TransferWise launches a new debit card in Australia and NZ promising to make holidays cheaper

Travel game changer: New debit card launched that promises to make your next holiday 11 times cheaper

  • TransferWise has launched a new debit card in Australia and New Zealand
  • The zero-fee card promises real time exchange rates in up to 40 currencies
  • The company says its card is 11 times cheaper than those offered by banks

A London-based start-up has launched a new debit card in Australia and New Zealand promising to save travellers hundreds of dollars. 

TransferWise claims its debit card on average is 11 times cheaper than similar products offered by banks.

It says a customer spending $1,000 in New Zealand pays up to $46 in costs with banks, but with them they will only pay $4.80. 

Similarly, a family holidaying in Europe pays $300 in currency exchange and other associated costs when spending $5,000. 

‘With TransferWise, it would cost them only $55,’ it said.

The company said it doesn’t charge customers monthly subscription fees, sign-up fees, monthly and transaction fees.

The other features include free withdrawal of up to $350 every 30 days at any ATM in the world, real time exchange rates, and ability to hold and transact in 40 currencies.

Financial expert Effie Zahos said the card allows up to 40 currencies when most have only up to 10.

‘It also allows you instantly almost to open overseas accounts, you can open an Australian account, a US account, New Zealand, the Eurozone and the UK,’ she told The Today Show.

London-based start-up TransferWise has launched a card in Australia and New Zealand promising to save travellers hundreds of dollars in money exchange, ATM withdrawals and card fees

Kristo Kaarmann, CEO and co-founder, TransferWise said it’s unfair that banks punish customers for wanting to spend their own money abroad.

‘We’ve made it incredibly cheap and transparent to spend money internationally with our card, even if you don’t have the right currency,’ he said. 

‘If you have the balance of the currency for the country you’re in, it will simply deduct the amount from that. 

‘If you don’t have any of the domestic currency, the card will automatically convert the currency for you at the same rate you see on Google.’ 
  
TransferWise said Australians lost $2.14 billion on overseas card transaction fees, ownership fees, overseas ATM withdrawal fees and hidden exchange rate markups using an Australian debit or a prepaid travel card in 2018.

‘In the last five years, transaction fees on travel and prepaid cards have more than doubled from $70m to $174m,’ it said.

‘When it comes to exchange rate markups, bank-issued travel cards and prepaid cards are the worst offenders compared to other payment methods, costing Aussies $188 million last year alone.’ 

COST OF USING TRANSFERWISE DEBIT CARD IN THE US VS. MAJOR BANKS
                         
                                                  TransferWise   ANZ Travel Card     Commonwealth Bank TravelMoney Card   NAB Traveller Card       Westpac Global Currency Card
Top-up/spend $1,000   $4.70    $27.62      $40.49    $37.92        $33.20 
3 $200 ATM withdrawals    $0.00    $11.04      $11.18    $0.00        $8.88 
Cost of both   $4.70    $38.66      $51.67    $37.92        $42.08 
Difference       8 times more expensive      11         
Savings       $33.96      $46.97     $33.22        $37.38 
Source: TW                           
It says a customer spending $1000 in New Zealand pays up to $46 in costs with banks, but with them they pay only $4.80. Similarly, a family holidaying in Europe pays $300 in currency exchange and other costs when spending $5000 (stock image)

It says a customer spending $1000 in New Zealand pays up to $46 in costs with banks, but with them they pay only $4.80. Similarly, a family holidaying in Europe pays $300 in currency exchange and other costs when spending $5000 (stock image)



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk