TravelCardy: International Mastercard, Pricing, and Services
Type
Payment system
Travelcards
TravelCardy is a Russian service that assists with applying for cards from foreign banks. Its current main offering is an international Mastercard with physical delivery. TravelCardy does not offer a separate, standalone virtual card plan: its main product is a bank card issued by a foreign bank. Therefore, TravelCardy should be correctly viewed as a service for obtaining a bank card, rather than a service for instantly receiving virtual card details.
The cost of the application service under the current offer is 24,990 rubles. The payment system listed in the main pricing table is Mastercard; the account currency is USD or EUR.
Basic parameters:
- service fee—24,990 rubles;
- payment system for the main offer: Mastercard;
- Currency: USD or EUR;
- Validity period: 4 years;
- Annual service fee: 50 USD, including the first year after issuance;
- minimum balance: 0 USD;
- Daily limit: 10,000 USD;
- issuer’s cash withdrawal fee: 2%, minimum 8 USD;
- Top-ups via the SBP system, by card number, or via a linked “Mir” card;
- Time for the bank to send the card for delivery: up to 7 days after the application.
To apply, you’ll need scans of your Russian and foreign passports and a Russian phone number. The application and documents are submitted remotely; payment for the application can be made by bank card, via the Single Payment System (SPS), or through SberPay. A notarized power of attorney is not required as part of the standard procedure. The bank reviews the application and issues the card, while TravelCardy facilitates the process.
Unlike instant fintech cards, this product is designed to last several years. This changes the economics: 24,990 rubles is a high upfront cost for a single subscription, but with regular spending and travel, the cost is spread out over the long term.
The account can be opened in dollars or euros. If your main expenses are in USD, it makes sense to choose the dollar option to avoid unnecessary currency conversion. For purchases in the eurozone, the euro is more convenient.
You can load the card via the SBP system, using the card number, or by linking a “Mir” card in the banking app. Before each transfer, it’s worth checking the final exchange rate: the absence of a separate fee doesn’t guarantee the most favorable exchange rate.
The card is designed for more than just online payments. It can be used abroad, at ATMs, and to receive certain transfers. This makes it more like a regular bank card than a short-term virtual card for subscriptions.
TravelCardy provides examples of how to use the card with PayPal, Booking, Airbnb, and other international services. However, whether a specific transaction is accepted depends on the acquiring bank, the account’s region, and the merchant’s requirements.
TravelCardy operates as a sole proprietorship and accepts payments via online acquiring; the process is governed by a contract-offer. For the intermediary, this increases the transparency of the relationship: the cost of support and the refund terms can be verified in the documents.
The card cannot be obtained instantly as a digital prepaid card. The bank ships the finished card within 7 days of receiving the application. The actual delivery time depends on shipping and the completion of banking procedures; this option is not suitable for urgent payments.
It is more practical to calculate the financial burden over the card’s entire term. An annual service fee of 50 USD is added to the one-time setup fee of 24,990 rubles. Over four years, this amounts to 200 USD in bank service fees alone, assuming rates remain unchanged. If you plan to make frequent small withdrawals, the minimum fee of 8 USD per transaction could add up significantly. The card plan’s fee for payments and reloads is 0%; the actual cost also depends on the RUB/USD or RUB/EUR exchange rate and the sending bank’s fee.
Questions and Answers
How much does it cost to apply for a TravelCardy?
Under the current offer, the application fee is 24,990 rubles.
How long is the card valid?
The card is valid for 4 years.
Can I add funds from Russia?
Yes. SBP and top-ups from a linked “Mir” card are supported.
Is there an annual service fee?
Yes. Under the current fee schedule, the annual service fee is 50 USD.
Editor’s Opinion
It makes sense to view TravelCardy as a long-term international bank card rather than a cheap virtual card for a single payment. The starting price of 24,990 rubles is significantly higher than that of fintech services, but in return, the user receives a banking product valid for 4 years in USD or EUR with the ability to make offline payments and withdraw cash. The terms are disclosed in sufficient detail: a $50 annual fee, a zero minimum balance requirement, and cash withdrawals at a 2% fee with a minimum of $8. The main drawbacks are a longer application process and a significant upfront cost. For a single subscription, this solution is expensive, but for travel and regular international expenses, it may be a more practical option than temporary cards.
Ask a question to a company representative
