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Original poster

Using my debit card abroad

49 replies

momlife3 · 31/07/2023 08:50

Hi. We're travelling to Cyprus next year.
Am I able to use my rbs debit card to make purchases. Will I be charged any fees?
I don't want to take lots of euros but I don't want to fall victim to fraud either.
Can any of you lovely lot advise?

OP posts:
Eve · 31/07/2023 08:53

RBS will be able to tell you what the transaction fees are for using abroad.

or get a credit card with no fees and use that ( we have Halifax card)

MSE website will have information on the various options.

DuchessOfSausage · 31/07/2023 08:53

I think you can get a pre-loaded payment card with Euros on it. If you use a credit card, there's usually a charge. I usually avoid using a credit card.

mycoffeecup · 31/07/2023 08:54

Get a post office travel card and pre load.it with euros

LIZS · 31/07/2023 08:55

The charge is often built into the exchange rate although there may be a separate one for cash withdrawals.

Mrsjayy · 31/07/2023 08:55

Yes you will be charged with every purchase, you can get a preloaded card with foreign currency so you won't need physical euros or get a c c to take on holiday. We have had 1 for years,

HowcanIhelp123 · 31/07/2023 08:55

There's lots of cards you can get that don't charge abroad. There are several high street banks that offer them, and app ones such as revolut or monzo.

nonman · 31/07/2023 08:56

I use a Monzo card abroad, they are very easy to use, and don’t charge exchange fees. However I don’t think you get the same buyers protection that you would with a credit card. I only use mine on holiday but DD uses hers to budget her money.

teenagetantrums · 31/07/2023 08:56

I use my monzo card and natwest card abroad never charged any fees.

slipperypenguin · 31/07/2023 08:57

The chase card is great for this - no fees or charges on withdrawals

Cookerhood · 31/07/2023 08:59

Starling bank here, but there are credit cards that don't charge as well (we have one but I can't remember where it was from).
MSE website is your friend here as the information there will be up to date.

BeBraveAndBeKind · 31/07/2023 09:05

Like PP have said, there are quite a few banks offering accounts with fee free transactions abroad.

Cyprus has chip and pin and you'd have the same protection against unauthorised (fraudulent) transactions as you have in the UK. Just take good care of your card and shield your PIN when entering - a friend was shoulder surfed at a ticket machine and then mugged in Europe recently and his bank wouldn't refund him because the criminals had used his PIN to authorise.

Flumpywoo · 31/07/2023 09:06

Open a Chase bank account and use that, it's fee free. I know that Monzo used to have a limit of £250 being spent abroad but that may have changed now. Chase doesn't have a limit and I used it with no problems abroad earlier this year.

Xrays · 31/07/2023 09:08

Check with them. Some bank accounts (ie Halifax) have a travel money option where you pay a small amount ie £5ish for a week where they don’t charge you any extra for using your card abroad. You have to specifically opt in / set it up via your banking app. We did this when we went to Ibiza recently.

shakeitoffsis · 31/07/2023 09:09

Who do you bank with? Lloyds do an option where for £7 a week you can use your card abroad and that's the only fees that you will accrue.

xyz111 · 31/07/2023 09:12

We got a Chase card. No fees, good exchange rate and 1% cashback on all purchases.
You'd need to check with your bank to be sure what your fees (if any) are.

Towelin · 31/07/2023 09:14

First direct have recently made their card fee free to use abroad. That's what we did on our holiday as we already banked with them.

We used it for card purchases and also withdrew some euros from a bank machine.

StarlightLady · 31/07/2023 09:14

A slight aside, if withdrawing from an ATM, always refuse the offered conversion rate.

Original poster
momlife3 · 31/07/2023 09:15

@shakeitoffsis I'm with the royal bank of Scotland

OP posts:
Original poster
momlife3 · 31/07/2023 09:17

I will be taking maybe 100 euros but would prefer to use my card for anything else. Lots of good advice 🥰

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 31/07/2023 09:20

I used my RBS in airports but I didn't in Spain because there can be transaction fees.

DontStealTheTeddy · 31/07/2023 09:23

Mrsjayy · 31/07/2023 08:55

Yes you will be charged with every purchase, you can get a preloaded card with foreign currency so you won't need physical euros or get a c c to take on holiday. We have had 1 for years,

That's not right, plenty of debit and credit cards don't charge anything to use abroad. Chase debit card for example.

RhubarbFairy · 31/07/2023 09:24

We also have the Halifax credit card. We use that, and my Monzo one abroad. I transfer money from my usual bank into Monzo and just top it up if I need more.

Mrsjayy · 31/07/2023 09:25

DontStealTheTeddy · 31/07/2023 09:23

That's not right, plenty of debit and credit cards don't charge anything to use abroad. Chase debit card for example.

Show quote history

The RBS does charge or it used to .

feralunderclass · 31/07/2023 09:30

I use revolut for travelling and it gives the best rate of conversion and no extra fees. Be aware that if you are using debit/credit card you should contact your bank before you go to make them aware. My bank blocks any transactions outside of Europe automatically. I went away once and tried to use my card and it was blocked until I came home, thankfully I was visiting family and could borrow money!

poppym12 · 31/07/2023 09:31

I use Monzo when abroad (and mostly at home these days too). As a previous poster mentioned, just top it up by online bank transfer whilst away if the balance is falling too quickly.