Best Travel Cards for Australians (2026): Up Bank vs Wise vs Revolut vs YouTrip
Tested across 20+ countries. Here’s how they actually compare on fees, limits, and real-world use — including where Ubank fits in.
🔄 Updated May–June 2026: Two significant changes since this comparison was last published:
Wise ATM structure (from 1 May 2026): Wise now offers $400 AUD/month free ATM withdrawals with no limit on the number of withdrawals. The previous structure (2 free withdrawals up to $350/month, then $1.50 + 1.75%) has been replaced. Over-limit fee is now a flat 2.69%. This makes Wise more competitive for cash users than before.
Up Bank Grow rate (from 22 May 2026): Up’s top savings rate increased from 5.10% to 5.35% p.a. on balances up to $250,000 when bonus conditions are met (5 card purchases per month, no withdrawals from that Saver).
Up Bank is the best pick for most Australians, Wise is the strongest complement for transfers and multi-currency use, Revolut is better for heavier multi-currency features, and YouTrip is a solid travel wallet worth knowing about. For an all-Australian two-bank setup, Ubank is the natural Visa pairing with Up’s Mastercard — more on that below.
All four are materially better than a Big Four bank card overseas, where the usual hit is around 3% on purchases plus a separate ATM fee. On a $5,000 trip, that’s $150–$200 in fees avoided. The question is which one fits the way you actually travel.
If you’re still deciding between a travel card and a stronger everyday account, pair this with the Banking & Travel Money hub, the full Up Bank review, and the Ubank vs Up Bank comparison.
Up Bank
The cleanest all-round answer if you want one card that also works as your main Australian bank account.
Unlimited fee-free ATM withdrawals
Open Up Bank (+$21 bonus)Wise
Best when sending money overseas, receiving international payments, or needing local bank details in multiple countries.
Local bank details in 10+ countries
Open WiseRevolut
Best if you want more currencies and a feature-heavy app. Standard plan is free but has monthly limits.
Free Standard plan with 30+ currencies
Open RevolutYouTrip
A solid prepaid travel wallet with 0% FX fees and a generous $1,500/month free ATM allowance.
$1,500/mo free ATM withdrawals
Learn About YouTrip💡 Quick tip: Most experienced travellers carry 2–3 cards as backup. All of these are free to hold (Wise charges a $9 one-time card fee). For an all-Australian setup, Up Bank (Mastercard) + Ubank (Visa) gives you two real banks, two networks, and two separate $250k government deposit guarantees. Monthly cost: $0.
Quick links
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature |
Up Bank
Full bank account
|
Wise
Transfers & flexibility
|
Revolut
Multi-currency
|
YouTrip
Travel wallet
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-up bonus | $21 Via referral link |
$0 | Varies | Varies |
| Int’l transaction fee | 0% Unlimited |
0.43%+ Conversion fee varies |
0%* Up to $2K/mo Then 0.5% |
0% Unlimited |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Unlimited No cap |
$400/mo ✓ No withdrawal limit Then 2.69% |
$350/mo or 5 withdrawals Then 2% |
$1,500/mo Then 2% |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $0 (Standard) | $0 |
| Physical card | Free | $9 (one-time) | Free | Free |
| Hold foreign currencies | AUD only | 40+ currencies |
30+ currencies |
10 currencies 150+ at point of sale |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate | Mid-market | Mid-market* 1% weekend markup |
Mid-market |
| Cashback | No | No | Paid plans only | 2% for 5 months Up to $40/mo cap |
| Apple/Google Pay | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Card network | Mastercard | Visa | Mastercard | Mastercard |
| Savings interest | Up to 5.35% Grow & Flow system |
Via Wise Interest | Via savings vault | No |
| Int’l transfers | Standard bank transfer | Best Local details in 10+ countries |
Good | No |
| Regulation | APRA ADI (Bendigo Bank) $250K govt guarantee (FCS) |
ASIC (AFSL) Safeguarded accounts |
ASIC (AFSL) Bank guarantee (not FCS) |
ASIC (AFSL) No govt guarantee |
| Best for | Most travellers Heavy ATM users Primary bank |
Expats & freelancers Regular transfers Receiving overseas pay |
Digital nomads Multi-currency holders Crypto access |
Holiday travellers Cashback seekers Pre-converting FX |
*Conditions apply. All rates and limits based on free/standard plans as of June 2026. Wise ATM structure updated 1 May 2026. Up Bank Grow rate updated 22 May 2026. ATM operator fees may apply with any card. Always verify current pricing directly with each provider.
Detailed breakdown
Up Bank — best pick for most travellers
Best if you want one card that works as your main Australian bank account and does everything overseas without tracking monthly limits.
Up Bank’s biggest edge is simplicity: there are no monthly caps on fee-free card spending or ATM withdrawals overseas. You don’t need to track allowances. It’s also a proper Australian bank account (backed by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank), so you can receive salary, set up BPAY, and earn up to 5.35% p.a. on savings through the Grow & Flow system (raised from 5.10% on 22 May 2026).
Strengths
- Unlimited fee-free overseas ATM withdrawals
- 0% international transaction fees — no cap
- Full bank account (salary, BPAY, savings)
- Excellent app with real-time spending insights
- $250K government FCS deposit guarantee
- No weekend exchange rate markup
- $21 signup bonus via referral
Limitations
- AUD only — can’t hold or pre-convert foreign currencies
- No cashback on purchases
- Mastercard rate, not guaranteed mid-market (competitive in practice)
- Grow rate requires 5 monthly card purchases + no withdrawals from that Saver
My experience: Primary travel card since 2019. The unlimited ATM withdrawals are the reason — in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and most of Southeast Asia, I’m at ATMs regularly, and the savings vs Revolut or Wise (even with its improved $400/month limit) add up fast on longer trips. The app is genuinely better than anything from the Big Four.
5-minute signup · instant digital card · no monthly ATM cap · Pairs well with Saily eSIM for data abroad
Wise — best for transfers, overseas income, and flexibility
Strongest when sending or receiving money internationally, and a solid all-round travel card with a meaningfully improved ATM structure since May 2026.
Wise built its reputation on cheap international transfers. The travel card is a useful add-on — conversion fees from 0.43% on card transactions make it slightly more expensive for pure spending than Up Bank, but the ATM structure improved significantly on 1 May 2026: $400 AUD/month free with no limit on the number of withdrawals, then 2.69% on excess. That’s up from $350/2-withdrawals under the old structure.
Strengths
- Cheapest international transfers — often 5–10× cheaper than banks
- Local bank details in 10+ countries
- True mid-market exchange rate
- Hold 40+ currencies
- $400/month free ATM withdrawals (no count limit) from May 2026
- Transparent, upfront fees
- Business accounts available
Limitations
- $9 card fee — only provider here that charges
- ATM cap at $400/month — heavy cash users still better served by Up Bank
- Conversion fee on card spending (from 0.43%) — not truly free
- App is functional but less polished than Up or Revolut
- Not a bank — no government FCS deposit guarantee
Where Wise really shines: If you freelance for overseas clients, the local bank details are invaluable. A US client can send a domestic US transfer to your Wise USD account details instead of a $25–$50 international wire. That saving alone can run to hundreds a year.
Revolut — best for multi-currency travellers
Better if you want more currencies and more app features. Free Standard plan has tighter limits than the others.
Revolut is the most feature-rich option with 30+ currencies, crypto trading, disposable virtual cards, and solid budgeting tools. It’s a strong fit if you’re living or working abroad and want to hold multiple currencies in one place. The free Standard plan limit of $350/month in free ATM withdrawals (or 5 transactions), $2,000/month in fee-free exchange, and the 1% weekend markup make it more situational than Up Bank for most holiday travellers.
Strengths
- Hold and exchange 30+ currencies
- Disposable virtual cards for online security
- Crypto and stock trading in-app
- Good budgeting and analytics tools
- 70M+ users globally — well-established
- Premium plans available for heavier use
Watch out for
- $350/month free ATM (or 5 withdrawals) — then 2%
- $2,000/month fee-free exchange — then 0.5%
- 1% weekend markup on Standard plan
- Chat-only support can be slow
- Frequent upselling to paid plans
- Not a bank — commercial bank guarantee, not government FCS
My experience: I use Revolut as a backup card and for holding currencies when rates look good. On the free plan, the $350 ATM cap and weekend markup are genuine friction — especially in cash-heavy countries. For most Australian holiday travellers, Up Bank is the easier choice.
Free Standard plan · 30+ currencies · stronger for multi-currency use
YouTrip — a strong travel-wallet alternative
Worth considering if you want a dedicated prepaid travel card with 0% FX fees and the most generous free ATM allowance on the list.
YouTrip launched in Australia in late 2025 and has quickly become a genuine contender. The headline: 0% FX fees on all international purchases and $1,500/month in free ATM withdrawals — well above Revolut or Wise’s free tiers. It also offers 2% cashback on overseas spending for your first 5 months (up to $40/month). The catch: it’s a prepaid wallet, not a bank account — you load funds before spending.
Strengths
- 0% FX fees on all international purchases
- $1,500/month free overseas ATM withdrawals
- 2% cashback for first 5 months (up to $40/month)
- Pre-convert and hold 10 currencies
- Mid-market rates with no markup
- Free card, no monthly fees
Limitations
- Prepaid wallet — not a bank account (no salary, BPAY, or savings)
- Need to top up before spending
- 2% fee on ATM withdrawals over $1,500/month
- New to Australia — less track record than others
- Can’t receive international transfers
- ASIC regulated, no government deposit guarantee
- Only 10 in-app exchange currencies (others convert at point of sale)
Worth noting: YouTrip’s $1,500/month free ATM allowance is the most generous on this list. If you use ATMs regularly but don’t need a full bank account, it’s a legitimate alternative to Up Bank for the ATM use case — though Up’s unlimited withdrawals still win for very heavy cash users.
Free card · 0% FX fees · $1,500/mo free ATM withdrawals
Ubank — the other Australian bank worth pairing
Ubank (NAB-owned, Visa) is a near-twin of Up Bank for travel: 0% international fees, free overseas ATM withdrawals, and a $250k government FCS guarantee under NAB’s banking licence. It’s not in the head-to-head because it overlaps heavily with Up Bank — but that overlap is exactly why they pair so well. Different card networks (Mastercard + Visa) and two separate $250k FCS guarantees give you $500k of combined deposit protection at zero monthly cost.
Ubank currently offers a $30 sign-up bonus (referral code AFWLLL7) after 5 eligible card purchases in your first 30 days. Stack it with Up’s $21 bonus and you’ve got $51 in first-day value from one evening’s setup. Full comparison: Ubank vs Up Bank.
Which card fits your travel style?
Pick the setup that matches how you actually travel, then sign up for what fits best.
Holiday travellers
One to four trips a year, regular ATM use, want the easiest no-fuss setup.
Best fit
Backpackers and long-term trips
Away for months, withdrawing cash often, want the fewest ATM headaches across different countries.
Best fit
Digital nomads
Work remotely, spend mostly by card, want better multi-currency features over unlimited ATM access.
Best fit
Freelancers and expats
Receive overseas payments, send money home regularly, or need local bank details in multiple currencies.
Best fit
💡 Carry multiple cards
The most versatile setup: Up Bank ($21 bonus) as primary (Mastercard, unlimited ATM) + Wise or Ubank as backup (Visa, different network). Keep your regular bank card in the hotel safe as emergency fallback. Total monthly cost for all of these: $0.
Real-world scenarios
The best card often changes once you look at the actual trip. A two-week Bali holiday puts pressure on ATM withdrawals; a remote-work stint in Portugal makes transfers and multi-currency features matter more.
🌴 Bali — 2 weeks
$2,500 spend, 6+ ATM withdrawals, cash still essential
💻 Portugal — 3 months
Remote work, low ATM use, regular international transfers
Complete your travel setup
The card handles money. The problems that actually ruin trips are bad data, no VPN on café Wi-Fi, and no insurance when something goes wrong.
Data abroad
Skip roaming charges with eSIM data in 150+ countries — land and get online immediately, no SIM swap needed.
Secure Wi-Fi
Airport and café Wi-Fi is fine for browsing, not for banking. A VPN protects logins and payment details on public networks.
Travel insurance
Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas. Flexible monthly cover is a much better fallback than hoping nothing goes wrong.
Common questions
Can I use all four cards worldwide?
Yes. Up Bank, YouTrip, and Revolut use Mastercard; Wise uses Visa. Both networks are accepted virtually everywhere. Carrying at least one of each gives you better backup coverage — Up Bank (Mastercard) and Wise or Ubank (Visa) is the recommended combo.
What about ATM operator fees?
None of these cards can prevent ATM operator fees — those are charged by the ATM owner (usually $2–$5). What they save you on is the additional 3% + fees your regular bank adds on top. Always choose “local currency” when the ATM prompts you — decline any Dynamic Currency Conversion offer and let your card handle it.
Is my money safe with these providers?
Up Bank is the strongest — APRA-regulated ADI via Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, with the $250K Australian Government Financial Claims Scheme (FCS) guarantee. Ubank (NAB) has the same FCS protection. Wise, Revolut, and YouTrip are ASIC-licensed but not banks — they hold customer funds in safeguarded or trust arrangements (Revolut uses a commercial bank guarantee). That’s genuine protection, but not the government FCS guarantee. For any significant balance, keep it in Up or Ubank and treat the others as spending tools.
Did Wise’s ATM fees actually change?
Yes, significantly. From 1 May 2026, Wise Australia switched from “2 free withdrawals up to $350/month, then $1.50 + 1.75%” to free up to $400 AUD/month with no limit on the number of withdrawals, then 2.69% on excess. This makes Wise more competitive for moderate cash use than before — though Up Bank’s truly unlimited withdrawals still win for heavy ATM users.
Do I need to notify them before travelling?
None of these cards require travel notifications. Up Bank and YouTrip are particularly seamless — transactions abroad are rarely blocked. Revolut and Wise may occasionally flag unusual activity, but it’s resolved quickly in-app.
Which has the best exchange rate?
YouTrip and Wise use true mid-market rates. Up Bank uses the Mastercard rate — very competitive in practice and with no weekend markup. Revolut uses mid-market on weekdays but adds a 1% markup on weekends (Standard plan). In practice, the difference between YouTrip, Wise, and Up Bank is negligible for most transactions.
Can I have accounts with all of them?
Yes, and there’s no downside — they’re all free to hold (Wise charges a $9 one-time card fee). The common Australian setup is Up Bank + Ubank (two banks, two networks, $500k combined FCS protection) plus Wise for transfers and multi-currency use.
What if my card gets lost or stolen overseas?
All providers let you freeze your card instantly in the app. Up Bank, Revolut, and YouTrip can issue virtual replacements immediately. Wise charges for a physical replacement. This is the biggest reason to carry a backup card — being stranded overseas waiting for a replacement is easily avoided.
Best pick
Up Bank is the best pick for most Australian travellers. Unlimited fee-free ATM withdrawals, 0% FX fees with no monthly cap, a proper bank account with salary and BPAY, and up to 5.35% p.a. on savings. No other card on this list removes more friction while travelling without costing anything monthly.
Wise is the strongest complement — Visa network (different to Up’s Mastercard), local bank details in 10+ countries, and the cheapest international transfers going. From May 2026 its ATM structure also improved ($400/month free, unlimited withdrawals). If you’d rather keep everything Australian, Ubank is the natural Visa pairing with Up at zero cost.
Best if you want one card for ATM cash, everyday spending, and a full Australian bank account in the same app.
Unlimited fee-free ATM withdrawals
Best complement — Visa network + transfers
All-Australian pairing — code AFWLLL7
Strong travel wallet with generous ATM access
Last updated: June 2026. Fees, rates and features can change.
Disclaimers
- Exchange rates, fees, and limits are subject to change. Always check provider websites for current pricing before signing up.
- ATM operator fees may apply with any card (charged by the ATM owner, not the card provider).
- Up Bank: A trading name of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879. APRA-regulated ADI; deposits protected up to $250K by the Australian Government Financial Claims Scheme (FCS).
- Ubank: A division of National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937 AFSL 230686. APRA-regulated ADI; deposits protected up to $250K by the Financial Claims Scheme.
- Wise: Wise Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 87 626 065 796, AFSL 504 808). Regulated by ASIC. Not an ADI; customer funds held in safeguarded accounts. Physical card fee: $9 AUD (one-time). ATM structure updated 1 May 2026: free up to $400 AUD/month (no withdrawal count limit), then 2.69% on excess.
- Revolut: Revolut Payments Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 21 634 823 180, AFSL 517589). Regulated by ASIC. Not a bank or APRA-regulated ADI — electronic money is protected by a commercial bank guarantee held on trust, not the Government Financial Claims Scheme. Standard plan: 1% weekend markup; $2,000/month fee-free exchange; $350/month or 5 withdrawals free ATM.
- YouTrip: Operated by You Technologies Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (ABN 20 676 703 496, AFSL 558059). Regulated by ASIC. No government deposit guarantee. $1,500/month free overseas ATM; 2% fee thereafter. 2% cashback on international purchases for first 5 months, capped at $40/month.
- Up Bank Grow rate: 5.35% p.a. from 22 May 2026 on balances up to $250,000 when bonus conditions are met (5 card purchases/month, no withdrawals from that Saver).
- This comparison is based on personal testing and research. It is general information only and should not be considered financial advice. Consider your personal circumstances before making financial decisions.
Related MoneyHackHQ guides
Useful next reads from the same cluster.
Destination examples
See how the card stack works on real trips with Backpacking Is Life’s Japan travel card guide, Bali travel card guide and Southeast Asia transport guide.
Leave a Reply