Caxton offers two personal travel cards: Black with no monthly fee and Red at £8 per month. You can preload and hold 15 currencies or just load GBP and spend worldwide. Caxton charges £0 for overseas purchases and overseas ATM withdrawals on both plans, although ATM owners may add a surcharge.
In the UK, ATM withdrawals cost £1.50 on Black and £0 on Red. Red removes FX markups outside the 15 wallet currencies, while Black can add 2.49% when you spend in a currency you do not hold.
Initial Viewpoint:
Best for travellers who want a simple multi-currency wallet with £0 Caxton fees abroad. Choose Red if you spend frequently in mixed currencies and want 0% FX markup. Choose Black if you want a free card and can stick to the 15 wallet currencies or accept the 2.49% markup when you do not.
ptc. Rating: ⭐ 4 / 5
Highlights:
- £0 Caxton fee for overseas purchases and overseas ATM withdrawals
- Hold 15 currencies, or load GBP and spend anywhere Mastercard is accepted
- Apple Pay and Google Wallet supported
- Typical delivery 3 to 5 working days after first load
Cautions:
- UK ATM fee on Black is £1.50, Red is £0
- Black can add 2.49% FX markup when spending outside the 15 wallet currencies
- Dormancy fee of £2 per month after 12 months of inactivity if a balance remains
Methodology: Product pages and Help Centre articles reviewed and verified on 11 Oct 2025.
Overview
What it is
Caxton’s prepaid Mastercard travel money cards for consumers. Two plans are available: Black with no monthly fee and Red at £8 per month with 0% FX markup marketing. Load currencies in the app and spend worldwide.
Who it’s for
UK travellers who want low fees abroad, multi-currency control and digital wallet support. Pick Red if you often spend in currencies you do not hold and want to avoid markup.
Key Facts
- Issuer and scheme: Card is issued by PSI-Pay Ltd under Mastercard license. Caxton Payments Limited is FCA authorised for FSMA and e-money activities. Safeguarding applies to e-money, not FSCS.
- Plans: Black is free. Red is £8 per month and advertises 0% FX markup.
- Overseas fees: Caxton charges £0 for overseas purchases and overseas ATM withdrawals on both plans. ATM owners may surcharge.
- UK ATM fee: Black £1.50 per withdrawal. Red £0.
- Digital wallets: Apple Pay and Google Wallet supported.
- Wallet currencies you can hold (15): GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, CAD, CHF, NZD, HKD, DKK, ZAR, JPY, SEK, HUF, PLN, NOK.
- Use in other currencies: You can load GBP and spend in any currency at Mastercard acceptance locations.
Last updated: 11 Oct 2025
Pricing & Fees (UK)
| Fee type | Black | Red | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan fee | £0 | £8 per month | Red adds extra benefits including 0% FX markup messaging |
| Overseas purchases | £0 | £0 | Caxton fee is £0. Merchant or network fees may still apply in some cases. |
| Overseas ATM withdrawals | £0 | £0 | ATM owner may add a surcharge. |
| UK ATM withdrawals | £1.50 | £0 | Fee applies per transaction in the UK. |
| FX on held wallet currencies | 0% | 0% | When you preload one of the 15 currencies, you spend that balance. |
| FX when spending outside held currencies | Mastercard rate plus up to 2.49% on Black | 0% markup on Red | Caxton references adjustments and Red’s 0% FX markup positioning. |
| Card order and delivery | Free, typical delivery 3 to 5 working days after first load | Free, typical delivery 3 to 5 working days after first load | Timings referenced on site and onboarding flows. |
| Dormancy | £2 per month after 12 months of inactivity if a balance remains | £2 per month after 12 months of inactivity if a balance remains |
FX & ATM Details
FX conversion
If you have preloaded one of the 15 wallet currencies, spend from that balance with no FX markup. If you spend in a currency you do not hold, Black can add an adjustment of up to 2.49%, while Red advertises 0% FX markup. Always decline DCC and choose to pay in the local currency.
ATM usage
Abroad, Caxton charges £0 for ATM withdrawals. In the UK, Black costs £1.50 per withdrawal and Red is free. Some ATM operators may charge their own fees.
Topups & Payments
| Method | Fee or limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Debit card load in app or web | Typically £0 from Caxton’s side | Consumer help and product pages show debit card loading as the standard method. |
| Bank transfer to Caxton account | Not the standard route for travel card loads | International payment flows exist but the travel card is positioned for debit card loads. |
| Apple Pay and Google Wallet | £0 | Add your card to the wallet and tap to pay. |
Applying for the Caxton Card
Apply online in minutes with no credit check. UK residents 18 plus complete standard ID and address verification before the card is issued.
Limits & KYC
| Limit type | Black | Red |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum load | £50 | £50 |
| Maximum single load | £10,000 | £12,000 |
| Maximum total balance | £12,000 | £12,000 |
| Loads per day | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum load per year | £50,000 | £50,000 |
| Shop transactions per 24 hours | 20 | 20 |
| ATM withdrawals per 24 hours | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum single ATM withdrawal | £300 | £300 |
| ATM total per 24 hours | £300 | £300 |
| KYC | Standard ID and address checks | Standard ID and address checks |
App & Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Multi-currency wallet | Hold 15 currencies. Swap balances in the app. You can also load GBP and spend in any currency. |
| Controls and alerts | In-app topup, freeze and card management. UK based support referenced across site. |
| Digital wallets | Apple Pay and Google Wallet supported. |
| Delivery and activation | Typical card delivery in 3 to 5 working days after first load. Activate and then perform a chip and PIN transaction before contactless. |
Who it’s for (and who it’s not)
Best for
Travellers who want low fees abroad and a simple multi-currency setup. Red suits frequent or mixed-currency travellers who want to avoid FX markups entirely.
Not ideal for
Travellers who plan to withdraw cash in the UK with the free plan, because Black charges £1.50 per UK ATM. Infrequent users should also note the dormancy fee if a balance remains after a year with no activity.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- £0 Caxton fee for overseas purchases and overseas ATM withdrawals
- 0% FX markup positioning on Red
- 15 wallet currencies, plus ability to spend from GBP
- Apple Pay and Google Wallet support
Cons
- UK ATM fee of £1.50 on Black
- FX adjustment up to 2.49% on Black when spending outside the 15 currencies
- Dormancy fee after 12 months of inactivity if a balance remains
How it compares
At a glance: Fixed currency cards can be ideal for single currency trips. Caxton’s multi-currency wallet is better for varied itineraries. Red removes FX markup, while Black is free but can add up to 2.49% when you spend in a currency you do not hold.
| Feature | Caxton Black | Caxton Red | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | £0 | £8 per month | Red adds 0% FX markup marketing and extra benefits. |
| FX markup outside held currencies | Up to 2.49% adjustment | 0% markup positioning | Holding the target currency avoids markup on both. |
| Overseas ATM and POS | £0 | £0 | ATM owner fees may apply. |
| UK ATM | £1.50 | £0 | Help Centre article. |
| Wallet currencies | 15 | 15 | Listed in Help Centre article. |
Alternatives
| Alternative | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| Wise multi-currency card | Interbank-style FX, holds 40 plus currencies, strong global acceptance. Check ATM caps and transfer fees. |
| Revolut travel card | Multi-currency wallets with plan tiers, smart app controls, perks on higher plans. Review weekend FX markups and fair usage. |
| Starling Bank card | Simple fee-free FX on a UK current account with strong travel acceptance. Check ATM and card replacement policies. |
| Zempler Euro or US Dollar card | Fixed-currency simplicity for single-currency trips. Predictable fees when spending only in EUR or USD. |
Ratings
| Category | Score 1 to 5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fees and FX | 4 | £0 abroad on POS and ATM. Black can add 2.49% outside the 15 currencies. Red positions 0% markup. |
| ATM and cash | 4 | UK ATM £1.50 on Black. UK ATM £0 on Red. Abroad is £0 from Caxton’s side. |
| Topups | 4 | Debit card loads in app or web. |
| Features and app | 4 | 15 currencies, Apple and Google wallets supported, 3 to 5 day delivery. |
| Support and trust | 4 | FCA authorised e-money issuer arrangement with PSI-Pay. Safeguarding applies, not FSCS. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Caxton Travel Money Card
Are ATM withdrawals free?
Abroad, Caxton charges £0 from its side, although ATM owners may surcharge. In the UK, Black is £1.50 per withdrawal and Red is free.
What if I spend in a currency I do not hold?
On Black, Caxton can add an adjustment up to 2.49%. On Red, Caxton markets 0% FX markup.
How do I top up?
Load by debit card in the app or web account.
Is my money FSCS protected?
Caxton provides e-money and funds are safeguarded under the Payment Services Regulations. FSCS insurance does not apply to e-money.
Compliance & Methodology
Regulatory
Caxton Payments Limited shows FCA authorisations on the product page. The Caxton card is issued by PSI-Pay Ltd pursuant to a license by Mastercard International. E-money safeguarding applies rather than FSCS.
Data sources
Caxton product pages and Help Centre content including currencies, fees and limits. Verified on 11 Oct 2025.
Editorial policy
Independent, fact‑checked comparison. Click here for editorial guidelines.
Ready to apply?
Compare Caxton Travel Money Card with
- Zempler Travel Money Card
- Wise Travel Money Card
- Revolut Travel Money Card
- Starling Bank Travel Money Card
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