Why some providers add a charge when currency markets are closed, how Wise and Revolut treat weekends differently, and how to time a conversion to avoid the surcharge.
When markets are closed, providers price the risk differently: Wise generally uses the last available Friday market rate with no separate weekend surcharge, while Revolut Japan’s Standard plan adds 1% outside its defined market hours.
Wholesale currency markets are largely closed from Friday evening to Monday morning. A provider that guarantees you a rate over the weekend is taking on the risk that the market reopens at a different level, and different providers price that risk in different ways.
Wise states that weekend transfers normally use the last available Friday market rate and does not describe a separate weekend surcharge. Revolut Japan’s Standard schedule instead adds 1% to fiat exchanges outside its defined foreign-exchange market hours, on top of any high-frequency exchange charge that may already apply.
If your conversion is not urgent, execute it during weekday market hours to sidestep an out-of-hours markup. This applies to app conversions and, on some cards, to purchases made abroad over the weekend — the same out-of-hours rule can apply at the point of sale.
Check your specific provider and plan: allowances, market-hour definitions, and high-frequency thresholds vary, and a plan that is free within an allowance can start charging once you exceed it.
International transfers · Wise
A licensed money-transfer service that uses the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent, upfront fee — often cheaper than bank wires for personal transfers.
Fees: Transparent per-transfer fee plus mid-market rate — compare the recipient amount.
Multi-currency account · Revolut
A multi-currency app account with a card and fee allowances for currency exchange, useful for people who spend or hold multiple currencies.
Fees: Plan-based; free FX up to allowances, then a fee — verify current terms.