Wise card vs Westpac: Comparison on features and fees
Wise is a digital provider which offers international accounts and cards to customers in Australia. Westpac is a well known regional bank which has a very broad range of services including accounts, cards, credit, loans and investments.
If you’re thinking of getting a dedicated debit card for travel you might be interested in either the Wise card or the Westpac Travel Card. Both offer multi-currency holding and convenient ways to pay and withdraw when you’re overseas. Let’s explore the features and fees of the Wise card vs Westpac Travel Card so you can decide which is best for you.
Key points:
- Wise cards support 40+ currencies and are available for customers in many countries globally
- The Westpac Travel Card is for existing Westpac customers registered for digital banking, and supports 11 currencies
- Both the Westpac Travel Card vs Wise allow you to spend with no fee if you hold enough balance in the required currency in your account
- Cards can be used for in person and online spending, and cash withdrawals – fees may apply for currency conversion and some ATM use in both cases
- Aside from a linked card, the Wise account also has ways to send money to 140+ countries and receive 8+ foreign currencies with local account information
Wise card vs Westpac card: Side by side
This guide looks in detail at Wise vs Westpac Travel Card – but to give you a flavour let’s start with a head to head comparison on key features and fees:
| Feature | Wise card | Westpac Travel Card |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Available for residents of Australia and many other countries globally | Accounts for Australian residents who have a Westpac AUD account already, and are registered for online banking |
| Linked account currency | 40+ supported currencies for holding, including AUD | 11 supported currencies for holding, including AUD |
| Monthly fee | No fee | No fee for the Worldwide Wallet – there’s a 5 AUD monthly fee for the Choice account which you must open before getting your travel card |
| Card order fee | 10 AUD | No card order fee |
| ATM fee | Up to 2 withdrawals monthly to 350 AUD with no Wise fee, then 1.5 AUD + 1.75% | No fee for Westpac or Westpac partner ATMs
Variable fee for ATM usa outside of Westpac/partner network |
| Foreign transaction fee | Variable conversion fees from 0.63% | 2% when spending a currency you don’t hold in your account |
| Exchange rate | Mid-market rate | Mastercard rate for card conversion, Westpac rate when you convert in your account |
| Virtual card | Available for no additional fee | Worldwide Wallet is compatible with Google Pay (Apple Pay not supported) |
| Lock and unlock card | Available in app | Available in app |
| Other features and benefits | Send payments to 140+ countries
Receive incoming foreign currency payments in 8+ currencies |
Priceless Cities – curated experiences for card holders
Flight delay pass for lounge access if your travel is disrupted |
*Details correct at time of research – 6th February 2026
**Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks
Wise supports more currencies and uses the mid-market rate for currency conversion. Westpac cards can be used to hold 11 currencies, and offer perks like Mastercard experiences and lounge access if your flight is delayed. Ultimately which is best for you will depend on the features which matter to you and where you travel often.
Pros and cons
| Wise card | Westpac card | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | ✅40+ supported currencies for travel spending
✅Mid-market exchange rates apply when you convert currencies ✅Some ATM withdrawals with no Wise fees every month ✅Autoconvert features allow the card to detect the currency needed for spending every time ✅Use your account to send and receive international payments with low costs and great rates |
✅11 supported currencies for travel spending
✅No fee to get your card and no Worldwide Wallet account keeping fee (underlying Westpac account may have fees) ✅No fee to use ATMs in Westpac’s global network ✅Cards offer emergency cash features if you need help when abroad ✅Travel perks like lounge access if you’re delayed |
| Cons | ❌10 AUD card order fee applies
❌Cards may take 7 – 14 working days to arrive by mail ❌Conversion fees from 0.63% apply when you exchange or spend in a foreign currency |
❌2% fee if you spend an unsupported currency
❌ATM fees apply for out of network withdrawals ❌Exchange rates may include a markup – compare the rates available in the Westpac app |
Wise card vs Westpac card: The Verdict
Both the Wise card and the Westpac Travel Money Card can be a strong choice for travel spending. The main difference between the cards is the scope of use and the way currency exchange and fees are applied.
With the Westpac Travel Card your card is linked to a Worldwide Wallet account. There’s no fee for this account – but it’s mandatory to have a Westpac Choice AUD account, which has 5 AUD monthly fees to pay. Your card will support 11 currencies for holding, and currency exchange uses either the Westpac rate or the Mastercard rate, with a 2% fee to spend an unsupported currency. This card stands out for having no order fee, no ATM fees in the Westpac global network, and travel perks like emergency cash solutions and lounge access if your flight is delayed.
The Wise card may be a good pick if you want a broad travel and international spending account with no need to also open a Westpac transaction account. Your Wise card can be used in 150+ countries with mid-market rates and ways to hold and exchange 40+ currencies. This makes it suitable for trips to many destinations. Plus your account also allows you to receive foreign currency payments and send money – quickly or even instantly – to 140+ countries. This can mean that Wise is a great fit if you need to transact in foreign currencies often and want to keep fees low while accessing the mid-market rate with no markup.
How do they work?
To get a Wise card you’ll need to register an account online or in the Wise app, and then pay the one time 10 AUD fee to order your card. Your physical card is delivered by mail, and you can access a virtual card instantly in the app. Top up your account from your bank, or using a card, in 20+ supported currencies, and convert to and from the currencies you need with the mid-market rate, in a few taps of the app.
To get a Westpac Travel Money Card you’ll need to have a Westpac Choice AUD account and be registered for online banking. You can then order your card in the Westpac digital baking app, and top up your balance from your linked Westpac account in AUD. Once you have a balance you can convert it to the currency you need using the Westpac exchange rate in app.
What type of cards are they?
The Westpac Travel Money Card is a debit card issued on the Mastercard network. The Wise card is an international debit card which may be issued on either the Visa or Mastercard network – both have great coverage.
Are Westpac and Wise cards available in Australia?
Yes. Both Westpac and Wise cards are available in Australia.
You can register for Wise online or in the Wise app. You’ll need an underlying Westpac account to order your Westpac Travel Money Card, which can be sorted out online or in app.
Wise vs Westpac card: Fees
There are some key differences in how Wise vs Westpac card fees work. Here’s a comparison so you can get a flavour for your options:
| Feature | Wise card | Westpac Travel Card |
|---|---|---|
| Card order fee | 10 AUD | No card order fee |
| Monthly fee | No fee | No fee for the Worldwide Wallet – there’s a 5 AUD monthly fee for the Choice account which you must open before getting your travel card |
| POS spending fee | No fee to spend a currency you hold | No fee to spend a currency you hold |
| ATM fee | Up to 2 withdrawals monthly to 350 AUD with no Wise fee, then 1.5 AUD + 1.75% | No fee for Westpac or Westpac partner ATMs
Variable fee for ATM usa outside of Westpac/partner network: 1 AUD, 2 USD, 1.5 GBP, 2 EUR, 3 NZD for example |
| Foreign transaction fee | Variable conversion fees from 0.63% | 2% when spending a currency you don’t hold in your account |
| Exchange rate | Mid-market rate | Mastercard rate for card conversion, Westpac rate when you convert in your account |
| Card replacement fee | No fee to replace an expiring card
6 AUD to replace at any other time |
Accounts come with 2 cards automatically so you have a backup replacement |
*Details correct at time of research – 6th February 2026
**Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks
Which card is cheaper?
Which card ends up cheaper for you might depend to some extent on the way you transact. However, as you need a Choice account to apply for the Westpac Travel Card, it’s good to know that you’ll usually pay an ongoing monthly fee for this account even though there’s no direct keeping fee for the Worldwide Wallet. If you’ll only use the travel card infrequently, this fixed cost may be a downside. Wise has no ongoing fees to pay for either your account or card.
When it comes to transactions, both cards allow you to spend a currency you hold with no additional fee. Wise has the mid-market rate which is usually considered a good benchmark for a fair rate, while Westpac rates are available online and in app – compare the rate options available to check which is best for your conversion.
If you don’t have the currency you need in your account, Wise conversion fees start from 0.63%, while Westpac charges 2% if you spend in an unsupported currency. Westpac has no ATM fees if you can use a Westpac or Westpac partner terminal, while Wise charges no fees on some withdrawals, with costs starting after 2 transactions or 350 AUD in withdrawal value.
Compare all the possible costs based on the way you intend to spend and withdraw, so you can decide which is cheaper for you from Wise vs Westpac.
Are Wise and Westpac cards safe to use?
Wise and Westpac cards should be safe to use with normal precautions. Both offer ways to lock your card in the app, and monitor transactions to check for suspicious activities. However you’ll still need to take sensible steps like keeping your PIN secret and checking your account regularly for transactions you don’t recognise.
Ease of use
- Creating an account: Create a Wise account online or in app; apply for a Westpac Travel Wallet in the Westpac online banking service – you must have a Choice account and register for digital banking first
- Ordering a card: Complete the card order step digitally with both Wise and Westpac
- Where can be used: Use your card wherever the network is accepted, with the exception of a few countries where practical or legal reasons mean services can’t be offered
- Replacement: You can order a replacement Wise card in app for a 6 AUD fee, with no charge if your card is expiring. Westpac issues 2 cards on sign up so you should have a backup if your card is lost
- Visa or Mastercard: The Westpac Travel Money Card is on the Mastercard network. The Wise card may be issued on either the Visa or Mastercard network – both have great coverage.
- Limits: You can spend 15,000 AUD daily with Westpac, while Wise has daily and monthly limits you can adjust in the Wise app
Can I use the Westpac and Wise cards abroad?
Yes. Both the Westpac and Wise cards are optimised for travel use. You can use your card wherever you see the network sign displayed (Visa or Mastercard). There are a small number of locations where international debit cards may not be available, usually due to global sanctions. These countries change from time to time, so check with the provider if you have any concerns about the availability of service in your destination.
Supported currencies on Wise and Westpac cards
The Wise card can hold and exchange 40+ currencies, making it a great all round option for international spending. If you don’t have the currency you need in your account your card can convert for you from the balance which has the lowest available fee, from 0.63%.
The Westpac Travel Money Card supports 10+ currencies, including , Australian Dollar (AUD), United States Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR) and British Pound (GBP). If you use your Westpac card to spend in a different currency you will pay a 2% fee.
Conclusion
Wise and Westpac both offer tailor made solutions for people who travel often and want to manage their foreign currency spending effectively.
Westpac’s Travel Money Card is linked to a Worldwide wallet, and you must have a Choice Account to apply. Your Worldwide Wallet holds 11 currencies, and your travel card can be used for convenient spending and withdrawals.
Wise accounts support 40+ currencies and have no ongoing fees. When you convert currencies you get the mid-market rate with low fees, and as well as spending on and off line you can also use your account for sending and receiving international payments, making this a flexible solution for anyone living an international lifestyle.
FAQ – Westpac vs Wise cards
What is the difference between Westpac and Wise cards?
The Westpac’s Travel Money Card and the Wise card are both intended for travel use. Westpac supports 11 currencies while Wise supports 40+. To apply for a Westpac travel card you must already have a Westpac AUD account, while Wise is available for new applications from Australian residents and people in many other countries too.
Is Wise a Visa debit card?
The Wise card is an international debit card which may be issued on either the Visa or Mastercard network – both have great coverage.
What type of card is a Westpac card?
The Westpac Travel Money Card is a debit card issued on the Mastercard network.
Useful sources (Checked 6th February 2026)
Wise – Wise Australia landing page with links
Westpac – Westpac landing page for general services
Wise account – more details on the Wise account
Wise card – details and linked about ordering and using the Wise card
Wise card fees – full details of Wise card fees
Westpac travel money card – multi-currency card for travel use
Westpac worldwide wallet – full details on the worldwide wallet which offers a travel card
Westpac debit Mastercard – landing page with links
Westpac card fees – full schedule of fees, terms and conditions
