Undies, shoes, a sunscreen bottle? Aussies’ questionable travel hacks to secure their cash when travelling abroad

July 9, 2024 | Sydney, Australia
  • As one in 101 Aussies prepare to escape the Australian winter, more than 2 in 5 (42%) haven’t changed their spending habits since their last overseas trip
  • New research shows nearly one-third of Aussie travellers2 admit to hiding cash in everyday items, like a sunscreen bottle, while on holiday at the beach (32%).
  • Mastercard has partnered with travel expert and international flight attendant, Bryony Thorpe – who has made payments in over 25 countries – to arm consumers with the best actionable insights to protect their money ahead of their journeys.

As Australians prepare to head overseas to chase warmer weather, new research commissioned by Mastercard unveils some of the quirky and outdated methods that Aussies use to safeguard their money while on holiday.

In fact, the methods used to hide their money are far from conventional. Nearly a third (32%) of travellers stash their cash in everyday items, like a sunscreen bottle, while 20% tuck it inside their shoes in hotel rooms, 13% hide it in their underwear, and 1 in 5 (18%) ask someone to keep an eye on it while they take a dip at the beach.  

Despite the charm of these unusual hacks, the research also suggests that while consumers enjoy the security and convenience of digital payments while at home, some regress to old modes of payment while travelling abroad, increasing their risk of loss and theft.

“There’s possibly an outdated perception that the way we pay abroad is different from the way we pay at home. As digital payments have evolved and travel has become more accessible, many banks have made using your daily debit or credit card abroad as easy as it is to use at home - while still giving users all the same protections against fraud, scams and loss,” said Mallika Sathi, vice president, Cyber & Intelligence, Australasia, Mastercard.

“Many of Mastercard’s partners, including fintechs and banks, are innovating in this space by creating travel-centric cards which offer highly competitive exchange rates or multi-currency wallets, along with a swathe of in-app features to give consumers control over their finances when travelling.”

Indeed, despite the pace of innovation in the way we pay and get paid at home, Aussies are stuck in the past when it comes to paying abroad, with 42% saying they haven’t changed their spending habits when travelling. This sees Aussies coming home with $853 million3 every year in unspent foreign cash, with 68% of those admitting that they do not exchange it back.

“Not only is there no way to reclaim lost funds when paying with cash, but the research suggests that Aussies do not take action with their foreign currency and exchange it back once they return,” concluded Sathi.

Travel secure in 60 seconds

To arm jetsetters with safe payment and travel practices, Mastercard partnered with Bryony Thorpe, a first-class flight attendant who has travelled to 25 countries, to launch a six-part content series on secure travel payments. 

Accessible on Mastercard’s YouTube, the series provides practical tips on how to better protect your money while traveling. These include:

  • Find your ride
  • Plan, book and save
  • The three Cs for compromised cards – cancel, call, carry
  • Pack your digital wallet
  • Choose the right currency
  • Keep your cards close


Mastercard is committed to ensuring travellers have safe and stress-free holidays. By leveraging the security and convenience of digital payments, travellers can avoid the hassle and risks associated with cash. For more tips on secure travel payments and to watch the educational series, visit Mastercard’s YouTube channel here.

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Research commissioned by Mastercard and conducted by Pureprofile between 29 May 2024 – 4 June 2024 with 1,001 Australian respondents.

1Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia

2Research based on Australians who have travelled internationally within the past 12 months.

3More than half (56%) are coming back home from an international holiday with foreign currency, with 68% not exchanging it when they’re home.

Media Contacts

Amy McIntyre, Mastercard

+61 481 094 195 | amy.mcintyre@mastercard.com

Media Contacts

Niamh Hamill, Eleven PR

+61 416 325 284 | niamh.hamill@elevenpr.com.au

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com