Why It Matters
Using your normal home bank card in the USA typically costs you 3-5% in hidden fees — foreign transaction fee (1-3%), dynamic currency conversion (2-5%), and poor exchange rates. On a $2,000 trip, that's $60-100 in pure waste. A fee-free travel card eliminates all of it.
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USA Trip Cost Calculator
Want to know what your USA trip will actually cost — before card fees eat into your budget? Run the numbers in our free USA trip cost calculator.
Wise
Best overall. Real exchange rate, no FX fees.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) gives you the mid-market exchange rate — the same rate you see on Google — with tiny, transparent fees. Debit card available in EU, UK, US, Australia, Singapore, Canada and more. Free ATM withdrawals up to $100/month.
- FX fee: 0.4% typical (vs 3% at most banks)
- ATM: Free up to $100/month, 2% after
- Card type: Debit (pre-funded)
- Card cost: $9 one-time (free in some regions)
- Multi-currency: Hold 50+ currencies in one account
Revolut
Excellent for Europeans. Free plan available.
Revolut is the dominant European fintech. Hold USD, use at the real rate, 1% weekend FX markup on free plans. Premium plan ($7/month) removes markup.
- FX fee: 0% weekdays, 1% weekends (free plan)
- ATM: £200/month free, 2% after
- Free plan: Yes
Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve (Americans)
Best for US residents earning rewards.
Not useful for international visitors — this is a US-issued credit card. But Americans traveling within the US get 3-5x points on dining and travel, $95-550 annual fee, solid travel insurance.
Capital One Venture (Americans)
For US residents: 2x miles on everything, no foreign transaction fee, $95 annual fee. Simpler than Chase Sapphire but fewer category bonuses.
Monzo / Starling (UK)
Both offer free FX and ATM withdrawals abroad on the real exchange rate. Monzo has a £250/month fee-free ATM cap, 3% after. Starling is fully free abroad — often the best UK option.
N26 (EU)
German-based EU fintech. Free plan gives 3 free ATM withdrawals per month in EUR; cash in USD incurs 1.7% fee. N26 Metal ($19/month) removes all fees.
Which to Pick
| You live in | Best card | Runner-up |
|---|
| UK | Wise or Starling | Monzo |
| EU | Wise or Revolut | N26 |
| Australia/NZ | Wise | 28 Degrees Mastercard |
| Canada | Wise | Wealthsimple Cash |
| Asia | Wise | Revolut |
| USA (domestic) | Chase Sapphire | Capital One Venture |
For most international visitors to the USA, Wise is the best choice. Sign up before your trip, load a few hundred dollars, and use it for everything.
Why It Matters
Using your normal home bank card in the USA typically costs you 3-5% in hidden fees — foreign transaction fee (1-3%), dynamic currency conversion (2-5%), and poor exchange rates. On a $2,000 trip, that's $60-100 in pure waste. A fee-free travel card eliminates all of it.
🧮
USA Trip Cost Calculator
Want to know what your USA trip will actually cost — before card fees eat into your budget? Run the numbers in our free USA trip cost calculator.
Wise
Best overall. Real exchange rate, no FX fees.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) gives you the mid-market exchange rate — the same rate you see on Google — with tiny, transparent fees. Debit card available in EU, UK, US, Australia, Singapore, Canada and more. Free ATM withdrawals up to $100/month.
- FX fee: 0.4% typical (vs 3% at most banks)
- ATM: Free up to $100/month, 2% after
- Card type: Debit (pre-funded)
- Card cost: $9 one-time (free in some regions)
- Multi-currency: Hold 50+ currencies in one account
Revolut
Excellent for Europeans. Free plan available.
Revolut is the dominant European fintech. Hold USD, use at the real rate, 1% weekend FX markup on free plans. Premium plan ($7/month) removes markup.
- FX fee: 0% weekdays, 1% weekends (free plan)
- ATM: £200/month free, 2% after
- Free plan: Yes
Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve (Americans)
Best for US residents earning rewards.
Not useful for international visitors — this is a US-issued credit card. But Americans traveling within the US get 3-5x points on dining and travel, $95-550 annual fee, solid travel insurance.
Capital One Venture (Americans)
For US residents: 2x miles on everything, no foreign transaction fee, $95 annual fee. Simpler than Chase Sapphire but fewer category bonuses.
Monzo / Starling (UK)
Both offer free FX and ATM withdrawals abroad on the real exchange rate. Monzo has a £250/month fee-free ATM cap, 3% after. Starling is fully free abroad — often the best UK option.
N26 (EU)
German-based EU fintech. Free plan gives 3 free ATM withdrawals per month in EUR; cash in USD incurs 1.7% fee. N26 Metal ($19/month) removes all fees.
Which to Pick
| You live in | Best card | Runner-up |
|---|
| UK | Wise or Starling | Monzo |
| EU | Wise or Revolut | N26 |
| Australia/NZ | Wise | 28 Degrees Mastercard |
| Canada | Wise | Wealthsimple Cash |
| Asia | Wise | Revolut |
| USA (domestic) | Chase Sapphire | Capital One Venture |
For most international visitors to the USA, Wise is the best choice. Sign up before your trip, load a few hundred dollars, and use it for everything.