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Original post

Caussat

Globetrotter6,709 posts

2024-10-24

Hi,

I’ve been using a Revolut card for my travels so far, and it’s been working great for me.

But now it has two issues: 1) There are spending limits before fees kick in (1000 euros—easy to hit on a trip abroad) 2) You can’t top it up with a Visa or Mastercard anymore since those networks block those transfers. Now you have to do a bank transfer, which is less convenient. And, debatable, but Revolut now uses its own exchange rate instead of the official one like before. I say "debatable" because when I checked, it’s pretty close to the official rate and the difference is minimal.

So I’m looking for an alternative. Some of you here mention the N26 card. Is it worth it?

Solene40 Veteran ·2024-10-25

Hi Caussat, I’ve been using a Boursobank card with no foreign fees since they stopped my Max card a few years ago. I can spend up to 2500 € and withdraw up to 2000 € from ATMs. And I transfer money whenever I want from my personal Crédit Agricole account to my Boursobank account using my bank’s app—it’s processed immediately. I’m really happy with it. Have a good evening

Le monde est comme un miroir, si tu lui souris, il te sourit aussi!

CA Caussat Globetrotter ·2024-10-25

Hi Solene,

I also had a Max card until they stopped. Sniff.

Payments are fee-free abroad, okay. But do you have any idea what exchange rate they use? Does it stray far from the official rate? I might have skimmed too quickly, but I didn’t find anything.

Can you, like with Revolut, open sub-accounts in different currencies to top them up in advance when you think the exchange rate is favorable?

Solene40 Veteran ·2024-10-25

Payments are fee-free abroad, okay. But do you have any idea what exchange rate they use? Does it stray far from the official rate? I might have skimmed too quickly, but I didn’t find anything.

Wow, you’re asking too much there, Caussat. I usually travel with euros and exchange them locally. I hardly ever use ATMs (because more and more, the ATM’s bank charges fees), and I pay for everything I can with my card. I’ve never noticed a big difference between what’s charged on Boursobank and the official exchange rate.

As for foreign currency sub-accounts, no idea either.

Le monde est comme un miroir, si tu lui souris, il te sourit aussi!

Tatra Globetrotter ·2024-10-25

Hello,

I’ve never had a Revolut card, nor a Max one, for that matter.

My approach is to diversify my options so I can always adapt. So I have several cards across different banks: one for the "dirty work"—risky stuff—a "trash card" with an online bank I won’t name. On top of that... For travel, Boursobank’s Ultim card is great, and Bourso’s website is excellent, with free instant transfers. Boursorama is my main bank, where my salary goes. As a backup, I have a Fortuneo card, which has the advantage of being Mastercard—useful if I need to switch networks here or there, since coverage varies around the world. Both Bourso and Fortuneo are free, premium, and have no fees for payments outside the eurozone. Of course, you could debate the exchange rate they use, but realistically, unless you’re moving hundreds of thousands of euros, the difference is marginal. I’d also add that I think it’s essential to always have enough cash on hand to react when you’re far from home and alone—at least 500 €.

Michel

Djalma Globetrotter ·2024-10-25

hi

I usually travel with euros that I exchange once I'm there. I hardly ever use ATMs (because more and more, the ATM's bank charges fees) and I pay for everything I can with my card. I've never found a big difference between what's debited from Boursobank and the official exchange rate.

I do the same. Cash! I stopped using ATMs after my card got swallowed one Friday night and I didn’t want to wait until Monday morning for the bank (Spanish) to open to get my Visa back! The worst part was that I did get the receipt for the transaction but not the cash!! (I was reimbursed 3 months later!) Otherwise, for paying abroad, I’ve been using a Fortuneo Mastercard Gold for a long time. No fees, everything is free, and on top of that, they used to offer 80 € when you opened an account!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

CA Caussat Globetrotter ·2024-10-25

Thanks everyone! I’ll check out Bourso ;) I’m also traveling with some cash, but I’m not always at ease with it!

Djalma Globetrotter ·2024-10-25

I don’t gain anything from this online bank, but one time I got hacked after making an online purchase. Fortuneo called me right away and immediately blocked internet transactions. I requested a refund and was reimbursed within the week!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

CA Caussat Globetrotter ·2024-10-25

I'll compare the two, then 😉

Solene40 Veteran ·2024-10-25

Hey Djalma 😉 Yeah, they also have referral offers on Boursobank. I got 100 € for opening an account even though I didn’t believe it—suspicious as I am 😄

Le monde est comme un miroir, si tu lui souris, il te sourit aussi!

Masterpo Globetrotter ·2024-10-25

I’m a total fan of Revolut: with my free account, I’ve got two physical cards, nine virtual ones, and one disposable. If I have an issue with one, I delete it, spread things out, and diversify. And I’ve never had any limitation issues, even in Japan, because I also have an Ultim account, which I use to pay for all hotels and major expenses! Plus, it gives me premium insurance, since Revolut’s insurance—well, there isn’t any.

Both are completely free and fee-free (for payments).

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