Opening a bank account in Australia: Guide for Kiwis (2025)
A guide to opening a bank account in Australia from New Zealand.
Credit cards with no international fees are a great way to save money when shopping or travelling abroad. That’s because most credit cards charge between 2% and 4% on foreign transactions, which can quickly add up if you travel often or like to shop on international websites.
In this guide we’ll cover the best credit cards for Kiwis with no or low international fees. We’ll also include a stand-out debit card option from Wise that offers zero foreign transaction fees, making it a smart alternative to a credit card.
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When choosing a credit card, especially for international use, it’s important to weigh up the key features to find the best option for you. Here’s a few things to look out for.
- Some credit cards are free to have and maintain, while others have an annual fee which can cost hundreds of dollars per year, check if you’ll get enough benefits to make these worthwhile
- Premium credit cards with valuable rewards or perks may have an income threshold for applicants
- Many credit cards come with rewards or perks like cashback, card points, frequent flyers points, and complimentary travel insurance
- When withdrawing cash overseas, most credit cards have a cash advance fee, and a different interest rate that applies
- A currency conversion fee is sometimes added by companies when a currency conversation takes place. Those that don’t have one may include a mark up on the exchange rate instead, keep an eye out for the mid-market rate, also considered the fairest rate
- Foreign transaction fees are generally applied when the card is used to make a purchase overseas, the transaction is processed outside New Zealand or it’s made in a currency other than NZD
To help you decide which card we’re going to take a look at six cards you could potentially use to travel abroad or pay for overseas purchases. Here’s a snapshot of the key features and how they compare. The cards featured below do not charge foreign transaction fees.
Card | Currency conversion fees | ATM Fees | Annual fee | Rewards | Exchange Rate |
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Westpac Fee Free Mastercard¹ | No fee | No fee with a cash advance rate of 19.95% p.a | No fee | No rewards program | Mastercard rate⁸ |
Flight Centre Mastercard² | No fee | $3 with a cash advance rate of 26.99% p.a. | $50 | Earn Flight Centre Rewards³ | Mastercard rate⁹ |
ASB Visa Flex⁴ | No fee | No fee with a cash advance rate of 9.95% p.a. | No fee | No rewards program | ASB or Visa rate¹⁰ |
ANZ Airpoints Visa⁵ | Currency conversion charge of 1.3% | No fee with a cash advance rate of 20.95% p.a. | $65 | Earn Airpoints Dollars | Visa rate¹¹ |
TSB Low Rate Mastercard | Currency conversion charge of 1.9% | No fee with a cash advance rate of 11.95% p.a. | $20 | Offers some complimentary insurance | Mastercard rate¹² |
Wise card (debit card alternative) | Variable currency conversion fee from 0.23% | Up to 2 free withdrawals up to $350 per month, 1.75% + $1.50 per withdrawal after | No fee | No rewards program | Mid-market exchange rate |
Now let’s take a look at each card in more detail, covering the features and fees as well as the pros and cons.
Boasting the lowest interest rate of any credit card offered by Westpac NZ, the Fee Free Mastercard keeps things simple.¹ There’s no expansive rewards program or expensive annual fees, just a simple credit card with low or no fees.
- Up to 55 days interest free on purchases when the balance is paid in full by the payment date
- Supports contactless payments
- Compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay
Here are some of the main fees to be aware of when using the Westpac Fee Free Mastercard:
- International transaction fee - No fee
- Foreign ATM fee - No fee with a cash advance rate of 19.95% p.a.
- Interest rate - 12.90% p.a. on purchases
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Geared more towards travellers, the Flight Centre Mastercard offers customers the chance to earn rewards points through their purchases.³
- Interest free for up to 44 days on standard purchases
- Earn rewards for everyday shopping in New Zealand and internationally, with bonus points for money spent at Flight Centre
- Supports contactless payments
- Compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Garmin Pay
Here are some of the main fees to be aware of with the Flight Centre Mastercard credit card.²
- International transaction fee - No fee
- Foreign ATM fee - $3 with a cash advance rate of 26.99% p.a.
- Interest rate - 24.99% p.a. on purchases
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Another simple, low cost credit card, the ASB Visa Flex has minimal fees and a competitive interest rate.⁴ It’s meant for daily spending for people with a regular income of at least $30,000.
- Receive up to 55 days interest free on purchases
- Supports contactless payments
- Compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay
Here are some of the main fees to be aware of as an ASB Visa Flex cardholder.
- International transaction fee - No fee
- Foreign ATM fee - No fee with a cash advance rate of 9.95% p.a.
- Interest rate - 9.95% p.a. on purchases
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All ANZ credit cards have the same currency conversion fees but for this article we’re focusing on the ANZ Airpoints Visa. It’s a travel centric credit card that offers a rewards program based around Airpoints Dollars.⁶
- Up to 44 days interest free on standard purchases
- Earn Airpoints Dollars which can be redeemed at the Airpoints Store or for Air New Zealand and Star Alliance flights
- Supports contactless payments
- Gain up to 50 Airpoints Dollars in advance
Here are some of the main fees to be aware of if you get an ANZ Airports Visa.⁵
- Currency conversion fee - 1.3% of the NZD amount
- Foreign ATM fee - No fee with a cash advance rate of 20.95% p.a.
- Interest - 20.95% p.a. on purchases
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The lowest rate credit card on offer from TSB, the TSB Low Rate Mastercard is a cheap, simple credit card that comes with a few insurance perks.⁷
- Offers up to 55 days interest free on purchases
- Supports contactless payments
- Compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Comes with Mobile Phone insurance, Price Protection Insurance and Purchase Protection Insurance
Here are some of the main fees to be aware of with the TSB Low Rate Mastercard.
- Currency conversion fee - 1.9% of the NZD amount
- Foreign ATM fee - No fee with a cash advance rate of 11.95% p.a.
- Interest rate - 11.95% p.a. on purchases
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The Wise card, a debit card alternative, is for travellers or overseas online shoppers looking for a fuss-free card with no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing.
- Spend in 150+ countries
- Supports contactless payments
- Compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay and Samsung Pay
- Up to 3 virtual cards available
Here are some of the main fees to be aware of:
- Currency conversion fee - Variable fee starting at 0.23%
- Foreign ATM fee - Free to withdraw up to $350 per month in 2 or less withdrawals. After that it’s 1.75% of the amount over $350 plus $1.50 per withdrawal
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Choosing the right card depends on your personal spending habits, how often you travel and whether the perks and rewards programs matter to you.
For a simple, low cost option, the Westpac Fee Free Mastercard and ASB Visa Flex are good choices. They have low or no fees and offer competitive interest rates.
If you’re seeking a card with travel rewards then frequent travellers may get more value from the ANZ Airpoints Visa or Flight Center Mastercard since both of these cards offer rewards programs that can offset travel expenses.
If you want a flexible option where you don’t need to worry about the complications of interest rates or monthly fees, there’s the Wise debit card. With it, you’re spending money you know you have with low fees, getting the mid-market exchange rate and storing multiple currencies, all in a single place. You even get access to up to 3 virtual cards for an additional layer of security while shopping online or spending abroad.
🌎 Enjoy low, transparent fees with the world's most international debit card and save on foreign transaction fees 🌎
Sources:
Sources last checked on date: 14 April 2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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