Should I exchange money on Revolut before I travel?

You don't have to exchange money on Revolut before you travel; it automatically converts your funds at the point of sale, but exchanging in advance (e.g., to EUR for Europe) lets you lock in better rates and avoid potential weekend fees or exceeding your monthly allowance, especially if you have a Standard plan. The best approach is to convert funds to the local currency within the app when rates are good, or let Revolut auto-convert if you're not concerned about small rate fluctuations, but always choose to pay in the local currency at checkout.

Is it better to exchange currency on Revolut?

If you do not have enough of the local currency, Revolut's exchange rates and fees are typically better.

What is the best way to use Revolut abroad?

Tips to make the most of your Revolut account overseas

1. Exchange currencies Monday–Friday to avoid weekend markups.
2. Keep track of your plan limits in-app.
3. Pay by card rather than cash to stay within your allowance.
4. Always choose the local currency when asked at checkout.

When to exchange on Revolut?

Depending on your plan, you may pay a fee on any exchanges you make during weekends, between 17:00 Eastern Time (ET) on Fridays and 18:00 ET on Sundays. You'll pay a 1% fee on the Standard plan, and a 0.5% fee on the Plus plan. You won't pay any weekend fees on our Premium, Metal, or Ultra plans.

Is it better to exchange money before or after you travel?

It's usually a good idea to exchange money before you travel. This allows you to shop around for the best rates and avoid high fees or poor exchange rates often found at airports or in tourist areas.

8 Tips to Use Revolut Abroad Travel Smarter, Spend Better

Is it better to exchange money before or after?

Best Place to Exchange Currency Before and After Traveling

Head to your bank or credit union before you leave to avoid paying ATM transaction costs. You may even receive a better exchange rate.

Does Revolut automatically convert currency when paying?

How Revolut determines the currency you'll be charged in. We automatically convert your balance to the currency you're paying in, so there's no need to buy or exchange currency before your trip. We won't combine multiple currencies to complete a transaction. Read more about our exchange rates in this FAQ.

Is Revolut still free to use abroad?

All customers can spend, withdraw, and exchange foreign currencies during the week without additional fees, up to a certain amount based on your plan. After this, you will be charged an exchange fee.

Do I need to tell Revolut I'm going abroad?

Do I need to tell Revolut I am going abroad? Revolut doesn't ask you to let them know you're travelling, but it's a good idea to double check that your contact details are correct in case they need to get in touch.

Why is Revolut charging me to exchange money?

The only time you will pay more is if you exceed your plan's exchange limit. If you exceed this limit, you will be charged a fair usage fee on the additional amount. These limits are: Standard: Exchange limit of £1,000 per month.

How to use Revolut when travelling?

You can pay in 150+ currencies with Revolut, just like you would with a money travel card. You don't need to keep that local currency in your Revolut account to spend with it. When you shop or withdraw cash from an ATM while you're abroad, just use your card and we'll handle the conversion for you.

Can you exchange money on Revolut for free?

Fair usage fees

Depending on your plan, there's a threshold of exchanges that can be made with no additional fees during the weekdays. This limit is called a fair usage limit. To check your usage and reset date, tap your profile icon in the top-left corner and select 'Your plan' or 'Your limits'.

What is the controversy with Revolut?

Revolut has been fined €3.5 million by the Lithuanian central bank over alleged deficiencies in its AML controls. Regulatory authorities found that the neobank failed to implement adequate controls to prevent money laundering and related financial crime.

Is it better to use Revolut or debit card abroad?

Revolut is a good option for spending abroad because they don't charge any fees for foreign transactions. You can enjoy your travels without worrying about extra expenses. Keep in mind that merchants can add their own charges at any time, but they're not defined by Revolut.

Why is Revolut declining money?

Your transaction may be declined if our security system identifies potential fraud. To keep your money safe, we need you to review the payment by completing our in-app questionnaire. You can access the questionnaire by going to the home page of your Revolut app and tapping the relevant tile.

Is it better to exchange to local currency on Revolut?

We strongly recommend you always choose to pay and withdraw money in the local currency when abroad.

Which Revolut plan is best for travel?

Revolut Metal: Best for frequent travellers wanting solid perks at an affordable cost. Revolut Metal is a premium plan, formerly the company's highest plan tier before Ultra was introduced in 2023. It costs £14.99 a month,¹ and offers increased limits, better discounts and perks compared to lower-tier plans.

Which UK cards are free to use abroad?

Several UK cards, like Starling Bank, Monzo (debit), and the Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card, Halifax Clarity Credit Card, NatWest Travel Credit Card, and Virgin Money M Plus debit, offer no foreign transaction fees for spending abroad, using Mastercard/Visa rates with minimal or no markups, though ATM withdrawals or cash advances often incur separate fees or interest. Always check for ATM operator fees and remember credit cards accrue interest on cash withdrawals, while debit cards might have withdrawal limits.

What is the 2/3/4 rule for credit cards?

The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself. 

What triggers a foreign transaction fee?

Foreign transaction fees occur when making a purchase in a different currency or if the purchase is routed through a foreign bank. Domestic payments use established networks that connect banks like the ACH network. These networks make it easy for banks to transfer funds and fulfill transactions at minimal cost.