Greetings! I’d love to hear any recommendations for a debit card that you’ve been happy with in your European travels. I had been very happy using a capital one 360 card for travel only, but they recently sent me my replacement card and it’s now on the Discover network. Can you give me another recommendation for one that has no or low fees abroad, an easy to use app, will be WIDELY accepted at ATMs, and doesn’t require a large amount of money in the account to keep it free? Cap one had been perfect.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8755 posts
The obvious other card would be the Schwab Investor Checking card. It does require that you open an investment account (you do not need to fund it). The advantage of a Schwab card, over other debit cards, is that they reimburse any ATM use fees and have a high daily withdrawal limit ($1000). It for the most part had the same features as the Cap One card.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1469 posts
I second the recommendation for the Schwab card. I believe you have to open an investment account in order to get the checking account with the debit card. But you don’t have to fund the investment account. I don’t keep much money in the checking account because I only use it for vacations. I have been using this card for 10+ years without any problems. You have to notify Schwab that you will be traveling so they don’t flag any legitimate use as fraudulent. P.S. Capital One acquired Discover a while ago and are slowly moving all of their cards (debit and credit) to the Discover network.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for your feedback! I was seeing Schwab coming up as the best looking option in my searches, as well, but good to hear some personal experience. Really frustrating about Cap One. I used it as my Europe travel account only and really liked it. Will be closing out my account with them now.
Posted by
9132 posts
I know that I am not answering your question, but not sure why you want to use a debit instead of a credit card?
You are protected far better from fraud using a credit card. I only use an ATM card (debit) to buy foreign cash.
Posted by
Los Angeles
5237 posts
Yes, it's risky to use a debit card for purchases since if someone gets your info, they just drain your account. With credit cards you're playing with the house's money and don't lose anything after you tell them about your loss.
Having said that, I also recommend Schwab it's easy to set up, you only need to fund it before your trip and empty it afterwards, and they refund all the various and sundry fees the world will throw your way. If you google you'll find similar options but I know from experience this one works.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I use credit (and ideally Apple pay where accepted) every place that I can, but still have the occasion where some cash on hand is needed for smaller items, tips to tour guides, church entries, coins for restrooms, etc. I typically do one ATM withdrawal upon arrival and that usually lasts me for the trip. The reason I like having a separate travel account with just a few hundred that I load in before my trip is for exactly the reasons you all mention—I don’t want my home checking account compromised during travel in the event of any theft or issues. I know that I have limited funds in this travel account in case of any problems. Just sad that I now need to quickly arrange a new card before an upcoming trip!