Debit Card (Point of Sale)
Debit Card (ATM Withdrawal)
Credit Card (Point of Sale)
Credit Card (ATM Withdrawal)
*Default fee is 2.99% (standard TSB accounts). Adjust if you have a specialist account.
Base Cost (Market Rate):£0.00
Non-Sterling Transaction Fee:£0.00
Cash / Withdrawal Fee:£0.00
Total Cost to You:£0.00
Effective Exchange Rate:0.0000 per £1
function calculateTSBCost() {
// Get inputs
var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('foreignAmount').value);
var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('marketRate').value);
var type = document.getElementById('cardType').value;
var feePercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bankFee').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(amount) || amount <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid foreign currency amount.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(rate) || rate <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid exchange rate.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(feePercent)) {
feePercent = 2.99;
}
// 1. Calculate Base GBP Cost (Pure Conversion)
var baseGBP = amount / rate;
// 2. Calculate Non-Sterling Transaction Fee
var nonSterlingFee = baseGBP * (feePercent / 100);
// 3. Calculate Cash/ATM Fees
// TSB Standard Debit: 1.5% (min £2, max £4.50) on withdrawals.
// TSB Credit: 3% (min £3).
// NOTE: These are approximations for standard accounts.
// The logic below uses common standard fee structures.
var cashFee = 0;
if (type === 'debit_cash') {
// TSB Classic/Silver/Platinum often charge non-sterling cash fee
// Logic: 1.5% of the converted amount, min £2.00, max £4.50
var calculatedCashFee = baseGBP * 0.015;
if (calculatedCashFee 4.50) calculatedCashFee = 4.50;
cashFee = calculatedCashFee;
}
else if (type === 'credit_cash') {
// Credit card cash advance fee usually around 3%, min £3
var calculatedCashFee = baseGBP * 0.03;
if (calculatedCashFee < 3.00) calculatedCashFee = 3.00;
cashFee = calculatedCashFee;
}
// 4. Totals
var totalGBP = baseGBP + nonSterlingFee + cashFee;
var effectiveRate = amount / totalGBP;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('baseCost').innerText = "£" + baseGBP.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('fxFee').innerText = "£" + nonSterlingFee.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('cashFee').innerText = "£" + cashFee.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('totalCost').innerText = "£" + totalGBP.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('realRate').innerText = effectiveRate.toFixed(4) + " per £1";
document.getElementById('resultsArea').classList.add('visible');
}
Understanding TSB Exchange Rates and Fees
When using your TSB debit or credit card abroad, the "exchange rate" you see on Google is rarely the final cost deducted from your account. TSB, like most high-street banks, applies specific fees to foreign transactions that alter the effective exchange rate.
1. The Base Exchange Rate
TSB typically uses the wholesale payment scheme rates provided by Visa or Mastercard. These rates are generally very close to the live interbank market rate. However, the cost increases when the bank adds its non-sterling transaction fees.
2. Non-Sterling Transaction Fee
For most standard TSB current accounts (such as the Classic Account), a Non-Sterling Transaction Fee is applied to every purchase or withdrawal made in a foreign currency. This is currently set at 2.99% of the transaction value.
Example: If you spend £100 worth of Euros, TSB adds a £2.99 fee.
3. Cash Withdrawal Fees
Withdrawing cash from an ATM abroad is usually more expensive than paying by card directly.
Debit Cards: In addition to the 2.99% transaction fee, a Non-Sterling Cash Fee is often applied (typically 1.5% of the withdrawal amount, with a minimum fee of £2.00 and a maximum of £4.50).
Credit Cards: Cash advances on credit cards attract a higher fee (typically 3%, minimum £3) and interest is usually charged immediately, even if you pay off your balance in full at the end of the month.
4. How to Avoid Fees
To get the best exchange rate with TSB, consider their Spend & Save Plus account, which waives the Non-Sterling Transaction Fee in Europe, or use a specialized travel card. Always choose to pay in the local currency (e.g., Euros) rather than GBP when asked by a card terminal to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which uses a merchant-set exchange rate that is often very poor.
Using the Calculator
Use the tool above to verify your statements or estimate travel costs. Simply enter the foreign price, the current market rate (which you can find on financial news sites), and select whether you are paying at a shop or withdrawing cash.