\u201cMost international card activity comes from clients who are at the point in their lives where they can enjoy either group vacations or the high-value trips they\u2019ve been saving up for,\u201d said Francois Viviers, Group Executive: Marketing and Communication at Capitec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCurrency conversion rates and transaction fees have a massive impact on how people experience their travel abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Capitec has already helped international shoppers save R25 million over the past six months by not charging currency conversion fees for international point of sale card payments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of 1 October 2025, it also charges R0 on international card payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese bold steps remove friction and enable our clients to enjoy their international travel without the worry of hefty fees waiting for them upon their return,\u201d said Viviers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spend trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Capitec\u2019s data, South Africans are taking two distinct approaches to travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first is frequent, lower-cost trips within the Southern African region \u2013 including Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of these countries, Botswana features prominently in both transaction frequency, and a total spend of R70 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second approach to travel is to take fewer, high-value trips to countries outside of Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most popular of these countries to visit include the USA and the UK, where South Africans spent R97 million and R68 million respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Capitec also found that international travel is popular among a broad cross-section of South Africans, although it was particularly popular among those between the ages of 25 and 44.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When making their overseas transactions, there was an almost even split between point-of-sale transactions and ATM withdrawals \u2013 and debit cards were used by 96% of clients transacting abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Capitec makes an impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Capitec\u2019s analysis reveals trend among its clients of having increased access and connection to an integrated regional economy, while also maintaining deliberate and meaningful links to the wider world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is powered by Capitec\u2019s world-class banking infrastructure, which supports its clients at all times \u2013 whether they are transacting in Johannesburg, Gaborone or New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQuite simply, Capitec offers the best solution in the market for any international traveller, unlocking the wonderful world of exploration and experience,\u201d said Viviers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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