hTTi

Since the topic came up before, I'll mention that I've learned that Berliner Volksbank does automatically pay credit card accounts from a Girokonto. Volksbank is a co-op, which was recommended to me by two new German friends on separate occasions. They have relatively few ATM machines, but their customer support is truly helpful. A disadvantage is that they have no affiliates in the US, so I am unable to link Volksbank with some of my overseas accounts.

Hope this helps,
Alison

I thought I would never need a credit card until I found out that it has some advantages.

Like if I want to hire a car in the UK, if I pay with a debit card I have to pay more with some providers. But credit cards give me the lowest prices.

So I now have a santandare credit card, in Germany that auto pays off the credit balance every month, ie zero work and means I never pay interest on a balance. I can get the credit card paid off from a differant bank.

The santandare credit card is free to have., but there are not many benifits with it. It's better to buy a few things on it a year, just so it's not cancelled.

I think I can withdraw money from any Atm, without extra charge, but maybe a currancey exchange rate

I haven't had a credit or debit card that wasn't automatically paid in probably 25 years. I've also never paid to have a credit card. My current one is from TFBank in Sweden. I only need to use it once a year for a rental car in the U.S. where they won't take a debit card.

You can find credit cards with "autopayment" here, you need to look at the row "Full payment can be selected in the application"="Vollzahlung im Antrag wählbar" at the bottom: https://www-modern--banking-de.translat ... r_pto=wapp

To get to the next 5 results in the GoogleTranslate version, press the yellow outlined rectangle at the right:

If you want a card that you pay off with your pace, there is Advanzia (from Luxembourg).
Just didn't like not to have some kind of control. But now, some 12 years later it is more about it being for free.

Fraufruit wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2026 10:43 pm I haven't had a credit or debit card that wasn't automatically paid in probably 25 years. I've also never paid to have a credit card. My current one is from TFBank in Sweden. I only need to use it once a year for a rental car in the U.S. where they won't take a debit card.

The TF Mastercard Gold is about the only one I know of, which doesn't automatically take money from your account to pay off the minimum balance. I've had one for a couple of years now and use it as a backup to my regular credit card.

https://www.sueddeutsche.de/finanzvergl ... editkarte/

Kein SEPA-Lastschrifteinzug: Sie müssen die Rechnung selbst überweisen; Fälligkeit jeweils am 20. des Monats.

You are correct. As being I only use it once a year for the deposit on my rental car and get it back when I return the car, it is really never used. Thanks for the reminder. I do get weird looks when I give them my German license and a Swedish card.

warsteiner70 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 12:21 pm The TF Mastercard Gold is about the only one I know of, which doesn't automatically take money from your account to pay off the minimum balance. I've had one for a couple of years now and use it as a backup to my regular credit card.

I have the Advanzia Mastercard Gold, as noted above by Nixon, which also doesnt't take money automatically to pay the minimum balance. I use it a few times a year and pay it off online from our Sparkasse account. Franky, it's just a backup card, in case I must use a EU-based cc (that happens on occasion) and it provides a cost-free 6K€ security blanket for me. I usually just pay Advanzia off right away before the statement even arrives to be safe. My balance is always available in the app on my phone. We actually live from $$$ and I use my US cc (no exchange fees) in my daily life.

I've also had Advanzia for a long time, and I try to pre book the payment as soon as the balance is sent, from my Sparkasse account. On the odd occasions I have forgotten, they send an email reminder very quickly, which I pay pronto, and have never been charged interest.

bethannbitt wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 1:09 pm I have the Advanzia Mastercard Gold, as noted above by Nixon, which also doesnt't take money automatically to pay the minimum balance. I use it a few times a year and pay it off online from our Sparkasse account. Franky, it's just a backup card, in case I must use a EU-based cc

Don't you have to pay a current-change fee every time you use a non-EU-based card? I'm relieved to have a local credit card so that I can pay from a €-denominated bank account.

Thanks,
Alison

alison wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 2:56 pm

bethannbitt wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 1:09 pm I have the Advanzia Mastercard Gold, as noted above by Nixon, which also doesnt't take money automatically to pay the minimum balance. I use it a few times a year and pay it off online from our Sparkasse account. Franky, it's just a backup card, in case I must use a EU-based cc

Don't you have to pay a current-change fee every time you use a non-EU-based card? I'm relieved to have a local credit card so that I can pay from a €-denominated bank account.

Thanks,
Alison

NO! I do not have to pay a fee every time I use my US credit card for a transaction here, such as recently purchasing a TV at Media Markt. My transaction is recorded in € and my US cc company charges me in $ at the current exchange rate and with no added fees. I can actually compare the price of the device btwn the US and here in real time too. I actually snagged my TV on sale at MM for about $50 less than it was on sale for at Best Buy! I was elated.

When I travel over here I use my US cc, just as would if I were still living in the US. I use my US cc when I run across the border to Switzerland too (10 minutes from my house) and it just converts my CHF transaction straight to $ without a fee.

Advanzia Mastercard Gold and my Sparkasse Debit/Credit cards are both local cards and are used sparingly. A fixed sum is transferred monthly for rent and utilities (with a fee) and the rest is paid for with a US cc. Life is good. No complaints here.

bethannbitt wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 6:45 pm My transaction is recorded in € and my US cc company charges me in $ at the current exchange rate and with no added fees.

This is absolutely fine when your bank defines "the current exchange rate" at a price that is a decent interpretation of the "real current exchange rate on the world market" and not a blatant rip-off. Believe me, there are bad banks on this planet...

The Sparda ATM down the street always gives me the exact currency rate that I check online beforehand and no extra charges.

The no-name ATM by McDonalds has all kinds of charges which you can see when you insert your card. Then you have the option to remove it and go somewhere else.

I bank with Santander. Free account, free credit card. They don't have many locations but you can use ATM's that have the cashpool logo, I think Targo bank, Sparda and a few others

I know panda suggested a comparison site above, but I remember now ...

I got the Santander credit card because, it seemed like the best card for me

I used this site, to give me the best offers around at that time

https://www.check24.de/kreditkarte/?mso ... d549df6bb3

you can use Google translate if needed and find the best one for you as well as pandas website recommend