A debit card can be a convenient way to access money overseas. So what’s the best debit card for overseas travel? We take a look at some of the options on Canstar’s database.
In Australia, most debit cards are issued in partnership with Mastercard or Visa. That means you can use your debit card wherever this payment network is accepted, including at a wide range of retailers and ATMs around the world. You’ll also receive Mastercard and Visa fraud protection. Because of this, debit cards can be an easy way to make purchases or withdraw money while travelling overseas. But make sure you check the fees.
What is a travel debit card?
A debit card allows you to make purchases and withdraw funds from your savings. As you are accessing your own money, this can be a more budget-friendly option than a travel credit card.
But debit cards can have fees when used overseas. This commonly includes international transaction fees and international ATM fees. However, you can get travel debit cards that do not charge these fees.
How can you get a travel debit card?
To get a debit card, you will firstly need to open a linked transaction account. You can compare debit cards for travel using Canstar’s comparison tool.
Compare Travel Debit Cards
Alternatively, you could also potentially use your existing everyday debit card. But it’s important to check the fees first. For example, the major banks (ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac) currently charge relatively high fees for international use. They commonly charge a 3% international transaction fee and a $5 international ATM fee per withdrawal.
So it could be cheaper to open up a new account with no or low fees and use the linked debit card when travelling overseas and making international purchases online.
What is the best debit card for overseas travel?
While the best debit card for overseas travel will vary depending on the individual, the best one for you is likely to be one that is low cost and has the features you are after. When comparing cards, you may want to look for a card with no or low international transaction fees, international ATM fees (for ATMs within and outside of the provider’s network) and account keeping or annual fees. It’s also worth seeing what features are on offer, like an app where you can manage your money or access to a customer service and support team.
To help narrow down your search, Canstar’s experts have assessed and rated travel debit cards based on price and features. The following travel debit cards stood out as offering Outstanding Value (listed alphabetically):
Bankwest – Easy Transaction Account
- Comes with a linked Bankwest Platinum Debit Mastercard that has 24/7 Zero Liability Protection
- No annual account fee
- No minimum monthly deposits required
- No international transaction fees
- No overseas ATM access fees (fees may apply when using a non-bank ATM)
- Compatible with the Bankwest App, which allows for alerts for incoming and outgoing transactions, as well as when your account has dropped below a set amount
Read the full T&Cs on Bankwest’s website.
Great Southern Bank – Everyday Edge Account
- No monthly account fees
- Unlimited fee-free domestic transactions, including eftpos cash outs
- Rebates on international transaction fees for online or overseas purchases if you meet certain conditions (deposit $2,000 a month and make at least five card purchases)
- Rebates on overseas ATM cash withdrawal fees if you meet certain conditions
Read the full T&Cs on Great Southern Bank’s website.
HSBC – EverydayGlobal Account
- No monthly account, transaction and HSBC ATM fees
- Up to 2% cashback on eligible tap and pay transactions made in Australia under $100 (up to $50 cashback in a calendar month)
- $0 overseas ATM fees (non-HSBC branded ATMs and HSBC Group ATMs in selected countries may charge an ATM operator fees)
- $0 international transaction fees
- Account lets you buy, transfer, hold and spend between 10 foreign currencies: Australian Dollar (AUD), United States Dollar (USD), Canadian Dollars (CAD), Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP), Euro (EUR), New Zealand Dollars (NZD), Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), Japanese Yen (JPY), Singapore Dollars (SGD), and Chinese Yuan (CNY— currency restrictions apply to CNY)
- $0 HSBC fee for overseas money transfers
Read the full T&Cs on HSBC’s website.
ING – Orange Everyday
- No monthly fee
- Unlimited rebates on international transaction fees when you meet certain conditions (deposit $1,000 a month and make at least five card purchases with your ING debit or credit card)
- Up to five rebated ATM withdrawal fees a month when you meet certain conditions for domestic ATMs — excludes international ATM operator fees.
- 1% cashback on eligible utility bills (up to $100 cashback a year) when certain monthly eligibility criteria are met.
Read the full T&Cs on ING’s website.
Macquarie Bank – Transaction Account
- No monthly fee, transaction fees or deposit conditions
- No international purchase fees
- No domestic ATM transaction fees
- No international ATM transaction fees (you may be charged a fee by international ATM operators)
- Stepped interest is payable on deposits into your Macquarie Transaction Account based on your balance.
Read the full T&Cs on Macquarie Bank’s website.
ME – SpendME Transaction Account
- No account fees
- No international transaction fees
- No international ATM fees (ATM operator may charge its own fees)
- No ATM fees when using BOQ branch ATMs, the Big 4 banks, and over 2,100 atmx ATMs in Australia
Read the full T&Cs on ME’s website.
Suncorp Bank – Carbon Insights Account
- Designed to allow you to view an estimate of the carbon emissions related to your purchases
- No monthly fees or overdraft fees and unlimited fee-free Suncorp Bank transactions
- No foreign currency conversion fees for both online and overseas purchases
- No ATM cash withdrawal or balance enquiry fees at Suncorp Bank ATMs, atmx ATMs or any of the big four banks’ ATMs in Australia
- No cash advance fees for Visa debit card withdrawals at ATMs outside of Australia (some overseas ATM providers may charge you fees for transactions)
- Designed to allow you to view an estimate of your carbon emissions based on your purchases
- Earn interest on you main and sub transaction accounts (0.01% at the time of writing)
- Open up to nine sub-accounts to help save and accrue interest separate to your main account
Read the full T&Cs on Suncorp Bank’s website.
Suncorp Bank – Everyday Essentials Account
- Designed for concession and health care card holders and those receiving government benefits
- No monthly fees or overdraft fees and unlimited fee-free Suncorp Bank transactions
- No foreign currency conversion fees for both online and overseas purchases
- No ATM cash withdrawal or balance enquiry fees at Suncorp Bank ATMs, atmx ATMs or any of the big four banks’ ATMs in Australia
- No cash advance fees for Visa debit card withdrawals at ATMs outside of Australia (some overseas ATM providers may charge you fees for transactions)
- Prevents most transactions from overdrawing your account
Read the full T&Cs on Suncorp Bank’s website.
Suncorp Bank – Everyday Options Account
- No monthly fees or overdraft fees and unlimited fee-free Suncorp Bank transactions
- No foreign currency conversion fees for both online and overseas purchases
- No ATM cash withdrawal or balance enquiry fees at Suncorp Bank ATMs, atmx ATMs or any of the big four banks’ ATMs in Australia
- No cash advance fees for Visa debit card withdrawals at ATMs outside of Australia (some overseas ATM providers may charge you fees for transactions)
- Earn interest on you main and sub transaction accounts (0.01% at the time of writing)
- Open up to nine sub-accounts to help save and accrue interest separate to your main account
Read the full T&Cs on Suncorp Bank’s website.
ubank – Spend Account
- No monthly fees
- No overseas or online international fees
- No ATM cash withdrawal fees for both domestic and international ATMs (but some ATM operators may charge a fee of their own)
- Register and instantly use your debit card through Apple or Google Pay before you receive your physical Visa card
Read the full T&Cs on ubank’s website.
Up – Up Everyday
- No monthly fees
- No overseas in-store or online international purchase fees
- No domestic or international ATM fees at most major bank ATMs
- Create multiple Savers accounts instantly within the Up app
Read the full T&Cs on Up’s website.
