If your job has you constantly on the move, you know how important it is to have the best travel cards for your wallet. Here’s our rundown of the top travel cards for employees in Australia for 2024.
Whether it's for booking flights, grabbing meals on the go, or making sure you have that all-important cup of coffee before a big meeting, finding the best value travel card can make a world of difference.
Spoiler alert: Budgetly makes the list!
- What are prepaid travel cards?
- How do prepaid travel cards work?
- How do you know you need a travel card?
- What are the benefits of using prepaid travel cards?
- The top travel cards for employees in Australia for 2024
- Budgetly Card (Prepaid VISA Card)
- Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card
- American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
- Westpac Altitude Business Platinum Card
- NAB Rewards Business Signature Card
- ANZ Business Black Credit Card
- Making the right choice for the best travel cards
What are prepaid travel cards?
Prepaid travel cards are payment tools that allow you to load money before use, often available in multiple currencies, providing convenience while travelling. These cards are particularly beneficial for businesses, as they allow companies to allocate a specific budget for employee travel expenses, monitor spending in real-time, and eliminate the need for reimbursements. Additionally, many prepaid travel cards come with no foreign transaction fees, ensuring cost-effective spending abroad.
How do prepaid travel cards work?
These cards function like debit cards but are preloaded with a set amount of money, offering easy expense tracking and control.
For businesses, prepaid travel cards simplify employee spending by allowing employers to allocate budgets in advance. This eliminates overspending risks and simplifies expense reporting, as all transactions are automatically logged and categorised.
Overall, these cards combine financial control, convenience, and security, making them a valuable tool for both personal and corporate travel.
How do you know you need a travel card?
If you and/or your employees travel frequently for business, a travel card simplifies expense management, eliminates foreign transaction fees, and provides real-time oversight.
A travel card can provide financial oversight, giving employers control over employee spending. Features like transaction monitoring, spending caps, and detailed reporting ensure that budgets are adhered to and any anomalies can be quickly addressed.
If managing travel expenses feels cumbersome or costly, or if you want to improve the security and efficiency of your financial processes while on the go, it’s a strong indication that a travel card is the right solution for you.
What are the benefits of using prepaid travel cards?
Prepaid cards offer budgeting control, reduced risk of overspending, and better foreign exchange rates. Additionally, some offer rewards or insurance benefits.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best travel cards for your business. Below are the top travel cards to consider for 2024 and beyond.
The top travel cards for employees in Australia for 2024
1. Budgetly Card (Prepaid VISA Card)
Available in: Virtual Card, Physical Card.
First up, let’s talk about the Budgetly Card. Designed with the modern employee in mind, Budgetly combines convenience and control, making it perfect for both employers and employees.
Why Budgetly rocks:
- Real-time expense tracking: No more waiting until the end of the month to see what you’ve spent. Budgetly’s app lets you track expenses in real-time, so you’re always on top of your budget.
- Customisable limits: Employers can set spending limits for different categories like meals, travel, and accommodation. This helps keep budgets in check without micromanaging every transaction.
- Instant card issuance: Need a card on the fly? Budgetly allows instant digital card issuance, which means no waiting around for a physical card to arrive in the mail.
- Seamless Integration: Budgetly integrates with major accounting software, making expense reporting a breeze.
Whether you’re flying from Sydney to Melbourne or grabbing a coffee overseas in Bangkok (and yes, to competitive exchange rates as one of the best card for overseas travel from Australia), Budgetly ensures your expenses are easy to manage and report. Plus, the user-friendly app makes it a favourite among employees.
2. Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card
For those who are loyal to Qantas, the Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card is a fantastic option. It’s packed with benefits that make business travel smoother and more rewarding.
Why it’s great:
- Qantas Points: Earn Qantas Points on every dollar spent. Perfect for racking up points for your next holiday or upgrade.
- Travel Insurance: Complimentary travel insurance covers everything from medical emergencies to lost luggage.
- Lounge Access: Enjoy two complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations each year. Perfect for unwinding before a flight.
3. American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
Amex is a household name when it comes to credit cards, and their Business Explorer Credit Card is a top pick for business travellers.
Top features:
- Membership Rewards: Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible purchases. These points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance that covers you, your spouse, and dependent children.
- Expense Management: Amex’s expense management tools help you keep track of business expenses and streamline reporting.
4. Westpac Altitude Business Platinum Card
Westpac’s Altitude Business Platinum Card is another strong contender for business travellers in Australia. It’s designed to offer a balance of rewards and business benefits.
Highlights:
- Altitude Points: Earn Altitude Points that can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or transferred to frequent flyer programs.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive overseas travel insurance for you and your family.
- Business Tools: Access to Westpac’s business tools, including cash flow management and financial planning services.
5. NAB Rewards Business Signature Card
The NAB Rewards Business Signature Card is a great choice for those who want flexibility in their rewards program.
Why it’s awesome:
- NAB Rewards Points: Earn NAB Rewards Points that can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or transferred to airline partners.
- Travel Insurance: Complimentary travel insurance that covers overseas medical expenses, trip cancellations, and more.
- Expense Management: NAB’s expense management tools make it easy to track and report business expenses.
6. ANZ Business Black Credit Card
Last but certainly not least, the ANZ Business Black Credit Card is packed with features that make it ideal for frequent travellers.
Perks include:
- ANZ Rewards Points: Earn points on every dollar spent and redeem them for a variety of rewards.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance for cardholders and their families.
- Concierge Service: 24/7 access to a personal concierge service for booking travel, dining, and entertainment.
Making the right choice for the best travel cards
When choosing a travel card, it’s important to consider what features matter most to you. Do you value reward points, travel insurance, or perhaps expense management tools? Each of these cards offers a unique set of benefits tailored to different needs.
Budgetly stands out for its real-time expense tracking and customisable limits, making it a top choice for both employers and employees looking for convenience and control. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just need a reliable card for occasional business trips, there’s something here for everyone.
Safe travels, and happy spending!
Looking for the best prepaid travel card in Australia?
See how Budgetly can work for your business, schedule a demo with us today, or watch a 10-minute recorded demo.
