Wise, formerly known as Transfer Wise, was founded in 2011 and allows users to seamlessly send, receive, and spend funds in multiple countries. You are likely to be aware of the costs associated with foreign transactions such as ATM withdrawal fees and currency conversion costs.

Getting started with the Wise Card:

You can spend money anywhere in the world using your Wise card with zero transaction fees and low conversion fees. Wise account holders in Australia, Brazil and the EEA can currently use it.

wise-card

These are some tips to get you started:

  1. Access your card information on the app and website

You can view your card number, expiry dates, and CVV for cards issued for these countries anytime on the app or web:

The UK

The EEA

Switzerland

Australia

New Zealand

Singapore

Japan

Malaysia

Canada

Brazil

You can create your own pin number for cards issued in the US when activating your card. Only cards issued in the US may be activated within the US. After activation, card details will be available in the app. It is important that you complete these details before traveling abroad.

  1. Activate your card immediately

Non-US cardholders

Pay using your PIN is all that’s required. If Your Chip and PIN payment is declined, you can use the card at an ATM to withdraw cash or inquire about balance.

You won’t have the ability to withdraw cash at ATMs if you try to activate your card Canada or Singapore. To activate your card, please choose Balance Inquiry.

For cards issued in Brazil, balance enquiry is not possible. Instead, please use a Chip-and-PIN payment or cash withdrawal at a ATM.

You may not be able to activate your card in Japan if you do not have an ATM provider: AEON or E-net, View card, Daily Yamazaki.

US cardholders

To activate your card, go to Wise’s app or website and enter the 6-digit code found on your card.

Once your card is activated, you are able to use it at any time as long as your account has money.

Find out more about activating your card

  1. Add money to your Wise account

You will need to have money in your Wise bank account to pay your card.

Open the Wise app to add money. Select the currency that you would like to add, and the amount you wish to add. You can then choose to pay with different Payment options like bank transfer and card.

  1. Leave the conversion to us

We’ll take the money off your account if you spend in a currency that you already have.

We’ll convert the amount automatically for you if you don’t have that currency in your account. We will take it from the balance that has the lowest conversion fee. There’s no need for you to convert money before you travel.

For Brazil cardholders

Remember that smart conversions will not work with Brazilian cards if the BRL account is involved.

You will need money to use your Brazilian Real card in Brazil. You must have money on all other balances if you plan to use your card overseas. Insufficient funds will result in the transaction being declined if you attempt to spend in a currency, you don’t own, or BRL is the only currency available.

  1. Always choose the local currency

Sometimes ATMs, shops and online retailers are sneaky. They try to make you pay more if you withdraw cash abroad or purchase something overseas. They will charge you in your native currency and then mark up the exchange rate.

You can avoid these hidden fees by choosing to pay in the currency local to you.

  1. Get free ATM withdrawals

There are 2 monthly free withdrawals, up to the following amounts depending on where your card was issued. The app and website allow you to track your limits.

Cards issued in Europe and the UK — 200 GBP/EUR

Cards issued in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore — 350 AUD/NZD/SGD

Cards issued in Japan — 30,000 JPY

100 USD for cards issued in the USA

Malaysian Cards — 1,000 MYR

Canadian cards — equivalent to 350 CAD. Note that you will not be able withdraw money from ATMs within Canada using a Canadian card due to local regulations.

Card issued in Brazil — 1,400 BRL

When asked for a 6-digit PIN by an ATM, you should always use your 4-digit PIN just as you would normally.

Cancel and Replace Wise Card:

For a small charge, you can replace your Wise Card at any time.

The app:

  1. Go to Tab card
  2. Click on Replace card
  3. Select the reason you are replacing your card
  4. Click on Replacement card

You can find it on the internet:

  1. On the left-hand side, click on cards
  2. Choose Replace card
  3. Choose one of the options displayed on the screen

There are 4 choices:

  • I lost my card
  • My card was taken
  • My card was damaged
  • Support team suggested that I should

You can order a new card by selecting ‘I lost my cards” or “My card was stolen”.

You can continue to use your existing card if your card is damaged, or if our support team advises you to replace it. Only after you activate your new card, will it be blocked or cancelled.

Your new card will arrive as soon as you confirm and enter your delivery address. We will get your new card in the mail as soon as possible.

  • 3 working days if you’re in Singapore
  • If you are in Canada or the UK, it will take between 2-6 days
  • you are in Europe or Japan; it will take 2 weeks.
  • If you are in the USA, Australia or New Zealand, it may take up to three weeks.
  • We aim to deliver your card in Brazil within 3 working days. For more information, please check your tracking code.