Up Bank Review 2026: Best Travel Card for Australians

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. 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

💬 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 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
• No international transfers — use Wise for that
• No cheque deposits (rarely an issue)
• Some ATMs charge their own fees (not Up’s fault)
• Requires Australian residency to sign up
• Daily ATM limit of $2,000 (can request increase)
• Not ideal for business — personal accounts only

✓ 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)
• 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

💰 ATM Withdrawal Strategy

• Always decline “dynamic currency conversion” — pay in local currency, not AUD
• Use major bank ATMs — 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 — often have the highest fees

💳 Card Payment Best Practices

• Always pay in local currency when given the option
• 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

🔐 Security & Safety

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

Stay Connected with eSIM

Airport SIM cards cost $30-50 for limited data. Get Saily eSIM for half the price—install at home, activate on arrival. Works in 150+ countries.

• No SIM card swapping needed
• Activate instantly when you land
• Keep your Aussie number active
• Perfect for accessing banking apps

Secure Your Banking with VPN

Public WiFi at airports, cafes, and hotels isn’t secure. Use NordVPN to encrypt your connection and protect your banking details.

• Encrypt your internet connection
• Protect banking app usage
• Safe public WiFi access
• Access Aussie content abroad

💡 Pro tip: Staying 2-3km from tourist areas can save you 40-60% on accommodation. Check metro/bus proximity on Google Maps to ensure good transport links.

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—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.

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!