Up Bank Review 2026: Australia’s Best Travel Card

I saved $400+ in fees travelling 20+ countries with 0% international fees and free ATM withdrawals

Updated January 2026: Personally tested across Southeast Asia, Europe & the Balkans over 2+ years • Real savings, real experience

International Fees

ATM Fees

$400+

Saved on Fees

20+

Countries Tested

⚡ Quick Verdict

Rating: 9.5/10 — Up Bank is the best travel card for Australians, hands down. Zero international transaction fees, free ATM withdrawals worldwide, real-time currency conversion, and the most intuitive banking app I’ve used. After testing it across 20+ countries, I genuinely can’t recommend it highly enough.

✅ Perfect For:
Budget travellers, backpackers, digital nomads, frequent flyers

❌ Not For:
Multi-currency holdings, international transfers, business use

💸 How Traditional Banks Were Draining My Travel Budget

Let me be brutally honest: traditional Australian banks are ripping off travellers.

Before I discovered Up Bank, my Commonwealth Bank debit card was bleeding my travel budget dry. Every ATM withdrawal cost me $5-8, plus a sneaky 3% international transaction fee on every purchase. During a 6-week trip through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Albania where I spent around $5,000, I hemorrhaged nearly $200 in completely avoidable fees.

That’s 4 nights of accommodation in Southeast Asia. Gone. Or 2 nights in a decent European hotel. Poof. Just… disappeared into bank profits.

💰 The Shocking Reality: My Actual Bank Fees

Commonwealth Bank (6-week trip):

International transaction fees (3% on $5,000): $150
ATM withdrawal fees (42 withdrawals @ $5): $210
Monthly account fees (2 months): $10
TOTAL FEES: $370

Up Bank (same trip, $8,000+ total spending over 2 years):

$0 in fees

That’s $370 saved in just 6 weeks—enough for a week of accommodation in Southeast Asia, 2 nights in Europe, or a return flight between neighbouring countries. And this pattern repeated every single trip.

🌏 Why Up Bank is Perfect for International Travel

If you’re exploring cash-heavy destinations like Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Albania, or most of Eastern Europe, Up Bank will save you hundreds of dollars. Here’s exactly why it’s become my non-negotiable travel essential:

💳

0% International Transaction Fees

Every single purchase overseas is completely free. No hidden 3% markup that traditional banks sneak onto every transaction. I’ve spent over $8,000 across 12 countries and paid exactly $0 in international fees.

Real savings: $240 saved on $8,000 spending vs traditional banks

🏧

Free ATM Withdrawals Worldwide

No Up Bank fees at international ATMs (though local ATM operators may charge their own fees). Perfect for cash-heavy destinations where you’re constantly withdrawing money. I made 40+ withdrawals in Vietnam alone—paid $0 in Up Bank fees.

Pro tip: Always decline ATM dynamic currency conversion to get the best rate

💱

Mid-Market Exchange Rates

You get the real exchange rate—the one you see on Google or XE.com—without hidden markups. Traditional banks add 2-3% to exchange rates on top of their transaction fees. That’s an extra $60-90 on $3,000 of spending!

How it works: Up uses Mastercard’s wholesale rates, typically within 0.5% of mid-market

📱

Best-in-Class Banking App

Track spending in AUD and local currency simultaneously. Instant notifications for every transaction. Freeze your card instantly if lost. Find nearby ATMs. Create savings “Savers” for trip planning. Honestly the best banking app I’ve ever used.

Travel feature: Automatic categorization helps track accommodation, food, transport separately

🔒

Instant Security Controls

Lock and unlock your card instantly in the app. Set spending limits. Enable/disable online transactions, contactless, ATM withdrawals separately. Get real-time fraud alerts. Critical when you’re in unfamiliar places.

Peace of mind: Turned off my card when I left it in a hostel—took 3 seconds

💰

Built-in Savings Tools

Create unlimited “Savers” for different trips or goals. Up to 4.60% interest on your savings. Round up transactions to automatically save. Track your travel fund growth in real-time. Makes budgeting for your next trip effortless.

My setup: Separate Savers for flights, accommodation, daily spending

💰 Complete Fee Breakdown: Up Bank vs Traditional Banks

Here’s the exact breakdown showing how Up Bank compares to Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ:

Fee Type	Up Bank	Big 4 Banks	You Save
International Transaction Fee	0%	3%	$150 on $5k
ATM Withdrawal Fee (per transaction)	$0	$5-8	$200+ on 40 withdrawals
Monthly Account Fee	$0	$4-6	$24-36/year
Currency Conversion Markup	~0.5%	2-3%	$75-125 on $5k
Total Fees on $5,000 Trip (6 weeks, 40 ATM withdrawals)	~$25	$375-425	$350-400

💡 Important Note on ATM Fees: While Up Bank doesn’t charge withdrawal fees, some international ATMs charge their own fees (typically $3-7). Always look for major bank ATMs and decline “dynamic currency conversion” to avoid extra charges. In my experience, Vietnam’s Vietcombank, Thailand’s Bangkok Bank, and most European bank ATMs don’t charge fees.

✈️ My Real Travel Experience with Up Bank

📝 Case Study: 6-Week Southeast Asia & Balkans Adventure

🌍 Countries Visited:

Vietnam — 3 weeks (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh)
Cambodia — 1 week (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh)
Albania — 10 days (Tirana, Berat, Saranda)
Montenegro — 3 days (Kotor, Budva)

📊 The Numbers:

Total spending: $5,200 AUD
ATM withdrawals: 42 times
Card transactions: 150+
Up Bank fees paid: $0
Saved vs CommBank: $370

💬 What I Loved:

Zero stress about fees — I could withdraw $50 or $500 without calculating whether it was “worth it”
App notifications in local currency — Instantly knew if I was being charged correctly at restaurants/shops
Budget tracking — Could see exactly how much I’d spent in each country in AUD
Card security — Froze my card when I accidentally left it at a hostel, unfroze when I got it back
Customer support — Had one issue with a declined transaction (merchant error), resolved via in-app chat in 10 minutes

⚠️ Minor Challenges:

Some Vietnamese ATMs still charged their own fee (usually 20,000-40,000 VND/$1-2)—not Up’s fault, just the ATM operator
Needed to decline “dynamic currency conversion” at some European merchants (easy fix, just say no)
One small shop in rural Cambodia didn’t accept Mastercard (carried small amount of USD cash as backup)

Final Rating: 9.5/10

Would I travel with anything else? Absolutely not.

⚖️ The Complete Pros & Cons

After using Up Bank for 2+ years and 20+ countries, here’s my brutally honest assessment:

✅ The Good

Zero international transaction fees (massive savings)
No ATM withdrawal fees from Up’s side
Real exchange rates via Mastercard wholesale
Brilliant app experience — best I’ve used
Instant card controls (lock/unlock, spending limits)
Real-time notifications in local currency
Automatic spending categorization for tracking
No monthly fees or account minimums
Up to 4.60% interest on savings
24/7 customer support via in-app chat
Unlimited “Savers” for trip planning
Fast signup (10 minutes, all digital)

❌ The Not-So-Good

No physical branches — 100% digital only
Can’t hold foreign currency — AUD only, converts on transaction
No international transfers — use Wise for that
No cheque deposits (not an issue for most travellers)
Some ATMs charge their own fees (common globally, not Up’s fault)
Requires Australian residency to sign up
Daily ATM limit of $2,000 (usually fine, can request increase)
Not ideal for business expenses — personal accounts only

🎒 How to Use Up Bank Abroad: Pro Tips from 20+ Countries

📍 Before You Leave Australia

✓ Set up your account properly

Create a “Travel” Saver and transfer your trip budget into it
Enable notifications for all transactions
Add Up’s support number to your phone contacts
Screenshot your card details (store securely) in case you need them
Set up Apple Pay or Google Pay as a backup

✓ Test everything before departure

Make a small online purchase to confirm card works
Try contactless payment at a shop
Check your daily ATM withdrawal limit (default is $2,000)
Verify your phone number for 2FA is correct

🌏 While Travelling

💰 ATM Withdrawal Strategy

Always decline “dynamic currency conversion” — pay in local currency, not AUD
Use major bank ATMs — they’re less likely to charge extra fees
Withdraw larger amounts less frequently — minimizes potential ATM operator fees
Best ATMs by country: Vietnam (Vietcombank, ACB Bank), Thailand (Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn), Albania (Raiffeisen Bank)
Avoid independent/convenience store ATMs — they often have the highest fees

💳 Card Payment Best Practices

Always pay in local currency when given the option (decline merchant DCC)
Check transaction notifications immediately — catches errors fast
Use contactless where possible — faster and more secure
Keep some cash as backup — not everywhere accepts cards
Screenshot receipts for expensive purchases (easy disputes later)

🔐 Security & Safety

Use the “Cover Card Number” feature when showing card to others
Lock card when not in use (especially overnight or when leaving valuables)
Set up a daily spending limit if in a high-risk area
Keep card and phone separate — don’t lose access to both at once
Report suspicious transactions instantly via in-app chat

🔄 Up Bank vs Alternatives: Which Should You Choose?

Here’s how Up Bank compares to other popular Australian travel money options:

Feature	Up Bank	Wise	Revolut	ING
Int’l Transaction Fee	0%	0.35-1%	0-2%*	0%**
ATM Withdrawal Fee	$0	$0-2*	2%*	$0**
Multi-Currency Wallets	❌	✅ (40+)	✅ (30+)	❌
International Transfers	❌	✅	✅	❌
App Quality	Outstanding	Very Good	Good	Average
Monthly Fee	$0	$0	$0-13*	$0
Best For	Primary travel account	Int’l transfers + multi-currency	Frequent EUR/GBP users	Existing ING customers

* Limits apply | ** Conditions apply (ING requires 5 transactions + $1,000 deposit monthly)

💡 My recommendation: Use Up Bank as your primary travel account for spending and ATM withdrawals. Keep a Wise account for international transfers or if you need to hold foreign currency long-term.

Step 1: Download the App

Search “Up Bank” in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). The app has a green icon.

Step 2: Start Your Application

You’ll need:

Australian driver’s license or passport
Australian residential address
Australian mobile number
Tax File Number (TFN) — optional but recommended for interest

Step 3: Verify Your Identity

Take photos of your ID using your phone camera. The app guides you through this—it’s straightforward. Verification usually takes 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Use Referral Code for $15 Bonus

During signup, you’ll be asked if you have a referral code. Using a referral link gets you $15 credit after you make your first transaction.

Get your $15 bonus → Click here to use referral link

Step 5: Get Your Card

Your physical Up card will arrive in 5-10 business days. But you can start using the digital card immediately via Apple Pay or Google Pay—perfect if you’re leaving soon!

💡 Pro Tip: Sign up at least 2 weeks before your trip to ensure your physical card arrives in time. But if you’re leaving sooner, you can add the digital card to Apple Pay/Google Pay and start using it immediately.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Does Up Bank charge any international fees at all?

No. Up Bank charges zero international transaction fees and zero ATM withdrawal fees from their side. You get Mastercard’s wholesale exchange rate with minimal markup (typically ~0.5%). The only fees you might encounter are from the ATM operator themselves (common in some countries), but these are not Up Bank fees.

Can I use Up Bank as my only bank while travelling?

Yes, absolutely. I used Up Bank as my primary account across 20+ countries with zero issues. Just make sure you have some backup cash and ideally a secondary card (like Wise) in case of emergencies. But for day-to-day spending and ATM withdrawals, Up Bank handles everything perfectly.

What’s the ATM withdrawal limit?

Up Bank’s default daily ATM withdrawal limit is $2,000 AUD. This has been plenty for me—most countries have limits per transaction anyway (often $200-500). If you need to increase your limit temporarily, you can request this through the app.

Does Up Bank work in [specific country]?

Up Bank works anywhere that accepts Mastercard, which is virtually everywhere globally. I’ve successfully used it in:

Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore
Europe: Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Italy, UK, Spain
And everywhere in between. If you can use a Mastercard there, Up Bank works.

What if my card gets lost or stolen abroad?

Instantly lock your card in the app (takes 2 seconds). Then contact Up’s 24/7 support via in-app chat to report it and request a replacement. They’ll send a new card to your Australian address. In the meantime, you can use Apple Pay/Google Pay if you had it set up. This is why I always recommend adding your Up card to your phone’s digital wallet before travelling.

Is Up Bank better than Wise for travel?

For everyday spending and ATM withdrawals, yes—Up Bank is better. It’s simpler, has zero fees, and a superior app. However, Wise wins if you need to hold multiple currencies or send international transfers. My setup: Up Bank for daily spending, Wise for currency holding and transfers.

Stop Wasting Money on Bank Fees

Join 2+ million Australians who’ve made the switch

Zero international fees • Free ATM withdrawals • Best banking app in Australia

✓
$15 Welcome Bonus

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Digital Card Ready Instantly

✓
No Monthly Fees, Ever

Get Started with Up Bank →

Takes 10 minutes • Australian residents only • 18+

📮 Questions about Up Bank?

I’ve been using Up Bank for 2+ years across 20+ countries. Drop a comment below and I’ll help you out!

Disclosure: This post contains referral links. If you sign up through my link, both of us receive a $15 credit. I only recommend products I genuinely use and believe in—everything in this review is based on my real experience using Up Bank across 20+ countries over 2+ years.