Regardless of whether you are taking a vacation or frequently travel overseas, we evaluate the top travel cards
If you frequently travel for work or are planning a trip overseas, using the best travel credit cards could help you stretch your money further.
There are numerous ways to save money on vacation, such as purchasing travel insurance or making early reservations for flights.
But it's also crucial to consider your travel budget and how you'll pay for items while traveling, since using the incorrect card could result in fees of up to 3%.
By utilizing a competitive travel card that has no fees for international transactions, you can avoid these fees. A favorable exchange rate will frequently also help you; some suppliers will even reimburse you for your purchases.
In addition to the many benefits they provide, we have compiled a list of the top credit and debit cards for use when traveling overseas.
Top credit cards for international travel.
Keep in mind that if you use a credit card, you should be able to pay off the entire balance at the end of each month; otherwise, interest charges will negate any benefits. Use a credit card eligibility checker whenever you apply for one, such as the Card Match tool on our sister website Go. To see what you can get, compare.
The Barclaycard Mastercard.
Free purchases, fee-free withdrawals from ATMs overseas up to £500 per day, and 25% cashback on regular purchases. If you apply for a Barclaycard by August 4, 2025, you can receive an additional 0 percent cashback on purchases made until November 30, 2025. Purchases over £100 are protected from interest if paid in full, and there is a potential refund cover representative APR of 28 percent.
The NatWest Travel Reward Credit Card.
One percent cashback on eligible travel spending on planes, trains, cars, ferries, buses, hotels, travel agencies, cruises, campsites, and more; three percent fee on ATM withdrawals (minimum three percent); no foreign transaction fees on purchases made overseas; or, in lieu of these, zero to fifteen percent cashback on travel spending Representative APR of 27 to nine percent (variable) Halifax Clarity credit card.
No spending fees Fee-free ATM withdrawals overseas Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act covers purchases over £100 and up to £30,000. Interest on cash withdrawals ranges from 22 to 28 percent, and is charged daily until the balance is paid off. The representative annual percentage rate (APR) for the Santander Edge credit card is 23 percent.
4 monthly fee No foreign exchange fees on purchases made abroad if done in local currency 1 percent cashback (up to 10 per month) on all purchases Representative APR 37.8 percent Overseas ATM withdrawals have a 3 percent fee (minimum 3) and 29.9 percent representative APR daily until the entire amount is paid. It's crucial to keep in mind that if you're using a credit card, you should be able to pay off your bill in full at the end of each month. If not, any benefits will be nullified by interest charges.
When applying for a credit card, always use an eligibility checker, such as our sister site Go's Card Match tool. To see what you can obtain, compare. Your credit score won't be impacted, but your credit file will be checked.
The best debit cards for international travel.
We examine a few banks that don't impose fees when you use your debit card overseas. Withdrawal fees from ATMs may still apply, though; these are frequently determined by the ATM provider.
Bank Chase.
For the first 12 months, you can only manage this account in-app. You can round up your spending to the nearest one and any spare change will be deposited into a Chase Round-up account, which pays you 5% AER variable interest each month. There are no fees associated with spending or cash withdrawals overseas or domestically. You can also get 1% cashback on your spending for the first 12 months (up to 15 per month). Additionally, Chase makes its 2.75 percent easy access saver available to you. Nevertheless, since the interest rate is so low, it's worthwhile to look through our list of the top-paying easy-access savings accounts.
First Direct.
Free overseas purchases, fee-free ATM withdrawals up to £500 daily, access to a regular saver account with 7% interest, a 250 interest-free overdraft, and a 175 bank switching bonus when you transfer your existing account to First Direct Starling Bank.
Spending is free, there are no fees, and you can manage your in-app and online accounts. You can withdraw up to 300 Monzo and make six withdrawals a day while you're overseas. You can also earn 3 point 25 percent in-credit interest on up to 5,000 Monzo.
Fee-free domestic and international expenditure Cash withdrawals within the EEA are fee-free if you use Monzo as your primary bank account; if not, you pay 3 percent on withdrawals over £200 per 30 days. Cash withdrawals up to £200 per 30 days are free outside the EEA. Earn 3 percent AER (variable) with an Instant Access Savings Pot No interest on purchases of £100 or more made over a three-month period with a Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card; anything beyond that is subject to a 3 percent fee.
Free foreign exchange fees, no annual fee, fee-free ATM withdrawals up to £500 per month (or 2.5 percent fee), Instant Hilton Honors Gold Status Open an account by August 14, 2025, and earn 30,000 bonus Hilton Honors points when you spend 2,500 in foreign currency within six months. Earn up to 4 points 5 Hilton Honors points for every £1 spent on eligible purchases. Free continental breakfast every day or food and beverage credit. Learn more about Barclays Halifax (bank).
Leave a comment on: Best cards for international travel