For trips abroad, it is best to get a card from one of the international payment systems
Today, about six dozen Ukrainian banks offer such cards: PrivatBank, Ukrsibbank, OTP Bank, Nadra, etc. How can an uninformed client figure out the choice of payment system and card type? What opportunities do cards provide abroad?
The first thing to pay attention to when getting a card is the service system (issuer). Both local and international systems issue cards, and accordingly, cards work only at the local or international level. Typical examples of local cards are electronic savings books, often attached to bank deposits, or temporary cards for new bank clients – cash withdrawals and payments are possible only at the issuer's ATMs within the "home" country.
It is clear that for foreign trips, an international card from VISA, MasterCard, or American Express systems is required, valid at ATMs in any country of the world. All three named systems are identical in the set and quality of services, so the choice between them does not matter, and Ukrainian banks offer clients cards in any of these systems.
But what is really important for convenient use of the card is to thoughtfully choose its type, capabilities, and security level. VISA Electron and Maestro cards (in MasterCard) are intended only for electronic use – at ATMs and terminals in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and the cardholder's full name is either not applied at all or printed. If you want to book airline tickets and hotel rooms, rent cars, order goods online, pay for various services – order a Visa Classic or MasterCard Mass card. And if, moreover, the card should emphasize the status of its holder, they issue Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Infinite cards. They allow you to hold unlimited amounts of money, receive elite-class services, insure purchases, authorize payments in case of loss of the card, and even have a personal consultant for any issues – from reminders of important dates to real estate management.
And finally, a few words about currency. If a card is opened in hryvnia, when making payments abroad, the issuer applies exchange rates in Ukraine (NBU) or international cross rates. Sometimes a fee of up to 5% of the amount is charged for conversion. It is better not to distrust the bank regarding rates or fees and hope that by withdrawing money in your home currency, you can exchange it more favorably at "live" rates. If distrust of bank calculations is so great, get a multi-currency card.
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