We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Are there any cards that don't charge interest on ATM withdrawals?
Options

CreditCardChris
Posts: 344 Forumite

in Credit cards
A friend of mine is going on a cycling tour around Europe in a few weeks visiting a lot of small villages and towns rather than staying in the big cities and chances are not everywhere will accept credit cards, or he might need cash for small purchases along the way.
All the cards I've looked at charge an absurd amount of interest for withdrawing from an ATM. The alternative is to try and find a debit card but these also charge flat fees and other fees which will add up.
Generally speaking what's the absolute cheapest and easiest way to get pounds from your UK bank account into a local currency?
All the cards I've looked at charge an absurd amount of interest for withdrawing from an ATM. The alternative is to try and find a debit card but these also charge flat fees and other fees which will add up.
Generally speaking what's the absolute cheapest and easiest way to get pounds from your UK bank account into a local currency?
0
Comments
-
Revolut card. It's a pre-pay credit card with no currency conversion fees or withdrawal fees from ATMs, can be used worldwide and you can top up directly from a linked bank account using a mobile app in seconds. The currency conversion rate is fractions of a percent above the Mastercard exchange rates so you're effectively paying next to nothing for the currency conversion, certainly much less than any foreign exchange. You simply load money onto the card, change it to the currency you want and you're good to go. When you get back, convert any unused money back into the local currency, spend it or transfer back to your bank account.Santander Zero used to be a good one as it too had no fees but at the moment I don't think I'd be putting in an application for a credit card given the tightening of lending and the timescales involved.0
-
No foreign loading, no foreign transaction fee, no foreign cash advance interest if paid in full.Just make sure your friend asks to be billed in the local currency if the ATM offers a choice.2
-
MinuteNoodles said:Revolut card. It's a pre-pay credit card with no currency conversion fees or withdrawal fees from ATMs, can be used worldwide and you can top up directly from a linked bank account using a mobile app in seconds. The currency conversion rate is fractions of a percent above the Mastercard exchange rates so you're effectively paying next to nothing for the currency conversion, certainly much less than any foreign exchange. You simply load money onto the card, change it to the currency you want and you're good to go. When you get back, convert any unused money back into the local currency, spend it or transfer back to your bank account.Santander Zero used to be a good one as it too had no fees but at the moment I don't think I'd be putting in an application for a credit card given the tightening of lending and the timescales involved.0
-
Gerry1 said:No foreign loading, no foreign transaction fee, no foreign cash advance interest if paid in full.Just make sure your friend asks to be billed in the local currency if the ATM offers a choice.0
-
Monzo card doesnt charge for, I think, £200 withdrawn outside the UK per 30 days.0
-
+1 Gerry1 said:No foreign loading, no foreign transaction fee, no foreign cash advance interest if paid in full.Just make sure your friend asks to be billed in the local currency if the ATM offers a choice.
0 -
Thanks for the replies, I guess either Monzo or BC Rewards is the clear winner. Revolut is nice as you can top it up and it's not technically a credit card so I'll see which one he prefers.0
-
CreditCardChris said:Thanks for the replies, I guess either Monzo or BC Rewards is the clear winner. Revolut is nice as you can top it up and it's not technically a credit card so I'll see which one he prefers.
Monzo can also be "topped up", I certainly cant use it and go into negative so I wouldnt call it a credit card as such, you need money on it to spend (and withdraw) it.0 -
Just remember many overseas ATM's have a local charge. No way round that one.Life in the slow lane0
-
born_again said:Just remember many overseas ATM's have a local charge. No way round that one.0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards