ForexFee

Travel · Calculator

Forex fee calculator

See exactly how much your bank charges in foreign transaction fees — and how much you'd save by switching to a zero-fee card.

Most standard bank cards charge a foreign transaction fee of 2.75–3%on every purchase you make in a foreign currency. That sounds small, but on a $2,000 holiday it adds up to $55–$60 of pure overhead — before you've even factored in ATM fees. The calculator below lets you see the exact cost with your current card, compare it against any alternative, and find out how much you'd save by switching.

Zero-fee options exist for every region. UK: Starling Bank, Chase UK, Monzo. US: Charles Schwab, Capital One 360. India: Niyo Global. Australia: ING Orange. EU: N26, Bunq. Wise works globally at 0.35%. Select your region to compare.

Forex fee rate2.75%
Estimated fees on £2,000£55.00
Forex fee rate0%
Estimated fees on £2,000£0.00

Your potential saving

£55.00

Switching from NatWest (standard) to Starling Bank saves you £55.00 on £2,000 of overseas spending.

Fee comparison on £2,000 spend

Starling Bank
No fee£0.00
Chase UK
No fee£0.00
Halifax Clarity
No fee£0.00
Monzo (free tier)
No fee£0.00
Revolut (free tier)
No fee£0.00
Wise
0.35%£7.00
NatWest (standard)
2.75%£55.00
HSBC (standard)
2.75%£55.00
Santander (standard)
2.75%£55.00
Lloyds (standard)
2.99%£59.80
Barclays (standard)
2.99%£59.80
TSB (standard)
2.99%£59.80
Compare all travel cards ATM fee calculator

Frequently asked questions

What is a foreign transaction fee?

A foreign transaction fee is a charge your bank adds when you spend in a currency other than your home currency. Most standard bank cards charge 2.75–3% on every overseas purchase — on a $2,000 holiday that's $55–$60 in hidden fees before you've bought anything.

Which cards have zero foreign transaction fees?

Zero-fee travel cards exist in every market. UK: Starling Bank, Chase UK, Monzo. US: Charles Schwab Debit, Fidelity, Capital One 360. India: Niyo Global. Australia: ING Orange Everyday. EU: N26, Bunq, Revolut. Wise works globally at 0.35%.

How much does a 2.99% forex fee cost on a typical holiday?

On $2,000 of overseas spending, a 2.99% forex fee costs roughly $60. On a $5,000 trip it's $150. Switching to a zero-fee card saves you the full amount — there's no benefit to paying a forex fee.

Is it better to pay in local currency or your home currency abroad?

Always pay in local currency. When a terminal offers to convert the charge into your home currency (Dynamic Currency Conversion), the merchant's rate is typically 3–5% worse than your card's rate. Even with a forex fee, paying in local currency is almost always cheaper.