same way as you would any other payment card. Contactless is supported where the technology is available, or you’ll have a Westpac PIN to make POS payments and withdrawals as needed.

It’s important to remember that a fairly high fee of 2.95% applies to spend currencies you don’t hold – or if your balance in a particular currency isn’t enough to cover a transaction. Top up enough in advance and switch to your destination currency to avoid this fee.

Conclusion: Is the Westpac travel card worth it?

The Westpac Global Currency Card is a convenient option if you want a travel money card that’s distinct from your normal everyday account, and which lets you hold foreign currencies. You’ll need to order your card online, and top up in NZD before converting to the currency you need for your trip, to avoid the 2.95% conversion fee.

Compare the Westpac travel money card against alternative options like the Wise travel card and the ANZ debit card, to decide which is best for you. Wise has a broader range of currencies and offers automatic conversion at the point of payment, with low fees and the mid-market rate, while ANZ customers can spend globally with a fairly low 1.3% foreign transaction fee.

Westpac travel card review FAQ

How does the Westpac travel card work?

You can order your Westpac card online and add money in NZD before converting to the currency you need from the 9 supported currency options. You’ll then be able to spend and withdraw wherever you are. It’s free to spend in currencies you hold in your account, with a 2.95% fee to spend a currency you don’t have.

Is the Westpac travel card an international card?

Yes. The Westpac travel card can hold 9 currencies and can be used globally wherever Mastercard is accepted.

Are there any alternatives to a Westpac travel card?

Check out a few different options before you decide which travel money card suits you. The Wise card can be a good bet for frequent travellers, with 40+ supported currencies and low fees from 0.43% when you convert from one currency to another.

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Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386837) arranges for the issue of the Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard® (“Travel Mastercard") in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited ('EML') ABN 30 131 436 532 , AFSL 404131 . Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No. 338646), the card distributor, acts as an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340, AFSL 457551). You should consider the Travel Mastercard Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide before deciding to acquire the product. The Target Market Determination for this product can be found here auspost.com.au/travelcard . Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

^Pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases when travelling, when you load your Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard with USD or EUR currencies supported by the product, and transact in that same currency. 

Before you make a decision to acquire the card, please check auspost.com.au for the latest currencies supported. Lock in your rates means the exchange rate is locked in for the initial load only. The exchange rates for subsequent reloads will be set at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the transaction. Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386837) arranges for the issue of the Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited ('EML') ABN 30 131 436 532 , AFSL 404131. Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No. 338646), the card distributor, acts as an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340, AFSL 457551). You should consider the Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide before deciding to acquire the product. These can be found together with the Target Market Determination for this product at auspost.com.au . Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Terms, conditions and fees apply. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386837) arranges for the issue of the   Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard   in conjunction with the issuer, EML Payment Solutions Limited ('EML') ABN 30 131 436 532 , AFSL 404131. Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No. 338646), the card distributor, acts as an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340, AFSL 457551). You should consider the   Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard   Product Disclosure Statement   and   Financial Services Guide   before deciding to acquire the product. The Target Market Determination for this product can be found   here.  

Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Terms, conditions and fees apply. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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How can I notify you of my overseas travel plans?

When you are  heading  outside of New Zealand  to travel , notify us of your plans so that we can better protect your cards and transactions while you're overseas. You can do this yourself using Westpac One ® .  

• Login to Westpac One.
• If you're on a computer, click ' Notify Westpac of my travel ' in the right hand menu.
• If you're on the Westpac One app, select More in the right hand corner and then click ' Find and contact us ', then click ' Notify Westpac of my travel '.
• Enter the countries you are visiting.
• Select the date you are leaving and returning.
• Enter your contact details.
• Click ' Submit '.

There are some countries that block TXT messages from New Zealand, so if you have not received a TXT message from us within 5 minutes, you will need to phone the Westpac Contact Centre directly on +64 9 912 8000 (international toll charges apply). We’re available weekdays from 7.00am to 8.00pm and weekends from 8.00am to 5.00pm NZT.

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ACTIVATE YOUR BUSINESS DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD

How to activate your card.

If you're a business customer, you’ll need to have a personal profile and be registered for Online Banking to activate your card online. Simply switch to your personal profile and follow the steps.

If you don’t have a personal profile, register for Online Banking before activating your card.​

Using the Westpac App

• Tap Cards from the bottom menu
• Find your card and tap Activate Card    
• Enter your card number and expiry date , then select Activate .

Classic Westpac App

• Tap the Self serve icon
• Under Card services , tap Activate card    
• Enter your card number and expiry date , then tap Activate .

Using Online Banking

• Sign in to Online Banking from a desktop
• Go to  Service > Services
• Under  Card services , select  Activate Card
• Enter the  card number  and  expiry date , then select  Activate .  

Not registered for Online Banking?

• Call us 24/7 on 1300 308 930 or visit your nearest Westpac branch to activate your card.
• If you have a personal account and would like to activate online, you can register for online banking .

I’m an additional cardholder. How do I activate my card?

Altitude cards.

If you’re an additional card holder on an Altitude Business Platinum Mastercard® or Altitude Business Gold Mastercard , each cardholder will need to activate their own credit card using the steps above. 

Note: The primary cardholder (the person who opened the credit card account with us) must activate their card first , before you can use your card.

BusinessChoice cards

If you’re an additional cardholder on a BusinessChoice Rewards Platinum Mastercard or BusinessChoice Everyday Mastercard , each cardholder will need to activate their own credit card using the steps above.

Note: The Principal 1 and Principal 2 cardholder must activate their credit card before you can activate yours. Once the Principal 1 and Principal 2 cardholders have activated their cards, all cards under this account can be activated the following business day.

What’s next?

Set or change your pin.

You can update your PIN when you activate your card online. Read our guide to setting or changing your PIN .

Enhance your card security

Your card is protected by a range of security measures, including our Fraud Money Back Guarantee . For additional security, please sign the back of the card as soon as you receive it.

Set up new recurring payments

To set up recurring payments, you’ll need to your service providers and give them your new credit card details. Check their websites to see if you can update your details online.

Manage existing recurring payments

If your card has been reissued, it is likely that your card details will have changed. If you have regular recurring payments, you’ll need to update your card details with each of your service providers.

Existing online customer?

Sign into the Mobile App or Online Banking to activate your card. You’ll need your customer ID, password, and card details.

New to Online Banking?

Register for Online Banking, then sign in and select Service and Activate card .

Don't want to register for Online Banking?

1300 308 930

Call to activate your card.

Manage your account

• Add/update your ABN
• Update business contact details
• Import payee details

Save yourself time

• Reset your password online
• Switch to eStatements
• Online Banking Security Guarantee

Manage your cards online

• Add an Administrator to your network
• Update third-party access to accounts
• Manage permission and approval settings

Things you should know

Mastercard® is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.  

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