ANZ travel money card review 2024
If you’re an ANZ customer looking for convenient ways to spend in foreign currencies – in person or online – you can use your regular ANZ debit or EFTPOS card wherever the network is accepted.
ANZ doesn’t have a specific travel money card, but if you’d prefer to keep your travel money separate from your everyday funds, there are alternatives. This guide covers how to use your ANZ debit card overseas as well as a couple of specific travel money cards for travellers from New Zealand, the Westpac travel card and the Wise travel money card, so you can compare them and see which works best for you.
ANZ debit card: key features
Eligible ANZ customers with an everyday account can get either an ANZ debit or EFTPOS card. The debit card offers an expanded range of features – so we’ll focus on this card throughout our ANZ travel money card review.
If you’re spending from your regular NZD account, your money will be converted at the point of payment using the network exchange rate and the ANZ foreign transaction fee of 1.3%. This is a bit different compared to specialist travel money cards which often let you hold and exchange foreign currencies so you can lock in exchange rates and set your travel budget easily in advance. More on that later. First, a quick look at some pros and cons of the ANZ debit card for international use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ No need to order a new card before travel
✅ Relatively low foreign transaction fee at 1.3% ✅ No international ATM fees ✅ Familiar and trusted bank ✅ Other international services – like overseas payments – also available |
❌ Foreign transaction fees on all spending in currencies other than NZD
❌ Overseas ATM operators may add their own fees when you withdraw ❌ Card is linked to your main NZD account, so if your account is compromised when you travel, your funds may be at risk |
Who is the ANZ debit card for?
The ANZ debit card can be linked to most of ANZ’s everyday accounts, making it a popular choice for anyone who banks with ANZ and wants convenient ways to spend and withdraw.
Using the ANZ debit card rather than getting a specific travel card means you don’t need to open a new account or complete any card ordering process. Just spend as normal and your money is converted to the required currency with a 1.3% fee.
What is the ANZ debit card?
The ANZ debit card is the standard debit card that can be added to many ANZ accounts, offered to eligible customers aged 13 or over. ANZ debit cards can be used to spend in person and online, and to make cash withdrawals. You can also order a personalised card if you’d rather pick your own design.
Is the ANZ debit a multi-currency card?
The ANZ debit card isn’t a multi-currency card, but it can be used for overseas spending wherever the Visa network is accepted. Your purchase cost will be converted from NZD using the Visa exchange rate, with a 1.3% foreign transaction fee deducted.
Alternatives to ANZ debit card
Using a specific travel card can be handy if you want to keep your travel money separate from your NZD funds, allowing you to lock in exchange rates and hold funds in the currency of your destination country.
While the ANZ card does have a fairly low foreign transaction fee, it doesn’t let you hold foreign currencies. Other cards could help if that’s your preference – to give an example, here’s how ANZ compares with travel money cards from Westpac and Wise on some key features:
| ANZ debit card | Wise travel card | Westpac travel money card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Order online or in a branch | Order online or in-app | Order online |
| Card order fee | No fee | 14 NZD | No fee |
| Monthly fees | No card specific fee – but fees may apply on your underlying ANZ account | No fee | No fee |
| International Money Transfers | 9 NZD online, 28 NZD in branch or by phone | Fees from 0.43%, 140+ countries covered | Not available with the card – you’ll need a full Westpac account to access this service |
| ATM withdrawals | No fee for international withdrawals | 2 withdrawals to 350 NZD/month fee free, then 1.5 NZD + 1.75% after that | No fee for international withdrawals
4 NZD local withdrawal charge |
| Currency Exchange | Rates include a 1.3% foreign transaction fee | Mid-market rate | Westpac rate which may include a markup |
| Fee to spend a currency you don’t hold in your account | Rates include a 1.3% foreign transaction fee | From 0.43% | 2.95% on top of the Mastercard rate |
| Supported Currencies for holding and exchange | NZD only | 40+ currencies supported | 9 currencies supported |
| Inactivity fee | No fee | No fee | No fee |
| Closure fee | No fee | No fee | No fee |
| Business Accounts | Alternative ANZ business services offered | Available | Alternative Westpac business services offered |
Information taken from Westpac Global Currency card desktop site and fee information, Wise pricing page, ANZ money transfers and ANZ New Zealand; correct at time of writing, 27th July 2023
If you’d prefer to use a specific card for foreign currency spending and withdrawals, it’s worth weighing up the options for travel money cards from Westpac and Wise.
Both cards can be ordered conveniently online for home delivery, with multi-currency holding options. Westpac lets you hold 9 currencies while Wise covers 40+, with no need to convert your funds to the destination currency in advance. You can just leave your money in NZD and let the card automatically convert to the currency you need based on where you are, with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.43%.
Wise
Wise is a specialist non-bank provider which has international debit cards and powerful multi-currency accounts you can use to hold 40+ currencies. You’ll be able to open your account online or in the Wise app, and order a physical cand for home delivery. Virtual cards are available instantly so you can spend online and using wallets like Apple Pay right away. All Wise currency exchange uses the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from just 0.43%.
Westpac
Westpac’s Global Currency card can hold 9 currencies with free overseas ATM withdrawals and no charge to spend a currency you hold in your account. Fairly high foreign transaction fees apply if you’re spending a currency you don’t hold in your account though – so you’ll need to remember to switch your dollars to the destination currency before you travel to avoid unnecessary costs.
ANZ debit card fees & spending limits
Let’s walk through the fees and limits that are likely to apply if you use your ANZ debit card overseas – bear in mind that the rules for EFTPOS cards may differ so you’ll need to check your own account fee schedule before spending.
Here are the key fees you pay with the ANZ debit card:
| Fee type | ANZ debit card fee |
| Card order fee | No fee |
| Annual fee | No fee for card – monthly fees may apply on the underlying ANZ account |
| Replacement fee | 5 NZD |
| Foreign transaction fee | 1.3% |
Some limits also apply based on transaction type:
| Limit type | ANZ debit card limit |
| Daily ATM withdrawal limit (local) | 2,000 NZD |
| Daily ATM withdrawal limit (international) | 3,000 NZD |
| Total POS spending limit (daily) | 10,000 NZD or equivalent in foreign currencies |
Exchange rates
When you spend from your ANZ everyday account, your dollars are converted to the currency needed using the Visa exchange rate, plus a 1.3% foreign transaction fee. Usually the Visa rate is pretty fair – and you can find it online easily enough. Just bear in mind the rate used will be the one live when the payment is processed, which may be a day or two after the actual purchase was made.
How to get ANZ debit card
To get an ANZ debit card you’ll first need to open an ANZ account like the ANZ Freedom or Select account. The process for opening an account will depend on which you pick, but you’ll often find you can get your application done online as long as you have the right paperwork, and order a debit card to be sent to your home address.
What documents you’ll need
As part of your ANZ account application you’ll need to provide:
- Proof of ID – like a passport
- Proof of address – like a utility bill in your name
If you’re eligible for an online application you can submit these documents digitally by taking a photo of your paperwork and uploading it.
What happens when the card expires?
You’ll usually find that you’re automatically sent a new ANZ debit card just before your card expires. If you’re unsure about how the card issue or renewal process works for your specific account, you’ll be able to ask ANZ directly for support.
How to use the ANZ debit card?
Use your ANZ card abroad just as you would at home. Cards are contactless and support popular wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, so you can tap and go with your phone if you’d like to.
How to withdraw cash with the ANZ debit card?
You can make international ATM withdrawals in the same way you would withdraw cash at home. There’s no ANZ fee for global withdrawals, although individual ATM operators may impose their own fees which are outside of the control of ANZ.
Is the card safe?
The ANZ debit card is safe, and comes with Visa’s Zero Liability protection from fraud. Take normal precautions when using your card overseas such as checking your account regularly and keeping your PIN safe, to make sure your spending is secure.
How to use the ANZ debit card overseas?
Use the ANZ debit card overseas anywhere you see the Visa logo. Visa is a popular and globally accepted network which means you’ve got good coverage in most countries and regions.
Conclusion: Is the ANZ debit card worth it?
If you bank with ANZ and have a debit card with them already, it’s good to know you can simply use it overseas in the same way you do at home. The only real difference is that your NZD will be converted to the currency you need using the Visa exchange rate, with a 1.3% fee deducted.
If you’d rather have a specific travel money card, you can also get one conveniently online, from a bank like Westpac or a specialist non-bank provider like Wise. These cards let you top up in dollars and convert to the currency you need in advance to spend for free once you arrive in your destination. Use this guide to weigh up the ANZ debit card against a specific travel card, to see which suits you best.
ANZ debit card review FAQ
How does the ANZ debit card work?
Order your ANZ debit card once you’ve opened an ANZ everyday account. You can then spend and withdraw at home and abroad, with a 1.3% foreign transaction fee when you spend in a foreign currency.
Is the ANZ debit card an international card?
The ANZ debit card can be used to spend globally, although you’ll usually only be able to hold NZD in your everyday account. If you’d rather a card you can use to hold and exchange foreign currencies, check out alternatives like Wise and the Westpac Global Currency card.
Are there any alternatives to an ANZ debit card?
Alternatives to ANZ’s debit card include specialist travel debit cards from providers like Wise and banks like Westpac. Both let you hold, spend and exchange a selection of currencies for convenient overseas spending.
