Revolute vs Starling

edrushuk

I am planning to use my Starling account for my upcoming holiday. For the last 3 years I have used Revolute where I have switch my money to euros and spend the Euros.


Is there any reason I should carry on using my Revolute Card? I am going to Greece and have used my Revolute Card before with no problems.


Thank you
S

Doshwaster

Take both. It's always dangerous to rely on just one card. Just don't keep them in the same place. If you go out then take one with you and leave the other in the hotel

eDicky

As above - never rely on only one card when traveling.

edrushuk

I always have a spare card ( own debit and credit card) and my hubby has a spare copy of my revolute.


Maybe what I should be asking which one would you use if you had the choice of both? The main difference I can see when using them abroad, is with the Revolute your funds have already been converted to Euros but with Starling it is done at the time of use. I cannot see an option with Starling where you can convert your funds in advance.

eDicky

There's no need to convert your pounds to euros before using your Revolut card in euros. If you don't, your pounds will be converted to euros at the moment of transaction and deducted from your GBP balance. You can use it either way. This gives you the flexibility of exchanging in advance if you think the rate is currently in your favour, but who knows...

In practice there's hardly any difference between the MasterCard rate used by Starling and the interbank rate used by Revolut (on the same day).

I still say take both cards and use them both, reducing any need for the cost of using your regular cards if one is declined or becomes unavailable.

I would use only the Starling card on weekends when Revolut puts a small margin on the interbank exchange rate, although this doesn't matter if you already have a euro balance.

Personally I carry a full array of fee-free cards when traveling, about seven.

CardinalWolsey

Remember that Revolut put a £200 cap on free ATM withdrawals in any one (rolling) month. So Greece, which is typically more skewed towards cash than cards, you could breach that limit on Revolut and end up paying withdrawal charges. Starling don't apply any limits on ATM withdrawals.

TELLIT01

I haven't used either but read somewhere that there are now usage fees for Revolut but not for Starling. Assuming both cards provide the same exchange rate it would seem to be better to use Starling and have Revolut as backup.

worried_jim

I use both (and Monzo).

PaisleyStars

I'm currently in Greece carrying cards for Monzo, Revolut and Starling. I withdrew the same amount of cash on each of them at the same time and got the best rate with Starling (plus they don't have the monthly free cash withdrawal limit that Monzo and Revolut have). Definitely take at least 2 cards, though, so you have a back up in an emergencym