5 smart ways to split bills with friends while travelling overseas
Travelling with someone is the ultimate relationship test. Can you split bills, follow an itinerary, and reach your destination – while still liking each other?
Stay on good terms: here are five clever ways to take the stress out of money-sharing abroad.
I get this, you get that
- For those who believe in The Shout
- Method: Mobile wallets, travel debit or credit cards
You’re already vacationing together, so why not use the buddy system and spoil each other? You get dinner tonight, they get dinner tomorrow. You buy these tickets, they buy those tickets. Easy!
You might not be splitting things exactly down the middle, but this can be a low-fuss way to pick up the check (provided no resentment builds up).
All you need to do is make sure you have a payment method that works overseas, whether it’s a chill debit card or travel credit card that won’t charge you international fees or a fintech app like Wise .
Top up a shared prepaid travel card
- For those not fussed about the minutia
- Method: Prepaid travel card
If you’re ready to take your friendship to the next level, why not share a prepaid travel card? This special international card works like debit at home – simply pay-as-you-go and top it up when the balance gets low.
The catch is that you and your friend(s) will all chip in. Make sure everyone transfers the same amount at the same time to keep it honest (i.e. $100 each), then use the card to pay your way.
This works best if you plan on sharing a lot of purchases, i.e. dinners, souvenirs, and experiences, and aren’t too fussed about the exact ratio of who ordered/used what.
Pay now, split later
- For those who will make good on debts
- Method: Expense tracker apps like Beem, Splitwise, and SettleUp
Can’t be bothered to work it all out now? Simply track your ongoing expenses and pay each other back when you get home!
This method can be an extension of the “I get this, you get that” system of money management. You take turns on holiday, then sort it out when the plane lands.
There’s a bit of trust involved in this, and you’ll need to stay organised to log every payment you want to split later. Apps like Beem , Splitwise , and SettleUp make good options for easy tracking.
Pay now, split now
- For those who kick it old school
- Method: Bill-splitting apps
Don’t trust your friends? (Or rather, would like to stay on top of things?) Splitting the bill when it comes might save you the headache of keeping track of costs while overseas.
Apps like Beem, Splitwise, and SettleUp make great options for divvying up and transferring each other. Some money-sharing apps like Beem also let you make requests, so there’s no way for your friend to ‘accidentally’ forget to pay you back.
Book major expenses ahead of time
- For everybody
- Method: Whatever Australian money transfer floats your boat
As a good rule of thumb, settle any big bills before taking off. This includes accommodation, plane tickets, and any event tickets that make you go “oof” at the checkout. This way, you start your holiday on an even keel, and no one feels short-changed.
After all, you’re over there to have fun! Not to argue over who owes who.
Browse our travel money hub for more expert guides. Compare prepaid travel cards below.
Compare prepaid travel cards
Personal Account
Today's rates
Purchase fee
Overseas ATM withdrawal
USD: 0.6463
GBP: 0.5104
EUR: 0.6158
NZD: 1.1002$0$0 under AUD $350 or 5 withdrawals for Standard, AUD $700 for Premium, then 2% (AUD $1.50 min)Personal Account
- Currencies available
30+ currencies
- Reload fee
- up to 1% using domestic cards (up to 2.5% from international cards)
- Closure fee
- $0
- Cross currency conversion fee
- 0% - 1.50% (depending on amount and time when transfer is made)
- Other benefits
- A Revolut account includes International Money Transfers, Share Trading and Multi-Currency Account features.
- Other restrictions
- Exchange fees apply on transactions made between Friday 5pm (New York time) and Sunday 6pm (New York time).
Read reviews and learn more about prepaid travel cards
Wise Travel Money
Today's rates
Purchase fee
Overseas ATM withdrawal
USD: 0.6468
GBP: 0.5113
EUR: 0.6166
NZD: 1.1007$0 for virtual card, $10 AUD fee for a physical card$0 on first 2 withdrawals per month up to AUD $350/month, then 1.75% of withdrawn amount and AUD $1.50.Have access to over 40 currencies. Card automatically converts your money at real exchange rates. Transfer money worldwide at competitive rates. Spend instantly with Google Wallet and Apple Pay. Get cash from more than 3 million ATMs worldwide (free from Wise fees, up to 350 AUD per month).
Wise Travel Money
Have access to over 40 currencies. Card automatically converts your money at real exchange rates. Transfer money worldwide at competitive rates. Spend instantly with Google Wallet and Apple Pay. Get cash from more than 3 million ATMs worldwide (free from Wise fees, up to 350 AUD per month).
- Currencies available
40 currencies
- Reload fee
- $0 for AUD, 2% fee can applies for certain currencies
- Closure fee
- $0
- Cross currency conversion fee
- From 0.33% at mid-market exchange rate
- Other benefits
- Once a balance is opened in another currency in an account, using the card in that currency conversion is free. Ability to use Google and Apple straightaway as part of virtual card.
- Other restrictions
- Monthly ATM withdrawal limit is $7,000 AUD
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Money Card
Today's rates
Purchase fee
Overseas ATM withdrawal
USD: 0.6338
GBP: 0.4914
EUR: 0.5927
NZD: 1.0575$0 Online and in-store.0 AUDThe Travelex Money Card can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted online or in-store at millions of outlets around the world. $0 Eftpos and ATM fees, $0 currency conversion and online shopping fees. Better rates available on amounts over AUD$2,000.
Money Card
The Travelex Money Card can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted online or in-store at millions of outlets around the world. $0 Eftpos and ATM fees, $0 currency conversion and online shopping fees. Better rates available on amounts over AUD$2,000.
- Currencies available
AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD, JPY, CAD, THB
- Reload fee
- $0 when booked via www.travelex.com.au, otherwise 1% using BPay (BPay fee applies when not loading via the website or app).
- Closure fee
- $10
- Cross currency conversion fee
- $0
- Other benefits
- Get $15 loyalty gift discount when you top up with AU$1,500 or more in foreign currency equivalent.
- Other restrictions
- -
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Platinum Prepaid Currency Mastercard
Today's rates
Purchase fee
Overseas ATM withdrawal
USD: 0.6182
GBP: 0.4874
EUR: 0.5874
NZD: 1.0489$0 online (greater of 1.1% of initial load amount or $15 in-store)2.50 USDGet Free Global Wi-Fi when you travel with Cash Passport. The Platinum card has many beneficial attributes, including free global WiFi.
Platinum Prepaid Currency Mastercard
Get Free Global Wi-Fi when you travel with Cash Passport. The Platinum card has many beneficial attributes, including free global WiFi.
- Currencies available
AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD, JPY, CAD, THB, AED
- Reload fee
- $0 online (free using BPay, 0.5% of the amount loaded per transaction using debit card)
- Closure fee
- $0
- Cross currency conversion fee
- 0%
- Other benefits
- Free global Wi-Fi at millions of Boingo hotspots, complimentary access to LoungeKey airport lounges worldwide upon a flight delay, and instantly transfer money from one Cash Passport account to another with Card to Card.
- Other restrictions
- -
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Travel Platinum Mastercard
Today's rates
Purchase fee
Overseas ATM withdrawal
USD: 0.6117
GBP: 0.4788
EUR: 0.5739
NZD: 1.0346$0 when loaded at Australia Post or online. (1.1% when loading AUD)3.50 AUDTravel Platinum Mastercard
- Currencies available
AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD, JPY, CAD, THB, AED
- Reload fee
- $0 online (1% using BPay, $5 using debit card)
- Closure fee
- $0
- Cross currency conversion fee
- 0%
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Read reviews and learn more about prepaid travel cards
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