Summer holidays abroad could be back on the table - so what are the best debit and credit cards to beat overseas fees?
Most British holidaymakers were previously resigned to the fact that they won't be able to head abroad this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic causing travel havoc.
However, reports suggest that the Government is mulling potential 'air bridge' countries which could see Brits head abroad to low-infection countries without facing quarantine on their return to the UK.
With this in mind, foreign holidays could soon be back on the table, and that means sorting out holiday money.
Swipe your everyday credit card or debit card abroad and you will end up paying through the nose, as most charge an extra 3 per cent for the privilege.
On holiday? Relax and make sure you're not spending too much on fees
But there are ways to avoid extra costs when making purchases or withdrawing money abroad.
Here we pick the best accounts which offer small or, even better, no fees - a worthwhile money-saver, particularly if you are a frequent-flyer.
While it is hard to predict what rates will do in the future, the pound plummeted against both the US dollar and the euro haven't returned to pre-Brexit vote levels, hitting travellers' wallets hard.
Now it is more important than ever to avoid hefty fees from your bank to make sure your cash stretches as far as possible while on holiday.
Current accounts
They may be free to use at home, but debit cards can be serious offenders when it comes to extra holiday costs.
Some providers charge as much as £1.50 every time you use your card on top of loading the exchange rate.
Big charges mean that you should avoid taking out small amounts of cash often and try to take out larger amounts less regularly, although this brings its own risks in terms of theft.
Luckily, if you don't want to pay out to spend, there are a few options out there that can help you to avoid extra costs.
Starling - the best of the bunch but you have to bank via an app
Starling was the first of the challengers to launch an app-only current account in the UK.
While banking on your mobile might not be for everyone, the free overseas spending and withdrawals everywhere in the world might be enough to persuade you - a perk unavailable anywhere else.
Rival challenger Monzo previously offered the same deal, but it has since added a cap on free overseas withdrawals of £200 per month, with a 3 per cent charge after that.
There are no guarantees Starling will be able to sustain its free withdrawals, but it is currently the cheapest account on the market for overseas spending and withdrawals.
The app lets you categorise your spending, freeze your card temporarily if you lose it and set up savings goals.
Watch out for
If you stray into your overdraft there are no usage fees, but interest will be applied at 15 EAR per cent. If you use an unauthorsied overdraft, there are no extra fees on top of standard interest and charges are capped at £2 per month.
Any others?
Those who pay for Nationwide's FlexPlus current account also get fee-free spending and withdrawals abroad, but you pay £13 per month for the packaged account.
You can find out more about whether its worth stumping up the cash for this account in our roundup of the top paid-for current accounts.
Selfie banking: Metro says customers can open accounts online within 10 minutes - and it means you don't need to go into branch
Metro Bank - free in Europe
Metro Bank's current account is a relatively small newcomer, proud of its customer-centric approach to banking. Its current account is a straightforward, no-frills option.
Metro has a few branches, but mostly in London and the south east, but it also allows online applications. The bank also has a mobile banking tool with beefed-up budgeting features.
No overseas charges in Europe
Metro Bank will not charge you for using your card or withdrawing money from an ATM abroad in Europe, but it will charge you for use in the rest of the world.
It will charge 2.99 per cent on both card purchases and ATM withdrawals.
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Starling Bank's current account allows free purchases and cash withdrawals abroad. The bank also offers up to 0.05% interest on balances up to £85,000. The account is managed by smartphone app only.
The American Express Premium Plus Credit Card offers a 25,000 free Avios boost when you spend £3,000 in the first six months after opening. It pays 1.5 Avios per £1 spent and carries a £195 annual fee. 74.7% APR.
Metro Bank will not charge you for using your card or withdrawing money from an ATM in Europe, but it will charge 2.99 per cent on both card purchases and ATM withdrawals (plus a £1.50 fee for the latter) for the rest of the world.
FairFX is offering This is Money readers a free prepaid Mastercard currency card. It offers highly competitive exchange rates, no foreign transaction fees and low cash withdrawal charges abroad. Comes with a £10 bonus when you top up.
Santander's Zero Mastercard credit card offers fee-free spending and cash withdrawals worldwide, with 0% interest on all purchases for 12 months from account opening. Representative APR of 18.9 per cent.
Watch out: Cash withdrawals abroad often come with flat fees of up to £1.50 each
Credit cards
Most cards add around 3 per cent cost to the exchange rates banks themselves get.
You can avoid this by picking a specialist card, which won't apply non-sterling transaction fees or cash withdrawal charges.
Watch out: Most providers will charge interest on cash withdrawals immediately, until you pay off the amount in full.
To avoid clocking up interest therefore avoid leaving it until you get home to pay off the balance after using an ATM.
More to spend: Saving money on spending and cash fees means you will have extra for your trip
Halifax Clarity credit card has long been a popular option for no-frills overseas spending.
Halifax demands no extra charges for spending abroad anywhere or any extra for withdrawing cash at home and abroad.
Standard interest is set at 19.9 per cent - there are a few options (below) which have lower interest rates on spending.
But it's a Mastercard which means conversion rates are much better.
There is no annual fee - so there are zero extra costs as long as you pay off your balance in full every month.
Additional cards on the same account are available and you can manage your account online.
Watch out for
Interest is charged immediately at the card’s standard rate of 19.95 per cent on cash withdrawals and purchases abroad, but you can minimise the cost by repaying in full as soon as possible.
Depending on your credit score, applicants may be given a higher interest rate of 27.9 per cent.
You will be charged £12 if you pay your balance late, have a payment returned or go over your limit.
Water sports: Credit card fees can push up the cost of paying for holiday activities
The best of the rest
Santander
Santander's Zero Credit Card again has no overseas fees for spending or withdrawing cash from an ATM anywhere in the world.
There is no monthly fee and a standard interest rate of 18.9 per cent.
Tandem
Tandem's Journey credit card charges nothing for purchases and withdrawals abroad. Interest on any withdrawals will be applied immediately.
It comes with interest of 24.9 per cent and is designed for those who need to build up their credit rating with starting credit limits of £500 - £1,500.
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The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card offers 20,000 Amex points if you spend £3,000 within the first three months. It comes with a £160 fee after the first 12 months and 28.1% on purchases.
NatWest's Balance Transfer card offers 33 months interest-free on balance transfers, the longest deal around, with a fee of 2.9% when transferring debt. It has an APR of 22.9%.
The American Express Platinum Cashback card offers 5% cashback up to £125 for first 3 months. You get 0.75% cashback on spending up to £10k and 1% cashback above £10k. There is a £25 annual fee and 28.1% on purchases.
The Halifax Clarity Credit Card is an old favourite for holidaymakers with no overseas fees It has no charges for spending abroad and low interest when withdrawing cash anywhere in the world. It charges interest of 19.9% APR.
Barclays Rewards Card offers 0.25% cashback on everyday spending. There is no annual charge and no fees when using the card abroad, and you’ll be able to withdraw cash from an ATM without any charges. It has a 25.9% APR.
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