
So you're planning a trip abroad and wondering how to make the most of your money. Revolut's card is a great option, but you might have some questions about how it works. Revolut's card is accepted in over 150 countries, and you can use it to withdraw cash from over 60,000 ATMs.
Revolut's card is also a great way to avoid foreign transaction fees, which can really add up on a trip. You can load up your card with the local currency you need, so you can pay for things like food and souvenirs without worrying about exchange rates. This can save you a significant amount of money on your trip.
Revolut's card also comes with a range of features that make it easy to manage your money on the go. You can track your spending in real-time, set budgets and alerts, and even freeze your card if you lose it. This can give you peace of mind and help you stay on top of your finances while you're traveling.
Using Revolut Card Abroad
You can use your Revolut card for spending and ATM cash withdrawals wherever Mastercard and Visa are supported.²
Revolut supports 36 currencies, and you can convert between them within the app.³ This way, you have control of the currency conversion and can see the exchange rate beforehand.
To avoid extra commission fees, you can withdraw more than the monthly ATM limit with Revolut by using a Wise card. We use our Revolut card with the Wise card for this purpose.
Here are the different scenarios when you can use your Revolut debit card:
- 01. How does Revolut work?
- 02. Everything you need to know about using Revolut abroad
- 03. Revolut ATM withdrawals abroad
- 04. Sending money abroad with Revolut
- 05. Revolut card alternatives for traveling abroad
The main reason to convert currency in advance is that you have control of the currency conversion and can see the exchange rate beforehand, avoiding less favourable rates at the time of spending.
You can withdraw up to £200/mo or 5 withdrawals with the Standard plan, and up to £400/mo with the Premium plan.⁶
You can also use your Revolut card to withdraw money in the local currency at a foreign ATM, but be aware that many ATM operators charge their own fees for using the ATM.
How It Works
Revolut is a prepaid card that allows you to spend and withdraw cash abroad without the need for a traditional bank account. You can access your account and make transactions anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
The Revolut app lets you manage your account, convert currencies, and track your spending in one place. Money loaded on your card is held at Metropolitan Commercial Bank and is FDIC insured up to $250,000 in the event of Metropolitan Commercial Bank's failure.
Revolut's multi-currency card supports GBP, USD, and EUR, and can be used online and offline. You can top up your card via the Revolut app using a debit or bank transfer. Revolut sends instant spend notifications, and you can see your real-time balance at any time.
For more insights, see: Is Revolut a Bank
With Revolut, you can convert between a total of 36 currencies within the app. This means you can convert some spending money to the local currency before you go. You can also use your Revolut card for spending and ATM cash withdrawals wherever Mastercard and Visa are supported.
Revolut's international bank account number (IBAN) is European, specifically Lithuanian, so deposits to other accounts are made via SWIFT. This means that the funds usually take one to three days to appear in the account.
Arrival Time
The Revolut card can take up to nine business days to arrive with standard shipping.
If you need it right away, you can choose express delivery to get the card within three business days, but be aware that fees may apply.
My own experience with standard shipping had the card arriving in just five days.
Fees and Charges
Revolut's fees and charges are designed to be transparent and fair. They don't charge any fees for foreign transactions, which means you can enjoy your travels without worrying about extra expenses.
For more insights, see: Chase Credit Card Abroad Fees
However, there are some exceptions to be aware of. If you exceed your plan's limits, you'll pay a commission fee of 2% of the value of the withdrawal amount. For example, if you withdraw $1,200, you'll pay a fee of $24.
There's also a 1% markup on foreign transactions outside of FX market hours due to market closures. This is something to keep in mind if you plan to make transactions during these times.
Additionally, there are limits to how much money you can withdraw using your ATM card. For Revolut Standard, this is $400 per month, while for Revolut Premium, it's $800, and for Revolut Metal, it's $1,200.
Here's a breakdown of the key costs and charges you need to know about:
It's worth noting that merchants can add their own charges at any time, but these are not defined by Revolut.
Account and Plans
Revolut offers five types of personal accounts: Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, and Ultra. The Standard plan is free and sufficient for most tourists, with a limit of $200 per month for ATM withdrawals.
The Standard plan's limit is difficult to exceed, making it a great option for casual travelers. However, frequent travelers may be interested in higher plans, such as the Ultra plan, which includes unlimited access to airport lounges.
Here are the main differences between the plans:
Revolut Premium offers many advantages for frequent travelers, including travel medical insurance and low fee international transfers.
Account Types: Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, Ultra
Revolut offers a range of personal account types to suit different needs, including Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, and Ultra.
The free Standard plan is suitable for most tourists, as its limit of $200 per month for ATM withdrawals is difficult to exceed.
For frequent travelers, higher plans like Plus, Premium, and Metal may be worth considering, but the free plan's features should be sufficient for most.
The Ultra plan is the best choice for businesspeople or individuals who fly regularly around the world, as it includes unlimited access to airport lounges.
Revolut's paid plans offer additional benefits, but the free Standard plan's features make it a great option for those who don't need extra perks.
Here's an interesting read: Revolut Metal Card
Travel Perks for Premium and Metal Plans
If you're willing to shell out £7.99 or £14.99 a month, Revolut's Premium and Metal plans offer some great travel perks.
Revolut's Premium plan includes cashback on Stays bookings made through the Revolut app, overseas medical insurance, flight insurance for delayed flights, personal liability insurance, winter sports cover, baggage loss, damage or delay, and discounted airport lounge access.
The Metal plan takes it a step further, offering unlimited currency exchanges with no hidden fees, ATM withdrawals up to $1,200/month without fees at 55,000 in-network ATMs, low fee international transfers, travel medical insurance, express delivery option for your Revolut card, priority Revolut customer support, 4 complimentary lounge passes for flight delays over an hour, flight delay insurance, and delayed luggage protection.
Here's a breakdown of the key travel perks for both plans:
Open a Bank Account
Opening a Revolut account is a straightforward process that can be completed in minutes. You can download the Revolut app from the app store and start the sign-up process.
To create a Revolut account, you'll need to download the app and register with your necessary information, such as your name, email address, and phone number. This information will be used to verify your identity.
The app will guide you through the process, which takes just a few minutes to complete. You'll need to verify your identity with an ID document and a selfie, which is a quick and easy step.
Once you've completed the sign-up process, you'll need to choose a plan that suits your needs. Revolut offers a free Standard plan, which is perfect for most travelers.
To fund your Revolut account, you can use a debit or credit card or via bank transfer. This will allow you to start using your account and making transactions.
Here's a summary of the steps to open a Revolut account:
- Download the Revolut app
- Register with your necessary information
- Verify your identity
- Choose a plan
- Fund your account
Remember, opening a Revolut account is a simple process that can be completed in minutes.
Managing Your Account
You can easily manage your Revolut Card account through the mobile app or online dashboard. Revolut's online dashboard allows you to view your account balance, transaction history, and card details.
To freeze your card, simply go to the "Cards" section in the app, select the card you want to freeze, and toggle the "Freeze" button. This will prevent any new transactions from being made with that card.
You can also set up spending limits for your card, which can be found in the "Cards" section as well. This feature allows you to control how much money is spent on your card each day or month.
If you need to report your card lost or stolen, you can do so in the app under "Cards" and then "Report card lost or stolen".
Currency and Exchange
Revolut offers a convenient way to exchange currencies, with the ability to exchange up to 28+ different currencies, including receiving direct deposit payments up to two days early. You can also exchange currencies quickly and easily through the Revolut app, which will even tell you when the exchange rate is most favorable.
If you're traveling abroad, you can use your Revolut card to withdraw cash at the best rate from ATMs, preferably those that don't charge commission. Revolut guarantees the best exchange rate, better than 99.9% of currency exchange offices and banks.
Revolut's exchange rates can differ from the mid-market exchange rate, which is considered the most up-to-date rate. However, Revolut offers free currency exchange on weekdays, with no additional fees, and a monthly exchange limit of EUR 1,000 for the Standard plan.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Best Credit Cards for Study Abroad
Currency Conversion Cost
Currency conversion costs can be a real headache when traveling abroad. Revolut's exchange rates, for instance, are set by the company itself and can differ from the mid-market exchange rate, also known as the interbank rate. This means you may end up paying a margin or a mark-up to the mid-market rate, which can essentially cost you money on the transaction.
On weekdays, however, all exchanges are made at the interbank exchange rate with no additional fees. But be aware that if you exceed your monthly exchange limit, a fee of 1% of the transaction value is charged. This limit is EUR 1,000 for the Standard plan, and there are exceptions for Thai baht and Ukrainian hryvnia, where a 1% margin is always added.
Here's a breakdown of the fees you should know about:
It's also worth noting that currency exchange at weekends can be more expensive, with a fixed commission of 1% applied on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to the 1% margin for Thai baht and Ukrainian hryvnia.
Income in Multiple Currencies
You can receive income in up to 28+ different currencies with a Revolut card, which gives you the freedom to use your money anywhere.
This feature is especially useful for people who receive income in a foreign currency, such as international freelancers or expats.
If you receive income in a different currency, you can deposit it into your Revolut account and use it as needed.
You can also get access to direct deposit payments up to two days early, which can be a huge help if you're living paycheck to paycheck.
Security and Support
Revolut ensures that all money sent and stored on Revolut is secured by working with Optimal Payments, a registered and regulated e-money issuer by the FCA.
This means that all money is secured against the possible distress of Revolut, Optimal Payments, and Barclays, thanks to ring-fenced Barclays accounts managed by Optimal Payments.
Revolut's security measures are designed to protect your funds, so you can use the card abroad with confidence.
Check this out: Card Payments down
Customer Service
The Revolut app is intuitive and user-friendly, so you can manage all your money and transactions in one place.
If you need to contact Revolut customer support, you can do so in the following ways: you can reach out to them through the app itself, which makes it easy to get help when you need it.
The Revolut app is designed to make managing your finances easy and hassle-free, and their customer support is no exception.
Travel Security
Revolut takes the security of your money very seriously. They work with Optimal Payments, a registered and regulated e-money issuer by the FCA, to ensure your funds are secure.
All money sent and stored on Revolut is secured in ring-fenced Barclays accounts, which means it's protected against the possible distress of Revolut, Optimal Payments, and Barclays.
You might be thinking, "That's great, but what about fees?" With Revolut, you don't have to worry about transaction fees - they earn money from the Mastercard transaction fee when you use your card.
Take a look at this: Do Revolut Charge Fees Abroad
However, it's worth noting that there are some potential downsides to consider. If things go wrong, Revolut's back office can be slow to respond, and there's no guarantee of compensation or a solution.
Here are some additional travel security features you can get with Revolut's Premium and Metal plans:
- Cashback on Stays bookings made through the Revolut app
- Overseas medical insurance
- Flight insurance for delayed flights
- Personal liability insurance
- Winter sports cover
- Baggage loss, damage or delay
- Discounted airport lounge access
Comparison and Alternatives
The Revolut cards comparison shows that there are three plans to choose from: Standard, Premium, and Metal. The Standard plan is free, but it has some limitations, such as a $1,200 fair usage limit for out-of-network ATM withdrawals.
The Premium plan costs $9.99/month and offers express card delivery, unlimited currency exchanges, and three international transfers with no fees. It also includes priority customer support and travel medical insurance.
If you're looking for more features, the Metal plan costs $16.99/month and offers five international transfers with no fees, flight & baggage delay insurance, and the same benefits as the Premium plan.
Reviews
Revolut has a high Trustpilot satisfaction score of 4.4/5, with over 91,300 reviews.
Customers praise Revolut's responsive customer service, easy-to-use mobile app, and efficient problem-solving.
Some customers have experienced delays in international money transfers, while others have had their accounts blocked due to expired cards.
The Revolut app is also highly rated on the Apple Store and Google Play, with a 4.8-star rating on the App Store and a 4.5-star rating on Google Play.
Revolut's users have reported various benefits, including easy international money exchange, secure virtual cards, and the ability to freeze cards in case of theft.
Here are some specific examples of Revolut users' experiences:
- My cousin easily exchanged his money from USD to GBP during a trip to London.
- My brother froze his Revolut card in seconds after his wallet was stolen in Colombia.
- My friend Sarah saved over $300 in three months using Revolut's Savings Vault feature while studying in Mexico.
Comparison
The main difference between Revolut's plans is the price and the level of service you get. Revolut Standard is free, but it has some limitations.
Revolut Premium and Metal have a monthly fee of $9.99 and $16.99 respectively, but they offer more features and benefits.
One key feature to consider is the currency exchange limit. Revolut Standard and Premium have a $1,200 limit per 30-day period, while Metal has no limit.

Another important factor is the number of international transfers you can make without fees. Revolut Standard allows one transfer per month, while Premium and Metal allow three and five transfers respectively.
If you value fast customer support, Revolut Premium and Metal are the way to go, as they offer priority support.
Find Cheaper Alternatives to Money Transfers
Revolut's multi-currency card is a great alternative to traditional money transfer methods. It currently supports GBP, USD, and EUR and can be used online as well as offline immediately after topping up on the Revolut app.
You can spend abroad with your Revolut card without the usual fees. Revolut will automatically do the exchange so you get the most out of your money.
The Revolut card is a convenient option for international spending, allowing you to use your money without the need for multiple currency exchange transactions.
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