Chase UK Card

Chase UK is the retail banking arm of JPMorgan Chase in the United Kingdom, launched in 2021. For travel, its two headline features are zero foreign transaction fees and unlimited free ATM withdrawals internationally — both genuinely class-leading among free UK bank accounts.

The exchange rate is the Visa network rate with no additional markup from Chase UK, making it highly competitive for foreign currency spending. This puts the effective FX cost at approximately 0.3-0.5% (the Visa network margin), in the same tier as Starling and Monzo — and far below the 2.99% that most traditional UK bank cards charge for international transactions.

Unlimited free ATM withdrawals is the standout perk for cash users. Like Starling, Chase UK charges no ATM fee regardless of how much you withdraw internationally, subject to the £500 daily card limit. For destinations where cash is essential — Japan, Vietnam, Morocco — Chase UK and Starling are the two accounts worth holding simultaneously.

The cashback programme has changed significantly. From April 7, 2025, the 1% cashback no longer applies to overseas or foreign currency spending. It is now limited to eligible UK GBP purchases in specific categories: groceries, transport, and fuel, capped at £15 per month. This is a material reduction from the original offer where all spending including overseas earned 1% cashback. For travellers, Chase UK's cashback is no longer a travel benefit — but the zero FX fees and free ATMs remain excellent.

Chase UK is backed by JPMorgan Chase's technology infrastructure and holds a full UK banking licence with FSCS protection. The app quality is high, with real-time transaction notifications, a round-up savings feature, and straightforward card lock/unlock functionality.

Chase UK does not currently offer ISA, SIPP, or investment products — it is a current account and savings product only. For travel-specific use, this is irrelevant. UK residents aged 18+ with a UK address are eligible to apply.