Why Every Traveler Needs a Wise Card

There was a time when traveling meant carrying lots of different cash. You might have euros, some dollars, or a few leftover rupees. You had to find currency exchange desks at airports or deal with bank fees every time you used your card.

Now there's Wise. It's a simple way to manage money while you travel.

With one account, you can hold more than 40+ currencies. The app lets you move money from one currency to another in seconds. If you have a Wise card, you can spend from each balance directly. This means no need for different cards and no surprise charges at checkout.

Wise also gives you a good exchange rate. They use the same rate you see on Google and only add a small, clear fee (usually around 0.41%). What you see before you convert is what you pay. For comparison, my credit card charges a 2% foreign exchange fee, and most credit cards charge around 3%.

The Wise card works in over 150 countries. If you already have the local currency in your account, there is no extra cost. If you don’t, Wise will convert it for you right away using the same small fee. There are no extra charges for using your card abroad.

If you need cash, you can use an ATM. You get two free ATM withdrawals each month up to 100 USD (or the same amount in local money). After that, there is a small flat fee plus a little percentage. The app will show you if an ATM charges a fee, so you can decide if you still want to use it.

You can also use Wise with Apple Pay or Google Pay. You can make virtual cards for online payments. You can freeze or unfreeze any card with one tap. You get instant alerts when you spend, so you always know what’s happening.

If you work while traveling, Wise can help you get paid. You can receive money like a local in up to eight currencies. These include US dollars, euros, pounds, and Australian dollars. Just give your client the bank details from Wise. You can then convert the money or use it with your card.

Wise makes it easier to manage your money while traveling. You don’t need to carry a lot of cash or worry about big fees. It helps you feel ready and confident wherever you go.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Feature What It Means for You
Mid-market exchange rate Convert at the same rate you see on Google with no hidden markups.
40+ currency balances Hold pesos, yen, euros, and more in one wallet and switch in seconds.
Two free ATM withdrawals each month Withdraw up to 100 USD (or local equivalent) fee-free; above that pay a small fixed fee plus about two percent.
Virtual and physical cards Add to Apple Pay or Google Pay, freeze with one tap, and create single-use virtual cards for extra security.
Local bank details in 20+ countries Receive payments like a resident in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more—ideal for freelancers and long stays.
No monthly account fee Pay only when you transact. Opening and holding money are free.

Real-World Use Cases

  • City hopper in Europe: Keep EUR, CZK, and PLN balances, skip rip-off kiosks, and withdraw small amounts as needed.

  • Digital nomad in Bali: Invoice US clients, receive local USD details, convert to IDR at the real rate, and pay rent from the same card.

  • Family cruise: Create virtual cards for teens with spend limits, monitor every purchase from your phone.

Ready to hit the road? Here's how it works:

First, sign up for free. Just snap a photo of your ID and you'll be good to go in minutes.

Next, order your Wise card. There's a small one-time fee to get it, but that's it – no sneaky monthly charges lurking around.

Finally, load up your card and switch between currencies. You'll get the actual exchange rate (not some marked-up version), so you can spend or grab cash anywhere without worrying about getting ripped off.

Don't let bad exchange rates eat your travel budget. Create your free Wise account today and save that extra money for the fun stuff – like that overpriced airport coffee or a decent meal that isn't gas station sushi.

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