Card payments abroad

[RammyMP]

eein said:

While the Revolut thing looks all nice and 'trendy', I don't see what it offers on a pure financial basis more than the Clarity card? Seems to just be a startup with bells and whistles - all of which I'd happily trade to avoid the risk of relying on a VC backed startup company that could go pop at any time (ie when I'm overseas).

The only 'bell and whistle' I'd like to see is an app that shows where there are cash ATMs with no local fee that is reliable and comprehensive in all countries. I use my clarity a lot for no-fee cash so I get annoyed when there's only dodgy ATMs in some random location I find myself.

The problem I found during our last holiday to the US was all the cash machines that used to be free all now charge $2 or $3. The next time I’m going to take cash with me.

[bad company]

RammyMP said:

eein said:

While the Revolut thing looks all nice and 'trendy', I don't see what it offers on a pure financial basis more than the Clarity card? Seems to just be a startup with bells and whistles - all of which I'd happily trade to avoid the risk of relying on a VC backed startup company that could go pop at any time (ie when I'm overseas).

The only 'bell and whistle' I'd like to see is an app that shows where there are cash ATMs with no local fee that is reliable and comprehensive in all countries. I use my clarity a lot for no-fee cash so I get annoyed when there's only dodgy ATMs in some random location I find myself.

The problem I found during our last holiday to the US was all the cash machines that used to be free all now charge $2 or $3. The next time I’m going to take cash with me.

This.

I take cash and a Clarity or Lloyds Amex with no Forex fees. That’s all I need.

Greetings from Singapore.

[silverthorn2151]

Can I ask a dimwit question of the Revolut professionals here.

Taking the card to Denmark later in the week. When I load it with money do I just put quids on or do I choose to load it in DKK. Not a huge amount and I'm more interested in being about to use it for purchases in Copenhagen and taking out local cash without there being an issue.

It asks me if I'm sure I want to do it in DKK directly from my card as there will be bank fees.

I'm rubbish at this stuff.

[number2]

silverthorn2151 said:

Can I ask a dimwit question of the Revolut professionals here.

Taking the card to Denmark later in the week. When I load it with money do I just put quids on or do I choose to load it in DKK. Not a huge amount and I'm more interested in being about to use it for purchases in Copenhagen and taking out local cash without there being an issue.

It asks me if I'm sure I want to do it in DKK directly from my card as there will be bank fees.

I'm rubbish at this stuff.

My understanding is that you load the card in your home currency so you don't get the often poor conversion rate, and fee, charged by your bank; your Revolut card then converts to a currency of your choosing when you transact (or before if you wish), and you get the market forex rate and no fee.

[silverthorn2151]

number2 said:

silverthorn2151 said:

Can I ask a dimwit question of the Revolut professionals here.

Taking the card to Denmark later in the week. When I load it with money do I just put quids on or do I choose to load it in DKK. Not a huge amount and I'm more interested in being about to use it for purchases in Copenhagen and taking out local cash without there being an issue.

It asks me if I'm sure I want to do it in DKK directly from my card as there will be bank fees.

I'm rubbish at this stuff.

My understanding is that you load the card in your home currency so you don't get the often poor conversion rate, and fee, charged by your bank; your Revolut card then converts to a currency of your choosing when you transact (or before if you wish), and you get the market forex rate and no fee.

Why thank you. That makes sense and when I pay it will ask me if I want to pay in GBP or DKK?

A virtual light ale is pouring down the USB as I type.

[number2]

silverthorn2151 said:

Why thank you. That makes sense and when I pay it will ask me if I want to pay in GBP or DKK?

A virtual light ale is pouring down the USB as I type.

Yes, the merchant terminal will - pay in the local currency and Revolut will manage the conversion

[gregs656]

number2 said:

Yes, the merchant terminal will - pay in the local currency and Revolut will manage the conversion

They don't normally ask actually - at airports mainly IME, but if they do pay in the local currency.

You can either convert it en masse to DKK or leave it GBP and convert as you go. Within the app you can see the historical exchange rate and that may influence your choice.

[HotJambalaya]

silverthorn2151 said:

Can I ask a dimwit question of the Revolut professionals here.

Taking the card to Denmark later in the week. When I load it with money do I just put quids on or do I choose to load it in DKK. Not a huge amount and I'm more interested in being about to use it for purchases in Copenhagen and taking out local cash without there being an issue.

It asks me if I'm sure I want to do it in DKK directly from my card as there will be bank fees.

I'm rubbish at this stuff.

You always select local currency. This "pay in your own currency" is a scam. Dynamic currency conversion as its known allows the merchant to set their exchange rate, which you know is going to be horrific. In fact, I took a screen shot in hong kong recently where an ATM was asking if I'd like to process in my local currency $2000hkd. The atm would have charged me £188.23 and revolut charged me £182.69 (side note, they also charge me £3.65 because im over my atm withdrawal limit).

Note of course, that paying in shops etc, you wouldnt have any fees (they're related to cash only) so a purchase of the same amount would have yielded that full saving.

If you travel a lot, it really adds up.

[ooo000ooo]

Used my starling card in California, conversion rate was $1.40 to the £. No charges for any transaction, got double billed by 1 restaurant so queried it around 11 pm one night and had a reply before 7 am the next morning, payment reversed within 24 hours of the reply.
Cool when shopping seeing how much those Levi's cost in real money.

[silverthorn2151]

Using my Revolut in Copenhagen and it's fantastic. I knew how much the meal was before I'd left the premises.

So glad I came across this thread.

[liner33]

I read yesterday that you can use the Revolut card at petrol pumps in the USA , you need to have at least $130 credit on the card and use the zip code 99999 , can anyone confirm this ?

[bad company]

liner33 said:

I read yesterday that you can use the Revolut card at petrol pumps in the USA , you need to have at least $130 credit on the card and use the zip code 99999 , can anyone confirm this ?

Now that would be useful. There was a time when 99999 worked with UK credit cards but it didn’t last long. I buy pre paid Shell cards from drugstores in the USA and use them at the pumps.

[RammyMP]

bad company said:

liner33 said:

I read yesterday that you can use the Revolut card at petrol pumps in the USA , you need to have at least $130 credit on the card and use the zip code 99999 , can anyone confirm this ?

Now that would be useful. There was a time when 99999 worked with UK credit cards but it didn’t last long. I buy pre paid Shell cards from drugstores in the USA and use them at the pumps.

Can you not just pay in the kiosk? The last time I went I found it easier to pay for $30 of ‘gas’ then go back in for a refund if I didn’t spend that much. The rate for the refund isn’t as good so paying with cash will be slightly cheaper. I’ve never got the pay at pump to work.

[bad company]

RammyMP said:

bad company said:

liner33 said:

I read yesterday that you can use the Revolut card at petrol pumps in the USA , you need to have at least $130 credit on the card and use the zip code 99999 , can anyone confirm this ?

Now that would be useful. There was a time when 99999 worked with UK credit cards but it didn’t last long. I buy pre paid Shell cards from drugstores in the USA and use them at the pumps.

Can you not just pay in the kiosk? The last time I went I found it easier to pay for $30 of ‘gas’ then go back in for a refund if I didn’t spend that much. The rate for the refund isn’t as good so paying with cash will be slightly cheaper. I’ve never got the pay at pump to work.

Paying at the pump is much easier and quicker. The only downside to my way is that it’s restricted to Shell garages.

[kev1974]

I'm travelling on Monday (to Singapore) so no time to get a plastic card through the post.

Can Revolut / Monzo / Starling (?) still help me? Are they all app based / Apple Pay or are people using a plastic card when using them abroad?

It's been a few months since this thread was updated, which is thought to be the best now?

I am happy to regularly transfer cash across to fund it, and I've got an up to date iphone if it needs Apple Pay to make it all work; just trying to avoid the multiple fx / transaction fees that my current card providers loaded me with on my last trip to Asia.

[MrOrange]

You'll need the card to actually transact (atm or Card machine), Apple Pay doesn't work with Revolut yet.

It also doesn't work with all currencies so do check. You *can* use it to make bank payments in a foreign currency but they days to clear and require the IBAN/Swift details.

[captain_cynic]

kev1974 said:

I'm travelling on Monday (to Singapore) so no time to get a plastic card through the post.

Can Revolut / Monzo / Starling (?) still help me? Are they all app based / Apple Pay or are people using a plastic card when using them abroad?

Making purchases and withdrawing cash is card based as that is what the merchant will accept. Basically you will need the plastic.

The "apps" are just for management as they don't maintain websites like normal banks.

kev1974 said:

It's been a few months since this thread was updated, which is thought to be the best now?

I am happy to regularly transfer cash across to fund it, and I've got an up to date iphone if it needs Apple Pay to make it all work; just trying to avoid the multiple fx / transaction fees that my current card providers loaded me with on my last trip to Asia.

I've just got back from the US using Starling. I didn't bother with converting currency before hand and just used the spot rate. Last transaction was on Wed (10/10) at the rate of 1.314 USD to the pound, rate according to XE was 1.317. Pretty close to the interbank rate and there's no point in worrying about a fraction of a penny on a £8 purchase or even the whole £260 I spent.

Where in SE Asia are you going? You might be better off just taking GBP notes.

I would recommend Starling, not much has gone wrong and the only issues I had were US petrol stations who refused to accept foreign cards

[kev1974]

Going to Singapore.

I see that Monzo need 3 working days to send a card out and Revolut advise 9 days for delivery unless you pay them extra for express delivery, but even that is still three days.

I'll check out Starling, too late for this trip but I am sure there will be more trips.

Thanks.

[EddieSteadyGo]

Thanks to this thread, I have ordered, received and started using my Clarity card.

So far I've used it for Indian Rupees and Euros with no issues at all. Does exactly what it is supposed to do. Thanks to those who posted their experience - it pointed me in the right direction!

[captain_cynic]

kev1974 said:

I'll check out Starling, too late for this trip but I am sure there will be more trips.

Starling advertise 3 days for the card to arrive, but mine got here in 2.

You could chance it. Worst thing that could happen is that you don't get the card and have to go with what you've got.