Up joins exclusive club by ditching debit card fees for international travellers
Flights, accommodation, food and sightseeing - the list of expenses for an international trip can really add up, so the last thing travellers will want to see on their bank statements is a list of fees for using their debit card abroad.
Well in good news for Up Bank customers, the neobank has become the latest in a growing number of Australian banks to ditch pesky, travel-associated fees altogether.
While the Up EveryDay Account and linked Mastercard Debit card already featured a 0% foreign exchange commission, Up has now removed the $5 international ATM withdrawal fee that’s been in place since the account was launched.
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That means Aussie travellers using an Up debit card won’t be hit with a fee from Up when withdrawing money from an overseas ATM, though it’s worth noting that ATM providers themselves may still charge a fee.
“It’s encouraging to see more and more banks, including Up, making it easier and cheaper for Australian travellers to spend their own money abroad without being penalised,” said Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont.
“After all, as anyone who’s travelled overseas will know, the fees for regularly using a debit card to make purchases or withdraw cash can quickly start to add up over time.”
The fee-free travellers club

As Lamont stated though, Up are just the latest Australian bank to offer 0% foreign exchange commission as well as free international ATM withdrawals for Aussie travellers on select debit cards. It still remains a relatively exclusive club.
Of the 178 bank accounts currently being tracked in the Mozo database, just ten (including the Up Everyday Account) offer both of these travel-friendly features. The current list includes:
Bank | Account |
---|---|
Citi | Global Currency Account |
Citi | Plus Transaction Account |
HSBC | Everyday Global Account |
ING | Orange Everyday |
ING | Orange Everyday Youth |
Macquarie | Platinum Transaction Account |
Macquarie | Transaction Account |
UBank | USaver Ultra Transaction Account |
Up | Everyday Account |
Xinja | Bank Account |
To put that into perspective, the average foreign exchange commission in the Mozo database (for bank accounts) is 2.71% while the average fee for a withdrawal using an international ATM is $3.37.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Big Four banks all fare worse than the Mozo average.
Australian travellers using a debit card linked with an ANZ Access Advantage Account, Commonwealth Bank Smart Access Account, NAB Classic Banking Account or Westpac Choice Account can expect to fork out a 3.00% foreign exchange commission and a $5 international ATM withdrawal fee.
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Ready to make a fresh start to 2020 with a new debit card and bank account? Get started today by checking out some of the hot offers in the table below, or check out our Up Everyday Account review for even more information about Up’s account features and fees.
Compare debit cards - rates updated daily
Glide Account
account fee
Payment Options
what kind of card
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung Pay, FitBit Pay, GarminVisa DebitUnlimited free internet transactions. Super fast transfers & use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. No account keeping fees or ATM fees.
Glide Account
Unlimited free internet transactions. Super fast transfers & use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. No account keeping fees or ATM fees.
- interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- fee-free transactions
- Unlimited free internet transactions.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Glide Account
Everyday Options
account fee
Payment Options
what kind of card
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayIDVisa DebitAn easy, everyday banking account packed with flexible options to help you spend, budget and save better. Create up to 9 sub accounts.
Everyday Options
An easy, everyday banking account packed with flexible options to help you spend, budget and save better. Create up to 9 sub accounts.
- interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
Balances from $1: 0.01% p.a.
- fee-free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from own-bank ATM, EFTPOS, counter withdrawals, counter deposits, phone and internet
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Everyday Options
Everyday Global Account
account fee
Payment Options
what kind of card
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayIDVisa DebitNo overseas ATM fees & up to 10 currencies in one account. Switch between currencies instantly 24/7 wherever you are using the mobile app.$100 Bonus for new HSBC customers and earn 2% cashback on tap and pay under $100 (T&Cs apply)
Everyday Global Account
No overseas ATM fees & up to 10 currencies in one account. Switch between currencies instantly 24/7 wherever you are using the mobile app.$100 Bonus for new HSBC customers and earn 2% cashback on tap and pay under $100 (T&Cs apply)
- interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
Balances from $9,000: 0.00% p.a.
- fee-free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from HSBC ATMs, EFTPOS, phone, internet, Bank@Post, BPAY and direct debits
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Everyday Global Account
Classic Banking Account
with Standard Visa Debit Card
account fee
Payment Options
what kind of card
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung PayVisa Debit or
EFTPOSNo monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.
Classic Banking Account
No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.
- interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.01% p.a.
- fee-free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from own-bank ATM, EFTPOS, counter withdrawals, counter deposits, phone, internet and Visa debit purchases
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Classic Banking Account
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