Compare Travel Money Cards in New Zealand

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20 live offers compared from 13 providers, from NZ$0 /month. Updated daily.

What are travel money cards in New Zealand?

A travel money card lets you load and spend foreign currencies for overseas trips, avoiding the poor exchange rates and fees of using a standard New Zealand debit or credit card abroad. Some are prepaid multi-currency cards you top up before you go; others are app-based accounts like Wise and Revolut that convert at close to the mid-market rate as you spend. For Kiwis travelling to Australia, the Pacific, Asia, Europe or North America, these cards cut currency costs and add security compared with carrying cash.

How the New Zealand market works

The market blends dedicated prepaid travel cards, fintech multi-currency accounts and bank offerings. Travelex sells traditional prepaid multi-currency cards. Wise and Revolut have grown fast among New Zealand travellers for holding multiple currencies and spending at the mid-market rate with low or no conversion fees on many transactions. The major banks — ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank — offer their own travel and low-fee cards. The key differences are the exchange rate applied, load and transaction fees, and how many currencies you can hold.

Benefits

Better exchange rates — App-based cards like Wise and Revolut spend at or near the mid-market rate, beating typical bank card margins.

Lock in rates — Prepaid cards let you load currency at a known rate before you travel.

Security — Separate from your main account, cards can be frozen instantly in-app if lost or stolen.

Multi-currency — Hold several currencies at once for multi-country trips without repeated conversion.

How to choose

Focus on the true cost of spending abroad: the exchange rate applied plus any load, transaction, ATM or inactivity fees. App-based accounts usually win on the rate but may charge for weekend conversions or ATM withdrawals above a limit. Prepaid cards suit travellers who want to fix their rate and budget in advance. Check which currencies you can hold, ATM withdrawal limits and fees overseas, and whether the card works where you're going. Also confirm how easily you can top up and access support while abroad.

Leading providers in New Zealand

Wise offers a multi-currency account and debit card that converts at the mid-market rate with transparent fees, popular for both travel and everyday overseas spending. Revolut provides app-based multi-currency spending with tiered plans. Travelex remains a well-known prepaid travel-card option available at airports and online. The major banks — ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank — offer their own low-fee or travel-oriented cards. Costs range from NZ$0 to open and use app-based cards up to a few hundred dollars if you preload larger sums onto a prepaid card.

What it costs

App-based cards from Wise and Revolut are typically free or low-cost to obtain — effectively NZ$0 to start — with small percentage fees on conversions and ATM withdrawals above set limits. Prepaid cards may carry load or reload fees and sometimes inactivity fees, and the amount you "spend" depends on how much currency you preload (up to a few hundred dollars or more per trip). The biggest hidden cost with any card is a poor exchange-rate margin, so compare the rate, not just the advertised fees.

Protections and regulation

Travel money card and multi-currency account providers operating in New Zealand must be registered financial service providers, comply with the AML/CFT Act, and belong to an approved dispute-resolution scheme. Card transactions carry Visa or Mastercard scheme protections, including chargeback rights for fraud or faulty goods. The Fair Trading Act, enforced by the Commerce Commission, prohibits misleading claims about fees and rates. As with any prepaid product, check whether stored funds are safeguarded and read the terms on fees and expiry before loading money.

Common questions

Prepaid card or app account? — Prepaid cards let you lock a rate in advance; app accounts like Wise and Revolut usually offer better live rates as you spend.

Can I use it to withdraw cash overseas? — Yes, at ATMs displaying the card's network, though withdrawal fees or limits often apply.

What happens to leftover currency? — App accounts let you hold or convert it back easily; prepaid cards may charge to unload or reconvert, so check the terms.

Travel Money Cards in New Zealand — FAQ