Last updated: Oct 14, 2022.

Debit Cards are very useful especially if you do not own any no foreign transaction fee credit card. One of the traveler’s favorites is Revolut Card. Let’s see how it can help us travel easier.

Table of Contents

What is a Debit Card?
My #1 Pick: Revolut Card
Why it matters?
Other great features (in certain jurisdictions like UK, US)
4 Different Plans to Choose From
Tips from our experience
Travel-Friendly Banks with no debit card foreign transaction or ATM fees

What is a Debit Card?

A debit card is a payment card that deducts money directly from a consumer's bank account when it is used. It works almost like cash and you can also withdraw cash from ATMs.

My #1 Pick: Revolut Card

5 reasons why Revolut Card is the best choice to spend and withdraw cash from ATMs. With a standard plan which is a free plan, you can get all of these benefits.

Allow users to withdraw without an ATM fee of up to $200/month
No foreign transaction fee
Issue digital card
Multi-currency wallet
Great mobile app (easy to track expenses)
Alternatives for Revolut card: Wise Card

Revolut ****is a British financial technology company that offers banking services. Headquartered in London, it was founded in 2015 by Nikolay Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko. An US$800 million funding round in July 2021 brought the company's valuation to US$33 billion, making it the most valuable UK tech startup at the time.

Why it matters?

Typical credit cards charge you about 1.5% - 3% for international transactions which could add up a lot if you travel abroad frequently or for long-term travels. Besides the average 1% credit card points you get for every purchase you make, it’s usually cheaper to use Revolt cards as it doesn’t charge you the foreign transaction fee. We do not own any zero foreign transaction fee credit cards so we both picked up the Revolut card as an alternative. We probably saved as much as $300 per year in foreign transaction fees by just using the revolut card’s standard plan.

Other Great Features (in certain territories like UK, US)

Saving Vaults allows you to earn interest up to 1.67% paid daily
Deposits in your Savings Vaults are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 and deposited with their trusted partner bank
Buy, sell, and send digital currencies at the touch of a button, with no hidden fees

4 Different plans to choose from (note: plans vary for every jurisdiction)

Tips from our experience

I usually own an additional card as a backup. Look for additional debit cards that have zero/low ATM withdrawal fees.
If you are traveling with a partner, I recommend for both to own Revolut cards as you can double the withdrawal limit.
The downside of this card is the fees that occur during in following situations
- 1% FEES DURING FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET HOURS: THB and UAH: 1.0%
- 2% FEES OUTSIDE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET HOURS: THB and UAH: 2.0%
- 1% FEES OUTSIDE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET HOURS: USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, NZD, CHF, JPY, SEK, HKD, NOK, SGD, DKK, PLN, and CZK: 1%
If you are interested, check for more details at Revolut’s website here!

Also, if you want to watch a video that explains this topic, Whoisbobban a YouTuber explains this pretty well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92XoU9cSYdM

Alternatives for Revolut card: Wise Card

Wise (ex Transferwise) is also a good service that allows you to send money around the world at the real exchange rate, with low conversion fees. Speaking of ATM withdrawal fees, they also provide a debit card that allows withdrawing cash from ATMs at a competitive rate or near zero. Open an account from here if you send money overseas frequently. This one is a must for all types of travelers.

Travel-Friendly Banks with no debit card foreign transaction or ATM fees

Capital One 360
Charles Schwab Bank
Discover Bank
HSBC
Varo Bank

What Banks Charge for Debit Foreign Transaction Fees - NerdWallet

Thanks for reading. That’s all for today!

If you like my content, please do share it with your friends and families so they can also benefit from these great services for travelers.

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