Which bank card is best?

The popularity of non-cash payments increases daily. Plastic cards can pay bills in a store, a cafe, a restaurant, a gas station, medical centers, etc. For settlements in Russia, an account is opened in rubles. A debit card is attached to it . But what if a person leaves abroad? Which card to open better? Currency. It is not so "hits the wallet" during periods of crisis.

Cash or card

A few years ago, before the trip abroad, Russians bought dollars and euros in exchange offices. Many have done so. But it is better to issue a bank card and keep funds on it. Then you do not have to carry a pack of cash, and in case of loss of plastic, the funds can be blocked. In the most difficult situation, relatives can always replenish your account with rubles.

The currency card in Russia is not so popular as the usual debit card. Users have a lot of questions. Can I pay it off at a European store? What is the commission of the bank? Where is it better to withdraw funds? How to protect yourself from scammers?

Types

The most widespread in the world payment systems - Visa and MasterCard - issue plastic cards in any monetary unit. You can calculate them in the store, where there is a corresponding logo. But in many regions there are nuances. For example, in most retail outlets in Europe do not accept plastics without a chip. In Germany it is easier to pay for a Maestro card. Geopolitics also matters. The currency card issued by the Armenian bank will not operate in Azerbaijan. In Central America, they do not accept credit documents issued in the United States, and so on.

In countries with the tourism industry, there will be no problems with cashing out funds. If you are going to sparsely populated places, it is better to exchange money in advance in Russia. On the road it is worth taking not one, but at least three cards: salary, currency and credit cards. The main thing is that they are issued by VISA or MasterCard in different banks.

Costs

For trips to Europe it is necessary to open a currency card in dollars or the USA. Ruble Visa Classic and MasterCard Standart abroad will accept. But the purchase will cost more due to the conversion of courses. What it is? If the account is in international currency (dollar, euro), the amount will be converted to rubles at the rate of St. Petersburg. If the goods are paid in Swiss francs, the resulting figure will be recalculated once again to the account currency. For each such operation a commission is charged.

Do not forget about the exchange rate difference. At the time of purchase, the amount on the account is blocked. The write-off occurs when the bank receives a confirmation of the transaction. The time difference takes several days, during which the course changes.

For the withdrawal of foreign currency from a ruble account, the commission is charged by the issuing bank that issued the card, and the partner who served it. There are also limits on the cashing of money, which should be clarified before going abroad.

Security

Cases of fraud with plastics are met, but extremely rare. The attendants can not duplicate the data. All operations occur in front of the user. The currency card of Priorbank has an electronic chip, PIN and CVV code. In addition, users can activate the SMS-notification service on the movement of funds, impose restrictions on the writing-off of amounts from the account during the day or in a certain country, etc. In theory, the bank must repay the stolen amount if the client notified of the theft of money within 24 hours after Receive SMS.

Ruble VS currency card of Sberbank

At the end of 2014, many users complained that for purchases in foreign stores, the amount written off is greater than in the invoice. For December 17, the ruble on the interbank market fell from 61.1 to 80. All write-offs for purchases in foreign stores are already carried out on a new course. As a result, the holders of ruble cards formed an overdraft. In many financial institutions, there is a rule that a customer's debt can be repaid at the expense of another. The same rule applies to online services and ATMs. When the terminal issues the requested amount in foreign currency, this does not mean that the money is actually written off from the account. This situation very well describes the advantage of currency cards. They are not subject to exchange rate differences. How not to lose money during the devaluation of the ruble? Make a currency card and pay for it in foreign shops and services.

What you should pay attention to

Before opening an account, you need to determine the class and type of payment instrument. The "standard" and "premium" cards give customers more opportunities. But their maintenance will cost a pretty penny. The currency card MasterCard Standart or Visa Classic is issued for $ / € 10-15. With their help you can withdraw cash, pay for goods, rent, hotel reservation, air tickets. Cards of a higher class perform the same functions, and also emphasize the financial status of the holder. "Technobank" offers its customers to issue Visa Gold or Visa Platinum for 10 and 50 y. E., Respectively. The first year the maintenance will manage to the holder in $ / € - 30-50, the second - $ / € - 40-100. Commission for cashing of funds is fixed in fixed (2-3 USD) and variable (2-3%) value.

Choose the payment means of other systems is not worth it. The same American Express is not yet accepted in all countries of the world. The currency card opens in dollars or euros. Accounts in other monetary units are paid at the cross rate. Tourists who travel a lot, it makes sense to open a multi-currency account. In this case, one plastic can pay for goods in rubles, dollars or euros. The cost of service for the entire term will be 10-55 dollars.

A type

The most common debit cards are used as an electronic wallet. A credit card in foreign currency can be issued only by clients with a high level of income. It is better to choose programs in which interest is charged on actually used funds. The most optimal option is savings cards. With their help you can pay bills and increase your capital. The average rate is 5% per annum. Here everything also depends on the bank and the terms of service.

When making a currency card, the client is immediately opened an account in the corresponding monetary unit. You can make sales transactions directly in Internet banking. But for the transfer of funds between individuals will have to open a transit account. This rule, in particular, operates in the Savings Bank. "Tinkoff" offers its customers to replenish the account directly through the CONTACT online system and without commission. For the operation it is sufficient to indicate the number of the payment instrument.

Terms of use

Which currency card is better - in each case, the person decides for himself. The most tempting for customers is a credit card in dollars or euros. Borrowed funds are provided at a lower interest rate, and there is no need to pay a commission for conversion. But if you use such a means of payment in Russia, the amount will automatically be transferred to rubles at the current exchange rate. It is quite difficult to withdraw cash. And in order to replenish the account, you will have to exchange rubles for dollars or euros.

Advantages of foreign currency loans:

• The interest rate for the service is 2-8 points lower than in the ruble account. The commission is usually set for the entire validity period of the card.
• Such a means of payment can pay for purchases in foreign online stores. The main thing is to remove the restriction on online transactions in the bank.
• When you draw a card, you need to pay attention to its capabilities. Persons who travel often choose plastics with the maximum number of services. In this case, holders will receive discounts from partners of the financial institution and payment systems.

Currency Savings Cards

The yield on payment instruments in foreign currency hardly exceeds 5% per year. While the rates on deposits in rubles are almost 10 times higher. Is there any sense to take risks?

The cards are perfect for people who do not want to part with savings for a long period, always want to keep them at hand (and not in a glass jar at home) and get a nice bonus. The rates on them are 1-2% lower than foreign currency deposits. In addition, you can always connect mobile and Internet banking to the card.

But there are several disadvantages. The first is the irreducible remainder. Part of the funds on the account "freezes" for the entire period of its operation. After the specified time, the money is returned to the owner. The second drawback is that the yield of 4.5-5% is only for amounts over several thousand dollars.