This article explains how the automatic conversion feature for Airwallex's cards works when you process card transactions in different currencies.
What is the automatic conversion for cards?
Automatic conversions use your home currency to help prevent card payments from failing. If you have insufficient funds to complete a card purchase in 1 of the 10 currencies listed below, we will use the available funds in your home currency.
The 10 currencies: AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD
We will first check if funds are available in your purchase currency's balance. If not, we will check whether your home currency's balance can cover the entire purchase amount. If it can, we will deduct it from your home currency balance at the prevailing foreign exchange rate plus an auto-conversion fee. Learn more about how our foreign exchange rates are determined here.
Please note that we will use funds available in one currency only.
Examples of Card Purchases:
Rachael has $50 USD and $150 AUD in her wallet balance and her home currency is AUD. At the time she makes the card transaction, the exchange rate is 1 USD = 1.50 AUD.
Examples of Card Refunds
In the event where your card purchase is refunded by the merchant and the purchase was in 1 of the 10 currencies (AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD), the refund will be credited in the purchase currency. In all other situations, the refund will be automatically converted back to your home currency.
Note: VISA provides a competitive exchange rate that is calculated daily and includes a small markup above the interbank rate depending on currency. However, VISA rates and their markups are subject to change and outside the control of Airwallex.