Is KOHO good for international travel?

For many Canadians planning a trip abroad, KOHO looks like an appealing option: a prepaid Visa with no credit check, an easy app, and some cashback. But when it comes to international travel, KOHO has clear pros and cons you should understand before relying on it as your main card overseas.

Below is a detailed look at whether KOHO is good for international travel, how it compares to other options, and how to use it smartly if you decide to take it on your trip.

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What is KOHO, and how does it work abroad?

KOHO is a Canadian prepaid Visa card and financial app. You load money onto your KOHO account, then use the card in-store, online, and at ATMs much like a debit or credit card.

When you’re outside Canada, KOHO works anywhere Visa is accepted, which includes most major countries, tourist areas, and online platforms.

Key points for international use:

• It’s a prepaid Visa, not a credit card
• You must load funds in CAD before or during your trip
• Transactions in foreign currencies are converted to CAD
• KOHO applies a foreign transaction fee (FX fee) unless you’re on a specific paid plan that reduces or removes it (this can change, so always check current plan details in the app or on KOHO’s website)

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Is KOHO good for international travel?

Short answer: KOHO can be good for international travel as a secondary or backup card, especially if you like budgeting, travel only occasionally, or don’t have (or want) a traditional credit card.

However, it’s not usually the best primary card for frequent travellers, mainly because:

• You’ll likely pay foreign transaction fees on purchases
• ATM fees can add up
• It’s a prepaid product, so you might face issues with some deposits and offline terminals

If you understand these limitations and plan around them, KOHO can still be useful on the road.

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Benefits of KOHO for international travel

1. Good for budgeting and spending control

KOHO is designed for budgeting, which can be helpful while travelling:

• You can set a travel budget and only load that amount
• Real-time notifications show every transaction in the app
• Categorized spending helps you see where your money is going (restaurants, transit, shopping, etc.)

This is especially useful if you tend to overspend on trips or want to keep your travel spending separate from your main bank account.

2. Prepaid nature can help limit risk

Because KOHO is prepaid:

• If your card is lost or skimmed, fraudsters only have access to your loaded balance, not a full credit limit or your main bank account
• You can freeze/unfreeze your card in the app if something looks suspicious
• You can load smaller amounts as you go, instead of carrying large balances

This makes KOHO a reasonable option as a low-risk travel card, particularly for digital nomads, students, or anyone worried about losing a primary credit card abroad.

3. Works widely wherever Visa is accepted

KOHO runs on the Visa network, so it works:

• At most hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions
• On ride-share apps, airlines, and booking sites
• For contactless and chip payments where Visa is supported

In many countries, Visa is widely recognized, so day-to-day use is usually straightforward.

4. No credit check and easy approval

If you don’t qualify for, or don’t want, a traditional travel credit card:

• KOHO requires no credit check to open
• You avoid the risk of interest charges and debt
• You still get a card that works abroad in many situations

This makes KOHO appealing for newer credit users, students, or people rebuilding their financial profile.

5. App-based management while abroad

The KOHO app can be very helpful on the road:

• Check your balance in real time
• Reload funds from your linked Canadian bank account
• Get instant transaction alerts
• Lock/unlock your card if you misplace it

As long as you have mobile data or Wi‑Fi, you can manage your travel money from your phone.

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Drawbacks of KOHO for international travel

1. Foreign transaction (FX) fees

One of the biggest disadvantages of KOHO abroad is foreign transaction fees.

• Most standard KOHO plans include an FX fee on foreign currency purchases
• Some premium or paid plans may reduce or waive this fee, but at a cost
• Over a longer trip, these fees can add up significantly compared to a no-FX-fee credit card

If you travel frequently, using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card is usually cheaper than relying on KOHO for every purchase.

2. ATM and cash withdrawal fees

You can withdraw cash from ATMs abroad with KOHO, but:

• KOHO may charge a withdrawal fee
• The local ATM operator may add its own fee
• You still pay FX conversion on top of these charges

If you rely heavily on cash (common in some countries), KOHO can become an expensive way to get money. For heavy ATM use, a debit card from a bank that rebates or minimizes global ATM fees is often better.

3. Prepaid limitations (deposits and offline terminals)

Because KOHO is prepaid, it doesn’t always behave like a full credit card:

• Hotels, car rentals, and some gas stations often prefer or require a true credit card for deposits and holds
• Some offline terminals (like those on trains, planes, or remote locations) may reject prepaid cards
• Certain merchants or automated machines may not accept prepaid Visa at all

You should not rely on KOHO as your only card if your trip involves rentals, security deposits, or more complex bookings.

4. Dependence on your phone and Canadian bank

To use KOHO smoothly abroad, you need:

• A functioning KOHO app
• Access to your Canadian bank account to reload funds
• Reliable internet (Wi‑Fi or data)

If your phone is lost, stolen, or offline, reloading or managing funds becomes harder. This dependence can be inconvenient in countries with limited connectivity or if you run into SIM card issues.

5. Currency conversion uncertainty

KOHO uses Visa’s exchange rate plus any applicable FX fee:

• You won’t know your exact CAD amount until the transaction posts
• Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at foreign terminals (where they ask, “Charge in CAD or local currency?”) can complicate things further

To minimize costs, you should always choose to pay in local currency, then let Visa + KOHO handle the conversion—even with KOHO’s FX fee, it’s normally cheaper than DCC.

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When KOHO is a good choice for international travel

KOHO can be a good fit for travel if:

• You want strict budget control and don’t want to overspend
• You don’t have a travel credit card or prefer to avoid credit
• You mostly travel to destinations where Visa is widely accepted
• You’re taking a short trip and won’t be making constant large purchases or ATM withdrawals
• You use KOHO as a backup or secondary card alongside another primary travel card

In these cases, KOHO can give you peace of mind, easy tracking, and a useful backup option if your main card fails or is compromised.

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When KOHO is not ideal for international travel

KOHO is less suitable as your main travel solution if:

• You’re a frequent or long-term traveller (digital nomad, multi-month trip, frequent business travel)
• You plan lots of hotel stays, car rentals, or deposits, where a real credit card is preferred
• You need low-fee foreign transactions and want to minimize every percentage point of FX costs
• You expect to use ATMs often and want minimal cash withdrawal fees
• You’re going to countries where prepaid cards are less accepted or card infrastructure is weaker

In these cases, a no-FX-fee credit card plus a bank debit card with good global ATM terms usually beats KOHO on cost and reliability.

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How KOHO compares to traditional travel credit cards

Here’s a simplified comparison to help you decide whether KOHO should be your primary travel card or a backup.

KOHO (Prepaid Visa):

• Pros:
  • No credit check
  • Strong budgeting tools
  • Prepaid balance limits risk
  • Good as a backup or daily spending card
• Cons:
  • FX fees on most plans
  • Weak for deposits and holds
  • ATM fees can add up
  • No traditional credit card perks (travel insurance, lounge access, points multipliers for travel)

Travel credit card (no FX fee):

• Pros:
  • No foreign transaction fee on supported cards
  • Strong travel rewards (points, miles, cash back on travel)
  • Better acceptance for hotels, car rentals, and deposits
  • Often includes travel insurance, purchase protection, and other benefits
• Cons:
  • Requires good credit
  • Risk of interest if you don’t pay in full
  • Easier to overspend without strict budgeting

For most regular travellers, the optimal setup is:

• Primary: No-FX-fee credit card for hotels, flights, and large purchases
• Secondary: KOHO as a controlled spending card and backup

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Tips for using KOHO smartly while travelling

If you decide to bring KOHO on your next trip, use these strategies to get more value and avoid common issues.

1. Confirm fees and plan type before you go

KOHO’s fees and plan features can change, so before your trip:

• Check the FX fee that applies to your plan
• Review ATM withdrawal fees
• See if a paid KOHO plan might reduce FX costs enough to justify the upgrade

Run a quick estimate:
If you expect to spend several thousand dollars in foreign currency, upgrading to a plan with a lower FX fee may be worth it. For small trips, the free plan is often fine.

2. Carry at least one backup card

Never rely solely on KOHO abroad. Always bring:

• At least one traditional credit card (preferably with no FX fee)
• Possibly a bank debit card for ATM withdrawals

If one card is lost, blocked, or rejected, you have alternatives.

3. Load funds in advance

Before you depart:

• Load enough CAD to cover your first few days of expenses
• Test the card with a small transaction in your home country to ensure it’s working
• Update your contact info and notifications in the app

If your bank flags international activity, you don’t want that surprise on arrival.

4. Use KOHO primarily for day-to-day purchases

Use KOHO for:

• Restaurants and cafés
• Groceries and transit
• Retail shopping
• Attractions and small tours

Use your credit card instead for:

• Hotels and accommodations
• Car rentals
• Flights and large online bookings
• Any merchant asking for a deposit or pre-authorization

This approach plays to each card’s strengths.

5. Minimize ATM withdrawals

Because ATM and FX fees can stack:

• Use KOHO sparingly for cash withdrawals
• Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce per-withdrawal fees (but don’t carry too much cash for safety reasons)
• Check if your primary bank card offers cheaper ATM access abroad

Some travellers use KOHO only for card payments and a separate debit card for ATM withdrawals.

6. Always choose local currency at the terminal

When a POS terminal or ATM abroad asks:

“Charge in CAD or in local currency?”

Choose local currency. Let Visa + KOHO handle the conversion, rather than the merchant’s dynamic currency conversion, which is almost always more expensive.

7. Protect your phone and app access

Since KOHO is app-based, be prepared in case your phone is lost or broken:

• Memorize or securely store KOHO support contact information
• Enable multi-factor authentication and secure your email
• Consider having a backup device or SIM plan if you’re travelling long-term

This helps ensure you can still manage your money if your primary phone fails.

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Final verdict: Should you use KOHO for international travel?

KOHO is good for international travel as a budgeting tool and backup prepaid Visa, especially for occasional trips, travellers who avoid credit cards, or those who want tighter control over spending.

However, KOHO is not the strongest standalone solution for frequent or complex international travel because of:

• Foreign transaction fees on most plans
• Weaker acceptance for deposits and holds
• Potentially higher ATM and cash-related costs

The most balanced approach for most travellers is to:

• Use a no-FX-fee travel credit card as your primary tool for big purchases and bookings
• Use KOHO as a secondary card for day-to-day spending, budget control, and added security

If you understand how KOHO works abroad, plan for its limitations, and pair it with at least one other card, it can be a useful part of your international travel toolkit.