If using the 18 wallet currencies, do I always need to swap in advance?

No, but you’ll get cheaper fees if you do. 

If you’re going to any country whose official currency is one of our 18 supported ones, you can use your card like a regular debit card (as your would if spending in any currencies without a wallet).  

However, you’ll always be charged a 2% instant swap fee*. Whereas if you swap in advance with a 7 or 3-day swap, you can pay just 1% or 1.3%.  

 

* For all users who registered prior to 08/05/2017, the instant and Smart Swap fee is 1.4%.