Account | Network | Type | Foreign ATM fees overseas | Foreign currency transaction fees | annual/ monthly fees | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starling Bank Current Account | Mastercard | Debit | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Chase Current Account | Mastercard | Debit | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Virgin Money MPlus Account | Mastercard | Debit | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumberland Building Society Cumberland Plus Current Account | Visa | Debit | 0 | 0 | £2 monthly, can be waived with either £750 monthly deposit or £1000 min. balance | only available to customers who live in Cumbria, South-West Scotland, West Northumberland and North Lancashire. You have to notify them to enable card usage abroad. "You must confirm that this is going to be the primary account through which you conduct your personal banking". see account details. |
TSB Spend and Save Plus Account | Visa | Debit | 0 | 0 | £3 monthly | |
Nationwide Building Society FlexPlus Account | Visa | Debit | 0 | 0 | £13 monthly (see notes) | free for Teenagers and Students see FlexOne and FlexStudent accounts |
Monzo Bank Current Account | Mastercard | Debit | 0 in EEA, outside £200 per month free | 0 | 0 | |
Metrobank Current Account | Mastercard | Debit | 0 in EEA, outside £1.50 | 0 in EEA, outside 2.5% | 0 | |
Barclaycard Rewards | Visa | Credit | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
118118 Money | Mastercard | Credit | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Halifax Clarity Card | Mastercard | Credit | 1.46 to 1.94% interest per month | 0 | 0 | |
EasyFX | Mastercard | Prepaid | 0 | 0 | 0 | inactivity fee after 12 months without usage |
Recommendations:
Get Starling if you can, if not get Virgin Money. If your travels are limited to Europe Monzo and Metrobank are also very good.
The best credit card for low-fee travel is offered by Barclaycard and 118118. All others charge at least interest for cash withdrawals from day one.
If you prefer a prepaid card, get EasyFX.
Notes:
- All other banks apart from those listed above charge at least a currency conversion fee, many also add a withdrawal fee on top.
- Barclays Bank participates in the Global ATM Alliance which gives free ATM access in a number of countries. Still not a good deal because Barclays does not waive their 2.75% currency conversion fee.
- If your’re under 18, good news – Starling is open to anyone 16 and over, Nationwide 11 and over.