Platinum Debit Card
Enjoy a debit card with premier benefits worldwide and travel insurance for your whole family
Are you ready to break out of your shell and travel the world again with your family? While most of the world's travel services are back in business, it is still quite an expensive proposition - especially if you aren't careful. A good way to ensure you keep to your travel budget is to know how currency exchange works so that you can make the best choices for your family and avoid paying high fees or doing business in seedy side streets.
In short, you need to 'do your homework' and ensure you have made the best possible decision as to how you are going to manage your money and health while you are abroad. So you need to ensure you've considered two key things that will make your life smoother when you are travelling away from home:
1. The kind of payment options you will need to use, and
2. How to get access to medical services in the case of an emergency or illness.
In most cases, you will need a combination of payment options: credit and cash. Credit cards are essential if you are planning on booking rental cars or hotels, or even pre-booking tickets to events and famous sights. But not everyone has adopted the 100% touch free approach to payment systems, which allow you to scan your mobile phone, smart watch or credit card. If you are travelling to less populated and remote regions, you can find that they can still be heavily reliant on cash.
Where to get cash
To help you save the most on currency exchange rates and avoid potential fees for international transactions, use the tips below to plan for your next trip abroad. More money in your pocket and less spent on unnecessary fees means more to spend on your globetrotting adventures.
1. Visit your local bank before you leave home
One of the best ways to minimize currency exchange fees is to visit your bank or credit union before you leave the country and exchange your local cash for the currency of your destination. Depending on which country (or countries) you plan on visiting, most major banks will have foreign currency available to sell to you without charging an additional fee beyond the exchange rate.
In some cases, you may also be able to get foreign currency in cash at your local bank branch, or you can order currency online or by phone to be delivered to your home. Depending on your bank, where you live and which country’s currency you need, some currencies may be available for same-day exchange. Other, less frequently requested currencies could require a few days—or weeks—of advance notice.
2. Avoid currency exchanges at the airport
It can be tempting to simply exchange your currency at the airport when you arrive, especially if you are running short on time before departure. While these merchants do offer convenience, be aware that their exchange rates are typically much less favorable than your bank at home.
Credit card options
When you're travelling with the family, the last thing you want to think about is carrying around large sums of cash or exchanging currencies in airports or seedy side streets to get the best conversion rate. Previously customers just used their credit cards, but with inflation on the rise, many of them are turning to debit cards to ensure against financial over-extension in their daily lives.
Kbank's Platinum Debit Card lends you a helping hand to get you where you're going. Travel like a local, knowing that Kbank has your back in case things go wrong. Not only can to keep your expenses in check while you are at home, the Platinum Debit Card also comes with Family travel insurance, 24/7 travel assistance, longer repayment periods and lower rates - great features that make this card indispensable for travelling families.
Lost luggage? Cancelled flights? Illness or accident?
Ensure you've made your major travel purchases using your debit card and activate all the benefits of travel insurance that will give you peace of mind during times of trouble. The Kbank Platinum Debit Card enables you to focus on the health and wellbeing of your family.
Need to reserve tickets, a hotel room or rent a car?
Kbank's Platinum Debit Card works just like a credit card while you're away from home. Book online and make reservations a breeze using the internationally recognised Visa credit card network.