Which card to use on holiday??

[elderflowerandpomelo]

We are going to Montenegro this summer - uses the Euro but isn’t part of Sepa.
Between is we have cards from
Metro
Starling
First Direct
Monzo
Triodos
Halifax
Nationwide
Capital One

i can’t work out which one/s will be cheapest to use - anyone know how to find out? We’ll need to get cash out and also pay by card

Check on Money saving expert website. We got a Chase card, no fees, 1% cashback in all purchases

Martin Lewis recommended CHASE. I used this in Amsterdam. Otherwise Revolut

Sorry to jump on, is it a chase debit card or credit card? I used to use travelers cheques in my heyday of travelling, then moved to cash but I've never understood using back cards Street getting stung quite badly once with fees

I just got the barclaycard rewards card for our holiday-no foreign transaction fees including on cash withdrawals. Exchanged at visa rate

Yes check Martin Lewis site, we use Chase which is fantastic but I think Monzo and Starling both have no fees too.

I've used the Caxton card before but found that the rate isn't good and it is the same as using a credit card and paying the foreign transaction fee

I think Halifax Clarity is still ok too?

Chase is a debit card and has no fees, a 1% cashback and a round up facility. It’s easy access savings account which you can also just open on the app is 4% as well. I really wouldn’t look past it tbh.

Monzo or starling

Is it a first direct card from a current account? They have very recently removed all charges for use abroad.

I like revolut

Apply for a chase card!

It completely depends on the specifics of the card rather than just the bank it's from.

You want a card which has zero foreign transaction fees for payments and/or cash withdrawals.

For example, in our case, we use our Nationwide debit card for fee free cash withdrawals and a Santander card for credit card payments.

MSE may help, but to be honest, just look up the details on each bank's website for tour specific cards.

I’ve got a Monzo for using abroad, no charges to pay contactless/pin but I’ve never withdrawn cash on it so you’d need to check that

Monzo

First Direct debit card has no charges now. Used it in USA loads recently.

It's only the flex plus nationwide account that does fee free cash withdrawals so make sure that you check which account has fees

I remember the good times when all of nationwide accounts were fee free overseas

Revolut all the way. My husband travels constantly for work and he swears by it. I also have one I use on holidays x

Thanks so much all. I have dug a bit and Montenegro is a bit of a dogs breakfast as it’s euro-not-euro!

seems like metro/Monzo/starling are all much of a muchness - quite high (local) ATM charges but otherwise low fees.

we are just upgrading Nationwide to Flexplus because it comes w excellent travel insurance, phone insurance and breakdown cover - but I don’t think a card will arrive in time!

@heynowpo YES, that's exactly what I mean about the specifics of a card. Just because it comes from xxx bank doesn't mean it will be fee free.

I've just got back from Canada and used an ASDA money card loaded with Canadian dollars. Didn't try taking money out but used it to pay for things without any probs. I then had my cc for back up and deposits for hotels.

I use Revolut and find it super easy! Even my Luddite mum manages to use it with no issues.

You can convert the money beforehand (or not!) if the rate is favourable.

I use Monzo and have never had a problem.

I've never drawn cash out though.

Our Santander CC is fee free and we get cash back up to £500 on each card. We use a currency card if we need cash or DS can use it contactless if he wants to