If you're gearing up for an overseas adventure or frequently shop from international websites, using the best travel credit cards 2024 can be one of the most cost-effective ways to spend. These cards offer near-perfect exchange rates worldwide, potentially saving you a significant amount of money. This guide outlines the top travel cards to consider, the ones to avoid, and how to determine what fees your current card might charge.
best travel credit cards 2024
Chase – Fee-Free + 1% Cashback
Barclaycard Rewards – Fee-Free + 0.25% Cashback
New: First Direct – Fee-Free + £175 Bonus
Currensea – Links to Your Bank Account + £10 Cashback
Alternatives to Specialist Travel Cards
Prepaid travel cards are another option. They don’t require a credit check and allow you to lock in an exchange rate before you travel.
Top Prepaid Travel Cards
Prefer cash? If you need cash and a card isn’t accepted, our tool can help you find the best exchange rates for your holiday money.
TravelMoneyMax
How Do Travel Credit Cards 2024 Work?
Most credit and debit cards allow you to spend abroad but often come with foreign transaction fees (officially known as 'non-sterling transaction fees') of around 3%. For instance, £100 worth of foreign currency would cost you £103. Additionally, some debit cards charge a flat fee (usually between 50p and £1.50) for each overseas transaction, regardless of the amount. Withdrawing cash often incurs fees and interest on credit cards. For detailed information on hidden holiday spending charges, check out our full guide.
The good news is that there are specialist travel cards that avoid these fees, giving you the same near-perfect rate that banks get.
A Specialist Card Can Save You Over £100 Per Holiday
Here's a comparison of how much spending $1,000 can cost in pounds (assuming five $100 cash withdrawals and 20 transactions of $25 each on the cards). This comparison was based on an exchange rate of approximately $1.28 to £1, but the principle remains the same regardless of current rates:
- Top Specialist Credit/Debit Card Repaid in Full: £779
- Top Prepaid Card: £779
- Cash via Cheapest Bureau (Pick Up in London): £786
- Cash from M&S on the High Street (Non-Cardholders): £792
- Using a Debit Card with a Spending Charge: £833
- Changing Cash at the Airport (Not Pre-Ordered): £909
As shown, the differences can be substantial, so opting for a specialist overseas card and using it consistently can be a significant money-saver.
Check If Your Card Charges Foreign Transaction Fees
Before using any card abroad, use our tool to determine the cost of using your existing card. Compare it with our top-pick travel cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees to ensure you’re spending in the most cost-effective way.
How Much Does Your Card Charge?
Find out how much you will pay to use your card abroad.
Beware of Cards with High Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid using the cards listed below for spending abroad. Unless you are spending euros within the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway, these cards charge an additional 50p to £1.50 per transaction on top of their standard exchange-rate fees.
For example, a $5 purchase in the USA could cost you £6.60 with the worst of these cards due to fees and charges.
Note: The fees and charges in the table apply to standard current accounts offered by the banks and building societies listed. TSB, Bank of Scotland, Lloyds, and Halifax offer premium accounts with fee-free spending and withdrawals abroad but charge a flat monthly fee.
The Cards with a Spending Charge
| Debit Card | Exchange Load (Mark-Up) | ATM Charge | Spending Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB | 2.99% | 1.5% (min £2, max £4.50) | £1 |
| Bank of Scotland | 2.99% | £1.50 | 50p |
| Lloyds Bank | 2.99% | £1.50 | 50p |
| Halifax | 2.99% | £1.50 | 50p |
Fees apply except for payments in euros within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Travel Card Need-to-Knows
Before heading on holiday, here are some key tips to avoid extra charges:
- Always Pay Off Your Credit Card IN FULL Each Month.
- When Given the Choice to Pay in Pounds or Local Currency, Choose Local Currency.
- Spending is Generally Cheaper Than Withdrawing Cash.
- Visa’s Exchange Rates Tend to Be Slightly Better Than Mastercard’s, Though the Difference is Minimal.
Top Travel Credit and Debit Cards
These are the best travel cards to use abroad, featuring no exchange fees on spending and, in some cases, fee-free and interest-free overseas cash withdrawals. We’ve noted whether each card is a Mastercard or Visa, as this can affect exchange rates slightly (Visa tends to offer marginally better rates).
Top Travel Credit and Debit Cards – Our Recommendations
All our top picks offer fee-free spending abroad and ATM withdrawals, with various perks depending on what you value most.
Chase: Our top debit card pick with 1% cashback on most spending (up to £15/month) and a near-perfect exchange rate. It requires opening a new bank account, with only an ID check needed. Note that there's a £1,500/month limit on ATM withdrawals.
Barclaycard: A solid alternative credit card offering ongoing 0.25% cashback. It provides interest-free withdrawals abroad if you pay them off IN FULL each month, making it a good choice for bigger spenders.
First Direct: Offers a £175 bonus if you switch your bank account, making it the best option for all but the largest spenders. It’s fee-free for overseas spending and withdrawals and includes a £250 0% overdraft.
Our Top Three Travel Debit and Credit Cards
| Card | Perks | Easy Credit Check? | Fee-Free ATM Withdrawals? | Interest-Free Spending? | Interest-Free ATM Withdrawals? | How to Get the Card? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase | 1% cashback on UK & overseas spending (max £15/month) | Yes (ID Check) | Yes, up to £1,500/month | Yes (Debit Card) | Yes (Debit Card) | Apply* (or read our full review) |
| Barclaycard Rewards | Ongoing 0.25% cashback on UK & overseas spending | No (Full Credit Check) | Yes, up to £500/day | Yes, if repaid IN FULL | Yes, if repaid IN FULL | Check eligibility, Apply* |
| First Direct | FREE £175 cash if you switch, top service, 7% regular saver, £250 0% overdraft | No (Full Credit Check) | Yes, up to £500/day | Yes (Debit Card) | Yes (Debit Card) | Apply* (or read our full review) |
These cards won’t charge you, but ATMs may. See all official APR examples.
Top Alternative Travel Cards
If none of the above cards suit you, consider these alternatives:
Currensea Mastercard Debit Card: Links to your existing bank account via Open Banking and offers £10 cashback on spending £100+ in foreign currency within the first six months. It avoids non-sterling transaction fees and ATM fees.
Starling Mastercard Debit Card: Offers fee-free and interest-free overseas spending and ATM withdrawals (up to six withdrawals/day, max £300/day). Requires only an ID check.
Halifax Clarity Mastercard: A good alternative to Barclaycard for credit. However, it charges 23.94% to 29.94% interest on ATM withdrawals, even if repaid in full. Best used for spending rather than cash withdrawals.
Kroo Visa Debit Card: Fee-free for overseas spending but charges a 3% fee for ATM withdrawals over £200/month. It also offers 4.1% AER savings interest on up to £500,000.
Alternatives to Travel Credit and Debit Cards
If you prefer not to get a new card, consider these options:
Prepaid Travel Cards: Load them up in advance and lock in a rate. Cards like Revolut and Wise offer competitive deals. Check out our current top picks in prepaid travel cards.
Cash: If cash is necessary, use our TravelMoneyMax tool to find the best exchange rates for your holiday money.
Complaining About Your Card Provider
If your card company has charged you incorrectly or provided poor service, start by contacting them directly. If you’re not satisfied with their response, use the free complaints tool Resolver to manage and escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service if needed.