I’ve used both Revolut and Chase since their inception and have traveled to more than 20 countries.Both have been reviewed in detail, but this article I want to compare them based not only on their features, but on my personal experience of using them in over 15 different countries.
Revolut vs Chase – which is the better travel card?
I’ll jump right to it. In my personal experience Chase is the better card for travel. Both for family holidays, and extended travel abroad. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s easier to use, and pays cashback on spending (though terms and conditions apply).Revolut is a good card in its own right, but to get the best out of it you have to navigate its multitude of fees. Which isn’t something you want to do whilst travelling.It actually offers more features and functionality than Chase, though none that are really relevant to the average holidaymaker.
Overview
Neither of these accounts need any introduction. Since its launch a decade ago, Revolut has grown to over 35 million customers worldwide, making it one of the hottest fintech properties around.Revolut started as a pre-paid travel card, and although it offers a whole suit of financial features, including a sort code and account number, allowing it to be used just a like a regular bank accountChase is technically the newcomer here, only launching its banking service in 2021, but it’s backed by JP Morgan, the largest and one of the oldest banks in the US.Unlike Revolut, Chase launched its current account right out of the gate, and set out to “blow the competition out of the water”, in terms of its offerings.
Sign up
Both accounts free to get started and sign up is the typical digital affair requiring you to download the respective apps, enter your details and upload photo id etc.. Sign up is quick and easy, with both companies using automated checks to verify your address and identity.It is worth pointing out, that in these times Know Your Customer (KYC), and anti-money laundering checks, that you may be required to provide additional information.Winner: Tie
Costs
While both accounts are free to get started, Revolut has a myriad of paid plans and services, while Chase has just one. Free.Both accounts offer fee free foreign spending and ATM withdrawals. Revolut’s free tier allows fee free ATM withdrawals up to £200 month. Any withdrawals over that incur a 2% fee. Revolut’s paid plans increase this limit but even Premium (a £7.99 a month add-on), only ups this to £400.Chase on the other hand, allows fee free ATM withdrawals up to £1,500 a month (up form £750). In addition, it allows you to use Chase ATMs in the US meaning you avoid the typical ATM fees associated with withdrawing cash in the US.Replacement cardsIt’s advised to carry multiple cards when travelling to minimise the disruption in the event of your card being lost or stolen. Chase offers free delivery for both new and replacement cards, whereas Revolut charges for replacement cards, and fluctuates between free delivery for your initial card, or a £5 fee depending on the promotion at the time.Winner: Chase
Cashback
Chase offers 1% cashabck on purchases. It’s limited to £15 per month, but still a nice discount on that on that new swimsuit you might pick up in the Next sale.Revolut doesn’t offer any direct cashback on its free plan.Winner: Chase
App and interface
Revolut is at the cutting edge of fintech, and has interests in banking, cryptocurrency, trading, currency exchange, and savings. As such, its app can feel a little cluttered at times, if all you want to use it for is to check your balance, see your card details, and send or receive money.Don’t get me wrong. You can do all of those quickly and efficiently, but they aren’t as prioritised in the app as they are for Chase.In contrast, the Chase app appears basic, almost legacy bank-like. The interface is clean, clear and easy to use. There are no unnecessary distraction, so you can just get on with whatever it is you want to do.In terms of picking a winner here, since I’m only focusing on travel, then Chase is the better app.Winner: Chase
Customer protection
The biggest difference between the two here is that Revolut isn’t a UK licenced bank. As such, deposits are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).It does have a safeguarding policy where customer deposits are protected from day to day running costs and risky investments.JP Morgan, the owner of Chase is a fully registered bank and one of the largest financial institutions in the world.It’s worth noting that neither Chase, nor Revolut are signed up to the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code, which means you have fewer ‘rights’ if you are victim of authorised payment fraud, then you would with a more mainstream bank.Authorised push payment (APP) scams, are unfortunately a growing area of fraud. The scam involves tricking the victim into willingly making a transfer or payment.As the bank sees that these payments have been authorised by you. Either by pin, 2 factor authentication, or other means, it usually means you have little recourse to get your money back.Starling, which is my preferred bank for travel, is a member. Meaning it should be easier to reclaim money lost to such scams.Winner: Chase
Account protection
When it comes to account protection features, both do a good job.Both Chase and Revolut feature two-factor authentication, as well as the ability to freeze your card to prevent unauthorised spending.Like most banking apps these days, they also allow you to toggle contactless spending, chip & pin, ATM withdrawals, and magswipe payments.Chase’s debit card is numberless, which in theory is a little more secure as it helps to prevent cloning, or would be fraudsters noting down your card number.Revolut goes one step further by allowing virtual and disposable cards, and also allows you to set maximum card limits for spending. The former is particular useful for online shopping, whilst the latter is great for budgeting control.Winner: Revolut
Ethics and social responsibility
Unfortunately, neither company is known for its ethical stance or social responsibility. In fact, Chase is considered by many to be the least ethical bank, in part due to JP Morgan funnelling more than £300bn into fossil fuels. This includes oil and gas extraction in the Amazon rainforest.Revolut doesn’t engage in such investments or such environmental destruction, but it’s not a stranger to controversy of its own. From a Revolut executive threatening to shoot a customer, to the disabling of anti-money laundering checks, a quick search of Revolut on a news site such as the BBC will return a number of articles painting Revolut in a negative light.Really, there’s no winner here, but if we focus on the environment, then Chase potentially loses out due to JP Morgan’s historical investment activities. Though that may be changing.Winner: Revolut
Should you get Revolut or Chase for your travels?
Both of these are good travel cards in their own right, but in my option, Chase is the clear winner for general day to day holiday spending.It’s free, easy to use, and you’ll receive rewards such as 1% cashback and 5% on roundups. There are no gotchas as with Revolut, and the higher ATM withdrawal limits will come in useful in more cash centric countries.Revolut is best for accumulating money in foreign currencies, or to send international bank transfers, but neither are something the typical holidaymaker would be doing.
What should you get instead of these?
My personal preference over either of these for day to day spending abroad would now be the new Trading 212 debit card, unless I needed large sums of cash from ATMs. An alternative would be Starling (see my review), which like Chase also has fee free foreign spending.You can send international bank transfers if needed, and you also earn a higher rate of interest on deposits in your current account. Furthermore, Starling is a member of the CRM so in theory at least you have additional recourse if you are ever a victim of authorised fraud.I’ve been using Starling for nearly 7 years now. See my Starling account review for more details.In addition to Starling, I’d also choose a Barclaycard Rewards credit card. The Halifax Clarity has long been the credit card of choice for spending abroad, but Barclaycard Rewards is actually cheaper, and offers cashback (though the amount is pitiful).Crucially, it’s a visa card rather than a Mastercard. That means I’m totally covered in event that one or the other isn’t accepted, as Chase, Starling and Revolut are all Mastercards.When travelling, I’d typically use a credit card for purchases of more than £100, such as hotel booking, flights, excursions etc.. That was I’m protected by Section 7 of the consumer protection act, should anything go wrong.For multi-currency accounts and exchangeIf you’re looking for a multi-currency account for sending money abroad, or exchanging pounds for something else, then Zing and Wise are currently our top picks here.For more on travel debit and credit cards, see the best cards to spends abroad.
