Card Rates - Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay
How much do you lose when paying with card abroad? Compare Mastercard, Visa, and UnionPay rates with the BNR rate. See the exact difference and choose the card that costs you the least.
Simulate card payment
Real Mastercard + Visa + UnionPay rates • updated
MC
Mastercard
Applied Rate
—
You Pay in RON
—
VISA
Visa
Applied Rate
—
You Pay in RON
—
UP
UnionPay
Applied Rate
—
You Pay in RON
—
Applied Rate by Currency — BNR vs Payment Networks
rates -> RON| Currency | BNR | MC | Visa | UP | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading rates... | |||||
MC = Mastercard • Visa • UP = UnionPay • PayPal • All rates are against RON • BNR = reference rate, no spread
UnionPay and PayPal do not quote all currencies to RON — empty cells (—) mean the network does not publish that rate.
UnionPay and PayPal do not quote all currencies to RON — empty cells (—) mean the network does not publish that rate.
Detailed Payment Network Comparison
| Network | Typical Spread | ATM Fee | DCC | RO Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard | 0.5 - 1.0% | 1.0 - 2.0% + bank fee | Yes | Excellent |
| Visa | 0.5 - 1.2% | 1.0 - 2.0% + bank fee | Yes | Excellent |
| UnionPay | 1.0 - 2.0% | 1.5 - 3.0% | No | Limited |
| PayPal | 3.0 - 4.0% | N/A | No | Online |
| American Express | 1.5 - 3.0% | N/A | Yes | Weak |
| Diners Club | 1.5 - 3.0% | N/A | Yes | Very Weak |
Beware of DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion)
When paying with card abroad or online, the POS terminal or ATM may offer to convert the amount to RON. This is called DCC and it is almost always more expensive.
✗
DO NOT accept conversion to RON at the terminal
The DCC rate has a spread of 3-5% above the real rate. On a payment of 1000 EUR, you could lose 30-50 RON.
The DCC rate has a spread of 3-5% above the real rate. On a payment of 1000 EUR, you could lose 30-50 RON.
✓
Always choose to pay in the local currency
Your bank will convert at the Mastercard/Visa rate, which is much better.
Your bank will convert at the Mastercard/Visa rate, which is much better.
Fintech Cards
Digital accounts with card and currency exchange at competitive rates
R
Revolut
Real interbank rate
- ✓ 0% commission up to 1000 EUR/month
- ✓ Mastercard interbank rate
- ✓ Free ATM withdrawal 200 EUR/month
- ⚠ Weekend: spread 0.5-1%
W
Wise
Transparent low fee
- ✓ Transparent fee 0.4-0.6%
- ✓ Real mid-market rate
- ✓ Free ATM withdrawal 200 GBP/month
- ✓ Same rate on weekends
N26
N26
Free European account
- ✓ 0% commission on EUR payments
- ✓ Mastercard rate for other currencies
- ✓ 3-5 free ATM withdrawals/month
- ⚠ 1.7% commission non-EUR (free account)
P
Paysera
Baltic low-cost platform
- ✓ Free SEPA transfer
- ✓ Currency exchange ~0.6% spread
- ✓ Free Visa card (virtual)
- ⚠ ATM withdrawal: 0.50 EUR + 1.5%
M
Monese
Account without credit check
- ✓ Romanian and European IBAN
- ✓ No credit check
- ✓ Ideal for expatriates
- ⚠ Spread ~0.8%
C+
Curve
One card for all cards
- ✓ Mastercard interbank rate
- ✓ Go Back in Time - change card after payment
- ✓ 500 GBP/month commission-free
- ⚠ Weekend: spread 0.5%
Payment Networks
Networks processing card payments — the rate depends on the issuing bank
MC
Mastercard
Interbank rate, 210+ countries
- ✓ Typical spread 0.5-1.0%
- ✓ Best rate among networks
- ✓ Contactless PayPass
VISA
Visa
Largest network, 200+ countries
- ✓ Typical spread 0.5-1.2%
- ✓ Widest global acceptance
- ✓ Contactless payWave
PP
PayPal
Online payments with protection
- ✓ Buyer protection 180 days
- ✓ Accepted at millions of stores
- ⚠ Currency spread ~3-4% (very expensive)
International Transfer Services
Send money abroad — cash pickup or bank transfer
Card Payment Tips
- ✓ Pay in local currency, not RON
- ✓ Use Revolut/Wise abroad
- ✓ Withdraw large amounts at ATMs (fixed fee)
- ✗ Avoid DCC (conversion at terminal)
- ✗ Avoid ATM withdrawals with credit card