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Travel credit cards
Compare the best credit cards to use abroad.
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MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker not a lender. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident. Representative 24.9% APR
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What is a travel credit card?
A travel credit card is a specialist credit card providing travel-related benefits, often including:
No foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad
No charges for overseas cash withdrawals
Competitive exchange rates
Cashback or rewards on overseas spending
How does a travel credit card work?
Most cards charge fees for spending abroad, like currency conversion, non-sterling transaction fees, and ATM or cash-advance fees.
Travel credit cards waive these, making overseas spending cheaper while offering perks like the opportunity to earn rewards and cashback, giving you access to airport lounges, or keeping costs lower if you do need to withdraw cash.
Top tip:
If you pay with your specialist travel credit card in the local currency and your network provider is Visa or Mastercard, you’ll probably get the best possible exchange rate available.
Our best travel credit card
Accurate as of Sunday, 04 October 2026
Earn 5x points per £1 when you pay your rent or mortgage with Yonder's Premium Credit Card until Dec 31st. 1x point per £1 thereafter up to 2,000 points. 5x offer on mortgage and rent applies to new customers only. T&Cs apply
Yonder
Yonder Premium - Lifestyle, Travel and Dining Rewards Credit Card
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Foreign Purchase Fee
0% EU Countries, 0% Worldwide
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Rewards
Points, Cashback, Entertainment, Shopping
Representative example: If you spend £1,200.00 at a purchase rate of 28.67% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 73.1% (variable)
Great for
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Earn 5x points per £1 when you pay your rent or mortgage with Yonder's Premium Credit Card until Dec 31st 2026. 1x point per £1 thereafter up to 2,000 points per month
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Up to £870 of annual value in member's benefits across mortgage, rent, travel and insurance.
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£140 in travel credits every year as well as comprehensive travel insurance. Use points on your everyday spend on any flight
But be aware that
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Rewards and experiences are UK wide. Max credit limit £15,000
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You can't transfer a balance from another card issued by Yonder
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You cannot apply if you are an existing Yonder Credit Card holder. Pre-approval is subject to verification. UK credit history required, including proof of income. Your actual credit limit and APR may vary depending on Yonder's credit assessment
This is our top travel credit card, ordered by lowest foreign purchase fee. Any commercial agreement we have in place with a provider won’t affect how we compare or rank your quotes. We will always try to display them in a way that helps you get the best deal. This is why we’ve built filters and sorting functions into quote results listings where we can. Please note. We occasionally agree commercial arrangements with providers to advertise their products on site, including on our results pages. These will be clearly identifiable as adverts and labelled 'sponsored' and won't affect the ranking within the results table.
Did you know?
Most users see cards they’re likely to be accepted for
57%[3]
of MoneySuperMarket users searching for a travel credit card could apply with confidence after being pre-approved.
Average guaranteed credit limit of
£1000[4]
for MoneySuperMarket users searching for credit cards for interest free spending.
How travel credit cards can save you money
When travelling overseas, you’re likely to make plenty of purchases on meals out, fun excursions, or supermarket shopping. Regular credit cards often charge currency conversion and non-sterling transaction fees every time you use them.
For example, if you spend £25 per transaction and make 50 transactions (totalling £1,250), you could be charged £1.50 each time. That adds up to £75 in extra fees just for using your card.
Travel credit cards avoid these charges, helping you keep costs down when abroad, as our table shows.
Card type | Foreign transaction fee | Example spend | Fee charged | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Travel credit card | 0% | £25 | £0 | £25 |
Standard credit card | 3% | £25 | £0.75 | £25.75 |
Illustrative example only.
Our expert says…
More of your money goes on your trip, rather than on fees
The last thing you want to worry about while on holiday is being ripped-off when using your credit card to pay for things. By choosing the right type of card in advance, you can save yourself a packet as you won’t pay a fee for each purchase and some may even waive cash withdrawal fees. This means more of your money goes on your trip, rather than on fees.
Kara Gammell Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
How to compare travel credit cards
Comparing travel credit cards couldn’t be easier with MoneySuperMarket. Our eligibility checker will show you the cards you are most likely to be approved for – so you are less likely to be rejected, which could damage your credit score
Compare more than just travel credit cards
Where can I use a travel credit card?
You can generally use a travel credit card anywhere that accepts its card network, such as Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
Cards are widely accepted around the world, with Visa operating in more than 200 countries and territories and Mastercard in more than 210. This includes shops, restaurants, hotels and other retailers, although acceptance can vary by location.
Do travel credit cards charge an annual fee?
Some travel credit cards charge an annual fee, while others are free. Cards with annual fees may offer additional benefits, such as travel rewards, airport lounge access or insurance, but a fee-free card can still offer useful features such as no fees for spending abroad. Check the annual fee and benefits to make sure the card offers good value for your needs.
Can I buy travel money with my credit card?
You can, both when you’re at home and abroad. You can buy foreign currency from a bureau de change before you leave with a regular credit card, but this may be subject to charges.
You can do the same overseas, but you’ll be charged transaction fees on a non-travel card. And even if you use a travel card to avoid the fee, the local exchange rates could be less favourable.
Does my credit card give me travel insurance?
Travel insurance is one of the more popular perks credit cards sometimes offer. Check the small print from your card issuer to see if you have a travel insurance package with your current card.
Do I need a credit card for travel?
Travel credit cards are among the cheapest ways to spend money abroad, but it’s not obligatory to bring one. Travel money is another option, as are prepaid cards and even travellers’ cheques, though these are declining in use.
Another benefit of using a credit card is that eligible purchases between £100 and £30,000 can be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, meaning your card provider can be jointly liable if something goes wrong with the purchase.
Do you need to notify your credit card company when travelling?
You don’t need to let your card supplier know when you’re travelling, but it’s not a bad idea if you’re planning to bring it. A sudden spike in spending in another country may set off automatic alarm bells on your account – and it’ll be helpful should the worst happen and your card is stolen.
What is a travel rewards credit card?
Some travel credit cards offer rewards like cashback or vouchers worth a percentage of what you spend.
There are also airline credit cards available. These are designed for domestic spending, but they offer a specific reward: frequent flier miles that can specifically be redeemed on air travel. If you travel often, this type of card can be useful as your main credit card when you’re at home.
Is it more expensive if I used my normal credit card on holiday?
It can be more costly to use your normal credit card on holiday than a travel credit card. This is because using your regular credit card abroad will likely come with a range of charges such as foreign transaction fees.
Which travel credit cards will give me the best exchange rates?
If you pay with your specialist travel credit card in the local currency and your network provider is Visa or Mastercard, you’ll probably get the best possible exchange rate available.
What is dynamic currency conversion and should I use it?
Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) lets you pay in pounds rather than the local currency when using your card abroad. The exchange rate is set by the retailer or ATM operator and may include a mark-up. It’s generally better to pay in the local currency, allowing your card provider to handle the conversion.
What are the alternatives to a travel credit card?
Debit cards: A debit card allows you to spend the money in your current account.
Prepaid cards: These cards are topped up with travel money in your chosen currency. They can be used like debit cards.
Cash: You can get travel money in the local currency of your destination. You can compare competitive exchange rates with MoneySuperMarket.
Can I get a travel debit card?
You can get a travel debit card, however they tend to come with more fees and don’t offer the best exchange rates. However, some digital banks allow you to make purchases abroad without any extra charges.
Can I get 0% interest on travel card purchases?
Some travel credit cards may offer 0% interest on purchases for an introductory period, but this is separate from a card offering 0% fees for spending abroad.
A card with no foreign transaction fees can still charge interest on purchases, while a card offering 0% purchase interest may still charge fees when you use it overseas. Always check the card’s terms to see which 0% features apply.
Credit card deals comparison
If you’re applying for a credit card, you might be able to find a better deal if you look through offers from different providers before taking one out. With MoneySuperMarket you’ll be able to search through multiple credit card deals and compare them by a range of factors, including their interest rates and any benefits and rewards they come with.
All you need to do is answer a few questions about yourself and your financial situation, and our Eligibility Checker will show your chances of being accepted for different credit cards. This won’t affect your credit score, so you can run a check without any worries.
Once you know which card you want, you can normally apply by phone, online, or in person if the provider has a high street branch. However, when you do apply, the provider will usually run a hard credit check – which will show up on your credit report – to confirm whether they’ll give you the card. If you’re accepted they’ll tell you your credit limit and interest rate, and soon you’ll be ready to start using your credit card.
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Reviewed on 2 Oct 2026 by
Sources and supporting information
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[1]
Selected providers. SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
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[2]
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
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[3]
Based on the credit card enquiries with the aim to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket between July 2026 and September 2026.
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[4]
Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket in September 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.
