Barclays launches pre-pay Travel Money Card

Barclays has launched a new free and secure pre-pay chip and PIN card which can be used throughout the world at cash machines and anywhere VISA is accepted.

The Travel Money Card is free to purchase and load with money from the equivalent of £100 to £2,500 and is available in British pounds, US dollars or Euros.

Andrew Jones, Barclays current and savings account director, said: “The Barclays travel card is the most convenient and safest way to carry foreign currency: it’s safer than cash and more flexible than travellers’ cheques. Furthermore it helps holidaymakers budget for the spending on their trip by not allowing them to spend more than the balance on the card. The added security features give card holders the peace of mind that their money is protected and with its VISA status it is accepted across the globe.”

The card is personalised with the customer’s name, unique card number and signature and uses chip and PIN technology. It stands alone from any bank accounts and cannot go into a negative balance so minimises the risk of fraud. However card holders are protected by Barclays fraud guarantee meaning that if they are an innocent victim of fraud any lost funds will be refunded to them.

Using the Barclays Travel Money Card will encounter no charges when used in its set currency for purchases. Withdrawals from ATMs will incur a two per cent fee (minimum £1.50). The balance can be checked 24/7 by telephone or at ATMs and can be topped up in any Barclays branch with cash, debit or credit cards or via the 24 hour telephone service with a debit or credit card.

Full features of the Barclays Pre-Pay Travel Card:

Free to purchase
Free to load with funds
Can be loaded with £100 to £2,500 at any Barclays branch or 24/7 via telephone using debit card, credit card or direct from Barclays bank account. Funds are available instantly.
Apply in branch. Two forms of ID needed. Non-Barclays customers will need to complete a brief customer profile with a personal banker
Can be purchased in GB £, US $ or Euros but spent in any country in any currency
Acceptable worldwide as VISA both at ATMs and point of sale
Overseas ATM charge of 2% (minimum £1.50)
Currency conversion charge of 2.75% when spent in a different currency
Secure with chip and PIN technology and Barclays Fraud Guarantee
Check balance 24/7 via telephone or at participating ATM machines
Lost & stolen emergency service (24h cash replacement NOT card replacement)
Re-usable and re-loadable
£5 redemption fee