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Showing now | lifestyle.

Oliver Browning | Thursday 11 May 2023 09:09 BST

Martin Lewis explains which credit and debit cards are best for spending abroad

Martin Lewis has explained the “cheapest way to spend abroad” is “using the right plastic”.

The MoneySavingExpert has suggested using a “specialist card ” that doesn’t add a non-sterling transaction fee.

“The top debit card is the Chase card, which gives you the same near-perfect rate the bank does and one per cent cashback on spending in the UK and abroad,” Lewis said.

“Or, as a credit card , it’s actually the Barclaycard Rewards Card that gives you a quarter of a per cent cashback and perfect rates abroad.”

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Best prepaid travel money cards 2024

In this article

Which prepaid travel card do you need?

The best multi-currency prepaid cards, the best sterling prepaid cards, what exchange rate do you pay.

• Fees and charges to watch out for

Alternatives to prepaid travel cards

Is it worth getting a prepaid card, prepaid travel cards faqs.

Prepaid travel cards, also known as 'currency cards', allow you to load money in pounds and spend in another currency.

They typically come with no foreign exchange fees on spending or cash withdrawals and usually allow you to lock in competitive exchange rates, saving you money compared with using your everyday debit or credit card.

Here are the different types of prepaid travel cards to consider packing for your next trip:

• Multi-currency prepaid cards allow you to load several currencies onto one card, ideal for visiting multiple destinations. For example, you could have £100, $200 and €300 stored on one card in different 'wallets'. You can lock in rates by converting when you load the cash, or store some money in pounds to convert later.
• Sterling prepaid cards  offer the most flexibility, as you can load your card with pounds and spend in dozens of different currencies. Each time you spend or withdraw cash, the pounds are converted to the required currency at the exchange rate on the day. This may make it harder to forecast how much money you'll have available in any given destination.

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Multi-currency prepaid cards allow you to load a variety of major currencies in one place.

We've analysed the main providers of multi-currency prepaid cards including the type of currency offered, load fees (loading money onto the card), fees for withdrawing cash, and inactivity fees that could catch you out. 

Please note the table is ordered alphabetically, not ranked in order of features.

The Post Office Travel Money Card can load the most currencies, however, charges apply for cash withdrawals at an ATM - so if you're planning on doing this during your holiday, you might be better off with a different card.

Sainsbury's, Travelex and Asda had similar offers with free ATM withdrawals and £500 limits. Nectar cardholders can get better exchange rates at Sainsbury's, so this may be worth considering. 

All the cards allow you to load money that is immediately converted to a foreign currency free of charge. However, more than half of the providers charge a fee of up to 2% for topping up your wallet with pounds to convert at a later date. So if you plan on doing this often you may be better off with one that doesn't charge. 

Sterling prepaid cards offer the most flexible option for travellers and our analysis shows they can be as competitive as single and multi-currency deals.

We looked at the exchange rates offered, as well as the fees you'll pay and maximum balances. 

These cards are convenient as it means you can load as much currency as you want into your account, however, you'll need to download an app to use them.

The Revolut card is free and you will incur no fees on the exchange rate if you convert money Monday to Friday - therefore it's worth loading up and exchanging before the weekend. You'll be charged fees if you withdraw more than £200 a month.

The Wise card uses the interbank exchange rate but charges a smaller 0.45% fee every day of the week. It also has two fee-free cash withdrawals of up to £200 each month. 

Both Wise and Revolut are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and operate under e-money licenses. This means your money is not protected by the FSCS, however, your money is held in ring-fenced client accounts with a bank which means your money can't be lent out. 

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Prepaid card providers offer different exchange rates.

Some use the 'interbank rate' (the rate banks charge one another) and others may use Mastercard or Visa's exchange rates.

In some cases, a provider may pick one of these rates, then apply a percentage on top, usually between 1% and 2.5%.

When picking a prepaid travel card you should compare the exchange rates offered as well as the card's fees.

Fees and charges to watch out for 

Prepaid cards designed for spending abroad are usually cheaper than spending on your everyday debit or credit card.

However, almost all prepaid cards currently on the market come with a variety of fees and charges. Common charges to watch out for include:

• Application fees - some providers apply a one-off charge to open the account ranging from £5 to £10, though most will offset this if you load a certain amount.
• Monthly fees - the worst prepaid cards will charge an ongoing fee just for holding the card. It can range from £2 to £5 a month, which can be hugely expensive over a year.
• Top-up fees  - if you're using a credit card to top up your prepaid card you could be charged a fee by your prepaid card provider. Plus as it counts as a 'cash transaction' your credit card provider could charge you a fee and interest. So it's usually best to use a debit card to top-up your account.
• UK and foreign ATM withdrawal fees - some prepaid cards charge for using ATMs abroad, usually £1.50 to £2 per withdrawal. Some providers will waive the fee if you withdraw a certain amount. You can minimise the risk of being hit with fees by planning how much you want to spend before you travel and taking out cash in one lump sum.
• Cross border fees - if you use your prepaid card for a transaction that's not in your card's currency, you could be charged a fee of around 2.75%.
• Inactivity fees - if you don't use your card you could also face a penalty. Some providers will charge around £2 a month if you haven't spent on the card within 12 months.
• Replacement fees - prepaid cards, like credit and debit cards, come with an expiry date, which can range between one and five years after opening. You'll normally have to pay a renewal fee of around £5 if you want to continue to use the account.
• Redemption fees  - some providers charge a fee to get any money you haven't used back. This can be up to £10 so it's wise to only load what you plan to spend and nothing more.

Prepaid cards also often come with limits on loading and transactions, which could leave you in a tricky situation if you aren't aware of them. 

Prepaid cards are a safe way to carry cash overseas. But you won't be able to spend from your main current accounts or borrow money in an emergency.

A credit card with low fees on overseas spending can work out as the best option for purchases made abroad, as long as the bill is paid off in full each month. For a credit card with low overseas spending fees, check out the best travel credit cards .

Alternatively, many banks offer debit cards with fee-free overseas spending. We round up your options in our guide to the  best debit cards to use abroad .

That said, applying for a credit card or current account for a debit card requires a credit check, whereas applying for a prepaid card doesn't. So if you have a poor or no credit history it will be easier for you to get a prepaid card.

Currensea has launched what it calls the 'first UK direct debit travel card'. This card is linked to your bank account which means you do not need to top up the card, as long as you have money in your account.

It provides a layer over your existing bank account that will allow you to spend in all 180 currencies without charges. It uses the interbank exchange rate for 16 major currencies and Mastercard rates for all other available currencies.

Currensea doesn't charge any non-sterling transaction fees or dormancy fees. For personal accounts, there is a 0.5% markup on the exchange rate. ATM withdrawals are free under a limit of £500 a month. After this, a 2% fee will be applied.

If you're considering getting a prepaid travel card, here are the pros and cons to weigh up.

Each card provider will have its own terms and conditions, so read them carefully before you sign up.

What are the pros of getting a prepaid card?

• Widely accepted around the world.
• Comes with chargeback protection.
• Can help you budget and avoid overspending.
• Could be cheaper for overseas spending and withdrawals.

What are the disadvantages of getting a prepaid card?

• Not accepted for pre-authorised transactions such as hiring a car.
• No Section 75 protection on purchases over £100.
• Low withdrawal limits and no way to borrow money in an emergency.
• Come with a variety of fees including charges for lack of use.

Still have questions about prepaid travel cards? Take a look at our FAQs to see if we have the answer.

Are prepaid cards secure?

Prepaid cards offer a secure way to carry cash when abroad.

They come with the same security features as credit and debit cards, so you need a Pin to withdraw cash or use them in person. However, many are now contactless so you may not need a Pin for smaller purchases.

It's also worth bearing in mind that prepaid cards offer no protection for losses under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act .

However, redress may be possible under the MasterCard or Visa chargeback scheme.

What if the prepaid card provider goes bust?

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not cover deposits onto prepaid cards.

Most prepaid providers will deposit customers' cash in a ring-fenced account held in a bank or building society. So, if the prepaid company goes bust, your money should be protected by the bank holding your cash.

However, if the bank or building society fails, your cash won't be protected. So you should never store lots of money on a prepaid card, just what you need to spend in the near future.

Where can I use a prepaid travel card?

Prepaid cards are usually issued by major card networks like Visa or Mastercard, meaning they can be used in millions of places around the world, as well as online, just like a debit or credit card.

You should be able to use your card at most ATMs abroad, and at most retailers that accept card payments.

However, there are some notable exceptions to this, including car hire firms, hotels and petrol stations that require pre-authorisation.

Should I pay in pounds or in the local currency?

When abroad you will sometimes be asked if you want to pay or withdraw cash in sterling or the local currency. This is called dynamic currency conversion and is usually best avoided.

With a specialist prepaid card you'll get a better rate paying in the foreign currency rather than in sterling. In fact, you might be charged a fee for paying in sterling if you don't have a multi-currency card.

What happens if my prepaid card is lost or stolen?

Like travellers cheques , your money is safe and will be replaced if the prepaid card is lost or stolen.

However, you might be charged for calling the customer helpline and for emergency card replacement by courier.

As long as you contact the provider of your prepaid card and get it blocked, you shouldn't lose out on any money, though you may have to pay up to £10 for a replacement card.

Bear in mind that if your prepaid card is contactless it could be used for a series of small, fraudulent transactions, so always alert your card provider as soon as possible. It's also worth alerting local police or security services if there's been a theft - you may need an incident number to claim losses back on your travel insurance.

Why can't I use it for car hire or a hotel room?

Most prepaid cards don't allow you to make pre-authorised transactions. These are often required when you have to pay for something where the final cost hasn't been decided, or where you use the service before paying.

As such, you may not be able to use your prepaid car to pay for petrol at the pump, hire a car, or pay for a hotel room.

What if I have an emergency or run out of money overseas?

You'll be able to load more money onto your prepaid card after you've activated it, usually through the provider website or app.

Most cards have daily withdrawal limits, so make sure you can withdraw enough cash to cover your spending for the full day.

Keep in mind that prepaid cards don't have a borrowing facility, so you won't be able to rely on it for emergency funds. For this reason, it can be wise to bring a travel credit card overseas with you, in case you need to buy flights home or pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

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Martin Lewis reveals best cards to use abroad

17 August 2023, 11:54 | Updated: 17 August 2023, 12:22

Which debit or credit card should I use when going abroad? Here's what Martin Lewis says.

Listen to this article

Martin Lewis has revealed the best cards to use while travelling abroad.

The Money Saving Expert has previously explained that the cheapest way to spend abroad is to "use the right plastic" to avoid spending charges and ATM fees.

He suggests people opt for a specialist card that doesn't add a non-starling transaction fee onto of your spending.

• Listen on Global Player: Spencer & Vogue. Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams let you know what they’re doing, thinking, and disagreeing on every week

But what is the best card to use while abroad? Here's what Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website says...

What card should I use abroad?

Martin Lewis encourages people to choose a debit or credit card which does not charge a non-sterling transaction fee.

This can make your holiday spending a lot more expensive. For example, some banks will charge up to 3% when you make a transaction abroad.

This means if you spent £100, you'd be charged £103.

Best debit and credit cards to use abroad:

Chase (Debit)

• Gives 1% cash back on most spending for at least a year
• Easy credit check
• No transaction fees abroad
• Free ATM cash withdraws abroad

Barclaycard Rewards Card (Credit)

• 0.25% cashback
• No transaction fees

First Direct (Debit)

• Free £175 when you switch from an existing bank account

Worst cards to use abroad

The Money Saving Expert website also reveals the cards you want to avoid using abroad at all costs.

• £1 spending charge
• 1.5% ATM charge (min £2, max £4.50)

Bank of Scotland

• 50p spending charge
• £1.50 ATM charge

Lloyds Bank

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• Prepaid Cards >
• Travel Prepaid Cards

Compare our best prepaid travel cards

Simplify your spending abroad with a prepaid travel card, find a prepaid travel card, what is a prepaid travel card.

A  prepaid travel card , also known as a 'travel money card', is  a debit card that you preload with money  and take on holiday. It's a good way to stick to your holiday budget and avoid carrying a lot of cash. 

Prepaid travel cards  can be used at cashpoints, in shops and restaurants , or anywhere that accepts Mastercard or Visa debit or credit cards.

However, a prepaid travel card is  not the same as a  credit card  for two key reasons:

You can only spend the amount you have put on the card; the pre-loaded limit prevents you overspending and getting into debt 

You can choose which currency to preload your travel money card with depending on where you're going, which often means you can secure a better exchange rate

Pick a card with fees that suit how you plan to use it, e.g. choose one with no withdrawal fees if you'll be withdrawing cash often while travelling.”

What are the different types of prepaid travel cards?

Multi-currency prepaid cards.

These can be loaded with several different currencies , making them ideal for both frequent travellers and those taking trips to multiple destinations. For example, you holiday in Europe but often visit the US on business, you could use a prepaid travel card to cover your everyday spending wherever you are by topping it up with say £600 then exchanging £200 into euros and £200 into US dollars. The different currencies will then be stored in separate “wallets” , allowing you to switch currencies when you like.

Sterling prepaid cards

These can be used at home and abroad , making them even more flexible than the best travel cards offering multiple currencies. You don’t need to worry about setting up a wallet for the currency you want to use; the card provider simply converts your pounds to the required currency each time you make a purchase . However, this can make holiday budgeting harder and may increase your costs, depending on the charging structure.

Euro prepaid cards

As well as multi-currency cards, you can take out prepaid cards designed to hold a specific currency . This can work out excellently if you're trying to lock in a good rate now by loading your euro prepaid card, but if you then use the card to buy things in a country that isn't in the eurozone. That's because if you spend in a country that does not use the euro, it converts to the local currency each time you make a purchase, which can work out more expensive.

Prepaid US dollar cards

These keep your balance in dollars . If you spend in countries that use a different currency, the card will exchange your dollars to the local currency, and you might well be charged a fee. The currency exchange takes place as soon as you load your card . If the pound strengthens afterwards, you won’t be getting the best value for money, but it if weakens you'll do well.

How to get a prepaid travel card

Compare cards.

Use our table below to find prepaid travel card that offers the features you need with the lowest fees

Check your eligibility

Make sure you fit the eligibility criteria for your chosen travel money card and can provide the required proof of ID

Apply for the card

Click 'view deal' below and fill out the application form on the provider's website with your personal details

What are the eligibility requirements?

Anyone can get a prepaid travel card. There's no need to have a bank account, and  no credit checks are required . Some providers have a minimum age of 18, but many will let you have a prepaid card from the age of 13 with parental consent. 

Sometimes parents like to use travel money cards to give their children a set amount of  holiday money , and to help teach them about budgeting and financial responsibility. 

Pros and Cons

What exchange rate do you get.

Exchange rates vary over time depending on what is happening in the wider economy. That means the exchange rate you get on a US dollar travel card today, for example, might not be the same as you get tomorrow or next week.

What prepaid cards offer is the ability to lock in today's rate to use later on. That could see you better off if the pound weakens, but might also mean you get a poor deal if the pound strengthens.

That offers is certainty - you'll know exactly how many dollars, euros, lira or whichever currency you load onto the card you have to spend on holiday.

Today’s best exchange rates

At what point is the currency exchanged with prepaid travel cards.

Some prepaid travel cards hold the balance in pounds sterling. These convert the required amount to the local currency every time you spend on them .

The exchange rate isn’t fixed, so you’ll only know how many pounds you have on the card - not what it will buy you while overseas.

But the cards in our comparison table convert your money when you add it onto the card. This means you know the exchange rate used and your card's exact balance before you go away.

Compare the rates before you choose a prepaid card. Although rates can change several times a day, some travel cards will be more competitive than others.

Using a card with competitive exchange rates will mean you get more local currency for your pound.

You also need to watch out for fees as well as withdrawal limits when choosing a card, as these can vary between providers.

What are the alternatives to prepaid travel cards?

Travel credit card.

A travel credit card works just like a regular credit card, with which you can make purchases by borrowing money. The main difference is that travel credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees for spending abroad. 

Travel money

For many people, cash is the most comfortable form of payment when travelling. It's hassle-free and universally accepted. But it’s riskier, as you'll lose out if it’s lost or stolen and you’ll need to budget carefully to ensure your foreign currency lasts the length of your trip. 

Travel debit card

These days, there are plenty of specialist banks and providers that offer bank accounts that don't charge foreign transaction fees when used abroad. This offers you a chance to take advantage of the best exchange rates. And if it's your main current account, you won't have to worry about topping up your account before you go.

What other costs or fees are there with prepaid travel cards?

As well as the exchange rate, you might have to pay several other charges on your prepaid travel card.

These could include:

A fee to buy the card

A monthly or annual fee for keeping the account open

Cash withdrawal fees

Transaction fees when you pay for anything on the card

Inactivity fees

Loading fees when you add money onto the card

Some cards also charge fees for withdrawing cash or making purchases inside the UK .

But some of the cards in this comparison do not charge fees in countries that use currencies loaded on the card - just make sure the right one is selected before spending on them.

Check carefully for fees before you pick one.

Read our full guide on how much it costs to use a travel prepaid card and how to choose one .

"With multi-currency cards, check you've selected the right currency before you arrive."

How long does it take to get a prepaid travel card?

You can apply online and get a decision immediately. However, it can take up to two weeks before your card arrives in the post.

Can I use any prepaid card abroad?

Yes, you can use prepaid Visa or Mastercard cards in most destinations worldwide.  Travel prepaid cards  are usually cheaper to use overseas than a standard credit or debit card. 

Can I withdraw cash abroad?

Yes, you can use a travel money card in a cash machine outside the UK. Some cards  charge fees  for this, so always check if you want to use your prepaid travel card to make cash withdrawals.

What currencies can my card hold?

All the travel money cards in our comparison can hold a balance in popular currencies such as euros or dollars, while some support more than 50 different currencies.

Can I make international payments?

Yes, some providers let you send or receive money from abroad by logging into your online account, which works in the same way as standard internet banking.

Who sets the exchange rate?

This depends on the company that processes the transactions. Typically, it’s down to  Visa or Mastercard , as well as your card provider, which may take an additional cut.

Can I use my prepaid card in the UK?

You can use prepaid cards to withdraw cash or buy things in the UK or online. However, you may pay fees or even an exchange rate if your card is loaded with a foreign currency.

Explore our prepaid card guides

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Travel money: how to get the best deals on cash, cards, mobiles and more

As the summer holiday season nears, we look at ways to get more bang for your buck abroad

Get a currency deal

If you plan to carry foreign currency – and most people like to have at least £100 of local notes and coins when they arrive – then use a site such as TravelMoneyMax , run by Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert.com. Enter your postcode, indicate when you want the cash and it will provide a list of the best deals.

Essentially, you have three options: home delivery, collection from a bureau or at the airport. Some firms require a minimum order value. Sometimes you will get a better rate if you buy more, while smaller orders may attract extra fees. Exchange rates are constantly updated.

We used TravelMoneyMax to do a price check on £300-worth of euros. When we opted for delivery, Travel FX came out top, giving us €347.81 after all charges, while Tesco came in at a pretty good €344.42.

A better rate was on offer when we selected collection from central London: Currency Online Group’s locations in Waterloo and Trafalgar Square came top, giving €353.76.

Andrew Hagger of the financial website Moneycomms.co.uk says supermarkets – in particular Tesco and Asda – are also pretty competitive.

Don’t leave it too late

Don’t buy currency at the airport unless you are desperate. You might get a good deal if you purchase it in advance and order it to collect just before you fly. We tried this option at TravelMoneyMax but collecting from the airport did not throw up much in the way of results. The site says because of the Covid pandemic, “many providers have paused some or all travel money services”, so it has fewer than usual on its site.

Pack the right card

Pick the wrong credit or debit card to use abroad and you will end up spending more than necessary.

The financial data provider Moneyfacts warns that a holidaymaker taking out £250 from an overseas ATM with a debit card will typically face charges of £11.88. Use a credit card and you could incur up to £14.95 in fees, before interest is applied.

Overseas purchases can be costly, too. Some banks apply a foreign currency purchase fee (50p at Lloyds and Halifax; £1 at TSB) on each transaction outside Europe, in addition to the conversion fee when you buy something in anything other than sterling, so if you make lots of small purchases you could face a hefty bill.

The good news is that there are several fee-free debit and credit cards. Most use Mastercard’s exchange rate in their calculations. The digital bank Chase’s newish current account comes with a debit card with zero fees and charges when used to pay for things or withdraw cash outside the UK. You can also earn 1% cashback on eligible debit card spending at home and abroad for 12 months.

And Starling Bank is another current account provider that does not charge fees for overseas spending and cash withdrawals.

In terms of fee-free credit cards, Halifax’s Clarity is probably the best-known and is still a good deal, Hagger says. Whatever you spend abroad is converted to sterling by Mastercard. There’s also the Barclaycard Rewards Visa card, which offers the added perk of 0.25% cashback on everyday spending.

Remember that with many credit cards, including Clarity, interest charges will apply immediately to cash you take out. Also, be aware that some overseas ATM providers charge fees. Generally, it is better to make one or two larger withdrawals than lots of smaller ones.

If there are several weeks until your holiday, consider applying for a fee-free card or account now. Otherwise, check the overseas charges that apply to your debit or credit card before you set off. You then can adapt your spending to get the best deal.

Check your credit limit

If you plan to hire a vehicle, make sure your card has enough credit. Car hire desks will often seek to block off a sizeable sum on your card as a deposit for the duration of the rental if you do not buy their excess insurance.

Check your credit limit before you travel and, if necessary, ask your card provider to increase it, perhaps for a short period. Car hire firms will usually insist on a credit card, as opposed to a debit or prepaid card, and typically it needs to be in the name of the hirer.

Don’t spend pounds

When using your card overseas, watch out for the dynamic currency conversion trick at some shops, restaurants and ATMs, where the cost or withdrawal sum is presented in pounds rather than the local currency. DCC allows businesses to calculate the bill according to their own – more favourable to them – currency rates. The general advice is to always pay or withdraw money in the local currency.

Consider prepaying

Prepaid cards can be useful for people on a tight budget or who do not want to carry lots of cash. They are easy to obtain, and once you have loaded them up from your UK bank account at a typical currency conversion fee of 1-2.5% they can be used abroad like any other bank card.

Which? warns that almost all prepaid cards come with a variety of fees and charges, for example, an application fee or a charge for ATM withdrawals.

The Caxton Currency card is one of the best-known, with no overseas ATM fees and “no hidden charges”. Meanwhile, Which? highlights the free Revolut Standard account and card.

Keep mobile bills down

How much you pay for data, calls and texts will depend on your provider and where you are going, so check this before you travel. Be aware that some mobile operators have reintroduced roaming charges for UK consumers travelling to Europe. For example, with Vodafone, if your plan does not include roaming on the continent, it will cost £2 a day, although it has eight- and 15-day passes that reduce the daily price to £1.

One popular option is to make sure your phone is unlocked and buy a local sim card when you arrive. For example, if you are going to Mexico, some bloggers recommend buying a Telcel sim card from an Oxxo store.

But the best advice is, where possible, to use the free wifi in hotels, cafes, museums, airports and other locations.

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The best credit and debit cards for foreign travel

If you’re going abroad, or spending on foreign websites, getting the right plastic could save you a small fortune. Pick up a specialist travel credit or debit card and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you’re getting the best exchange rate possible for any currency in the world. Here’s our guide to the best credit cards, debit, and prepay cards for foreign travel.

Quick summary

The best debit cards to use abroad

• Kroo bank – Best for large holiday pots and fee free spending and withdrawals
• Starling Bank – The overall best bank account and debit card for overseas travel
• Chase Bank UK * – Generous ATM withdrawal limits and 1% cashback on card spending even aboard
• Monzo – Digital bank good for everyday spending in the UK and abroad. Free £5 with our link

The best credit cards for international travel

• Barclaycard Rewards – The best credit card to use abroad
• Halifax Clarity – Former top pick and still one of the best

The best prepaid smart cards for foreign spending

• Wise – The best for transfers to US
• Currensea – Generous ATM limits, works with your existing bank – £10 cashback with our link
• Revolut – The most versatile multi-currency card and account plus 3 months free premium

Before we get started though, just a little reminder that up to 5m EHIC cards expire every year. The European Health insurance card is free and entitles the holder to free or discounted medical care in 28 EU countries, plus a few others. Despite Brexit current EHIC cards are still valid. New applications will be given UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). To get a new or replacement card visit the EHIC website .

In detail – What are the best debit and credit cards for spending abroad?

This year Halifax Clarity remains a top pick, but Barclaycard Rewards has leap frogged it to earn the title of the best traditional credit card for foreign spending. In terms of debit cards, Starling and Chase occupy the top spot, but Monzo which recently increased its foreign ATM limits, and Kroo are hot on their heels.

We had big hopes for First Direct in 2024, after the bank announced it was removing fees for using its debit card abroad. Unfortunately some users have experienced issues. (see below for more details)

Debit card vs credit card for foreign spending which is better?

Typically the best time to use credit cards when travelling abroad is when buying single items over £100. This could be anything from train or airline tickets to events, or hotels. This is because when buying items of over £100 and up to £30,000 you have additional protection under Section 75 of the consumer credit act , meaning the credit card provider is jointly liable for the goods/services in the event something goes wrong.

Bank account debit cards are best used on items below £100 where Section 75 wouldn’t come into play anyway, so are great for day to day spending abroad, and ATM withdrawals.

Ideally you’d have both a specialist credit card and a debit card, that way you’re covered for most eventualities and can be sure you’re getting the most for your money. Below we’ve listed some of the best cards to use abroad.

Of course not everyone can get a specialist credit card or even bank account. So we’ve also rounded up a few of the top debit pre-pay cards for travel and foreign spending. These are most useful for day-to-day spending whilst abroad, and especially for cash withdrawals from foreign ATMs.  Jump to pre-paid and other cards

The best debit cards and bank accounts for foreign travel

Kroo – highest interest rate and zero fees foreign spending.

Kroo is one of the UK’s newest digital banks and shot to prominence in 2023 when Martin Lewis recommended it as one best places to stick your hard earned savings. It just so happens, that it’s also one of the best debit cards for spending abroad too.

The Kroo current account offers 4.35% AER on deposits, meaning you can earn interest on your travel money, has no fees on foreign purchases, and no ATM fees on foreign withdrawals (until 31st October 2024).

Spending via the Visa debit card, ensures you get Visa’s realtime exchange rate, and unlike some providers there’s no additional load or fees. While many of the banks on our list offer a Mastercard debit card, Kroo’s Visa card stands out, and could make an excellent back up for those who already an account with a Mastercard, such as Starling, or Monzo.

See our full long term Kroo bank review for more, or click here to join Kroo directly .

Starling Bank – The best overall account for travel

The rise of the mobile-first challenger bank could spell the end for prepay cards as free currency withdrawals and foreign spending become the norm. At Money Saving Answers we’re championing Starling Bank as one of the best bank accounts and debit cards for foreign travel. Check out the video below by former broadcast journalist and travel vlogger/blogger,  Pommie Travels .

Starling stole a march on the competition by being the first digital challenger bank to launch its current account nationwide, and continues to impress with its well developed app and current account features. What’s more, the company is committed to fee-less foreign currency. Here’s what it says:

When we say zero fees, we mean exactly that. We won’t charge you to use your debit card abroad – and we won’t add ATM fees. Just so you’re aware: some ATM providers may charge their own fee. Great exchange rates. You’ll benefit from Mastercard’s globally accepted exchange rate…and no, we won’t add anything on top. You shouldn’t have to pay to access your money. Unlike some other travel cards, we don’t charge you to deliver your card or to top it up.

Another great feature of the Starling account is that by integrating round-ups and saving spaces you can save whilst you travel, by rounding up transactions in realtime and setting the sum aside in a savings space.

One of the benefits of Starling is that there is no monthly ATM withdrawal limit. Monzo for example only allows £200 (equivalent) cash to be withdrawn in a 30 day period. Over this it charges 3%. There’s no such charge with Starling. Instead you are only limited by a daily ATM withdrawal of £300.

Sounds great to us, and it’s not put a foot wrong in our tests. Whilst the new Chase account (see below) wins out slightly on features, Starling is the more mature product and tops our comparison as the best card to use abroad, and overall the best bank account for travellers.

To open a Starling Bank account or to find out more visit  Starling Bank

Chase Bank (UK) – Best for visiting USA

JP Morgan’s Chase bank account might be a newcomer to the UK, but is one of the oldest and largest banks in the US, with a customer base of over 50m households. This digital only account follows on the footsteps of Starling and Monzo. It is still very early days yet, but all signs point to it being a top choice when it comes debit card spending abroad, and the best card to use in America.

The key features that make this account a winner are 1% cashback on spending, 5% interest on rounded up savings, Mastercard exchange rates, and fee free ATM withdrawals.

Understanding the features

Some of the features need a little qualifying. Firstly the 1% cashback comes with a long list of exclusions, few of these are relevant for holiday makers though, so you’d be able to enjoy money back on hotels, flights, travel, restaurants, and most other day to day spending.

The 5% interest on savings, needs to be enabled in the app. This then rounds up your spending to the nearest pound, and deposits the difference in a virtual pot, where it earns interest which is calculated daily and applied monthly. After 12 months, or sooner if you wish to withdraw it. The money in this pot is moved back to your main account.

ATM withdrawals

Like Starling, Chase customers will also benefit from fee-free foreign ATM withdrawals. Chase allows up to £1,500 a month to be withdrawn at ATMs whilst abroad. It also goes one further in allowing customers to use Chase ATMs in the US for free.  A great way to avoid ATM fees over there, which can often be up to $5 a time and otherwise difficult to avoid.

That perk itself makes Chase the best debit card for use when travelling to USA.

Eligibility

To open a Chase account you will need to be over 18, a UK resident, and provide proof of ID. There should be any credit checks.

>> Check out our account review

Unlike its digital competitor Starling, Monzo started life as a pre-pay travel card. At the time, it was considered the best prepay option. The prepay card was always just a beta trial until the bank could roll out its current account.

Now that it has done so, and new cards have been issued to those who’ve upgraded, Monzo has taken the disappointing decision to start charging for foreign ATM withdrawals.

Fee free ATM withdrawals were increase in November 2023 to £400 or equivalent per day in the UK and EEA. Previously they were limited to just £200 per 30 days, after which a 3% free was charged. The the £200 limit will still apply outside of the EEA.

Point of sale spending is still free. The ATM fees had seen Monzo drop down our pecking order a little, but with most purchases now being made via contactless or mobile, it’s unlikely you’ll need to withdraw more than £400 (equivalent) from an ATM abroad.

Monzo also has a number of paid accounts, such as Plus, and Premium. Premium in particular might be worthwhile for some travellers, as for a price, it includes family travel insurance, mobile insurance, and increased ATM limits. See our full breakdown of Monzo Premium for more information.

In our opinion it’s a good but not exceptional no-fee debit card for travel. It’s still great for everyday banking in the UK and occasional travel abroad, but is beaten by Chase and Starling on ATM withdrawal limits.

If you open a Monzo account using our link you’ll get a £5 bonus so long as you sign up and use your Monzo card at home or abroad within 30 days.

First Direct

On 28 June 2023, First Direct dropped the 2.75% foreign exchange fee and additional 2% non-sterling cash fee for foreign ATMs. The move initially catapulted First Direct from being one of the debit cards from hell, to one of the best for spending abroad.

The new rules apply to new and existing customers, who will now enjoy near perfect exchange rates, and a £500 equivalent daily ATM withdrawal limit.

Although some of the more specialist overseas travel cards can work out marginally cheaper, for those that don’t want open more accounts, First Direct is a top contender, and is backed by award winning customer service. Those moving to First Direct can also enjoy a £175 switching bonus (see our article on bank account switching for more).

It’s important to note, the removal of fees only applies to the First Direct debit card. Its credit card still remains an expensive choice for travel, and is not recommended.

Our thoughts

First Direct’s surprise announcement to scrap all fees for cash withdrawals and foreign spending on its debit cards would makes it one our top picks for foreign spending. Unfortunately, we’ve recently heard of people having their cards blocked when travelling abroad due to anti-fraud measures.

This is something that used to be common with traditional banks many years ago, and with some you’d have to tell them you were going abroad before you left. It’s disappointing to see that First Direct hasn’t learned from this. Particularly when digital banks such as Starling make spending abroad so easy.

Virgin Money M and M:Plus account

The M Plus is Virgin’s standard current account, whilst the Virgin M account is a more basic account. That means it’s super easy to open, and crucially just like the M Plus, offers fee free foreign spending and ATM use worldwide. Actually, we couldn’t really find much difference between the two other than the fact the M Plus pays in credit interest.

Both accounts offer a Mastercard debit card that can be linked to ApplePay and GooglePay and used for fee free ATM withdrawals worldwide, and both are managed via Virgin’s updated banking app.

The M account can be opened with little or no credit history, and non-standard ID is accepted for the application. As such great for international students, or those who’ve recently moved to the UK and might have difficulty otherwise validating their address.

Like the Club M, and Plus accounts. The regular M account also comes with a linked 2.52% AER savings account. Whilst this can be beaten elsewhere, it makes a handy space for customers build up their holiday funds. It’s worth noting though that interest is paid quarterly, so depending on when you withdraw you may lose out.

HSBC Global Money Account

We have a full overview of the HSBC Global Money Account so won’t go into too much detail here, but it’s essentially a multi currency account exclusive to HSBC current account holders. It’s still in its early stages but the account does show some promise.

It’s free to open, and doesn’t have any no on-going subscription fees or charges. There’s also no fees for ATM withdrawals, or sending payment in foreign currencies. Even the delivery of the card is free.

It also comes with a generous £500 or equivalent daily ATM limit, and a £50,000 transfer limit. Making it one of the best cards for those who like to carry cash or who need to make electronic payments abroad.

Customers can hold funds in some 18 popular currencies including pounds, euro, US dollars, Australian dollars, NZD etc.. card transactions use the VISA daily rate. If manually transferring or exchanging between currencies HSBC does add a mark up, but this is typically less than that seen with Revolut or Wise. Additionally, there is a 1% mark up on currency exchanges when the markets are closed.

As it’s only available to HSBC customers, we can’t include it in our top three current accounts and debit cards but for current customers, or those thinking of switching to HSBC (to take advantage its £200 switching bonus), the Global Money Account comes close to matching the best.

Metro Bank – The best highstreet bank for euros (only)

One of the pre-digital challenger banks, Metro has always faired kindly when it comes to foreign spending. The standard current account doesn’t have any fees at all for using the debit card at the point of sale or for ATM withdrawals whilst in Europe (EU).

The account can now be opened online via the Metro Bank app (previously is was only available in-store), but you’ll need smartphone or tablet with a camera in order to take a self-portrait during the application process.

Beware though, that outside of Europe Metro charges You’ll pay a hefty 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee, and a £1.50 fee for using ATMs, as such it has fallen down our list. Current Metro Bank customers travelling outside of Europe would be better served by picking up a Revolut or a Currensea account (see below for more)

>> Open a current account with Metro Bank

The best credit cards for travel

Barclaycard Rewards

The absolute cheapest credit card for overseas spending.

The Barclaycard Rewards credit card is our new top pick for spending abroad in this category thanks to its 0.25% cashback on spending, and no fees on spending online, at the point of sale, or for ATM withdrawals.

Also it doesn’t charge any interest on overseas spending or withdrawals as long as the balance is paid off in full. This makes it the absolute cheapest way to spend spend on holiday, and being a credit card rather than debit card you benefit from Section 75 protection on purchases. Overall, the Barclaycard Rewards is the best card to use abroad full stop.

22.9% APR Representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 22.9% p.a. (variable)

Halifax Clarity

Still one of the best credit cards to use abroad.

A top pick for years, the Halifax Clarity is probably the most well known specialist travel credit card, and our choice as the best credit card for foreign travel. There’s no foreign transaction fees, commission, nor fees for cash withdrawals. What’s more, you get the Mastercard wholesale exchange rate, which tends to be ever-so-slightly better than VISA’s rates.

The card does charge interest on cash withdrawn abroad at 19.9% (21.9%-25.9% for poorer credit scorers), but this amounts to just £1.50 per £100 spent. This is only charged until you’ve repaid the balance, so you can minimise this paying it off as you go along.

Interest isn’t charged on point of sale purchases abroad provided you clear the balance by the end of the statement date.

Halifax are currently running a promotion (for applications before 29th August) offering £20 cashback on your first purchase with the card.

19.9% APR Representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 19.95% p.a. (variable)

The best prepaid travel card and smart cards

Specialist travel credit cards, and bank accounts are all well and good, but what if you’re happy with your current bank, and don’t want the hassle of opening a new account. That’s where prepaid travel cards and accounts come in. These are quick to open, there’s no credit checks, yet still offer great rates for international spending.

Wise (formerly Transferwise)

Wise  is a multi-currency account specifically aimed at travellers, digital nomads and those needing to transfer money across borders.

Founded in East London, it grew to prominence as a money transfer service previously known as Transferwise, but it’s the Wise Multi-currency account that will be of interest to holidaymakers and travellers.

The account is free open, and comes with account numbers, sort codes, IBANs, and routing numbers for UK, Eurozone, US, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other countries. Unfortunately it costs £5 to order the debit card which immediately wipes out some of the advantage of using the account over the short term. And while spending online or at the point of sale is free if your account holds that currency. If you need to exchange currencies for example Sterling to Euros there is small fee. Up to two ATM withdrawals are free up to £200 after that fees kick in similar to Monzo and Revolut.

Despite offering many of the same features as Revolut above, the Wise account can be a little more complicated to use and its fee structure makes it a more expensive option. Probably why Wise is more popular with US travellers and those in countries that can’t open a Revolut account. That being said it never hurts to have a back up.

• £5 ordering first debit card
• 0.35% conversion fee on popular currencies e.g. Euro, USD, (higher on less popular ones)
• 1.75% fee card fee if withdrawing more than £200/month
• 50p card fee if making more than two ATM withdrawals a month

There’s no fee to open the account and no credit checks, but you will need to be over 18 and have proof of address and ID.

>> Get a Wise Multi Currency account

Revolut  is a mobile app, that came hot on the heals of the ill-fated Travelex Supercard. It was slicker and more user friendly than the competition, and is still adding new features and functionality. You can use the Revolut account to pay for online purchases without the actual card, but best to order a physical card and test it a little before your travel.

Like traditional prepay cards the Revolut account first needs loading with currency. You can do this via ApplePay/Android pay, bank transfer or credit/debit card. Loading is done in pounds, dollars, and euros and you are able to convert between the three instantly from within the app. Spending is not limited to these currencies though. All in all there are 90 currencies you can spend in, and receive the Mastercard exchange rate.

Speaking of rates, when using the card on a trip to Ireland, I noticed that the exchange rate listed in the Revolut app, was actually better than those shown on XE.com . Additionally, Revolut is one of the few accounts that continued to allow its customers to trade during the volatility and currency fluctuations caused by the Brexit vote.

ATM fees kick in

It’s almost sounds too good to be true right? Revolut changed its terms and conditions since the original launch, and now only allows £200 per month free from ATM, and charges a 2% fee for any withdrawals over that. that’s £20 per every £1000 withdrawn over and above the first £200. Customers have the option of signing up for Premium £6.99 per month, and Metal, £9.99 per month. These allow fee-free ATM withdrawals up to £400, and £600 respectively, as well as host of other benefits, such as medical/travel insurance, priority support, and even cashback (Metal only).

Overall the standard offer is still a great card, but due to the low fee-free ATM limits we prefer Starling. Your usage of course might vary though and it’s a great card as a backup, and if you can make use of the insurance and higher spending limits, Metal is a good product.

Visa travel card

It’s worth pointing out that main physical Revolut card is now a Visa. When travelling it’s always good to have both Visa and Mastercard, as sometimes (though rarely) one is accepted where the other isn’t. This actually happened to me on recent trip. A fuel station I stoped at didn’t accept Mastercard, so my Revolut Visa card came to the rescue. Of course the inverse can also be true, and I’ve eaten at restaurants that didn’t accept Visa but did accept Mastercard.

If you open an account via our link below, you’ll get 3 month free premium, which includes free travel insurance. So time it right and you’ll end up saving there too. We have a full long term review of the Revolut account in case you wish to dig a little deeper.

>> Get Revolut

Curve is an all in one smart card that acts as a layer between your regular debit and credit cards and the seller. You link your existing cards to it via the app, then use the Curve card to spend abroad. Curve converts this spending into pounds in realtime, and charges your regular bank card. This particularly useful for those with ‘debit cards from hell’ i.e card issued by banks such as Natwest, Barclays, TSB etc.. that add fees and/or markup when spending abroad.

Fees and allowances

Curve’s free plan allows you to add up to two cards, and offers fee free foreign spending on the first £1,000 (equivalent). ATM withdrawals are capped at £200 a month, and there is a £2 or 2% fee for exceeding this, so try to stay below that. In addition, there’s also a 0.5% markup on spending during weekends (as the FX markets are closed), rising to 1.5% for more exotic currencies.

Curve’s paid plans increase these limits to £2,000 monthly spending with Curve X (£4.99 a month), and unlimited spending with Curve Black (£9.99 a month). Curve Black also ups the ATM limit to £400.

£10 cashback plus free travel insurance

Ordinarily such fees and limits would see Curve excluded from our list, but for the fact there is nifty little trick to get Curve Black for free, and in doing so also gaining free travel insurance. In addition, if you sign up to Curve via our links, you’ll also get £10 cashback on your first £150 spend. See our Curve card review for full details .

Currensea (smart card) – Best for those with traditional bank accounts

Unlike standard prepaid cards, or credit cards, Currensea works as a layer on top of your existing bank card to offer you great rates on foreign spending. That means if you’re happy with your current bank account you don’t need to change it.

Simply add your card to the Currensea app and start spending with the Currensea card. The foreign payment is charged to your Currensea account which then in turn charges your UK bank card in pounds, thus avoiding any fees from your bank.

It currently works with most popular UK bank accounts including Barclays, Lloyds, Natwest, TSB, Santander, HSBC, RBS which are some of the worst offenders for charges on foreign card use.

Opening an account is free. In our tests it took less than 5 mins, and a card was delivered within 4 days.

Currensea uses the interbank exchange rate for currency conversions, and earns its money by adding a 0.5% load onto this rate. That makes it ever-so-slightly more expensive than a bank account such as Starling, but cheaper some specialist credit cards, and miles cheaper than using a standard debit card from a high street bank.

What pushes Currensea to the number one spot in this category though is the generous £500 a month fee free ATM withdrawals. Whilst Monzo and Revolut have steadily tighten up on ATM withdrawals over the years, this remains up there with Starling, and Chase as one of the best cards to withdraw cash from foreign ATMs, and the best card for spending abroad for those that want to use their existing bank account.

>> Get a Currensea travel card

How to maximise your spending power abroad

Whether it’s a relaxing two week holiday, or a city break, it’s all too easy to be a bit too frivolous with your cash aboard. If you already have one our ‘top pick’ specialist travel cards listed above, then you’re are to a winner, but there are few other little tricks that can help you stretch for holiday money a little further.

Never change money at the airport – Sometimes you just need/want to carry cash. If so be sure not to change it at the airport. You’ve left it too late, they’ve got you over a barrel and they know it. You’ll be lumbered with the worst rate, and that’s no way to start a holiday. If you absolutely must change money at the airport, ferry terminal, or train station, always pre-order. You can usually do this up to four hours in advance and you’ll enjoy a better rate. Instead try to leave yourself plenty of time to change money. That way you shop around for the best rate.

Get the right credit card and enjoy the cheapest rates – most credit card providers add roughly 3% to the exchange rate they get when changing money themselves, this is called loading. None of the cards above load so any of those listed above are a safe bet.

Highstreet Debit cards are the worst offenders – While many credit cards load, nearly all debit cards load and charge a £1.50 per transaction. The worst offenders are: Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, RBS, Co-op, Santander and NatWest. Avoid using these cards abroad. If you want to use your Highstreet bank current account, consider getting a Currensea Card to avoid charges from your bank.

Always pay in the local currency – Many overseas ATMs, restaurants, and shops will ask you if you’d like to pay (or withdraw) in pounds, when using your credit/debit card. If you pay in pounds, what happens is that the retailer does the currency conversion for you. Rates are almost always worse than letting your own lender do the conversion. ALWAYS always pay in the local currency. This trick is used extensively in Spain and can be a nice little earner the banks/retailer.

Don’t ‘buy’ cash on a credit card – Almost all credit cards charge a fee for withdrawing cash (Halifax Clarity, and Creation excluded), even if you repay in full. Buying foreign currency from a bureaux de change, even if it’s online, will count as a cash withdrawal. Use one of our top recommended debit cards instead, or a smart card such as Currensea.

Pre-order physical currency – The credit, debit, and pre-paid cards in our list are absolute cheapest way to spend money abroad. If however, you feel the need for physical currency, then always order it in advance to get the cheapest rate, even if you need it in a hurry. Many bureau de change allow pre-ordering as little as 2 hours before collection. See our guide on getting euros from the Post Office for more information.

Spain and Portugal – In some countries ATMs charge for withdrawals. This is nothing to do with your bank, but solely down the owner of the ATM. Machines in Spain and Portugal are terrible for this. In Spain always look for a ING or Deutsche Bank machines these are free. In Portugal, use the MB ATMs outside Post Offices. Never use Euro ATM, or Santander. These have some of the highest chargers around.

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Ticket prices and travelcards

Fares for Moscow's public transport network are the same for every mode of transport making it really easy to travel. See all the different tickets here !

Troika Ticket

This is the most economical option if you're spending a few days in the Russian capital. The card can be purchased and recharged at various station machines or even with the special Moscow Metro application. Your balance can be checked on the app or in the small yellow terminals inside the metro stations. A trip works out at ₽ 42 ( US$ 0.50), but if you change transport within 90 minutes, you'll only pay ₽ 23 ( US$ 0.20) for the next trip.

The day ticket for the Moscow metro can be purchased at any of the stops in the city. The price is ₽ 265 ( US$ 2.90) per day and ₽ 500 ( US$ 5.40) for three days.

90-Minute Ticket

The most convenient card if you want to take several types of transport within an hour and a half period. It costs  ₽ 65 ( US$ 0.70) per person and allows one metro ride and an unlimited number of trips on other types of public transport in Moscow during the time of its duration.

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