Originally Posted by
manda99
I got mine for a few reasons:
-- To have a chip and pin card to use in Europe when needed (kiosks, etc.).
-- To use to get cash at ATMs when in Europe - sort of a middle man to protect my actual debit card from fraud/theft and to avoid the FTF on my debit card. I don't like taking my actual bank card or using it anywhere.
-- To use online for the occasional transaction that requires a UK card (eg UK SIM topoff).
At 3% fee though, it's not really worth it. I might still use it to get cash at ATMs overseas, but the cost benefit of that is nullified with the 3% fee. If I used my bank card, it would also charge a 3% fee. All I really gain from that is not using my bank card.
Frustrating. I'd be willing to pay a Serve-like monthly fee, I think. But 3% just to get my money into the account is too much. Or maybe they could come up with some sort of scheme where you can get avoid the transfer fee if you make x number of card transactions a month to offset the costs?
Sounds like you frequently visit Europe. Since there's still no fee if you load in GBP or EUR, why not continue to use Revolut? I imagine you were getting charged FTF even before they added a fee for USD loads so loading in GBP/EUR won't cost any different.
If you didn't have Revolut already I'd suggest something like the Arrival+ for kiosks and a Schwab checking account for ATMs. Transfers between Schwab and other banks are fairly fast and would effectively insulate your primary checking account as well.