Wise just announced an increase from from 1.75% to 2.69% on the variable fee for withdrawing cash from ATMs over the (very low) limit of 230 CHF per month.
This makes Wise pretty much on par with a normal bank debit card when withdrawing cash abroad, e.g. on holiday.
Recommended alternatives?
Not good I agree but I rarely use cash anway.
Trying to remember the last time I paid something in cash , must be last year
Ahhh, they stopped being Transferwise and became Wise. They’re not children anymore. They became adults and have to yield consistent net margins to shareholders. Ahh, they grow so fast 
So, look for the next shinny startup that operates at a loss to gain market share. Those guys are offering no fees or lower fees for sure.
This is separate from the charge often levied by foreign ATMs for cash withdrawals. I withdrew some money from a Sainsbury’s cashpoint (which advertised free cash withdrawals) and it added something like a £3.50 surcharge.
Yes, correct. The way it works if you use Wise abroad is: the ATM operator charges a fixed fee for the operation, then you pay the Wise exchange conversion rate (which is usually good, on par if not better than Revolut), BUT then you also pay this transaction fee if the monthly cash withdrawal limit exceeds 230 CHF. Which is still one of the best way to get cash abroad until May 1st, when the fee will almost double.
While I appreciate the sarcasm, consider that Wise makes money mainly with the transfers and conversions, not with the ATM withdrawals. Of course I’m not blaming them, it’s their business, but in the best of my interest I would now look for the next shiny startup, yes 
Just in Burgau for work at the moment.
Not one pizzeria or bar accepts cards.
Its like stepping back 30 years.
Matter of use cases, I guess.
I use cash whenever possible. It’s 100% private, breaks technological dependance from US infrastructure, and it allows me to pay in shops whenever there is a “POS malfunction” (happened to me twice, all customers stuck in a long line for manual card payments while I was able to breeze through the cash register). Lest not talk of the day NorthKorussiran pwns some payment infrastructure and you get a couple of days of cash-only chaos in the streets.
But, most importantly, there are many places, even holiday destinations, where cash is the most accepted solution. So, I think it’s important to always have a convenient way to withdraw cash when you are abroad.
Sorry…not sorry
I understand it’s easier to use cash abroad. And a lot safer depending in the specific country (no card skimming).
We happen to live in Switzerland where it’s easy to get almost any currency. Almost any ATM has EUR and low fees. USD and GBP are available at competitive rates at your bank branch. For other places, I just take EUR or USD and change them there for the local currency. For sure, fees are super high, but no worries at all.
Either work or vacation, I don’t want to be a foreigner looking for at an ATM in a new place. It calls for a lot of unwanted attention. No thanks.
Traveling with cash is not cheap, but super convenient and safe. In the end, fees don’t matter much because this is cash to spend on the street and low-trust places. For main expenses (e.g. hotel) I still use the credit card.
Ah, the third world.
Probably, but more like Italien owned and operated places.
Last time I was in the UK I didn’t use, or need cash at all. I hadn’t planned that and I only realised when I got home.
There is an awesome comparison site of all neobanks available in Switzerland. For ATM withdrawals in CH best options are Yuh (1/week), Wise (250 CHF/month), Revolut (200 CHF/month).
So confirming the third world.
I will go and get my coat now.
The Wise and Revolut limits are per month and not per week.
There are a couple of Canadian alternatives, but they’re not multi currency like Wise and I think you have to be a resident of Canada to set them up. Admittedly, not super useful for most here.
Beware! I would avoid anything using the Canadian banking system like a plague.
I sent a gift to a nephew who was getting married. I had to give his full legal name, his legal address, the banks name and number, street address, a 12 digit bank account number (no check digit) and all of my details.
Not a huge amount but not small either.
So he transposed two digits in the account number he gave me so the entire transaction was cancelled. I sent francs and despite cancelling the transaction they converted it to Canadian dollars, charged a handling fee, and converted it back to francs. Their spred
and charges cost me almost 20%.
And this was Canada’s largest bank, the Bank of Montreal
Given my location, avoiding the Canadian banking system would cost far more than I’d save 
. I don’t like BMO either tbh and long ago closed anything with them but your issue would have happened with any of the banks sadly. Canada’s largest bank is RBC, btw.
The alternatives are actually with fintechs and the smaller banks.
Or going to africa… where cards are practically unused, and ATMs only accept VISA in many countries…
Even if cards are accepted in Africa I would seriously advise against using them. The cc number could be copied and used for fraudulent transactions or the bank might block the account due to transactions in high risk countries. Western Union is your best bet.