Bunq Travel Card

Yggr of Asgard

Spinning this off the main Bunq Current Account thread as this is such a distinct product and not linked to the Bunq Current Account.

Bunq is now offering a prepaid card wallet that is linked to a Mastercard that is has a been coded as a credit card so that it can be used worldwide where other prepaid cards or debit cards (like revolut, boon, bunq debit) can not be used.

But this is not a credit card account, i.e. no credit is extended to you. You can only use the money you have on the card.

Info: https://www.bunq.com/features/travel-card

One time Cost is
9.99€ if you don't know a bunq user and don't have 3 non-bunq friends
6.66€ if you know a bunq user who invites you
0€ if you can invite 3 friends (that are not already bunq users)

Usage Cost
0.99€ for any ATM withdraw (plus 12 cents tax if in Ireland)
No other cost

Exchange Rate
Mastercard Exchange Rate with no foreign exchange fee (no limits)

Here what I think about it

Good
Coded as a credit card
Loads of load options from bank transfer to debit/credit card
CCV not on the card but in the app only

Negative
The transaction log is horrible
No Apple / Google Pay yet
Debit/credit card load cost a fee
No signature panel despite signature being a credit card option for US terminals
Limited security options compared to other bunq cards

Also to note that they are exchanging cards for those who got a card from the first batch after some retailers had problems with the card number:
https://together.bunq.com/d/15793-we-re-improving-your-travel-card/2

Yggr of Asgard

There are some areas where a card coded as a credit card is better than debit.

Car Rental agencies (sure they will block a larger amount but in some areas, a prepaid card will not work at all)
Some Hotels (the block amount will be lower than credit cards and faster released due to the way credit card transactions are processed at check-out)

The fact that the card is coded as 221 with an offline limit of 250€ also means you can use it at certain terminals (chip only not magnetic strip) where for example debit cards do not work like Train Restaurants in Germany/Austria/France or Road Toll in some areas of France.

Plus it's a bank and not an electronic money institute (like revolut) so your money is safer in case of a problem with the bank/company.

Plus it's covered by the Mastercard Credit Card conditions for chargeback, not the Debit card so it gives you better chargeback.

Yes, it does not have better exchange rates like revolut but for some, the benefit of a bank/credit card is better than electronic money/prepaid.

Dardania

SO I checked the BIN code for the new travel card - 511580 , which https://www.bincodes.com/bin-checker/ tells me is from:
Chase Manhattan.

Interesting - anyone know of any services which would be great, and would benefit from using an American coded card?

Yggr of Asgard

You need to check the full 5115 8008 as the 511580xx range is shared.

Challange is that most public bin lists only check the first 6 digits but with shared BIN ranges now being so popular you need to check 8 digits most of the time if you come to fintech banks.

5115 8008 is a standard credit mastercard issues with a country code of ireland.

But if the online shop only uses the 6 digit check, you might get it to work as US card, easiest to test is trying to use the card on iTunes with an US account. If that works than most shops will take it as US card.

Dardania

Rats - you're right. 51158002. Netherlands according to binlist.net

Yggr of Asgard

Dardania wrote: »

Rats - you're right. 51158002. Netherlands according to binlist.net

Interesting, my card is 5115 8008 which is Ireland.

Dardania

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Interesting, my card is 5115 8008 which is Ireland.

Special cards for Ireland? Weird... although they almost practically are ‘launched’ in Ireland compared to mere ‘available’ elsewhere in Europe outside of their properly ‘launched’ countries.

Yggr of Asgard

Dardania wrote: »

Special cards for Ireland? Weird... although they almost practically are ‘launched’ in Ireland compared to mere ‘available’ elsewhere in Europe outside of their properly ‘launched’ countries.

It surprised me too but it is what the card number says.

Once the card is there let's see what card peek has to say and than we know. Would be nice if it is Irish.

Dardania

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

It surprised me too but it is what the card number says.

Once the card is there let's see what card peek has to say and than we know. Would be nice if it is Irish.

Now you have me curious - can one infer further information, beyond the bin code type info, via RFID?

Yggr of Asgard

Card reader for the chip gives you more info including which order they have for cardholder verification (pin/signature etc.), what offline limits they have, country code, application label (Visa, mastercard etc.) and some more items.

Yggr of Asgard

New card is here.

Delta2113

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

New card is here.

- My new card is 5115 8008 -hopefully get in next few days in Post.

Dardania

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

New card is here.

Mine arrived yesterday too - must give it a whirl.

How does yours read in this RFID reader software? ;-)

Zagato

Dardania wrote: »

Mine arrived yesterday too - must give it a whirl.

How does yours read in this RFID reader software? ;-)

He did say chip reader but interested in the response.

Yggr of Asgard

Sorry Folks, won't be able to read the card out until Monday but keep you in the loop.

Dardania

Zagato wrote: »

He did say chip reader but interested in the response.

Sorry - I read one thing and thought another. I actually even went looking for an app for an Android to see if I could read the RFID I was so convinced!

gwalk

thinking of singing up to one of these

does anyone have a referral code that they would like me to use?

DM if you fo

Yggr of Asgard

Okay, sorry for the delay, it has been crazy at work.

So the card unfortunatly is coded as issued in Netherlands (despite what some BIN database are saying).

Here is what is allowed

1. Domestic Cash (ATM)
2. International Cash
3. Domestic Goods
4. International Goods
5. Domestic Services
6. International Services
7. ATM's
8. Valid at terminals other than ATMs
9. Domestic cashback
10. International Cashback

As to the order of validation

1. Enciphered PIN verfied online
2. Enciphered PIN verification performed by the ICC
3. Signature Paper
4. No CVM

So I'm going to see if that cashback actualy works.

Also Signature is kind of fun, there is no signature panel on the card.

Yggr of Asgard

So fun story.

I went to supervalu and went to pay.

On entering the card into the Chip/Pin terminal the terminal made a sound and displayed "restarting".

Second attempt the terminal states "error message 8 - wait" than "authorizing" than "signature".

So the cashier states, that this is fine, some cards just do this when they require a signature instead of PIN (which it should not as per above rules) and gives me a receipt to sign but than is stumped because there is no signature field on the card.

She just looks at me, asks me about the card and than tells me, as long as the card was approved we are fine.

So let's see what happens in the next store when I try to pay.

Dardania

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Okay, sorry for the delay, it has been crazy at work.

So the card unfortunatly is coded as issued in Netherlands (despite what some BIN database are saying).

Here is what is allowed

1. Domestic Cash (ATM)
2. International Cash
3. Domestic Goods
4. International Goods
5. Domestic Services
6. International Services
7. ATM's
8. Valid at terminals other than ATMs
9. Domestic cashback
10. International Cashback

As to the order of validation

1. Enciphered PIN verfied online
2. Enciphered PIN verification performed by the ICC
3. Signature Paper
4. No CVM

So I'm going to see if that cashback actualy works.

Also Signature is kind of fun, there is no signature panel on the card.

Interesting point for sure with the signature. I wonder if they presume you can blag it by also presenting a passport which shows signature?

Those SuperValu self tills are such a throwback - do they have the same man with the strong accent on them that was shared with bus eireanns automates door closing announcement?
And all the individual steps and questions. Not what I am used to now.
At least they used offer cash back

Delta2113

I've got my new bunq travel card onto Curve - will report anything funny.

I had to sign my signature on a receipt in a local pub when I used my new bunq card - some mad error -similar to when I used it first in Supervalu but they didn't ask me to sign which makes no sense. I actually called my card -no signature so it's printed on the back off the card

Dardania

Delta2113 wrote: »

I've got my new bunq travel card onto Curve - will report anything funny.

I had to sign my signature on a receipt in a local pub when I used my new bunq card - some mad error -similar to when I used it first in Supervalu but they didn't ask me to sign which makes no sense. I actually called my card -no signature so it's printed on the back off the card

CLever!

Delta2113

Successfully used my Bunq Travel Card via my Curve Card.

gwalk

Delta2113 wrote: »

Successfully used my Bunq Travel Card via my Curve Card.

I did the same,

it didnt give me the 10e activation bonus though so i asssume that must be for a chip & pin transaction

Dardania

Oddish one - I’m on a Norwegian flight and their terminal didn’t accept the bunq travel card. She swiped it - apparently chip and pin doesn’t work with their terminals...

Any ideas why Yggr - do they maybe have a whitelist of BINs they allow?

Yggr of Asgard

Dardania wrote: »

Oddish one - I’m on a Norwegian flight and their terminal didn’t accept the bunq travel card. She swiped it - apparently chip and pin doesn’t work with their terminals...

Any ideas why Yggr - do they maybe have a whitelist of BINs they allow?

Bunq does not allow transactions via the magnetic strip (at least that is the latest).

So if they don't do EMV chip (be it Pin or Signature) it won't work.

That needs to be added to the disadvantage list.

Dardania

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Bunq does not allow transactions via the magnetic strip (at least that is the latest).

So if they don't do EMV chip (be it Pin or Signature) it won't work.

That needs to be added to the disadvantage list.

So, a mismash of incompatibilities there... I went looking in the bunq app to see if there was a way to enable magnetic transactions but it makes sense what you say. Wonder why they even included the mag strip.

Yggr of Asgard

Dardania wrote: »

So, a mismash of incompatibilities there... I went looking in the bunq app to see if there was a way to enable magnetic transactions but it makes sense what you say. Wonder why they even included the mag strip.

So that you can open the doors to banks which have ATM in the lobby during the night/weekend.

I am not making that up, in Europe there are a lot of banks where you have to swipe a card to get access to a lobby with ATM machines.

Beside that there is no reason beside the MasterCard standard but that is changing soon just like the signature panel which is no longer a requirement.

Yggr of Asgard

Apple Pay for the Bunq Tavel Card is here.

If you go into the Bunq App into cards you should see a "add your card to apple pay" text.

You could also try it manually if the automatic way does not work, but clearly via the app is the easiest.

Just got the announcement mail:

Pay all over the globe with just your phone! Your bunq Travel Card experience got even better: add your bunq Travel Card to Apple Pay.

The simple, safe way to pay
• Apple Pay is simple, and it works with the devices you use every day. Paying in stores, apps, and on the web has never been easier, safer, or more private.
• Enjoy all the benefits of your bunq Travel Card with Apple Pay. Simply go to the app to add your Travel Card to Apple Pay.
• Never worry about forgetting to bring your Travel Card. With Apple Pay you always have it with you, wherever you go.

More info here:
https://together.bunq.com/d/20621-update-now-use-apple-or-google-pay-with-your-bunq-travel-card/5

And GooglePay is also available

Yggr of Asgard

ATM Charges

Please remember that ATM withdraws are charged a fee, it's not instant, it is at the end of your billing period, so make sure if you did ATM withdraws you have money to cover the fee.

Delta2113

Was about to add to Google Pay but then read the T & C's - sounded like it was putting you on a FEE charging membership?

Delta2113

I've gone ahead and linked to Google Pay -membership still as Travel Card Membership so should still be FREE.

(Don't forget €O.99 ATM charge as before)

Ogham

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Here is what is allowed

[

So I'm going to see if that cashback actualy works.

Also Signature is kind of fun, there is no signature panel on the card.

Did you ever confirm if cashback works ?
That would reduce the need to pay 99c for ATM's

Yggr of Asgard

Ogham wrote: »

Did you ever confirm if cashback works ?
That would reduce the need to pay 99c for ATM's

So far I have not been offered cashback at the stores that usually ask.

I try next time but giving that the receipt says credit rather than debit I think it won't fly.

Yggr of Asgard

Loading via Apple Pay is here.

But depending on the card used there are the same fees as with direct card load for credit cards.

But still an easy loading option if required.

doney84

Hi,

After reading this thread I can see that one of the advantages of this card is the fact its coded as a credit card. If you were to load the bunq card onto a curve account and use the curve card would that basically take away this advantage as I believe the curve card is a debit card?

Thanks,
doney84

Yggr of Asgard

doney84 wrote: »

Hi,

After reading this thread I can see that one of the advantages of this card is the fact its coded as a credit card. If you were to load the bunq card onto a curve account and use the curve card would that basically take away this advantage as I believe the curve card is a debit card?

Thanks,
doney84

Yes.

Curve is a debit card and it takes the bunq travel card as credit card. Curve only acts as credit card for hotel authorizations over 150£ but otherwise it is a debit.

Withdrawing cash from bunq via curve will cost the curve fees and also the bunq fees in case you try that.

doney84

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Curve is a debit card and it takes the bunq travel card as credit card. Curve only acts as credit card for hotel authorizations over 150£ but otherwise it is a debit.

That's interesting, I've read some airlines wont accept pre paid cards and that's why I was considering one of these bunq cards. If for example I'm on a Ryanair flight and I was to purchase goods/services for under £150 the bunq card wont work as it will be read as a debit card and not a credit card?

Yggr of Asgard

doney84 wrote: »

That's interesting, I've read some airlines wont accept pre paid cards and that's why I was considering one of these bunq cards. If for example I'm on a Ryanair flight and I was to purchase goods/services for under £150 the bunq card wont work as it will be read as a debit card and not a credit card?

That 150£ is a curve limit, nothing to do with Bunq. Curve is having this behavior nothing to do with Bunq.

You should be able to use the Bunq card directly on Ryanair as it is coded as a credit card with an offline limit so it should work even if there is an offline terminal as long as the amount is low.

doney84

Ah that makes sense, sorry i had misread your earlier post.

So is it only for hotel reservations that the Curve card acts as a credit card above £150 or would it also do similar for the likes of car rentals?

Johnny Sausage

doney84 wrote: »

Ah that makes sense, sorry i had misread your earlier post.

So is it only for hotel reservations that the bunq card acts as a credit card above £150 or would it also do similar for the likes of car rentals?

I think you misread that post also, the bunq card is coded as a credit card.

its the curve card that has the behaviour as to when it acts as a credit card.

also google is your friend on this : Curve card Hotel & Car rental

doney84

Johnny Sausage wrote: »

I think you misread that post also, the bunq card is coded as a credit card.

its the curve card that has the behaviour as to when it acts as a credit card.

also google is your friend on this : Curve card Hotel & Car rental

Edited my post as I meant Curve card.
Thanks for the link though as it clears that up.

Elysium1

Hi all,


How are you getting on with this card? Any other users trying it out?



I've literally just ordered one. I know it's called a Travel Card, and maybe there's a marketing push there to say if you want full daily banking use, pay for the premium tier. Can it be used more or less for daily banking needs? I don't find this one as clear-cut as the other digital banks. No IBAN I see.

Yggr of Asgard

Elysium1 wrote: »

Hi all,


How are you getting on with this card? Any other users trying it out?



I've literally just ordered one. I know it's called a Travel Card, and maybe there's a marketing push there to say if you want full daily banking use, pay for the premium tier. Can it be used more or less for daily banking needs? I don't find this one as clear-cut as the other digital banks. No IBAN I see.

The travel card can not replace your bank account or be used for daily banking.

It is a “prepaid” card that you need to top before you can use it.

Bunq also offers full bank accounts, there is a separate thread on it but it is old and might be outdated.

Delta2113

I have it linked to Google Pay and use it in Dublin on and off. Actually used it to pay my House Insurance at start off year as I was having trouble with my PTSB Debit Card and trying to enter a security code to website and it wasn't working.

Yggr of Asgard

Update 17 sees the withdrawal of the bunq Easy Travel Personal card.

Existing cards are still valid until they expire but than one will be automatically moved into the Easy Bank option which cost 2.99€ a month.

https://together.bunq.com/d/44002-easy-bank

As per FAQ:

What happened with Easy Travel
To provide you with the best banking experience out there, we’ve launched a brand new plan - Easy Bank - and discontinued the Easy Travel plan. We’ve designed this exciting plan to bring you the most essential and iconic bunq features, with the easiest setup.

From now on, you won’t be able to open an Easy Travel plan or switch to that plan. If you have a current ongoing Easy Travel plan, you can stick with it until your Travel Card expires. If you are an Easy Travel user without a card you can also stay with your Easy Travel plan, but when you want to order a new bunq card, you’ll need to choose a new plan. Keep in mind that if you decide to change your plan, you won’t be able to go back to Easy Travel.

With the Travel Card (i.e. the credit card coded card) now having replaced the Debit card on the main accounts this was the next logic step giving how they need to generate some revenue.

Dardania

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Update 17 sees the withdrawal of the bunq Easy Travel Personal card.

Existing cards are still valid until they expire but than one will be automatically moved into the Easy Bank option which cost 2.99€ a month.

https://together.bunq.com/d/44002-easy-bank

As per FAQ:



With the Travel Card (i.e. the credit card coded card) now having replaced the Debit card on the main accounts this was the next logic step giving how they need to generate some revenue.

It's quite telling , they don't want free loader customers...

In comparison, the other unicorns like Revolut and Curve are looking to boost their user numbers...I wonder if they're hoping to IPO to get money for the VCs out (and want huge user numbers to justify)

Yggr of Asgard

WARNING, without notice (announced this afternoon but in effect as of yesterday) the ATM limit is now 250€ per day (per account).

https://together.bunq.com/d/44527-atm-withdrawal-limit-update