Float cards can be used around the world (with the exception of locations on our Blocked Countries List) at any merchant that accepts Visa or Mastercard.
When you use your Float card for a purchase in a currency that doesn’t match your card’s denomination (CAD or USD), a foreign transaction fee applies. Here’s how it works.
What counts as a foreign transaction?
A foreign transaction happens any time you make a purchase in a currency different from your card’s denomination:
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If you have a CAD-denominated card (Visa), any non-CAD purchase is foreign.
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If you have a USD-denominated card (Mastercard), any non-USD purchase is foreign.
What is the foreign transaction fee?
Float charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a currency different from your card’s denomination. This fee is applied after the purchase is converted to your card’s currency using the network’s exchange rate.
How currency conversion works
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The purchase is converted to your card’s currency using the exchange rate from the card network (Visa or Mastercard).
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Float applies a 2.5% foreign transaction fee to the converted amount.
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You can check current network exchange rates here:
Where to see the fee
The 2.5% fee is included in the total amount shown in your Float transaction history. It won’t show as a separate line item — it’s baked into the converted transaction amount.
Avoid foreign transactions fees on USD spending by signing up for Float’s USD card. USD cards can be funded by connecting a Canadian domiciled USD bank account or converting funds from your CAD cash balance through Float FX.