Tools & Resources We Recommend

A curated short list of non-card tools that pair well with the right credit card — especially for readers who travel internationally or hold money in multiple currencies.

Some links below are referral links — if you sign up through them we may receive a small bonus, and so will you. We only include tools we actually use. See our affiliate disclosure for details.

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Best for: International transfers

Wise is the multi-currency account we recommend for anyone who pays international invoices, sends money abroad, gets paid in foreign currencies, or holds more than one currency at a time. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate with a small transparent fee — typically saving you 3–5% versus your bank's FX rate.

When to use Wise vs. your credit card abroad

  • Pay foreign vendors / invoices: Use Wise. Cards charge 1–3% FX fees plus issuer markup.
  • Get local cash abroad: Use the free Wise debit card — most ATM withdrawals are fee-free up to a monthly limit.
  • In-person purchases abroad: Use your no-FX-fee travel credit card to earn points and purchase protection. Wise is the backup when rewards don't matter.
  • Receive freelance pay in EUR/GBP/AUD/etc.: Wise multi-currency account is significantly cheaper than PayPal or wire transfers.
Open a Free Wise Account →

Referral link — both you and we receive a small bonus on your first qualifying transfer.

N26

Best for: European banking

N26 is a mobile-first European digital bank offering free EUR accounts, a Mastercard debit card, instant transfers, and clean spending insights. It is a popular pick among European residents, expats and digital nomads who spend significant time in the EU and need a real local bank account.

Availability — read this before clicking

N26 exited the US market in early 2022 and is currently available only to residents of select European countries (EU members plus a handful of others). If you do not live in — or have legal residency in — a supported country, you will not be able to open an account. For US-only readers this referral will not be useful.

Open an N26 Account →

Referral link — supported countries only. Both you and we receive a small bonus on qualifying signups.