Helping your clients get more from their travel money is one of the easiest – and most appreciated – ways to add value.
By steering them away from unnecessary overseas bank fees, you free up funds for the moments that really matter – and show that you’re thinking beyond just flights and accommodation.
If your clients are spending $10,000 or more on their dream holiday – and many do – a 3% foreign transaction fee could quietly eat up $300 of that. That’s money that could go toward a private guide, a fine-dining experience or an extra few nights somewhere unforgettable. And yet, it’s one of the most overlooked travel costs.
As someone who’s spent years planning and escorting trips around the globe, I’ve seen it time and again: travellers who are savvy with flights and hotels, but end up paying hundreds in unnecessary banking fees – often without even realising it. They land in Rome or Bangkok, withdraw some cash, and start getting hit with $8 here, $15 there. Add in poor exchange rates, overseas card charges and hidden conversion fees, and that affordable trip can quickly become a little less so.
The good news? It’s one of the easiest mistakes to help your clients avoid.
Tip 1: Suggest they skip their everyday bank card
Most standard Australian bank cards still charge around 3% on international purchases. Add ATM fees and currency mark-ups, and travellers can end up losing money every time they spend or withdraw overseas.
Instead, encourage your customers to explore more travel-friendly alternatives – particularly debit cards designed for international use. The best options:
• Use mid-market exchange rates (not inflated tourist ones)
• Don’t charge foreign transaction or withdrawal fees
• Allow travellers to hold and convert multiple currencies
• Are separate from your client’s primary credit card for security
One option we often recommend is Wise (formerly TransferWise). It’s a multi-currency debit card that costs $10 to set up and allows travellers to hold over 40 currencies, spend like a local and move money at transparent, mid-market exchange rates. The first AU$350 in ATM withdrawals each month is free, with low fees after that. Best of all, it’s a debit card – so clients are spending their own money, not racking up charges on a credit card.
Cards like this can be managed entirely through an app, with features such as instant card freezing – offering travellers extra peace of mind if their card is ever lost or compromised on the road.
Tip 2: Recommend a backup card
Smart travel means being prepared. I encourage customers to travel with at least two cards from different providers – one as a backup in case of technical issues, loss or fraud.
A solid second option is the Citibank Plus Everyday Account, still available in Australia through NAB. It’s one of the few cards that consistently waives both international transaction and ATM fees and has proven reliable across destinations from Morocco to Argentina. (Some ATMs may charge a local fee, but that’s from the operator – not the bank.)
Tip 3: Warn against prepaid travel cards
Many clients assume prepaid travel cards from the big banks are the safest option – but they often come with reload fees, currency markups, inactivity charges and clunky customer support. Unless clients are set on locking in rates in advance, these cards often deliver less value and more hassle.
If they’re comparing options, it’s a good idea to look beyond the default bank offerings. Suggest they search for:
• “Multi-currency debit card”
• “Travel debit card with no foreign transaction fees”
• “Best cards for overseas travel Australia”
Comparison platforms like Finder or Canstar are great tools for seeing the latest options and rates – and you can even include this as part of your client prep checklist. As always, terms can shift, so they should double-checking the details before they travel.
A simple way to add value
Helping customers prepare for the financial side of travel is often overlooked, but it can make a real difference. A quick conversation about bank fees and spending tools can save them hundreds and help their money go further once they’re away.
After all, carrying the right card (or two) doesn’t change how your clients travel – it just makes their money go further and frees up funds for the moments they’ll remember.
David Smyth is founder and director at Forward Travel Group.
