Heading overseas soon? Here’s your travel checklist.

28 October 2026

You’ve locked in your annual leave at work. Got the latest suitcase with the built-in lock, security strap for your phone, and summer wardrobe sorted. But you still have that nagging feeling you might be forgetting something.

If you’ve got 5 minutes, tick off our travel checklist, so you can focus on the fun stuff like what you’ll watch on the plane.

Check! Your! Passport!

This one feels like a no brainer, but we all know at least one person who’s lost their passport or has discovered it’s expired…days before a trip. Don’t let that be you.

Some airlines and countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after your departure date. Border control in some countries can also deny entry if your passport is damaged in any way – so it pays to check things are in order there too.

The Australian Passport Office says passport processing times can generally take up to 6 weeks. There are fast track options – but they come at an added cost. Not what you want before a holiday.

So, what are you waiting for? Go search your sock drawer and check you’re good to go.

Double check your visa requirements.

Australian passports are one of the strongest in the world, but that doesn’t mean we can just waltz through any country’s border security. Entering a country without the proper accreditation could cause massive delays to your trip, cost you in fees – or worse – put you straight back on a plane to Australia.

Some countries require a simple form, others might incur a small fee – whatever it might be, you’ll be in a much better position if you organise this a few weeks before you leave.

You can check the Smart Traveller website to see if your destination requires a visa.

And if you’re travelling with someone holding a passport that’s not Australian – make sure they check their allowances too, as it may vary.

Sign up for a card that won’t charge you international transaction fees.

With a SpendME Visa Debit Card – the same one you use for everyday transactions here in Australia – you can spend or withdraw cash overseas and ME won’t charge you any international transaction fees.* How good is that?

Gone are the days of travellers’ cheques, converting wads of cash, or signing up for confusing travel money cards with crummy conversion rates. ME ensures your holiday money is spent where it should be – on your holiday.

If you don’t have spending sorted for your trip yet, you still have time! It takes about 5 minutes to sign up for a SpendME Everyday Transaction Account. The physical card will be with you in 7 days, and you can activate the digital card instantly.

You can find out more on our Everyday Transaction Account page.

Print copies of the important stuff.

Phones run out of battery – or worse – get damaged, stolen or lost to the travel gods. Sketchy service means looking up emails can be difficult if you’re in a remote area.

For that added layer of security, print off any important travel information before you head off. It doesn’t have to be a binder-full, just the address and phone number of any accommodation, booking confirmations, and other important details for your travels.

This can also be helpful if you’re getting directions from someone who doesn’t speak English – if you can point to a written address or phone number, you might have more luck getting where you need to go.

Tell your bank you’re going overseas.

We love hearing about your holidays. Backpacking through South-East Asia? Hiking the El Camino trail? Eat-Pray-Loving through South America? Promise we’re not just nosey – we want to make sure your money is safe and secure.

Let us know the dates you’ll be travelling and the countries you’re planning to visit, to avoid any international purchases being marked as suspicious.

Just send us an in-app chat from the ME Go app or give ME a call on 13 15 63.

Take a mix of cash and card.

So, your SpendME Visa Debit Card is locked and loaded in your physical and digital wallet. But as we’ve covered – phones (and wallets) can go missing, or some international POS systems aren’t compatible.

That’s why it can pay to have a bit of cash (lol) to get you out of sticky situations. Even if it’s just for the taxi fare when you land, it’s worth converting some cash before you take off.

The RBA posts daily exchange rates on their website, so you can keep an eye out to get the most bang for your buck when it comes time to converting cash.

Bonus point: know the currencies required for your travels.

This one is important if you’re travelling around a continent like Europe. Euros will get you most places, but some countries like Switzerland, Hungary, and Czechia have their own currency.

While it’s handy to have cash wherever you go, make sure you’ve got the right money, to avoid an influx of change or more conversion fees.

Your travel money goes further with ME.

ME won’t charge you international transaction or ATM fees. So, you can say arrivederci and au revoir to international transaction fees when you travel abroad with a SpendME Visa Debit Card.^*

Find out more about SpendME