The 3 Best Prepaid Travel Cards for New Zealanders in 2023
Here is a list of the 3 best prepaid cards you can take with you on your travels and the positives and negatives for each one:
- Wise - best overall for low fees and the Google exchange rate
- Travelex Money Card - best for getting your hands on a card instantly
- Westpac Travel Money Card - best for no fees to load by bank transfer
Wise - our pick for prepaid travel card
- Top up for free in NZD using Apple Pay, card or bank transfer
- No annual fee, hidden transaction fees or exchange rate markups
- No minimum balance requirements
- Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
- Local bank account details covering Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR), Canada (CAD) and of course New Zealand (NZD)
- Available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand
Find out more about the Wise card.
With this card:
- It's very easy to set up and order
- Available as a virtual card
- You can receive foreign currency into a free multi-currency account linked to the card
- Pay with your Wise card in most places overseas where debit cards are accepted
- You can transfer money to a bank account overseas
It's not all good news though
- There is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over NZ$200 during a month
- It takes up to three weeks for delivery
Go to Wise or read our review.
Travelex Money card - get this card instantly
- Order online and collect next day in store - or get one instantly in a Travelex branch
- Hold and convert up to 8 currencies including AUD, USD, GBP and EUR
- No fee to get a card, or to replace it upon expiry
- No Travelex international ATM fees
- Competitive exchange rates which are likely to include a small markup on the Google rate
- Available to eligible customers who can present a passport or driving licence
Find out more about the Travelex card.
With this card:
- Travelex has a massive network of stores and pick-up locations making it easy to order online and collect later
- They do not charge any commissions or fees (may charge fees for credit card payments)
- Order online 24/7
It's not all good news though
- Card handling fees if you want to buy currency using a credit card
- 3-5 business day wait for online orders
Go to Travelex or read our review.
Westpac Travel Money Card - no fees to load by bank transfer
- Up to 9 currencies supported for loading and exchange
- Free to top up from your bank account, or load with debit card for a fee
- Lock in exchange rates at the time you top up to help you budget
- No fee to spend currencies you hold on the card
- Withdraw your unspent funds back to your Westpac account easily
Find out more about Westpac Travel Money card.
With this card:
- Hold and exchange 9 popular currencies
- Add funds from your Westpac account with no extra fee
- Use for spending and withdrawals anywhere Mastercard is accepted
- 24/7 global emergency assistance if something goes wrong
It's not all good news though
- 4 NZD domestic ATM withdrawal fee
- Debit card top ups cost 1.5% of the load value
- 5 - 10 day delivery time
What are Prepaid Travel Cards?
Prepaid travel cards are a good alternative to carrying cash. They look like credit or debit cards, but they function differently.
You're able to load the card with a set amount of money in the currency you need and can use it to make purchases online, in stores and to withdraw money at ATMs.
Most travel cards allow for multiple currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.
Looking for something different?
Read our guides on:
