Visiting South Africa? Absa has launched the SA Travel Card – a prepaid, debit card for international travellers. The SA Travel Card, offered in association with Barclays PLC, is supported by Visa. Once money is loaded (in South African rands) cardholders have instant access to cash from any ATM across the country, and can pay for goods and services wherever the Visa logo is displayed. All transactions performed with the card are free of charge. “The SA Travel Card is as good as cash in the hands of international visitor. There’s no need to carry loads of cash, as the card allows the visitor to use it everywhere in South Africa as a means of payment,” says Mutsa Sibanda, Absa’s Head of Debit and Prepaid Card Consumer Issuing. In the unfortunate event of the card being lost or stolen, the cardholder can contact the Absa Stop Card Centre on 0800 11 11 55, which is toll-free and operational 24/7, to block the card immediately. A replacement card, with the remaining balance loaded, can be requested at a range of national Absa Bureau de Change branches.

Because the card is valid only in South Africa, the remaining amount on the SA Travel Card can be converted upon departure into the visitor’s currency of choice at any one of the Absa Bureaux de Change.