Has anyone used a Wise Card while traveling in Mexico? Just learned about this card - not sure if its a helpful tool in international travel Your experience?

In Mexico no but in Europe and Chile yes.
I have had the Wise card for around 5 years and it works wonderfully. I use it essentially for cheap ATM cash withdrawals abroad but it also works as a TAP (or card with PIN) payment at merchants terminals. You must load some cash on it before hand as it is a debit card (not credit). I usually load local currency (euros or CLP in my case) from my home bank account. The Wise exchange rate (based on mid-day market rates) is really quite favourable and their fee structure is very transparent, never had a bad surprise.
I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Thanks for info Kanadajin- I don't know why I have never heard about this before. It sounds like a great way to travel.

No problems!

I will also point out that they have a great (and safe) service for international funds transfer. I used them on a few occasions to pay advance deposits for the rental of apartments in Santiago (Chile). Their transfer fees are also very very reasonable, significantly lower than pretty much anything else here in my neck of the woods. They are based in the UK and the one time I needed direct assistance they were very prompt and responsive. All in all a very positive experience.

I have never heard of it either. I would think it depends where in Mexico you are headed and what you are trying to do with it. I know in Puerto Vallarta lots of the smaller, popular local restaurants don't accept any kind of 'plastic' even major credit cards. They are cash only.

The company, Wise, is used in Mexico. I wasn’t aware of the card but the currency transfer service was recommended to me by an apartment owner in Oaxaca when I was booking one of her apartments. As she’s a well-regarded businesswoman I wouldn’t hesitate to use a service she suggests though that time I ended up using PayPal as I already had an account.

I wouldn’t travel (anywhere) without backup means of transacting business but as one of several possibilities I think it might be a good one. It would seem the card might be considered an extension of the foreign currency transfer service.

Depends what you want to use it for, where are where you are based. There are now plenty of zero fee credit and debit cards available from mainstream banks and other sources (you may have one already). Wise may or may not be a little cheaper but realistically, unless you are thinking of spending large amounts, the actual monetary saving will likely be very small. Convenience, reliability and being with a large reputable and well established institution are more important to me than saving a few pennies with a newbie fintech company

On a recent trip to Guatemala, I used my fee free debit and credit card for transactions and ATM withdrawals without any problems. MY BIL encountered all sorts of issues and with his Wise card.

I would always make sure to take both debit and credit cards (fee free) and ideally one on MasterCard and one on Visa networks. I never use my Amex card overseas - was too expensive!

"There are now plenty of zero fee credit and debit cards available from mainstream banks and other sources »

Not where I live unfortunately (Don’t even think of getting me started!). But I would agree that depending on what is available where the OP lives, it would be worth doing a comparison. Also Wise is anything but a newbie btw and have been around for quite some time now (since 2011, that is 15 years).

15 years is most definitely a newbie in banking terms.

Thanks for all the info. Decided to stick with what I have and have used there before. I don't travel internationally often anymore but will share with some of my friends who do! Leave Wed. for Puerto Vallarta

Enjoy your trip! Fingers crossed that the recent civil unrest/cartel activity has settle down by the time you arrive.

It has already passed. I read posts from Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors on a daily basis over on Trip Advisor. Everything is back to normal except for scattered buildlings that sustained damage (Guadlajara Pharmacy and some of the OXXOs).

My cousin is flying in today from SFO- says there are 36 people on the plane.

Interesting to hear that. I don't know of anyone 'in real life' or from reading travel forums who has changed their plans.