Travel / Debit Card - recommendations

[breamster]

We have an extended trip booked later in the year to go to the caribbean.

Does anyone have any recommendations on travel / debit cards?

Are they all much the same? Ideally I'd like two cards on one account.

I've used Caxton in the past, but Revolut and Monza seems to be quite prevalent.

[M11rph]

I've used Revolut for the last 4 years. Love it and had no issues.

I exchange GBP into a sub-account for wherever I'm going and you then pay directly in local currency without fees/charges.

There is a charge for currency conversions at the weekend on the free account, so just do it during the week. £1000 max/month for free currency conversions on the basic account, £3000 if you pay for a Premium account. I just do my conversions each month, it's like having a holiday savings account.

You can have 2 cards on a Revolut a/c for no extra cost.

The app is extremely simple to use and fast.

Monza is very similar I believe.

[Flat6er]

For us we found chase was all we needed.

We set up both a Chase account and a revolut one for an extended trip round hawaii. Chase performed perfectly. Revolut not so much. Lots of taxis nd restaurants didn't like it.

We then used Chase in Antigua and again. No issues.

[Peter911]

I have switched to Monzo from HSBC and they are like a breath of fresh air.

No complaints at all. (Plus they are the shirt sponsor for the mighty Coventry City and so every time you use your card we can buy a new striker ! )

Edited to add I have only used it throughout Europe (no transaction charges), but I assume it is the same in the Caribbean.

[pidsy]

Revolut user here. Very easy, haven’t had any issues in years.

[captain_cynic]

Starling

Monzo and revolut have low monthly ATM withdrawal limits overseas. Starling has unlimited (£300 per day though).

Also the Santander Edge account.

[Countdown]

Starling here - been using it for about 3 years and it's been fine. Their easy savings facility also gives you a good rate of interest on balances. (2% but every little helps)

[jurbie]

I've been using Revolut for years and never had any issues but I think the problem most people have with them is that it is essentially a top up card which is why some places have problems accepting them. I wonder with them now becoming a fully fledged bank if that will change?

[BlackTails]

I ve always rather cynically assumed that no one offers something for nothing.

So any card that offers zero transaction fees just makes up the lost fee on the FX rate. Is that not right though? Do Revolut/Monzo offer no fees *and* good FX rates? And if so is the trick that you re putting you money on deposit with them in advance of the trip rather than using their money during the trip and repaying later?

[Melange]

I've used Revolut for years and years - since 2016 I think. In my experience it just works - the app is good and I haven't had any problems of note. My wife also has one, and the split bill option is handy for shared bills abroad (and domestically). I've used it to date in France, Spain, Czechia, Poland, Croatia and Morocco from memory - in the early days there were some retailers where it wouldn't go through but that seems to be happening less and less. I have a Halifax Clarity credit card as a back up when I want to make a larger purchase (or ski holidays where cash flow for that month becomes more of an issue )

[xx99xx]

Curve.

Can add as many cards to it as you like and use the app to select which one for each transaction. Can also earn cash back and 'go back in time' where you can swap a transaction made on one card to a different one. You can either use the card via your phone or the physical card, which you can block on the app if you lose it!

[abzmike]

I also use Revolut, and have had no issues.
I always have my regular debit or credit card in case of a problem.
The app is good and also has a handy eSIM feature I’ve used a few times.

[breamster]

Thanks for all the comments - I really appreciate it.

I'll look at the options later. Revolut is currently the favourite but I'll check out the others as well.

[InitialDave]

If you're with HSBC, their Global Money card works well.

[captain_cynic]

BlackTails said:

I ve always rather cynically assumed that no one offers something for nothing.

So any card that offers zero transaction fees just makes up the lost fee on the FX rate. Is that not right though? Do Revolut/Monzo offer no fees *and* good FX rates? And if so is the trick that you re putting you money on deposit with them in advance of the trip rather than using their money during the trip and repaying later?

Can't speak for Monza/Revolut but Starling certainly does. Usually only a penny off the mid market rate.

Starling is also a normal bank account, it holds money in GBP and you can transfer funds in and out using faster payments, so no preloading or pre converting.

This is a lot better than most high street banks that charge between 2-3% of the transaction value as a foreign transaction fee (even if the transaction is in GBP).

Last overseas transaction I did on my Starling card was on the morning of 8 Apr for COP 382,931, £79.11 was deducted from my funds so an exchange rate of COP 4,860 per £1. Mid market rate on rate on 7 Apr was 4,881 to the pound (this transaction was at 2 am UK time so using the previous days rate).

Got 2 litres of Kraken and 2 litres of Grey Goose for that if anyone is interested

Edited by captain_cynic on Sunday 26th April 18:33

Edited by captain_cynic on Sunday 26th April 18:36

[LooneyTunes]

Starling also allow you to have a second physical card linked to a separate "pot" in your account that holds a maximum of £200.

Handy if you want to loan it to the kids, take to a beach without any real fear of loss, etc.

[Somebody]

Right now the best is Lloyds Ultra Credit Card with no f/x fees and 1% cashback on everything for the first year.

[Griffith4ever]

InitialDave said:

If you're with HSBC, their Global Money card works well.

Yup, and you can prebuy currency and "play the market". Did it during covid with THB, and saved a small fortune on my holiday 2 years later!

[Rick101]

jurbie said:

I've been using Revolut for years and never had any issues but I think the problem most people have with them is that it is essentially a top up card which is why some places have problems accepting them. I wonder with them now becoming a fully fledged bank if that will change?

Tend to use it for cash withdrawals if needed.
Always found the, it's a top up' card view odd. It's no different to topping up your bank account for your debit card.

Saying that, I've always needed to top it up as I've always been wary of having any significant balance with Revolut. maybe those days have gone but very much dislike having to try and chat via an app for banking issues.

Regards the OP's query. Nationwide credit card is my go to. Various banks have a no FX fee option. Works well, cheap, cc protection and the interest free period. I don't know why people use debit cards at all tbh.

[davek_964]

I did use Revolut in the past, but then got charged for something. I can't remember what - maybe switching currency? - but there is a limit to how many times you can do certain things in a week / month or whatever it was and I had exceeded that. At that point, I decided it was too limited and closed the account.

Use Starling now, which seems to work fine.