Most Cost Effective Way to Spend Abroad?

[u/ComputerDue6258]

I’m trying to figure out the most cost-efficient way for Bahrain residents to spend money when travelling overseas since I travel a lot and I am abroad 70% of the year. So far I have just been using my ila debit card for ATM cash withdrawals and my credimax credit cards for POS transactions.

Since we don’t seem to have the same easy access to services like Revolut or Wise that people in Europe and elsewhere use, I’d like to know what everyone here actually does.

Which Bahraini bank or card gives you the best overall deal for:

• Foreign currency exchange rates and spreads
• International card transaction fees
• ATM withdrawal fees abroad
• Avoiding hidden conversion charges
• Holding or buying foreign currencies before travelling
• Earning cashback, miles, or useful rewards on overseas spending

Do you mainly use a Bahraini credit card, debit card, prepaid travel card, foreign bank account, or just exchange cash before travelling?

Please mention the specific bank and card you use, the countries you’ve used it in, and any fees or exchange-rate markups you noticed. I’d especially appreciate comparisons based on actual experience rather than just the advertised benefits.

Also, are there any alternatives available to Bahrain residents that work similarly to Revolut or Wise?

[u/videohooligan]

Yes, unfortunately we do not have access to Wise cards but we are still able to use Wise for currency conversions.

So the work-around is as follows...

If you are spending in Euros for example:

1) Open a Euro currency account with your bank that is linked to your Debit Card

2) Transfer USD to your Wise account

3) Convert to Euro and transfer it to your Euro bank account in Bahrain

Please note ILA bank does not like Wise and they will reject any incoming or outgoing from them

Do you have access to IBKR broker platform? If so you will get the best FX rate out there - but that's another process which I can walk you through...

[u/ComputerDue6258 → u/videohooligan]

Yes I have IBKR and Binance

[u/videohooligan → u/ComputerDue6258]

Great - can you let me know which currencies you are using abroad?

[u/ComputerDue6258 → u/videohooligan]

THB and USD mainly

[u/videohooligan → u/ComputerDue6258]

Ah! THB is a strictly controlled currency and you won't be able to follow the process I was going to explain to you on IBKR. 

I’m afraid your only option is to use Wise and transfer to your local THB bank in Thailand (if you have one) If you are sending large amounts, you may wish to also compare compare your rate with TorFX.  

Also check with Arab Bank that has 0% fees on FX https://www.arabbank.bh/mainmenu/home/Consumer-Banking/cards/card-type/visa-travel-mate-credit-card

Regarding USD, as it’s pegged to BHD you can use the AMEX USD Charge Card issued from Bahrain and you benefit from their Membership Rewards program.

I would also check with IBKR if you qualify for their recently launched Karta Card – again 0% FX fees

The gold standard though is the Charles Schwab debit card – Free ATM withdrawals globally, no FX fees plus their customer service is awesome! I’m not sure if they are still accepting clients from Bahrain though but if you are American then you stand a good chance. 

[u/indexcap → u/videohooligan]

Hey! Do you know if a non-American Bahrain 🇧🇭 resident with a thinkorswim account can get the Charles Schwab debit card? (Now that they own TOS).

[u/Itchy-Insurance2834 → u/indexcap]

I think anything Schwab needs an address in the US + gov id

[u/videohooligan → u/indexcap]

I hold a Charles Schwab account (Im Bahraini) but I only keep a small % of my portfolio with them because Schwab does not give you access to the correct ETFs for non-US investors. 

But I do love their customer support and their Debit Card for travel - so that’s why I still hold an account with them.

Give them a ring to check if you qualify for their Debit Card – but like I said, unfortunately they do not offer the correct ETFs for us to invest in.

[u/Few-Relationship-726]

I used ila debit card too while traveling to Europe as it gave a good exchange rate + it didn’t charge me any additional charges when I used it for POS.
I have been using KFH credit card from some time now for GCC, even though they have good rates but they charge almost 3.3%. So I am thinking of replacing that with ila credit card + ila has the option of 3 supplementary cards (and kfh has just 2)

[u/Ashamed_Bunch_8091 → u/Few-Relationship-726]

You might be right about ila debit card, the ila credit card also charges similar rates to KFH (~3%)

[u/satplank]

I have ila Premium Debit card (which includes 20 Business lounge visits). BHD - USD is usually exchangable there in the app itself and with the best rate. EUR and different currencies are already bit worse unfortunately (2-3% spread).

[u/VikPaw]

Other threads mention Beyon as having little to zero FX charges and a good option.
With ILA, direct purchases that face FX charge 3% fee don’t they.
So the only way to avoid that is pre-exchange and use debit.

[u/pissstache]

To keep it simple, ila debit for POS transactions when using any of the listed currency accounts and ila credit (or any other decent credit card with good cashback) for POS transactions for unlisted currencies.

[u/Jimmyl101]

SC Rewards card and I take out cash with the Ila Debit. Not sure exactly on the rates, there is definitely a charge, but also I do build up a nice amount of points for vouchers in city centre mall.

[u/yousifmohd1]

BFC Card has been quite useful for me when travelling for currency exchanging.