Starling bank

[Filo]

For anyone travelling abroad regular this is the account for you, no transaction fees for using ATM's abroad, instant account updates and you can lock and unlock your debit card when you want

https://www.starlingbank.com

[Jenny]

Do they load the exchange rate though?

Halifax clarity credit card is pretty much the best you can get. No transaction fees, no load on the exchange rate meaning you get the MasterCard rate which is the best you can get. You do incrrr interest if you make a cash withdrawal but the app and faster payments mean that you actually never suffer any if you pay it off straight away.

Been using it for 10 years now!

[Filo]

Do they load the exchange rate though?

Halifax clarity credit card is pretty much the best you can get. No transaction fees, no load on the exchange rate meaning you get the MasterCard rate which is the best you can get. You do incrrr interest if you make a cash withdrawal but the app and faster payments mean that you actually never suffer any if you pay it off straight away.

Been using it for 10 years now!

No loading the exchange rate, it's a debit card for your starling bank account, transfer funds from your regular account into starling account before you travel and then use it in the country you are in in their currency. Someone that travels to Bulgaria alot, in fact he has a house their told me about it, all the brits that live over there suring the summer swear by it apparently

[RedJ]

But when it's sitting in there does the value change every day as the exchange rate fluctuates? I don't understand how it retains its value if you're loading currency into it. It sounds interesting, just struggling to get my head round it.

[Filo]

But when it's sitting in there does the value change every day as the exchange rate fluctuates? I don't understand how it retains its value if you're loading currency into it. It sounds interesting, just struggling to get my head round it.

Well what you don't use abroad leave it there until you come home and get your money out in UK Sterling. The other great benefit is that you can lock and unlock your debit card when you feel like it through the mobile phone app, so your money is safe if you lock your card after every transaction

[Filo]

App-based Starling Bank* has a current account that charges no non-sterling transaction or cash withdrawal fees when you use its debit card worldwide. While it's a current account, you don't have to switch to it, nor do you need to pay in a minimum amount or have direct debits set up (so you can treat it like a prepaid card). The exchange rate you'll get is set by Mastercard, which tends to be slightly higher than Visa's.

Plus, you won't have a full credit check that other lenders can see on your file if you apply for an account (as long as you don't request an overdraft), so it could be a good option if you don't want that.

Starling Bank is a new challenger bank, which opened applications to its current account in May 2017. It's regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has the full £85,000 UK savings safety guarantee. For now it has no overseas fees, though it's possible this'll change in future. Initial feedback has been positive – please let us know your experiences with it.

Need-to-knows
You can download Starling Bank's app for iOS or Android.
You can make up to three cash withdrawals a day, totalling a max £300.
Money in your account will earn 0.5% AER interest on up to £2,000 and 0.25% AER interest up to £85,000.
You can apply for an overdraft if you want one – you won't automatically be given one.

[silent majority]

Why not just use a currency card like these?;

https://www.fairfx.com/

That's what I use for all my travelling. I have two, a Euro card and a US dollar card. You don't have to put anything on them until you want to use them, and then its very simple just using the app. If you come back home with money left on them you can withdraw or use it like a normal debit card.

[hoolahoop]

Why not just use a currency card like these?;

https://www.fairfx.com/

That's what I use for all my travelling. I have two, a Euro card and a US dollar card. You don't have to put anything on them until you want to use them, and then its very simple just using the app. If you come back home with money left on them you can withdraw or use it like a normal debit card.

Are they the only 2 currencies available  ? I need to protect my money from devaluation whilst travelling abroad now . For instance can I elect to keep my money in both €s & Dkr. The £  is all over the place currently  - once I buy say € 5000 does it stay like that or is there some kick in the nuts when the £ devalues once again ?

[hoolahoop]

App-based Starling Bank* has a current account that charges no non-sterling transaction or cash withdrawal fees when you use its debit card worldwide. While it's a current account, you don't have to switch to it, nor do you need to pay in a minimum amount or have direct debits set up (so you can treat it like a prepaid card). The exchange rate you'll get is set by Mastercard, which tends to be slightly higher than Visa's.

Plus, you won't have a full credit check that other lenders can see on your file if you apply for an account (as long as you don't request an overdraft), so it could be a good option if you don't want that.

Starling Bank is a new challenger bank, which opened applications to its current account in May 2017. It's regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has the full £85,000 UK savings safety guarantee. For now it has no overseas fees, though it's possible this'll change in future. Initial feedback has been positive – please let us know your experiences with it.

Need-to-knows
You can download Starling Bank's app for iOS or Android.
You can make up to three cash withdrawals a day, totalling a max £300.
Money in your account will earn 0.5% AER interest on up to £2,000 and 0.25% AER interest up to £85,000.
You can apply for an overdraft if you want one – you won't automatically be given one.

Thanks Filo daughter set this up today from your information - now to set up our account.

[silent majority]

Why not just use a currency card like these?;

https://www.fairfx.com/

That's what I use for all my travelling. I have two, a Euro card and a US dollar card. You don't have to put anything on them until you want to use them, and then its very simple just using the app. If you come back home with money left on them you can withdraw or use it like a normal debit card.

Are they the only 2 currencies available  ? I need to protect my money from devaluation whilst travelling abroad now . For instance can I elect to keep my money in both €s & Dkr. The £  is all over the place currently  - once I buy say € 5000 does it stay like that or is there some kick in the nuts when the £ devalues once again ?

They do an all currency card, but not sure how that one works.

But if you do load one of the cards then it remains loaded, there is no devaluation of that currency or any movement at all. Its just like holding cash.

[hoolahoop]

Why not just use a currency card like these?;

https://www.fairfx.com/

That's what I use for all my travelling. I have two, a Euro card and a US dollar card. You don't have to put anything on them until you want to use them, and then its very simple just using the app. If you come back home with money left on them you can withdraw or use it like a normal debit card.

Are they the only 2 currencies available  ? I need to protect my money from devaluation whilst travelling abroad now . For instance can I elect to keep my money in both €s & Dkr. The £  is all over the place currently  - once I buy say € 5000 does it stay like that or is there some kick in the nuts when the £ devalues once again ?

They do an all currency card, but not sure how that one works.

But if you do load one of the cards then it remains loaded, there is no devaluation of that currency or any movement at all. Its just like holding cash.

Thanks Martin set a € one up today . The " all currency " account is held in £££s so I figured there would be little protection from further devaluation in the £.