Using your Aqua card abroad

Getting ready for a vacation? One of the most important things to consider is how you’ll be spending your money while away. If you plan on travelling outside of the UK, you might want to know whether you can use your existing credit card during your trip.

In this guide, we’ll be looking at using an Aqua card abroad. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including fees, limits and exchange rates. If you’re an Aqua card user or if you’re considering signing up, this might help you decide.

Also, consider checking out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. Although it’s not a credit card, it’s a convenient international debit card designed for travellers looking to save money while spending abroad.

Learn more about the Wise card 💳

Can I use my Aqua card abroad?¹

Since you’re here, you’re probably wondering - can I use my Aqua card abroad? The answer is yes, you can use your Aqua credit card outside of the UK. In fact, it should be accepted anywhere you see the Mastercard logo.

This means you can use it for spending in restaurants, shops, and when paying for transport. If you end up needing cash at some point during your trip, you can also use it to withdraw from foreign ATMs.

However, there are charges related to both spending and withdrawing cash abroad. Stay tuned, because we’ll look into this more closely.

Fees for using your Aqua card abroad

There are certain charges for using an Aqua card outside of the UK, whether it’s for spending or withdrawing at a foreign ATM.

First of all, there’s a 2.95% foreign exchange conversion charge. This means that every time you use your Aqua credit card to spend in a foreign currency, you’ll pay 2.95% of the transaction amount in foreign exchange fees.

When it comes to withdrawing cash at an ATM, you’ll pay an additional fee for each transaction. This can be either 5% of the amount of the transaction or £4, whichever is higher. However, this fee also applies to Aqua card cash transactions in the UK, not only for those abroad.

Keep in mind that ATM withdrawals are not the only ones that count as cash transactions. Aqua’s cash fee also applies to various other things, such as buying foreign currency, placing a bet or buying lottery tickets.

Also, when it comes to interest, it’s charged from the date a certain transaction is added to your account. This applies even if you pay off your standard balance in full.

Lastly, don’t forget about ATM operator fees and surcharges. Some ATMs have their own fees, which is separate from those that your credit card provider has. So, try to find a machine offering free cash withdrawals or at least one that charges low fees. It’s always a good idea to stick to ATMs that belong to large networks.

What exchange rates does an Aqua card use?³

Aqua uses the Mastercard exchange rate for converting currency whenever you spend abroad or withdraw cash in another currency. You can check out Mastercard’s rate here and see for yourself how it compares to the mid-market exchange rate.

However, if your transaction is converted by either an ATM operator or a retailer abroad, Mastercard’s rate won’t apply in this case. This happens when you choose to pay in pounds even though the amount you’re paying is in another currency.

This is why it’s important to always pay in the local currency, rather than pounds. This way, your card provider or your bank will do the currency conversion and you’ll know what exchange rate will be used. In this case, that will be Mastercard’s exchange rate.

Are there any limits?

As far as cash withdrawals, you’re allowed to withdraw up to £300 a day with your Aqua credit card. The exact amount will depend on your credit limit.

It’s worth mentioning that both the cash withdrawal fee and the interest charged after the transaction could take you over your credit limit, so make sure you do the maths carefully.

You should be able to spend as much as you like with your Aqua credit card, as long as that amount is in line with your personal credit card limit. Their initial credit limits range from £250 to £1,500, but they can change based on how you use your card.

Spend worldwide for low fees and great rates with Wise card

After reading this guide, you should have all the info you need about using your Aqua credit card abroad. We’ve covered fees, exchange rates and limits.

If you want a handy debit card alternative, the Wise card is the perfect travel companion, as it lets you spend and withdraw in the local currency in 150+ countries.

The Wise international debit card automatically converts your pounds into the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. There’s only a small, transparent currency conversion fee, or no fee at all if you already have the foreign currency in your Wise account.

Open a Wise account online and you can order your own Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

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Sources used:

1. Aqua - Interest, fees & charges
2. Aqua - Important Customer Information
3. Aqua Help and Support - Exchange rate when spending abroad

Sources last checked on date: 12-June-2024