Curve Pay vs Your Bank Abroad: Which Saves More on International Spending?

TL;DR

Most UK banks still charge 2.75–3% in foreign transaction fees.
Curve Pay avoids these charges—even when using your usual debit or credit card.
You also get real-time controls, ‘double dip’ on rewards, and FX perks across every card you carry.

Why Banks Still Charge You to Use Your Own Money Abroad

Most UK travellers are surprised to learn that their regular debit or credit card may cost more than expected overseas. Banks often bundle foreign transaction fees, exchange rate markups, and withdrawal charges into every international payment—without making it obvious.

Here’s how it typically breaks down:

Foreign transaction fee: Usually 2.75–3% on every purchase made in a non-GBP currency
Exchange rate markup: Most banks use a rate worse than the official mid-market one
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): That “pay in GBP?” prompt? It usually costs you more
ATM fees: Can apply both from your bank and the local machine

According to HSBC, a non-sterling purchase fee of 2.75% applies on most of their cards when spending abroad.

So even a simple tap abroad can quietly drain your holiday budget.

How Curve Pay Skips Bank FX Fees—Without Switching Banks

Curve Pay acts as a smart layer between your usual cards and the point of payment. When you tap with Curve Pay abroad:

You’re charged in local currency, not GBP (no DCC trap)
Your linked card is protected from its own FX fees
Curve applies real-time FX rates, with no markup (terms apply)

Even better, you don’t need to preload money or open a new account. Curve Pay works with the debit and credit cards you already use—so you get the savings without the setup hassle.

This structure is a core part of what sets Curve Pay apart from traditional banks and prepaid cards. According to Curve Pay’s own comparison of traditional bank apps, most banks fall short on transparency, control, and FX flexibility.

Comparison: Curve Pay vs Traditional Bank Spending Abroad

Feature	Traditional Bank Cards	Curve Pay
FX Fees	2.75–3% typical	£0 (with Curve Pay tap)- terms apply
ATM Withdrawal Fees	Often double-charged	Free on premium plans (terms apply)
Currency Conversion	Poor rates + markup	Interbank FX rates
Real-Time Control	Limited	Smart Rules + Spend Alerts
Works with Other Cards	No	Yes — link Visa, Mastercard, Diners
Rewards	Card-dependent	Stacked cashback on foreign spend- terms apply

Is Curve Pay Actually Cheaper Than Your Bank Overseas?

Yes. In real-world terms, here’s how it compares:

Example: You spend £500 abroad over a long weekend.

Your Bank: £500 + ~2.75% FX fee = £513.75 total
Curve Pay: £500 (no FX fee) = £500 total

That’s £13.75 saved on just one trip—and it doesn’t account for inflated exchange rates or ATM fees.

And if you’re travelling more than once a year, or across different countries, those small savings start to multiply.

Can Curve Pay Replace My Bank Card While Travelling?

Not only can it—it often makes travel spending easier:

Link all your existing cards in one smart wallet
Control which card gets charged with Smart Rules
Switch cards after the fact using Go Back in Time®
Track spending in real time, across currencies

If you’re comparing travel tools for the year ahead, Curve Pay makes a strong case as the only travel wallet you need. Many travellers use it alongside their bank cards, but quickly realise they’re defaulting to Curve Pay more and more.

Hidden Bank Fees Abroad: What to Watch For

Beyond obvious FX charges, traditional banks often include:

ATM surcharges not visible until the machine charges you
Weekend FX markups, since markets are closed
DCC prompts, which appear helpful but lead to poor exchange rates

Curve Pay sends you real-time alerts showing you exactly what card was used, what currency was charged, and how much you spent—in your home currency too. Make sure you can identify and avoid these hidden extras while you travel

Download Curve Pay

Final Thoughts: Should You Ditch Your Bank Card for Curve Pay?

You don’t need to ditch your bank—just stop using it directly abroad.

Curve Pay offers:

Competitive FX fees when used abroad
Mastercard exchange rates
Smart features that banks can’t match
Extra cashback when you spend internationally on our paid tiers

You keep your bank. You keep your cards. But you skip the fees.

And for travellers, remote workers, or anyone spending across currencies, that’s the simplest upgrade you can make.

FAQs: Curve Pay vs Bank Abroad

How do traditional banks charge you abroad?
Through foreign transaction fees (~2.75%), poor exchange rates, and extra ATM or DCC costs.

Is Curve Pay really cheaper for travel?
Yes. Tap with Curve Pay, and you avoid FX fees—even when using your usual debit or credit card.

Can Curve Pay replace my bank card?
For spending abroad, absolutely. You can still use your bank card—but smarter, with Curve Pay handling the heavy lifting.