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Anyone use a Wise card in Italy? Other options?

Hi all

I am trying to pick up tips and tricks of how not to get ripped off by unfavorable exchange rates.

I have am in the US and will be traveling using Euros .

I recently opened up a Wise card thinking this would be better for getting local Euro's from an ATM if I need some for small purchases.

Anyone else use Wise card?

As I understand it most US credit cards do not give very good exchange rates when you us them overseas. Are some cards better than others when used in terms of exchange rate?

Thanks!

Posted by
624 posts

Yes, credit cards do not give good exchange rates at the moment you use them
but this only applies if you agree to have the purchase transacted in dollars. If
it goes thru in native currency then the amount gets reconciled in the prevailing,
non-inflated, rate, with the 1% charge that Visa or MC add on. The premium is
being charged for the "service" being supplied for pricing the xaction in $ from
the start.

Secondly, many cards add on a 2-3% intl transaction fee. But certain cards do not.
Worth looking into getting one of those.

For getting Euros out of an ATM, dont use your credit card. Use your bank ATM
card that is tied to your checking or savings account. Then it will be treated as
you taking your money, and not as a cash advance. The issue here is the interest
rate that will be charged for the cash advance.

In my view, if you do these things, the exchange rate issues are minimal.

Posted by
7945 posts

Forget Wise, it will just cost you money. Use your credit card as much as possible, your ATM card for a little cash. Your information about exchange rates is incorrect, excepting if you willingly participate in DCC.

Posted by
23574 posts

Don't know why so many posters want to make this complicated but using a credit tied to either the PLUS or CIRRUS network will give you the BEST exchange rate and the same when using a debit card --- no question. ALWAYS work with local currency. Avoid "dynamic conversion" which is the service ??? of providing your transaction in US dollars. The ATM you are standing in front of MAY charge a "usage fee" for using that ATM. Common in the US and becoming more common in Europe. My experience is that the fee is fully disclosed, you can cancel, and move to another ATM if you want to avoid that fee. After that, all fees are determine by your card issuer.

....As I understand it most US credit cards do not give very good exchange rates when you us them overseas..... AND where did you get that understanding??? Not on this site. Absolutely wrong. All standard credit cards given nearly the same exchange rate. You need better source information.

Posted by
23574 posts

Ten seconds with google ----

Wise has a rating of 1.9 stars from 52 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Wise most frequently mention customer service, bank account, and several years problems. Wise ranks 198th among Banking sites.

I think it is safe to say that Wise should be avoided.