Fee-free debit card use abroad

t33

Not owned such a card before and have done a bit of research as looking for a fee-free debit card for use abroad, mostly EU.  I'm thinking the card would pretty much specifically only used for travel abroad purposes.  There are several leaders Starling, Metro etc. however I do want one that is not app based and it's difficult to tell on the individual websites which are web or app based, I prefer management via web based.  I'm assuming once I've decided which bank card  - before going away fund the account with enough funds to cover outgoings while abroad.  Is it that simple?  Any drawbacks? 

Thanks.

TadleyBaggie

I use Starling but that is app only. 

Murmansk

TadleyBaggie said:

I use Starling but that is app only. 

Actually, you can access Starling via their website if you want but the sign-in process does require you to have their app on your smartphone - their card is very good for using abroad. 

Aidanmc

Virgin M Plus current account offers fee-free spending and atm withdrawals

grumbler

MSE:  Travel credit cards

Ignore the misleading title.

Mnoee

grumbler said:

MSE:  Travel credit cards

Ignore the misleading title.

And if you decide Currensea in right from that list, go through topcashback for £10 to offset the slightly worse rates. 

lr1277

If memory serves, Metro bank's debit and credit cards are fee free in most of Europe. Something about SEPA or EEA. Not a customer myself so if interested you would need to check it out.

wmb194

You can access Metro Bank's internet banking via web browser. It's not very good and its app is a better experience but you can.

jbrassy

The Virgin Money current account offers fee-free spending abroad and doesn't charge for ATM withdrawals. It has web-based online banking (as well as an app) and it also has some high street branches: https://uk.virginmoney.com/current-accounts/pca/

I think that's the only option there is. Metro Bank only offer fee-free spending in Europe, but Virgin you can use it anywhere.

Virgin Bank is just like any other bank account so you can easily move money in and out from your other accounts. I used my Virgin card in Mexico (after an ATM swallowed my Starling card) and I had no issues with it. You just use the card for spending and ATM withdrawals as you would at home.

Gers

I used Chase in both Australia and South Korea in the past nine months.

FredTrump

t33 said:

Not owned such a card before and have done a bit of research as looking for a fee-free debit card for use abroad, mostly EU.  I'm thinking the card would pretty much specifically only used for travel abroad purposes.  There are several leaders Starling, Metro etc. however I do want one that is not app based and it's difficult to tell on the individual websites which are web or app based, I prefer management via web based.  I'm assuming once I've decided which bank card  - before going away fund the account with enough funds to cover outgoings while abroad.  Is it that simple?  Any drawbacks? 

Thanks.

A travel credit card is better than than a debit card IMO as you don't need to preload.

I use Barclaycard Rewards but grumbler provided a link to various examples too.