Post Office Travel Money Card Review
ATM and Cash
Topups
Overall
A multi-currency prepaid Mastercard you can load with up to 22 currencies, manage in the Post Office Travel app and use worldwide wherever Mastercard is accepted. Spending from a matching wallet currency is fee-free from Post Office’s side. Using the card in a country whose currency is not supported triggers a 3% cross-border fee. ATM withdrawals have a small fixed charge that varies by currency, and GBP loads by card or bank can include a 1.5% load commission with a £3 minimum and £50 maximum.
Fees and FX
ATM and Cash
Topups
Overall
Initial Viewpoint
Best for travellers who want a simple, branch-friendly prepaid card that holds many currencies, shows clear ATM charges per currency and works with Apple Pay and Google Wallet. Not ideal if you often spend in currencies the card does not support, because a 3% cross-border fee applies in those cases.
Highlights
- Load and hold up to 22 currencies on one card
- Order online or pick up instantly in branch with ID
- Apple Pay and Google Wallet support via the app
- Transparent per-currency ATM withdrawal charges listed on the site
Cautions
- 3% cross-border fee if you spend in a non-supported currency
- 1.5% GBP load commission with £3 minimum and £50 maximum
- Card is for travel use, not everyday UK spending
Overview
What it is
A Post Office prepaid Mastercard you can top up before or during your trip and use in stores, online and at ATMs. The card is managed in the Post Office Travel app or web portal, with wallet-to-wallet moves between currencies.
Who it's for
UK residents who prefer a prepaid travel card with branch access, many supported currencies and simple, published ATM fees by currency.
Key Facts
Issuer and scheme:
Electronic money prepaid multi-currency card on the Mastercard network, issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd (FCA FRN 900412). Not a credit or debit card.
Loads and balance:
Minimum top-up £10, maximum top-up £5,000, maximum balance £10,000, maximum annual balance £30,000
Cross-border fee when spending in a non-supported currency:
3% of the transaction.
GBP load commission:
1.5% with £3 minimum and £50 maximum.
Card validity and dormancy:
Card valid up to 3 years. £2 per month maintenance fee starts 12 months after expiry if a balance remains.
Order routes:
Online delivery in 2 to 3 working days or same-day collection in branch with passport or UK driving licence.
Pricing & Fees
Fee Type
Amount
Notes
Purchases in a supported wallet currency
£0 issuer fee
Spend from the matching currency balance.
Cross-border fee in a non-supported currency
3% of the amount
Applies where the card does not offer that currency.
GBP load commission
1.5% (min £3, max £50)
For GBP loads.
ATM withdrawal fees
Fixed by currency
See per-currency table below.
Maintenance fee after card expiry
3 to 5 working days to UK bank once processed
Contact support to request a refund.
FX & ATM Details
FX conversion
The card is designed for use in supported currencies. When you spend from that matching wallet there is no Post Office purchase fee. If you spend where the local currency is not supported, the cross-border fee of 3% applies. Always choose to be charged in the local currency to avoid DCC.
ATM usage
ATM withdrawals are allowed worldwide where Mastercard is accepted. A fixed withdrawal fee applies and some ATM owners add their own surcharge. Per-currency cash limits and charges are listed below.
Supported currencies
EUR • USD • AUD • AED • CAD • CHF • CNY • CZK • DKK • GBP • HKD • HUF • JPY • NOK • NZD • PLN • SAR • SEK • SGD • THB • TRY • ZAR. Load and move funds between these wallets in the app.
Topups & Payments
Method
Fee or Limit
Notes
Top up in GBP
1.5% commission (£3 min, £50 max)
Then convert to wallet currencies in-app if needed.
Top up in wallet currency
Use app or web
No GBP load commission if loading directly in that currency from available methods.
Wallet to wallet moves
In app
Manage balances and switch travel funds.
Refund of balance
3 to 5 working days to UK bank once processed
Contact support to request a refund.
Applying for the Post Office Travel Money Card
You must be a UK resident aged 18 or over. You can order the card online, via the app or pick it up from a branch. Delivery typical 2-3 working days. You may bring an existing Post Office travel-card product if you have one. Activate the card, set PIN and load funds.
Limits & KYC
Topic
Detail
Age and residency
UK resident, 18 plus. ID required.
Min and max top up
£10 min, £5,000 max per top up. Per transaction.
Maximum balance
£10,000 at any time. Annual maximum balance £30,000.
ATM daily cash limits
Vary by currency. Examples listed above and on site.
App & Features
Feature
Detail
Post Office Travel app
Load, move between 22 currencies, check rates, see PIN and transactions, freeze card, find ATMs and branches.
Mobile wallets
Add card to Apple Pay and Google Wallet from site links.
Branch convenience
Collect a card instantly in branch if you need it today.
Who It's For
Best for
Travellers who like to preload specific currencies, value branch pickup, want clear ATM fees and prefer app control with Apple Pay or Google Wallet support.
Not ideal for
Trips that involve unsupported currencies, since a 3% cross-border fee then applies. Also not suitable for everyday UK spending according to the terms.
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
22 supported currencies with in-app wallet management
-
Instant branch pickup and broad ATM acceptance
-
Apple Pay and Google Wallet supported
-
Clear per-currency ATM fee list on the product page
Cons
-
3% cross-border fee for non-supported currencies
-
GBP loads include 1.5% commission with min and max caps
-
Card is for travel use rather than day-to-day UK spending
Awards and Recognition
No prominently published recent industry awards specifically for the Travel Money Card from Post Office; mostly user review recognition (Trustpilot ~4.0★) and brand trust. Treat any historic recognition as context only, not a current endorsement.
Awards and Recognition
No prominently published recent industry awards specifically for the Travel Money Card from Post Office; mostly user review recognition (Trustpilot ~4.0★) and brand trust. Treat any historic recognition as context only, not a current endorsement.
How It Compares
At a glance: A strong fit if you visit countries with one of the 22 supported currencies and you want branch pickup. Multi-currency app-first rivals may offer different FX models for unsupported currencies, while UK bank debit cards can have simple FX but lack wallet control.
Feature
Post Office Travel Money Card
Multi-currency rival
UK bank debit card
Annual or monthly fee
Card purchases
ATM fee
Fixed per currency
Often free with caps
Varies by bank
FX fee
Non-supported currency - 3% cross-border fee
Varies by provider
Bank’s FX fee or rate
Alternatives to Consider
Wise multi-currency card
Competitive FX with many wallets and strong acceptance. Check ATM caps.
Revolut travel card
Multi-currency wallets with tiered plans and smart controls. Review weekend FX markups and fair use.
Caxton travel card
15 wallet currencies and simple ATM pricing. Paid plan positions 0% FX markup.
Ratings
Category
Score 1 to 5
Weight
Notes
Fees and FX
£0 issuer fee in wallet currency, 3% cross-border fee, small fixed ATM fees.
ATM and cash
Fixed per-currency ATM fee, operator surcharges possible.
Topups
GBP load commission 1.5% with caps.
Features and app
App wallet moves, Apple Pay and Google Wallet, branch pickup.
Support and trust
Issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, FCA FRN 900412.
Compliance & Methodology
Regulatory
Post Office Travel Money Card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd under licence from Mastercard. FRN 900412.
Data sources
Product page with currencies, ATM fees, limits and fee notes; cross-border fee page; Help and Terms. Verified on 18 Oct 2025.
Editorial policy
Independent, fact‑checked comparison. Click here for editorial guidelines.
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