Debit card costs in USA

Doshwaster

Very little difference between the likes of Starling, Monzo, Revolut, Chase etc.

Whichever you choose make sure you have a backup card from a different bank in case one is lost, blocked or gets nicked. All of the cards allow you to instantly block a card if it goes missing and transfer money between accounts.

MyRealNameToo

Blackbriar_040 said:

If she planning on shopping, NY is expensive, City tax!

Probably also worth reminding that prices listed in shops are typically excluding "vat" and so the price at the till will be more than the sticker. Something that often catches Brits/Europeans out. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Doshwaster said:

Very little difference between the likes of Starling, Monzo, Revolut, Chase etc.

Whichever you choose make sure you have a backup card from a different bank in case one is lost, blocked or gets nicked. All of the cards allow you to instantly block a card if it goes missing and transfer money between accounts.

Isn't Chase a major US bank with a wide network of branches and ATMs that won't charge a Chase UK debit card holder fees ?

If so, that would seem the best choice ?

MyRealNameToo

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Doshwaster said:

Very little difference between the likes of Starling, Monzo, Revolut, Chase etc.

Whichever you choose make sure you have a backup card from a different bank in case one is lost, blocked or gets nicked. All of the cards allow you to instantly block a card if it goes missing and transfer money between accounts.

Isn't Chase a major US bank with a wide network of branches and ATMs that won't charge a Chase UK debit card holder fees ?

If so, that would seem the best choice ?

Depends if you want a card for each country you are visiting each trip, just one for all visits or the one that works best across the countries you tend to visit. 

Chase is probably best in the US, Santander is good across Latin American countries etc

It's also sensible to brush up on the rules, Santander tends to be free in their overseas branches machines but not for free standing machines in shops etc. Thankfully haven't had to go to the US since Chase opened in the UK so haven't looked into any nuances of their rules. 

NoodleDoodleMan

The enquiry is specifically about the USA - Chase appears to be the best choice.

From my experiences and observations on Santander outwith the UK (Banco Santander in Spain & Canaries) it appears they fully control their branch based ATMs thereby offering cash withdrawals fee free with eligible Santander UK debit cards - the standalone machines are operated by Euro Automatic Cash network which only have a fee free deal for domestic BS current accounts - this benefit is also available at Spanish Post Offices under an agreement.

Bigphil1474

I've been using Revolut for about 4 years. originally got it for a holiday, but now just use it most of the time. You can exchange for local currency through the app and pay in local currency when you are abroad, easy to add money from your current account etc. Think there's a charge for converting currency over the weekend, but otherwise free.

I've not used Chase , but sounds similar. I use the vaults for my savings as well. Mainly use it because it messages you every time you use it, which my Barclays app doesn't, and it has a fairly decent standard % rate for instant access savings (currently 3.51% so a bit higher than Chase).

Doshwaster

Bigphil1474 said:

I've been using Revolut for about 4 years. originally got it for a holiday, but now just use it most of the time. You can exchange for local currency through the app and pay in local currency when you are abroad, easy to add money from your current account etc. Think there's a charge for converting currency over the weekend, but otherwise free.

I've not used Chase , but sounds similar. I use the vaults for my savings as well. Mainly use it because it messages you every time you use it, which my Barclays app doesn't, and it has a fairly decent standard % rate for instant access savings (currently 3.51% so a bit higher than Chase).

The main limitation with Revolut is that ATM withdrawals above £200 a month are charged a fee (plus whatever the machine charges you)

I use Starling as my main travel card.  Maybe not the best for all situations but it's a good all-rounder.

I need to look at a Santander card as a I go to Spain regularly and free ATMs there are increasingly hard to find. Hopefully they will be offering a switching incentive soon.

NoodleDoodleMan

"I need to look at a Santander card as a I go to Spain regularly and free ATMs there are increasingly hard to find. Hopefully they will be offering a switching incentive soon."

A basic Santander UK Everyday Current Account debit card is ideal, no inconvenient strings attached - ATMs (cajeros) at Banco Santander branches (oficinas) in Spain incur no fees..........avoid standalone machines.

Located in just about every town etc., including popular holiday resorts.

This website lets you locate them easily.

https://www.bancosantander.es/en/buscador-oficinas-cajeros