| Account | Network | Type | Foreign ATM fees overseas | Foreign currency transaction fees | annual/ monthly fees | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starling Bank Current Account | Mastercard | Debit | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Virgin Money Current 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. |
| 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 | |
| Jaja | Visa | Credit | 1.24 to 2.53% interest per month | 0 | 0 | |
| Santander Zero | Mastercard | Credit | 1.46% interest per month | 0 | 0 | |
| Tandem Journey | Mastercard | Credit | 1.45 to 1.87% interest per month | 0 | 0 | |
| Halifax Clarity Card | Mastercard | Credit | 1.46 to 1.94% interest per month | 0 | 0 | |
| Monese Premium | Mastercard | Prepaid | 0 | 0 | £14.95 monthly | no load fee |
| Monese Simple | Mastercard | Prepaid | £200 per month free, then 2% | £2000 per month free, then 2% | 0 | no load fee |
| Revolut | Mastercard | Prepaid | £200 per month free, then 2% | £1000 per month free, then 1% | 0 | Exchange rate top-up for certain currencies and on weekends between 0.5% and 2%, see disclosure. £5 one-time card fee, no load fee. |
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 Monese or Revolut.
Notes:
- All other banks apart from those listed above charge at least a currency conversion fee, many also add a withdrawal fee on top.
- Barclay’s Bank participates in the Global ATM Alliance which gives free ATM access in a number of countries. Still not a good deal because Barclay’s does not waive their 2.75% currency conversion fee.
- If your’re under 18, good news – Starling is open to anyone 16 and over.