The best card for holiday spending in 2026

For UK travellers, the best card for holiday spending is Starling Bank. Zero foreign transaction fees, free ATM withdrawals up to £300/day, full FSCS-protected current account, instant transaction notifications, and free to open. The alternatives each have their use cases too — here's the full comparison.

Why Starling is the top pick

Starling uses the Mastercard exchange rate — within 0.1–0.3% of mid-market — with zero percentage markup. No foreign transaction fee. ATM withdrawals are free up to £300/day internationally, with no monthly limit on transactions. It's a full current account with FSCS protection up to £85,000, not a prepaid card. It's free to open and maintain. No other UK card matches all of these criteria simultaneously.

Wise: best for multi-currency

Wise is the best choice if you regularly spend in multiple currencies or travel to many different countries. You can hold 40+ currencies in one account and convert between them at the mid-market rate. The card uses that balance to spend with zero conversion fee when the balance exists. For ATMs, you get two free withdrawals per month up to £200 — after which 1.75% applies. For a frequent traveller managing multiple currency balances, Wise is unmatched.

Revolut: best for higher ATM limits

Revolut's free plan gives £200/month free ATM withdrawals and no forex fees on weekdays. The paid plans (Revolut Plus, Premium, Metal) significantly increase ATM allowances and add travel insurance. If you withdraw a lot of cash and use a weekend frequently for transactions, Revolut's paid plans can make sense. The weekend markup on exchange rates (0.5–1%) is the main caveat on the free plan.

Monzo: the everyday banking choice

Monzo is the most widely used of the digital banks and offers solid travel credentials: Mastercard rate, no forex fee, £200/month free international ATMs (then 3% above this). It's a better everyday banking option than Wise (which isn't a full bank) but slightly behind Starling on ATM allowances. For the traveller who wants one card for everything — daily banking and holidays — Monzo is excellent.

Halifax Clarity: the best travel credit card

Halifax Clarity is the gold standard travel credit card for UK customers. No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and it uses the Mastercard exchange rate. As a credit card, it provides Section 75 protection on purchases over £100 — invaluable for booking hotels and flights. The only caveat: it charges interest on ATM cash withdrawals from day one, so don't use it at ATMs abroad. Pair it with a debit card (Starling) for ATM access.

The optimal setup for most UK travellers

For most people, the ideal setup is two cards: a Starling Bank debit card as the primary travel card for daily spending and ATM withdrawals, and a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotels, flights, and high-value purchases where Section 75 matters. Both are free. Together, they provide zero forex fees on all spending, free ATM access, and credit card purchase protection on the things that matter most.

Key takeaways