Get Curve Pay
← Back to blog
20 March 2025
Best prepaid travel card

Best Prepaid Travel Card: A Quick Guide to spending abroad

If you're planning a trip abroad, you've probably heard about prepaid travel cards. They’re often marketed as a safe, budget-friendly way to spend while traveling, but are they really the best option? Let's explore how prepaid travel cards work, the most popular options in the UK, their pros and cons, and smarter alternatives like Curve, which gives you all the benefits of a prepaid card—without the hassle of topping up.

 What is a Prepaid Travel Card?

A prepaid travel card is essentially a preloaded debit card that allows you to spend in multiple currencies while avoiding foreign transaction fees. Instead of using your bank card abroad (which may charge 2-3% per transaction), you load money onto a prepaid travel card and use it just like a normal debit or credit card.

How Do Prepaid Travel Cards Work?

  1. Load money onto the card in your chosen currency before you travel.

  2. Use it abroad for purchases or ATM withdrawals like a normal card.

  3. Track your spending via an app or online account.

  4. Top-up when needed – either manually or through auto-reload features.

💳 Popular Prepaid Travel Cards in the UK

If you’re considering a prepaid travel card, here are some of the most popular options available in the UK:

1. Revolut Travel Card

✅ Holds multiple currencies
✅ No FX fees up to a limit
✅ Competitive exchange rates
❌ Free withdrawals limited to £200/month

2. Wise Travel Card (formerly TransferWise)

✅ Uses mid-market exchange rates
✅ Supports 50+ currencies
✅ Low conversion fees
❌ £200 free ATM withdrawals per month, then a fee applies

3. Post Office Travel Money Card

✅ Available in 22 currencies
✅ No UK ATM withdrawal fees
✅ Lock in exchange rates
❌ Cannot be used in all countries

4. Asda Travel Money Card

✅ Supports 15 currencies
✅ Contactless spending
✅ No Asda ATM withdrawal fees
❌ GBP top-ups have a 2% fee
❌ A 5.75% FX fee for non-preloaded currencies

5. Sainsbury’s Travel Money Card

✅ Multiple currency wallets
✅ Secure alternative to cash
✅ Free spending in preloaded currencies
❌ Dormancy fee of £2 per month if inactive for 18 months

✅ Pros of Using a Prepaid Travel Card

✔ Avoids foreign transaction fees – No extra charges when spending in preloaded currencies.
✔ Secure – If lost, it’s not linked to your main bank account.
✔ Budget-friendly – Helps control spending since you can only use what’s loaded.
✔ Multi-currency support – Great for multi-country trips.
✔ Emergency backup – Handy as a spare travel payment method.

❌ Cons of Using a Prepaid Travel Card

✖ Topping up is inconvenient – You must preload money, which can be a hassle.
✖ Not always the best exchange rates – Some cards mark up exchange rates when converting between currencies.
✖ ATM withdrawal limits – Free withdrawals are often capped at £200 per month.
✖ Hidden fees – Inactivity fees, top-up fees, and currency conversion fees can eat into your balance.
✖ Not always accepted – Some merchants and hotels may not accept prepaid cards.

🔥 The Best Alternative: Why Curve is the Smartest Way to Spend Abroad

Instead of dealing with topping up and managing multiple currency wallets, Curve allows you to spend like a local in over 150 currencies without FX fees.

How Curve Works

  1. Link your existing debit & credit cards to the Curve app.

  2. Spend abroad with zero FX fees – Curve converts your purchases at the best exchange rates.

  3. No need to preload money – Just use the same cards you use at home, without the fees.

  4. Free foreign ATM withdrawals – Up to £1,000 per month (on premium plans).

  5. "Go Back in Time" feature – Move past transactions to a different card up to 30 days later.

Why Curve is Better Than a Prepaid Travel Card

✔ No need to preload funds – Unlike prepaid cards, you can use your existing bank cards without restrictions.
✔ No foreign exchange fees – Save up to 3% on every foreign transaction.
✔ No new bank account needed – Just link your current cards and travel worry-free.
✔ Automatic currency conversion – Curve gives you the best rates without needing to pre-select a currency.
✔ Works in 150+ currencies worldwide.
✔ Accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted.

✈️ Unlock Premium Travel Perks with Curve

If you travel frequently, Curve Premium Plans take things to the next level:

🚀 Curve Premium Benefits:

✅ 1% cashback on all spending outside Europe
✅ 1% cashback at top travel brands – Booking.com, Uber, EasyJet, BP, Shell, and more
✅ Free ATM withdrawals abroad up to £1,000/month
✅ Lock & unlock your entire wallet in one tap for extra security
✅ Built-in travel insurance & lounge access (on top-tier plans)

With Curve Premium, you’re not just avoiding fees—you’re earning cashback while spending abroad.

🎯 Final Verdict: Are Prepaid Travel Cards Worth It?

Prepaid travel cards can be useful if you want to lock in exchange rates and control spending. However, they come with hidden fees, ATM limits, and the hassle of preloading funds.

If you want the simplest and smartest way to spend abroad, Curve is the best choice. It eliminates FX fees, allows you to use your existing debit and credit cards, and offers premium travel perks without the hassle of managing a separate card.

📲 Want to travel smarter? Get Curve today and spend abroad with no fees!

Get Curve Pay