Frequently Asked Questions

All you need to know about Travel Currency Cards

About the AA's Travel Currency Cards


What is the AA Travel Currency Card?

The AA Travel Currency Card is a MasterCard prepaid card which provides a secure1 and convenient way to manage your money while abroad. The cards are available in Sterling (Worldwide card) and Euro.

It's a simple way to use money abroad and can be easier to budget with than a debit or credit card. It’s a convenient alternative to carrying large sums of cash or travellers cheques.

All you have to do is load money on to your AA Travel Card, then you can spend or withdraw cash from ATMs on holiday as and when you need it. Because you only spend what you have loaded on to the card, you won’t spend more than you budgeted.

The card has the added benefit of having a reward scheme. When you spend on your travel card, you will earn points which can be redeemed against a range of AA products, shopping vouchers, cash back, treats or catalogue items.

What is a prepaid card?

Prepaid cards look just like a credit or debit card, with a card number, chip and signature strip, but unlike credit cards, which provide a source of credit, and debit cards, which are linked to your bank account, you spend what you load on the card, helping you to stay in control of your spending money while abroad.

You can use the AA Travel Currency Card at over 33 million locations worldwide, including 1.5 million cash machines – wherever you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.

What is an AA Travel Currency Card account?

Your AA Travel Currency Card account is an online account that allows you to manage your card in a way that works best for you. Funds loaded go directly onto your currency card for immediate use. Using 'Top-up Settings' in the menu, you can change the way your funds are distributed between your account and card(s), for example, whenever you load you could allocate half to your account and distribute the rest to your card(s). You may want to do this for security reasons, rather than loading all the money directly on to the card in one go.

Note that the account facility can only hold funds in pounds Sterling. Therefore if you wish to move funds from your Euro card back into your account, funds will be converted back to pounds Sterling at that day's exchange rate.

Who provides the card?

The AA Travel Currency Card is offered by AA Financial Services and provided by Tuxedo Money Plus Limited. The cards are issued by Newcastle Building Society pursuant to licence by MasterCard International Incorporated.

Who is Tuxedo?

The AA Travel Currency MasterCard Prepaid Card is provided by Tuxedo Money Plus Limited. Tuxedo Money Plus Limited is an approved MasterCard member service provider in the UK.

Applying for the card


Who can apply for a card?

Applicants must be UK residents aged 18 or over.

How do I apply for a card?

You can apply online for a card. Applying is easy and secure. If you experience any difficulties during the application process, please telephone 0845 872 0822** (selecting option 9). You will need to select whether you want a Euro or a Sterling Card. If you are an AA member, you will also need to provide your membership number in order to benefit from the enhanced reward scheme for members.

Do I need to pass a credit check to get this card?

No, because this is a prepaid, rather than a credit card.

Are there any identity checks undertaken when applying for the card?

We do have to verify your identity against the information you have provided. In most cases, this verification will happen instantly, but in some cases we may need to ask you to send in documents that prove your identity.

If we are able to verify your identity immediately, you will receive your AA Travel Card within 7 to 10 days and your card will have a maximum balance of £5,000. If we are unable to verify your identity from the documents you provide, we will be unable to send you a card.

What do I need to have with me when I apply for the card?

You will need your bank details to set up your account. The minimum initial payment onto your card is £10 and this will need to be paid by a debit card which needs to be registered to the same address as your Travel Card. AA members will need their membership number.

How long will my card take to arrive?

Please allow 7 to 10 days for your card to arrive. If we need to ask for additional documents to prove your identity, it will take a little longer.

Costs, fees and tariffs


How much does my AA Travel Currency card and account cost?

There is an initial card issue fee of £9.95 but this is automatically refunded back onto your card balance if your first load is £100 or more. Your online servicing account is free to use.

What other card fees should I be aware of?

Please refer to the card fees summary table.

Will I pay any fees if I do not use my AA Travel Currency Card?

A dormancy/administration fee of £1 per month will automatically be deducted from your card balance following 12 months of card inactivity. The fee will continue to be charged until the card is active again (eg loaded with funds or used for a transaction).

Will I be paid interest?

No, the AA Travel Currency Card and linked online account is subject to e-money regulations, therefore interest is not paid on this product.

What exchange rate will I get?

Your money will be loaded on to the card at the current exchange rate. Please see our exchange rate calculators on the website. Euro currency calculator Worldwide currency calculator

Your personal identity number (PIN)


How do I get my PIN?

Please call us to activate your card and receive your secure PIN. There are five easy steps to follow:

  1. Call 0207 070 4902**
  2. Enter your nine-digit account number
  3. Enter the last four digits of your 16 digit card number
  4. Enter the four-digit secret number that you created during card registration
  5. Memorise the PIN that is read out by our automated system

How can I change my PIN?

You can change your PIN at most cash machines in the UK by inserting your AA Travel Currency Card and following the on-screen instructions.

How to top up your card


How do I top up my card?

There are many ways to top-up your card:

  • It's free to top up on the AA website. To make a transfer log in to your account online and under the 'Top-up' tab, choose 'View bank transfer details'.
  • Top up using your credit card (fee 3% of load value, maximum daily load of £750).
  • At Post Office branches. You can also top up at 12,000 Post Office® branches nationwide (99p fee).
  • At PayPoint locations. Top up with cash at nearly 22,000 terminals located in newsagents, convenience stores, supermarkets, garages and off-licences near to you (fee 3% of load value).

Find Post Office and PayPoint branches.

See information about card fees here.

How long will my loaded funds take to clear?

When loading with a debit or credit card for the first time, it can take up to three working days for the funds to clear onto your currency card. However, all subsequent loads using the same debit or credit card are immediate and will clear on the same day.

If your bank uses faster payments, funds will be available the next working day. Cash loads made at a Post Office will take one working day to clear, but PayPoint loads clear on the same day.

The exchange rate you receive when loading your Euro travel currency card will always be that of the day your funds clear on your card.

How to withdraw cash and make purchases


Where can I withdraw cash?

You can withdraw cash from approximately 1.5m cash machines worldwide – basically any that carry the MasterCard Acceptance Mark. There is a £1.50 fee for withdrawing cash, but if the amount you withdraw is more than the equivalent of £50/€50, the fee will be refunded to your card.

How much cash can I withdraw each day?

When using cash machines abroad, the maximum withdrawal amount is subject to the country's limits.

Can I use my AA Travel Currency Card to get cash over the bank counter?

No. You can only use a cash machine.

Can I use my AA Travel Currency Card to make purchases?

Yes. You can use your card wherever you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark, as long as you have sufficient funds on your card.

What is a pre-authorisation?

A pre-authorisation is carried out when a merchant reserves money on a card to ensure payment for their services. Places such as restaurants and hotels do this quite often. For example, a pub or restaurant may pre-authorise a set amount when you open a tab at the bar. If your final bill is less than the pre-authorised amount it may take up to 14 days for you to receive the balance as a refund into your account.

Can I use my AA Travel Currency Card to guarantee payments or make reservations?

If you are using your card for car hire, hotel reservations, general bookings or to guarantee a payment, the prepaid funds on your card will be pre-authorised and blocked for payment of the services that you request.

  • Some businesses – car hire and hotels in particular – may block more funds than you expect to use, and this will affect the available balance on your card.
  • The blocked funds will not be available for you to use until the final bill has been settled and cleared via MasterCard.
  • Usually the unspent amount is made available for use within a day or two of payment. However in some instances it can take up to 14 days for the transaction to be fully processed and for your card to be credited.

Are there any outlets where I may not be able to use my AA Travel Currency Card?

You may not be able to use your card if a retail outlet is unable to obtain authorisation for the amount you wish to spend. Your card may also not be accepted for the hire of a car. This may be due to the extended time period that can occur when a transaction is authorised and when money is deducted from your account. Alternatively, the difference can occur between the amount authorised and the amount subsequently claimed.

Can I use my AA Travel Currency Card to pay for fuel at automated pumps?

Unfortunately this is not available. It is possible to pay for fuel inside the petrol station kiosk if you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.

Can I use my AA Travel Currency Card to pay at toll roads abroad?

Not always – your card is a MasterCard card and should be accepted everywhere you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark. However, some toll road payment kiosks are 'offline', meaning they cannot check that the card has the available funds before they allow you through the toll. As a result of this, they often choose not to accept prepaid cards. Please note this applies to all prepaid MasterCard cards, not just those from the AA.

What address should I give when I purchase goods online, by mail order or by phone?

The billing address should be the address registered by the primary cardholder, even if you're an authorised user.

What is a pending transaction?

A pending transaction (sometimes called 'outstanding authorisation') is a temporary charge held against your available funds. It relates to:

  1. a transaction (purchase or cash withdrawal) you've made using your AA Travel Currency Card which has been authorised for payment, but has not yet reached your account
  2. 'reserved' funds requested by certain retailers (eg when you check in to some hotels, they will take your AA Travel Currency Card details for an 'authorisation transaction' that reserves enough funds to cover your bill)
  3. a payment or cash withdrawal you've made to your account that has not yet cleared

What happens to a pending transaction?

The pending transaction will either turn into a finalised transaction (purchase), or will be removed automatically within 14 days.

Do I need to do anything if I have a pending transaction on my account?

No. Having a pending transaction on your account is part of the process by which a purchase is charged to your account. However, if you think the pending transaction may relate to fraudulent use of your card, please contact us immediately.

How are my transactions authorised?

Retail outlets request authorisation via MasterCard. Tuxedo Money Plus Limited is linked to MasterCard via a processor which verifies that you have enough funds available on your AA Travel Currency Card. If approved, the money is paid to MasterCard from the card, for settlement to the merchant. If there are not enough funds on your card, the transaction will be declined. At all times, only you or a designated person can see the balance available on your account.

What if I want to cancel a transaction or card authorisation?

In circumstances where it is possible to cancel an authorised transaction, for instance a hotel reservation, you must allow up to 30 days for a refund if the transaction has been authorised. After this time a chargeback can be requested; proof of contact with the merchant is normally required. In the meantime you won't be able to use that money for other transactions.

When are transactions declined?

Transactions can be declined if the retailer can't verify online that there are enough funds in your account to cover the value of the transaction you are making, including any applicable charges.

Online servicing – managing your AA Travel Currency Card


How do I reset my password?

To reset your password on the online servicing page, go to the 'Security' tab and select 'Change password'.

How do I update my personal details?

If you are the account holder, you can update your mobile number and email address under the 'Account holder' tab. If you are a card holder, go to the 'Cardholders' tab.

How do I download my statement?

We don’t send out monthly statements to you in the post, but if you would like one sent, you can request one for a fee of £10. However, you can download statements for free whenever you like from our online servicing site. Simply log in and go to the 'Statement' tab and select the statement period you wish to retrieve. You can either print it, or save it on your computer by clicking 'Export'. The statement will be saved in a Microsoft Office Excel CSV file format.

How do I move funds to and from my account?

To move funds online, go to the 'Move funds' tab, select the source you wish to move money from and to, and then select the amount. To move money back from your AA Travel Card to your bank account is free for AA members, but for non-members there is a £10 fee.

What is an account balance?

Your account balance shows unallocated funds, ie funds that haven't been assigned to your card(s).

What is an available balance?

Available balance means cleared balance associated with your card that is available to spend instantly.

Can I order an additional card?

Yes, an additional card be ordered via your online servicing site by going to the 'Additional cards' tab. You will be offered a choice of keeping the account/card balance to yourself, or sharing it with the new cardholder. There is a fee for an additional card – please see the fees table for exact charge. It is possible to have up to two additional cards in different names, but it is also possible to order a second card in the name of the main card holder. This second card can be activated in case of the main card being lost or stolen.

Please refer to the card fees summary table.

How do I check the available balance on my AA Travel Currency Card / account?

To check your balance, log in to our online servicing, or call our automated service on +44 207 096 9457 from overseas or 0845 872 0822 from the UK.

You can also check your card balance by text. Text BAL XXXX (XXXX represents the last four digits of the long card number) to +44 778 1474 776 from overseas, or 80777 from the UK. Standard network charges apply.

Card security


How do I report that my card is lost or stolen?

If your card is lost or stolen, let us know as soon as possible:

  • Call +44 20 7078 2711 from overseas or 0207 078 2711 from the UK, available 24 hours a day. We will cancel your AA Travel Currency Card and issue you with a replacement within seven to ten days.
  • Or send us a text with LOST or STOLEN to +44 778 1474 776 from overseas or 80777 from the UK. (SMS texts to this number cost 20p.)

It is possible to apply for an additional card (fee applies) which could be used in an emergency if your card was lost or stolen. You should take your emergency card with you when you travel, but remember to keep it separate from your main card. When you contact us to inform us about your main card being lost or stolen, we can arrange to activate your emergency card and transfer your money.

Phishing – and how to avoid it.

We will never send an email to a customer requesting security or any other confidential information about the AA Travel Currency MasterCard Prepaid Card. If you receive an email claiming to be from AA Financial Services, Tuxedo Money Plus Limited or Newcastle Building Society (NBS) with a link to what appears to be the AA, Tuxedo or Newcastle Building Society website, do not enter your personal or account details. The AA, Tuxedo and NBS are in no way involved with this email and the website does not belong to us or Newcastle Building Society. Never reply to any such emails or disclose any personal information on such websites.

If you think you've received a fraudulent email that looks like it's from Tuxedo or Newcastle Building Society, please forward the entire email including the header and footer to security@eccount.com.

How safe is my money?

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not apply to the AA Travel Currency Card. No other compensation schemes exist to cover losses claimed in connection with the AA Travel Currency Card. So, in the event that Newcastle Building Society becomes insolvent, your funds may become valueless and unusable, which means that, as a result, you may lose your money.

Expiry and account closure


What should I do when my AA Travel Currency Card expires?

This agreement will terminate 36 months from the account opening date, and you will need to reapply for an AA Travel Currency Card. If you have any unused funds on your old card, we will move these over to your new card. If you do not wish to apply for a new card, we will transfer any funds on your card back to you, after deducting a £10 redemption fee.

How do I close my account?

Contact our Customer Service team on +44 207 096 9457 from overseas or 0845 872 0822 from the UK. Fees may apply. See terms and conditions for details.

AA Reward Points


How do I earn AA Reward Points?

You will earn AA Reward Points on all AA Travel Currency Card purchases.

Is there a limit to the number of reward points I can earn?

No. You can continue to earn reward points throughout the year, and carry them forward from one year to the next.

When will my reward points expire?

Reward points expire two years from the end of the month in which they are earned. If you or the AA terminate or close the card account, any reward points that have not been redeemed will be forfeited.

Who can redeem my reward points?

Only the primary AA Travel Currency Card/account holder may redeem reward points.

How will I know how many reward points I have accumulated?

Your reward points total is viewable on the AA Rewards website which you can access via your online servicing account website.

Can I combine my reward points with any other scheme?

Yes, AA Travel Currency Card reward points may be combined with AA reward points that you've earned using an AA Spend and Earn Card or vice versa. You can also transfer these reward points to an AA (Visa) Credit Card rewards balance on the condition that the credit card was issued by MBNA Europe Bank Limited.

Simply email us at rewards@theaa.com and let us know which prepaid card account you would like the points to be transferred from. Please include your name and address in the email.

How do I access my rewards programme?

You need to be enrolled in online servicing. Once enrolled you simply need to log in and click the 'AA Reward Points' link which is displayed on every page. This will take you to the AA Rewards website where you can view and redeem your reward points.

If you are logging into the AA Rewards website for the first time, you will need to use your nine-digit card account number for the Logon ID. Your password is also your nine-digit card account number, preceeded with the capital letters 'AA', eg AA123456789. Once logged in, you will be prompted to change your password to something more memorable, but your Logon ID will remain as your nine-digit card account number.

What happens if online servicing or my reward site isn't working?

If the website isn't working you can redeem your reward points over the phone by calling our dedicated Reward Points Help Desk on 0845 604 9609 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and weekends 9am to 5pm (closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day).

What kind of rewards can I use my reward points for?

You can redeem your points on a wide range of items, including AA Car and Home Insurance, AA Breakdown, AA travel guides and road atlases, plus high street shopping vouchers, experiences, hampers, quality wine and cash back.

How can I redeem reward points?

Log in to your online servicing account and click the 'AA Rewards Points' link. From here you can then log into the rewards website, view your points total, browse our wide range of goods and select the items you'd like to redeem your points against. It should only take a few minutes to redeem your reward points online.

Do shopping vouchers have an expiry date or any other restrictions?

Some vouchers will have an expiry date on them and you should look on the reverse side of them to check as soon as you receive them.

Which retailers are offering shopping vouchers on my rewards programme?

You can redeem your reward points for a wide selection of high street vouchers including Marks & Spencer, Argos, Boots, Next and many more. For a full list, see the voucher section on the rewards website.

Are shopping vouchers transferable?

The shopping vouchers are not personalised and may be given or sent to someone else.

When earning double points on fuel, do I have to use a specific filling station?

You can earn double points on fuel with any AA Travel Currency Card purchase when you fill your car with diesel, petrol or LPG Autogas from any petrol station (including supermarket petrol stations).

Which AA products can I earn double points on?

You can earn double points on any AA products and services advertised on theAA.com website, (excluding AA Getaways) that are bought directly from the AA.

When can I expect my cash back, once I have redeemed it?

Cash back will be applied to your AA Travel Currency Card account within 28 days of redemption. You can redeem your points for cash back as often as you like. The cash back values available are £20, £30, £40 and £50.

Can I redeem for reward items using part points and part cash?

Yes. Where the cash top-up option is available, simply select the amount you would like to pay in cash. (This top-up function is only available with payments made on your AA Travel Currency Card).

Are there any reward items I can't use cash top up for?

Yes. Cash top up cannot be used on cash back, AA Insurance or Breakdown vouchers or shopping vouchers.

When will my reward items be delivered?

Reward items will be delivered within 35 days of your order. Shopping vouchers will be dispatched within two working days.

Are delivery charges included in my reward redemption order?

All reward prices include a delivery charge. Some reward items will give you an option to collect from an Argos store; if this option is available it could reduce the overall price.

Which AA products can I redeem my points for?

You can redeem your points on a range of AA products including AA Home and Car Insurance policies, AA Breakdown Cover and European Breakdown Cover, AA Publishing, AA Driving School and AA Home Emergency Response.

How can I redeem reward points on AA Insurance or Home Emergency Response?

If you wish to use your reward points on AA Home, Car Insurance or Home Emergency Response, then please take out the insurance policy and pay in full. Once you have received your policy documents, log on to the reward site and redeem your points against your chosen product. You will then receive a credit to your prepaid card for the amount that you choose to redeem.

How can I redeem reward points for a new AA Breakdown Cover policy or European Breakdown Cover policy?

If you wish to use your reward points on a new AA Breakdown Cover policy or European Breakdown Policy and have selected to do so, then a voucher will be sent to you in the post. This voucher will have a unique code. Once you have decided to buy AA Breakdown Cover please call the telephone number that appears on your voucher. You'll be asked to quote your voucher code by the operator, and the monetary value will be deducted from the cost of your breakdown cover.

How can I redeem reward points against the renewal of an AA Breakdown Cover policy?

If you wish to use your reward points towards the cost of your AA Breakdown renewal, then please renew and pay for your Breakdown renewal in full in your normal way. Once you have received your policy documents, log on to the reward site and redeem your points against Breakdown – renewal of an existing policy. You will then receive a credit to your prepaid card for the amount that you choose to redeem.

How can I redeem my points against AA Driving School?

If you wish to use your reward points towards the cost of driving lessons with AA Driving School, please log in to the rewards site and select the AA Driving School option. You can purchase gift vouchers for AA Driving School in multiples of £25. Please allow 28 days for delivery of these gift vouchers. AA driving instructors will accept these vouchers as payment towards driving lessons with AA Driving School.

How can I redeem my points for AA Publishing items?

A wide range of items are available from AA Publishing. These include the latest atlases, lifestyle guides, travel guides, the Highway Code and many more. There is also a range of 'motoring essentials' such as breakdown kits or first aid kits. Please log in to the reward scheme and select any items you would like to choose from the AA Books, Maps and Car Essentials section. The item you have chosen will then be dispatched to you within 28 days.

What happens to my points once I have redeemed them?

Once you have chosen the products or services you wish to use your points on, the points will be deducted from your point total and will be shown on your statements and online servicing pages. You can start collecting points again once you resume spending on your AA Travel Currency Card.

How can I redeem reward points on AA Breakdown Cover?

If you wish to use your reward points on a new AA Breakdown Cover policy and have selected to do so, then a voucher will be sent to you in the post. This voucher will have a unique code. Once you have decided to buy AA Breakdown Cover please call the telephone number that appears on your voucher. You'll be asked to quote your voucher code by the operator, and the monetary value will be deducted from the cost of your breakdown cover.

Contact us


How can I contact the AA Travel Currency Card team?

You can email Customer Service 24 hours a day at support@aatravelcurrency.com. We aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours.

Or you can call +44 207 096 9457 from overseas or 0845 872 0822 from the UK. Our Customer Service agents are available Monday to Friday 9am and 6pm (excluding bank holidays), however you can use the automated service to manage your card at any time.

Calls to Customer Service will be charged. For your call charges, please check with your service provider. 0845 calls from a BT landline are charged at a local rate. Calls made using other service providers, from mobiles or overseas, may vary.





* The prepaid card is an electronic money product and although it is a product regulated by the Financial Services Authority, it is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. No other compensation scheme exists to cover losses claimed in connection with the prepaid card. This means that in the event that Newcastle Building Society becomes insolvent your funds may become valueless and unusable and as a result you may lose your money.

** Our agents are available from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, however you can use this automated telephone service to manage your card at any time. Calls to 0845 numbers are charged at a local rate from BT landlines in the UK. The cost of calls may vary from other phone networks and from abroad.

MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. The AA Euro and Worldwide Travel Currency MasterCard Prepaid Cards are issued by Newcastle Building Society (NBS) pursuant to licence by MasterCard International. NBS is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority as an issuer of e-money (registration no. 156058).

The AA Euro and Worldwide Travel Currency MasterCard Prepaid Cards are arranged by AA Financial Services Limited (AAFS), registered in England and Wales number 912211. Registered Office: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4EA.