Debit cards in Belgium (1 Viewer)

[laird of Dunstan]

Hi guys
Are debit cards easily accepted in Belgium and do you get penalised on the exchange rate

 

[JJ]

Surely Belgium accept debit cards?

I think some parts of it even have electricity.

Revolut give you the interbank rate at the moment you use it...

Preloaded card though... load it from your debit card using the app on your smart phone.

Revolut ROCKS.

I am a believer.

JJ

 

[Clickem]

@JJ. I have not got a Revolut card, Caxton for me, but I thought that it was "pre-paid". In other words you get the rate when you top it up, not when you use it

Edit - sorry, on re-read I think you mean when you use it to top up

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[JJ]

@JJ. I have not got a Revolut card, Caxton for me, but I thought that it was "pre-paid". In other words you get the rate when you top it up, not when you use it

Edit - sorry, on re-read I think you mean when you use it to top up

Nope... You get the exchange rate when you use it... or when you change your pounds to euros or dollars in the app.

So you load your Revolut card with pounds and if you think the pound is high and will drop soon, you exchange them for euros (or dollars). Your RC holds your money in pounds or euros or dollars (or some in all three depending on your choice).

When you use you RC to buy something in any one of 196 currencies it can deal with, it converts enough of your pounds/euros/dollars into that currency at the interbank exchange rate at the time of purchase to pay the bill. There are no fees for this. You instantly get the information of the transaction on your phone.

Revolut and Caxton are not the same.

(Of course you do need the app on your smartphone. No smartphone no Revolut.)

JJ

 

[Clickem]

@JJ. Thanks, clear now

We use Caxton if at any time we think that the exchange rate is good and then preload with currency
Nationwide Flex Plus Visa to draw cash at current exchange rate
Halifax Clarity if Credit Cards are accepted

 

[Deleted member 29692]

You won't have a problem using it. The only place in Western Europe you're likely to have a problem will be certain parts of Germany where nothing, not debit cards, credit cards, Revolut, Caxton or anything else, will work. Cash is king in Germany.

The exchange rate is applied by your bank not the local processor so you won't get hammered any more or less than you do in any other Eurozone country.

Mr @JJ is right though - Revolut all the way.

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[GeriatricWanderer]

To answer the OP - whenever you choose to use a UK debit or credit card overseas, you will frequently be asked if you want to pay in the local currency or Sterling.
Always choose local currency and let your bank exchange to Sterling. If you choose to pay in Sterling the retailer will apply their exchange rate which will almost certainly not be in your favour.

 

[JJ]

To answer the OP - whenever you choose to use a UK debit or credit card overseas, you will frequently be asked if you want to pay in the local currency or Sterling.
Always choose local currency and let your bank exchange to Sterling. If you choose to pay in Sterling the retailer will apply their exchange rate which will almost certainly not be in your favour.

None of the above is needed if you have a Revolut Card...

Just saying


JJ

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

None of the above is needed if you have a Revolut Card...

Just saying


JJ

He asked about debit cards

Just answering

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[Gizmouk]

Hi guys
Are debit cards easily accepted in Belgium and do you get penalised on the exchange rate

We go to Belgium 2 or 3 times a year, and have never had a problem using HSBC or Santander (both Visa) debit cards - either making purchases or withdrawing cash from ATMs

 

[laird of Dunstan]

We go to Belgium 2 or 3 times a year, and have never had a problem using HSBC or Santander (both Visa) debit cards - either making purchases or withdrawing cash from ATMs

Thank you Gizmouk ,we will be leaving thurday night for an early tunnel

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Well we just emptied out our piggy bank ,i had to smash it open and we have over a Thousand quid in one pound and two pound coins ,guess we are going to have a party

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[Jensfunancials]

Spend those old pound coins quickly before they become obsolete ;-) Now I am off to find out what a Revolut Card is!

 

[gus-lopez]

Spend those old pound coins quickly before they become obsolete ;-) Now I am off to find out what a Revolut Card is!

https://revolut.com/


&

 

[magicsurfbus]

My Santander Debit Card has been adding a £1.25 transaction fee to each foreign purchase in the last few weeks.

However, I don't use it very much as my Santander Zero Credit Card has no such fees. I believe there are other benefits to be had with Santander cashpoint withdrawals in the EU.

I don't recall Belgium being a problem with it.

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[Jensfunancials]

Thanks, Gus-Lopez