I have not been to England since a 2013 RS 7-day London tour but am returning in May in another RS tour. In this travel forum I have read about some of the problems had with the use of credit cards. A Chase Bank card is not an option for me. Since some transactions now are forced to by card I wonder about the possibility of putting money in a Revolut card and avoiding the foreign exchange fees and service fees encountered by using a bank card. How widely accepted is this card in England? Can you buy an Oyster Card with it? When one gets back from your trip, how do you get the unused money back out or can you?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8913 posts
I am not familiar with Revolut. I looked up it and found this article.
https://thetravelintern.com/revolut-review-multi-currency-card/?amp
Perhaps it has some information that might be helpful?
If you can’t do Chase, would a card from another bank with no foreign transaction fees work?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
I am pretty sure it has been discussed used on the forum in the past. Maybe a search will glean some results?
Posted by
UK
140 posts
Revolut is a fintech from London. It will be inconceivable that it can't be used in uk.
Because your card is issued in the States, maybe best check with the support.
If your Revolut card is contactless, it can be tapped in and out at gates. Oyster is not strictly necessary, unless you have discounts with some types of railcards.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4871 posts
you just can't travel without at least one credit card these days, it just isn't realistic. do what you have to do to get one, even if you never pull it out of your wallet because in an emergency, you can't have access to too much money.
And since your last visit was 10 years ago, thanks to Covid the UK has gone virtually cashless.
Posted by
Some fantastic place
249 posts
Revolut will be accepted absolutely everywhere, you will have zero problem using it. It will likely get you the best fee free Fex also.
Posted by
Singapore
590 posts
I use Revolut as a backup to my normal credit card when traveling, and my (Singapore-issued) Revolut card works fine in the UK.
You will need to check Revolut's exchange rates - in my case they're competitive, but not quite as good as my bank. It is handy just I'm case my normal card doesn't work.
You can transfer money back from Revolut to your bank account when you've finished your trip, but it's not really necessary, as you can just use the card at home in the same way you'd use your bank credit or debit card.
An alternative to Revolut is Wise - another UK fintech.