In this episode of Banking Without Borders, I break down the UK’s most popular premium packaged bank accounts and ask one simple question: which ones are actually worth paying for in 2026?

I compare travel insurance, breakdown cover, and mobile or gadget insurance across leading accounts from Nationwide, Virgin Money, Santander, Monzo, Revolut, Lloyds Bank, The Co-operative Bank, and Chase UK — focusing on the fine print most people never read.

In this episode, we cover:

• Which premium bank accounts offer the strongest travel and medical insurance
• How breakdown cover really differs between providers (home start, national recovery, Europe)
• Where mobile vs full gadget insurance makes a real difference for families
• Which accounts are best for over-70s, tech-heavy households, or frequent travellers
• Which premium account offers the best overall value
• And which one takes home the wooden spoon for weakest insurance cover

If you’re paying a monthly fee for your bank account — or considering switching — this episode will help you avoid expensive mistakes and choose the right account for how you actually live and travel.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

Revolut Ultra (£660/year) and Klarna Max (£540/year) both promise lounge access, travel insurance, points, subscriptions and “thousands” in annual value.

But when you actually look under the hood, they’re very different products.

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, we compare:

• Rewards: RevPoints vs Klarna’s cashback-to-Avios system (and why the maths matters)
• FX & international spending: Visa rates vs Revolut’s margin
• Lounge access: 1,800 lounges vs DragonPass — and no free guests
• Travel insurance: the 72-hour booking rule, cancellation cover, and medical limits
• Car hire excess: £10,000 vs £2,000 (and the exotic vehicle exclusions)
• Subscriptions: Financial Times, The Times, ClassPass, WeWork, Audiobooks, ASMALLWORLD and more
• Who each plan actually suits

We also discuss whether Klarna Max feels like a finished product yet — and whether it could eventually become a full UK current account.

If you’re thinking about paying £500+ a year for a fintech membership, this episode will help you decide whether either of these plans genuinely justifies the price.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, we build the ultimate UK credit card ladder — starting with credit builder cards for beginners and working all the way up to premium lifestyle cards like Amex Platinum and even invite-only cards like Centurion.

We explain:

• Why timing matters when applying
 • How to move from tier 1 to tier 5
 • The difference between cashback and airline miles
 • When annual fees actually make sense
 • Why most people use Avios cards wrong
 • The biggest credit card mistakes in the UK

From starter cards like the Barclaycard Forward and Capital One Classic, to cashback options like the Lloyds Bank World Elite, travel cards from NatWest, airline ecosystems with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, and lifestyle cards from American Express — we break down who each tier is actually for.

This isn’t about flexing status. It’s about using credit strategically.

If you want to build credit, maximise rewards, and avoid expensive mistakes, this episode is your roadmap.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, we break down the Trading 212 card and discuss its benefits and why it is such a great rewards card. 

We cover:

• What the Trading 212 card actually is (and what it isn’t)
• How FX spending works, including when fees do and don’t apply
• ATM withdrawal limits and where the caps kick in
• How cashback works in practice, including caps and auto-investing
• The maths behind the headline cashback rates
• Why rewards are being reinvested rather than paid out as cash
• Who this card is really for — and who it isn’t

If you’re using the Trading 212 card, considering it, or comparing it to other cashback and travel cards, this episode will help you understand the trade-offs behind the design and whether it fits how you actually spend and invest.

Get £25 when you sign-up for Trading 212 and make 3 transactions over £5

Code: BWB

Affiliate link: https://www.trading212.com/join/BWB 

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, we break down Revolut RevPoints and whether they’re worth caring about in 2026.

We cover:

• How RevPoints are earned across Standard, Premium, Metal & Ultra
• Real-world earning examples (including Revolut Shops multipliers)
• What RevPoints are actually worth when redeeming
• Why spare change and challenges can be misleading
• Whether paying for Ultra or Metal makes sense just for points
• Better cashback and rewards alternatives in the UK & EU

If you’re earning, hoarding, or considering paying for RevPoints, this episode will help you decide if they’re genuinely valuable, or mostly marketing.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

In this episode, we put Nationwide Building Society head-to-head with Chase UK to see which one really makes sense in 2026.

We cover:

• Why Nationwide was missing from our last “best bank” episode
• Cashback, savings rates & switch incentives
• App experience vs branch access
• Joint accounts, overdrafts & everyday banking features
• Travel fees, FX rates & overseas spending
• Ethical banking & where your money actually sits
• Customer support: phone vs in-app response times
• Why the “best” bank depends on how you use it

As always, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer — it’s about choosing the right tools for your situation.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

If you’re travelling abroad in 2026, using the wrong card could quietly cost you hundreds in hidden FX fees.

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, Jonny and Jan break down what actually makes a good travel card — and why some of the most talked-about options don’t make the cut anymore.

We compare real exchange rates, withdrawal limits, and fees across the UK’s best debit and credit cards, using live rate calculators and real-world spending examples.

What we cover:

• The four non-negotiables of a great travel card
• Why many UK debit cards still charge 3% abroad
• Mastercard vs Visa vs “own” exchange rates
• The best UK debit cards for fee-free travel spending
• When travel credit cards make more sense than debit cards
• How dynamic currency conversion quietly rips people off
• Why Revolut and Wise aren’t the cheapest options anymore (based on the numbers)

This episode is for anyone travelling, living abroad, or just tired of paying unnecessary fees every time they leave the UK.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

In this episode, we shortlist the best current accounts in the UK and explain how we’d choose if we were switching banks heading into 2026. We look at six popular accounts, compare real-world features, and rank them across key use cases — without relying on marketing claims.

We cover:

• What actually makes a great everyday bank account
• Which accounts offer the best cashback (and where the caps catch you out)
• The best banking app experience right now
• When a paid account does (and doesn’t) make sense
• The strongest travel debit card for spending and ATM withdrawals abroad
• Switching bonuses, savings add-ons, and hidden limitations to watch for

If you’re considering changing your main bank account — or just want to know which UK banks are genuinely competitive right now — this episode will help you narrow it down.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

Is the HSBC Expat account the ultimate financial command center for global citizens, or just an overpriced status symbol?

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, we tear down the velvet rope surrounding HSBC’s offshore offering based in Jersey. With a steep entry requirement of £75,000 in savings or a £120,000 salary, this account promises a "global hub" for your finances—but does the reality match the price tag?

We investigate the hidden exchange rate margins that could be eating into your wealth, the "old school" phone-based application process, and why the deposit protection scheme in Jersey might leave you more exposed than you think. Plus, we discuss the one massive perk—international mortgages—that might actually make it all worthwhile.

In this episode, we cover:

• The £75k Barrier: Breaking down the strict eligibility criteria and the £50/month penalty fee.
• Jersey vs. UK: Why your deposit insurance drops significantly by banking offshore.
• The FX Reality: How HSBC’s exchange rates stack up against Wise and Revolut (spoiler: it’s not the mid-market rate).
• The "Golden" Perk: How this account unlocks UK mortgages for non-residents.
• The Verdict: Why this isn't for digital nomads, and exactly who should actually sign up.

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]

In this episode, we dig into Revolut Premium - what you really get for £80 a year, who it makes sense for, and where the value genuinely comes from. We break down the banking perks, partner subscriptions, insurance fine print, and that harsh cancellation policy so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

Show Notes:

• Core banking perks (FX, ATM limits, savings rates)
• Partner subscriptions: what’s actually valuable
• Everyday protection insurance explained
• The confusing exclusions & limitations
• The cancellation rules nobody talks about
• How Premium compares to free alternatives in the UK & EU
• Who Revolut Premium really makes sense for

Connect with us (via LinkedIn)

Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/

Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at [email protected]