Australian banking group ANZ has launched a pre-paid re-loadable Visa payment card designed to replace paper travellers' cheques and cash.
The PIN-protected ANZ Travel Card costs A$11.00 and can be loaded with up to $20,000 in US, Australian and New Zealand dollars, euros and British pounds.
The cards can be used to pay for purchases anywhere that Visa is accepted electronically and can be used to withdraw funda at Visa-accepted ATMs.
The cards can be re-loaded over the phone or online, or at select ANZ branches. Cardholders can also check card balances and access a transaction history via the Internet.
Chris Cooper ANZ MD, debt and transaction services, says the card provides a cost effective, convenient and simple travel money solution for business people and holiday makers.
"You don't have to be an ANZ customer to take advantage of this handy new travel product, because ANZ Travel Card is not linked to a deposit account," adds Cooper.