Part of the Chase UK Bank guide.
Chase UK is one of the better UK bank accounts for travelling abroad — no foreign transaction fees on card spending, and, according to Chase’s current published terms, no Chase fee on ATM withdrawals abroad within a £500-a-day, £1,500-a-month cap. Chase uses the Mastercard exchange rate with no added markup.
For most holiday trips and short work trips abroad, Chase is a strong default choice. Here is exactly how it works.
Chase UK Travel Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Foreign transaction fee (card spending) | £0 |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate — no markup |
| Foreign ATM withdrawals — daily limit | £500 |
| Foreign ATM withdrawals — monthly cap | £1,500 |
| Chase fee on foreign ATM withdrawals within these limits | £0 |
| Worldwide coverage | Mastercard is widely accepted internationally — check acceptance at your specific destination |
| Fair use policy | Yes — applies to extended primary-abroad use |
Spending Abroad with Chase
When you pay by card in another country, Chase converts the transaction from the local currency to GBP using the Mastercard exchange rate — the mid-market rate updated daily. Chase adds no markup or additional fee on top of this rate.
This compares favourably to many high-street banks, some of which add a non-sterling transaction fee on every foreign purchase — check current competitor fees directly, as these vary by provider and change over time.
Always Pay in Local Currency
Wherever you are, always choose to pay in the local currency when offered the choice at a card machine or ATM. Selecting “Pay in GBP” — known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC) — uses the merchant’s or ATM operator’s exchange rate, which is typically worse than the Mastercard rate. Chase cannot protect you from a DCC markup — that is applied by the merchant before Chase even sees the transaction.
ATM Withdrawals Abroad
Chase’s foreign ATM policy, according to its current published terms:
| Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily cash withdrawal (abroad, same as UK) | £500 |
| Total cash withdrawal per calendar month (abroad) | £1,500 |
| Chase fee within these limits | £0 |
The £1,500 monthly cap resets on the 1st of each calendar month. If your holiday crosses a month boundary, you receive a fresh £1,500 allowance from the 1st.
Note on fee structure: some older or third-party sources describe a 1.5% fee applying to foreign ATM withdrawals above a £500 monthly allowance. This is not reflected in Chase’s current published terms (checked September 2026) — the binding constraint is the £1,500/month withdrawal cap, not a percentage fee. Confirm the current position in the Chase app before you travel, as terms can change.
The local ATM operator may charge its own access fee regardless of which card you use — this is especially common in some countries. Choose ATMs that clearly display “no surcharge” where possible. For a full breakdown of all limits including the daily cap, see the Chase UK ATM withdrawal limit guide.
The Fair Use Policy
Chase’s terms include a fair use policy for foreign spending. This exists because the Chase account is designed as a UK everyday current account, not a dedicated travel money card.
The policy is most relevant if:
- You use the card primarily abroad for an extended continuous period with minimal UK usage
- Chase’s systems identify the account as being used more like a currency card than a domestic bank account
For the vast majority of customers — including those taking long holidays of several months — this is very unlikely to apply. Chase does not publish a specific threshold. The practical advice is to make occasional UK purchases while abroad (an online subscription, a bill payment) to demonstrate Chase remains your primary everyday account.
Chase UK vs Other Travel Cards
Compare Chase against Starling, Monzo, Wise, and travel credit cards directly on each provider’s own site before travelling — foreign spending fees, ATM allowances, and card type (debit vs credit) all affect which is best for your trip, and terms change over time. As of September 2026, Chase and Starling are generally considered among the stronger fee-free debit options for travel; for a full comparison, see Monzo vs Starling vs Revolut.
Chase vs Travel Credit Cards — Section 75 Consideration
For purchases over £100 abroad — particularly large bookings such as flights, hotels, and car hire — a fee-free travel credit card may offer stronger protection than a Chase debit card, despite both potentially being fee-free abroad.
Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, credit card issuers are jointly liable with the retailer for purchases between £100 and £30,000. If the airline goes bust, the hotel fails to deliver, or goods are faulty, you can claim against the credit card company directly — not just the merchant. Chase’s debit card is not covered by Section 75.
Chase does offer Mastercard chargeback rights for debit card transactions, which provide some protection for goods not received — but the evidence requirements are higher and it is not as robust as Section 75.
Practical approach: Use Chase’s debit card for everyday holiday spending (meals, transport, shopping). Use a fee-free travel credit card — paid in full each month — for significant bookings where Section 75 protection matters.
Tips for Using Chase Abroad
- Plan ATM withdrawals around the month boundary — a withdrawal on the 31st and another on the 1st gives you two separate £1,500 monthly allowances
- Decline dynamic currency conversion every time — always pay in local currency
- Keep some UK spending active — helps demonstrate Chase is your primary account
- Freeze instantly if lost — open the Chase app; ask about replacement card delivery options for your specific situation
- Travel with a backup card — in case Chase is blocked due to a fraud flag on unusual spending patterns
- Check your limits before you go — the £500 daily and £1,500 monthly ATM caps apply both in the UK and abroad
More from the Chase UK guide: