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If you're a frequent traveler for business or pleasure, high currency exchange fees, limited ATM withdrawals, and international payments must be a familiar nightmare.
Well, WeSwap wants to help you travel easier. With its multi-currency card and wallet, you can travel smarter, not harder. In this blog, I'll share my review of WeSwap and how to use it to make the most out of your travels.
Time to take an honest look at what WeSwap offers and the pros and cons of using it!
What is WeSwap?
WeSwap is a London-based start-up company launched in 2013 by Jared Jesner and Simon Sacerdoti.
It's a currency exchange platform that works in over 180 countries worldwide and supports up to 150 currencies. If you want to know the accepted currencies, this complete list of WeSwap-supported currencies will help.
Its prepaid travel card service swaps currency in real-time from people looking to do the same in different countries. Since no bank is involved, they are a cheaper and more efficient service.
Benefits
Using the WeSwap app and its prepaid MasterCard has many benefits for WeSwapers! Here are a few:
A Card That Works Wherever You Are
You can use your WeSwap card instantly wherever you are in over 180 countries. Much easier to use when traveling and exploring.
You don't need to spend the entire trip worrying about losing cash. The card is also accepted almost everywhere Visa and MasterCard work.
This makes it ideal for online paying, whether for a restaurant or an excursion.
Track Your Money on the Go
The WeSwap app is built by travelers for travelers, which means it addresses all the common problems international visitors may face regarding money.
You can track your spending, send money to fellow WeSwapers, and more.
This app also helps you manage your holiday spending by categorizing all expenses, adding category names and descriptions, and uploading receipts.
If WeSwap doesn't do it for you when tracking your expenses, you can try out similar apps like Tripcoin.
Carry 32 Wallets at Once
WeSwap stores money in 32 currencies, all in their own digital wallets.
Suppose you're traveling abroad, and need a foreign currency for an emergency. With your WeSwap account, you can instantly trade your money to your desired currency.
Safe, Secure, and Protected
WeSwap keeps your money secure by using high-level encryptions and monitoring.
It also secures your cash if you lose your card. You can immediately lock it in your app while looking for it and unlock it when you find it.
How It Works
1. Sign up: Download the app, sign up, and verify your account. The whole process hardly takes 3 minutes.
2. Request your card: After verification, complete a form online and request your card. The card will be shipped to your provided address and will arrive within 3-10 working days. While waiting on your physical card, you can order a virtual card that can be used instantly.
3. Load your account: This can be done through bank transfer or debit card payment. There's no fee for loading your account.
Unfortunately, WeSwap doesn't support credit cards or PayPal at the moment. You can send currency notes to WeSwap, which will be transferred to your card.
You can learn more about loading your WeSwap account.
Tips to Save Money While Loading Your WeSwap Account
There are quite a number of budget travel tips to keep in mind, no matter where you are.
If you use WeSwap, don't wait till the last day you need the card to load money into your account. That's because you'll be charged a higher conversion fee if you need it the same day.
Remember how I mentioned that Weswap swaps your currency with people? Yeah, well, that comes at a cost.
If you travel and need to change the currency the same day you load your account, you will be charged a 2% fee. If you can wait 3 days, the fee will be reduced to 1.5%. If you wait till 7, the fee becomes 1%.
I suggest getting it sorted out well ahead of time. Keep a 14-21 day margin for setting up your account, ordering your card, and loading your money before you travel internationally.
So What's the Catch?
The app has many benefits, but they still need to improve a few things!
Customer Support Takes Too Long to Respond
The WeSwap system is quite good and responsive. But, if you face difficulties loading money, closing your account, or getting a refund, you might be less than happy with their service.
That's because there isn't a faster, direct way to contact the customer support team. You can reach them via email at support@weswap.com or submit a request form.
You can also reach them at +442030536610, but they're only available during their working hours, which can be a bit slow. The response can take 5 to 35 business days to resolve your issue.
They do have an inbuilt chat function that answers some basic questions instantly.
Need to Keep an Alternative Source of Money
The app works fine, but occasionally, card payments in shops abroad are rejected, which can be frustrating if you don't have any cash.
It's okay to use a WeSwap card to travel, withdraw some cash from ATMs, and make payments in shops, but always have a little cash with you in case of emergencies.
Limited Ways to Load Your Account
You can currently only load your account through bank transfer or debit cards. WeSwap doesn't accept credit cards, so you have to rely on your money already in the bank.
This is quite a strict requirement since many people use credit cards for most expenses.
Fixed Transactions
You get only 10 transactions daily, which isn't a big deal for some people.
But, it can be a concern if you're in a country that doesn't have a huge card culture and where you'd need cash for everything.
Is WeSwap Worth it?
If you're a frequent traveler, it's worth it. The WeSwap app is specially designed for international travelers and business owners.
It works in more than 180 countries and supports around 150 currencies that you can easily use for payments anywhere in the world.
You can exchange your money for any currency you want in seconds. WeSwap makes it convenient for travelers to exchange money in multiple currencies and pay from the app as needed.
Yes, there are a few risks to using the app. You may need to have an alternative source of money or keep cash in hand in case the app is down, or there's no internet.
You may also not get immediate support in these cases, which is frustrating during emergencies.
Still, the pros outweigh the cons, and the app is a huge convenience overall.
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Instant conversions
- Supports multiple currencies
- Works in over 180 countries
- Visa card
Cons:
- Credit cards and Paypal not accepted
- Slow customer service
- Not compatible with all devices
Get Ready to Travel With Pilot!
WeSwap app and its prepaid MasterCard make your travel easy and secure. If you're considering traveling soon, consider planning your trip with Pilot!