Using Revolut Abroad: Essential Tips and Benefits for Travelers

Have you noticed the world is rapidly moving toward becoming a global village? Traveling for work, study, or simply for fun has never been easier. However, since most countries maintain their own currency systems, tourists often encounter problems with actually spending their hard-earned money. This is where the Revolut travel money card may come in handy.

This article explains how to use Revolut abroad, highlights the advantages of using a Revolut card for travel, discusses its associated fees, and even includes pro tips on using it outside the UK.

Benefits of Using Revolut Abroad

Revolut is a UK-based digital-only fintech company that offers customers a nifty package consisting of an online bank account and a virtual card, both accessible via the company’s app. Like most modern financial providers, Revolute offers a tiered system of variously priced plans. The Standard one is free, whereas the paid plans (Plus, Premium, Metal, and Ultra) come with a range of perks, including higher spending limits, discounts on services like insurance or international transfers, cashback on purchases, and more.

All this is marvelous, but is Revolut good for travelling, all things considered? Short answer: It definitely is a very convenient payment tool for international trips. Here’s a list of features that make the Revolut travel card a second-to-none payment and fund management means abroad:

Low/No Foreign Exchange Fees

Since the company doesn’t operate brick-and-mortar facilities, it can save a lot on operating expenses, like salaries, maintenance, office rent, etc. Consequently, Revolute can offer exchange rates that are significantly lower than those of traditional banks. In other words, the company allows clients to save a pretty penny without any effort on their part.

Real-Time Currency Exchange

You can convert your pounds into the local currency within the app using the real-time exchange rate. There is also no delay on weekends and holidays. Users can check the current exchange rate at any time and instantly convert the required sum into the currency of their choice.

Global ATM withdrawals

In some regions, paying with a card (especially if it is a virtual one) might not be available. Local private vendors or even stores may only deal in cash, meaning you’ll have to figure out a way to turn your virtual funds into real money. With Revolut, withdraw foreign currency from 55,000 ATMs worldwide, as long as you stay within the limits stipulated by your plan.

Managing Your Money with Revolut Abroad

Here’s what you can expect when dealing with a Revolute account.

Currency Conversion & Storage

Your Revolut travel money account is multi-currency. You can hold up to 36 various currencies and perform an in-app exchange between them without having to manage offshore accounts.

Spending Limits & Budgeting Tools

By tapping the card icon in the top right corner of the app’s main menu, you can set a limit on the money you may spend per month. If you happen to cross the threshold, further transactions will be declined. What’s more, you can also split group bills, exercise wealth management, plan holiday budgets, track expenditures, and more.

Security Features

In addition to the standard security practices commonly used in modern digital banking (ML-controlled signup processes, biometric identification, proactive fraud detection systems that monitor unusual behavior, and the like), Revolut offers location-based security settings, card freeze/unfreeze options, and second-device login alerts.

Fees to Be Aware Of

As with any financial provider, you should understand what you are paying for when using Revolut. Here's a breakdown of all the fees associated with using this service.

ATM Withdrawal Limits & Fees

Revolute places a monthly limit on the amount of cash you can withdraw via ATMs without incurring a fee, and it is determined by your plan. With Standard and Plus, the total is £200 (or five withdrawals, whichever comes sooner). With Premium, it is twice that much (£400), while Metal increases the limit four times (£800). Finally, the premium Ultra tier has the highest limit available (£2,000).

Of course, you can cash in more. But in this case, Revolut will charge you a 2% fee on each withdrawal (or the equivalent of €1, whichever is higher). Remember that when you deal with third-party banks, their fees may apply as well.

Premium/Metal Account Perks & Fees

If you are a proud owner of a Premium or Metal Revolut account, you’ll get to enjoy unlimited free currency exchange, priority customer support round-the-clock, 40% savings on international transfer fees, comprehensive travel insurance, and discounts in airport lounges. Additionally, you will earn 1 RevPoint for every £2 spent (unlike 1 point per £10 in Standard), redeemable on Airline miles, hotels, mobile data, and more.

Weekend Exchange Rate Markups

These don’t apply to Premium, Metal, and Ultra customers who can exchange currencies fee-free on any day of the week. The Standard clients aren't that lucky, and have to deal with a 1% fee on all exchanges between 5 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Sunday, Eastern Time. If you own Plus, the weekend exchange fee is 0.5%.

Practical Tips for Traveling with Revolut

How to make the most of your Revolut card on an international trip?

Keep Track of Your Balance

When using a Revolut card abroad, remember to always keep track of your account balance. Manage your budget wisely! Lucky for you, the app comes packed with budgeting features.

Use Virtual Cards for Online Transactions

When used for online purchases, each virtual card generates a unique number rather than displaying your bank credentials. This trick hides your actual card details from the merchant or anyone who accidentally or intentionally obtains access to the transaction details. Thus, your primary card information is protected from unauthorized exposure and safeguarded against data breaches.

Stay in Touch with Support While Abroad

It is especially vital if you travel to an unknown destination or aren't fluent in the local language. You can access Revolut support via the app or at support@revolut.com. In medical emergencies, you should use the in-app chat or contact Chubb Assistance. If you cannot access your Revolut account, in-app prompts will help you regain it.