Avoid travel money traps when jet-setting to the Brazil World Cup

By Rebeccah Elley · · 2 min read
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There’s only two days to go until the World Cup begins and experts predict a surge in overseas travel to Brazil with around 600,000 international visitors expected, according to the ITB World Travel Trends Report.

Football fans, before you leave Australia plan your travel money - Brazil’s currency is the real - to ensure you don’t get caught out when attending the World Cup from 12 June to 13 July 2014.

Smartraveller advised, “before you depart Australia, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, traveller’s cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards.” Credit cards are widely accepted for payment of any goods and services but make sure you keep an eye on your credit card statement, as credit card fraud and ATM tampering is widespread in Brazil, according to Smartraveller.

Here are 5 travel money tips for travelling to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

1. Search the travel money market for competitive deals. While no financial institutions in Australia offer prepaid travel cards that can load Brazilian real, there are plenty of other great travel money options in the market. Have a quick search here. 

2. Avoid dynamic currency conversion. The feature allows you to view how much you will be charged in Aussie dollars at the time of sale but the exchange rate and overseas transaction fee that are added to the purchase price aren’t as competitive as what your credit card provider will charge you.

3. Use a travel friendly credit card. A competitive credit card designed specifically for travelling will help save you on foreign currency withdrawals and overseas purchases.

4. Keep a low balance on your travel credit or debit card. A low card balance will mean if your card gets stolen, you won't have the stress of losing your entire savings for the trip.

5. Take some traveller’s cheques. It’s good to have a range of money options whilst attending the Brazil World Cup, so keep some traveller’s cheques and a small amount of US dollars in reserve to exchange at a bank when needed.

Find more handy tips on travelling to Brazil during the World Cup here.