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Travel money cards for Bali
21 Feb 2022
Planning a trip to Bali? Before you relax on the beaches or explore the temples, it’s a good idea to sort out your money first. One way you can access cash and make purchases is with a travel money card.
A travel money card can be a convenient way to manage your money when you are travelling. In Bali, you may be able to use a travel money card to withdraw Indonesian rupiah from ATMs or to pay for some purchases.
How do travel money cards work?
A travel money card is a card you can load foreign currencies onto. You can then use the card like a regular debit card and use it to make purchases or withdraw money from ATMs when you are travelling. Most travel money cards are issued in partnership with Visa or Mastercard, so you can generally use the card wherever its payment network is accepted.
You can load foreign currencies onto the card before you travel, so you can lock in the exchange rate in advance. If you need more cash down the track, you can also reload the card with more funds. However, some providers do charge reloading fees in certain circumstances.
Other fees can also apply, depending on the provider, such as inactivity fees and fees to withdraw your remaining funds at the end of your trip. Some cards also charge currency conversion fees and ATM withdrawal fees.
What is the best card to use in Bali?
The best card to use will depend on what your needs are and how you intend to use the card. For example, do you think you will use it for the majority of your purchases and will regularly withdraw money from ATMs? Or would you only use it in emergencies? If you intend to use it regularly, look for a card with no or low currency conversion fees and no or low overseas ATM fees.
There are three different card options to choose from: travel money cards, travel credit cards and travel debit cards. Each card option has different pros and cons. For example, with a travel money card you may be able to load rupiah onto the card in advance and lock in your exchange rate, but you may also be charged various fees.
At the time of writing, there are two cards on Canstar’s database that allow you to load rupiah (based on information listed on each provider’s website). These are cards from Revolut and Wise.
Can I use a travel money card in Bali?
Yes, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, cards are now commonly used as a method of payment in Indonesia and most international credit card networks (such as Visa and Mastercard) are accepted in major cities and tourist hotspots like Bali. That means you will generally be able to use a travel money card to withdraw money from ATMs and pay for things like food, goods and accommodation wherever your card’s network is accepted.
That being said, there are some places that won’t accept cards, particularly in more remote areas or at places like markets, food stalls and small shops. In these instances, you could consider withdrawing cash from an ATM using your card.
Should I take cash or card to Bali?
It can be a good idea to take both cash and card to Bali. Although credit, debit and travel money cards generally use networks like Visa and Mastercard that are generally widely accepted in major cities, the Ministry of Tourism says carrying some rupiah is still “highly advisable”.
Bali.com recommends carrying enough rupiah to pay for small shopping, transportation, food and drinks. Most small shops and street sellers won’t have lots of change, so it also advises carrying 50,000 and 20,000 notes. It says, “your cash is king at markets, food stalls and small shops. Do not expect to be able to use your credit cards here,” and also advises Australian tourists to take Australian dollars to Bali, and find out the exchange rate online before going to money changer stalls.
Don’t forget to consider travel insurance
While you are planning your trip, it’s also a good idea to consider travel insurance. There are a number of travel insurance providers that now offer some COVID-19 related cover, but there are exclusions to be aware of.
You can compare travel insurance for Indonesia using Canstar’s comparison tool. Make sure you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Target Market Determination and the terms and conditions so you understand exactly what you are covered for.
Compare travel money cards for other destinations
Planning to visit some other countries? We’ve also written about travel money cards for the following destinations:
This article was reviewed by our Sub Editor Jacqueline Belesky before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
