Best Travel Money Cards for Fiji: A Comprehensive Guide for Australians
Planning a trip to Fiji? Let's make sure you're fully prepared with the best travel money card. Fiji, with its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture, is a top destination for Australian tourists. Whether you're wandering through Nadi's bustling markets, snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon, or enjoying a luxurious stay on the Coral Coast, a reliable travel money card will ensure you manage your finances with ease.
In Fiji, you are likely to pay for accommodation, food, and entertainment and withdraw cash from ATMs with your card. So which is the best option for you?
We have compared the best travel money cards to take overseas in 2024 and have summarised their best points.
Best Travel Money Cards for Fiji in 2024:
- Wise Travel Card for the best exchange rates
- Revolut Travel Card for low fee debit card
- Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card best travel credit card for use in Australia too
- ING One Low Rate Credit Card with no annual fee
- Macquarie Transaction Debit Card for ATM withdrawals
Wise Travel Card - Best Exchange Rates
- 40+ currencies available
- Best exchange rates globally
- One of the lowest conversion fee on the market
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees
- Extremely low costs to send money overseas
Wise Travel Card
- Cross currency conversion fees are between 0.24–3.69%. AUD to USD, EUR or GBP was 0.42%, which is one of the lowest on the market
- Free cash withdrawals up to $350 every 30 days. However after that, Wise Card charge a fixed fee of $1.50 per transaction + 1.75%
- Daily ATM withdrawal is $2,700
- Issue up to 3 virtual cards for temporary usage
- It takes between 7 to 14 business days to receive your card
- Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted
For Australians traveling to Fiji, the Wise Travel Card is an excellent financial tool, offering specific benefits that cater to their travel needs. The card offers over 40 currencies at the intermarket exchange rate, which is the cheapest rate globally. In addition you can buy goods online from overseas with no transaction fee plus get the best exchange rate. However if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees. Finally Wise Travel Card lets you transfer money to an overseas bank account with extremely low fees and the best exchange rate.
Revolut Travel Card
- 30+ currencies available
- One of the best exchange rates globally
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees for standard membership
- No initial card fee
- Instant access to a range of cryptocurrencies
Revolut Travel Card
- No fee ATM withdrawals up to A$350, or 5 ATM withdrawals, whichever comes first, per rolling 30 day period and 2% of withdrawal amount (minimum charge of A$1.50) after that
- Exchanging currency on the weekend can incur a 1% mark-up fee
- Fees on international money transfers were introduced in April 2021.
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
The Revolut Travel Card is a decent option for those who travel a lot as it offers over 30 currencies at a great exchange rate, which is the cheapest rate globally. However if you exchange currency on the weekend you can incur a one-percent mark-up fee. In addition they have introduced fees for international transfers. Finally if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees.
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card - Lowest Interest Rate
Best Features
- Lowest interest rate at 9.90%
- No international transaction fees on purchases
- Up to 55 days interest free on purchases
- Low annual fee
- Complimentary international travel insurance
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card
- Free annual fee first year, then $69 annual fee
- Free international travel insurance that includes the basics but does not cover cancellation costs, pre existing conditions and travellers over 80
- $6,000 minimum credit card
- 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then reverts to 9.90%
- 21.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances
- Cash advance fee of the higher of $4 or 2% of cash advance
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
When traveling to Fiji the Bankwest Breeze Platinum credit card offers the lowest interest rate at 9.90%, with ‘no foreign transaction fees’. These two factors alone will save you hundreds of dollars when travelling through Fiji.
In addition it has a low annual fee, 55 days interest free and complimentary international travel insurance. Finally for its price point it is a great value credit card that will be accepted most places in Fiji.
ING One Low Rate Credit Card - No Annual Fee
Best Features
- No annual fee
- No international transaction fees on purchases
- Up to 45 days interest free on purchases
- Lowest cash advance interest rate of 11.99%
- Use instalment plans to pay off your purchases over time at a lower interest rate
ING One Low Rate Credit Card
- 11.99% interest rate on purchases
- $6,000 minimum credit card
- Make payments from your mobile with pay with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- International ATM fee and Foreign currency conversion fee are waived when you deposit $1,000 into your Orange Everyday each month, and make 5+ card purchases that are settled. Otherwise they are the higher of 3% or at least $3
- Put repayments on auto payment each month to pay the minimum balance or full amount
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
The ING One Low Rate credit card is a great option to take to Fiji for your next overseas trip as it has one of the lowest interest rates with no international transaction fee on purchases. These two features alone will save you lots of money abroad.
In addition, it has no annual fee, offers 45 days interest free on purchases and it offers the one of the lowest interest rates for cash advances.
Finally, it's super versatile. You can make payments from your mobile with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Macquarie Transaction Debit Card - ATM Withdrawals
Best Features
- No ATM fees overseas or ATM fees in Australia
- No monthly fees or initial card fees
- No foreign transaction fee
- Contactless limit with no PIN up to $200 per transaction
- Joint accounts available
Macquarie Transaction Account Debit Card
- Simple and easy to work out costs for account
- Can be used in Australia as an EFTPOS card
- Instant transfers can be made using PayID and OSKO
- Works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit and Garmin
- Available to 14 year olds and older
- Easily lock and unlock your card in the app if your card is lost or stolen
- Multi award winning account including Mozo Best Everyday Savings for 2021
- $2,000 daily limit for ATM withdrawals
- Exchange rates are MasterCard exchange rates, which are normally 2% - 6%+ the market rate
- Get discounts of up to 10% on eGift cards to use at over 50 leading retailers
- Added security with a mobile app that sends actionable push notifications for you to approve or deny online transactions and account activity
- Tools for spending each time you make a transaction, it’s automatically categorised into groups such as groceries, travel, leisure or technology. In addition you can see how you're spending at a glance and over time.
- Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted
The Macquarie Bank Transaction account debit card stands out from other debit cards because it has no foreign transaction fees, no ATM fees in Australia or overseas, charged by Macquarie Bank.
In Fiji you will be charged between $5 - $7 per withdrawal, by the issuing bank, so our advice is to obtain the maximum which is normally FJ$1,000 per 24 hours. People carrying ANZ or Westpac debit cards might not pay the ATM fee but will pay more because they pay an international transaction fee of $20 per FJ$1,000.
Finally it has tools to help you track your spending and is easy to lock or unlock your card through the app if lost or stolen.
Why Choose a Travel Money Card for Fiji?
- Convenience: No more carrying large amounts of cash or dealing with fluctuating exchange rates. A travel money card simplifies your transactions.
- Security: Travel money cards are safer than cash. If lost or stolen, they can be quickly replaced, often with emergency cash support.
- Cost-Effective: Many travel money cards offer competitive exchange rates and low fees, helping you save money on every transaction.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Travel Money Card
- Exchange Rates Look for a card that offers competitive exchange rates. Some cards allow you to lock in rates before you travel, which can protect you from fluctuations in the currency market. Compare rates across different providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
- Fees Consider the fees associated with each card. These can include purchase fees, reload fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and inactivity fees. Some cards offer free ATM withdrawals up to a certain limit, which can be beneficial if you plan to withdraw cash frequently during your trip.
- Global Acceptance Ensure the card you choose is widely accepted in Fiji. Cards backed by major networks like Visa or Mastercard are typically accepted at most locations. Check if the card offers support for the local currency (Fijian Dollar) and if there are any restrictions on usage.
- Emergency Support Choose a card that offers robust customer support and emergency assistance. This can include emergency cash support, card replacement services, and 24/7 customer support. Having access to these services can provide peace of mind while traveling.
- Ease of Use Look for a card that offers an easy-to-use online platform or mobile app. This can make it convenient to reload your card, check your balance, and manage your account while on the go.
Tips for Using Travel Money Cards in Fiji
- Activate Your Card Before You Travel Make sure to activate your travel money card and load it with sufficient funds before you leave Australia. This will ensure you can start using it as soon as you arrive in Fiji.
- Keep Track of Your Spending Regularly check your balance and transaction history using the card’s online platform or mobile app. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid running out of funds unexpectedly.
- Be Aware of ATM Fees While some travel money cards offer free ATM withdrawals up to a certain limit, others may charge fees. Check the terms and conditions of your card to understand any applicable fees and plan your withdrawals accordingly.
- Keep a Backup Payment Method In emergencies. It’s always a good idea to have a backup payment method, such as a credit or debit card. This can provide additional security and flexibility during your trip.
- Notify Your Card Provider of Your Travel Plans. Inform your card provider of your travel dates and destination. This can help prevent your card from being flagged for suspicious activity and ensure it remains active throughout your trip.
Editorial note: We may not cover every product in this category. For more information, see our Editorial guidelines.
Learn more about the best credit, debit and prepaid cards for travel
FAQs
The best travel card for Fiji does not charge for international transactions, does not charge for cash withdrawals at ATMs and you are able to use it within Australia as well. We suggest taking at least one credit card, like the BankWest Platinum Breeze or the ING One Low Rate and one debit card like the Macquarie Transaction debit card to reduce the cost of ATM withdrawals around Fiji.
Yes you should definitely take cash to Fiji as no travel cards offer Fijian dollars including Wise Travel Money Card, Travelex, Travel Money Oz, Australia Post, CBA, Westpac, Citibank or HSBC. It is one of the best ways to take money to Fiji. This means that getting cash without paying large fees is hard in Fiji. Buying Fiji dollars before you leave will save you the international transaction fee of 3%, an ATM withdrawal fee of $7 and cash advance interest if you use a credit card.
How much you spend in Fiji depends your budget. On average, for a week in Fiji on a budget we recommend $600, mid range we recommend $1500 and luxury we recommend from $3000 per week. That is $85 per day for budget, $215 for midrange and from $425 for luxury.
Assuming you pay for your accommodation with a card, for budget travel to Fiji we recommend you bring $300 in cash per week per person. For midrange and luxury travel to Fiji we recommend you bring $500 in cash per week per person. The reason midrange and luxury are the same is that in luxury travel most of your food, drinks and entertainment is charged to your room, which can be paid with a card.
Sadly you can not use prepaid travel cards in Fiji. You can not use a prepaid travel money card from Australia, as none of them are loaded with Fijian dollars. This includes Wise, Travelex, Travel Money Oz, Australia Post, CBA, Westpac, Citibank and HSBC.
The currency best to use in Fiji is the Fijian dollar. Historically it sits around 1.5 Fijian dollars to 1 Australian dollar so $FJ150 will cost you $AU100. There are 5 different Fijian banknotes each with a different colour, they are $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. In addition there are 6 different coins, they are 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2.
No you can not use AUD in Fiji. The currency in Fiji is the Fijian dollar and is available to buy before you leave (cheapest), at the airport (very expensive) or in Fiji (expensive). Alternatively Fijian money changers will happily change Australian dollars for Fijian dollars for a fee.
Mastercard, Visa and American Express are all accepted as credit cards in Fiji. To avoid the 3-10% international transaction fee on a lot of credit cards, find the best credit cards to take overseas, including Fiji.
As a general rule it is best not to drink water straight from the tap in Fiji to avoid water borne diseases, this includes brushing your teeth with bottled water. Even though officially, in Nadi and Suva and mainland resorts are the safest to drink, it's best not to have your holiday ruined by avoidable sickness.
No, you open a Westpac or ANZ account before you leave for Fiji to use their ATMs because you are still charged 3% of the Australian dollar value as an ‘international transaction fee’. The maximum you can withdraw within 24hrs is $1000 Fijian dollars, so you will pay $20 Australian dollars to access the cash.
