Finding the best travel cards for yourself can be tricky depending on what type of card you need and how you will use it. There are LOTS out there and they all have different spend limits, withdrawal limits and other features to look out for. Over our years of travelling we have tried and tested pretty much all the major ones and now we stick to a certain few that work for us!
I would always recommend getting a travel debit card instead of using your normal one to avoid the costs and charges that can occur on a typical debit card when using over seas. Check out below our top rated travel cards and compare them with each other to see which one you should get for your next adventure!
1: Chase (Our Current Favourite!)
Card Overview: Contactless / Chip and pin and numberless (stored on app)
App to Download: Yes – Really easy to use and view your transactions.
Charge to Use Abroad: £0
Free Withdrawal Limit: £500 per day abroad or in UK / max £1,500 per month abroad
Exchange Rate: Current Mastercard Rate (always seems a competitive rate)
The account also offers a 1% cash back on all spends on the card n the UK or abroad, and you can also link a savings account which gives you 3% variable interest each month!
The app itself is extremely easy to use. You can transfer money, set goals for saving, track daily/monthly spends and keep track of all your transactions. Safety features also have your number and card details hidden on the app so only you can view them.
Note: There is a small list of restricted destinations so check that list out here before you travel.
2: Starling Bank
Card Overview: Contactless & Chip and Pin
App to Download: Yes – Really easy to use and view your transactions.
Charge to Use Abroad: £0
Free Withdrawal Limit: Up to six withdrawals per day, totalling max £300 per day.
Exchange Rate: Current Mastercard Rate (always seems a competitive rate)
The high withdraw limit is really inviting for this card as £300 per day is very high compared to other cards.
Again you can control everything within the easy to use app. You can see your daily spend, transactions and any card details you might need are stored too. You can open a fixed saver with 3.25% interest, however, you cannot move money around until the term ends.
3: Monzo Bank
Card Overview: Contactless & chip and pin
App to Download: Yes – Really easy to use and view your transactions.
Charge to Use Abroad: £0
Free Withdrawal Limit: £250 every 30 days UK & EEA, £200 every 30 days Int
Exchange Rate: Current Mastercard Rate (always seems a competitive rate)
You can choose to upgrade the basic account to Plus or Premium which gives you better monthly withdrawal limits, however, these can cost you monthly to use. Monzo Premium is £15 per month which includes a £600 withdrawal limit, but you do get phone insurance, family travel insurance and discounts of airport lounges included.
The app is easy to use and you can create ‘pots’ if your splitting money up for certain trips or just for that next big purchase. You can move money between these pot with ease and see your transactions and withdrawal limits clearly. You can also find all your card details hidden on the app too.
4: Revolut
Card Overview: Contactless & chip and pin
App to Download: Yes – Really easy to use and view your transactions.
Charge to Use Abroad: £0
Free Withdrawal Limit: £200 per month
Exchange Rate: Variable Exchange Rate (usually a good rate)
The standard pan which is free has a very low monthly withdrawal limit, if you go over the limit you will be charged a 2% fee each transaction.
Revolut have lots of different options for plans, all their packages have different interest rates, limits and types of cards. These range from the free standard plan to ‘Revolut Metal’ which is £12.99 per month. This includes a £800 pm withdrawal limit and other bonuses like travel insurance.
Overall the best travel cards in our view and the two we mostly use is, Chase and Starling Bank.
Overall, for our travels, we use mostly Chase and Starling Bank. This is due to their high withdrawal limit they both have and ease of use abroad. We do have open accounts with all four of these cards above. We would always recommend getting a couple of travel cards just incase one doesn’t work or you loose a card while your away.
Bare in mind that some banks abroad charge a fee for withdrawing money. I would always have a google before to see what banks in the country you are going to have free withdrawals, so you don’t end up paying extra to take your money out.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: When you are withdrawing money from the ATM, always reject the ATM’s conversion rate as this will ensure you will get your travel cards conversion rate which is always much higher.
