HSBC takes on rival upstarts with fee-free traveller debit card

HSBC takes on rival upstarts with new Global Money Account offering fee-free debit card spending abroad

  • HSBC’s basic Advance current account comes with a 2.75% fee 
  • To get a Global Money Account debit card you need an HSBC current account

HSBC is battling smaller rivals by launching a fee-free overseas debit card. Upstarts such as Starling have hoovered up current account customers, helped by offering fee-free spending abroad.

The HSBC Global Money Account, plugged in a new television advert by actor Richard Ayoade, is a ‘no brainer’ for existing customers, says one industry expert. 

Andrew Hagger, of comparison service MoneyComms, says it’s rare for a debit card to have zero fees for transactions abroad.

– Check out the best digital banks that offer zero fees for overseas spending here. 

Holiday ready: The HSBC Global Money Account, plugged in a new television advert by actor Richard Ayoade, is a ‘no brainer’ for existing customers, says one industry expert

HSBC’s basic Advance current account comes with a 2.75 per cent fee. 

Withdrawing cash with the debit card linked to its Advance account results in this fee plus another 2 per cent, with a minimum charge of £1.75 up to a maximum of £5.

If you made ten transactions abroad worth £50 with HSBC’s regular card, you could end up paying an additional £13.80 in fees, according to Mr Hagger.

To obtain the Global Money Account debit card, you must have a HSBC current account and the HSBC app, plus a valid email address. Customers then apply for the card in their app.

The card can hold balances in a range of currencies including euros, U.S. dollars and Australian dollars and transactions are paid in the local currency. Money can only be paid in via the HSBC app.

l.purkess@dailymail.co.uk

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