What is a
Prepaid travel card?

A prepaid travel card is a card that you can preload with money to use in another country. You can use it for spending or withdrawing cash abroad. However, be aware that they often contain hidden fees.
Better than a prepaid travel card
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Better than a prepaid travel card

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards are an alternative to carrying cash abroad and can be used like a debit card. You can preload your card either with your choice of currency at a set exchange rate, or with GBP which will be converted into the local currency at the exchange rate on the day. Prepaid travel card providers offer different exchange rates; some use the interbank rate and others use Mastercard or Visa’s exchange rates. In some cases, a provider may choose one of these rates and then apply a percentage on top.

Do prepaid travel cards have a good exchange rate?
Prepaid travel card fees and charges

Some prepaid cards are linked to an app

Many cards are linked to an app where you can check your balance, reload your card if your funds run out, and review your transaction history. However, prepaid travel cards often come with a variety of fees and charges including application fees, monthly fees, ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and redemption fees.

A new solution

A new solution, only offered by Currensea, the UK's best rated travel debit card. Currensea connects via Open Banking to your existing debit card and is accepted anywhere which accepts MasterCard. Plus, Currensea use the best live interbank exchange rate for 16 separate currencies (which is what the banks use between them), this guarantees that you'll receive the best current exchange rate every time you use your card. Plus there are no hidden fees and charges like most Prepaid travel cards. One of the UK's most popular prepaid travel card is from the Post Office, read our review here which covers information on their fees.

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5 Things to consider before choosing a travel money card

1. What’s the rate?

Prepaid cards offer a huge range of rates that might not be as good as the rate offered by your bank. Whilst almost all providers say no fees, the fee is often hidden in the exchange rate. 

2. Does your travel money card offer protection? 

Some cards are covered by section 75 protection, but not all, it’s worth checking the T&Cs before you sign-up to ensure that all your purchases will be covered by some kind of chargeback protection.

3. Can you get back unused currency?

Once your holiday has finished you’re unlikely to want to leave any leftover currency on your travel money card. Make sure that you can easily get your money back, without incurring further fees. 

4. Are there any hidden fees? 

Check for any fees, prepaid cards generally have more hidden fees than credit or debit cards. Make sure that you keep an eye out for fees such as application and replacement fees, transaction fees, and inactivity charges.

5. Are there any limitations to where you can use the different types of cards? 

All providers say that they can be used wherever you see the Visa or Mastercard logo but there are some big exceptions that may impact your choice. If you want to pay at a petrol station, hire a car, or pay on a cruise - generally, you can only use a Credit, Debit, or Currensea’s travel debit card - prepaid travel cards are often not accepted.

5 Things to consider before choosing a travel money card

See how much you can save using a
Currensea travel debit card

Save in 180 currencies vs high street banks, travel money cards or any prepaid travel card.
TOTAL CHARGES, £
TOTAL CHARGES, %
ELITE & PREMIUM PLAN
£0
0%
ESSENTIAL PLAN
£20.55
0.5%
RBS
£134.37
3.27%
BARCLAYS
£144.24
3.51%
HSBC
£141.26
3.44%
SANTANDER
£152.75
3.72%
LLOYDS
£174.74
4.25%
TSB
£204.4
4.97%
TOTAL CHARGES, £
TOTAL CHARGES, %
ELITE & PREMIUM PLAN
£0
0%
ESSENTIAL PLAN
£20.55
0.5%
CURVE + £4.99 card delivery
£89.02
2.17%
CAXTON
£92.46
2.25%
FAIRFX
£94.46
2.3%
TRAVELEX
£180.81
4.4%
POST OFFICE
£187.92
4.57%
£
%

Savings calculator

Using your Currensea card whilst on a beach holiday in Spain for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) for a week. Currensea will save you money against all the major high street banks, travel and prepaid cards*

Vs High Street Banks
Vs Travel and prepaid cards

Why is Currensea better than a travel card?

We link with your current bank account via Open Banking to make saving money simple.
You can find out more about Open banking here
No new bank account needed

No new bank
account needed

Forget having to set-up and manage multiple accounts

No need to Top-up

No need to
top-up or pre-pay

Remove the hassle and inconvenience of pre-loading another card

No need to Pre-Pay

No ATM fees

 

Pay no ATM fees if you withdraw under £500

Your account is secure with Currensea

Currensea is Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority

Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority

Currensea is secured with the latest bank security and encryption technology

Freeze your card anytime at the click of the button via the app

All purchases made using a Currensea travel debit card are protected by Mastercard Chargeback Protection

All purchases protected by Mastercard Chargeback Protection

Our connected banks

We work with all the major UK high-street banks
Currensea connects to all the major UK banks

Currensea pricing plans

Our plans are simple and transparent. We give you the best live exchange rate so you can spend in confidence, without the hidden fees.

Essential - Travel Debit Card
Essential

£0/year

Saves 85% on bank charges*

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Competitive 0.5% FX rate

Across card spend & ATM withdrawals

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Fee free ATM withdrawals abroad

2% FX rate over £500pm

More

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Market beating Money Transfer

Send £100 - £20,000 per transfer

More

Tick
Advanced security

Spend notifications, set spend limits & freeze/unfreeze card

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Purchase protection

Mastercard chargeback protection

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Spend in all 180 currencies

Get the best live interbank exchange rates

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Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer air miles

Convert savings into air miles

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Free card delivery

Mastercard travel debit card

Premium - Travel Debit Card
Most popular
Premium

£25/year

Saves 100% on bank charges*

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Market leading 0% FX rate

Across card spend & ATM withdrawals

Tick
Fee free ATM withdrawals abroad

1% FX rate over £500pm

More

Tick
Market beating Money Transfer

Send £100 - £20,000 per transfer

More

Tick
Advanced security

Spend notifications, set spend limits & freeze/unfreeze card

Tick
Purchase protection

Mastercard chargeback protection

Tick
Spend in all 180 currencies

Get the best live interbank exchange rates

Tick
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer air miles

Convert savings into air miles

More

Tick
Free card delivery

Mastercard travel debit card

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Premium offers

Access our latest offers for Premium travel debit card users

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Car hire benefits

Including Hertz Gold Plus Rewards with complimentary Five Star Status and a 20% worldwide discount with Avis

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Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Complimentary night's stay when booking a trip of 4 nights or more

More

More about Premium
Elite - Travel Debit Card
Elite

£120/year

Saves 100% on bank charges*

Tick
Market leading 0% FX rate

Across card spend & ATM withdrawals

Tick
Fee free ATM withdrawals abroad

1% FX rate over £750pm

More

Tick
Market beating Money Transfer

Send £100 - £20,000 per transfer 

More

Tick
Advanced security

Spend notifications, set spend limits & freeze/unfreeze card

Tick
Purchase protection

Mastercard chargeback protection

Tick
Spend in all 180 currencies

Get the best live interbank exchange rates

Tick
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer air miles

Convert savings into air miles

More

Tick
Free card delivery

Mastercard World Elite travel debit card

Tick
Elite offers

Access our latest offers for Elite travel debit card users

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Exclusive car hire benefits

Exclusive membership to Avis President's club and Hertz's President's Circle

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Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Enjoy 4 nights for the price of 3 and other exclusive benefits with 'Elite I Prefer Member Status'

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World-class concierge by “Ten”

24/7 travel concierge giving you truly luxurious benefits

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Worldwide airport lounge access

LoungeKeyTM warmly welcomes you to access 1100+ airport lounges

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Luxury hotels and resorts perks

Explore 3,000+ locations with extravagant benefits incl complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and much more

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More about Elite
Get the best exchange rates on Google Pay

Tap to Pay With Google Pay

Get all the benefits of your Currensea travel debit card conveniently on your phone. Just add a card to Google Wallet™ to get started.

No hidden fees

No weekend charges, non-sterling transaction fees, foreign currency purchase fees, internet purchase fees or dormant card fees.

So, how does Currensea make its money?

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