I have been a Revolut Ultra subscriber since it launched, paying 45 EUR per month for what is supposed to be the ultimate fintech banking experience. After two full years, I have decided to downgrade to the Metal plan. In this article, I will break down exactly why, what I actually used, and which Revolut plan makes the most sense for different types of users.
This is not a hit piece on Revolut. I genuinely think it is one of the best banking apps in Europe. But paying 540 EUR per year for features I barely use does not make financial sense, and being honest about that is important.
What Revolut Ultra Actually Offers
When Revolut launched Ultra, they positioned it as their flagship tier with a premium price tag to match. At 45 EUR per month (or 540 EUR per year), it sits well above the Metal plan at 17 EUR per month. Here is what you get with Ultra that you do not get with Metal:
- Unlimited airport lounge access through LoungeKey, including a guest pass
- Exclusive Ultra metal card with a unique design and heavier weight
- Higher crypto trading limits and reduced fees
- Priority customer support with faster response times
- Higher exchange limits at interbank rates
- Travel medical insurance with higher coverage limits
- Exclusive Ultra events and partner benefits
On paper, that sounds like a strong package. In practice, my experience was quite different.
What I Actually Used Over 2 Years
Looking back at my usage, the reality is that I used very few Ultra-exclusive features consistently. The airport lounge access was great when I travelled, but I averaged maybe 4 to 5 lounge visits per year. At roughly 30 EUR per visit, that is 120 to 150 EUR of value from lounges alone. Not bad, but not enough to justify 540 EUR annually.
The crypto trading benefits were irrelevant to me since I do not trade crypto frequently on Revolut. The exclusive events never aligned with my schedule. The priority support was nice on the rare occasions I needed it, but Metal subscribers also get solid support.
The features I actually use daily, like multi-currency accounts, instant transfers, budgeting tools, and the card itself, are all available on the Metal plan. I was essentially paying an extra 336 EUR per year for occasional lounge access and a slightly fancier card.
Ultra vs Metal vs Premium: The Honest Comparison
The Premium plan at 10 EUR per month gives you most of what a typical user needs: higher exchange limits, travel insurance, device insurance, and priority support. For most people, this is genuinely the best value.
The Metal plan at 17 EUR per month adds the metal card, cashback on card payments, higher ATM withdrawal limits, and better insurance coverage. If you travel regularly and want the premium card experience, Metal hits the sweet spot between value and features.
The Ultra plan at 45 EUR per month only makes sense if you fly frequently enough to use the lounge access multiple times per month, or if you trade crypto in high volumes on Revolut. For everyone else, the jump from Metal to Ultra is hard to justify.
Why Metal Is the Right Plan for Me
After doing the maths, Metal gives me everything I need at a fraction of the cost. I still get the metal card, cashback, excellent exchange rates, travel insurance, and all the core Revolut features I use daily. The only thing I lose is the lounge access, which I can replace with a standalone lounge membership or simply pay per visit when I travel.
At 204 EUR per year instead of 540 EUR, I save 336 EUR annually. That money can go into my investment portfolio instead, where it compounds over time. Thinking about subscription costs in terms of opportunity cost is something I wish I had done sooner.
Who Should Actually Get Revolut Ultra
To be fair, Ultra is genuinely worth it for a specific type of user. If you tick most of these boxes, it could make sense for you:
- You fly more than 10 to 15 times per year and would use lounge access frequently
- You often travel with someone and would benefit from the guest lounge pass
- You trade crypto regularly on Revolut and want the lowest fees
- You make very large currency exchanges and need the highest interbank rate limits
- You value having the most premium card and exclusive status
If you only tick one or two of those, Metal or even Premium is likely the smarter choice. The key is being honest about what you actually use rather than what you might use.
The Bigger Lesson About Subscriptions
This experience reinforced something I think about a lot when it comes to personal finance. We tend to subscribe to premium tiers because they feel aspirational, not because we have done the maths on whether we actually use the features. Revolut Ultra is a well-designed product, but that does not mean it is the right product for everyone.
I would encourage anyone reading this to audit their own subscriptions, not just Revolut, but everything. Look at what you actually use versus what you pay for. The savings from downgrading unused premium subscriptions can add up to hundreds or even thousands of euros per year.
Final Thoughts
Revolut remains one of my favourite financial apps, and I will continue using it daily on the Metal plan. The downgrade from Ultra was not a reflection of the app's quality but rather an honest assessment of my own usage patterns. Paying 540 EUR per year for features I used occasionally simply did not align with how I think about money.
If you are currently on Ultra and wondering whether it is worth it, track your actual usage for a month. Count how many times you use the lounge access, check your crypto trading volume, and ask yourself which features you would genuinely miss. The answer might surprise you.
Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal experience with Revolut plans. Features, pricing, and availability may vary by region and can change over time. Always check the latest plan details on the Revolut app or website before making a decision.
