Money Tips
The best bank accounts for your holiday spending
The days of having just one bank account for all your spending are long gone.
The new breed of fintechs and challengers have changed the face of banking to the point where it has become the norm to have multiple accounts for different purposes.
New research from peer-to-peer lender Zopa suggests one in three UK adults now holds two or more current accounts, a 36 per cent increase since 2015.
If you’re travelling abroad, shopping around for the best current account for overseas spending can really pay.
Data from Moneyfacts shows the typical debit card can charge as much as £9.50 for the equivalent of a £200 cash withdrawal abroad, while a typical credit card can charge £11.96 for the same transaction.
But some current accounts charge nothing for cash withdrawals and purchases abroad.
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Starling and Monzo are the best accounts for overseas spending. Starling charges no fees, while Monzo lets you withdraw up to £200 abroad every 30 days for free (there are no fees on spending).
These are both app-only banks and you can set up a free account in minutes.
If app-only banking isn’t for you, Metro Bank’s current account doesn’t charge fees on debit card payments or withdrawals in Europe.
Nationwide’s FlexPlus account is another good option. You’ll pay no fees for overseas spending or withdrawals, but the account comes with a monthly fee of £13. You do get a number of perks for this fee though, including free travel and mobile phone insurance, and UK and European breakdown assistance.