Originally Posted by willoL

I'll add another data point as a user in the USA.

I've found Wise to be quick and efficient for small transfers for our small business. I created the account because of the exorbitant cost of wiring money to a designer in Europe; we just don't have the easy, cheap bank transfer options in the USA that they do over there, and Wise was a fine solution for us for accepting honoraria in local currency, and for paying the occasional service provider. I keep a small amount of funds in any local currency I could imagine us using to avoid paying exchange costs.

For large transfers, I still use my bank. I feel more secure this way.

It helps that we've reached a tier with the large bank where fees are reduced and customer service is more personal. Keeping funds above a certain dollar amount is the qualifying event for status at the bank. You might ask your local bank if they have preferred customer pricing or anything like that; it does reduce the percentage fee I pay for currency exchange...

When I compared pricing for a small amount of Danish Kroner for a July 2023 trip, it was cheaper to order some cash from the brick & mortar bank than it would be to use my Wise card at an ATM upon arrival. Again, though, preferred pricing, so YMMV.