KOHO International Fees and Exchange Rates in 2026
KOHO offers three personal plans: Core, Extra and Everything. Core is free, Extra costs $18/month or $144/year, and Everything costs $22/month or $177/year. Each plan has different cashback, interest and foreign transaction fee benefits.
International money transfers to 190+ countries are available on all three plans, including free Core. For card spending in foreign currencies, Core charges a 1.5% foreign transaction fee, while Extra and Everything have no foreign transaction fees.
This guide explains KOHO’s international card fees, ATM charges, exchange rates and limits. We also compare alternatives such as Wise and Canada Post Cash Passport.
Can I use my KOHO card internationally?
You can use your KOHO card where prepaid Mastercard is accepted, including many overseas merchants and ATMs. Some merchants may not accept prepaid cards, and restrictions can apply to particular transactions or locations.
KOHO accounts hold CAD. When you make a purchase in another currency, the transaction is converted into CAD using the Mastercard exchange rate, plus any applicable foreign transaction fee.
Holding a foreign-currency balance with another provider can help you set a travel budget in advance, but it does not guarantee a better exchange rate. Compare the cost of buying that currency as well as the charges for spending it.
KOHO’s CAD-only balance does not prevent international money transfers: the service is available on Core, Extra and Everything.
How does KOHO compare on international fees?
The table below compares KOHO with two alternatives for Canadian customers. Card spending, ATM withdrawals and international transfers have different pricing, so check the charges for the service you intend to use.
| Fee or feature | KOHO card | Wise card | Canada Post Cash Passport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account or ongoing fee | Core: $0/month. Extra: $18/month or $144/year. Everything: $22/month or $177/year. | No monthly account subscription. | No regular monthly subscription. A $2.80 monthly inactivity fee may apply after 12 months. |
| Getting the card | Prepaid Mastercard available with the account. Check current card and delivery options. | Standard card order is free; optional express delivery costs extra. | $15 purchase fee. |
| Foreign-currency purchases | Core: 1.5% foreign transaction fee. Extra and Everything: no foreign transaction fees. | No separate foreign transaction fee. Free to spend a currency already held; conversion charges apply when needed. | No card purchase fee abroad when sufficient transaction currency is held. A 3.25% FX fee applies when conversion is required under the card’s terms. |
| International ATM charges | ATM operator charges vary. Extra and Everything include reimbursement for one international ATM withdrawal fee per month; contact KOHO support to claim. | No Wise withdrawal fee on the first $100 withdrawn per calendar month per account. Above the allowance, chargeable withdrawals incur $2.69 plus 2.69% on the amount above the allowance. | Fixed withdrawal fees vary by currency. Conversion and ATM operator charges may also apply. |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate for card transactions, plus Core’s FX fee where applicable. | Mid-market rate plus a conversion fee when exchanging currencies. | Loading and conversion rates depend on the transaction; an exchange-rate margin may apply. |
Amounts are in CAD unless stated otherwise. Annual subscriptions are alternatives to monthly billing. ATM operator fees and currency conversion charges can apply separately from the card provider’s withdrawal fee.
Core provides a free KOHO account, but foreign-currency card spending still incurs a 1.5% fee. Extra and Everything remove that fee in return for a subscription.
With Wise, compare conversion charges and ATM costs. With Cash Passport, include purchase, reload and potential inactivity fees alongside exchange costs.
What about CIBC AC Conversion? CIBC discontinued the Air Canada AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card on August 26, 2024. It is no longer included here as an available travel-card option.
KOHO prepaid card foreign transaction fees
A foreign transaction fee adds to the cost of a card payment in another currency. With KOHO, the fee depends on your plan: Core charges 1.5%, while Extra and Everything do not charge a foreign transaction fee.
This fee is separate from the exchange rate used to convert the purchase into CAD. It is also separate from any international money transfer pricing.
| Feature | Core | Extra | Everything |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | $0 | $18 | $22 |
| Annual subscription option | Free plan | $144 | $177 |
| Card foreign transaction fee | 1.5% | None | None |
| Cashback on groceries, eating and drinking, and transportation | 1% | 1.5% | 2% |
| Cashback on other purchases | Check current reward terms | 0.25% | 0.5% |
| Interest rate | 2% | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| International money transfers | Available | Available | Available |
All subscription prices are in CAD. Core also offers up to 6.5% additional cashback at selected merchants. Rewards and interest are subject to current product terms.
KOHO international money transfers
KOHO offers international money transfers to 190+ countries on Core, Extra and Everything. You do not need a paid subscription: the service is available on free Core.
KOHO describes its transfer exchange rates as competitive, with no hidden fees. Transfers can arrive within 30 minutes, although actual delivery times vary.
Before confirming a transfer, review:
- The amount you are sending.
- The exchange rate.
- Any disclosed fees.
- The amount the recipient will receive.
- The estimated arrival time.
Core’s 1.5% card foreign transaction fee is not an international transfer fee. Likewise, the no-FX-fee card benefit on Extra and Everything does not mean all money transfers are free.
KOHO international ATM fees
Using an overseas ATM can involve an operator charge, currency conversion and any applicable KOHO foreign transaction fee.
ATM charges are not universally fixed at $2–$3. The operator sets its charge, which may be higher. Review the amount displayed before accepting the withdrawal.
| ATM cost or benefit | Core | Extra | Everything |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATM operator charge | Varies by ATM. | Varies by ATM. | Varies by ATM. |
| Monthly international ATM fee reimbursement | No included reimbursement identified for Core; check current terms. | One eligible withdrawal fee per month. Request reimbursement from KOHO support. | One eligible withdrawal fee per month. Request reimbursement from KOHO support. |
| Foreign transaction fee | 1.5% where applicable. | None. | None. |
The reimbursement benefit does not mean every withdrawal is automatically free. Keep the transaction details and check the current claim conditions.
For alternatives, consider both the card provider’s withdrawal charge and the ATM operator’s fee. Currency conversion can add another cost if you do not hold the withdrawal currency.
KOHO card exchange rates
KOHO holds your balance in CAD. Foreign-currency card transactions are converted into CAD for deduction from your KOHO account.
The card uses the Mastercard exchange rate. Core adds its 1.5% foreign transaction fee where applicable; Extra and Everything do not add this fee.
If a merchant or ATM offers to convert the transaction into CAD, that is a separate conversion service, often called dynamic currency conversion. Choosing the local currency generally lets your card’s usual conversion process apply instead.
Preloading foreign currency with another provider may make budgeting easier, but it does not eliminate the original cost of buying that currency. Compare the rate and fees when converting, not just the cost at the point of purchase.
KOHO card alternatives in Canada
If KOHO’s plans do not match your travel needs, compare the total cost of an alternative, including currency conversion, withdrawals and any account or card charges.
| Feature | Wise card | Canada Post Cash Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Currencies held | 40+ currencies. | Seven currencies: CAD, USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD and MXN. |
| Card purchase and ongoing charges | Free standard card order and no monthly account subscription. | $15 purchase fee, $3 reload fee and potential inactivity charges. |
| Spending in Canada | No spending fee when paying from sufficient CAD funds. | 1.5% fee for Canadian merchant transactions. |
| Foreign-currency spending | No separate foreign transaction fee; conversion charges apply when needed. | No card purchase fee abroad when sufficient transaction currency is held; conversion fees can otherwise apply. |
| ATM withdrawals | Monthly allowance followed by fixed and percentage charges, as detailed above. | Fixed fees vary by withdrawal currency; operator charges may also apply. |
| Moving out unused funds | Check the quote for a transfer from your balance; transfer and conversion charges may apply. | Check the current cash-out charge and conversion terms before redeeming your balance. |
Wise card
💡 Great for: Holding different currencies and managing international spending without a monthly account subscription.
Wise supports holding and exchanging 40+ currencies. You can convert money before travelling or let the card convert when needed. There is no spending fee when you already hold enough of the purchase currency.
Foreign fees and exchange rates: Wise uses the mid-market rate with a separately disclosed conversion fee. Its Canadian pricing page currently lists conversion fees from 0.19%; the actual charge depends on the currency and transaction. ATM charges apply above the monthly allowance.
International use: Check card acceptance and any destination restrictions before travelling. Use the app to monitor transactions and manage your card.
Learn more: How to use Wise card abroad
CIBC AC Conversion prepaid travel card: discontinued
The CIBC Air Canada AC Conversion Visa Prepaid Card was discontinued on August 26, 2024. It is no longer an option for new travel spending, so its former fees and features should not be used in a current card comparison.
Canada Post Cash Passport
💡 Great for: Preloading a travel budget in one or more supported currencies.
Canada Post Cash Passport is a prepaid Mastercard available through post offices, subject to availability. It supports seven currencies and can be used for spending abroad. It is a travel card, not an international money transfer service.
Foreign fees and exchange rates: Include the $15 purchase fee, $3 reload fee, applicable conversion costs and withdrawal charges when comparing it with KOHO. A 1.5% fee applies to Canadian merchant transactions. The 3.25% FX fee applies when conversion is required under the card’s terms, including where the required currency balance is insufficient.
A $2.80 monthly inactivity charge may apply after 12 months without use or reloading, subject to the terms and applicable law. No balance means no inactivity fee.
International use: Check acceptance, load limits and the card’s current terms. Keep the support details available in case your card is lost or a transaction is declined.
KOHO card foreign transaction limits
KOHO applies limits to balances, loading, purchases and ATM withdrawals. These are account limits, not a separate set of limits exclusively for overseas use.
The figures below are from KOHO’s published paid-plan limit schedule. Check the limits shown in your own app before relying on them, especially if you use Core or have a different account arrangement.
| Transaction or balance limit | Published paid-plan limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum allowed card balance | CAD 500,000 |
| Monthly total maximum load amount | CAD 500,000 |
| Daily point-of-sale spending limit | CAD 9,000 |
| Daily ATM withdrawal limit | CAD 1,510 |
| Maximum amount per ATM withdrawal | CAD 1,510 |
| Maximum number of ATM withdrawals per day | 5 |
| Combined daily point-of-sale and ATM spending limit | CAD 10,510 |
Individual loading methods can have lower limits. An ATM may also restrict the amount it dispenses. These figures should not be treated as KOHO’s international money transfer limits.
How to avoid KOHO foreign transaction fees
Your KOHO plan determines whether KOHO charges a card foreign transaction fee. Core charges 1.5%; Extra and Everything do not.
To manage your travel costs:
- Compare the paid plans with your expected spending. Extra costs $18/month or $144/year, while Everything costs $22/month or $177/year. Include the subscription when calculating potential savings.
- Compare alternative cards. A provider such as Wise may suit you, but conversion and ATM charges still matter.
- Choose the local currency when offered a conversion into CAD. This generally avoids the merchant or ATM’s dynamic currency conversion.
- Check ATM charges before withdrawing. If you have Extra or Everything, review how to claim the included monthly international withdrawal reimbursement.
- Keep transfer pricing separate. You do not need a paid KOHO plan to access international money transfers.
Conclusion: Is the KOHO card good for travel?
KOHO can be useful for travel, but the best plan depends on your spending. Core has no subscription charge and includes access to international transfers, while foreign-currency card spending carries a 1.5% fee.
Extra and Everything remove that card FX fee and offer higher cashback and interest. Compare their monthly or annual subscription costs with the benefits you expect to use.
Alternatives such as Wise and Canada Post Cash Passport let you hold supported foreign currencies. However, preloading currency does not guarantee lower overall costs: compare conversion rates, card charges and ATM fees before deciding.
KOHO foreign transaction fees FAQs
Does the KOHO card have foreign transaction fees?
KOHO is a prepaid Mastercard. Core charges a 1.5% foreign transaction fee on foreign-currency card spending. Extra and Everything have no foreign transaction fees, but require a monthly or annual subscription.
How should I prepare to use KOHO while travelling?
Check your available balance, card status, PIN and account limits before departure. Make sure you can access the app and any account verification messages while abroad. For current travel-notification requirements or destination restrictions, check KOHO’s help centre or contact support.
How do I know whether I have to pay KOHO foreign transaction fees?
Check your plan in the KOHO app. Core has a 1.5% card foreign transaction fee; Extra and Everything do not. ATM operator charges and other transaction costs can still apply.
Does free KOHO Core include international money transfers?
Yes. International transfers to 190+ countries are available on Core, Extra and Everything. Review the exchange rate, fees and estimated delivery time before confirming your transfer.
Are KOHO international transfers free on Extra and Everything?
Access is included on all plans, but that does not mean every transfer is free. The no-foreign-transaction-fee benefit on Extra and Everything relates to card transactions. Check the separate international transfer quote for the actual cost.