Taking a break to head overseas is hugely exciting, but takes a lot of planning. We cover the essentials and the little things you may not have thought of:
Saving for your trip
Once you’ve decided on your destination, it’s time to start saving. Totting up the costs is a real eye-opener.
Spend Insights automatically categorises your transactions so you can see where your money goes. You can also use Category Budgets to set spending limits for different categories and track your spending against your goals.
One way to avoid scrimping on experiences when you’re overseas is to create a budget, then set a savings goal – it’s a great way to stay motivated to save.
How it works:
- Choose a savings goal then set up scheduled transfers into your savings account
- Track your progress towards your goal
- Top up your goal when you’ve got some extra cash
No matter how much you plan, there are bound to be costs you haven’t accounted for. So make sure you’ve got extra funds up your sleeve to cover unexpected expenses.
What to budget for
Flights, transport and accommodation: Likely to be your biggest costs; book early to get the best deal; try flight comparison and travel booking sites for specials.
If you’ve got some flexibility with your dates, consider travelling off-peak.
Food: Do some research to understand how much you should budget for. Look for hotel specials with breakfast included or accommodation with a kitchenette to save on food costs. Go where the locals go - it may be cheaper and tastier, too.
Keep in mind that in some countries, you’re expected to leave a tip.
Entertainment and shopping: Find out what tours and activities are available – you may get a discount for booking in advance.
Discover whether local taxes apply to purchases. If you’re travelling to Europe, some European Union (EU) countries allow you to claim back Value Added Tax (VAT) when you’re at the airport heading home. If you’re travelling to the US, don’t get caught out by the ‘hidden’ sales tax - it’s often charged, but rarely included on the price tag.
Internet access: Hotels may add an internet charge to your bill or limit the number of devices you can sync to the WiFi network for free. It's worth checking with them before you start posting photos, sharing status updates or trying to video call people back home.
Roaming, local SIM or cheap handset: If you’re taking your phone, ask your mobile provider about global roaming fees and charges. It may be cheaper to get a local SIM once you arrive (if your phone’s unlocked), or a cheap handset that includes one instead.
Visas, passports, vaccinations: Think about these well in advance. You’ll need a valid passport, with at least 6 months left from the date you arrive back in Australia before it expires, and may also need a visa.
Check with your doctor about vaccinations or medicines too.
Insurance: Your credit card may include travel insurance. For eligible cards, you’ll need to spend at least $500 in a single transaction on prepaid travel costs (e.g. the cost of their return overseas travel ticket, prepaid accommodation, cruise, travel or tour) by charging the cost for that trip on their eligible card account and activate before leaving Australia to receive any cover.
Customers will also qualify if the $500 worth of prepaid travel costs is redeemed using CommBank Awards points or Travel Booking travel credits (prior to 29 September 2026) or using CommBank Yello points or Travel booking credits (from 29 September 2026). Customers will need to provide a copy of the letter/statement/email confirming the redemption, or a screenshot of the Travel Booking confirmation with the payment method.
If you don’t have an eligible card, or you are travelling within Australia, you can look into buying a policy
Paying for things
Consider taking a mix of cash, a Travel Money Card, debit and credit cards to give you some flexibility when it comes to paying for things, as well as a back-up if anything gets stolen or lost.
It goes without saying that the time to buy foreign cash and load currency onto your Travel Money Card is when the exchange rate is in your favour. It can change significantly in a short amount of time, so watching it long before you go can be helpful.
Or, if you’re strapped for cash and heading off on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you may want to look into getting a personal loan.
The week before you go
Your mind may be focused on packing, but make the time to register your trip with Smartraveller. Not only will this give you the latest travel advice, but it makes it easier to get Australian consular help in an emergency too.
Remember to log on to NetBank or the CommBank app if you're a CommBank customer and tell us when and where you’re going. We can keep an eye out for any suspicious activity on your accounts and credit cards while you’re away.
When you’re overseas
So long as you’ve got internet access, you can log on to NetBank and the CommBank app from anywhere in the world.
Not only can you manage your money on-the-go, you can also reload your Travel Money Card in NetBank and the CommBank app if a currency is running low.
CommBank emergency details
For trips activated or purchased before 29 September 2026, contact Cover-More for 24 hour Emergency Assistance:
- You may contact Cover-More emergency assistance at:
- Within Australia: call Cover-More on 02 8907 5641 (24/7)
- From overseas: call Cover-More on +61 2 8907 5641 (24/7)
For trips activated or purchased from 29 September 2026, contact XCover for 24 hour Emergency Assistance:
- Your XCover Assist 24 hour emergency assistance number is provided in your Insurance Policy.
- Or reach out to CBA for support at 1800 861 411 (within Australia) or +61 3 9088 0325 (from overseas). They’ll guide you through the process or direct you to XCover for assistance.
