Aussie Exchange Rate Backs up Kiwi Travel Trends

Aussie Exchange Rate Backs up Kiwi Travel Trends

Auckland, New Zealand – 6 May, 2015 – Australia has once again topped New Zealanders’ list of preferred destinations for travel in the next 12 months, according to MasterCard’s latest Consumer Purchasing Priorities research.

The biannual survey found close to half of those surveyed (45%) said that exchange rates would influence their travel plans. The research also found almost a quarter of New Zealanders (24%) intend to travel overseas this year.

“Travelling across the ditch has long been a great getaway for New Zealanders, and with the New Zealand dollar at near parity levels with the Aussie dollar, there is even more incentive for Kiwis planning trips to Australia,” says MasterCard New Zealand Country Manager Peter Chisnall.

For those travelling internationally, prepaid travel cards like MasterCard’s Multi-Currency Cash Passport and Air New Zealand’s OneSmart, are increasingly popular. MasterCard’s prepaid travel cards enable travellers to purchase and lock in multiple currencies at favourable exchange rates before they depart.[1]

“Whether you’re stopping over in the US before visiting the UK or travelling across Europe, MasterCard’s prepaid travel cards takes the financial hassle out of travel. You can store money from a choice of nine currencies on the one card – to be later used in-store, online or to withdraw local cash from international ATMs wherever you are and wherever MasterCard is accepted,” says Chisnall.

The survey also found that the average amount spent per person on an international trip is about $3,500. Those surveyed stated other financial commitments were their major barrier to international travel.

“People save up for international holidays, and using products like the Cash Passport and OneSmart card allow for prepayment so you can save ahead of your trip, lock in great exchange rates as they occur, and then later help you keep to your spending plans while you’re away,” says Chisnall.

Kiwis said their top five travel destinations in the next 12 months are Australia, USA, United Kingdom, Canada and Fiji.

To help Kiwis travel sooner, savvy travellers can earn AirpointsTM as they spend on their MasterCard’s in New Zealand and while abroad. OneSmart and the range of Air New Zealand AirpointsTM MasterCard cards issued by Kiwibank all offer AirpointsTM on spend and provide a range of other great benefits[2].

Kiwi travellers might also consider taking advantage of MasterCard’s recent announcement with Air New Zealand and Westpac, with the Westpac AirpointsTM MasterCard product range earning Airpoints DollarsTMwhenever you spend, and offering a variety of other travel-friendly features including complimentary travel insurance.[3]

ENDS

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