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Lifestyle

Tips for using your card abroad

Before you head off on holiday, it’s important to choose the right card to take with you.

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Zing’s smart multi-currency card has been designed with travel in mind. It’s your worry-free companion to make converting and spending as simple and transparent as possible. So you don’t have to worry about anything other than living your best international life. 

Understanding international transaction fees

Whether it’s due to an emergency or just a lack of forward planning, we’ve all been stung with high fees because we used the wrong card abroad. A lot of traditional banks will add a hefty fee for using your card internationally, so make sure you check what each of your providers charges first and pick the one that makes your money go further. 

Zing is designed to be your go-to travel companion. You pay no conversion fees on the first £500 you convert every month*. Our Zing tip is to add money to your GBP wallet and convert it into the wallet (or wallets) you need when the exchange rate is in your favour – you can even monitor the currency pairs you need in the app. That way your money is ready to go when you are. 

Currency conversions 

A lot of us go on holiday to get away from making day-to-day decisions. But one choice that’s common on holiday when it comes to paying is whether you pay in the local currency or GBP? It can be hard to know in the moment what is the right thing to do. 

The exchange rate is the main influence here, but as a general rule, it’s usually more cost effective to pay in the local currency. It might feel more familiar to pay in GBP, but it can result in you paying hidden fees and an inflated exchange rate. When you pay in the local currency, your bank or payment provider makes the conversion for you, which often gives you a better exchange rate and conversion fees than the international provider who could add fees when converting from GBP. 

Payments abroad are simple with Zing. You can hold money in 20+ currency wallets, so if you’re already holding money in the local currency there’s no guesswork involved and you’ll know exactly how much you’re paying. You can use your Zing card in 200+ countries and territories, and with fees as low as 0.2%, paying in the local currency is the cost-effective choice. 

ATM Withdrawals

Most banks charge international ATM fees that can start to pile up when you withdraw money using your UK card abroad. These fees can also vary depending on the amount you withdraw, meaning you might not know what you’ve been charged until your money is already in your hands. 

At Zing we like to keep all of our fees transparent. We give you one free international ATM withdrawal every month. Any further withdrawals have a flat fee of £2, so although ATM providers may still apply their own fees, you’ll always know what we’re charging you. 

Worry-free travel awaits

When planning for your next trip, remember to bring Zing with you for transparent fees, great prices and a worry-free experience.  *Currency conversion fee is waived for converting up to £500 or equivalent per calendar month until 30th December 2024. T&Cs apply.