Wise Card Review: Is It the Best Travel Card? (2025)
Recently I was talking to my friend about international bank transfers, and it made me remember what a positive change Wise has brought to my travels once I started using it.
I have been using Wise for over 7 years and it has become one of the most essential items I would now never travel without. So, I realized, it is probably time for my Wise Card Review!
The Wise Card is a multi-currency card with one of the best exchange rates and lowest transfer fees. It has both a digital wallet and you can also order a Wise debit card that works like any other debit card.
Having a Wise debit card makes travelling so much easier, as you can use the card for purchases and it automatically converts money to the local currency. You can also use it to withdraw money from ATMs, or to transfer money between accounts in different currencies – all at the best exchange rates and lowest transaction fees that any other bank could offer.
So, here is everything you need to know about the Wise Travel Card!
What is the Wise Card?
The Wise Card (formerly Transferwise) is a multi-currency card that offers one of the best exchange rates. It has both a digital wallet and the option to order a debit card.
You have to add money to your account, and then the Wise debit card works exactly like any other debit cards. You can use the card to pay at shops, withdraw from ATM, or make online purchases.
The most important feature of the Wise Card is that it is a multi-currency card, so it is the most useful when you go travelling.
You can add various currencies to your card, but even if you keep your money in US Dollars in your account, once you are abroad and have to pay in local currency, then when you pay, it automatically converts the money to the local currency.
I have been using the Wise card for over 7 years, and it has become one of my most essential items while abroad. It is very useful and has exchange rates that no other bank can match.
Plus, they never block your card while you are travelling abroad, whether you use it in a small town in India or in London. Before I started using Wise, my home bank kept blocking my card whenever I used it abroad (even when I notified my bank that I would be travelling), so switching to Wise has made travelling much smoother and stress-free.
Is Wise Travel Card Legit & Safe to Use?
Yes, the Wise Travel Card is definitely legit and safe to use. I have been using it for years and have never had any issue with it.
It is easy to top up, pay for purchases, withdraw from ATMs, or to transfer money to someone else’s account.
It also has an app that you should download. In case your card is lost or stolen, you can immediately log into your Wise app and block (“freeze”) your card. Once blocked, you can order a new card that typically takes around 12 days to arrive.
I recommend to not keep large amounts of money on your Wise account though when you go travelling. The best is to top up your account with more or less the amount you plan to spend during your trip. Then, in case you need more money, you can add more money to your account.
Wise Card: Pros & Cons
Wise Card Pros
Wise Card Cons
How to Use Wise Card
First, go to the Wise website and register your account. Initially, you have the access to the online platform that works like a digital wallet. After you set it up, you can order a Wise debit card that you can use like other debit cards.
Wise Card Features
- Sending & receiving money: great exchange rates, low transfer fees
- E-wallet: top up in seconds
- Multi-currency account: convert money between currencies in seconds
- ATM withdrawal: good exchange rate, small ATM fee
- Purchasing items
How Do I Put Money on My Wise Card?
To put money on your Wise Card, you have to log into the Wise app or website first. Then, go to “Add Money”. Then, you can select in which currency you’d like to add the money to your account, then enter the amount you want to add.
Once you enter the amount of money you want to add to your account, you can add the bank card from where you want to transfer the money from. You can add this bank card to your account, so that anytime in the future you want to transfer money from your non-Wise account to your Wise account, then the card is already saved.
After you add your bank details (non-Wise account), and approve the transfer to your Wise account, it only takes a few minutes for the transfer to complete.
I have saved one of my non-Wise bank account details on my Wise account, so anytime I have to top up my Wise account, it only takes a few minutes.
➡️ Get a Wise Travel Card Here!
How to Use Wise Card Abroad
You can use the Wise Card abroad like any other debit cards. You can use it to pay for purchases or to withdraw from ATMs. It is not a credit card, so you can only spend the amount that is actually on your account.
It usually has a small ATM fee charge that can vary from country to country. In Nepal, I pay around USD 5 for the withdrawal, however, in Nepal any non-Nepali cards come with an ATM charge.
Due to the ATM charge, I prefer to use my Wise Card for purchases at shops, as that doesn’t charge a fee. As most places in the world now accept card payments, I recommend using the Wise card more for purchases, and less for ATM withdrawals.
Tips for Using Wise Card
✔️ Keep a Low Balance on the Card
If you are travelling, I recommend keeping only a low balance on the Wise card (just the amount you would need for your trip). The Wise debit card is totally safe, but if you are abroad and in case your card is lost or stolen, then it will just make you more stressed.
The good thing is that if you also have the Wise app on your phone, then you can block your card straight away, so no one can spend any money off your card. Once you block your card, you can also order a new card as a replacement.
✔️ Have the Wise App on Your Phone
If you have a Wise debit card, then it is essential that you also have the Wise app installed on your phone. The app has various features that make using the card much easier.
On the Wise app, you can make transfers in 1-2 minutes, top up your Wise account in seconds, or you can even block (“freeze”) your card in case it is lost or stolen.
When you log into the app, you can also access your account details and your PIN. In case you forget PINs/passwords easily (like me), you can easily access your Wise card’s PIN in the app.
I don’t use my Wise card very often, so it is easy for me to forget the PIN. Luckily, in the Wise app, I can access the PIN in seconds, so even if I am at the grocery shop’s check-out, I can quickly check the PIN before payment.
✔️ Keep Your Preferred Currency on Your Wise Card
Wise is a multi-currency card, so basically, you can keep different currencies in one account. When I first got Wise, I used to have EUR and USD in my account and then convert it to other currencies wherever I travelled in Asia.
In reality, you can just keep USD, or your preferred currency on your Wise account, and when you pay abroad, it automatically converts to the local currency – you don’t have to convert it in your account beforehand.
I used to convert it to the local currency in the beginning, but later I figured that it was unnecessary, and the Wise account automatically converts it without any fees when you are about to pay.
➡️ Get a Wise Travel Card Here!
Wise Card Review: My Verdict
Ultimately, my verdict is that Wise is one of the best travel cards, has one of the best exchange rates, it is easy to use, and is one of the travel essentials I would not go travelling without.
I have been using Wise for years, and it has made life much easier when it comes to making payments by card abroad, and transferring money in different currencies between different accounts.
The Wise account is easy to set up, and once you register, you can also order a debit card that you can use abroad like any other debit cards. As it is a debit card (not a credit card), you can only spend money that you actually have in your account.
FAQs: Wise Travel Card Review
What are the downsides of the Wise Card?
It is hard to say any downsides as the benefits way outweigh the small negatives. One thing to note is that the Wise Card is a debit card and not a credit card, so you can only spend the money that you have on your account.
In addition, if you use the Wise card to withdraw from an ATM abroad, then it also comes with a small ATM fee. However, most foreign cards all charge an ATM fee abroad, so I don’t find it a big issue. What you can do is to use the Wise card mostly for payments, and less for withdrawing money.
Can a Wise Card be trusted?
Yes, the Wise Card can definitely be trusted.
I have been using Wise for 7 years and never faced any issues with it. The transfers always went smoothly, the exchange rates and transfer fees are minimal, and my money on my account has always been safe.
Is Wise a good card to have?
Yes, Wise is a good card to have. It is the best to use when travelling abroad and you have to pay in different currencies.
Apart from making payments, you can also transfer money between different accounts in just a matter of minutes, and it comes with one of the best exchange rates and low transfer fees.
Can Americans get a Wise Card?
Yes, Americans can get a Wise Card. The Wise Card is open to most nationalities, including those from the USA.
Does Wise automatically use the right currency?
Yes, Wise automatically uses the right currency.
Let’s say that you have US Dollars in your Wise account, but you are travelling in Nepal and have to pay in Nepali Rupees (NPR). When you are about to pay with your Wise card, it automatically converts USD to NPR, and uses the best exchange rate out there without any transaction fees.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I definitely recommend using the Wise Travel Card. It is easy to set up and add money to your account. Once you order and receive your Wise debit card, you can use it just like any other debit cards.
Wise’s main features are that it converts money to the local currency automatically, and that if you need to transfer money to another account in a different currency, then you get great exchange rates and low transfer fees. The transfer only takes a few minutes, so it beats other banks that can take days to complete the transfer!
Due to its great exchange rates and being a multi-currency card, Wise is the best travel card and makes travelling abroad much smoother and stress-free. Honestly, it has made paying abroad so much easier for me and I totally recommend it for everyone going a trip or wanting to make money transfers in different currencies.
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