Oversized suitcase packed to the brim? Check. Passport? Check. Phone? Check. Portable battery? Check. Wallet that you’ll fill with cash after visiting the first foreign exchange office or bank at your destination that's set to rip you off? I bet you thought you had everything sorted except for one important detail – how to deal with money whilst abroad.
Whether you’re a digital nomad or you just love travelling, ditch your regular bank and card that offer little in return while you’re on the road and have a look at how Moneybase makes money simple whether you’re home or abroad.
How does Moneybase work?
From the minute you set foot to your destination, traditional banks hit you with all kinds of fees like transfer fees or international ATM withdrawal fees, plus it’s a pain to get any money thanks to costly currency exchange rates. And good luck contacting their customer care over the phone if you need to sort out an issue - a major hassle not to mention a pricey undertaking once you get through.
Moneybase is an online payments app that places innovation first, focuses on solving problems and is on a mission to redefine the way you grow and manage your money. We’re all about freedom and powering your money to go places. Opening an account is free, while it only takes a couple of minutes to onboard. What’s more, we have eliminated nasty surprise fees and have a range of features including instant payments, physical and virtual cards, card security settings, direct debit transfers, a personalized IBAN, competitive FX rates and access to thousands of stocks, bonds, ETFs and funds.
If you’re about to sign up, read through our guide on how to open an account.
Hit the road with moneybase in your pocket
Who says you have to be rich to travel well? Whether you’re off on a business trip to close the deal, travelling with your family to a tropical escape or going solo to discover less-explored places around the globe, we’ve axed hidden fees and eliminated exchange rate markups to expand your financial borders so that you can spend at will and make the most of a carefree trip.
Take a look at the benefits when making Moneybase your travel companion.
Welcome message
Who doesn’t love a welcome message to notify you that you have finally just landed at your destination and your holiday is about to begin? We’ll also inform you on the current exchange rate so you won't waste any of your euros on unnecessary expenses. And unlike your traditional brick-and-mortar bank that needs to know when and where you’re headed way in advance, there is no need to tell us every time you’re leaving our shores. We also promise not to block your card unnecessarily and place you in an awkward position like when you’re about to pay for those cocktails.
Money with no boundaries
Depending on where your travels take you, you’ll probably need some form of foreign currency to pay for those enriching new experiences. But we’ve all been there. You’ve just arrived at the airport, a mere hours before your holiday takes off only to realise that you don’t have enough cash. You locate the nearest exchange bureau and get some money after paying a premium for last minute or after-hours service and at less than favourable exchange rates.
With Moneybase you can pay via the app or your card in the local currency and benefit from exchange rates that are worth it, while we won’t add anything on top of that. You’ll also get more euros for your dollars or pounds when sending and receiving money wherever you are located across the globe.
Goodbye cash, hello phone and card
Unless you’re visiting some forlorn village in the middle of nowhere whose sole store accepts cash alone, most destinations don’t require you to travel with wads of cash. Not to mention that having too much cash on you can be dangerous. Make payments with your card or phone instead. Less cash means more spending and more data for you to be on top of your finances, while it also means seamless payments regardless of whether you’re paying for your accommodation, car rental, restaurants, museums or attractions.
Stay in control of your spending
Whether you’re travelling on a shoestring or you’ll be living like a king, keeping close tabs on your spending is always a good idea. With a complete money management feature that offers full visibility of your balance you can be in control of your finances even when abroad, plus with real-time notifications of your spending, your money is no longer a mystery and you can predict things like your daily spend or whether you’ve already blown most of your budget.
There for you whenever you need us
Need a hand with something? Facing a security emergency? We’re at your service. Our human support team is available 7 days a week and can offer clear solutions to your problems asap. So go ahead and chat with us in-app or give us a ring.
The card that goes the distance
Your travels would not be complete without your Moneybase card. Here are some reasons as to why it is a must.
No surprises, no hidden fees
Let’s face it, when you travel there are several ways you can get ripped off. From that unscrupulous taxi driver who will charge you more than they should to the unlicensed tour operator you had to pay big bucks for that excursion, you may spend more than you had hoped for. But one thing that shouldn’t cost you is banking. Your Moneybase card is free to use wherever and whenever you wish, both online and offline.
Bonus tip: Did you know that holidaymakers often pay unnecessary fees without even being aware of it? Thanks to something called Dynamic Currency Conversion or DCC, merchants or their bank or even an ATM operator can charge a markup on the exchange rate used, sometimes by as much as 18% which can apply to both card payments and ATM withdrawals. To avoid this from happening make sure you pay in the local currency.
Use your card anywhere
Your Moneybase card can be used worldwide and more specifically, anywhere Mastercard is accepted, so you don’t need to worry about booking your car rental online or paying for those gifts at the offline terminal on the plane. It’s also contactless so you can enjoy super speedy payments, literally with just a tap of your card. What’s more, accessing your money is never a problem. Just remember that your card will work best with push notifications turned on so make sure you enable these from your phone’s settings. In this way, you’ll get real-time alerts on your account’s activity so you can stick to your budget.
Easy top up right through your phone
Has your account run out of money and you cannot make payments with your card? Loading up is a breeze. Use another debit or credit card in your name, add all the necessary details required and your Moneybase card is ready for shopping and paying for whatever activity your heart desires. You can also transfer money to your Moneybase account from any other bank account you wish by simply using your very own, unique IBAN.
Top-notch security, minus the hassle
We want to make life easy for you, but we don’t want to compromise on safety. We have devised simple yet sophisticated security processes so you can enjoy your holiday at ease, knowing that your money is in safe hands. Our security features include online payments with 3DS2 authentication and a card that includes TLS/SSL encryption and an embedded microchip, while you’re in total control of it. This means that you can block, unblock and cancel it whenever you need to and if you’re worried that you card may be stolen, our innovative geolocation capabilities can help us match your card’s transaction with your phone’s location.
For more information about how neobanks work, read through our explainer article. And if you would like to discover how we take security seriously, here are some answers to some important security questions.
In the meantime, it’s time to plan for the next trip!
