Fintech Currensea’s money-saving travel debit card can now be used on Google Pay, unlocking access to lower overseas foreign exchange fees for more customers.

This latest partnership allows Android customers easy access to their Currensea card via their Google Wallet. Customers are now able to use their Currensea card on in-person and online transactions using Google Pay to make secure contactless purchases above the £45 limit with the added convenience of using their phone rather than carrying a card.

Currensea is a travel debit card which uses open banking technology to allow travellers to spend directly from their existing current account when abroad – rather than needing to switch bank accounts or risk leaving money on a pre-paid card. It guarantees the best foreign exchange (FX) rates at only 0% to 0.5% above the FX base rate – which allows card users to save at least 85% - and up to 100% - on every transaction abroad by removing the normal fees leveraged by banks and other card providers.

Customers can also benefit from reduced foreign exchange rates when using Currensea to book accommodation before they travel. For example, using the Currensea card to spend £1,000 in the local currency for a hotel in Amsterdam on booking.com would save £34 in foreign exchange fees compared to using a bank debit card as it removes the usual bank fees associated with overseas transactions.  

This new Google Pay functionality will also simplify the check-out process for customers using Currensea in the UK. UK users can access cashback offers at over 70 retailers - including ASOS, Body Shop, Boots, Cadburys, Lastminute.com and Waterstones.

In addition, users can choose to roundup spending to the nearest 5p and donate this to charity partners including St Martin-in-the-Fields Trust, Royal Trinity Hospice and Surfers Against Sewage who all offer supporter branded debit cards through Currensea’s ‘Powered by’ offering. 

James Lynn, CEO, Currensea, comments: “Google Pay functionality is another major step in our journey to give travellers more control over their money. Offering faster, convenient and more secure payments through Android devices will support our mission to make travel spending fairer - ensuring that Currensea is not only the most cost-effective option for travellers but also the most hassle-free.”

This Google Pay launch concludes a year of strong growth for Currensea with notable milestones including;

• A 243% increase in users since the start of the year - total users has now surpassed 45,000
• Currensea saved users £1.1m in foreign exchange fees during 2022 - a 400% increase on the previous year  
• Securing £4.55m in funding including VC funding from Venture Capitalists Blackfinch Ventures and 1818 Venture Capital as well as a successful crowdfunding round on Seedrs with the original target of £1m smashed  in just two hours.
• Users can opt to donate some or all of their FX savings on sustainability initiatives - these donations have planted over 100,000 tress and removed over 2.5m plastic bottles from the ocean

Apple Pay functionality for Currensea is expected to be available in Q1 2023.