Using Prepaid Express Cards for Travel

Prepaid express cards are a common tool for South Africans travelling abroad, offering a way to carry and spend foreign currency without relying entirely on cash or a standard debit card. This page explains how these cards generally work and what travellers typically consider before using one.

What a prepaid travel card is

A prepaid travel card is a card that holds a monetary balance loaded by the user in advance, rather than drawing directly from a bank account. Some travel cards allow the balance to be held in a foreign currency, meaning the exchange rate is locked in at the time of loading rather than at the time of each purchase abroad. Others hold South African rand and convert at the point of each transaction, similar to a standard card used internationally.

Why travellers use them

There are several reasons a prepaid card is chosen over cash or a regular bank card for travel:

Spending is limited to the loaded balance, which can help with budgeting
If the card is lost, the financial exposure is limited to the remaining balance rather than an entire bank account
Locking in an exchange rate in advance can provide more certainty than paying card fees at the point of sale abroad
Some travel cards support multiple currencies on a single card, useful for multi-country trips

Loading and reloading

Prepaid travel cards are usually loaded before departure, either in person at a branch, through an online banking platform, or via an app, depending on the provider. Many providers also allow reloading while abroad, though this can depend on having access to the relevant online platform and sufficient identification already on file. Travellers should confirm reload options before leaving, since some methods may not be practical once overseas.

Fees to be aware of

Prepaid travel cards can carry several types of fees, and these vary between providers:

An initial issuance or card fee
A loading fee applied when currency is added to the card
A currency conversion fee if spending in a currency different from the one loaded
ATM withdrawal fees, which may apply per withdrawal and can differ between countries
Inactivity fees if the card is not used for an extended period

Because fee structures differ, comparing the full cost of using a prepaid travel card against a standard debit or credit card for the same trip is a useful exercise before departure.

Using the card abroad

Most prepaid travel cards work through standard card networks, meaning they can generally be used anywhere that network is accepted, both for in-store purchases and ATM withdrawals. Some merchants or ATM operators abroad may offer a choice between being charged in the local currency or in the currency loaded on the card. Choosing to pay in the local currency is often recommended, since it avoids an additional conversion markup sometimes applied when paying in the home currency instead.

Safety and backup planning

Even with a prepaid travel card, it is sensible to carry a backup payment method, such as a small amount of local cash or a second card, in case the prepaid card is lost, damaged or temporarily blocked for security reasons. Keeping a note of the card issuer's contact details separately from the card itself, rather than only stored on a phone, can also help if the phone is lost alongside the card.

After the trip

Any remaining balance on a prepaid travel card after a trip usually stays available for future use, subject to the card's expiry date and any inactivity fees. Some providers allow the balance to be withdrawn or transferred back, while others require it to be spent down through further purchases or withdrawals. Checking the terms for unused balances before the card expires can help avoid losing access to leftover funds.