Using your RBS card abroad: Everything you need to know

Heading abroad? Using your UK-issued credit or debit card is a convenient option – but it can get expensive if you fall foul of unexpected international fees and charges.

We’ve put together a full guide to using your Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) debit or credit card abroad, touching on everything you need to know. We’ll take a look at fees, exchange rate costs and our top tips for making the most of your holiday spending.

We’ll also show you an alternative for spending abroad – the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. It’s designed for travel, letting you spend in the local currency in 150+ countries worldwide for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise card

Can I use my RBS credit card abroad?

You can use your RBS credit card at shops, restaurants and ATMs abroad, just as you would at home.¹ It’s easy to use your credit card overseas, but you may have to pay a foreign transaction fee for international payments.²

You’ll also need to tell RBS your travel plans to ensure the bank doesn’t block your card. You can register your credit card for foreign travel via the RBS mobile app. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1. Select your credit card on the main page and go to “Manage my card”

Step 2. Select “Going abroad” and “Add Trip”

Step 3. Fill out the name of your trip, add the dates of your holiday and choose your travel destination

Step 4. Select “Register trip” to confirm your travel plans with RBS³

Some countries still use cash as their main form of payment, so you may want to take some cash abroad with you. You may also want to pack an extra debit or credit card in case yours is lost or stolen.

RBS credit card foreign transaction fees

There are a few foreign transaction fees for using your RBS credit card abroad. This includes an exchange rate markup on international payments and ATM cash withdrawal fees.

Let’s take a closer look at how much it costs to make payments overseas with most RBS credit cards.

Fee	Cost
RBS foreign transaction fee	2.75% of the transaction amount²
Exchange rate	RBS uses the Visa® or Mastercard® exchange rate for payments in foreign currencies – this can fluctuate depending on when you pay¹
ATM cash withdrawal fee	3% of the transaction (minimum 3 GBP)⁴

Cost of using an RBS card abroad

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s foreign transaction fee is a charge imposed when you spend in a currency other than GBP. Also known as a non-sterling transaction fee, it covers the bank’s currency conversion costs.²

You won’t have to pay a foreign transaction fee for using your Royal Bank of Scotland Credit Card or Reward Black Credit Card, so these are good options if you regularly travel overseas.²

Whenever you spend in a currency other than GBP, you’ll also incur an exchange rate charge. Although some money services providers like Wise use the mid-market exchange rate, many providers add a markup to international transactions.

This is how they make money – but it means you could end up spending more than expected on holiday.

Can I use my RBS debit card abroad?

You can use your RBS debit card to spend abroad. As with your RBS credit card, you should tell your bank before you head overseas. This can prevent your payments from being flagged as fraud while you travel.³

You’ll pay to use your RBS debit card abroad, including a 2.75% non-sterling transaction fee for payments or ATM withdrawals in a currency other than GBP.⁵

You can pay by card anywhere that takes Visa or Mastercard payments, depending on your card type. However, you may still want to take some cash abroad to cover charges like hotel tips or emergency payments.

Cost of using RBS abroad: different international fees

Unlike in the UK, you’ll pay additional fees and charges for using your RBS card abroad, including currency conversion costs.

Let’s take a closer look at how much it costs to make foreign payments with RBS.

Foreign currency exchange rate markups

We’ve already touched on exchange rate fees – but exactly how much does it cost to use your RBS card abroad?

RBS cards use the Mastercard or Visa exchange rate for foreign payments. These rates can fluctuate depending on when you make your transaction, meaning you may not know exactly how much it’ll cost to spend in a different currency.¹

RBS has an online currency calculator to help you estimate your exchange rate fees. For example, spending 113.84 EUR with your Visa card will cost 100 GBP, with an exchange rate of 1 GBP = 1.1384 EUR (as of 20 August 2024 at 11:47 am).

This rate is 3.19% above the European Central Bank (ECB) reference rate. You’ll also pay a 2.68 GBP non-sterling transaction fee to RBS.⁶

Foreign transaction fees

Every time you spend abroad with your RBS card, you’ll incur a foreign transaction fee. This includes ATM withdrawals, online payments or in-store transactions – and it covers the bank’s processing and currency conversion costs.

This is typically set at 2.75% of your transaction for most RBS credit and debit cards. However, you may be able to avoid this fee with certain cards and accounts.

For example, you won’t pay a non-sterling transaction fee for using your Reward Silver or Reward Platinum debit cards abroad.⁵

Cashback and ATM provider fees

RBS charges a non-sterling transaction fee if you want to withdraw money from an ATM abroad. This is 3% of the transaction for most RBS credit cards or 2.75% for debit cards.⁵

Make sure to only withdraw money in local currency to avoid expensive conversion charges. Individual ATM providers may also set their own fees for using their machines.

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

DCC is when you’re asked if you want your purchase to be processed in GBP instead of the local currency. It sounds simple enough, but you should avoid it.

You'll see DCC nearly anywhere your card is accepted overseas, like ATMs, restaurants or public transport. Always choose to pay in the local currency, as the exchange rate used for your transaction is unlikely to be as good as that used by your bank.

That’s because DCC gives the local company or ATM permission to use its own exchange rates. While your bank has an interest in keeping you happy, a foreign provider has no such obligation.

They’ll mark up the exchange rate and pocket the difference, so avoid this common travel pitfall to make sure you're not overpaying for foreign transactions.

Credit card interest rates

If you choose to use your RBS credit card abroad, you’ll need to consider interest charges. These can start to add up if you don’t pay your bill straight away.

You’ll typically pay the same interest rate as in the UK. For example, you’ll pay a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a (variable) when using your Royal Bank of Scotland Balance Transfer Credit Card.⁷

The exact fees applied to your card will be detailed online or on the back of your card statements – and you may be able to access special promotions, offers and discounts.

What if my RBS card gets lost or stolen while I’m overseas?

It’s easy to report your lost or stolen RBS card – and the bank should be able to send you a replacement. RBS can also cancel your card and reissue a new PIN if you’re worried someone has access to your funds.

Let’s take a look at how to order a new card via the RBS mobile app.

Step 1. Log into the RBS app

Step 2. Choose which account you need a new card for

Step 3. Select “Manage my card”

Step 4. Select “Report lost or damaged” and choose “lost” or “damaged”

Step 5. Fill out your details and submit

You can also use RBS digital banking to report your lost or stolen card if you don’t have access to the mobile app. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Log into RBS online banking

Step 2. Select “Cards”

Step 3. Select “Report your card lost and order a replacement” or “Order a replacement for a damaged card”

Step 4. Fill out your details and select “Confirm” to submit your request

You may not be able to use the RBS Get Cash facility until 2 working days after the bank has dispatched your replacement card. For this reason, you may want to take a backup payment method for your holiday spending.⁸

If you want to speak to someone at RBS about your lost or stolen card, here are the phone numbers you’ll need:

United Kingdom: 0370 600 0459

Overseas: +44 1268 500 813⁹

You can also freeze your card if you think it might turn up. This keeps your money protected until you find your card – you can unfreeze it at any time.⁸

Is it better to use debit or credit cards abroad?

Whether you want to use your debit or credit card abroad will depend on your personal preference and individual spending habits.

Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of using your debit card abroad.

Pros	Cons
It’s typically cheaper to withdraw cash from an ATM with your debit card	You may incur unwanted fees for international payments, such as foreign transaction fees
Debit cards are a convenient payment method	Debit cards can be less secure than credit cards
RBS debit cards are accepted anywhere with the Visa or Mastercard symbol, such as shops, restaurants and hotels	You’ll pay a markup to exchange GBP into other currencies unless you’re using an international money transfer provider like Wise

However, you may prefer to use your credit card for international payments. Let’s take a closer look.

Pros	Cons
Credit cards tend to provide a greater level of security	You’ll typically incur interest on credit card payments abroad
You can access Section 75 protection – you may be able to get a refund if something goes wrong with your holiday payment	There’s the risk of overspending if you don’t set a holiday spending limit
You can access cashback and rewards from your bank, including travel rewards	You may need to pay foreign transaction or currency exchange fees for international payments

At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you want to use your credit or debit card abroad. Make sure to think about fees, interest charges and which payment method is the most secure for your trip.

Tips for using your RBS card abroad

There are a few ways to make the most of your RBS card abroad, whether you’re using a debit or credit card:

• Inform RBS of your travel plans and keep your contact details updated so the bank can easily get in touch with you
• Set a daily spending limit for your holiday to stay in your budget
• Always pay with local currency to avoid DCC exchange rate charges
• Track your holiday spending in the RBS mobile app
• Take an alternative payment method as a backup, such as another card or cash

A great alternative for low-cost spending abroad - the Wise card

There you have it – everything you need to know about using your RBS debit or credit card abroad. If you have an account with RBS, using your card abroad is a convenient way to make payments as you would in the UK.

However, you’ll need to consider how much it costs to exchange foreign currencies or withdraw money from an international ATM.

Avoid hidden fees and exchange rate markups with Wise – your handy global transfer alternative. You can use your international Wise debit card to:

• make payments in 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate
• use Wise’s pricing calculator to work out exactly how much your transaction will cost
• access advanced security features like 2-factor authentication

Whether you’re travelling around France or jetting to Japan, spend in 150+ countries with Wise.

Sign up with Wise today

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Sources used:

1. RBS - Credit card abroad

2. RBS - Credit card foreign transaction fee

3. RBS - How to register credit card for travel

4. RBS - Charges for using your credit card abroad

5. RBS - Spending abroad

6. RBS - Currency calculator

7. RBS - Purchase and balance transfer

8. RBS - How to report a lost, stolen or damaged card

9. RBS - Contact details

Sources last checked on date: 29-Aug-2024