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You card review: Advantages & disadvantages
Looking for a travel card? Read this You Card review with opinions, fees, benefits and everything you need to know.
Booking flights, accommodation, excursions, finding the best places to eat, checking transport options… When travelling, there are many things to plan and consider. Besides these, one key aspect stands out: money management. When visiting a foreign country, we often face unpleasant surprises such as ATM withdrawal fees or poor exchange rates. To avoid these issues — paying just to use your money — there are tools that can save you a headache. Today, we analyse everything in this YOU card review: features, fees, traveller benefits, how to apply, its pros, and also what could be improved.
The idea of travelling without paying fees for using your own money strongly appeals to digital nomads, international students, remote workers, and travellers who live to explore and share their adventures worldwide. If you fit one of these profiles and are planning your next destination, the YOU Card from Advanzia Bank will give you the freedom to travel and manage your money effortlessly. You’ll save on fees, enjoy fair exchange rates, shop easily from your phone, and much more. Join us for this full review to see, by the end, if it’s the right card for your needs.
What’s the YOU Card from Advanzia Bank?
The YOU Card was created through a partnership between Advanzia Bank and Mastercard, which explains its strong reputation. We all know Mastercard, but maybe this is the first time you hear about Advanzia Bank. It’s a digital bank (a neobank) founded in 2005 in Luxembourg. Today, it operates across several European countries, offering a wide range of services including savings accounts, credit lines, and fee-free cards.
One important detail is that Advanzia Bank markets the card under different names in each country. For instance, in Spain it’s called YOU, in Germany and the Netherlands it’s Gebührenfrei, in Austria Free, in France Carte Zero, and in Italy Carta You.
Key Features of the YOU Card from Advanzia Bank
Before checking the YOU Card reviews, let’s go through its main features and how it works. It’s a credit card like any other — meaning you pay your expenses at the end of the billing cycle, not instantly. The key difference is that it doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees and lets you defer payments for up to seven weeks without paying extra.
What does this mean exactly? Simple — the YOU Card allows you to pay your purchases up to seven weeks after the billing date. Within this period, there’s no interest or extra charge. However, if you prefer to repay gradually, interest applies. The same happens if you exceed the seven-week window.
Another advantage is that you don’t need to switch banks when applying for your YOU Card, as you can link it to your existing account. Bills are charged via bank transfer, so you can keep your usual account while enjoying all YOU Card benefits.
Finally, just like Revolut, Vivid and other travel-friendly cards, YOU offers a free card with no maintenance costs or foreign transaction fees.
What Fees and Charges Apply?
You already know that the YOU Card has no maintenance fees and you can apply for it completely free of charge. You won’t pay any commissions when using it inside or outside Spain, as long as you stay within the Eurozone. You also won’t pay anything for a replacement in case of theft or for blocking the card.
That all sounds great, but it’s always wise to read the fine print to avoid surprises. We’ve done that for you, so here we’ll explain in which cases you might have to pay a fee.
1. Interest for Instalment Payments
As mentioned earlier, the YOU Card works under two payment modes: full and instalments. The first one is the most common, as there’s no interest applied. It means you must pay the total balance of all purchases made during the billing period.
In the instalment mode, you decide how much to pay each month. This can help if your finances are tight at any given time and you can’t settle the full amount. It’s a popular method in countries like Argentina, where people often pay credit card bills in instalments to manage their money better. However, this option does include interest charges.
Instalment payments with the YOU Card carry a 19.92% rate (21.84% APR). These figures represent the annual financial cost of using the card, including nominal interest plus other related charges. So, if you choose this mode, you’ll end up paying more than the original purchase amount, but you’ll enjoy flexibility, which is handy for larger expenses. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision on how you prefer to handle your money.
Going back to the full payment option, remember that the billing cycle closes on the 15th of each month, and payment is due on the second working day of the next month. If you can’t pay by then, you can postpone it for up to seven weeks.
2. Cash Withdrawals
When withdrawing cash using the YOU credit card, some ATMs may charge a fee of up to €5 ($5.30). This doesn’t come from Advanzia Bank but from the ATM provider’s own network charge. The good thing is that this amount appears on the app before confirming, so you can cancel if it seems too high.
Another thing to note is that the YOU Card charges 2% interest for cash withdrawals made between billing periods. For example, if you withdraw €100 ($116) in a month, a €2 ($2.33) fee applies. As an alternative, Revolut’s Standard plan lets you withdraw up to €200 ($230) monthly without any commission. Advantages and Disadvantages of the YOU Card for Travelling
By now, you’ve probably noticed that the YOU Card offers many benefits, but also a few areas for improvement — as with most financial services.
Below is a summary of its main strengths and what could be better. Advantages
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 100% online application: You can apply from home. After completing the process, you’ll receive the card at your address within two weeks. | High interest rates for instalment payments: If you don’t pay the full balance, interest can be high. |
| Few requirements to apply: If you’re over 18 and live in Spain, approval is very likely. | Cash advance fee: If you withdraw cash, a fee applies. |
| No annual fees: There’s no yearly charge for having the YOU Card. You also won’t pay foreign transaction fees, which is ideal for frequent travellers. No fees for issuing, maintenance, cancellation, renewal, or currency exchange either. | Fee for payments outside the SEPA zone (Single Euro Payments Area): An additional fee applies for payments made outside SEPA. Some member countries include Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, and Greece. |
| Grace period up to 7 weeks: If you pay your full balance before the due date. | Slow activation process: According to users, activation may take longer than expected and can be tricky. |
| No need to switch banks: You can keep your main account and enjoy YOU Card benefits without extra bureaucracy. | Late payment fees: If you don’t pay on time, late fees and higher interest apply. |
| International credit card: You can use it worldwide. | No rewards programme: Unlike some cards, it doesn’t offer points or cashback. |
| Excellent customer service: Available 24/7 via phone and email. Currently, the YOU Card doesn’t have a dedicated app. | No physical branches: Everything is handled online or via customer support. This suits digital users, though not those who prefer face-to-face service. |
| Convenient online payments: It allows easy and secure online purchases. | |
| No currency exchange costs within the Eurozone: Transactions inside the Euro area carry no extra cost. | |
| Purchase insurance: All products and services bought with the card are protected. It also includes travel insurance, though somewhat limited. |
Advantages and disadvantages of the YOU credit card
How to Apply for the YOU Card
We’ll soon review real YOU Card user opinions, but first, let’s explain how to apply. While some users mention minor issues, overall the process is simple and fast. You can apply directly from your computer, smartphone, or tablet — 100% online via the official YOU Card website.
Want a step-by-step guide? Here you go!
- Visit the official YOU Card website from any of your devices. Keep in mind, you can’t apply through the Advanzia Bank app.
- Fill in the form on the homepage. You’ll need to provide personal details (name, surname, ID number, date and place of birth), address, country of residence, profession, email, and phone number.
- Accept the terms and conditions, but read them carefully first — always check the fine print.
- Submit your application by clicking the “Apply Now!” button. Advanzia Bank will verify your information and start the approval process. If everything’s correct, you’ll receive your card within a few days and can start enjoying its benefits.
- Activate your card: Once it arrives, log in to your customer area (with username and password). From there, follow the steps to activate it.
What are the requirements to apply for the YOU Card? There aren’t many. You must be over 18, live in Spain, and have valid identification.
Now let’s move on to YOU Card reviews and user experience.
YOU Card: User Reviews
You might be wondering what it’s like to use the YOU Card. Overall, the experience is positive. Like any financial product, it has strong points and areas to consider. The key lies in disciplined use — avoid cash withdrawals or leaving unpaid balances to prevent high interest charges.
Here are some YOU Card user reviews found on various platforms:
1. Paying in Shops
“What I like most is the flexibility. I can make purchases and withdrawals without worrying about excessive fees.” – María López
“I’m really pleased with its benefits, like the ability to shop anywhere and its international acceptance.” – Javier Ramírez
2. YOU Card Reviews: Cash Withdrawals
“When withdrawing cash, interest applies from the transaction date. It’s charged daily until repayment or transfer confirmation.” – LosViajeros Forum
“They promote it well, but using their service brings constant issues. They don’t answer calls to fix problems and charge huge interest for anything. I don’t recommend it at all.” – Anonymous User (HelpMyCash)
3. YOU Card Reviews: Online Payments
“The YOU Card was a great find and made my life calmer, but it’s not the best. There’s a much better alternative.” – Pau
“I like that you only pay interest if you defer payments beyond the billing period. That’s how all banks should work.” – Eva
4. YOU Card Reviews: Security
“Advanzia Bank offers 24-hour customer support, so users can report issues or block their card if lost or stolen.” – Anonymous User
“The YOU Card’s reliability is undeniable. It gives users a safe, worry-free experience for financial transactions.” – Anonymous User
5. Customer Support
“The whole process was fast and intuitive. Their customer service team is friendly and solves every doubt. So far, I’m very happy with the YOU Card. I recommend it 100%.” – David
“The service is excellent, and the operators are kind. No issues using the card — I’m very satisfied and highly recommend it. It’s functional and very convenient. Greetings, from Eugenio Vidal.” – Eugenio Vidal Macías Pazmiño
Other Alternatives to the YOU Card
Although the YOU Card is an excellent choice overall, there are other options offering similar or even better benefits. Here are some attractive alternatives worth considering:
1. Revolut
Revolut is a digital bank offering a debit card (both physical and virtual) that lets you pay abroad with very competitive exchange rates. You won’t pay fees for using a different currency, and you can track your expenses from your phone. It also allows cash withdrawals in multiple currencies, daily interest growth, and more. For these reasons, we believe it’s one of the best travel cards available.
2. Vivid
Vivid Money is a German fintech founded in 2019 and partnered with Solaris Bank. It uses Visa technology to provide modern saving and money management tools. With it, you can pay and withdraw cash in any currency without fees. It also offers a cashback programme that gives up to 4% back on purchases — up to €100 ($116) monthly in the Prime plan and €20 ($23) in the Standard one. Without a doubt, another great choice for digital nomads and travellers.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
3. WiZink
Review and opinions of the YOU Card for travellers
WiZink is a digital bank operating mainly in Spain and Portugal, offering simple, accessible financial services. Being fully digital, it allows you to manage accounts, cards, and deposits through its website or app without visiting any branch. For users seeking flexible payments, it provides a wide range of credit cards with many advantages.
YOU Card: Frequently Asked Questions
If you miss or delay a payment, the bank will email you about it. If payment isn’t made, the service will be blocked until the debt is settled.
You can withdraw cash from any ATM displaying the Mastercard logo. Note that some banks may charge a fee between €2 ($2.33) and €5 ($5.80).
The YOU Card’s credit limit varies by user profile, income, and credit history. It usually ranges from €500 ($580) to €5,000 ($5,800).
When paying your card bill, you have three options:
Minimum payment: 3% of the total owed, with a minimum of €30 ($35).
Above-minimum payment: Pay more than the minimum — this is the smarter choice.
Full payment: The best option to avoid interest charges.
Yes, you can. When you receive your YOU Card, the bank sets a limit based on your profile. Over time, it may rise or decrease depending on responsible use. Paying on time can increase your limit.
