Revolut Debit Card, Metal Plan Review: Six Months In

I’ve been using Revolut Metal for six months now, for myself and for my children’s accounts. It costs £14.99 a month, which is a lot for a debit card, so I want to share an honest look at what I actually use and who I think it makes sense for. This is the first article in a short series reviewing Revolut.

Why I chose it in the first place

I’m a very practical person, and I like having everything in one place. When I started teaching my children about money, I wanted them to have their own accounts, but I didn’t want another app to manage. Revolut lets you open accounts for up to five children for free, sitting right alongside your own. The accounts are free on any plan, but the kids’ cards usually come with a charge. On Metal, those cards are included, and that was one of the main reasons I upgraded.

The perks I actually use

NordVPN is included, and I use it more than I expected. I like having an extra layer of security on my devices, and it’s also handy for booking travel, since Iberia’s website sometimes won’t load properly until you switch a VPN on.

Chess.com Premium is another one that gets used in our house. My children love playing chess, and paying for a membership always felt like silly money to me. With Metal, it’s covered.

ChatGPT Go is a recent addition, and it’s become one I use every week, mostly for creating images for work.

Uber One is included too. I don’t use Uber often enough to pay for a membership myself, but when I do, I’m glad not to pay the extra fees, and it covers both rides and Uber Eats.

Travelling and sending money abroad

This year I used the card in Brazil, Germany and Portugal, with no foreign exchange fees on spending. In Germany and Portugal I came across places that only took cash, so being able to withdraw money when I needed it made a real difference. On many plans, exchanging money at the weekend costs more than on a weekday, but on Metal there are no weekend fees, and that includes the kids’ cards.

I also send money to Brazil regularly, and the transfer rates have been consistently good. For anyone with family or regular costs in another country, this is one of the most useful parts of the account.

Rev Points (more on this soon)

On Metal, you also earn 1 Rev Point for every £2 you spend, and those points can be transferred to several airline programmes. If I’m honest, this is the one area where I’d like to see more, because 1 point per £1 would make it far more competitive with other rewards cards. Still, it’s a nice extra on top of everything else. I’ll be covering all the points and miles side of Revolut in a separate article in this series.

My verdict

For our family, Metal works because we use most of what’s in it: the kids’ cards, the VPN, Chess.com, ChatGPT Go, fee-free spending abroad and regular transfers to Brazil. Paying for those separately would cost us more than the monthly fee.

If you travel a few times a year, have children you want to give their own accounts, or send money abroad often, it’s worth doing the sums for your own situation. If you mostly spend in the UK and wouldn’t use the subscriptions, Revolut Metal might not be a good deal for you, though you might want to read my next article on Rev Points before deciding.

Because Revolut is a debit card rather than a credit card, there’s no credit card application to go through.

Let me know your questions in the comments and I’ll do a Q&A on Revolut!

Speak soon,
Nat

Fly Smart Club is an educational website. The content in this article is based on my personal experience and is for information only. It is not financial advice. Card benefits, fees and terms can change, so please check the latest details with the provider and consider your own circumstances before making any financial decision. Some of our articles contain referral links. If you sign up through one, Fly Smart Club may receive a reward, at no extra cost to you.