When travelling, the last thing you want is to waste money on hidden fees and bad exchange rates. Yet, if you're still using a traditional travel card or your bank’s debit/credit card overseas, that’s exactly what’s happening.

The good news? FinTech solutions are making it easier and cheaper to spend overseas without all the extra costs. Let’s break it down.

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The Hidden Costs of Traditional Travel Cards & Bank Cards

1. The Exchange Rate Rip-Off

Most banks claim to offer “great exchange rates,” but what they don’t tell you is they quietly add a markup.

For example, if the real rate is:

✅ 1 AUD = 0.65 EUR

Your bank might offer you:

❌ 1 AUD = 0.62 EUR

That small difference could mean losing $100 AUD or more on a $3,000 AUD exchange—without even realising it.

Better alternative: FinTech platforms like Wise, Revolut, and CurrencyFair give you the real mid-market exchange rate, no hidden markups.

2. Sneaky $2-$3 Fees That Add Up

Using your credit or debit card overseas? Expect to see random “international transaction fees” of $2-$3 per purchase—on top of an inflated exchange rate.

It might seem small, but over a two-week trip, these fees can easily add up to $50-$100 AUD—money better spent on your holiday.

Better alternative: Use a FinTech-based travel card that doesn’t charge international transaction fees.

3. The Hassle of Getting Your Money Back

Ever finished a trip with leftover currency on a travel card? Getting it back to AUD is often:

• Time-consuming (some banks require a phone call or branch visit).
• Expensive (they hit you with another bad exchange rate).

Better alternative: FinTech travel accounts let you transfer funds back instantly at a fair rate, no hassle.

4. What Happens If Your Card Gets Stolen?

Losing a travel or bank card overseas is stressful—especially if you need to call an international customer support line and wait on hold.

Better alternative: With FinTech solutions, you can instantly freeze and unfreeze your card via an app, no phone calls needed.

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A Smarter Way to Spend Overseas

Beyond just better exchange rates and lower fees, FinTech travel solutions also prioritise security and convenience.

• Lost your card? Instantly freeze it from your phone, then unfreeze it if you find it—no stress, no international calls.
• Want better control over spending? Load money as you need it, so you’re never carrying more than necessary.
• Concerned about safety? Unlike using your main bank card, a FinTech travel card keeps your primary funds secure, reducing risk if something goes wrong.
• Need to top up? With PayID and instant transfers, you can add funds in seconds, instead of pre-loading large amounts and hoping for the best.

Instead of relying on traditional travel cards or your bank card, many travellers now use FinTech travel solutions like:

✔ Wise

✔ Revolut

✔ CurrencyFair

These options offer:

✅ Real exchange rates (no markups)

✅ No international transaction fees

✅ Instant card control via an app

✅ Quick and easy top-ups

There are plenty of options out there, but if you want a simple, reliable solution, Wise is a great place to start.

👉 Click >> here << to sign up to Wise now and start saving on your next trip!