No doubt the reason you’re looking for an international debit card is to avoid foreign transaction fees while traveling. Here are our best international debit cards with great perks, no foreign transaction fees and no monthly maintenance fees.
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SoFi® Checking and Savings is a great all-in-one account for everyday banking as well as traveling. There are no monthly maintenance fees or foreign transaction fees, but there is a small 0.2% Mastercard currency conversion fee. If you set up direct deposits to become a Plus member, or deposit at least $5,000 per month, you'll earn up to 3.80% APY on your savings balance. If you don't want to meet deposit requirements for the best APY, you can opt for a $10 monthly subscription fee to become a Plus member. And with no requirements at all, you'll earn 0.50% APY on your checking balance. SoFi also offers additional FDIC insurance coverage up to $3 million. But cash deposits come at a $4.95 fee with Green Dot locations, and SoFi doesn't have physical branches.
APY
Up to 3.80%
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
SoFi® Checking and Savings is a great all-in-one account for everyday banking as well as traveling. There are no monthly maintenance fees or foreign transaction fees, but there is a small 0.2% Mastercard currency conversion fee. If you set up direct deposits to become a Plus member, or deposit at least $5,000 per month, you'll earn up to 3.80% APY on your savings balance. If you don't want to meet deposit requirements for the best APY, you can opt for a $10 monthly subscription fee to become a Plus member. And with no requirements at all, you'll earn 0.50% APY on your checking balance. SoFi also offers additional FDIC insurance coverage up to $3 million. But cash deposits come at a $4.95 fee with Green Dot locations, and SoFi doesn't have physical branches.
Pros
$0 monthly fees
$0 foreign transaction or ATM fees
High APYs
High FDIC insurance
Cons
Fee for cash deposits
Online only
Deposit or monthly fee for best savings APY
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Up to 3.80%
Intro or bonus offer
Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until January 31, 2026.
Rewards
Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until January 31, 2026.
Fee
$0 per month
ATM transaction fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Overdraft fee
$0
New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi Plus members are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.
We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.
We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.
Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.
Varo is an online bank offering digital banking services. The Varo Bank account has no monthly fees and includes an optional high-yield savings account. With the Varo debit card, there are no foreign transaction fees or ATM fees within Allpoint's network. A currency conversion fee may apply, but Varo also states there are no exchange rate markups. Other perks include earning up to 6% cash back on debit card purchases with select brands, cash advances for qualified users and a 5% APY on the Varo savings account for balances up to $5,000 if you meet some requirements. On the downside, Varo doesn't support wire transfers, offer joint accounts or have any physical branches. And you'll have a $3.50 ATM fee for out-of-network ATMs.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Varo is an online bank offering digital banking services. The Varo Bank account has no monthly fees and includes an optional high-yield savings account. With the Varo debit card, there are no foreign transaction fees or ATM fees within Allpoint's network. A currency conversion fee may apply, but Varo also states there are no exchange rate markups. Other perks include earning up to 6% cash back on debit card purchases with select brands, cash advances for qualified users and a 5% APY on the Varo savings account for balances up to $5,000 if you meet some requirements. On the downside, Varo doesn't support wire transfers, offer joint accounts or have any physical branches. And you'll have a $3.50 ATM fee for out-of-network ATMs.
Pros
$0 monthly fee accounts
0% foreign transactions
Up to 6% cash back with select brands
Up to 5% APY on savings if you meet some requirements
Cons
No joint accounts
$3.50 out-of-network ATM fee
Doesn't support wires
Online only
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Intro or bonus offer
Existing and new customers get a $25 referral bonus when signing up for a Varo Bank account. T&C apply.
Discover's debit and credit cards don't have any foreign transaction fees. The Discover® Cashback Debit account stands out for having no monthly fees, 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in monthly debit card purchases, and early direct deposit. Some of Discover's credit cards also offer cashback rewards on eligible foreign transactions, such as its Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card with no annual fee. Discover also offers a handy map showing which countries accept its card, so you know before you travel. But since Discover is an online bank, you can't access branches and it doesn’t accept cash deposits.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Discover's debit and credit cards don't have any foreign transaction fees. The Discover® Cashback Debit account stands out for having no monthly fees, 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in monthly debit card purchases, and early direct deposit. Some of Discover's credit cards also offer cashback rewards on eligible foreign transactions, such as its Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card with no annual fee. Discover also offers a handy map showing which countries accept its card, so you know before you travel. But since Discover is an online bank, you can't access branches and it doesn’t accept cash deposits.
Pros
$0 monthly fees
No foreign transaction fees on any cards
Travel credit cards with rewards
$0 international ATM fee
Cons
No cash deposits
No branch access
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Rewards
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. .
Fee
$0 per month
Nonsufficient funds fee
$0
ATM transaction fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Overdraft fee
$0
Paper statement fee
$0
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. See website for details.
Chime is a fintech with banking services provided by its bank partners. The Chime Checking Account has no monthly fee and no foreign transaction fees. It doesn't review your ChexSystems report when you apply, making it a great second-chance account option. Chime also offers early direct deposit, the overdraft service SpotMe®, cash advances and a secured credit-building card. But to qualify for the extra services and perks, you must meet direct deposit requirements.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Chime is a fintech with banking services provided by its bank partners. The Chime Checking Account has no monthly fee and no foreign transaction fees. It doesn't review your ChexSystems report when you apply, making it a great second-chance account option. Chime also offers early direct deposit, the overdraft service SpotMe®, cash advances and a secured credit-building card. But to qualify for the extra services and perks, you must meet direct deposit requirements.
Pros
$0 monthly
No foreign transaction fees
Overdraft services and cash advances for qualified users
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®
Credit Card
Cons
Online only
Best perks contingent on direct deposit requirements
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Rewards
Cash back offers on everyday purchases through the app
Fee
$0 per month
Nonsufficient funds fee
$0
ATM transaction fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Overdraft fee
$0
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. ATMs: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. Deposit: Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime Checking Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade. Mobile Deposit: Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member's direct deposit enrollment status. Chime Savings Account: Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. APY: The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. Get Paid Early: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. Credit Builder: To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account. SpotMe: Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each at least once every 34 days. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime’s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won’t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
Revolut is a multi-currency account that's designed for international spending. It offers no foreign transaction fees and the ability to spend in over 150 currencies, and there is a $1,000 allowance for free currency exchange allowances with the $0 Standard plan. You can also use single-use virtual cards for online purchases and gain access to its kids’ account. If you want more currency exchange allowances and more travel perks, you can consider the paid plans: Premium for $9.99 or Metal for $16.99 per month. However, the debit card fees get complicated with withdrawals, some currency exchanges outside your free allowances will cost extra and the customer phone support is automated.
APY
Up to 3.50%
Fee
From $0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Revolut is a multi-currency account that's designed for international spending. It offers no foreign transaction fees and the ability to spend in over 150 currencies, and there is a $1,000 allowance for free currency exchange allowances with the $0 Standard plan. You can also use single-use virtual cards for online purchases and gain access to its kids’ account. If you want more currency exchange allowances and more travel perks, you can consider the paid plans: Premium for $9.99 or Metal for $16.99 per month. However, the debit card fees get complicated with withdrawals, some currency exchanges outside your free allowances will cost extra and the customer phone support is automated.
Pros
$0 monthly Standard plan
No foreign transaction fees
Multi-currency account
Free exchange allowances
Virtual debit cards
Cons
Online only
Best travel perks require a paid plan
Fees get complicated for ATM withdrawals
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
3.50% on balances of $0+ 2.75% on balances of $0+
Intro or bonus offer
Get a $10 cash reward when you first use your card on a qualifying $1+ transaction. Terms & Conditions apply.
Fee
From $0 per month
ATM transaction fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
0.5%
Overdraft fee
$0
Money loaded on your prepaid card is held at Metropolitan Commercial Bank and money in your Savings Vaults is held at Sutton Bank. Money at each bank is FDIC insured up to $250,000 in the event of Metropolitan Commercial Bank's or Sutton Bank's failure. Securities products are not FDIC Insured, not bank guaranteed and may lose value.
*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is a variable rate and may change at any time. These APYs are accurate as of 11 February 2025. Monthly fees apply for Premium and Metal plans. Terms and Conditions Apply. Standard customers can earn up to 3.25%, while Premium and Metal customers can earn up to 4.25%. No minimum amount required. Savings Vault services provided by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC.
Revolut is a financial technology company. Banking services provided by Metropolitan Commercial Bank (Member FDIC) and are subject applicable terms.
Earn $250 bonus when you use code CHECKING250 and set up at least 2 qualifying direct deposits each of $500 or more to your 360 Checking account within 75 days of account opening. Terms Apply.
The Capital One 360 Checking account is no-frills and comes with a Mastercard debit card. There are no foreign transaction fees, and you'll get fee-free access to more than 70,000 ATMs. You also get four overdraft options and early direct deposit. But if you use an out-of-network ATM, the ATM owner may charge you a fee. And watch out for miscellaneous fees, like the $20 online cashier check fee or the $9 insufficient funds fee.
APY
0.10%
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
The Capital One 360 Checking account is no-frills and comes with a Mastercard debit card. There are no foreign transaction fees, and you'll get fee-free access to more than 70,000 ATMs. You also get four overdraft options and early direct deposit. But if you use an out-of-network ATM, the ATM owner may charge you a fee. And watch out for miscellaneous fees, like the $20 online cashier check fee or the $9 insufficient funds fee.
Pros
No foreign transaction fees
$0 monthly fee
Earn 0.10% APY on balance
Large ATM network
Cons
Pricey outgoing wires
$9 nonsufficient funds fee
$20 for online cashier checks
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.10% on balances of $0.01+
Intro or bonus offer
Earn $250 bonus when you use code CHECKING250 and set up at least 2 qualifying direct deposits each of $500 or more to your 360 Checking account within 75 days of account opening. Terms Apply.
Use your Schwab Bank Contactless Visa Platinum Debit Card to make purchases abroad and use foreign ATMs without worrying about foreign transaction fees. When you use your debit card overseas, your account is charged the US dollar equivalent. As a bonus, it automatically reimburses any ATM fees you incur within the US and internationally. While Charles Schwab doesn't charge a currency conversion fee, the network or bank might, and applying for this account triggers a hard credit pull.
APY
0.05%
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0.01
Use your Schwab Bank Contactless Visa Platinum Debit Card to make purchases abroad and use foreign ATMs without worrying about foreign transaction fees. When you use your debit card overseas, your account is charged the US dollar equivalent. As a bonus, it automatically reimburses any ATM fees you incur within the US and internationally. While Charles Schwab doesn't charge a currency conversion fee, the network or bank might, and applying for this account triggers a hard credit pull.
Betterment Checking is a mobile, digital checking account with no ATM or foreign transaction fees, so you can spend overseas without worries. And if you incur a foreign or ATM fee from another institution, Betterment reimburses it. There are no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees, either. As a bonus, you can also earn cashback rewards with thousands of brands like Costco, Sam's Club and Adidas through its rewards partner Dosh. But like many digital accounts, Betterment doesn't accept cash deposits or have physical branches. Additionally, it doesn't accept credit or debit cards as account funding sources.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Betterment Checking is a mobile, digital checking account with no ATM or foreign transaction fees, so you can spend overseas without worries. And if you incur a foreign or ATM fee from another institution, Betterment reimburses it. There are no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees, either. As a bonus, you can also earn cashback rewards with thousands of brands like Costco, Sam's Club and Adidas through its rewards partner Dosh. But like many digital accounts, Betterment doesn't accept cash deposits or have physical branches. Additionally, it doesn't accept credit or debit cards as account funding sources.
Pros
$0 monthly fees
$0 ATM, foreign and overdraft fees
Cashback rewards
Cons
No physical branches
No cash deposits
Doesn't accept credit or debit cards as funding sources
Methodology: How we choose the best international debit cards
Finder’s experts researched and analyzed over 150 debit cards to find ones with minimal or no charges on the following: international ATMs, foreign transactions and currency conversion fees.
We also consider factors like monthly fees, minimum balance requirements and interest rates when picking the best cards, particularly when choosing among those that fulfill our major requirement of limited international fees.
What about the international Wise debit card?
Wise, formerly Transferwise, is a well-known international account and money transfer service. However, Wise has temporarily paused issuing new debit cards to US customers, and this pause is still in effect as of August 2024. If you already have a US Wise debit card, you won’t be impacted.
Wise is still a great option for money transfer services, offering some of the lowest currency conversion rates in the market.
These factors should be top of mind when comparing the best debit card for international travel:
Foreign transaction fees. Most traditional debit cards charge foreign transaction fees, often at least 3% of the transaction amount. But if you go with SoFi, Chime, Revolut or Discover, you’ll avoid those pesky fees.
International ATM fees. If you need to withdraw money, watch out for international ATM fees. Some banks charge a set dollar amount plus a percentage of the amount you withdraw overseas, and some foreign ATM fees aren’t even charged by the bank itself.
Currency conversion fees. A hard-to-avoid fee, you’re likely to run into currency conversion fees when switching currencies. However, some accounts, like Revolut, offer free currency conversions.
Monthly fees.If you don’t use an account that often, you’ll likely want a free checking account with no balance requirements so you can keep it open without worry.
International debit cards for travel
Learn how to make the most of your debit card with these travel money guides to:
Don’t want to open a new checking account just for traveling? There are alternatives.
Travel credit cards. Great for booking flights and hotels, travel credit cards can offer tasty cashback rewards and perks like travel insurance, baggage insurance and even trip cancellation insurance.
Virtual debit cards. Want some extra security and make contactless payments? Virtual debit cards are a great option for traveling. Revolut is a strong choice, as it offers unlimited virtual debit cards and the account is designed for international spending and money transfer services.
Cash. Cash is king, and you may be able to convert currencies at your local bank. Most currencies exchange for a rate of around 1% to 3%, but it can be risky to carry only cash while traveling. It may be wise to have other payment methods available.
Traveler’s checks. A somewhat outdated method, traveler’s checks are personal checks in the local currency of the country you’re traveling to. In most cases, you just head to your bank and ask for a traveler’s check in the currency of your choice for a currency exchange fee. But unlike plastic and cash, checks are seldom accepted.
Prepaid cards. Don’t want to open a whole checking account for one trip? There are prepaid travel cards, such as the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® with $0 foreign ATM withdrawal fees. However, most prepaid cards come with foreign transaction fees, often around 3% to 4%, and most charge for loading cash.
You’ll want to be able to spend your money while traveling, whether it’s for getting around, buying souvenirs, booking accommodations or going to restaurants. The best debit cards for traveling have no monthly maintenance fees and don’t charge foreign transaction fees. If none of our best options are for you, compare more of the best checking accounts here.
Frequently asked questions
What is a foreign transaction fee?
Most banks charge a foreign transaction fee when a currency conversion is required. For example, if you make a payment online using your US debit card on an Australian site, your bank needs to exchange USD for AUD to process the payment and will charge you a fee. This fee is usually around 3% of the transaction value, but it varies among banks.
Your bank can charge even more fees when you use a foreign ATM or send an overseas transfer. Plus, it can mark up the cost of a foreign currency and pocket the difference. Because these fees are often charged on top of one another, they can quickly add up if you make regular foreign transactions.
Which bank accounts let me hold multiple currencies?
Some international bank accounts, like Wise and Revolut, allow you to hold multiple currencies.
Can I use my debit card in another country?
You can probably use your existing debit card while traveling to another country, but unless your bank has $0 foreign transaction fees, it might cost you a hefty fee per transaction. You may also want to notify your bank if you travel abroad, as it may flag a foreign transaction as fraudulent and freeze your account.
Should you use a debit card when traveling internationally?
One of the main reasons to avoid using a debit card while traveling internationally is for potential foreign transaction fees, which are common with most checking accounts. But plenty of banks and fintechs with debit cards waive foreign transaction fees, including SoFi, Discover, Revolut and Capital One.
What are some popular debit card issuers overseas?
Visa and Mastercard are two popular debit card issuers overseas. Discover is gaining traction in countries like Ireland and Canada, but it’s still not widely accepted.
Cassidy Horton is a freelance personal finance copywriter and past contributing writer for Finder. Her writing and banking expertise have been featured in Forbes Advisor, Money, The Balance, Money Under 30, Insure.com, and other top digital publishers. She holds a BS in public relations and an MBA from Georgia Southern University. See full bio
Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio
Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 431 Finder guides across topics including:
i want to know if am going to any country should load the currency of that country in my Visa card or i can use USD or euro to use there?
nikkiangcoJuly 24, 2018
Hi Rehman!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Yes, you should load the currency of the country you’re going to in your Visa Travel Card to save money on foreign exchange fees. Depending on where you’re going, it’s always good to use the local currency if paying in cash.
Hope this helps!
Nikki
FrancisApril 25, 2018
Why can’t shops except my travel card when I have sufficient funds, or is the card only to use in ATM machine.
Finder
RichApril 25, 2018Finder
Hello Francis,
Thanks for posting your comment here.
As an added protection for cardholders, transactions from overseas are closely monitored and flagged by the system if it looks suspicious. This is one of the reasons why credit card companies require customers to notify them of their dates of travel. This way, they can expect purchases from overseas and mark them as an authorized transaction.
If you have sufficient funds and you are able to withdraw from the ATM but you are unable to make purchases, then it’s best to call your card issuer to have it checked.
Cheers!
Rich
KKNovember 22, 2017
I wish to have money equivalent to 100 u s dollar during my forthcoming trip to Sri Lanka for a week.I have hdfc bank debit card (Master Card) & pnb Global credit card (VISA) with me with sufficient balance in it.Do I still need to carry the exchange money in cash for Sri Lanka.If yes,then how much,so as not to face any scarcity of funds at any stage during the trip. Thanks.
K.K.Kaul
Finder
RenchNovember 22, 2017Finder
Hi KK,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Rupee (LKR). The Sri Lankan government has tight control over the national currency and there are strict limits on the number of rupees you can bring in and out of the country (up to 5,000 LKR). Because the Sri Lankan rupee isn’t an international currency, you’ll need to change your US dollars or withdraw rupees from an ATM when you arrive.
You can check out our Sri Lanka travel money guide to have an idea of how much cash you should bring and other travel money options that might be suitable for your trip.
The popular P2P app offers a no-fee debit card with cashback rewards.
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i want to know if am going to any country should load the currency of that country in my Visa card or i can use USD or euro to use there?
Hi Rehman!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Yes, you should load the currency of the country you’re going to in your Visa Travel Card to save money on foreign exchange fees. Depending on where you’re going, it’s always good to use the local currency if paying in cash.
Hope this helps!
Nikki
Why can’t shops except my travel card when I have sufficient funds, or is the card only to use in ATM machine.
Hello Francis,
Thanks for posting your comment here.
As an added protection for cardholders, transactions from overseas are closely monitored and flagged by the system if it looks suspicious. This is one of the reasons why credit card companies require customers to notify them of their dates of travel. This way, they can expect purchases from overseas and mark them as an authorized transaction.
If you have sufficient funds and you are able to withdraw from the ATM but you are unable to make purchases, then it’s best to call your card issuer to have it checked.
Cheers!
Rich
I wish to have money equivalent to 100 u s dollar during my forthcoming trip to Sri Lanka for a week.I have hdfc bank debit card (Master Card) & pnb Global credit card (VISA) with me with sufficient balance in it.Do I still need to carry the exchange money in cash for Sri Lanka.If yes,then how much,so as not to face any scarcity of funds at any stage during the trip. Thanks.
K.K.Kaul
Hi KK,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Rupee (LKR). The Sri Lankan government has tight control over the national currency and there are strict limits on the number of rupees you can bring in and out of the country (up to 5,000 LKR). Because the Sri Lankan rupee isn’t an international currency, you’ll need to change your US dollars or withdraw rupees from an ATM when you arrive.
You can check out our Sri Lanka travel money guide to have an idea of how much cash you should bring and other travel money options that might be suitable for your trip.
Best regards,
Rench