Starling Account

missile

Hi,
I have a new Starling account. Apparently I can use it to make purchases and withdraw cash at any ATM in Spain. I would appreciate confirmation from someone who has and did you have any issues?
Many Thanks

EarthBoy

Starling's debit card is a MasterCard, so you can use it anywhere that MasterCard is accepted. That's nearly everywhere. 

DebtHurricane

And yes, starling don’t charge you for making purchases abroad or withdrawing cash abroad. 

ColdIron

Just remember to make the transaction in the local currency so that Starling handle the exchange

PRAISETHESUN

https://www.starlingbank.com/travel/

Starling lets you make foreign transactions and withdraw cash without fees or limits on their end. They use MasterCard so you get the MC rate on every Forex transaction, which is quite competitive. The only caveat is that foreign ATMs may charge you a fee directly, which Starling have no control over and will not cover you for - so you need to be a bit vigilant.

colsten

ColdIron said:

Just remember to make the transaction in the local currency so that Starling handle the exchange

If you have Euros in your Starling Euro account (assuming you have one of these alongside your GBP account), you can set your card so it uses the Euros, rather than debit your GBP account.

I don't know whether the ATMs / payment terminals are smart enough to recognise whether you want to make the purchase in Euros. I suspect you still have to say you want to pay in Euros.

swaledale_one

Hi, no need for euro account just use normal card then when you put it in the cash machine in Spain itll say charge in euro or charge in gbp all the machines I've ever used ask you.

missile

I have euro account and hope I can use this to make online payments to those who do not accept UK credit cards.

colsten

swaledale_one said:

Hi, no need for euro account just use normal card then when you put it in the cash machine in Spain itll say charge in euro or charge in gbp all the machines I've ever used ask you.

It may not apply to you but many people (e.g. those working in the RoI, those letting property in the Euro area etc etc) can receive funds in Euros. For them, it is clearly an advantage to have an account which lets them spend some or all of those Euros without having to first convert them to GBP and then to convert them back to Euros.

[Deleted User]

missile said:

I have euro account and hope I can use this to make online payments to those who do not accept UK credit cards.

The debit card number will still be recognised as UK (Sterling) by the retailer / ATM.
Only Starling will know that there is a Euro account available to directly source Euro from. 

wiseonesomeofthetime

Remember also that, although Starling do not charge for use at ATM withdrawals, the owner of the ATM might have their own fees/charges. Check before using so you do not get caught out.