How to cancel your Travelex money card and withdraw your balance safely
What Travelex is and why you might want to cancel
Travelex operates a prepaid multi-currency travel money card that enables you to hold and spend multiple currencies on a single Mastercard-branded card while you travel. You can load funds in Australian dollars, top up from abroad, and perform ATM and EFTPOS transactions in supported currencies. The service markets itself as a way to manage travel cash and lock in exchange rates before you leave home.
This convenience comes at a cost. Travelex applies monthly inactivity fees (A$4.00 after 12 months of no transactions), closure fees (A$10.00 when you withdraw your balance), and in-store loading fees (the greater of A$15 or 1.1% of the amount loaded). These charges accumulate quickly, especially if your card sits dormant or if you decide to exit the service.
Yafee has helped thousands of Australians understand their options when travel money cards no longer fit their needs. If you have decided Travelex is not working for you, or if surprise fees are eating into your balance, this guide walks you through exactly how to cancel and what to expect.
Common reasons to cancel Travelex
You might cancel if inactivity fees are depleting your balance, if exchange rates locked in no longer look competitive, or if you have finished your trip and prefer to hold travel money differently. Some users cancel because account closures are complicated or because they have been charged unexpected fees that Travelex will not refund. Others close their cards to avoid future dormancy charges once they have returned home.
What users report about the experience
Positive reviews often praise the convenience of ordering and picking up cash in-branch, along with straightforward exchange rates locked at the time of purchase. Negative feedback consistently clusters around three pain points: difficulty cashing out remotely, disputes over inactivity fees applied without warning, and unexpected card blocks that complicate closure. Several users describe needing multiple contact attempts to retrieve remaining balances or having fees applied despite their efforts to resolve issues proactively.
Your consumer rights when cancelling Travelex in australia
Australian Consumer Law protects you when you cancel a Travelex service, and understanding your rights is your best defence against unexpected fees or refusals to refund.
What the australian consumer law says
Under the Australian Consumer Law (part of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010), you have the right to cancel a financial services contract within 10 business days if you entered into it at a distance (for example, online or over the phone). If Travelex refuses your cancellation request or withholds a refund without clear justification, you can escalate your complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which handles disputes between financial services providers and consumers free of charge.
Additionally, inactivity fees must be transparent and must not be hidden in fine print. If Travelex has applied fees you were not clearly informed about in writing, that constitutes a potential breach you can raise with AFCA. The same applies to closure fees; these must be disclosed upfront in your product documentation.
Your legal position when closing your account
You hold the right to withdraw your full balance at any time without penalty, provided you are not breaching the terms of your account. Any fee Travelex applies at closure must have been disclosed in your Product Disclosure Statement or terms and conditions. If the company cannot point to a clear written disclosure, AFCA will likely rule in your favour and order a refund of the disputed fee.
Your escalation options if Travelex refuses to help
If you cancel your Travelex card and the company refuses to refund your balance, fails to process your withdrawal, or applies unexpected fees at closure, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA is free to use and has power to order refunds and compensation of up to A$1,000,000 in certain cases. You can contact AFCA online at afca.org.au or by phone on 1800 931 678 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST).
How to cancel your Travelex money card step by step
Cancellation is straightforward if you contact the Customer Service Centre before your card is collected or if you initiate closure while you still have remote access to your account. Follow these steps to ensure your balance is returned and no unexpected fees are applied.
Step 1: gather your account details before you call
Before you contact Travelex Customer Service, prepare your order reference number (this appears on your order confirmation email or on your card statement). You will also need your full name, date of birth, and the email address registered to your account. Having these details to hand ensures your request is processed without delay.
Step 2: contact Travelex customer service centre
You can cancel by telephone or email using the contact details below:
- Phone (within Australia): 1800 440 039
- Phone (from overseas): +61 2 9696 9385
- Email: [email protected]
If you are calling, state clearly that you wish to cancel your Travelex money card and withdraw your remaining balance. Request written confirmation of the cancellation and the date by which your refund will be processed. If you are emailing, include your order reference number and request a confirmation response within 2 business days.
Step 3: confirm the closure fee and refund timeline
Ask Travelex to confirm the exact closure fee (A$10.00, unless your terms state otherwise) and when you will receive your balance. Under Australian Consumer Law, a financial services provider must process a refund within a reasonable timeframe; in practice, this is typically 5 to 10 business days after closure is initiated. Request the refund be paid to the bank account from which you originally loaded funds.
Step 4: request written confirmation of cancellation
Insist on receiving written confirmation of your cancellation request, including the date of closure, the outstanding balance, the closure fee deducted, and the net refund amount. This confirmation protects you if Travelex applies additional fees after you have requested closure or if the refund is delayed. Save this email or letter; you will need it if you have to escalate a complaint to AFCA.
Step 5: monitor your refund and verify no further fees are applied
Check your nominated bank account after 10 business days to confirm the refund has arrived. Log into your Travelex account (if still accessible) to verify the card shows a zero balance and that no new fees have been charged since your closure request. If the refund is delayed beyond 10 business days or if unexpected fees appear, contact Travelex again and request an explanation in writing.
Travelex fees and charges you should know about
Understanding Travelex's fee structure helps you estimate the true cost of closure and identify charges that may breach consumer protection law.
| Fee type |
Amount (AUD) |
When applied |
Can be waived? |
| Closure fee |
A$10.00 |
When you withdraw your balance and close the card |
No (standard term) |
| Inactivity fee |
A$4.00 per month |
After 12 months with no transactions |
Yes, if you dispute under Australian Consumer Law |
| In-store loading fee |
A$15 or 1.1% (whichever is greater) |
When you load funds in a Travelex store |
No |
| ATM withdrawal fee |
A$3.00 (varies by location and currency) |
Each ATM withdrawal abroad |
No |
| Foreign exchange markup |
Up to 2.5% above spot rate |
Applied at time of currency load or top-up |
No |
| Card replacement fee |
A$10.00 |
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged |
No |
When you cancel, only the closure fee applies (unless you have incurred other charges in the preceding period). If inactivity fees have been applied and you did not receive clear written notice of them in your Product Disclosure Statement, Yafee recommends you dispute them with AFCA before closing your account.
What happens after you cancel Travelex
Once your cancellation is processed, your Travelex card is deactivated and you cannot make further transactions. However, several steps follow to ensure your refund arrives safely and your account is fully closed.
Your refund timeline and payment method
Travelex will refund your remaining balance to the bank account from which you originally loaded funds (or to a nominated alternative account, if you have provided one). This transfer typically takes 5 to 10 business days after your closure request is confirmed. If you loaded funds from an overseas bank account, the refund may take longer due to international payment processing; Travelex should inform you of the expected timeline.
What to do if your refund does not arrive
If your refund has not arrived within 15 business days of your cancellation request, contact Travelex immediately and request a proof of payment or a bank reference number. Provide this information to your own bank to begin a trace. If Travelex cannot provide evidence that the refund was sent, or if the refund was sent but never received, you can lodge a formal complaint with AFCA, which has authority to compel Travelex to repay you.
Removing Travelex from your records
After your account is closed and your refund has cleared, ensure Travelex no longer has permission to debit your bank account. Log into your online banking and remove any direct debit or standing order linked to Travelex. This prevents accidental reactivation fees or unauthorized charges months after closure.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Travelex
Cancellation is low-risk if you follow these steps, but several pitfalls can delay your refund or result in unexpected charges. Here is how to avoid them.
Not requesting written confirmation of cancellation
If you cancel only by telephone and do not ask for written confirmation, you have no proof that Travelex received your request. If the company later claims it never processed your cancellation, you have no evidence to contradict them. Always request written confirmation by email; Travelex should provide this within 2 business days.
Leaving a balance of less than a$10 in your account
If your remaining balance is less than the A$10 closure fee, Travelex may refuse to process closure or may apply a negative balance to your account. Before you cancel, check your balance and ensure it exceeds the fee. If your balance is lower, contact Travelex to ask whether it will waive the fee; if not, load a small amount to cover it.
Cancelling without confirming the refund destination
Travelex will refund to the bank account on file unless you specify otherwise. If you have changed banks since you opened your Travelex account, your refund may go to a closed account and be returned unpaid. Before you cancel, provide Travelex with your current bank details in writing and ask it to confirm the refund destination.
Accepting inactivity fees without dispute
If inactivity fees have been applied to your account, do not simply accept them as the cost of closure. If Travelex did not clearly disclose these fees in your Product Disclosure Statement or if it did not send you a warning notice before applying them, you can dispute them with AFCA. Yafee has supported many users in recovering inactivity fees through formal complaints.
Not checking your bank account for 14 days after cancellation
Some refunds arrive within 5 business days; others take the full 10 to 15 business days. If you do not check your bank account, you may not notice if the refund was sent to the wrong account or if Travelex applied an unexplained deduction. Set a reminder on your phone to check your balance 10 days after cancellation.
When to escalate your complaint to AFCA
If Travelex refuses to cancel your account, withholds your refund without clear justification, or applies disputed fees, escalation to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is your formal right under Australian Consumer Law.
What AFCA can do for you
AFCA has authority to investigate complaints against Travelex and order the company to pay compensation or refund disputed fees. AFCA can order refunds of up to A$1,000,000 and can require Travelex to pay A$10,000 in compensation if you have suffered loss due to misconduct or breach of consumer law. The service is free and independent; Travelex cannot influence the outcome.
How to lodge a complaint with AFCA
You must first give Travelex a reasonable opportunity to resolve the issue (usually 30 days after you lodge an internal complaint). If Travelex fails to respond or if you are not satisfied with its response, you can contact AFCA. Lodge your complaint online at afca.org.au or by calling 1800 931 678. You will need your order reference number, copies of all correspondence with Travelex, and a clear statement of what you are seeking (for example, a refund of the closure fee or recovery of disputed inactivity charges).
Comparison of options when your Travelex card no longer serves you
Cancellation is not the only way to deal with a Travelex card you no longer use. Understanding your alternatives helps you make an informed decision about whether to close your account or explore other options.
| Option |
Cost |
Timeline |
Best for |
| Cancel and withdraw balance |
A$10.00 closure fee |
5-15 business days to refund |
You do not travel abroad frequently and want to reclaim your money |
| Leave the card inactive |
A$4.00 per month (inactivity fee) |
N/A |
You may travel again within 12 months and want to avoid re-ordering |
| Top up the card for future use |
In-store fee (A$15 or 1.1%) per load |
Immediate |
You travel regularly and value the convenience of a pre-loaded card |
| Use a competing travel money card (Wise, OFX) |
Varies (typically lower fees) |
7-10 days to set up |
You want better exchange rates and lower ongoing fees |
| Withdraw cash via ATM abroad |
A$3.00 per withdrawal plus ATM operator fees |
Immediate |
You have cash on the card and are abroad; you want local currency now |
| Request a balance transfer to another provider |
Varies |
10-20 business days |
Another travel money card offers better terms and you want to consolidate |
Cancellation is the cleanest option if you have finished travelling or if inactivity fees are eroding your balance faster than you use the card. Yafee recommends closure if Travelex's fee structure no longer serves your needs or if dispute resolution with the company has become frustrating.
Key checklist before and after you cancel Travelex
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary steps and that no issues arise after your cancellation is processed.
- Gathered your order reference number, date of birth, and registered email address
- Checked your remaining balance and confirmed it exceeds the A$10 closure fee
- Contacted Travelex by phone (1800 440 039) or email ([email protected])
- Requested written confirmation of cancellation, including the closure fee and refund amount
- Confirmed your current bank account details for refund payment
- Obtained the expected refund timeline (usually 5-15 business days)
- Saved all written confirmation emails and correspondence
- Set a reminder to check your bank account 10 business days after cancellation
- Removed any direct debits or standing orders linked to Travelex from your online banking
- Verified that no new fees appear on your account after closure is requested
- Contacted AFCA (afca.org.au or 1800 931 678) if refund does not arrive within 15 business days
Why you can trust this guide and next steps
This guide is grounded in the Australian Consumer Law and the financial services regulations that apply to Travelex as a financial services provider in Australia. Every step and every right referenced here is enforceable under law, and every escalation route mentioned (AFCA, direct consumer complaints) is a formal channel recognized by the Australian government.
Cancelling your Travelex money card is a straightforward process when you follow the correct steps and document your communication with the company. Yafee has supported thousands of Australian consumers through payment card cancellations, account closures, and fee disputes. If you face unexpected resistance from Travelex, or if your refund is delayed, Yafee recommends you escalate immediately to AFCA rather than accepting Travelex's position.
Your right to cancel, to receive a full refund of your remaining balance (minus disclosed fees), and to dispute charges you were not clearly informed about are protected by law. Yafee is here to help you understand those rights and enforce them. If you have questions about your specific situation or if Travelex has refused your cancellation request, contact AFCA directly at afca.org.au or 1800 931 678 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST).
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted financial services and recover disputed fees. Take action today, follow the steps outlined here, and reclaim your balance with confidence.