The best travel cards in Australia with low foreign transaction fees

Planning an overseas trip from Australia? Choosing the right travel card can make a big difference to how much you spend while you're abroad.

Whether you're heading to Europe, the United States, or Southeast Asia, the way you pay for your coffee, accommodation, and souvenirs matters. Traditional Australian banks often charge a fee for every transaction made in a different currency. Over a 2-week holiday, these small charges can add up to hundreds of dollars.

Several providers now offer competitive alternatives. Popular choices for Australian travellers include Wise, Up Bank, CommBank, Latitude, and Revolut. At Revolut, our mission is to simplify how you manage your money and to make sure more of your holiday budget goes towards your experience rather than fees.

In this guide, we look at the best travel card options for Australians and how to avoid unnecessary foreign transaction fees.

The information provided is accurate as of 25 May 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.

What is a travel card?

A travel card is a type of payment card designed specifically for use outside of your home country. Unlike a standard Australian debit card, which is linked to your everyday transaction account, a travel card often allows you to hold multiple currencies at once or provides preferential exchange rates when you spend.

There are 3 main categories of cards Australians use when heading overseas.

• Prepaid travel card: these allow you to 'lock in' an exchange rate by transferring Australian dollars into a specific currency, such as Japanese yen or euros, before you leave.
• Travel debit card: these are linked to a bank account but don't charge foreign transaction fees. They're convenient because you can only spend the money you already have. Many modern digital banks in Australia now offer this as a standard feature.
• Travel credit card: these can be useful for large deposits, such as car rentals or hotel bookings. However, they require careful management to avoid high interest rates and cash advance fees if you use them at an ATM.

Fees to watch out for when spending abroad

When choosing the best travel card Australia has to offer, it's important to understand how banks and other providers make money from your international spending. Most travellers are aware of the headline exchange rate, but several other costs are often hidden in the fine print.

Foreign transaction fees

This is the most common fee charged by traditional Australian providers. It's a percentage of the total transaction value, and it can be around 3%. If you spend $100 on dinner, your provider takes an extra $3 just for processing the payment in a foreign currency. Choosing an AU international travel card that waives this fee is the first step you can take towards saving money while travelling.

ATM withdrawal fees

Taking cash out of an overseas ATM often triggers 2 different charges. Your Australian bank may charge a flat fee for using an international ATM. Additionally, the local ATM operator in the foreign country may charge their own fee. Some of the best AU cards for overseas travel offer a monthly allowance of no-fee international ATM withdrawals, but local ATM operator fees may still apply.

Currency conversion mark-ups

This is where most providers, including us, make their profit. Instead of using the mid-market exchange rate (the one you see on Google), they add a 'spread', or mark-up, to the rate. We keep this embedded fee competitive and we believe in being open about our costs. That’s why our exchange rates and applicable fees are always displayed in-app before you confirm your conversion.

If a card claims to have no fees, you should check if the exchange rate they use is competitive or if the fee is embedded in the rate as a mark-up.

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC)

When you go to pay, the terminal might ask if you want to pay in Australian dollars or the local currency. You should always choose the local currency. If you choose Australian dollars, the merchant's bank chooses the exchange rate, which is almost always significantly worse than what your own card provider would offer.

Comparison of the best travel cards in Australia

When you're doing a travel money card comparison, you should think about your spending habits and how often you travel. Below is a summary of how the top providers in the Australian market compare in key areas.

¹Monthly fee for Latitude 28° Global may be waived based on specific spending criteria

Top travel card providers in Australia

The following list examines the specific features of each provider to help you decide which Australia travel debit card option fits your itinerary best.

1. Revolut

Revolut is a digital-first travel money solution designed for flexibility and control, making it especially appealing to frequent travellers who want to manage multiple currencies in one place. Through our app, Australian customers can hold and exchange over 30 currencies, allowing them to convert money when exchange rates are favourable, rather than at the time of spending.

We stand out for our balance of low fees and premium features, particularly for those comfortable with app-based money management. While our Standard plan costs nothing, you should be aware of limits on no-fee exchanges and withdrawals, as well as small mark-ups applied on weekends

• Monthly fee: $0 for the Standard plan.
• Exchange rate: we use a variable exchange rate based on the market. On the Standard plan, you can exchange up to $2,000 per month without any additional fees on weekdays.
• ATM withdrawal limits: on our Standard plan, you can withdraw up to $350 per month across a maximum of 5 withdrawals with no fees from us. We offer higher limits for customers on paid plans. Compare our paid plans for more information.
• Foreign transaction fee: 0% on spending and exchanges within your plan limits.

2. Wise

Wise, formerly TransferWise, is a popular prepaid travel card Australia option for customers who want a simple account with an upfront fee structure. It's well-known for using the mid-market exchange rate for all conversions. Wise is useful for travellers visiting multiple countries because it supports various currencies and automatically converts them when needed. However, its no-fee ATM withdrawal allowance is relatively limited, which may be a drawback for those who rely heavily on cash.

• Monthly fee: $0.
• Exchange rate: mid-market rate. Wise charges a small, transparent conversion fee, which varies depending on the currencies you're exchanging.
• ATM withdrawal limits: you can make free withdrawals up to 400 AUD per month. A 2.69% fee applies to the transaction amount thereafter.
• Foreign transaction fee: 0% as long as you have the currency in your account or use their auto-conversion feature.

3. Up Bank

Up is a fully licensed Australian digital bank that combines everyday banking with travel-friendly features, making it helpful for customers who prefer an all-in-one financial solution. Unlike prepaid travel cards, it operates as a standard bank account with a BSB and account number, allowing seamless integration into daily life.

For international use, Up keeps things simple by charging no foreign transaction fees and using the Mastercard exchange rate without mark-ups. While it doesn’t charge for overseas ATM use, customers should still expect potential fees from ATM operators.

• Monthly fee: $0.
• Exchange rate: Up uses the Mastercard exchange rate without adding any additional mark-ups.
• ATM withdrawal limits: Up doesn't charge any internal fees for ATM use abroad. However, like most Australian banks, they have a combined daily withdrawal limit of $1,000 for ATM and card purchases.
• Foreign transaction fee: 0%.

4. Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard

The Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard is a travel-focused credit card designed for overseas spending, offering flexibility through access to credit rather than prepaid funds. It is particularly useful for travellers who want added security, purchase protection, or the option to cover larger expenses.

While it offers competitive exchange rates and no foreign transaction fees, it isn't suitable for cash withdrawals due to high fees and immediate interest charges on cash advances. This makes it best used strictly for purchases, with balances paid off promptly.

• Monthly fee: $8 per month (waived for the first year or if spending criteria are met)
• Exchange rate: Mastercard exchange rate
• ATM withdrawal limits: while there's no specific fee for the withdrawal itself from Latitude's side, cash advances on a credit card incur a fee of 3.5% or $4 (whichever is greater), as well as high interest rates from the moment of withdrawal
• Foreign transaction fee: 0%

5. CommBank Travel Money Card

The CommBank Travel Money Card is a traditional prepaid option backed by a major Australian bank, making it appealing to those who prefer in-branch support and a familiar provider. It allows customers to preload multiple currencies before travelling, helping with budgeting and reducing your chances of dealing with exchange rate fluctuations.

• Monthly fee: $0.
• Exchange rate: CommBank sets its own retail exchange rates, which include a mark-up.
• ATM withdrawal limits: $0 at CommBank and ASB ATMs. Fees apply for other international ATMs. Daily withdrawal limits apply to protect your balance.
• Foreign transaction fee: 0%.

How to open your Revolut account

Getting started with an Australian travel card option like ours is straightforward. Here's how to join Revolut:

1. Download the app: search for Revolut on the Google Play or App Store and download it to your smartphone.
2. Verify your mobile number: enter your Australian mobile number and verify it using the code sent via SMS.
3. Secure your account: create a secure passcode and provide your basic details, such as your legal name and residential address.
4. Fill in your details: enter your email address and select the type of account you want to open.
5. Verify your identity: you'll need to take a photo of a valid government-issued ID (such as an Australian passport or driver's licence) and a quick selfie to confirm it's you.
6. Add money: once verified, you can add money to your account using a bank transfer or a debit card from another Australian bank. You can then order a physical card or start using a travel money card via your digital wallet.

Sources

Information regarding competitor fees and features was gathered from the following official websites:

• Wise Australia
• Up Bank
• Latitude 28° Global
• Commbank Travel Money Card
• Wise: Is a Wise account free?
• Wise: What's the mid market exchange rate?
• Wise: Using a Wise card overseas
• Up pricing
• Up international payments
• Latitude 28 degrees: Enjoy overseas travel with the right credit card
• Commbank Travel Money Card fees
• Commbank foreign exchange rates

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Fees, exchange rates, and product features can change. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) of any financial product before signing up. Comparison data is based on the standard or basic tier of each provider at the time of writing.

This comparison is based on publicly available information published by other providers as of 25 May 2026.

You should visit their websites for confirmation of their most updated costs and charges.

Please note that actual charges and services offered may change and vary depending on individual circumstances. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting each provider’s official website.

This article and the information provided herein are not intended to constitute legal, regulatory advice.