travel money card vanuatu

Our Borders Are Now Open! Click here  for travel information to Vanuatu. Visit Nabanga Pledge to stay Covid-safe during your holiday.

Travelling to Vanuatu

TRAVELLING TO VANUATU

We are so excited to welcome our international travellers back to our shores, with our beautiful smiles and we would to thank you for Answering the Call of Vanuatu once again!

The Vanuatu Government has released information on the expected entry requirements to Vanuatu These are designed to keep both travellers and the people of Vanuatu safe and mitigate the risks of Covid 19 as our borders reopen. 

Here’s what you need to know about travelling to Vanuatu.

VANUATU ENTRY REQUIREMENTS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is encouraged but not required

Testing for COVID-19 is not required. Those who are unwell are encouraged to postpone travel.

Please refer to the  Department of Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services  for the most up-to-date information on entry documents required.

IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS:

1.Travellers on  tourist visa  must: 

        a. Have a confirmed returned ticket to country of origin

        b. A confirmed accomodation at an accredited tourist facility: hotel, motel, bungalow, resort,... OR

        c. A letter of invitation from sponsor in Vanuatu

For more information, please  check here.

An accredited tourism property or facility means it was certified by the Vanuatu Government Department of Tourism, with a valid tourism permit. See attached the list of the accredited tourism businesses -  2022_Tourism_Accommodation.pdf

For more information on the  list of the Exempt and non-Exempt countries  to the Vanuatu Tourism Visa go to:  Countries_requiring_visa_or_No_Visa_for_Vanuatu_2022.pdf

Only citizens from NON-EXEMPT countries will be required to apply for a Tourism Visa, by completing the attached form and returning it to the Vanuatu Department of Immigrations and Passport Services prior to travel, for approval.

Tourism Visa will be granted upon arrival by the Vanuatu Department of Immigrations and Passport Services to all traveling citizens of EXEMPT countries.

To  download the Tourism Visa form,  please click on the link,  Tourism_Visa.pdf .

Failure to provide a confirmed booking, with an accredited tourism property may results to denied boarding or refusal by the Vanuatu Government Department Immigration.

Travellers and/or Vanuatu residents on residence visa, student visa, business visa or special category visa  MUST have a valid existing visa before boarding any flight to Vanuatu.

For any further information on these additional border measures and conditions, please contact,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DURING TRAVEL TO VANUATU:

A well-fitted mask is no longer required to be worn on flights to Vanuatu and at the airport upon arrival to Vanuatu. 

However, the Ministry of Health continue to recommend their use, especially for those who are vulnerable to severe COVID-19. Airlines and vessels may request masks be worn under specific conditions. 

WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN VANUATU:

You won’t need to quarantine or do any testing upon arrival.

Testing upon or after arrival is not required if there are no symptoms and there has been no exposure to COVID-19. Travellers who experience COVID-19 sign or symptoms are encouraged to isolate, OR can undertake a  COVID test*. 

*Testing is available at health facilities and pharmacies for those with symptoms. 

Arrival by Sea:  The above requirements also apply to those entering Vanuatu by sea, if there are no symptoms and there has been no exposure to COVID-19. 

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID 19 WHILE IN VANUATU:

Travellers to Vanuatu including tourists who test positive to COVID-19 while in Vanuatu will be requested to isolate until there has been no fever and no worsening or new symptoms for a least 48 hours.  Medical care should be sought if symptoms have not improved within 5 days or if you experience any danger sign.

For tourists, this can be done at a hotel or resort. Visitors are encouraged to have travel insurance. 

Further information is available on the COVID-19 website at www.covid19.gov.vu , through the 119 Health Information Hotline, or at the Health Promotions Vanuatu Facebook page. 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Read  about Vanuatu’s Roadmap to Reopening  here.

These entry requirements are subject to change.

We advise you to click here  for more information.

We will also publish relevant updates on the Vanuatu Tourism Office  Facebook page .

Subscribe to our Mailing List

The 5 Best Ways to Take Money to Vanuatu

Vanuatu boasts luxury beach resorts, beautiful waterfalls, volcanos, and intoxicating underwater reefs perfect for snorkelling or diving. We love it so much that Australians account for almost all cruise ship visitors to Vanuatu and some two-thirds of their long-stay visitors.

But how do you get the most out of your stay without squandering your savings on unnecessary fees and charges during currency exchanges?

Here are the 5 best ways to take money overseas, to Vanuatu from Australia and will ensure you get the most out of your trip (and your budget!).

• Making payments with your Australian debit card
• Making payments with a credit card
• Buying vatu in Australia before leaving
• Taking Australian dollars to exchange in Vanuatu
• Withdraw vatu from an ATM

Avoid Nasty ATM Fees

Get some cash in a flash.

With S Money, you know you'll always get the best rate.

The Best Debit Card to Use in Vanuatu

You probably already own a debit card and have it on you naturally every day, so why not use it?

Debit cards can be useful for necessary ATM cash withdrawals and are accepted in some major businesses in Port Vila and Luganville, and in resorts (though you might have to pay a surcharge).

Just remember that EFTPOS facilities and ATMs are few and far between among smaller businesses and on more remote islands so don’t rely on your debit card alone for payments.

Debit cards are no doubt convenient – but depending on the card you have, you may want to keep transactions to a minimum or you’ll pay hefty amounts in currency conversion fees and international transaction fees.

Some debit cards are worse than others. Better options include Citibank, ING, Revolut, and TransferWise, which all offer cards designed for international jet setters. These banks waive many travel-related fees.

One of the best travel money cards for Vanuatu is the Wise Travel Card , which doesn’t have purchase, load, or reload fees and offers the same exchange rates as those you see on Google or XE.com.

IMPORTANT TIP : Don’t forget to alert your bank to your travel plans! If you don’t, they might mistake a transaction in Vanuatu as fraud and freeze your card.

Learn more: The Best Travel Debit Cards to Use Overseas

A Note on Prepaid Travel Cards

There’s no point in getting a prepaid travel card unless you can enjoy the full benefits. And unfortunately, there are currently no Australian prepaid cards that will allow you to load up vatu. Instead of buying a travel card, consider investing in one of the travel-friendly debit cards we listed above.

Learn more: The Best Travel Prepaid Cards to Use Overseas

The Best Credit Card for Travelling in Vanuatu

There are a lot of reasons to be tempted to pick up a credit card. You might get added security, frequent flyer points, and even complimentary travel insurance.

But is it really worth it? Sure, you should be able to pay by card at hotels, travel agencies, and some souvenir shops and restaurants in Port Vila. But Luganville businesses are a little more resistant to these plastic payments and beyond these two towns, your card will be useless.

MasterCard and Visa are most widely accepted, American Express less so. And even where you can pay by card, you could be slapped with a business surcharge of between 3% and 5% for card payments.

On top of all this, you could end up paying more per transaction through the card company fees and charges, including:

• International transaction fees
• High exchange rate margins
• Potential ‘cash advance fees’ if you use an ATM

If you can’t do without this bit of plastic, consider Bankwest Platinum and 28 Degrees cards, both of which waive the currency conversion fee for foreign purchases and ATM withdrawals.

Learn more: The Best Travel Credit Cards to Use Overseas

Buying Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) in Australia

It can be comforting to have a little cash on hand to help you out on arrival in the country – especially if you need to pay for a taxi to get you into town.

Fortunately, it’s easy to pick up vatu in Australia. Some of your options include:

• Heading to a bank
• Picking up from a dedicated money changer
• Buying vatu at the airport
• Ordering your currency online

You could start with the bureau de change outlets at Australian international airports but we recommend saving that option as a last resort. Australia’s airport exchange offices have notoriously poor exchange rates and high fees.

Australian banks do provide money changing services but will provide a market exchange rate of about 2.5% above the day’s mid-market rate.

Your final in-store option is to pick up vatu from a currency exchange outlet. You’ll find them everywhere from suburban shopping centres to the main shopping strips of every CBD. But if you want better value, go where there’s competition; inner-city offices usually have to be more competitive in their rates.

Did you know you don’t even need to leave home to secure the vatu you need? You can order it online and have it delivered straight to your door (or made available for pickup).

S Money is an online currency provider that offers the mid-market rate so you’ll be paying the same amount for your vatu as that quoted on Google or XE.com.

Sign up to our Rate Tracker to get free updates on the AUD to VUV exchange rate sent directly to your email inbox.

Should I Exchange Money Before I Travel to Vanuatu?

Australian travellers report much better exchange rates in Vanuatu than in Australia, so it may be a good idea to carry Australian dollars with you to exchange on arrival in Vanuatu.

Learn more: The Travel Money Guide to Currency in Vanuatu

Taking Australian Dollars to Exchange in Vanuatu

With just 3.5 hours flying time from Sydney to Port Vila, it’s no surprise Australians make up a large portion of Vanuatu’s annual visitors. Thankfully, that means the locals make sure it’s easy for you to exchange Aussie dollars into vatu on arrival.

Vanuatu has a number of money changers, both at the international airport and in the major towns of Port Vila and Luganville.

The National Bank counter at the airport will offer an easy exchange but it’s better to wait until you get into town. The Goodies Forex office in town is renowned for having one of the best exchange rates in Vanuatu. The 7/11 nearby is also a good option.

While you can also exchange currencies in some hotels, we recommend keeping your transactions to the Goodies store – hotels can charge exorbitant fees.

Major banks, including ANZ, Westpac, and the National Bank of Vanuatu (NBV), also provide exchange services and have bank branches in both Port Vila and Luganville.

NBV does have branches on other islands, including Lakatoro (Malekula), Lenakel (Tanna), and Pango (Pentecost), but we don’t recommend relying on them for exchanges. Travellers have reported rocking up only to find the banks closed or out of cash.

Withdrawing Vatu from a Local ATM

ATMs are a convenient way to get vatu but it’s better not to rely on them. Port Vila and Luganville both have ATMs attached to most major banks and inside many supermarkets. There’s usually a daily withdrawal limit of about 44,000VT (roughly $600). Beyond these two major towns, you’ll struggle to find one so it’s better to load up while you can.

Of course, there’s a cost for the convenience of ATM withdrawals. Many local ATM providers charge a transaction fee. Plus your own bank could hit you with fees for overseas withdrawals and currency conversions.

Good news for ANZ and Westpac Bank cardholders (that includes Bank of St George, Bank of Melbourne, and BankSA)! You can withdraw money from your respective bank ATM in Vanuatu and you won’t pay the ATM transaction fee.

A Note on Travellers Cheques

Travellers cheques have been made redundant thanks to the growth of plastic payments. While some hotels and banks in Vanuatu still cash travellers cheques, you’ll avoid headaches and fees by sticking to one of the top 5 money methods we’ve already listed.

How Much Money Do You Need Per Day in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu is not a budget destination – and why would you want to cut down the costs? If you really want to get the most out of your trip to this Pacific nation, set aside a roomy budget.

While we can’t tell you how much you’ll need – that depends entirely on your travel itinerary and preferred travel style – the figure will likely be between 20,000VT and 100,000VT a day. The average tourist to Vanuatu spends around 45,000VT a day.

Need help budgeting? Here are some approximate costs for expenses in Vanuatu:

12,000-40,000VT

One night in a mid-range hotel

1000-4,500VT

A main meal

A taxi (from Bauerfield International Airport to Port Vila)

3,000VT per week

Snorkel hire

Prices are quoted in Ni-Vanuatu vatu as of July 2020 and are a guide only.

Keep track of the AUD to VUV mid-market exchange rate heading into your trip by signing up to our S Money Rate Tracker . You’ll receive real-time updates in your inbox.

Learn more: How Much Spending Money to Take to Vanuatu

So What’s the Best Way to Take Spending Money to Vanuatu?

We’ve listed what we consider to be the 5 easiest ways to take money to Vanuatu and secure vatu. Our recommendation is to mix up your options for greater security and flexibility. Make sure you have some cash on you at all times but combine it with a travel-friendly debit card for further cash withdrawals in case of emergencies.

Ultimately, it comes down to you which methods you prefer. But having multiple payment methods keeps the stress low on a trip designed to deliver all the R&R you need!

ASIC regulated

Like all reputable money exchanges, we are registered with AUSTRAC and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

S Money complies with the relevant laws pertaining to privacy, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance. This means you are required to provide I.D. when you place an order. It also means the order must be paid for by the same person ordering the currency and you must show your identification again when receiving your order.

• Investing & super
• Institutional
• CommBank Yello
• NetBank log on
• CommBiz log on
• CommSec log on

Help & support

Popular searches

Travel insurance

Foreign exchange calculator

Discharge/ Refinance authority form

Activate a CommBank card

Cardless cash

Interest rates & fees

Travel / Travel Money Card

Travel Money Card

Lock in exchange rates and load up to 13 currencies on one account to easily access your money while you’re travelling.

Features & benefits

$0 card issue fee.

Order a Travel Money Card for free in branch or online (search 'Travel Money Card' in the CommBank app or log into NetBank ).

Lock in exchange rates 

Load up to 13 currencies on one card before your trip, so you know how much you have to spend, no matter how the Australian Dollar moves.

Spend anywhere in the world 

Shop online, in-store, or over the phone wherever Visa is accepted, plus get access to Visa ® travel offers .

Easily manage your travel budget

Manage your holiday money and track your spending via the CommBank app or NetBank.

Your purchases, covered

Lost or stolen personal belongings? We may be able to cover the cost to repair or replace them up to 90 days after purchase. 2

Extra card security

Lost, misplaced or stolen card? Lock it and report it in the CommBank app or NetBank. 

• Currency converter

Exchange rates

Load up to 13 currencies on one account

Lock in exchange rates and load up to 13 currencies easily on one account – wherever you are in the world – through NetBank or the CommBank app:  

• United States Dollars (USD)
• Euros (EUR)
• Great British pounds (GBP)
• Australian Dollars (AUD)
• Japanese Yen (JPY)
• New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
• Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
• Canadian Dollars (CAD)
• Singapore Dollars (SGD)
• Thai Baht (THB)
• Vietnamese Dong (VND)
• Chinese Renminbi (CNY)
• Emirati Dirham (AED)

No load or reload fees

You can load up to 13 currencies on your Travel Money Card with no load or reload fees. The exchange rate is the CommBank Retail Foreign Exchange Rate at the time of the conversion.

When you’re ready to pay for something, we will always try to complete the transaction for the country you are in. Make sure you have enough of the correct currency for the country you’re in on your card to avoid additional fees. If you don’t have enough of the local currency, we’ll use the next available currency instead, so long as there’s enough of it loaded on your card.

If you load multiple currencies on your Travel Money Card, you can  change the order  (the next available currency) anytime online. 

Rates & fees

See all fees and charges

Who can apply

To get your Travel Money Card, you’ll need to:

• Be at least 14 years old;
• Be registered to use NetBank, or register online New to CommBank? Sign up to NetBank at your nearest branch ;
• Provide a valid email address; and
• Have an Australian residential address

How to apply

Before your trip.

• Order a Travel Money Card in the CommBank app (search 'Travel Money Card'),  NetBank , or at your  nearest branch . 
• Load at least AUD 50 or the foreign currency equivalent to get started
• Once you’ve got your card,  activate and set your PIN online  in NetBank, or under Cards in the CommBank app
• Lock-in the exchange rate by  loading currency on your card in NetBank  or the CommBank app

How it works

During your trip.

• The  local currency will be automatically applied  when you pay for something, as long as it’s loaded on your card and you have sufficient funds
• Reload in real time , fee-free if your balance gets low
• Stick to daily transaction limits
• The maximum value of purchases per day is unlimited, however no more than your available balance
• The maximum amount you can withdraw from ATMs per day is AUD 2,500 or the foreign currency equivalent. Keep in mind most ATM operators have a limit on how much you can withdraw from an ATM per transaction
• The maximum amount for over-the-counter withdrawals per day is AUD 2,500 or the foreign currency equivalent.

When you’re home

• Got leftover currency? Exchange it for another currency or back into your CommBank account from  NetBank  or the CommBank app
• Top up  your Travel Money Card (it’s valid for 4 years) in preparation for your next trip
• Donate  your foreign (and local) currency to any CommBank or Bankwest branch and every cent will go to UNICEF
• How to manage your Travel Money Card

You’ve got your new card – here’s how to get the most out of it.

Find detailed info on getting started, loading and reloading currencies, setting a currency order, checking your balance and tracking your spend. Plus, info on Purchase Security Insurance Cover and access to Visa ® travel offers .

Manage your Travel Money Card

Need foreign cash? Have it ready before you travel

If you’re a CommBank customer, you can buy or sell up to 9 foreign currencies at selected CommBank branches in exchange for Australian Dollars.

You can also order foreign cash in over 30 currencies online – even if you’re not a CommBank customer.

Discover Foreign Cash

Planning an overseas trip?

Discover travel tips to help make the most of your European summer holiday.

See travel tips

Emergency support & tools

What to do if you’ve lost your card or it’s stolen.

If you’ve lost your Travel Money Card, or you think it might’ve been stolen, we can have an emergency replacement card sent to you anywhere in the world.

You may also be eligible for an Emergency Cash Advance, giving you access to cash within 24-48 hours (often on the same day).

Call us in an emergency on:

• 1300 660 700  within Australia
• +61 2 9999 3283 from overseas (reverse charges accepted). 

When calling from overseas using your mobile, standard roaming charges may apply. To avoid roaming charges, call the international operator in the country you’re in from a landline and give them our reverse charges number +61 2 9999 3283.

Tools & calculators

• Saving calculator
• Budget planner
• Managing multiple currencies on your Travel Money Card
• Travelling overseas: 10-step money checklist  
• Beginners guide to exchange rates
• Online banking while overseas  
• Planning an overseas holiday

We can help

Your questions answered

Get in touch

Visit your nearest branch

Things you should know

1 The cash withdrawal fee will not apply to cash withdrawals made in Australia.

2  For more information relating to the complimentary Purchase Security Insurance refer to  Travel Money Card Complimentary Insurance Information Booklet (PDF) .

As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should before acting on this advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances.  The Product Disclosure Statement and Conditions of Use (PDF)  issued by Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 for Travel Money Card should be considered before making any decision about this product.  View our Financial Services Guide (PDF) .

To raise a dispute related to your Travel Money Card please complete  this form for transactions (PDF)  or  this form for ATM disputes (PDF) .

Any withdrawal or balance enquiry fee will come from the currency for which you are using your card. If this currency is not loaded on your card, the fee will be taken from the first (or sole) currency loaded on your card. Any SMS balance alert fee will come from the first (or sole) currency loaded on your card.

The target market for this product will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination,  available here .

What's the Currency in Vanuatu?

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

The currency in Vanuatu is the Vanuatu vatu . As the official legal tender in Vanuatu, the Vanuatu vatu is officially recognized by the Vanuatuan government, meaning you can use it to settle all financial obligations in the country, including paying for goods, services, taxes, and debts.

Besides the vatu, no other currency is officially accepted in Vanuatu.

There are a couple of reasons why you might be interested to find out the currency in Vanuatu. Click on the reason that best applies to you below to find out more:

• I'm travelling to Vanuatu
• I'm sending money to Vanuatu
• I want to follow the Vanuatu vatu exchange rate
• I'm just curious

Travelling to Vanuatu

With its different currency, banking system, and money customs, figuring out the best way to pay in Vanuatu if you travel there can be tricky. Fortunately, many forms of payments have become ubiquitous around the globe, including:

• Credit cards: Cards from VISA and Mastercard are accepted in Vanuatu, especially in touristy establishments.
• Debit cards: Debit cards linked to your bank account let you make purchases at point-of-sale terminals and withdraw cash.
• Cash: Having some Vanuatu vatu banknotes could help for small purchases, tipping, and emergencies. You can typically exchange currency at a bank or exchange bureau before or upon arrival.
• Mobile payments: Mobile payment services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Alipay are an increasingly popular way to pay, but you'll need to check beforehand how available these methods are in Vanuatu.
• Prepaid travel cards: A reloadable debit card with a Vanuatu vatu balance can give you good value, security, and convenience.

Of these methods, using a prepaid travel card is almost always the best way to pay in Vanuatu because they generally incur lower fees on Vanuatu vatu currency exchange than credit cards or bank debit cards do. Moreover, many prepaid travel cards let you hold multi-currency balances, allowing you to dodge DCCs and other sneaky fees while travelling — all while providing the same level of security and convenience as you're used to from your credit or debit card!

Depending on where you're from, you may be able to find a prepaid travel card from your bank. Still, we recommend using a global provider like Revolut because it offers excellent exchange rates, multi-currency balances, and a travel debit card that allows you to spend on your holiday like a local and enjoy peace of mind after each tap, swipe, or cash withdrawal.

Revolut is only available in the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU/EEA, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Chile. If you live in Canada or New Zealand, the Wise Account is another excellent option to consider. If you're from any other country, we recommend checking out what multi-currency cards are available in your country or whether your bank offers any similar products.

Sending Money to Vanuatu

Every year, many people send money to Vanuatu for all kinds of reasons. These include supporting friends or family, paying for someone's tuition, settling business transactions, purchasing or upgrading property, and many others. If you want to send an international money transfer to a Vanuatu vatu bank account in Vanuatu, then you should be aware of the high fees and exchange rates that go along with global money transfers with your international bank (these fees often constitute more than 10% of your transfer amount — you can read all about this in our dedicated explainer here ).

Fortunately, international money transfers are a competitive market with many trustworthy alternative providers jostling to offer you the best exchange rates (rates which almost always far outdo those you'll find at the bank!). However, because the cheapest provider to send money abroad differs depending on factors such as where you're sending from, the amount you're sending, the payment method and others, we recommend skipping the hassle and finding the cheapest provider in real time with Monito's live comparison tool below 👇

Find the best deal when sending money to Vanuatu:

Vanuatu vatu exchange rates.

The Vanuatu vatu is one of around 180 currencies worldwide. This means that the Vanuatu vatu trades against all other official currencies around the globe, giving us exchange rates: a measure of how much of one currency we can exchange for another.

Exchange rates can fluctuate over time due to various economic, political, and market factors. A higher exchange rate means that the value of one currency has increased compared to another, while a lower exchange rate means the opposite. Exchange rates are essential when travelling to, buying goods and services from, or sending money to Vanuatu.

With Monito's currency pages, you can follow the live exchange rate to the Vanuatu vatu, see which providers offer the best deals, and set up smart email alerts to follow fluctuations:

You can also use the above tool to enter your currency to see its exchange rate with the Vanuatu vatu or set up email alerts to be notified when the exchange rate passes a certain value.

Key Facts About the Vanuatu Vatu

Currencies and foreign money can be interesting, unique, fun to learn about because they offer a glimpse into a country's culture, history, and economics. If you're just curious the Vanuatu vatu and how it's used as the currency of Vanuatu, here are a few key facts:

FAQ About the Currency in Vanuatu

The currency in Vanuatu is the Vanuatu vatu.

The best way to get Vanuatu vatu in Vanuatu varies depending on your needs and preferences. In general, you can use your debit or credit card to spend money in Vanuatu or ask your bank whether they offer a specific multi-currency card that supports Vanuatu vatu balances. However, this method can rack up higher-than-expected charges, and if you're looking for the best fees and exchange rates, we recommend exploring online travel card leaders like the Wise Account and Revolut , which offer incredibly low-cost spending in dozens of currencies globally to see if they're available in your country.

The best way to send Vanuatu vatu to Vanuatu depends on many things such as the country you're sending from, the amount of money you're sending, your payment method, and your recipient's receiving method. You can find the best deal to send Vanuatu vatu to Vanuatu by comparing providers on Monito !

The Vanuatu vatu was first adopted as the currency in Vanuatu on July 1, 1982.

Why You Can Trust Monito

Our recommendations are built on rock-solid experience.

• We've reviewed 50+ money transfer providers
• We've made 100+ test transfers
• Our writers have been testing providers since 2013

All About Global Money Transfers

Interested in the Currencies of Other Countries?

Find a country you're interested in in the table below:

Why Trust Monito?

You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.

Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.

Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.

Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.

Vanuatu vatu card in Singapore

Travelling from Singapore to Vanuatu? Spend effortlessly (VUV) with a multi-currency card.

40+ million customers trust Revolut

Revolut offers so much more than a travel card. Exchange currencies, send money abroad, and hold 25+ local currencies in-app. These are just some reasons why our customers rely on us for their travel spending.

How does a Vanuatu vatu card work?

How to get your VUV card

Get your Vanuatu vatu card in 3 steps

Join 40+ million people worldwide saving when they spend abroad with Revolut.

Order your free Vanuatu vatu card. Top up your balance in SGD or 30+ other currencies.

Start spending .

Why should I get a Vanuatu vatu card?

Where is the Vanuatu vatu card available?

Spend confidently with a Vanuatu vatu card

How to save money when spending

Tips for saving money in Vanuatu

Feel confident your payment is successful with instant notifications. You’ll see how much you spent and get a reminder on your daily total too.

Choose the local currency when spending with your card in shops and restaurants.

Spend like a local.

How to avoid unwanted ATM fees

Need to make VUV withdrawals in Vanuatu?

Overseas ATM withdrawals*

Fee-free atm withdrawals up to s$ 350*, fee-free atm withdrawals up to s$ 700, fee-free atm withdrawals up to s$ 1,050.

What are you waiting for?

Save when you travel with a VUV travel card

Rating as of 1 Apr 2024

4.9K Reviews

2.7M Reviews

Need a little more help?

Vanuatu vatu currency card FAQs

Are travel money cards safe and secure, where can i use my vanuatu vatu travel money card, how much can i pay using my vanuatu vatu card, how can i avoid unwanted atm fees in vanuatu.

• Send and spend and 150+ other currencies, with a great exchange rate and no hidden fees.
• No need to exchange or carry cash. Pay with your Vanuatu vatu card, either contactless or with chip and PIN.
• No need to wait for your physical card to arrive. Instantly add your card to Google Pay or Apple Pay.
• Create single-use virtual cards for safe online shopping or travel bookings.
• Enjoy fee-free overseas ATM withdrawals up to S$1,050 monthly, depending on your plan.
• Get instant payment notifications to keep track of how much you spend.
• Stay in control of your card’s security, with card freezing and spending limit controls.
• Easily manage your spending around the world with the free Revolut app.

How do I get a Vanuatu vatu travel money card?

• Download the Revolut app on your Android or iPhone and sign up for free.
• Order your free Vanuatu vatu card. Top up your balance in SGD or 150+ other currencies.
• Get your card in the post or add it to Google Pay or Apple Pay to use it immediately.
• Start spending like a local without hidden fees.

Foreign Exchange and International Telegraphic Transfers

Goodies Forex Vanuatu is a fully licensed service provider of currency exchange and international telegraphic transfers. With our service, it is now faster, easier and cheaper to make telegraphic transfers from Vanuatu to the world. We also provide competitive rates on foreign currency exchange transactions. With Goodies Forex, customers enjoy better rates, lower fees and outstanding value for currency exchange and telegraphic transfer transactions.

Better rates and lower fees No minimum transaction size A simple and secure system for international telegraphic transfers Fast secure payments worldwide Trusted payments provider for over 10 years Available in 3 convenient locations

Please call us for more information on how we may help you meet your money exchange needs in Vila.

Customer confidentiality and satisfaction is our top priority. It’s now cheaper and faster to deal with your money in secured privacy.

You can exchange all the currencies rated in our  Vatu Exchange Rates  chart (updated daily). Other currencies may be available on request. Please call to check. 

• Telegraphic Transfers

Goodies Forex - PO Box 446 - Port Vila Vanuatu - Tel (678) 23445, (678) 22927

All rates are subject to change without notice | Website by Polinet

Locations: Olympic Court – Opposite Healthwise Pharmacy next to Island Time Restaurant | Opposite Wanfuteng Bank | Opposite Market House

Explore Vanuatu

Plan Your Trip to Vanuatu: Best of Vanuatu Tourism

Find flight deals to Vanuatu

Essential vanuatu.

Trending in the forums

Vanuatu Is Great For

High-octane.

Art & history

The great outdoors

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

The local currency is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV). Credit and debit cards are not frequently used in the country. You may find that some tourist resorts or restaurants accept credit or debit cards in Port Vila and Luganville but less so in the rest of Vanuatu. There are banking facilities and money exchange services in Port Vila through ANZ and BSP (Bank South Pacific) banks . ATM facilities covering most UK bank cards are available in many areas.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

You are here

Travel guides recap - vanuatu | how much would it cost to travel vanuatu like a travel guide.

Crystalline blue pools, endangered turtles, and immersive cultural activities. How to travel Vanuatu like a Travel Guide!

Learn more about our Travel Guides partnership.

Fourth stop? Vanuatu!

In this episode, the Travel Guides explored the tropical paradise of Vanuatu in island time, chilling out in beachfront accommodation, canoeing crystalline blue pools, releasing endangered hawksbill turtles back into the wild, and immersing themselves in the culture.

In case you missed it, Travel Money Oz Currency Pass is the official currency card of this Logie Award-winning show, so we’ve been following the Travel Guides on their worldwide tour to give you the complete itinerary, exclusive clips, and tips on everything travel and money along the way!

Missed an episode? Read our previous episode recaps:

Sit back and relax as the Fren Family (Mark, Cathy, Jono and Victoria), the Boys (Kev, Dorian and Teng), the Snobs (Kevin and Janetta), the Husbands (Matt and Brett), and the Outback Siblings (Stack and Josh), take you on a tour of the top attractions in Vanuatu.

Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes

Because Travel Money Oz is an official sponsors of Channel Nine’s Logie-award winning Travel Guides TV series, we get some exclusive behind the scenes content!

Watch the video below to see the Snobs having the time of their lives… at an ATM?

VANUATU TRAVEL ITINERARY | Best things to do in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is one of the Pacific’s best kept secrets, with only 120,000 tourists each year discovering the 83 islands Vanuatu has to offer.

With sapphire seas, tranquil and affordable accommodation, rich culture, and warm, friendly locals, this just might change in the future as more and more people discover this Pacific jewel.

Not only that, but it’s also just a stone’s throw from Australia, so there’s less flight time and more travel time!

If you really wanted to, you could turn one of your long weekends into a Vanuatu holiday, and soak up the sun in island paradise.

Read on for everything the Travel Guides did in Vanuatu, and how much it cost...

Day 1-3 | Port Vila – Capital of Vanuatu

Vanuatu Accommodation & Flights – Port Vila

VANUATU FLIGHTS TO PORT VILA

The Travel Guides flew with Air Vanuatu https://www.airvanuatu.com/plan-and-book – which was a very short trip, for some, just a three-hour flight! COST: Sydney to Vanuatu return flights are priced from $580AUD, Melbourne to Vanuatu return flights are about $680AUD, and Brisbane to Vanuatu return flights start at around $500AUD. Or find some Vanuatu travel deals and Vanuatu travel packages with our friends at Flight Centre ! 

VANUATU ACCOMMODATION NEAR PORT VILA

Once the Guides arrived in Port Vila, they took a short boat ride to a nearby island to check into Erakor Island Reort & Spa. This resort has 27 fully airconditioned rooms and bangalows, as well as 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom beach houses to book out. The Travel Guides were welcomed with a cultural event, and also every Thursday night the Erakor has a Melanesian Feast for $55 (children eat for $25), and watched a stunning firetwirling performance! They also did some kayaking, climbed some coconut trees, played beach volleyball and relaxed.

COST: Rooms at Erako Island Resort & Spa  vary from $250AUD per night  Some of the room options (from villas to beachfront houses)… Garden Room: $250AUD per night Beachfront Lagoon Villa: $450 per night Beachfront Deluxe Spa Villa: $550 per night Honeymoon Pool Villa: $650 per night Beachfront Lagoon Villa: $450 per night Tahlindi Beach House:$795 per night Pandanus Beach House:$895 per night White Sands Beach House:$1100 per night

Now flights and accommodation are sorted, on to Vanuatu travel guide…

Hawksbill Turtle.png

Exploring Port Vila

Just a short boat-ride away is of course, the main island with Port Villa.

The Travel Guides explored the markets, had lap lap (the national food of Vanuatu), saw some iguanas, and the most exciting of all: explored the lush tropical rainforest on quad bikes with Offroad Adventures Bush & Beach Bash Tour.

This is perfect for adrenaline junkies but be warned: you can get pretty muddy.

Luckily, there’s a pristine ocean to wash off all the mud once you’ve finished adventuring!

COST:   Offroad Adventures Bush & Beach Bash Tour costs $99AUD (8000VUV) per adult.

Boat Tour to Turtle Sanctuary

One of the most enticing aspects of Vanuatu is the rich wildlife and biodiversity within the 83 islands, including the endangered Hawksbill Turtle.

The Travel Guides took a Coongoola Boat Tour to Tranquility Eco Resort & Sanctuary to see these beautiful animals, where volunteers raise the baby turtles before releasing them into the wild, increasing their chance of survival from 2% to 80%.

The people who release the turtles even get to name them!

PS: The Travel Guides even saw dolphins on their way to the island!

COST: The Coongoola Boat Tour has tours from $123AUD (10,000 VUV).

Day 4-7 | Espiritu Santo – The Largest Island in Vanuatu

Vanuatu accommodation & flights – espiritu santo.

VANUATU FLIGHTS TO ESPIRITU SANTO

The Travel Guides took a 50-minute flight with Air Vanuatu – to the island of Espiritu Santo, which is the largest island in Vanuatu and home to the famous Blue Pool. COST: $462 per person for a return flight from Port Vila to Luganville.

VANUATU ACCOMMODATION IN ESPIRITU SANTO

From Luganville, the Travel Guides took a 10-minute trip to Aore Island Resort .  This boutique accommodation focuses on relaxing and resetting – no wifi or TV allowed, so you really switch off. The Travel Guides were greeted with a friendly cultural welcome, and went to their private bungalows… each with their own little private beach. COST: The bungalows range from $340AUD to $400AUD per night.

Read on for everything the Travel Guides did in Port Vila, and how much it cost...

Matevulu Blue Hole, Vanuatu (near RiRi blue hole).png

Water Music Cultural Experience

Once a week, the Aore Island Resort offers a cultural experience – Water Music. For centuries, the  women and girls of remote northern islands of Vanuatu have made music out of water – skilfully cupping and slicing the water to create echoes – and telling stories about their way of life. The women of the Travel Guides got to participate in this ‘aquatic symphony’ – it’s a lot more difficult than it looks! COST: Free, part of hotel activities.

Canoeing in the RiRi Blue Hole (and Matevulu Blue Hole)

“Like a magical little fairyland” – The Snobs The RiRi Blue Hole and nearby Matevulu Blue Hole are a pristine, crystal clear, vividly azure natural spring, and the Travel Guides dove into the 18-metre deep water via a rope swing after paddling their way with wooden canoes. The locals have gone to huge efforts to make this natural wonder accessible with bathrooms and change areas, and you can find the canoes by asking the locals! COST: 500 Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) per person (around $7 AUD).

Cultural Experiences and Jungle Tours

The Leweton Cultural Village Tour was one of the most exciting parts of the trip, with the Travel Guides experiencing the ancient traditions of Vanuatu culture first-hand – from being greeted with spears, to cooking traditional meals, to drinking kava (Vanuatu’s traditional healing drink). Also in Luganville, the Travel Guides learned traditional weaving and sand drawing! COST: Leweton Cultural Village Tour costs 4000 Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) per person (about $50AUD).

VANUATU TRAVEL COSTS

How much to budget for a Vanuatu holiday?

Vanuatu Vatu.png

THE BASICS – WHAT CURRENCY DO I NEED TO TRAVEL VANUATU?

The official currency in Vanuatu is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV).

VANUATU TRAVEL MONEY TIPS – How To Get The Right Currency at the Best Rates

Make sure to keep an eye out on currency exchange rates for the Vanuatu Vatu, and come and see us before you go! We have zero fees and zero commission – because we’re travellers too and wouldn’t want that either. Don’t forget to take advantage of our Best Price Guarantee*, Rate Move Guarantee* , and Cash Commitment* so you leave with the most money in your pocket.

TRAVEL MONEY OZ CURRENCY PASS – as featured on Travel Guides!

Of course, you can’t travel Vanuatu like a Travel Guide without using our Currency Pass – the official currency card used by the Travel Guides! There’s a reason this card is trusted by the Travel Guides – it makes managing foreign easy. For your Vanuatu vacation, you’ll mostly want to take Vanuatu Vatu in foreign cash , but it’s always good to have a backup – so load up your Currency Pass in AUD, and it will automatically convert to VUV – just make sure to select “LOCAL CURRENCY” when paying to avoid hefty dynamic conversion fees.

VANUATU TRAVEL TIPS | CARDS, TIPPING, AND ATM ACCESS

CASH OR CARD IN VANUATU? In Vanuatu, cash is still king. You’ll pretty much be dealing mostly in cash, or withdrawing cash from an ATM – whether it be for tour operators or market stalls. There are very few ATMs and money exchange offices, and often travellers run out of cash (especially in remote areas). We recommend having Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) in cash, and having your Currency Pass prepaid travel card as a backup – remembering that it’d only really be possible to withdraw from an ATM in Port Vila and Luganville and not in the rural areas.

TIPPING IN VANUATU Tipping isn’t expected or customary in Vanuatu, just be kind. If you really want to show your appreciation, you could offer a little gift. Bargaining at market stalls or bartering anywhere is not standard practice in Vanuatu.

ATM ACCESS IN VANUATU The main tourist towns of Port Vila and Luganville have ATMs, but in rural areas there will be no access to ATMs. Make sure to have enough cash to get you by!

SO… HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO TRAVEL VANUATU LIKE A TRAVEL GUIDE?

If you were to do all the activities we saw the Travel Guides do on their week-long holiday in Vanuatu, going for the mid-range options, it would look a little something like this:

Flight to Port Vila: $580 Accommodation at Erakor Island Reort & Spa Honeymoon Villa: $650 per night for 3x nights >> $1950 total. Offroad Adventures Bush & Beach Bash Tour: $99AUD (8000VUV) per adult. Shopping at the markets: Up to you! Coongoola Boat Tour: $123AUD (10,000VUV). Flight to Luganville: $462AUD Accommodation at Aore Island Resort: $340 per night for 3x nights >> $1020 total. Canoeing in Ri Ri Blue Hole: 500 VUV ($7 AUD). Leweton Cultural Village Tour: 4000VUV ($50AUD).

In total, your Vanuatu Holiday comes to $4291 Australian Dollars per person. Of course, that doesn’t cover any shopping, food and snacks, transport, insurance, visas, and more, so factor that into your Vanuatu travel budget too!

WE’RE YOUR TRAVEL (MONEY) GUIDES!

T&c _ officialcctravelguides_frenfamily_travellikeatravelguide.png.

We’re as friendly as the Fren Family and savvy as the Snobs. Come and see us in-store for your foreign currency needs, and our Travel Money Experts will help guide you through the whole process! Less of a people-person but still want advice? Check out our  online currency guides   and  inspirational blogs . For inspo, updates, and advice delivered straight to your inbox,  join the Travel Money Club (you even go into the draw to win $500!*), and follow us on socials for the latest tips, travelspo, and exclusive behind-the-scenes clips!

Instagram   @travelmoneyoz   Facebook   @travelmoneyoz  TikTok  @travelmoneygroup  YouTube  @travelmoneygroup

DISCLAIMER:

Published May 12, 2023. This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs.  You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.  While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or is appropriate for you.  We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog. Terms and conditions apply to Best Price Guarantee, Rate Guard and Cash Commitment. See travelmoneyoz.com for more details.

Gemma Edwards

Gemma is always chasing her next sundrenched adventure - from taking a helicoper flight over an active volcano in Hawai'i, to going on a 50+ temple pilgrimage in Japan (and accidentally ending up at a midnight armwrestling tournament).

When she isn't travelling the world, you can find her writing and creating content about it.

CONNECT: Insta @gemma.edwardz | LinkedIn /gemma-s-edwards

TRAVEL GUIDES RECAP - MALAYSIA | How Much Would It Cost to Travel Malaysia Like A Travel Guide?

Travel guides recap – new zealand | how much would it cost to travel new zealand like a travel guide, more like this.

Travel points on credit cards, explained

PayPal Editorial Staff

March 14, 2024

Savvy shoppers can turn everyday spending into exciting adventures by harnessing the power of travel points on credit cards.

Travel points on credit cards are rewards earned for eligible purchases. When someone accumulates enough points, they can redeem them for travel-related expenses like flights, accommodations, or upgrades.

From earning to redeeming, discover the world of travel reward points in this guide.

How do travel points work?

Travel points on credit cards work by rewarding people for their spending. When someone uses their credit card for eligible purchases, they may earn a certain number of points or miles based on the card's rewards program. These points accumulate over time and can be redeemed for travel costs.

Some cards or reward programs also offer flexible redemption options, allowing individuals to transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs.

The more someone spends on their card, the more travel points they may accumulate. However, it’s important to practice responsible spending and not make purchases simply to earn more points.

While some credit cards may be specifically noted as travel credit cards or offered in tandem with airline companies, many rewards credit cards can still be used to earn points or cash back to spend on travel or lodging. There may also be rewards programs via cash back apps that offer earning potential for spending with certain travel-related companies or airlines. For example, PayPal users can view travel-related deals and rewards offerings in the Travel category on the PayPal app . Rewards earning and redemption options will vary depending on card provider and/or rewards program.

Potential pros and cons of travel points

Some benefits of travel points may be:

• Free or discounted travel expenses:  Travel points may be redeemed for complimentary or discounted flights, hotel stays, and even upgrades, allowing for cost savings on travel expenses.
• Travel perks:  Some travel rewards cards provide access to airline or hotel loyalty program benefits, such as priority boarding, lounge access, and room upgrades.
• Flexible redemption:  Many programs offer flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer points to partner airlines or hotels, providing more choices for travelers.

Before signing up for a travel rewards credit card, consider the possible risks of travel points:

• Limited flexibility:  Some travel rewards programs may have restrictions or blackout dates. Points may also have expiration dates — if unused, someone may lose their rewards.
• High annual fees:  Many premium travel rewards cards come with annual fees, which may offset the value of the rewards.
• Increased spending:  To earn travel points, people must use their credit card, which can lead to debt if not managed responsibly.

How to earn travel points

To earn travel points, someone generally needs to use a travel rewards credit card on eligible purchases. Over time, they may accumulate enough points to enjoy a benefit like free or reduced airfare or a discounted hotel stay.

Beyond everyday spending, here are other ways to potentially earn travel points:

• Sign-up bonuses:  Many travel rewards credit cards offer sign-up bonuses when opening a new account and meeting a spending requirement within a specified timeframe.
• Frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs:  When someone flies with a specific airline or stays at a particular hotel chain consistently, they may accumulate points or miles that can be redeemed for future travel.
• Online shopping portals:  Some airlines and credit card companies have online shopping portals that offer bonus points for making purchases through their platforms.

Accumulating travel points requires responsible financial management, including paying off credit card balances in full each month to avoid interest charges . Additionally, check for any annual fees associated with travel rewards credit cards and ensure that the benefits outweigh the costs.

How to redeem travel points

Travel rewards credit cards may offer several redemption options, from flights or hotels to vacation packages or statement credits. When booking through a rewards portal, people typically have the option to pay with points or a combination of points and cash.

The redemption process may vary slightly depending on the specific travel rewards program or credit card. Always read the terms and conditions of the rewards program and credit card to understand any restrictions, blackout dates, and expiration policies associated with the points.

Learn how to redeem rewards .

Was this content helpful?

Related content

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. May we use marketing cookies to show you personalized ads? Manage all cookies

What you need to know about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card

• How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
• 4 important details about the Autograph Journey 

This New Travel Credit Card Could Dethrone The Chase Sapphire Preferred

Between its flexible rewards and point-transfer opportunities, the new Wells Fargo card could be a worth-while choice.

Holly Johnson

Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

Wells Fargo’s newest credit card -- the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card* -- is open for online applicants. It’s a competitive offer that could give incumbent travel credit cards from  Chase ,  American Express  and  Capital One  a run for their money.  

Wells Fargo does one thing better than its competitors: It offers a more flexible rewards program that doesn’t require booking travel in a portal to earn the highest rates.

Here’s why we think the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey could go toe-to-toe with some of  the best travel credit cards , plus four insider tips to help  you  decide if you should add it to your credit card lineup.

Before we dive into the hidden features and benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect with the Autograph Journey:

• Earn 60,000 welcome bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x on other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch and cell phone insurance.
• $95 annual fee.

How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4 important details about the autograph journey .

Here’s a rundown of four facts we discovered about the Autograph Journey that you should know when deciding whether to apply.

1. You can transfer points with Wells Fargo point-based cards

The launch of the Autograph Journey also marks the first transferable points program from Wells Fargo, which joins other card issuers like Chase and Capital One, which have their own pooling programs .

Autograph Journey will be able to do a points transfer with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . This is especially notable since the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers bonus rewards in different categories than the Autograph Journey. 

For example, the Autograph card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus 1x points on other purchases. So you can maximize your point earning across different categories, then transfer your points to your Autograph Journey account to access premium travel redemptions.

2. It offers more options for earning bonus miles on travel than some competitors

The Autograph Journey will offer more flexibility than many travel rewards cards when it comes to earning more points on travel purchases. For example, cardholders earn unlimited 5x points on hotels booked directly with hotel brands and 4x points on airfare booked with airlines. 

This helps the card stand out from other popular travel credit cards that offer the most bonus points only if you book travel through their portals. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * only offer the highest bonus rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also offers its highest rate of 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, whereas other travel purchases earn 2x points.

Autograph Journey cardholders also earn a minimum of 3x points on other travel purchases, which could include rental cars, cruises and travel booked through online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.

3. The card may grow in value as more transfer partners join

The Autograph Journey Card will earn flexible travel rewards points that transfer to a selection of airline and hotel partners, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards . While the list of transfer partners is limited, Wells Fargo stated in its initial press release that “more partners will continue to be added throughout the year.”

Points transfers could dramatically change the value proposition of the Autograph Journey, especially if new partners include domestic airlines and popular hotel loyalty programs. 

Wells Fargo point transfers will be available to new cardholders starting on April 4. For now, Wells Fargo transfer partners include the following:

4. You may need to wait to apply

If you’ve applied for another Wells Fargo card in the last six months, you’ll likely have to wait a little longer before applying for the Autograph Journey.

Wells Fargo states in its terms and conditions, “If you opened a Wells Fargo Credit Card account within the last six months, then you may not qualify to open an additional Wells Fargo Credit Card account. We may also limit how many open Wells Fargo Credit Card accounts you have.”

So if you want the new Autograph Journey, you should steer clear of applying for other cards from Wells Fargo for now. If you’re approved and use the card responsibly for six months or longer, you can consider adding additional Wells Fargo credit cards to your portfolio.

Smart Money Advice on the Topics That Matter to You

CNET Money brings financial insights, trends and news to your inbox every Wednesday.

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe at any time.

Your new Subscription

Here’s all of the excitement headed to your inbox.

Recommended Articles

After writing about hundreds of credit cards, these two are still my favorite, 6 reasons the chase sapphire preferred should be your next credit card, 3 steps to take when your flight is canceled or delayed, 8 best credit card strategies to maximize earnings in 2024, as a foodie who enjoys a night out on the town, this credit card gives me plenty to savor.

* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

Fisker loses customers’ money, Robinhood launches a credit card, and Google generates travel itineraries

Hey, folks, welcome to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch’s newsletter recapping the notable happenings in tech over the past few days.

This week, TC’s auto reporter Sean O’Kane revealed how EV startup Fisker temporarily lost track of millions of dollars in customer payments as it scaled up deliveries, leading to an internal audit that started in December and took months to complete.

Elsewhere, Lorenzo reported how Facebook snooped on users’ Snapchat traffic in a secret project known internally at Meta as “Project Ghostbusters.” According to court documents, the goal was to intercept and decrypt the network traffic between people using Snapchat’s app and its servers.

And Manish wrote about the resignation of Stability AI founder and CEO Emad Mostaque late last week. Mostaque’s departure from Stability AI — the startup known for its popular image generation tool Stable Diffusion — comes amid an ongoing struggle for stability (pun intended) at the company, which was reportedly spending ~$8 million a month as of October 2023 with little revenue to show for it.

Lots else happened. We recap it all in this edition of WiR — but first, a reminder to  sign up  to receive the WiR newsletter in your inbox every Saturday.

Fisker suspended:   Fisker’s bad week continued with a halt in the startup’s stock trading. The New York Stock Exchange moved to take Fisker off the exchange, citing its “abnormally low” stock levels.

AI-powered itineraries: In an upgrade to its Search Generative Experience , Google has added the ability for users to ask Google Search to plan a travel itinerary. Using AI, Search will draw on ideas from websites around the web along with reviews, photos and other details.

Robinhood’s new card: Nine months after acquiring credit card startup X1 for $95 million, Robinhood on Wednesday announced the launch of its new Gold Card, powered by X1’s technology, with a list of features that could make Apple Card users envious.

At AT&T, mum’s the word: The personal information of some 73 million AT&T customers spilled online this week. But AT&T won’t say how — despite the hack responsible having happened over three years ago.

Booming Copilot: Copilot, the budgeting app, has raised $6 million in a Series A round led by Nico Wittenborn’s Adjacent. The app is benefiting partly from the death of Mint, Intuit’s financial management product.

Liquid assets:   In a piece looking at the wider VC-backed beverage industry, Rebecca and Christine note canned water startup Liquid Death’s recent $67 million fundraise, which brought the company’s total raised to more than $267 million. Talk about liquidity.

HVAC venture: Dan Laufer, a former Nextdoor exec, has raised $25 million from Canvas Ventures and others for PipeDreams, a startup that acquires mom-and-pop HVAC and plumbing companies and scales them using its software that helps with scheduling and marketing.

Is Nvidia the next AWS?:   Ron writes about how there’s lots of parallels in Nvidia’s and AWS’ growth trajectories.

This week on Equity , the crew dug into Robinhood’s new credit card, Fisker’s latest woes and even Databricks’ new AI model that it spent $10 million to spin up. They also spotlit two companies building startups focused around kids, and, to wrap up, looked at a new $100 million fund that seeks to back innovative climate tech.

Meanwhile, on Found , Allison Wolff, the co-founder and CEO of Vibrant Planet, a cloud-based planning and monitoring tool for adaptive land management, discussed why the wildfires we’re seeing today are hotter and spreading more quickly than we can contain and how proper land management can help foster lower, slower-burning fires.

And on Chain Reaction , Jacquelyn interviewed Scott Dykstra, CTO and co-founder of Space and Time. Space and Time aims to be a verifiable compute layer for web3 that scales zero-knowledge proofs, a cryptographic action used to prove something about a piece of data without revealing the origin data itself.

Bonus round

Spotify tests online learning: In its ongoing efforts to get its 600 million+ users to spend more time and money on its platform, Spotify is spinning up a new line of content: e-learning. Beginning with a rollout in the U.K., the (traditionally audio) streaming platform is testing the waters for an online education offering of freemium video courses.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Frugal Traveler

Credit Card Swipe Fees Are Going Down. Are Points Going With Them?

A new agreement by Visa and Mastercard to reduce fees charged to merchants may drain the lucrative rewards that grant free travel to many credit card users.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

On Tuesday, the largest credit card companies in the United States reached an agreement with merchants to reduce the so-called swipe fees retailers pay for accepting credit card payments, potentially saving the retailers $30 billion.

These fees also help fund the credit card rewards programs that many travelers redeem for things like free flights and hotel stays, leading points hawks to wonder: Are loyalty programs at risk?

Here’s what we know so far about the changes.

What are the terms of the deal?

Last year, credit card payments generated an estimated $72 billion in fees paid by merchants, which are generally passed along to customers in the form of higher prices. For nearly 20 years, merchants have been seeking reductions in the fees they pay Visa and Mastercard for handling transactions where the cards are used.

The proposed settlement , awaiting approval in a federal court, reduces and caps those fees for five years. It would also allow merchants to potentially charge consumers more based on the card they pay with. For example, a person paying with a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which costs $550 a year, could be charged more than someone paying with the more basic Chase Sapphire Preferred card, with an annual fee of $95.

Why does it matter?

The majority of the fees collected go back to the banks that issue the credit cards. Those banks have used the funds to push premium credit cards that offer loyalty points, which can be redeemed for free travel and other perks. The cards with the biggest benefits tend to be those that charge higher swipe fees.

While the reduction in the fees collected sounds small — averaging at least .07 percent — they represent an estimated $30 billion over the five-year term of the deal, which banks could try to make up by reducing points perks.

“It’s reasonable to think that,” said Brian Kelly, the founder of the Points Guy , a news site devoted to maximizing credit card points.

While he speculated that banks will be able to “find other ways to make up the difference,” he acknowledged that a points squeeze could emerge.

“Opportunities to earn probably aren’t going to flourish,” he said.

The idea that merchants could charge more to the holders of premium, perks-rich cards, which are expensive, might also deter consumers from using them. Some experts question the viability of the practice given the potential for consumer backlash.

Is the new agreement related to the Credit Card Competition Act?

The legal actions that led to the new credit card agreement date back to 2005. But the newer Credit Card Competition Act , proposed in 2023, aims to introduce more competition in the credit card payment system. By creating a cheaper alternative pipeline for processing payments, the proposed legislation is seen as a greater threat to rewards programs.

Responding to the just-announced agreement between the credit card companies and retailers, Senator Dick Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, and the lead sponsor of the Credit Card Competition Act, released a statement urging the act’s passage.

“I fear that this deal only provides temporary concessions negotiated by a few lawyers behind closed doors,” he said in the statement.

Other experts said the agreement may ease the pressure on Congress to pass the act.

“I think it’s a way for Visa and Mastercard to show that they are making a good-faith effort to help out merchants by lowering the fees they’ve been complaining about for 20 years, and hopefully enough to let senators know they’re doing their part,” said Chris Hassan, the social media and brand manager for Upgraded Points , a website that tracks credit card benefits.

Separately, the proposed merger between Capital One and Discover, which is pending federal approval, could introduce more competition among credit cards and potentially improve rewards for holders of those cards.

What should I do now?

The points and payments systems won’t change until the agreement is approved, which is expected in late 2024 or early 2025, according to a news release from Mastercard.

But the topic should remind travelers of the reality of playing with points: The rules always change. Values tend to fall as redemption levels rise, which companies issuing these currencies are free to adjust at will.

If you have points, spend them, say experts like Sara Rathner, a travel and credit card specialist at the financial website NerdWallet . “They’re not a trophy to dust and admire.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

Italy :  Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.

Southern California :  Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.

Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .

Romania :  Timisoara  may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.

India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .