Any suggestions on the top cards for US guy - N26, monzo, wise? Capital One?
I asked this exact question before my 3-month Asia trip - ended up choosing Wise for ATM and Chase Sapphire Preferred for flights and hotels. N26 and Monzo were off the table - neither supports new U.S. customers. Capital One came in handy too, especially in Japan where some ATMs rejected Wise but not CapOne. If you’re looking for a reliable travel card setup, go with Wise + Chase or CapOne. The combination works nearly everywhere.
Living in Berlin now, and while my EU friends love Monzo and N26, I couldn’t use either since I’m U.S.-based. I kept my Capital One 360 debit for free overseas withdrawals (works at most ATMs in Germany and Spain) and use Wise for converting USD to EUR instantly. Wise even replaced my card in Berlin in 5 days when it got stolen. As far as U.S.-available options go, Wise + Capital One are about as solid as it gets right now.
Forget N26 and Monzo unless you’re based in Europe. I tried to sign up for N26 as a U.S. citizen - no go. I’ve used Wise + Capital One Quicksilver while hitching through Central America, and they’ve handled everything from border fees to food trucks. Wise for cash withdrawals - limits are high and the rate is fair. Capital One doesn’t get blocked like BoA or Wells Fargo. If you’re looking for best cards for American backpackers, skip the fancy fintechs and go Wise + CapOne.
I’ve been living between Colombia and Lisbon since January and my go-to combo is Capital One Venture X and Wise. Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and earns points on flights and Airbnbs. Wise lets me hold multiple currencies and instantly move between USD, EUR, COP, etc. Monzo and N26 aren’t available for U.S. citizens (unless you’re already a European resident), so not really an option. For Americans abroad, this combo gives flexibility, rewards, and peace of mind.