When searching for the best prepaid card for international travel, prioritize convenience and security. These cards let you withdraw cash and pay in stores using local currency at competitive exchange rates. This can help to remove some of the main areas of concern when traveling abroad, such as high foreign transaction fees and a possible lack of security.
By choosing a prepaid debit card, you avoid the problem of carrying cash. You also don’t need to use a credit card or a debit card linked to your bank account. Instead, you simply load the prepaid Mastercard or prepaid Visa card with the amount you need to have available on your trip.
The importance of selecting the right card
Not every prepaid card is going to give you the same benefits. This type of card has different factors to take into account, such as the foreign currency exchange rate and any monthly fees. Each of these areas varies from one card to the next.
By choosing a card that meets your needs in both of these elements, you can spend money in multiple currencies with low fees. It gives you the freedom to withdraw cash frequently while traveling without going over your budget.
Key features to look for in a travel prepaid card
The best prepaid cards have certain characteristics. For instance, a card on the Visa payment network or the Mastercard network is going to be widely accepted in many countries. Multi-currency support means you can use it anywhere to spend in US dollars, euros, Canadian dollars, or other currencies.
Low fees for converting currencies
With low currency conversion fees, you won’t need to worry about changing from your home currency to the local equivalent whenever you need to. A clever system called dynamic currency conversion ensures that you can see the cost of any card transaction in your home currency when purchasing. It makes it easier to understand what things cost and stick to your budget.
Avoiding large monthly fees or interest fees is another crucial point. The lower the card fees, the more affordable each foreign transaction will be for you. By using a multi-currency card with low fees, you can budget with confidence, even for longer trips across several destinations.
You should also look out for other possible fees. Inactivity fees and ATM fees can soon eat into your savings. While getting a card with zero foreign transaction fees isn’t always possible, you should look for a fixed fee for a minimum amount to keep costs low.
The importance of mobile app support
Managing your funds abroad needs to be easy, too. Since exchange rate fluctuations can affect the amount you spend, you’ll want to check the balance regularly after you withdraw money or spend it in a store.
By using a reliable mobile app, you can check the exact amount of your ATM withdrawals and your balance. It also lets you make sure that there has been no suspicious activity that you need to be aware of. Every payment needs to be listed swiftly and be easy to find so that you can see exactly what you’ve spent.
Genome’s Visa debit cards: A top choice
You don’t necessarily need a prepaid card to have a fun and safe time with your funds while traveling. Genomes physical and virtual debit Visa cards provide a suitable choice for international travelers. You can make payments and ATM withdrawals worldwide with no hidden fees. When you exchange currency, you can take advantage of favorable exchange rates that help you save money.
Genome offers two types of cards, physical and virtual, which can be issued for both personal and business wallet users.
Physical cards can be used for all types of payments and work at any place where Visa is accepted. You can also order your card without any information printed on it. It will ensure that no other person can use it if it’s lost or stolen.
As for virtual cards, they will be available to use within seconds after you issue them! Such debit cards are perfect for online payments but can also easily be used for contactless payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Garmin Pay.
All our cards can be linked to Genome’s multi-currency accounts in EUR, USD, GBP, PLN, CHF, CZK, HUF, or SEK, ensuring favorable fees when you pay abroad.
Full range of banking services
Our full range of banking services allows you to move funds to Genome’s accounts conveniently and then access them at any time. Carrying out a foreign transaction no longer needs to be awkward or costly.
With the Genome debit Visa card, you also get access to our additional benefits. A seamless currency exchange process lets you transfer money to cover your spending with no fuss. We also offer multi-currency accounts that give you the chance to keep your funds in the currency that best suits you. Moreover, all our clients access SEPA Instant Transfers, allowing them to make euro payments within seconds!
Our dedicated customer support is on hand to help you whenever you need us. The on-site help center has a huge amount of useful information, and you can contact us whenever you have a question you need answered.
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Comparing leading prepaid cards for international travel
There are several card provider options you might come across. They each offer a prepaid debit card that you can use to withdraw foreign currency. They vary in areas such as exchange rates and monthly fees. Here’s what you need to know to choose the best prepaid debit card:
The universality of a card. Choose a card on a major network (Visa or Mastercard) for wide international acceptance.
Multi-currency support. Look for multi-currency support to spend in different currencies without constant conversions.
Currency conversion. Prioritize cards with low currency conversion and foreign transaction fees.
The fees. Check for low or no monthly, inactivity, ATM, and load fees to keep costs down.
Benefits for travelers. Some cards come with discounts for people who travel a lot, so if you need a card for this purpose, look into and compare those benefits.
How Genome’s Visa card stands out
All the things you need to look for in a prepaid card for travel are already there – with Genome’s debit Visa cards.
Genome virtual and physical cards make it easy for you to make online, in-store, and contactless purchases. With no overdraft or interest fees, it’s easy to keep track of the amount. You can also set spending limits to avoid overspending. All the fees for Genome’s services are transparent and can be found on our website.
The fact that it can be managed from Genome’s mobile app makes it easiest to manage. Oversee your finances safely in one place!
Open an account
in Genome online
Pros and cons of using prepaid cards while traveling
What are the key points to bear in mind that help you work out whether a prepaid debit card suits you? The following are some of the pros and cons to consider before you go any further.
Advantages of using prepaid cards
Everyone has different priorities when looking at how to spend in other countries. However, for most people, the following are the main advantages.
Budget management and spending control. You can use a prepaid debit card to stay in control while making ATM withdrawals abroad. Simply load it with the amount you want to have access to.
Avoid the risk of carrying cash. Carrying a lot of local currency can be a hassle. It can also mean a security risk, no matter where you travel to.
Get reliable exchange rates. Whether you spend in stores or make ATM withdrawals, you’ll always get trustworthy exchange rates.
The potential drawbacks
Don’t forget to consider any potential drawbacks. Here are some of the areas you need to think about.
ATM withdrawals may involve card fees. ATM fees can add up if you withdraw cash regularly or for large amounts.
You might not be able to use even the best-prepaid debit cards everywhere you go. Some countries have limited ATM or PoS infrastructure, so cash is needed more often.
Without fixed exchange rates, you can’t budget completely for your foreign transaction costs. The rate may change while you’re away from home.
Tips for maximizing the benefits of a prepaid travel card
Once you decide to use a prepaid card rather than carrying cash or taking money out of your bank account with your standard debit card, how can you make the most of it? The first step is to check for reload fees, ATM withdrawal fees, or any other charges that might apply.
You can then set a budget that suits you for your travel. It means you can load the right amount of funds and travel more comfortably. It’s then a case of using it when it suits you and monitoring the balance regularly.
Take good care of your card while you’re traveling, as it’s crucial to your financial well-being while abroad. Always store it in a safe place and use the same security measures that you would at home.
If you need to load more funds, you can move cash from your local currency online. When you travel to a new country, it’s a good idea to check whether there’s any change to the foreign exchange fees.
Always check if the bank where you withdraw has its own fees, such as ATM withdrawal fees, before you take out cash. This will generally be shown on the screen before you confirm the transaction.
Protecting the card and information while abroad
Ensure you keep a close eye on your card while abroad. Using a virtual card is a good idea for making sure that you don’t have a physical card that can be lost or stolen. You could also consider using your prepaid card with Apple Pay or Google Wallet to add an extra layer of security.
It also makes sense to only load the card with the amount you need. This is easier to do when you know that you can make another bank transfer at any time if you need more for any reason.
Travel and spend more securely
Using a prepaid card when traveling is a convenient approach that can help you save on foreign transaction fees when you need local currency while traveling. Rather than paying directly from a bank account and risking overdraft fees or unexpected charges, you can minimize your ATM fees and get a figure close to the interbank exchange rates.
You should carefully select a prepaid card to pair with your checking account, which will provide a smooth overall banking process. Check for issues like reload fees and whether there’s a minimum balance required each month. It will ensure that you optimize your savings and convenience.
Consider Genome’s Visa debit card
Genome’s Visa debit card is an excellent choice for your travel spending needs if you want to avoid excessive foreign transaction fees and always stay in control. Issue multiple cards – be they virtual or physical cards – and link them to your main accounts in 8 different currencies. Don’t run the risk of cash problems ruining your trips. Switching to a Visa card from Genome is easy to do and makes traveling easier.
