Lumi vs the rest
Revolut and Wise are great products — but they weren't built for paying at a Thai street food stall or a Balinese warung. Here's how the options actually compare for Southeast Asia travel.
* Revolut fees vary by plan (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal). Free FX has monthly limits on Standard plans. Rates as of March 2026.
Fees & Rates
| Feature | compare.headers.lumifin | Revolut | Wise | Trad. Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transaction fee | 2% | 0–2.5%* | 0.4–1.5% | 1.5–3% |
| Exchange rate | Near interbank | Interbank (weekdays) | Mid-market | Bank markup (2–5%) |
| Weekend FX markup | No | 1–2% surcharge | No | Included in spread |
| ATM withdrawal fee | N/A (QR only) | Free up to limit* | €1.50 + 1.75% | €3–7 + local fee |
| Hidden currency conversion | Never | Possible on weekends | Never | Common |
Southeast Asia Coverage
| Feature | compare.headers.lumifin | Revolut | Wise | Trad. Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand (PromptPay) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Vietnam (VietQR) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Indonesia (QRIS) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Local QR code payments | Yes | No | No | No |
| Street vendor / market payments | Yes | No | No | No |
| Card terminal required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
User Experience
| Feature | compare.headers.lumifin | Revolut | Wise | Trad. Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works without cash | Yes | Partial | Partial | No |
| No local bank account needed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time EUR equivalent shown | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Designed for SEA travel | Yes | No | No | No |
The bottom line
Revolut and Wise are excellent for countries with widespread card acceptance — Europe, the US, Australia. But in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, the majority of daily commerce happens at places that don't have card terminals. Street food vendors, tuk-tuk drivers, local markets, small cafes — these are the places you actually want to spend money, and none of them accept your Revolut card.
Lumi is purpose-built for this gap. Instead of trying to force a card into a cashless, QR-first economy, we connect you directly to the local payment rails — PromptPay, VietQR, QRIS — that millions of locals use every day. That means you can pay anywhere they can, at rates comparable to the best fintechs, without carrying cash or hoping for a card terminal.
Ready to try the smarter way to pay in Southeast Asia?
Join the Lumi beta and be among the first to travel without payment friction.
Join the betaLast updated: July 2026. Information based on publicly available pricing. Verify current rates on each provider's website.