Going on holiday

Planning your next big trip? We Kiwis love to travel – and there’s plenty of distance to cover between here and the rest of the world!

If you’re getting ready to take off, check out our tips and tools to help you get off the ground.

Kiwibank has a range of services to help you get sorted, including a travel card, foreign currency and travel insurance.

We can also make it easier to save for your trip - check out our savings or investment accounts.

Work out what you can afford

If you’re on a tight budget, try to save as much as you can before you leave, and stick to a budget while you’re away.

Check out the cost of flights, accommodation, and car hire. Estimate how much you’ll spend on food each day, and how much you’ll need for shopping, souvenirs, gifts and tourist attractions.

Be prepared to consider other options, such as a shorter break or a cheaper destination, if it means avoiding debt.

Paying for things overseas

Foreign countries mean foreign currency – and the NZ dollar doesn’t always stretch as far as we’d like. Luckily, with Kiwibank you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to paying for things overseas.

  • Our Loaded for Travel card is a prepaid travel card that lets you load up to five major currencies onto the one card. Exchange rates are locked in when you load your card and it can be used wherever Visa is accepted
  • With a Go Fly Credit Card you’ll earn Airpoints Dollars™ on every dollar spent*, so every time you spend on it, you’ll be earning Airpoints Dollars towards your next holiday
  • Use your Kiwibank Visa Debit Card around the world to access money direct from your Kiwibank account

  • Your Kiwibank ATM/EFTPOS card can be used at more than 900,000 ATMs in over 120 different countries worldwide - just look for the Cirrus logo
  • We offer a range of foreign currencies that you can order overnight at any Kiwibank, or get on the spot in many locations. When you get back, you can exchange any unused foreign cash for 0% commission.

Be prepared for an emergency

An unfortunate fact of life is that sometimes things can go wrong. Make sure you’re covered for emergencies while travelling, with protection from a good travel insurance policy. With our gold and platinum credit cards, you get free travel insurance, which could save you hundreds of dollars (conditions apply).

Familiarise yourself with the emergency number in the country you’re travelling in, and make copies of all your important documents. This will make it easier to replace them if they’re lost or stolen.

Travel planning checklist

  • Arrange travel insurance (super easy if you’ve got a gold or platinum credit card!)
  • Get some local foreign currency before you go so you can pay for taxis when you get off the plane
  • Check out any travel advisories for the country or countries you’re travelling to
  • Find out if you need a visa for your destination
  • Talk to your doctor about whether you need any vaccinations
  • Make copies of your passport, tickets, itinerary, travel insurance policy, traveller’s cheques and credit card numbers. Keep one copy with you, separate to the original, and leave a copy with someone at home
  • If you take medication, make sure you have enough to last the entire time you’re away, plus some extra in case you get delayed
  • Check your airline’s security guidelines – some are stricter than others
  • Research your destination so you’re clued up about how to get around and local customs

The big OE

If you’re heading off on your OE, here are a few useful websites to help you out.

Working holiday schemes – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Useful links

Conditions

* Airpoints Dollars are not available on balance transfers, credit card repayment insurance or cash advances. Air New Zealand’s Airpoints programme terms and conditions apply, visit airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints for details. Airpoints Dollars is Air New Zealand’s registered trademark and is Air New Zealand’s Airpoints programme currency.

The Visa Debit Card is not available for business banking purposes, companies, trusts or organisations.

Important terms, conditions and exclusions are set out in the pdfInstant Insurance for Travel policy wording (PDF 131 KB). Instant Insurance for Travel is arranged by New Zealand Post and issued by TOWER Insurance Limited.

Important terms, conditions and exclusions are set out in the pdfKiwibank MasterCard Travel Insurance policy wording (PDF 336 KB). Kiwibank MasterCard Travel Insurance is arranged by Kiwibank and issued by TOWER Insurance Limited.

Download Kiwibank’s Disclosure Statement or pick up a copy from your local Kiwibank. Kiwibank generates revenue through foreign exchange conversion rates.