Cash is still useful, but carrying all your holiday money in notes can feel risky. A Travel Money Card gives you another option: a prepaid card that you can load before you travel, use abroad, and manage through an app.
At Collins Hardware in Pangbourne, our Post Office counter can help with a range of travel money services, including Post Office Travel Money Cards where available.
What is a Travel Money Card?
A Travel Money Card is a prepaid card designed for spending abroad. Instead of linking directly to your bank account, you load money onto the card before you travel.
The Post Office Travel Money Card can hold up to 22 currencies and can be used anywhere you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark, including shops, restaurants and bars in many countries. The Post Office page also highlights that the card can be used for contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay where supported.
This makes it a useful choice if you want to keep your travel spending separate from your everyday bank account.
Why use a Travel Money Card?
One of the main benefits is control. You can load a set amount before you go, then use the card while you are away. That can make budgeting easier, especially if you are travelling as a family or want to avoid dipping into your main current account.
It can also be more reassuring than carrying large amounts of cash. If the card is lost or stolen, you are not losing a wallet full of notes, and the Post Office Travel Money Card support service is available if you need help.
The Post Office also promotes the card as a way to spend abroad with no extra charges when spending in a supported local currency, as long as you have already loaded that currency onto the card.
How does it work?
The process is fairly simple.
You order or pick up your card, then load money onto it in one of the supported currencies. Once the card arrives, you activate it by following the instructions provided with it. After that, it is ready to use.
You can top up the card online or through the Post Office travel app, which can also be used to check your balance, view recent transactions, move money between currencies, freeze the card if needed, and view your PIN.
Which currencies can you use?
The Post Office Travel Money Card can be loaded with up to 22 currencies at one time. The currencies shown on the Post Office page include:
Euro, US dollar, Australian dollar, UAE dirham, Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, Chinese yuan, Czech koruna, Danish krone, pound sterling, Hong Kong dollar, Hungarian forint, Japanese yen, Norwegian krone, New Zealand dollar, Polish zloty, Saudi riyal, Swedish krona, Singapore dollar, Thai baht, Turkish lira and South African rand.
That covers many of the most common holiday and business travel destinations.
Can you use it with cash?
Yes, you may be able to order travel cash and a Travel Money Card together. This can be handy if you want a mix of payment options: some cash for taxis, tips or smaller purchases, and a card for everyday spending.
The Post Office page notes that cash and card orders are delivered separately, and that combined cash and card rates may be available online.
For many travellers, a mix is sensible. A card gives flexibility and security, while a small amount of cash can be useful when cards are not accepted.
Are there fees to know about?
As with any travel money product, it is important to check the fees before you use it.
The Post Office page highlights that there may be charges in some situations, including loading pounds sterling rather than a foreign currency, withdrawing cash from ATMs, spending in a country where the local currency is not supported by the card, or leaving a balance on an expired card.
So, before travelling, it is worth checking:
- What currency you need.
- Whether that currency is supported.
- How much you plan to load.
- Whether you are likely to withdraw cash.
- What happens if you have money left on the card after your trip.
What should you bring if you visit a branch?
If you want to pick up a Travel Money Card in branch, the Post Office page says you should bring a valid passport or UK driving licence as proof of identity. It also notes that cards may be available sooner in branch if you need one quickly.
It is always worth checking availability before making a special journey, especially during busy travel periods.
Who is a Travel Money Card useful for?
A Travel Money Card can be useful if you are:
- Going on holiday abroad.
- Travelling with children or family.
- Trying to stick to a set holiday budget.
- Visiting more than one country.
- Looking for a card that is separate from your bank account.
- Taking a longer trip, gap year or career break.
- Planning a mix of card spending and travel cash.
It is not the only way to spend abroad, but it can be a practical middle-ground between carrying cash and relying entirely on your main debit or credit card.
Visit our Post Office counter in Pangbourne
If you are planning a trip, pop into Collins Hardware in Pangbourne and visit our Post Office counter. We can help you with local Post Office travel money services where available, including Travel Money Cards, foreign currency and other travel essentials.
Before you travel, always check the latest Post Office terms, fees, rates and service availability, as these can change.