Using a debit card overseas is similar to how you use it in Australia and you wave your card over the charging device. You might be asked to key in your pin, which will be the same pin as you use in Australia. It is always advisable to let your bank know you are travelling overseas as they might block the transaction.
The difference between a debit card and a travel card is that you preload a travel card with foreign currency before you leave. The exchange rate is set for your time overseas. Most preloaded currency cards have 10 different currencies on them for you to choose from. A debit card only has Australian dollars in it. You pay a currency conversion fee every time you make an online overseas purchase or pay with your debit card overseas.
There are many travel money cards that no longer exist but appear in search engine page results. Travel money cards that no longer exist include 7-11 Just Go, NAB Travel Money Card, Travelex Cash Passport, Australia Post Cash Passport, ANZ Travel Card, Westpac Global Currency Card and the Virgin Velocity Global Wallet program.
Both if you buy your cash from S Money and pay with a Wise card overseas, as they both use the exchange rate you see online and charge very low fees. However if you buy your foreign currency at the airport, you are paying top prices so using a card is cheaper.
Yes you can use all travel cards in Australia but you might choose not to due to the fees. ING, Macquarie, Up, Citibank are all good examples of travel money cards that do not charge for ATM withdrawals in Australia. However examples of travel money cards that charge $3.50 per Australian ATM withdrawal include Travelex, Australia Post and Travel Money Oz.
A travel money card is safer than cash overseas and if you select a Wise travel card, it is the best exchange rate as well. Most places around the world accept MasterCard or Visa, so you should be able to pay for all your purchases by card.
Like all reputable money exchanges, we are registered with AUSTRAC and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
S Money complies with the relevant laws pertaining to privacy, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance. This means you are required to provide I.D. when you place an order. It also means the order must be paid for by the same person ordering the currency and you must show your identification again when receiving your order.