nab visa travel card

NAB credit card complimentary travel insurance

Got a nab credit card with complimentary travel insurance here’s the lowdown on what’s covered and how to make a claim..

In this guide

Which NAB credit cards have complimentary travel insurance?

How to get cover with nab credit card international travel insurance, what's covered by nab complimentary international travel insurance, what's not covered, pre-existing medical conditions, how to make a claim through your nab credit card complimentary international travel insurance policy, other types of nab complimentary credit card travel insurance, nab credit card complimentary insurance for shopping, nab business credit card complimentary insurance options, frequently asked questions, what you need to know:.

• NAB credit cards with complimentary international travel insurance offer comprehensive cover for up to 3 months with a Level 2 card and up to 6 months with a Level 1 card.
• You'll get cover when you meet the requirements before travelling (e.g. by paying for your trip with the card).
• Your spouse and dependants travelling with you can also get cover, but there are some requirements and exclusions .
• Do you have a question or need to make a claim right now? Call the insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance, on 1800 187 025 (from Australia) or +61 7 3305 8800 (from overseas).
• Use your NAB credit card to pay for at least $500 of overseas travel costs before you leave Australia (e.g. your overseas airfare or accommodation bookings).
• Have a return ticket to Australia before the start of your trip.
• Permanently live in Australia or have a visa that entitles you to residency under the Migration Act (1958).
• Be under 81 years of age at the time you meet the rest of these requirements.
• Make sure your trip is for 3 consecutive months or less with a Level 2 Card (e.g. NAB Rewards Platinum) or up to 6 consecutive months with a Level 1 Card (e.g. NAB Qantas Signature). Trips over these length requirements won't be covered by this policy.

When you meet all of these requirements, cover is automatically available to you and eligible family members travelling with you (when they also meet the requirements).

Need written confirmation of cover? Use the “Check eligibility” tool online or call Allianz on 1800 187 025 for more details.

Here, we've broken down the key options for different types of claims and situations. But remember: you should always read the insurance policy booklet for complete details of the cover.

Medical, dental and emergencies cover with a NAB credit card

Example of when you might use this cover on an overseas trip.

If you got sick overseas and had to go to hospital for a few days, you could get cover for costs related to:

• Doctor's fees
• Hospital fees
• Changes in your travel plans

Just keep in mind that each travel claim is subject to an assessment and there may be excess payments if you're eligible for a payout.

NAB complimentary international travel insurance for cancellation, delays, accommodation and transport

⚠️ Keep in mind: Cancellations and other changes to your travel plans are only covered under specific circumstances. For example, if you missed a flight because you needed urgent medical treatment for a covered health issue.

Luggage and personal items cover offered with NAB credit card complimentary insurance

Hijacking, personal liability, death and other cover offered with nab complimentary credit card travel insurance.

Claims under these benefits are less common and usually only apply in extreme circumstances. None of them have an excess payment but we have listed their claim limits.

• Hijacking: Up to $10,000 per cardholder or spouse
• Emergency accommodation due to terrorism: Up to $300 per day and a maximum of $3,000 per cardholder or spouse
• Personal liability: Up to $2.5 million for Level 1 cards and up to 1 million for Level 2 cards
• Legal expenses: Up to $15,000 per cardholder or spouse
• Accidental death: $50,000 per cardholder or spouse, up to $25,000 per dependant and a maximum total of up to $150,000.
• Funeral expenses: Up to $60,000 for a cardholder or spouse

Note: Unless a specific limit is listed for dependants, any claims related to them will come out of the limit for the cardholder and/or their spouse.

Some of the key things you won’t be covered for with NAB credit card complimentary international travel insurance include:

• If you don’t follow advice from any government, official body or mass media announcements
• Issues related to drinking alcohol or taking non-prescription drugs
• Travel that’s for the purpose of medical treatment
• If you or your partner give birth during the trip, or there are complications arising after week 26 of the pregnancy
• Dangerous activities including rock climbing (with equipment), white water rafting, bungy jumping, off-piste snowboarding or skiing and quad or motorbike riding if the engine has a capacity of 200cc or more

Does NAB complimentary credit card travel insurance cover COVID?

Yes, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or another epidemic/pandemic illness, this insurance offers cover for claims relating to:

• Overseas emergency assistance
• Overseas emergency medical
• Cancellation
• Additional expenses

If you're travelling with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, some cover is also available under the cancellation and additional expenses benefits.

⚠️ Remember: Check the NAB credit card insurance policy booklet or call Allianz on 1800 187 025 for more details about COVID-19 claims and any exclusions.

Does NAB credit card travel insurance cover family members?

Yes, your spouse and dependants (i.e. your children) can also get cover when they are travelling with you for at least 50% of your trip. They also need to meet the same travel booking requirements and other conditions of the insurance policy. Check the policy document for full details.

This travel insurance doesn’t automatically offer cover for any pre-existing conditions. But you can apply for an assessment of your pre-existing condition/s by calling Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 187 025.

If you are eligible, you will get written confirmation from Allianz that a pre-existing medical condition is covered. A $75 administration fee applies as part of this process.

What if I don’t apply or get approval for a pre-existing condition?

You won't get cover for any claims related to the pre-existing condition/s. This includes conditions that you've had professional treatment for and untreated conditions you're aware of before you travel.

Got a pre-existing health condition? Compare other travel insurance policies that offer cover for conditions including anxiety, high blood pressure and knee replacement.

If it's an emergency, call Allianz on +617 3305 8800 when you're overseas or 1800 010 075 in Australia. You can also submit a claim online by following these steps:

• Go to the online claims portal at https://claimmanager.com.au/nab/agreement
• Confirm you agree with the terms and conditions, then select "Create new claim"
• Select the "Credit card insurance" option and provide details of your card
• Fill in the details on the claim form and upload your supporting documentation

You will be contacted about your claim within 10 business days, according to the online claims website.

What to include in your claim

With insurance claims, include as many details as you can. This makes it easier for the insurer to look at the claim and your eligibility for a payout. Some examples include:

• A referral or letter from a doctor or other professional you see in relation to a claim
• Photo evidence
• Police reports

Tip: Use a travel wallet or create an online folder to keep all your important documents together. This could include your passport, itinerary, printed tickets, a copy of the NAB card insurance policy booklet – plus anything that could become supporting documentation for claims.

Domestic travel insurance

• What is it? Cover for specific issues that come up when you're travelling to a different state or territory in Australia. This includes:
• Cancellation: Up to a maximum of $3,000.
• Flight delay expenses: After 4 hours or more, $125 per person up to a maximum of $300.
• Additional expenses: Up to $3,000.
• Luggage: Up to $750 per covered item with a maximum of $2,000.
• Luggage delay: After a delay of 12 hours or more, $150 per person up to a maximum of $400 for all claims combined.
• When can I use it? If you have paid for your return domestic flight with your eligible NAB credit card before you leave. Or, if you have a return domestic flight and have paid for at least $250 domestic travel costs with your NAB credit card before you leave (such as accommodation).
• Is there an excess cost? There is a $75 excess for cancellation, additional expenses and luggage claims.

Rental vehicle excess in Australia insurance

• What is it? Cover for damage or theft of a car or other vehicle you have hired in Australia, up to a maximum of $5,000 for Level 2 cards and a maximum of $10,000 for Level 1 cards.
• When can I use it? If you’ve used your NAB credit card to pay the full cost of the vehicle rental. The rental contract also needs to specify an amount that you would need to pay if the vehicle is damaged or stolen while you have it.
• Is there an excess cost? $100 per claim.

How to make a claim under one of these policies

You can also get access to other types of insurance for items you buy with an eligible NAB credit card. Here's a basic explainer of each one:

• Purchase protection insurance: Offers cover for up to 90 days when you buy a new item with your eligible card and it's then stolen, accidentally damaged or lost. It covers household and personal items such as jewellery, watches, glasses and new works of art. There is no excess but specific claim limits may apply.
• Extended warranty insurance: Cover that doubles the manufacturer's warranty for items bought in Australia, up to a maximum period of 12 months.

Don’t have complimentary insurance on your credit card yet? Compare NAB credit cards or other cards that offer insurance .

NAB business credit cards offer complimentary unauthorised transaction insurance to help protect you if an additional cardholder uses the account for something that's not allowed.

Some NAB business credit cards also offer complimentary transit accident insurance. These are your options with different NAB business cards:

Can I get proof of my cover?

Yes. If you're going on a cruise or tour that requires proof of insurance, you can get a letter of eligibility online at www.checkyourcover.com.au/nab

How do I get cover with a NAB Platinum Visa Debit Card?

The NAB Platinum Visa Debit Card is classified as a Level 2 card, giving you access to complimentary insurace options including international travel insurance. If you have met the eligibility requirements, you can make a claim online at https://travel.agaassistance.com.au/nab/make-a-claim or by calling Allianz on +617 3305 8800 from overseas or 1800 010 075.

Amy Bradney-George

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full profile

More guides on Finder

The NAB Rewards Platinum offers up to 80,000 bonus NAB Rewards Points, a reduced first-year annual fee and other perks.

This offer on the NAB Low Rate Card gives you a way to get $300 cashback as a new cardholder. Is it right for you?

The NAB Rewards Business Signature lets you earn points as you manage your business expenses and offers exclusive business travel and retail deals from Visa.

With up to 100,000 bonus NAB Rewards Points, a reduced first-year annual fee and perks, is this NAB card right for you?

The NAB Business Card offers additional cardholders with individual credit limits, up to 35 interest-free days on business purchases and liability insurance.

Get a card facility you can tailor to your company’s needs, with multiple cards, expense tracking tools and the option of a custom design.

The NAB Low Rate Business credit card offers cards for employees and low-cost features, including 0% p.a. on purchases for the first 12 months.

You'll get a complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership, Qantas Points for your everyday purchases and 5 complimentary insurance covers with the NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card.

You can use the NAB Low Fee Platinum Card to consolidate your debts and reduce your interest costs with a balance transfer offer.

The NAB Low Fee Card offers up to 44 interest-free days on purchases, a competitive annual fee and a low minimum credit limit.

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Travel money cards with the lowest fees

We look at seven travel money cards from the big banks and airlines..

Prepaid travel money cards are offered by major banks, airlines and foreign exchange retailers like Travelex. Before travelling overseas, you load money into the card account, which locks in the exchange rate for foreign currencies at that time. 

You can then use the card for purchases and cash withdrawals just like a debit or credit card, usually wherever Visa and Mastercard are accepted. 

You can reload money on-the-go via an app or website, and if the card is lost or stolen, it can be replaced (usually at no cost to you).

Prepaid travel money cards also give you assurance that you're not handing the details of your everyday banking account to merchants you're not familiar with, and they provide easy access to cash when you want some, says Peter Marshall, head of research at money comparison website Mozo .

CHOICE tip: Travel money cards are best for longer trips. They're usually not worth your while if you're only taking a short trip, as some have closure, cash out and inactivity fees.

Travel money card fees

A major difference between prepaid travel cards and debit or credit cards is their fees. Some costs aren't immediately apparent, such as hefty margins built into the exchange rates.

And although fees have come down since we looked at these cards two years ago, you still need to watch out for:

• fees to load the card – either a percentage of the total or a flat fee
• ATM withdrawal fees
• a cross currency fee or margin when you use the card in a currency you haven't preloaded
• further fees if you close the account or haven't used the card for a period of time.

Travel money card with the lowest fees and best exchange rate

Westpac worldwide wallet.

Westpac closed its Global Currency Card in July 2021 and offers its new card in partnership with Mastercard.  It's also available from Bank of Melbourne and BankSA.

Currencies: AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, ZAR.

Key features:

• No loading, reloading, closing or inactivity fees.
• Free to use it in network ATMs in Australia and partner ATMs overseas in a range of countries including the UK, US and New Zealand.
• A charge applies at non-Westpac and non-partner ATMs in Australia and overseas.
• Best exchange rates for the US dollar, the Euro and GBP in our comparison.*
• The only card that lets you preload the South African rand.

Other travel money cards

Next to the Westpac Worldwide Wallet, there are six other travel money cards available.

Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard

Available online or at post offices.

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, AED.

• Fee to reload the card via BPay, debit card or instore, but free via online bank transfer.
• Closure fee.
• Fees for ATM withdrawals in Australia and overseas.

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

It's issued by Heritage Bank and is available online and from a number of smaller banks and credit unions (like Bendigo Bank and Bank of Queensland) as well as travel agents. 

• Fee to reload with a debit card or instore, but free via BPay.

CommBank Travel Money Card

CommBank Travel Money Card (Visa)

As NAB and ANZ have closed their travel money cards, this is the only other travel money card available from a major bank. This card has the largest variety of currencies that can be preloaded.

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD, AED, VND, CNY.

• Fee if you make a purchase with currencies not preloaded.
• Fee for withdrawals at overseas ATMs.

Qantas Travel Money Card

Qantas Travel Money Card (Mastercard)

The only travel money card offering from an airline. It can be added as a feature to your Qantas Frequent Flyer card, so you don't need a dedicated card, and you can earn points using it.

• Free to reload via bank transfer or BPay, but there's a reload fee if using debit card.

Travelex Money Card

Travelex Money Card (Mastercard)

Travelex is an international foreign exchange retailer. In Australia, it operates more than 140 stores at major airports and shopping centres, across CBDs and in the suburbs. It was the card with the best exchange rate for New Zealand dollars.*

Currencies : AUD, USD, NZD, EUR, GBP, SGD, THB, JPY, HKD, CAD.

Fees : 

• Load fee instore, but free via Travelex website or app.
• Reload fee instore or via BPay, but free via Travelex website or app.
• Closure fee and monthly inactivity fee (if not used for 12 months).

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass (Mastercard)

The Travel Money Group is owned by Flight Centre and is a foreign exchange retailer. 

• Reloading the card via an online bank transfer or instore is free, but there's a fee if you reload via BPay, debit card or credit card. 
• Cash out (closure) fee. 

Travel money card tips

• Make sure the card allows the currencies you'll need, and also consider stopovers. For example, the South African rand is only supported by the Westpac card.
• Try to load your card with the right currencies and amounts on days with good exchange rates. 
• Make sure you know how to reload your card if you run out of funds while overseas.
• It may be more convenient to choose a card that has an app that can be linked to your bank account.
• Avoid loading more money than you'll need as there may be fees and exchange rate margins to get the unused money back.
• Remember to cancel the card once you're finished your trip, especially if it has inactivity fees.
• Be mindful that you still may need a credit card, as travel money cards may not be accepted as security for hotels and car rental agencies. 

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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• Travel Advice

Travel money cards were ranked in order of highest value of USD/ euros after fees and conversions

HERE’S a list of the Top 10 best travel money cards to use when holidaying in the United States and Europe, revealing the least withdrawal fees.

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WHEN it comes to travelling there’s lots to tick off the “to-do” list and more often than not, travel money cards become an afterthought.

But don’t be lazy, that’s the advice from comparative site finder.com.au ’s money expert Bessie Hassan, who says by settling for your standard credit or debit card it can leave you with plenty of unsuspecting fees .

“Taking your everyday credit or debit card on holiday instead of getting a travel money card will mean you’ll be charged on average 3 per cent per transaction,” Ms Hassan said. “That’s a lot in fees so don’t be lazy or leave it to the last minute.”

Most people will turn to their avid travelling mate for advice on which banks provide the best travel cards and according to the site that’s Travelex Money Card and ANZ Travel Card.

The Best Travel Money Card analysis also revealed that NAB’s Traveller Card was the only one not to have any fees, but it ranked fifth for not offering as much as the others when converting $10,000 to US dollars and euros.

Unfortunately for some travellers, it’s not until they check out of that luxurious hotel on the Amalfi Coast or go on that major shopping spree in Hawaii, when they realise their everyday card has clocked a bunch of fees.

Ms Hassan said prepaid travel money cards are often a better alternative than taking your standard card as you can load it with different currencies at a locked-in exchange rate.

“Often, you can load up to 10 different currencies on the card and they typically come with fewer fees, such as $0 foreign currency conversion fees,” she said.

“Travel money cards protect you from exchange rate fluctuations while you’re travelling, and they also help you better stick to your budget.”

TRAVELLING TO AMERICA

Based on the lowest withdrawal fees, reload fees and initial load fees, the best travel money card is Travelex, according to the finder.com.au.

It topped its Best Travel Money Card survey for having no ATM fees when it comes to withdrawing money and gives you the most when converting $AU10,000 to US dollars at $7140.

While the NAB Traveller Card was the only one out of the 10 to not have any withdrawal, reload or initial loading fees, it gives you $US7,066 when converting it from $10,000 (that’s $US74 less than Travelex) — ranking it as fifth on the list.

ANZ Travel Card came in second, followed by CBA and Suncorp.

All three slapped customers with a $AU3.50 withdrawal fee but gave the most US dollars when converting $AU10,000.

Westpac Global Currency Card had a $AU2.00 withdrawal fee and Qantas came second, behind Tavelex and NAB for having the least overall fees, but respectively came sixth and seventh on the list when it came to converting it to $US10,000.

Travel Money Oz had a $AU3.50 withdrawal fee and the highest reload fee at 1.10 per cent.

Finder.com.au assessed the travel money cards based on fees and conversion rates then ranked them in order of the highest value of US dollars after fees and conversions.

TRAVELLING TO EUROPE

Based on the lowest withdrawal fees, reload fees and initial load fees, the best travel money card is the ANZ Travel Card, according to finder.com.au.

Please note, the ranking in the euro table is different when compared to the USD table due to the conversion rate.

Again, NAB Traveller Card was the only one out of the 10 with no fees.

It only ranked fifth for giving €95 less than ANZ’s card when converting it euros (€6,047 compared to ANZ’s €6,142).

In second spot was Travelex Money Card which also had no additional fees, except a 1 per cent reload fee.

Suncorp Cash Passport Platinum and CBA Travel Money Card both have $3.50 ATM withdrawal fees but no reload or initial load fees, ranking them in third and fourth place.

Westpac Global Currency Card and Qantas Cash followed Travelex and NAB for having the lows withdrawal fees at $2.00 and $1.95 respectively, but their overall currency conversion offered less than those who had the higher withdrawal fees.

Travel Money Oz had the most all-round fees, offering just €5,988 when converting $10,000, compared to ANZ at €6,142.

But it was AusPost Cash Passport that ranked 10 for its $AU3.50 withdrawal fee combined with its currency conversion of €5,951 which was €191 less than ANZ.

Finder.com.au accessed the travel money cards based on fees and conversion rates then ranked them in order of the highest value of euros after fees and conversions.

TOP TIPS — finder.com.au

• The right travel money card depends on your personal situation, including your destination, the length of your trip, and the features you value most.
• Opt for a travel money card with $0 conversion or ATM withdrawal fees, and one that supports the currencies you’ll need.
• Be cautious of fees including initial load fees and inactivity fees that may apply to ensure you get the most cost-effective product.
• If you choose a card with an inactivity fee, make sure to take any remaining funds off your card when you get home as fees can result in your money dripping away unnoticed.

BIGGEST MISTAKES — finder.com.au

• Taking your everyday credit or debit card on holiday instead of getting a travel money card will mean you’ll be charged on average 3 per cent per transaction.
• Withdrawing too little from the ATM — having to find an ATM when you’re travelling is not only annoying when but will add up if your bank charges international ATM fees.
• Not all travel cards give you the same exchange rates, and while only 1c seems small, it can add up substantially if you’re converting thousands of dollars so don’t forget to compare the exchange rates between providers.
• Using a card with foreign transaction fees — by using a card with no international transaction fees you’ll save on ATM fees. Depending on where you’re travelling to, it may also be safer and more convenient than having to carry cash.

THE MAIN FEES TO LOOK OUT FOR — finder.com.au

• Initial load fee: Depending on the card, you might be charged a fee (such as a percentage of the loading amount) when you first load funds on the card.
• Reload fees: If the card doesn’t charge an initial load fee, it may charge another fee each time you load funds on the card. If this is the case, you might want to reconsider how often you reload the card.
• ATM withdrawal fees: Some cards will charge a different ATM withdrawal fee depending on where you’re withdrawing your cash. If the bank provider belongs to an ATM alliance, you might be able to avoid ATM withdrawal fees from the issuer. It’s important to note that local ATM fees may still apply.
• Inactivity fee: An inactivity fee is charged if you don’t use the card (usually after 12 months) and there’s money remaining on the account.
• Currency conversion fees: Charged when you make a purchase overseas.

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Aussie travellers planning a trip to this popular Asian destination should exchange their money now as the country’s currency plummets.

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The 6 Best Prepaid Travel Cards for Australians 2024

Here is a list of the 6 best prepaid cards you can take with you on your travels and the positives and negatives for each one:

• Wise - our pick for prepaid cards

Revolut - low fees

• Citibank - good for use at home
• Travelex - no fees for ATM withdrawals
• Australia Post - lock in exchange rates

HSBC - no international transaction fees

Prepaid travel money cards let you load money - either in AUD or the foreign currency you need - in advance, which you can then use as you travel , for spending and withdrawals. Lots of cards let you top up and manage your account through an app, which means you can always keep up with your money, even when you’re away from home.

Picking the right prepaid card can mean you get more convenient ways to spend and withdraw when you’re abroad - and lower overall costs, too. Let’s look at some of the best prepaid travel cards  for Australians , so you can pick your perfect match:

Wise - our pick for prepaid travel card

• Top up for free in AUD using PayID or bank transfer
• No annual fee, hidden transaction fees or exchange rate markups
• No minimum balance requirements
• Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
• Local bank account details in Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR), Canada (CAD) and New Zealand (NZD)
• Available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand

Find out more about the Wise card .

With this card:

• It's very easy to set up and order
• Available as a  virtual card
• You can receive foreign currency into a multi-currency account linked to the card
• Pay with your Wise card in most places overseas where debit cards are accepted
• You can transfer money to a bank account overseas

It's not all good news though

• There is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• It takes 7-14 days for delivery

Go to Wise or read our review .

• No hidden fees or exchange rate mark-ups (except on weekends)
• Very easy to use app
• Free to set up account and top up
• You can use it to transfer money to a bank account overseas

Read the full review

• No purchase fee, load fee, reload fee, exchange rate margin or minimum balance requirements
• Unlike other Travel Cards, its free and easy to use the balance of your currency or convert it back to AUD
• The exchange rates are unbeatable. They use the same rate you see on XE or Google with no hidden mark-up
• For the free Standard account, there is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• The premium account costs $10.99 a month, which can really add up if you are not using it often
• Additional fees for using the card on a weekend
• 2% ATM fee once you withdraw more than $350 in any 30 day period
• 3-4 business days before you receive your card

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Revolut compares

Australia Post Prepaid Travel card - lock in exchange rates

• Load up to 11 different major world currencies
• Spend and withdraw easily around the world
• Get access to extras like free wifi when you travel
• Manage your card in online and via an app
• Transfer instantly to another Travel Platinum Mastercard

• Load up to 11 different currencies for easy spending and withdrawals
• Lock in exchange rates so you know what your travel money budget is in advance
• Get extra perks like free wifi when you load 100 AUD or more
• Get fraud protections from Mastercard
• 3.5 AUD international ATM fee, or 2.95% domestic ATM fee
• Exchange rates to add money in a foreign currency or spend a currency you don’t hold are likely to include a markup
• Some fees apply depending on how you top up your account

Travelex - no fees for international ATM withdrawals

• Load up to 10 major currencies at a time
• Spend and withdraw anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Contactless payments so you can just tap and go
• No Travelex fees for international ATM withdrawals
• Free to spend currencies you hold in your account
• Order online and have it delivered to your home - or collect in store

• Top up and hold up to 10 currencies at a time
• View and manage your account online
• Spend online and in person, and make withdrawals as you travel
• No membership or account fees to pay
• Get exclusive Mastercard discounts and perks
• Inactivity fees apply if you don’t use the card for a year
• Not all major currencies are supported for holding - double check they have the currency or currencies you need

Go to Travelex or read our review .

Citibank Saver Plus - best for use at home

• No international ATM or transaction fees
• Fee-free international money transfers to any account worldwide
• SMS notifications through Citi Alert

With this card you can:

• withdraw money for free at over 3000 ATMs Australia-wide and overseas
• take advantage of no foreign transaction fees, monthly fees, or minimum opening balance
• transfer money to friends and family anywhere in the world for free
• Cash deposits available within 24-48 hours
• Can’t have two cards active at the same time
• $5 account closure
• Hold and exchange 10 currencies: AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, HKD, CAD, JPY, NZD, SGD, and CNY 
• No account opening or annual fees to pay
• No foreign transaction fee and no HSBC ATM fee at home or abroad
• Some cashback earning opportunity on local spending 
• Easy online overseas transfers - 8 AUD fee and exchange rate markups apply

• Hold and exchange 10 currencies
• No account opening fee, no ongoing fees 
• Get up to 2% cashback on eligible card spend
• No HSBC ATM fee
• No international transaction fee
• 8 AUD fee for sending money overseas
• Cashback on low value transactions made in Australia only
• Limits apply on how you can use CNY within your account

Read our HSBC Everyday Global Account review .

What are Prepaid Travel Cards?

Prepaid travel cards are a good international card alternatives to carrying cash. They look like credit or debit cards, but they function differently.

You're able to load the card with a set amount of money in the currency you need and can use it to make purchases online, in stores and to withdraw money at ATMs.

Most travel cards allow for multiple currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.

Find out how our 5 best prepaid travel cards for Australians compare in our best and worst travel cards article .

Looking for something different?

Read our guides on:

• The best travel debit cards
• The best travel cards for Europe
• The Wise debit card review
• Best virtual debit cards for Aussies

How does a prepaid travel card work?

Order a prepaid travel card online, through a provider app , or - in some cases - pick one up at a physical location or store. Generally to get your card you’ll need to show or upload some ID documents for verification - this is to keep your account safe and is a legal requirement.

Once you have your card account open , you can load funds . Different cards have their own supported methods for topping up, which usually include bank transfer, PayID, credit and debit card, and which may also allow you to deposit cash in some cases. Once you have funds on your card, you can switch to the currency you need for overseas spending. In some cases you can also leave your funds in AUD and just allow the card to convert for you - but do check that no additional fees will apply in this case.

Prepaid travel cards can then be used to tap and pay , make withdrawals and shop online . You can often also add them to mobile wallets like Apple Pay for convenient spending. Because your card isn’t attached to your everyday account it’s secure, and you can only spend the funds you’ve loaded, which means there’s no chance of accidentally blowing your budget.

Advantages and disadvantages of prepaid cards

Prepaid cards can be a handy addition when you’re abroad, as they are secure and convenient to use for payments and withdrawals. However, they’re not the only option. If you’re not sure about whether a prepaid card is right for you, check out these advantages and disadvantages to help you decide:

Advantages:

• More convenient than carrying cash, with easy access to ATMs to withdraw when you need to
• Not linked to your primary day to day account, which can be more secure and make budgeting easier
• Some accounts let you buy currency in advance to lock in exchange rates when they’re good
• You may be able to access better exchange rates and lower fees compared to using a regular bank card

Disadvantages:

• Some prepaid cards have fairly high fees - including charges when you add money to the account. Read more on how to find the best travel cards with no foreign transaction fees
• Not all prepaid cards support a broad range of currencies - check the currencies you need are covered
• Prepaid cards aren’t always accepted for things like paying security deposits - so it’s safest to have a credit card as well

Who is a prepaid debit card for?

A prepaid debit card is handy for many different customer needs. For example, you may choose a prepaid debit card in the following situations:

• You’re planning travel and want to set your budget in advance with no chance of accidentally overspending
• You want to be able to hold and exchange a selection of foreign currencies all in the same account
• You want to increase security by using a payment card that’s not linked to your main everyday account when you travel
• Some cards also offer other perks like ways to receive foreign currency payments conveniently, or cashback 

How can I get a prepaid travel card?

Different prepaid cards have their own order and activation processes. However, to comply with local and international law, providers will usually need to see some ID before you’re able to get a card - this verification step may be available online by uploading images of your paperwork, or in person by visiting a branch. 

Here’s an outline of the basic steps you’ll take to get a prepaid travel card:

• Pick the right card for your needs
• Visit the provider’s website or app - or call into a branch if you’d prefer a face to face service
• Complete a travel card order from, which will include your personal information
• Get verified - usually this involves showing or uploading ID like a passport or driving licence
• Add money to your card, which could be in cash, with a bank card, or by bank transfer
• You can now get your card, and manage your account online or in the app

If you’re ordering a card in person you’ll be able to start using it right away. If you’ve ordered online for delivery, you’ll need to wait a few days, to a couple of weeks, depending on the provider you’ve picked, for your card to be available. You might be able to access virtual card details in the meantime, to start spending right away.

How to choose a prepaid debit card

There are many different prepaid debit cards on the Australian market - so picking the best one for you will require a bit of research. Starting with this guide, compare a few different prepaid debit cards based on features and fees. Here are a few pointers to think about:

• Make sure you know about any opening or card delivery fee which will apply once you order your card
• Check how long it’ll take to get your card if you’re ordering online for home delivery
• Make sure the card you pick can hold a broad selection of currencies, so you can use it for more than one trip away
• Check the fees for adding funds, making ATM withdrawals and converting currencies
• Look to see if there are any account close, cash out or dormancy fees that apply once you stop using the card
• Make sure the card is well rated by other users, and from a trustworthy provider

Where can I get a prepaid debit card?

Generally you can order your prepaid debit card online or by downloading your preferred provider’s app. Some cards, like the Auspost card, can also be collected in physical branch locations.

FAQ - 6 Best Prepaid Travel Cards

Are prepaid cards free.

Prepaid cards may be free to order, or you may pay a small one time fee, depending on the provider and card you pick. Once you have your card you may also pay transaction fees such as exchange rate markups when you switch currencies, and ATM withdrawal charges. Read the card’s terms and conditions carefully so you’re aware of the costs involved.

What are the best prepaid debit cards for international travel?

There’s no single best prepaid debit card - it’ll come down to your personal preferences, where you’re travelling, and the type of transaction you need to make. Pick a prepaid card which is easy to use, which supports the currency you need, and which offers a good balance of low fees and good exchange rates.

What is the best reloadable prepaid card?

There’s no single best reloadable prepaid debit card. Use this guide to compare a few options to pick the one that’s right for you, thinking about features, fees and the range of supported currencies you’ll need.

Should I use a Mastercard or Visa for overseas?

Both Visa and Mastercard are very broadly accepted globally. It’s often a good idea to have a prepaid, debit or credit card on each of these networks, so you’ll always have a backup if for some reason one network isn’t available wherever in the world you are.

Are prepaid currency cards worth it?

Picking the right prepaid currency card can help you save money on currency exchange and access low fee international transaction services. You might also get extra perks like easy ways to lock in exchange rates in advance, so you can get a good deal and fix your travel budget before you go away.

Your currency knowledge centre

5 Best Debit Cards for Australians Travelling Overseas

Travel debit cards are a good alternative to carrying cash. They also offer the convenience of a credit card, but work differently. Here is a list of the 5 best travel debit cards you can take with you on your travels and the positives and negatives for each one.

• Read more ⟶

Wise Debit Card Review

The Wise Debit card give customers an easy way to spend their balances in multiple countries. With interbank rates and low fees, this product is available in Australia for both personal and business customers.

8 Travel Traps to Avoid If You're Heading to Europe

To help you avoid spending money unnecessarily, here are some pretty important travel money traps you want to avoid if you travel to Europe.

What Is the Charles Schwab Visa Platinum Debit Card?

This debit card saved me multiple times while backpacking around the world, how i use the charles schwab investor checking account , is the charles schwab investor checking account worth it if you don’t travel, i traveled to 36 countries this past year. the card i reached for the most surprised me.

Travel credit cards are a must. But I would have missed out on valuable experiences without this debit card.

Contributor

Raina He is a contributor to CNET Money. She previously worked as an editor at CNET, focusing on credit cards, banking and loans. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Media and Journalism. Before coming to CNET Money, she was an editor at NextAdvisor, a personal finance news site that shared a parent company with CNET Money.

Courtney Johnston

Senior Editor

Courtney Johnston is a senior editor leading the CNET Money team. Passionate about financial literacy and inclusion, she has a decade of experience as a freelance journalist covering policy, financial news, real estate and investing. A New Jersey native, she graduated with an M.A. in English Literature and Professional Writing from the University of Indianapolis, where she also worked as a graduate writing instructor.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

Last year, I left my job as a personal finance editor to backpack across the world . Since I’d written about dozens of credit cards, I put my skills to the test to find the best travel credit cards to use on my trip. But the card that I found the most useful surprised me.

I signed up for different credit cards with large welcome bonuses that I used to pay for my flights and hotels. These cards came with travel protections to insure my purchases and some offered perks that upgraded my experience . But the most helpful card in my wallet turned out not to be a credit card at all -- the debit card that came along with my Charles Schwab High-Yield Investor Checking Account was the unsung hero of my travels.

Yes, my credit cards helped fund my trip and were a big reason why I was able to take this year off. But my Schwab Visa Platinum debit card fulfills an incredibly useful and necessary niche that my credit cards don’t. Here’s why this dark horse of a card is a must-have for international travelers.

Unlike a credit card, the Charles Schwab Visa Platinum Debit Card isn’t a separate card you can apply for on its own. Rather, it’s the debit card associated with the Charles Schwab Investor Checking Account .

As checking accounts go, however, this Schwab account is compelling. The Investor Checking Account is a free checking account with no minimum deposits or minimum balance requirements, no monthly fees, no overdraft fees and a 0.45% APY on your account balance -- just a few reasons why it won CNET’s Editors’ Choice award for best checking account . Best of all, there are no foreign transaction fees and you get unlimited ATM fee rebates for cash withdrawals worldwide. 

The card also comes with some nice benefits from Visa , such as extended warranty protection, price protection and travel accident insurance (when you pay with the card). The ability to set travel alerts and lock and unlock your card directly from the app, as well as add your card to mobile wallets, make it easy to use while traveling. 

I’ve also found this bank’s customer service to be excellent. Most account actions, like setting a travel notice or locking and unlocking your debit card, can be accomplished in Schwab’s banking app. But the few times I’ve needed to call customer service, I’ve always been able to reach a human quickly and have my problem resolved without issue.

To open an Investor Checking Account, you also need to open a brokerage account with Charles Schwab. But Charles Schwab’s brokerage accounts are free to open and maintain, and you don’t need to actively use it for investing if you don’t want to. So although it’s an extra step, there’s really no downside. 

The biggest benefit of this debit card is that you can withdraw money from any ATM without worrying about foreign transaction fees or ATM fees. Even if you’re used to a cashless lifestyle at home, when you’re traveling, you need cash. 

This card came in handy when I went to Oktoberfest in Munich and at multiple Christmas markets in Vienna. In both places, most of the food vendor stalls were cash only. There were typically ATMs available in the near vicinity, but they were often run by third-party companies that charged fees.

Even if you travel to a country where credit cards are widely accepted -- like most of western Europe -- many smaller businesses and street vendors will take only cash, or require a minimum purchase amount to use a card.

Certain parts of Southeast Asia were similar. At the night markets of Kuala Lumpur, for example, most of the food hawker stalls took only cash or QR code mobile wallets (a different system from the mobile wallets in the US). Without a steady supply of cash, I would’ve missed out on a lot of experiences while traveling. 

Some countries don’t widely accept credit cards. In Morocco, I often found that many restaurants, shops, museums and even locally run hotels and hostels accepted only cash. Basically, unless a place was a chain store or some high end establishment, I needed cash. It’s not too hard to keep $20 or $50 USD worth of local currency on hand to cover small purchases like street food or souvenirs, but needing to pay for week’s worth of lodging with cash can make for a hefty ATM withdrawal or currency exchange -- not to mention the commensurate fees, if you’re being charged for a percentage of the transaction. 

Taxis and public transportation in some countries are also cash-only. And it’s also good to have some cash for emergencies if your credit cards are ever declined or if you lose access to them. 

Is the Charles Schwab debit card the only way to get cash while traveling? Of course not. You can use your regular debit card at foreign ATMs -- but you might be charged a fee. You can also change dollar bills into the local currency of your destination at a bank in the US before you leave, or at a currency exchange service once you arrive. But then you’re stuck carrying all of your cash on you, which can be risky.

For me, being able to withdraw cash from any ATM, any time, without worrying about fees (after the reimbursement from Schwab) has made my travel experience much smoother. Specifically, it means:

• I can use the nearest ATM available, even in airports and “tourist trap” areas, without worrying about high fees.
• I don’t have to calculate how much money I need or carry large amounts of cash because I can withdraw cash in smaller quantities and go back for more without paying extra. This also means I’m less likely to end up with a large amount of foreign currency when I leave the country.
• I never worry about exchanging currency or finding the best exchange rate. I withdraw cash in the currency I need at a standard exchange rate every time.

During my eight-months-and-counting backpacking across Europe, Morocco and Asia, my Schwab checking account has been invaluable for managing my finances and accessing cash on my travels. And it’s not even my primary checking account .

Since I knew I wanted to use the Schwab debit card overseas, I decided to keep my money in my primary high-yield checking account that didn’t have an active debit card attached to it. As a tourist who was out and about all day in unfamiliar areas, I wanted to be cautious in case I was pickpocketed or lost my debit card. If my card was compromised before I had a chance to lock down my account, I didn’t want to risk losing more than a few hundred dollars.

So, I transferred a few hundred dollars into my Schwab account at a time and topped off the balance as I used it. I put all non-cash expenses on my credit cards -- both to earn rewards and for increased security. And of course, I made sure my credit cards were paid in full each month from my primary checking account.

This system has worked well for me so far and has helped me keep my money safe while traveling.

Even if you’re not jet setting across the globe, the Charles Schwab Investor Checking Account is still worth considering. Its ATM fee rebates work in the US as well, and while your bank likely has a domestic network of fee-free ATMs, it’s still nice to be able to use the most convenient ATM regardless of if it’s in-network. Even though credit cards are ubiquitous in America, there are still times and places you need cash.

Reimbursements aside, this account is a great checking account in and of itself, with no account fees, minimums or overdraft fees . Although its APY isn’t as high as some other high-yield checking accounts and it lacks some of the benefits of newer fintech banks (like early direct deposit ), it’s a solid option from a large and reputable institution. 

Plus, if you’re interested in investing, having a Charles Schwab brokerage account linked to your checking account makes it easy to transfer money between the two. Charles Schwab’s brokerage accounts have no opening and maintenance fees and no commissions on online stock and ETF trades. 

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This woman slashed $12,000 in credit card debt. steal her 5 tricks, want extra money for summer travel this card has a fast pay out, is a balance transfer worth it if you can’t pay it off in time this cfp’s take may surprise you.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

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Complimentary international travel insurance

Check your eligibility and policy coverage or make a claim on your complimentary international travel insurance through Allianz Global Assistance (AGA).

Changes effective 1 November 2023

Please read this summary of changes to understand how it will affect your complimentary card insurance policy.

Key features

If your NAB card offers complimentary international travel insurance, here are a few reasons to use that feature.

Simple claims process

Make a claim online, even if you’re overseas.

Simple eligibility check

With  Allianz Global Assistance’s eligibility portal , opens in new window , you can easily check if your card is eligible for up to five complimentary insurances including international travel insurance (for persons aged under 81 years).

No need to get a quote

Your insurance is complimentary with eligible NAB cards, so no need to get quotes or apply.

Eligible NAB cards

The following NAB cards include complimentary international travel insurance.

On sale cards

• NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
• NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
• NAB Rewards Signature Card
• NAB Rewards Platinum Card
• NAB Low Fee Platinum Card
• NAB Platinum Visa Debit Card

Off sale cards

• NAB Premium Card
• NAB Velocity Rewards Premium Card
• NAB Flybuys Rewards Card
• NAB Low Rate Platinum Card
• NAB Qantas Plus Card

Eligible purchases

To be eligible, you’ll need to reside in Australia and:

• charge at least $500 of your prepaid travel costs to the accountholder’s card account before leaving Australia
• have a return overseas travel ticket before leaving Australia
• be aged under 81 years at the time you become eligible for the cover by meeting the conditions above.

You can check if you are eligible for complimentary insurance by using the Allianz Global Assistance eligibility portal , opens in new window .

Policy coverage

The below is a limited summary only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits and excesses apply.

You, your spouse and your dependants may be covered by this policy if the eligibility criteria is met. Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply.

For the full list of benefits and the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, applicable sub-limits and excesses that apply, please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet Effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

What may be covered

Below is a limited summary only. For the full list of benefits and the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, applicable sub-limits and excesses that apply, please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet Effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

Here are examples of what this insurance is designed to cover for eligible customers.

For people aged under 81 years

The below information is a limited summary only and are subject to applicable terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits and excesses that may apply.

overseas emergency assistance and medical expenses

accidental death and loss of income

cancellation

travel delay and alternative transport expenses

luggage and luggage delay

rental vehicle excess

personal liability

Epidemic and pandemic cover

Below is a limited summary only and are subject to applicable terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits and excesses that may apply.

COVID-19 cover may be available under selected sections of the international travel insurance section.

For more information about epidemics and pandemic coverage (such as COVID-19), please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

If, during the period of cover available, you (including your spouse and/or dependants who are eligible for cover) are positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19, cover may be available to you under the following sections:

1.1 Overseas Emergency Assistance (including Medical Evacuation and Repatriation)

1.2 Overseas Emergency Medical

2.1 Cancellation

3.1 Additional Expenses

If your travel companion is positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19, which impacts your journey, cover may be available to you under the following sections: 

2.1 Cancellation 

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November  2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window  including Part D – General Exclusions and the exclusions set out in each of the above sections.

What isn’t covered

Below is a limited summary only.

For the full list of benefits and the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, applicable sub-limits and excesses that apply, please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

Examples of what’s not covered include claims arising directly or indirectly because of:

• any pre-existing medical condition of any person including you, your travel companion or a relative unless Allianz Global Assistance has confirmed in writing to you that the pre-existing medical condition causing your claim is covered by the Group Policy. Before going overseas, you can apply for assessment of whether your pre-existing medical condition is covered by the group policy online or over the phone. If after assessment, Allianz Global Assistance confirm to you that your pre-existing medical condition is covered by the group policy, you will need to pay an administration fee of $75.
• childbirth at any gestation (except when arising from an injury or sickness) and pregnancy related sickness if you have had complications in your pregnancy before you became eligible for cover  
• your participation in any dangerous activities or your exposure of yourself to danger unless in an attempt to preserve your life or the life of another person

Other complimentary insurances

If you have an eligible NAB card, and make an eligible purchase, these complimentary insurances are also available.

Complimentary domestic travel insurance

Learn what you need to know about your domestic travel insurance.

Complimentary rental vehicle excess insurance in Australia

How to make a claim, check eligibility and understand your policy.

Complimentary extended warranty insurance

Learn about policy coverage, eligibility and the simple claims process for your extended warranty insurance.

Complimentary purchase protection insurance

What you need to know about your policy coverage, eligible purchases and claims.

How to make a claim

If you’re making a claim on your travel insurance, the easiest way to claim is by using the online claims portal. For claims relating to any other type of cover (including domestic travel insurance), please contact our team via email or phone.

For claims relating to international travel insurance only , you can submit an online claim.

Download the relevant form and email our insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance.

Call Allianz Global Assistance (AGA)  Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 7:00pm (AEST/ADST) .

Australia:  1800 187 025

Emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls from mobiles, public telephones or hotel rooms may attract additional charges.

Australia:  1800 010 075

Overseas:  +61 7 3305 8800

Important Information

Terms and conditions.

This section contains Important Information relevant to the page you are viewing, but you can't see it because you have JavaScript disabled on your browser. Please enable JavaScript and come back so you can see the complete page. It's important that you read the Important Information in this section before acting on any information on this page.

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AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA), under a binder from the insurer, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 (Allianz), has issued an insurance group policy to National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937 AFSL and Australian credit licence 230686 (NAB) which allows eligible persons to claim under it as third-party beneficiaries. 

Access to the benefit of cover under the NAB card insurances is available to eligible NAB cardholders and other eligible third-party beneficiaries by operation of s48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Any advice on insurance is general advice only and not based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You must check whether or not it is appropriate, in light of your own circumstances, to act on this advice. The insurance is underwritten by Allianz. NAB is not the product issuer or insurer and neither it nor any of its related bodies corporate guarantee any of the benefits under this cover. If an eligible person wishes to claim any of these benefits, they will be bound by the eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits of the group policy set out in the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window , which may be amended from time to time. For insurable events that occurred prior to 1 November 2023, please refer to the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet dated 30 June 2022 (PDF, 604KB) , opens in new window .

For more information about the changes visit Information about changes to complimentary insurances .

14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Best travel cards main takeaways.

• Money has evaluated hundreds of credit cards, comparing their fees, benefits, welcome offers, travel insurance policies and more.
• The top credit cards for travel offer high rewards on travel purchases, which can be redeemed for airfare, hotel nights, cash back, statement credits or more.
• Our picks feature the best travel cards for every budget and include no-annual-fee, low-annual-fee, premium and business cards.

Why Trust Us?

Our editorial team has spent well over a thousand hours analyzing, evaluating and comparing the top credit card offers in the market. We carefully vet each card’s fine print in order to understand their features, limitations and potential benefits for consumers. We review cards independently, ensuring our content is accurate and guided by editorial integrity. Read our full methodology to learn more.

• 46 travel credit cards evaluated
• 10+ data points used, including ongoing fees, reward programs and welcome offers
• 100+ sources reviewed

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. O ur top picks are listed strictly in alphabetical order.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for flat rate rewards
• Bilt Mastercard® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for paying rent
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee card for travel partners
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for domestic travel
• Discover it® Miles – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for everyday spending

Best low-fee-annual-fee travel credit cards

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best travel card for flat-rate rewards
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best travel card for flexible rewards

Best premium travel credit cards

• American Express® Gold Card – Best travel card for dining
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best low-cost premium travel card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best premium travel credit card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for lounge access

Best business travel credit cards

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best business travel card

Best airline travel credit cards

• United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline credit card

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Our top picks are listed in alphabetical order.

Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earns 1.5x points on all purchases
• No bonus category for travel
• Few benefits compared to other cards
• Limited redemption options

Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card best suited for travel reward beginners or those who are already Bank of America customers.

Some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Bank of America Preferred Rewards members — that’s up to 2.62 points for every dollar spent.

However, the card doesn’t offer hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection. Additionally, you can only redeem your points as statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com

• No annual or foreign currency conversion fee (Click herehttps://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/bilt/terms/">here; for rates and fees)
• Use it to pay your rent and earn rewards without incurring any processing fees
• You can earn double points on all purchase categories (except rent payments) on the first of every month (up to 10,000 points)
• Earn 2x points on travel (when booked directly through an airline, hotels, car rental agencies and cruise lines)
• No welcome bonus or introductory APR period
• Points redeemed for statement credits are worth 0.55 cents each
• You must make at least five transactions in a statement period to earn points
• Rent payments can only be made to one rental property per month

Why we chose it: The Bilt Mastercard® lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments without incurring any processing fees — unlike most credit cards that typically charge around 2.5% to 2.9% per rent payment.

You can use the card to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. Once you get approved for the card, all you have to do is set up an account through the Bilt app or website and use your assigned routing and account number to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can also use your card even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Additionally, Bilt doubles the card’s rewards rates on the first of every month, which means you can earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, this bonus doesn’t apply to rent rewards.

On the downside, the Bilt Mastercard® doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and points redeemed for statement credits are only worth 0.55 cents each.

• Can transfer your miles to 16 travel partners
• Earns 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare
• No domestic travel partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a no-annual fee travel credit card with a simple rewards structure.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies and more.

You can also transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. This option is notable since travel credit cards with no annual fee don’t typically offer the option to transfer your reward to airline and hotel partners.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is limited compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t offer bonus points on airfare booked through Capital One Travel.

• Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
• Features a high flat cash back rate combined and popular bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the best credit card for traveling domestically. It offers a 1.5% flat cash back rate on most purchases plus it has several appealing bonus categories, including travel and dining.

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, that is, on any transactions made in currency other than US dollars. However, if you mostly travel within the U.S., this card is an excellent option.

For one, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% on each of the card’s bonus categories during the first year of card membership (or up to the first $20,000 spent).

Also, although using this card abroad is not recommended, you can still use it to book international trips while you’re home, and you’ll earn 5% cash back if you book it through Chase Travel℠.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and even transfer them to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. It’s also worth noting that this card is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards with rental car coverage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
• Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
• See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
• Few benefits compared to other travel cards
• Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

Why we chose it: The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a no-frills card ideal for travelers who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories, earning caps or redemption values.

The card earns a flat 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases without any annual caps. You can redeem your miles for statement credits and account deposits at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also use your rewards through Amazon and PayPal checkout with the same value.

Also, the card’s welcome bonus is easily one of the best in the market: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements.

However, while the Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great starter travel card, its lack of bonus categories could hinder your reward-earning potential in the long run. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

• Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, select streaming services and cell phone plans
• Includes cell phone protection plan
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Doesn't include travel insurance
• Netflix and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best travel reward card for everyday spending, offering high rewards on several popular spending categories, including travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plans.

Its travel bonus category is particularly noteworthy because you can earn points regardless of where you make your reservations, whether it’s directly with an airline or through a third-party travel site like Booking.com. (Most travel credit cards limit travel rewards to bookings made exclusively through the card issuer’s travel portal.)

The card also includes rental car insurance and a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• Earn 2x miles per dollar on most purchases
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
• Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories and spending caps.

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal and as statement credits to cover travel purchases at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

However, keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase TravelSM
• Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
• Includes primary rental car insurance
• Earn 3x per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck(R) application fee credit

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, restaurants and more. You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
• Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)
• $100 credit for dining, spa services and other activities when you book a two-night minimum stay at a hotel from The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
• Terms apply

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus fee credits.

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• High annual fee ($395)
• Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
• No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture X also includes noteworthy perks such as:

• 10,000 bonus miles every year (starting on your first anniversary)
• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select and Plaza Premium Group
• Authorized users at no extra cost (many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user)

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee.

• Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
• Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase TravelSM
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for travelers looking for a high reward rate on travel and additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents per point instead of one cent, like most travel cards. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides several high-end benefits such as:

• $300 annual travel credit to cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide (after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select)
• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• High annual fee ($695)
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express features an impressive list of high-end travel benefits, including:

• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges (enrollment required)
• Gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts (enrollment required)
• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
• Complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club (must enroll through your Amex online account using your card)

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
• Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
• Secondary rental car coverage**

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

With this card, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, you get a $200 credit to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers several yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases with Dell.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

• Free first checked bag for you and a companion
• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS every 4 year
• 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights
• Complimentary priority boarding for you and companions traveling on the same reservation
• $95 annual fee (after the first year)
• No intro APR period
• Rewards are only valuable when used with United

Why we chose it: The card_name has a low annual fee and gives you valuable benefits that make up for it, such as priority boarding for everyone on the reservation and a free checked bag for you and one companion.

Other perks the card includes are:

• Two one-time passes for United Club℠ airport lounges each account anniversary year
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages and Wi-Fi
• Up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS
• Comprehensive travel insurance (auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement)

The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles on United purchases, including tickets, inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and more. You also earn rewards at restaurants and select hotel stays.

You can use your miles to book flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Avianca, Lufthansa and Air Canada. You can also redeem them for seat upgrades, inflight Wi-Fi passes and more — although United miles are usually more valuable when used for airfare.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards offer benefits and rewards geared towards individuals who travel frequently or want to earn travel benefits.

They provide high rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars and dining. You can then use these rewards (in the form of points or miles) to book travel reservations. Some cards also let you transfer your rewards to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

On top of the rewards, these cards often feature several travel-related perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, hotel discounts, travel insurance, free checked bags and airport lounge access.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar on eligible purchases. They often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you’ll typically get bonus points in additional spending categories. For example, some cards may offer 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases usually get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which you can earn points (or miles). Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

To redeem your points, go to your travel card’s rewards program portal. The process may differ across credit card issuers, but you’ll usually be able to access it through your online account on the issuer’s website or app.

Points are usually worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points are worth 1.25 cents when used to book flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Points may also be worth less than a cent, depending on how you redeem them. For example, some cards allow you to use your points at Amazon checkout. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

Some cards also allow you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to these loyalty programs on a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 loyalty program points.

Difference between points and miles

You’ll earn points or miles depending on which travel credit card you have. For example, Chase travel credit cards earn points, while Capital One travel cards earn miles. Miles and points typically have similar value (around one cent each) and redemption options.

However, keep in mind that several cards that earn miles are tied to a specific airline — like the United℠ Explorer Card. In this case, you can only use your rewards for purchases with the issuing airline such as flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
• They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
• Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
• Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
• They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
• Some of the best ones can have steep annual fees and require good to excellent credit
• Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who regularly fly with the same airline. These cards earn miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining, airport lounge access and other travel-related purchases but typically only with the issuing airline.

Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

With hotel credit cards, you can only redeem your points for stays, discounts and other benefits with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program, which you can redeem for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are more flexible than airline or hotel cards. They aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, so their points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies.

These cards may also offer useful perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards credit card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on travel spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
• Consider the card’s annual fees. No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
• General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. Still, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.
• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
• Compare insurance policies. The best credit card travel benefits include insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
• Look beyond welcome offers. A 60,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt , which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards and benefits:

• Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
• If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.
• Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company’s frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.
• If you can transfer points from other credit cards to your travel card, take advantage of this feature. This way, you can accumulate extra points for travel booking and sometimes even increase their value.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

What is the best travel credit card, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, what is the best credit card for travel miles, what is a welcome bonus on a credit card, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

• Discover it® Miles Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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