Should you close your foreign bank account?
Considering closing your foreign bank account? Discover the tax implications, benefits, and steps involved in making this decision. Learn more here.
Revolut¹ describes itself as a financial super app, with a range of personal and business accounts which can come with a linked physical or virtual payment card.
If you’re not sure whether the Revolut card² is worth it, this Revolut card USA review is for you. We’ll cover the different plan options, features and fees — and also touch on an alternative, the Wise Account and card. Let’s dive right in.
Once you have a Revolut account on your preferred plan type, you can order your physical Revolut card in the app. Here’s how³:
1. Go to the Cards tab
2. Tap the Add card button
3. Choose Debit card and complete your order
4. You’ll see any relevant delivery charges before you confirm
Make sure your delivery address is correct in the Revolut app, so your card arrives safely.
As well as getting a physical card from Revolut, you can instantly create a virtual card⁴ linked to your account for online spending.
1. Go to the Cards tab
2. Tap the Add card button
3. Choose Virtual debit card and complete your order
4. Your card information will be available instantly in the app
Some Revolut plan holders can also create one-time use disposable virtual cards⁵, for an extra layer of security when transacting online.
Learn more about how Revolut keeps customers safe |
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No. At the moment, Revolut doesn’t offer credit card services — all cards are debit cards linked to online account plans. Keep on reading this Revolut prepaid card review to see if it’s a good option for you.
Revolut cards are physical and virtual cards linked to Revolut account plans. With your physical Revolut card you can spend online and in person, and make ATM withdrawals in the US and abroad.
A virtual card can be used for online spending only, with different card details to your physical card. This can offer an extra layer of security if you’re transacting with a retailer you don’t know well, as you’ll never need to hand over your main payment card information.
You can use your Revolut US card abroad when you spend and make withdrawals. You’ll be able to spend in 140+ currencies, anywhere your card’s network is accepted. Revolut cards are issued on the Visa and Mastercard network.
Customers can’t choose one network over the other⁶, but the good news is that these are 2 of the world’s most widely accepted payment networks, so you’ll be able to use your Revolut card abroad easily in most destinations.
All Revolut accounts come with a linked physical and virtual card option. However, the exact details of the card or cards you can get will vary based on the account type. Here’s an overview of the key card options from different Revolut account plans⁷:
Revolut Standard | Revolut Premium | Revolut Metal |
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No matter which plan you choose, you’ll be able to use your card on popular mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, with instant transaction notifications so you’ll always keep up with managing your money.
Learn all about the different Revolut plans in our full review |
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Revolut offers some great account perks, but to access all the features and services available you’ll need to pay a monthly maintenance fee.
If you’re looking for an easy way to spend internationally with no monthly charges, take a look at the Wise Account and card as an alternative.
Open your Wise account for free and get a linked Wise international debit card for a one time fee of 9 USD.
You can hold 50+ currencies in your account, and it’s free to spend any currency you hold online or in person. If you don’t have the currency you need, the Wise card’s auto convert feature will switch over your balance with the lowest available fee so you can always spend easily — in 170+ countries around the world.
Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information. |
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Here’s a walk through Revolut’s card fees for different US account types:
Fee | Revolut Standard⁸ | Revolut Premium⁹ | Revolut Metal¹⁰ |
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Monthly plan subscription | Free | 9.99 USD | 16.99 USD |
Getting a card | One physical and one virtual card issued free Delivery fees may apply for the physical card | Free physical card and free virtual cards Delivery fees may apply for the physical card You may be liable to pay a fee if you close your account early — terms are covered in the cardholder agreement | Free physical card and free virtual cards Delivery fees may apply for the physical card You may be liable to pay a fee if you close your account early — terms are covered in the cardholder agreement |
Replacement card | 5 USD | One free replacement available, then a 30 USD fee will apply for subsequent cards | One free replacement available, then a 70 USD fee will apply for subsequent cards |
Exchange rate | Mid-market exchange rate for 140 currencies | Mid-market exchange rate for 140 currencies | Mid-market exchange rate for 140 currencies |
ATM withdrawals | No fee for ATM withdrawals at 55,000+ locations Up to 1,200 USD/month in out of network ATM withdrawals fee free — 2% fee applies after this | No fee for ATM withdrawals at 55,000+ locations Up to 1,200 USD/month in out of network ATM withdrawals fee free- 2% fee applies after this | No fee for ATM withdrawals at 55,000+ locations Up to 1,200 USD/month in out of network ATM withdrawals fee free- 2% fee applies after this |
Online payments | Free to spend currencies you hold in your account | Free to spend currencies you hold in your account | Free to spend currencies you hold in your account |
✅ Pros | ❌Cons |
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The Revolut card offers convenient ways to spend in person, online and for mobile payments through Apple Pay or Google Pay.
You can also get fee free ATM withdrawals from lots of locations, and up to 1,200 USD/month of out of network withdrawals free too.
The type of card you get will depend on the account tier you select, but even the free standard Revolut account has a basic payment card, plus free virtual cards for online shopping.
To get the full benefit of the Revolut card you’ll need to pay their highest account plan fee — 16.99 USD/month.
It’s also important to note that for paid account plans you may be liable to pay a fee if you order your card and then close down your account within a given time frame, plus there are charges for some replacement cards — which can be pretty steep if you’re a Metal account holder.
Revolut’s accounts and cards can be a great pick if you’re looking for a full feature digital account and don’t mind paying a monthly fee, or if you’re confident you’ll only need services which come included in the Standard plan which you can get for free.
Revolut accounts typically let you hold almost 30 currencies, and spend in 140 currencies — if the currencies you transact in often are covered it’s definitely worth checking out whether Revolut can help you cut costs.
Compare the Revolut plans on offer to an alternative like the Wise Account and card which lets you hold and exchange 50+ currencies, and spend in 174 countries — to see which suits you best.
Sources:
Sources checked on 10.11.2022
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Considering closing your foreign bank account? Discover the tax implications, benefits, and steps involved in making this decision. Learn more here.
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