Bank fees on international travel are a form of financial mugging that happens in slow motion. 3% foreign transaction fee + 2% ATM fee + poor exchange rate = you're paying 8–12% more than you should for every transaction. The fix is simple: get a card designed for travel.
The Non-Negotiables
Any card used for travel should have: zero foreign transaction fees, and no (or reimbursed) ATM withdrawal fees. Without these two things, the card is costing you money every time you use it abroad.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) — Best Overall
Not a credit card but a debit card / account that converts at the real mid-market exchange rate with minimal fees. ATM withdrawals: free for the first £200/month, 1.75% after. No foreign transaction fee. The Wise account also allows holding multiple currencies. Ideal for travellers who want one solution for all countries.
Revolut — Best for Features
Free plan: no-fee currency exchange up to £1,000/month (mid-market rate), then 0.5% above. ATM withdrawals free up to £200/month. Premium/Metal plans add higher limits, travel insurance, and cashback. The app is excellent — real-time notifications, instant freezing, virtual card numbers for online shopping.
Charles Schwab Investor Checking — Best for Americans
For US-based travellers, Schwab's checking account is the gold standard: unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide, zero foreign transaction fees, and access to any ATM globally (it reimburses at the end of the month). The only requirement is opening a linked brokerage account (which can sit empty).
Starling Bank — Best for UK Residents
Starling's personal current account has zero foreign transaction fees and free ATM withdrawals worldwide (subject to daily limits). The card is contactless, works on Apple/Google Pay, and the app is genuinely excellent. Free to open.
ATM Strategy
Even with a good card, ATM strategy matters. Use ATMs attached to real banks (not standalone Euronet/Cardtronics machines in tourist areas — these use terrible exchange rates). Always choose to be charged in the local currency (never "dynamic currency conversion" — this adds 4–7%). Withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than small amounts often (fixed fees stack up).