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Wise Launches Multi-Currency Travel Card in India

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 8:02 GMT by newsbytesapp.com

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Wise Unveils a Multi‑Currency Travel Card in India – What It Means for Everyday Travelers

In a bid to cement its position as a global fintech disruptor, Wise (formerly TransferWise) has rolled out a new multi‑currency travel card across India. The launch, announced on NewsBytes on 29 April 2024, positions Wise as the first Indian‑based digital wallet that can hold and spend money in up to 25 different currencies on a single debit card. The move comes amid a wave of fintech entrants looking to tap India’s burgeoning middle‑class tourism market, which saw domestic outbound travel reach a record ₹2.3 trillion in the first half of fiscal 2023.

How the Card Works

The card operates exactly like a standard Visa debit card but with a number of features that cater specifically to frequent travelers and digital nomads:

1. Multi‑Currency Account
   Users can add up to 25 currencies—such as USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, and CAD—to their Wise account. Each currency is held in a separate “balance” that can be topped up via local bank transfer or credit/debit card. The Wise app provides a dashboard that shows each balance, the latest exchange rates, and a real‑time conversion tool.

2. Real‑Time Exchange Rates
   Unlike many traditional cards that apply hidden fees on currency conversion, Wise applies its mid‑market rate (the rate that banks and traders use) at the time of each transaction. A 0.15 % fee is added for each conversion, a dramatic improvement over the 1‑3 % markup commonly seen on merchant‑issued cards.

3. Offline and Online Payments
   The card can be used at any merchant that accepts Visa, including ATMs worldwide. For online purchases, users simply need to enter the card details and the card’s PIN; the Wise app will auto‑convert the amount to the appropriate currency if the card balance does not match the transaction currency.

4. Auto‑Reload Feature
   Users can set an auto‑reload threshold; when a currency balance dips below a certain amount, Wise will automatically top up the balance using a pre‑saved funding source (bank account or card). This ensures that the card never runs out of money in the destination currency.

5. Security and Controls
   The card is protected by tokenisation and 3‑D Secure 2.0. Users can temporarily lock the card from the app, set spending limits per currency, and instantly receive push‑notification alerts for every transaction.

Fees and Charges

Wise’s pricing is a cornerstone of its value proposition. For the travel card, the fee structure is straightforward:

• Annual Fee – ₹499 (approximately $5.75 USD) for the standard card; a premium version costing ₹1,999 (≈$23 USD) offers an additional ₹2,000 foreign‑currency limit and a higher monthly spend cap.
• Top‑up Fees –
  • Bank transfer: 0 %
  • Credit/debit card: 2.5 % of the top‑up amount (subject to a ₹500 minimum)
• ATM Withdrawal – 1.5 % of the amount withdrawn (min ₹30; max ₹200) for the standard card; premium cards get a 0.75 % fee.
• Currency Conversion – 0.15 % of the conversion amount, as noted above.

There are no foreign transaction fees, no monthly maintenance fee beyond the annual charge, and no hidden charges for currency holding or transfer.

Target Audience

Wise has positioned the card as ideal for:

• Frequent International Travelers – Backpackers, digital nomads, business travelers who need a single card for multiple trips.
• Students Studying Abroad – Those who must manage a stipend or stipend in a foreign currency.
• Cross‑Border Remittance Senders – The card can be topped up with Indian rupees and then instantly converted to foreign currencies for family payments or overseas tuition.

The pricing and currency flexibility are specifically tailored to the middle‑class Indian consumer who typically travels to Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Competitive Landscape

Wise is not the only player in the Indian market offering a multi‑currency travel card. Companies such as Revolut, Nium, and Paytm Global have similar products. However, Wise distinguishes itself through:

• Lower conversion fees – 0.15 % versus Revolut’s 1.5 % for the standard tier.
• Transparent pricing – No hidden charges for currency holding or ATM use.
• Global brand recognition – Wise’s long‑standing reputation for low‑cost money transfers bolsters trust among cautious Indian customers.

Launch Details

Wise launched the card in three Indian cities—Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru—on a limited‑availability basis. Interested customers can sign up through the Wise India app or website, after which they receive a physical card in 7–10 business days. The rollout includes a partnership with the Indian Ministry of Tourism’s “Travel Smarter” program, offering a one‑month free trial to first‑time users.

The company has also announced an upcoming “Wise for Families” feature that will allow a parent to add a child’s card under a master account, with separate spending limits and monitoring.

What It Means for the Indian Fintech Scene

Wise’s entry into the Indian travel card space is a bold signal that fintech firms are moving beyond simple money‑transfer services toward comprehensive financial products. By bundling multi‑currency accounts, instant conversion, and a low‑fee debit card, Wise provides a seamless end‑to‑end solution that rivals traditional banks’ overseas banking services—often riddled with high fees and slow processing times.

For Indian consumers, the card offers:

• Cost savings – Up to ₹1,500 per year for the standard card compared to comparable foreign‑exchange‑rich cards.
• Convenience – A single card for all currency needs.
• Safety – Instant card lock, real‑time transaction alerts, and strong encryption.

In the near future, Wise may expand to support more local Indian banks for instant top‑ups, or even add a reward programme tied to foreign‑currency purchases. Whether the company can sustain a competitive edge will depend on its ability to scale customer acquisition while keeping fees ultra‑transparent.

Bottom Line

Wise’s new multi‑currency travel card marks a significant step in India’s fintech evolution, offering a low‑cost, high‑value alternative to traditional bank cards for travelers. With its razor‑thin conversion rates, clear fee structure, and broad currency support, the product addresses a clear gap in the market. For anyone looking to travel abroad without the headache of multiple wallets and hidden charges, Wise’s card is worth considering—and for the Indian fintech ecosystem, it sets a new benchmark for cross‑border financial services.