Topic: Travel cards

Duane was going overseas for a holiday and had organised a travel card to manage his money. When Duane loaded his money onto his card he discovered that the exchange rates used to convert his NZD were different (and less favourable) than the exchange rates advertised on the travel card’s website. The travel card company said that the exchange rates advertised on the website were not the applicable exchange rates for the method Duane used to load money onto the travel card.

Money loaded onto travel card automatically loads in the pre-selected default currency. To transfer to another currency option attracts high exchange rates, causing losses.

Holiday in South American ruined because a travel card expired.

Julian loaded money onto a travel card. Later he checked his account online and noticed money had been withdrawn from his account at an ATM in the US. However, Julian was in New Zealand at the time of the withdrawals. Julian complained that he had been a victim of fraud.

Macy is going to Europe. She buys a Global Cash Card from Go Travel which can be used to make purchases in multiple currencies. The first time she uses it, she enters the incorrect PIN and the card is locked for the remainder of her trip, despite her calls and emails to Go Travel.

Terry loaded GBP and Euros onto a prepaid card in NZ before travelling to the UK. When trying to withdraw currency in the UK, he was warned he would incur currency conversion and transaction fees. FSCL found Terry had already been reasonably compensated by the travel card company but noted concerns about the information at the travel card’s point of sale .

While travelling overseas a thief stole a travel card withdrawing almost all the funds within 45 minutes. The travel card provider was not liable for the loss because it was most likely the card and PIN were in the wallet when it was stolen, in breach of the terms and conditions.

What happens when you cannot use your travel card to make payments overseas?

If you take a holiday on the side of an overseas work trip, is your overseas travel “work-related”?

Funds stolen from travel card account after PIN overseen and card stolen while enjoying an evening of wining and dining overseas