If you’re here, chances are you’re looking for a better way to spend abroad—one that doesn’t hit you with hidden fees or poor exchange rates. Chase is a well-known travel card option, but how does it really stack up? And is there a better alternative?
Let’s dive into the details.
What is Chase?
Chase UK, also known as Chase, is the British arm of the US-based bank, Chase, which was founded in 1877. It entered the UK market in 2021.
Chase features & plans
Chase has several options, but for the purposes of this comparison we’re focusing on the debit card that comes with their free to use Current Account.
Chase exchange rates & fees
Chase rates include the card scheme foreign exchange rate that is set each day by major credit card networks such as Visa and Mastercard.
While the value of currencies fluctuates throughout the day, the card scheme rate stays the same for the whole day. The rate will contain a mark-up to protect the card schemes from fluctuation risks.
We don’t believe fees should ever be hidden- so we’ve done the calculations for you. Tests in Q3 2024 showed that on average, the markup built into the card scheme rate was 0.58% for Mastercard and 0.52% for Visa. Since Chase uses Mastercard, this means that you're typically being charged 0.58% above the interbank rate when you use their card to spend abroad.
There are also cash withdrawal limits that apply when you are in the UK and abroad. You can withdraw up to £500 per day at ATMs with a monthly limit of £1,500. You may also have to pay additional ATM charges on some machines to withdraw money.
Is Chase good for travel?
Chase can be a good option for travel, particularly for those looking to switch to a new primary bank account. It offers reasonable exchange rates that are generally better than those of high street banks, meaning you could save on foreign transactions compared to using a traditional bank card.
However, if you’re using Chase as a secondary account, you’ll need to regularly top it up while traveling. There’s also the added step of opening and managing an entirely new bank account, which might not be ideal for everyone. If you’re comfortable with these extra steps, Chase can be a solid choice. But for those who prefer to spend directly from their existing bank account without the hassle, other options may be more convenient.
So, what is Currensea?
Currensea is a travel debit card that connects directly to your existing bank account. Unlike Chase, there’s no need to open a new bank account or preload like you would with a prepaid card.
Currensea allows you to spend abroad just as you would at home—without needing to transfer or manage funds separately. You simply spend, and the money comes directly from your bank account.
Currensea’s pricing plans
Currensea offers three travel card options:
- Currensea Essential (free)
- Currensea Pro & Currensea Elite (paid plans with market-leading FX rates and exclusive perks)
For this comparison, we’ll focus on Currensea Essential, which is free.
Currensea vs. Chase – What’s Different?
Unlike Chase, Currensea doesn’t require you to manage a separate account or worry about topping up your card.
What Currensea offers is a card that partners directly with your trusted bank account. Funds come straight out of your bank account, and you can spend whatever balance you have.
Because it’s not a prepaid card, you never have to top up your Currensea card. You don’t have to worry about losing it and any funds that might remain on it, nor do you have to constantly top it up and remember how much you have on it: we offer travel, but without the hassle.
We also check how much your bank would have charged you to use your regular debit card abroad- and we can tell you exactly how much money you saved by using your Currensea card.
But what about exchange rates?
Currensea offers the Realtime Rate, which removes bank fees and is consistently competitive and typically better than "fee-free" cards like Monzo, Starling, and Chase. Crucially.
For Pro and Elite users, the Currensea Pro Rate is even stronger, beating all Revolut pricing plans and also beating “fee-free” cards by over 0.5% and high street banks by over 3%.
Currensea Fees & Limits
Card spend:
- Essential: £500/month fee-free at the Realtime Rate, then 1% FX fee
- Pro & Elite: Unlimited fee-free spending at the Pro Rate
ATM withdrawals:
- Essential: £200/month fee-free, then 2% FX fee
- Pro & Elite: Higher limits with only 1% FX fee beyond them
Delivery:
Currensea charges just £4.95 for the delivery of essential cards. Currensea Pro and Elite customers receive free delivery when they sign up.
So, which one is better?
Both Chase and Currensea offer competitive exchange rates that are much better than those of high street banks, so either option can help you save when spending abroad. If you're looking for a new everyday bank account with better travel rates than traditional banks, Chase could be a good choice—provided you use it as your primary account to unlock full benefits.
However, if you’re happy with your current bank and want a simple way to spend abroad without opening a new account or managing top-ups, Currensea offers a more convenient alternative. Since it links directly to your existing account, there’s no need to transfer funds or worry about running out of balance.
In short, Chase is a decent option for those seeking a new primary bank account, but for hassle-free international spending while keeping your current bank, Currensea is the smarter choice.
