We started developing the Currensea travel debit card because it was clear that accessing and spending travel money was inconvenient, confusing and expensive. We were convinced we could bring a convenient, simple and cost-effective solution to our customers.
Essentially, convenient products and services save time, effort and energy. They decrease frustration and increase ease and accessibility. Simple products are easy to understand and accept, and they don’t require any unnecessary actions or decision points. They also have a clear focus.
The Currensea travel debit card solves one clear problem: inconvenient, expensive, confusing travel money. We’re not trying to be a bank, credit card or savings facility. We are laser-focused on travel money.
Currensea travel debit card
We looked at how other popular products from different sectors solved a hassle for many customers, one way or another.
People love Amazon because they have to visit only one website to buy almost anything – from groceries to books, clothes and music – all with only one click. Amazon purchases are so convenient and trusted that people sometimes pay a premium on their site. Customers enjoy personalised recommendations and product comparisons, plus a record of all their purchases and payments in one place. No wonder Amazon is starting to put the high street out of business.
PayPal and Stripe are great solutions for those who wish to pay for goods and services online with only one click, without having to enter their private details into every site they purchase from. Customers get a familiar experience, as well as convenience and security when making online payments. They can also log into their online accounts and see all their debits and credits within their account.
Uber is often cited as one of the most convenient apps and has changed the ride-hailing landscape for good. Once you’ve stored your details in the app, with one tap, you get access to the nearest driver and taken to your destination by the fastest route, without having to find the right cash or handing over your payment card. All your rides and payments are stored in the app if you need to access these in future.
Foreign exchange rate has stayed stuck in the past, requiring holidaymakers to go through the hassle of queuing for currency, carrying cash, opening new accounts with a different bank, or taking out a travel money card, like a prepaid travel card which needs to be topped up. The latter is not always accessible – for example if you don’t have WiFi available and you need to top up your card. On top of that, you still need to figure out the complicated fees and charges because the amounts which appear on your statements do not reflect what you think you paid.
If you’d like to experience the same convenience in travel money that you expect from apps and websites that you use for your other needs, you’re in the right place.