Tell us about yourself
We’ll ask you a few simple questions about you and your financial circumstances and what you need from a travel credit card
Most users see cards they’re likely to be accepted for
60%^
of MoneySuperMarket users searching for a travel credit card could apply with confidence after being pre-approved.
Average guaranteed credit limit of
£1000^
for MoneySuperMarket users searching for a rewards card.
What is a travel credit card?
A travel credit card is a specialist credit card providing travel-related benefits 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 fees.
Travel credit cards waive these, making overseas spending cheaper while offering perks like Section 75 protection and earning travel rewards, like cashback or access to airport lounges.
Our best travel credit card
Accurate as of Tuesday, 09 December 2025
Earn 1% cashback on card purchases for the first 12 months from account opening - no cap. Earn 0.25% cashback after that. Plus, no foreign exchange or cash withdrawals fees. T&Cs apply
Lloyds Bank
Lloyds Ultra Credit Card
Representative example: If you spend £1,200.00 at a purchase rate of 12.94% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 12.9% (variable)
Great for
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Earn 1% cashback on card purchases for the first 12 months from your account opening. Earn 0.25% cashback thereafter.
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No foreign transaction fees on purchases
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Earn up to 15% cashback with selected retailers on your Credit card purchases by registering for Everyday Offers. T&Cs apply
This is our top travel credit card, ordered by lowest foreign purchase fee.
What are the pros and cons of using a travel credit card abroad?
Using a travel credit card comes with benefits and downsides, such as:
-
Pros
No foreign transaction fees, including currency conversion fees
A travel credit card can give you financial protection if something goes wrong - card purchases between £100 and £30,000 are protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Travel credit cards often waive ATM fees, but double check if the card charges interest on cash withdrawals.
Some travel credit cards will give you cashback on your spending abroad, airport lounge access, airport security fast track, and airmiles.
-
Cons
You might have to pay an annual fee for your travel credit card, so make sure you travel enough for the benefits to outweigh the costs
If you don’t pay off your balance on time you'll face high interest rates, with our data showing average APRs for these cards are 30.0%
^ Even though your card may not charge ATM withdrawal fees, they may still charge interest from the moment the cash is withdrawn
How travel credit cards can save you money
When you're on holiday, you’ll likely make many small purchases like meals, activities, and shopping. Regular credit cards often charge currency conversion and non-sterling transaction fees for each transaction you make abroad.
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, saving you money on every purchase.
Card type | Exchange load fee | Non-sterling transaction fee | Cost per transaction |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular credit card | 3% | 3% | £1.50 |
Travel credit card | 0% | 0% | £0.00 |
This is an illustrative example assuming a £25 transaction, 3% exchange load fees, and 3% non-sterling transaction fees.
What are the alternatives to travel credit cards?
If you don't want a new credit card, or aren't eligible, you can still save money when spending abroad.
Prepaid Travel Cards
Load up cards with your chosen currency before you travel and spend with it abroad like any other credit or debit card. Prepaid travel cards are great for budgeting too, and will let you top up as and when you need. Just make sure it can hold the currency you want to spend in before you apply.
Buying Travel Money
If you prefer spending in cash, you can purchase foreign currency in advance to lock in the exchange rate before you leave. You can collect your money or have it delivered
Our expert says…
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 you’re left with more money to spend while you’re away instead of that same money going to a credit card provider.
Kara Gammell Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
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MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Will applying for a travel credit card impact my credit score?
When you apply for a travel credit card, lenders will look at your credit score and carry out a hard search on your credit file. Were you to rack up multiple hard searches on your file in a short period, it would negatively impact your credit score.
That’s why it’s important you use our eligibility checker before applying. That way, you’ll be able to see how likely you are to be accepted before applying. What’s more, you can rest assured that because we’ll only carry out a soft search, using the eligibility checker won’t harm your credit score.
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 can protect your credit score
Compare more than just travel credit cards
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 at no charge.
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 fees, the chances are that the local exchange rates will be a little less favourable.
Does my credit card give me travel insurance?
Many credit cards come with perks, and travel insurance is one of the more popular offers. 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 fine option, as are prepaid cards and even travellers’ cheques, though these are declining in use.
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.
How do I make a complaint about my travel credit card?
You can make a complaint about your travel credit card to your provider directly. You should be able to do this by calling them, emailing them or even visiting a local branch if they have one.
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 your normal credit card was made to be used in the United Kingdom. So, using the card you use at home 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 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.
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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We commit to providing you with clear and informative answers on all points such as this, so we have gathered the relevant information on this page.
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025 by
Based on the average Representative APR of users clicking out on credit cards products, to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket between September 2025 and November 2025.
Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket in November 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.
Based on the credit card enquirys with the aim to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket between September 2025 and November 2025.