Spending abroad which bank to use?

Katalfnel

Hi all, I am looking at opening a new bank account to use for spending on holiday as my current bank charges, I’ve seen revolut and chase advertised, however chase doesn’t allow joint accounts which is what I would prefer but I have seen some negatives about revolut can someone suggest which one is best or a different one? Thank you so much! 

Marchitiello

If it is really just to spend on holiday, presuming you will travel with the other half, does it really matter if it is not a joint account?

between my wife and I for travels we have two separate Chase accounts (was particularly useful when they allowed cash-back abroad), a Joint Nationwide FlexPlus account ((£18 pm fee but in addition to forex free spending, it is a package account with Phone Insurance, Car Breakdown Cover and travel insurance), one HSBC Global Money (attached to my main HSBC account), one First Direct account and a Santander Select (for ATM fee free usage in countries where Santander operates). In addition, my Club Lloyds (£3-5 fee waved if meeting requirements) has recently also added forex fee spending as a benefit. To this we can add also a bunch of Forex Free Credit Cards, including a Barclaycard Rewards, Santander Zero, MBNA Horizon and Chase Credit Card. 

badger09

Starling. I’ve used it all over the world. 
No fees on foreign transactions or cash withdrawals. Daily cash withdrawal limited to £300 or equivalent whether UK or abroad. Instant notification of amount spent (in local currency & £)
Always have another payment method. I use Halifax Clarity credit card. 

Other current accounts & cards with no foreign fees are available

eskbanker

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money/

prettyandfluffy

Virgin money.  No charges for EU spending by debit or credit card.

sausage_time

See also

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Despite the link this page covers debit cards too.

boingy

My wife has a first direct account with debit card that is only used for spending abroad. She pays in some hundreds of pounds before she goes and uses the debit card to spend it. If something goes pear shaped the exposure is limited and her main bank account does not get frozen or emptied.

GeoffTF

boingy said:

My wife has a first direct account with debit card that is only used for spending abroad. She pays in some hundreds of pounds before she goes and uses the debit card to spend it. If something goes pear shaped the exposure is limited and her main bank account does not get frozen or emptied.

FD could give you an unwanted unarranged overdraft when your card goes missing:

https://www.firstdirect.com/banking/current-account/overdraft/

jimjames

prettyandfluffy said:

Virgin money.  No charges for EU spending by debit or credit card.

No charges for debit card outside EU either. I used Virgin and Halifax Clarity in South America. Had problems with both being rejected using the card but Google Pay worked fine with the same cards

strawb_shortcake

We are considering opening a Santander account, purely as these seem to be the last fee free ATMs in at least The Canary Islands. I'm seeing more bars are cash only, but otherwise I have a Halifax clarity and Barclays reward CC

boingy

GeoffTF said:

boingy said:

My wife has a first direct account with debit card that is only used for spending abroad. She pays in some hundreds of pounds before she goes and uses the debit card to spend it. If something goes pear shaped the exposure is limited and her main bank account does not get frozen or emptied.

FD could give you an unwanted unarranged overdraft when your card goes missing:

https://www.firstdirect.com/banking/current-account/overdraft/

She has had the overdraft facility removed - one quick phone call.