travel wallet debit card

Wise Travel Debit Card Review: Fees, Exchange Rates, Limits and How to Use It

There are many things you need to keep track of as a digital nomad, such as visas , travel documents, and accommodation , to name a few.

But one of the most important things to work out is your finances. As a digital nomad, you are likely constantly moving between countries and switching currencies, so having a travel debit card is imperative .

The Wise debit card is an easy financial solution for frequent travelers, digital nomads, and expats . So, what is the fuss about this Wise travel card? How does it work? And most importantly, should you hop on the bandwagon and sign up for it?

I have been using the Wise Travel Card for quite some time now and, in this article, I will give you my honest opinion about it.

What is a Wise Travel Debit Card?

If you travel often, you have probably used or at least heard of Wise (formerly Transfer Wise) .

This UK-based tech company was founded in 2011 by Estonian businessmen Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus on the principle of providing fast and fair exchange rates for international transfers without any sneaky fees or below-par exchange rates.

I have been personally using their Wise multi-currency account for years now, and it is still the primary way I transfer money abroad. But, I recently started using the Wise travel card , which added an entirely new dimension to my travels.

Can I Use The Wise Card For Traveling Abroad?

The Wise travel card it's not a credit card and functions pretty much like a regular debit card. You simply add funds to the account and insert, swipe, or tap to pay for items.

The main difference? With Wise, you can hold money in more than 40 different currencies and pay like a local for items in more than 160 countries worldwide without having to worry about hefty fees or markups on conversion rates.

Your Wise Travel Card is connected directly to your Wise account, so you can spend funds from your balances.

Who is the Wise Travel Card for?

Obviously, this is a “travel” card, so its primary purpose is for spending abroad while traveling . That said, you could totally use this for your day-to-day expenses. Traditional banks aren’t really designed to cater to frequent travelers or digital nomads , and the Wise Travel Card fills this gap.

For example, my wages are paid from the US, but I live abroad permanently, so I can easily transfer from my US-based bank to Wise and then simply use my Wise card for most of my daily expenses.

You should consider using the Wise Travel Card if one or more of the following applies to you:

• You frequently transfer funds from another country that uses a different currency.
• You travel internationally often and need a card with low currency conversion fees.
• You often shop online with international retailers that sell their products in a foreign currency.
• You own a business and need a card for international expenses.
• Your current bank card has high currency conversion fees and you want to get away from a traditional bank account
• Your current bank card has high fees for using international ATMs.

Wise Card Features for Traveling Abroad

If you have used a travel prepaid card like Revolut , Chime , or Monzo in the past, you can expect similar features from the Wise Travel Card. Let's see which ones are those:

• Low fees on conversions with the mid-market exchange rate
• Hold, spend, and exchange more than 40 different currencies in your Wise account
• Available to citizens and residents of more than 30 countries , including the UK, Canada, EU, USA, and Australia
• Manage, top up, freeze, and view your card balance in the Wise App
• Use at over 2 million ATMs with free monthly withdrawals up to certain limits.
• Create up to 3 digital virtual cards for free
• Auto currency convert feature to automatically convert your funds at your set rate
• Ability to make Contactless payments
• Connect to most popular eWallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and more
• Free spending of any currency you hold in your Wise account
• Biodegradable and eco-friendly card design

Pros and Cons of the Wise Debit Card for Travel

When I first started my digital nomad journey, I quickly came to a rude awakening when I found that my bank was charging exorbitant markups on foreign exchange and fees for ATM withdrawals .

If the same is happening to you, you’ll want to get your hands on this gem of a travel card . But before you sign up, let’s go over some of the upsides and downsides of the Wise Travel Card.

Pros and cons:

What to love about the wise debit card.

For me, the Wise card's standout features are the app's user-friendliness , the multi-currency account , and the low markup on exchange rates .

Being able to hold more than 40 currencies is a game changer. Transferring funds to different currencies in their app when I travel abroad is super easy. To give you an example, I spend quite a bit of time in Europe, the USA, and New Zealand. And with Wise , I can have separate accounts for USD, EUR, and NZD, which makes my life SO much more manageable when traveling to these countries!

On top of that, while there is a small markup fee on currency exchange, it is extremely minimal compared to other banks I have used .

What Could Be Improved About the Wise Debit Card?

The obvious downsides of the Wise Travel Card lie with ATM withdrawal limits , longer card delivery timeframes , and the lack of a premium option .

I am based in the USA, and my card took more than 2 weeks to arrive. Most digital nomads don’t spend too much time in each place, so this can make it difficult to receive your card initially if you are a frequent traveler .

Also, while card transactions are becoming the norm in many countries, cash is still king in several countries I have traveled to in the past few years. The Wise card is NOT exactly the ideal card for withdrawing cash . You’ll only get two transactions for free , and then you’ll be paying a usage fee as well as a 1.75% to 2% markup . This definitely isn’t a dealbreaker, but I hope Wise will improve this in the future.

What Currencies Can You Use With the Wise Travel Card?

One of the main reasons Wise has kept me on board as a customer all these years is their multi-currency account . This is truly the crown jewel of all of Wise’s features.

You can store 40+ currencies in various wallets in your Wise account , but this doesn’t mean you are limited to spending in those currencies. In fact, you can use the Wise debit card in more than 160+ countries ! If the currency you are spending in doesn’t have a wallet option, the Wise card will simply exchange the money into the payment currency at the time of your purchase .

For example, I was recently in Guatemala, and, unfortunately, I was not able to store Quetzal (the local currency) in my multi-currency account. But when I bought something, my funds were automatically converted from USD to Quetzal at the mid-market rate (plus 0.5%).

There are also 11 currencies for which you get account details to make bank transfers . This means you can transfer funds in the following currency balances directly from your Wise account to another bank account.

This is a feature of Wise that I use often. If I need to transfer funds from my US bank account to one in another country, I almost always use Wise as a “middleman” in order to avoid unexpected transfer fees .

While you won’t be able to make bank transfers in other currencies, you can hold them in your Wise account and spend with your travel card.

How Does the Wise Card Exactly Work?

As you can see, the Wise Travel Card is a wise decision for any traveler (see what I did there?), but how does it exactly work?

As with any new bank account or credit card, there is a bit of a learning curve when first using your Wise travel card . That said, using this card isn’t rocket science, so you’ll be saving money on exchange fees in no time!

How to Use the Wise Travel Card Abroad

The Wise travel card is specifically designed for spending money outside of your home country, so as you would expect, it is pretty easy to use abroad.

All you need to do is order your card , activate it, create a PIN, add money to your account, and you will be all set to use the card in a different country!

The Wise App

There is nothing more annoying than an app that is built for developers and not for the general public. Your banking and financial app should be easy to navigate and access.

I personally find the Wise app to be extremely user-friendly and intuitive . All features are easy to find, and when navigating through the app, I rarely got stuck or failed to find a setting.

I was easily able to change personal settings, connect bank accounts, exchange money, and send transfers from the app.

How to Order Your Wise Travel Card

Ordering your Wise Travel Card can take some time (mine took more than 2 weeks to arrive), so I recommend getting on this as soon as possible to ensure you have the card for your next trip!

These are the 3 simple steps you will need to go through:

Step 1: Create a Multi-Currency Account

If you don’t have one already, your first step will be to sign up for a Multi-Currency Account with Wise

Step 2: Start Using Your Virtual Card Immediately

After making an account and verifying your details, you will then be directed to choose a digital/virtual card or a physical card . Digital cards are free and can be added to Google/Apple Pay or used for online payments immediately!

Step 3: Order a Wise Debit Card (Recommended)

If you want instead a physical card, you can do so by clicking on the “Card” tab on the main page and then click on “ Order a Debit Card ”. Physical cards cost a one-off fee of 7 GBP/7 EUR/10 USD , and it will take 7 to 21 business days for the card to arrive, based on your location.

If you'd like to visualise the entire process, watch the instructional video below:

How to Activate Your Wise Card

Once your Wise travel card arrives, it is time to activate it and start spending ! Luckily, for most Wise account holders, you won’t need to take any steps to activate the card, simply make a chip and PIN payment, and the card is ready to go !

Activate Your Wise Card (for US and Japan Customers Only)

As I mentioned above, Wise customers in the USA or Japan must activate the card separately . This isn’t too much of a headache, just don’t forget you need to be in your home country .

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of activating your card if you are a US and Japan customer.

• Log into the Wise app and tap on “ Card ”.
• Then tap on “ Activate Card ”.
• You’ll then be prompted to enter a 6-digit code that you’ll find on your card.
• After entering the code, you’ll create your PIN .

If you'd like to visualise the steps to activate your Wise card for your region, watch the instructional video below:

How to Change the PIN for Your Wise Card

Did you forget your PIN? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us!

Luckily, if you are a US card holder, you can easily change your PIN in the Wise app :

• Tap on “ Card ” in the Wise app
• Select “ Change PIN ”
• Enter your new PIN 2 times, and you are all set!

If you are a non-US Wise card holder , you cannot change your PIN in the app , unfortunately. Instead, you’ll need to change it using an ATM that supports PIN changes .

My best advice? Choose a PIN you’ll never forget, or keep it written down somewhere secure.

How to Add Money to Your Wise Travel Card

Your Wise travel card is linked to your Wise Multi-Currency account , so you’ll need to top up your Wise account with funds before using the card.

This is a pretty straightforward process:

• Logging into your account
• Choose which currency balance you want to add money to.
• Click “ Add ”.
• Choose which currency you want to use to top up the account.
• Type in the amount of money you want to add.
• Choose your payment method (bank transfer, debit card)
• Confirm the top-up and verify the money arrives in your balance.

Watch the instructional video below to visualise how to top up your Wise balance:

How to Freeze/Unfreeze Your Wise Card

One of the downsides of constant travel is that you put yourself at risk of fraud or losing your card. If you notice potential fraudulent transactions from your Wise card, or you believe your card is lost/stolen, you should freeze your card immediately . This way, you’ll avoid more fraud on your account.

Here are the steps to take to freeze your Wise Travel Card.

• After logging in to your Wise account, tap on “ Card .”
• Then simply click “ Freeze Card ”, or if you want to unfreeze, “ Unfreeze Card .”
• Fill out this transaction dispute form and contact customer support right away. They will be able to help you determine what to do next.

How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Wise Card

If you can confirm that your card has been lost or stolen, you’ll want to cancel the card and then order a new one.

• Log in to your Wise account and click on “ Card .”
• Tap “ Replace Card .”
• You’ll then be prompted to answer why you need a replacement card.
• Wait for the new card to arrive.

How to Use an ATM with Your Wise Travel Card

As mentioned above, ATM withdrawal is not the strongest feature with the Wise card, but you can definitely still use the card to take out cash. Spending with your Wise card is simple since the card can make contactless, chip, and swipe payments and is eligible for Google, Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin Pay. But how do you use an ATM with the Wise card?

Using an ATM with the Wise Travel Card is the same as using any other bank card. Simply insert your card into the machine, enter your PIN, determine how much cash you want to withdraw, and take your cash. Don’t forget to take your card back when you are done (I have made this mistake too many times…).

Wise Card ATM Limits

One of the biggest downsides with the Wise card is that you’ll have limited free ATM withdrawals. For all accounts, you’ll have 2 free ATM withdrawals each month, after which you will be charged an ATM usage fee and a percentage markup on the amount of cash you withdraw.

I use the Wise Travel Card for many of my day-to-day travel expenses, but I use my Charles Schwab Investor Checking account for ATMs. This card not only has a 0% ATM markup, but it also refunds any fees the ATM provider charges. This includes international withdrawals!

Wise Card Delivery Timeframe

Once you order your Wise Travel Card, you can expect it to take between 3 and 21 days to arrive, depending on your location. If you live in Singapore, you’ll get your card SUPER fast. Unfortunately for Americans like me, this isn’t the case.

Wise Travel Card Fees and Exchange Rates

One thing I really love is that using Wise itself is free, and you won’t have to pay an ongoing fee to Wise to use the card. In fact, there isn’t even a Premium account feature, so all users get 100% of the features for free. All this said, there are some charges and exchange rates you should know about before you start using the Wise Travel Card.

Comparison: How Does the Wise Card Holds Up Against Other Travel Cards?

Wise is a leader in the travel account realm, but it still has some major competitors. While all of these different companies vary, they all cater to digital nomads and frequent travelers. The table below will compare some key factors with Wise, Revolut, N26, and Chime.

You may also be interested in:

So, What Travel Card is the Best?

This is a close call and pretty dependent on where you are located. For example, N26 and Chime are awesome choices if you live in the EU or USA (respectively). But, with these options, you can’t hold different currencies like with Revolut and Wise.

For most digital nomads, Wise or Revolut will be the best option. You can hold a huge number of currencies, and they are available to many different nationalities. I have personally used both Wise and Revolut and can say they are both excellent options.

Spending Limits for the Wise Travel Card

The Wise Travel Card has set daily and monthly spending limits for all types of transactions. While these limits won’t be a deal breaker for the vast majority of users, they are still worth noting.

Keep in mind the above limits are for US Wise customers. The amounts will differ slightly for customers based in different regions.

Is It Safe to Use the Wise Travel Card?

Wise is a trusted and safe travel card provider, so you can rest assured that your funds will be protected when using the Wise Travel Card. A licensed and regulated financial institution, your funds are safeguarded in Wise. It is, however, worth noting that since Wise is not considered a bank, it is not FDIC insured. FDIC insures up to $250,000 of bank customer's money, but Wise works a bit differently. Wise safeguards users’ money and is required to ensure all customers have access to all of their funds.

So, is Wise safe to use? Yes, absolutely! We don’t recommend keeping all of your money in Wise, but in general, it is a perfectly secure financial institution.

Additionally, the company uses several security features to protect your data, including HTTPS encryption, a two-step login process, and 24/7 fraud prevention.

What to Do If Your Wise Card Is Lost, Stolen, or Compromised

If you lose your Wise card or suspect it to be stolen or compromised, you’ll need to act quickly to prevent any further fraud. Below, we will go over a step-by-step process for what to do if your card is lost, stolen, or compromised.

• Freeze your card in the Wise app.
• Contact Wise support if you suspect the card to be compromised.
• Cancel the card in the app if you confirm the card is lost or stolen or if fraud charges have been made.
• Order a new card.
• Wait for the new Wise card to arrive.

Bottom Line: Is the Wise Travel Card Worth it?

Time for the 1 million dollar question: Should you get the Wise Travel Card?

If you are a frequent traveler like me and you don’t already have a solid travel card with fair exchange rates, low ATM fees the answer is a resounding yes !

The Wise Travel Card is one of the best cards for digital nomads and expats, as it allows you to seamlessly spend money, withdraw cash, and transfer funds from anywhere around the globe without having to worry about excessive fees. The best part? After paying a one-time card order fee, your Wise account is completely free to use!

Ready To Save Money Abroad with Wise?

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The Ultimate Guide To The Best Debit Cards For Traveling

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Having the right debit card for traveling is extremely important as it can mean the difference between:

• A stressful experience because your card doesn’t work in your destination / you blew your budget because you didn’t account for hidden fees most banks charge you.
• Being able to pay for things easily both online as well as in person while also saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on fees that you don’t need to pay.

The second option sounds much better, right?

Well the truth is that most banks will charge you fees for foreign transactions, foreign currency conversions, and foreign ATM withdrawals, and if you only travel once a year, the amount you lose on them might not be that much, but if you travel more often than that, you could be losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on these fees!  

In addition, some banks still haven’t caught up to the 21st century and the debit cards that they give you might not even work in other countries because they lack basic functionalities such as a chip & 4-digit number PIN, contactless payments, and Visa or Mastercard integration.

However, there are banks out there that offer no-fee 21st century debit cards that are perfect for traveling.  When it comes to finding the right one for you, it depends on where you live.  

If your current bank offers a card that has all those functionalities and also none of the fees I mentioned earlier, then great!  But most standard banks won’t so you might have to look for a different one.

Luckily for you, I have put together a guide to the best debit cards and bank accounts you can get no matter where you live in the world!

Important information about debit cards:

• Try to limit the amount of payments you make with your debit card since it’s your money that is lost if something happens.  Use it to take out cash and use credit cards for payments if you can as they are safer since you aren’t technically paying with your own money when you use a credit card.
• If you do choose to make payments, always choose to pay in the local currency because the exchange rate offered by Visa & Mastercard will always be better than the one offered by foreign merchants.  The same goes for ATMs.  I go into more detail about this in my Guide to Getting Cash While Traveling .
• If your bank offers this feature, lock your card using the mobile app when you’re not using it to prevent fraud.
• Keep a backup debit card hidden in your luggage in case something happens to your main one and know what to do if your card is lost, stolen, or copied.  See #6 in my Guide to Money Management While Traveling for all the steps you should take.

Table of Contents

Best Travel Debit Card in the USA

Charles Schwab Bank

Charles Schwab Bank’s debit card is often recommended by travelers because of its lack of fees and the fact that any fees you have to pay when using any ATM in the world get refunded to you!  

This is a feature that not many banks offer so this is why they stand out above the rest.  If you’re a US resident, you definitely need to look into getting your hands on this bank account and debit card.

Note: if preventing fraud is a priority and you are looking for a card that has instant notifications for transactions + the ability to freeze & unfreeze your card instantly from the mobile app, check out N26 below .

• No monthly account fees
• No foreign transaction fees
• No foreign currency conversion fees
• No foreign ATM withdrawal fees
• ATM fees imposed by ATMs themselves worldwide get refunded to you by the bank (huge benefit)
• Visa debit card & a US Dollar checking account
• Can sign up online

Eligibility

• You need to be a US resident (with proof of residence) and have a US address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.
• If you are outside the US when opening an account, you must do it using a VPN or else risk requiring a visit to a branch in person.
• You also have to open a brokerage account with them at the same time to use the checking account.  However, it’s free and you don’t even have to touch it if you don’t want to.

Best Travel Debit Card in Canada

While not technically a bank, what STACK offers is the best option for Canadian travelers since there is no Canadian bank that has a similar offering.  

Signing up with STACK gets you a free reloadable Canadian Dollar Mastercard that doesn’t have any foreign transaction, currency conversion, or ATM withdrawal fees.  You can also fund it quickly and easily with e-transfers. Think of it kinda like a prepaid debit card. 

• Sign up using this link and receive $5 for free! (You must click the link with a mobile device to get your $5).
• No foreign transaction fees (max 15 in-person transactions per day)
• No foreign ATM withdrawal fees (max 2 withdrawals per day, max $500 per withdrawal, max $2,000 a month)
• Instant push notifications for any transactions
• Instantly freeze and unfreeze your card anytime from the app
• Contactless Mastercard with a chip & PIN
• Digital wallet compatible
• Easily load the card instantly using e-transfers
• Discounts at certain Canadian retailers
• You need to have a Canadian address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.  You might be able to use a friend’s address.
• It is not available in Quebec (yet). Use a friend’s address in another part of Canada until they offer it in Quebec

Best Travel Debit Card in the UK

Starling Bank

There are a few different options available in the UK, but the absolute best option is Starling Bank thanks to the fact that it doesn’t charge you any fees whatsoever for your travel needs.  

Other similar UK banks like Monzo and Monese have limits to the amount of ATM withdrawals you can make, charging you extra fees for going over those limits. This is why Starling Bank stands out as the best choice for UK residents.

• In addition to British Pounds, you can also hold Euros in your account and even make purchases in Euros using the same card 
• Contactless Mastercard debit card with a chip & PIN
• You need to have a UK address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.  They may also ask for proof of address information so you might not be able to use a friend’s account.

Best Travel Debit Card in Australia

HSBC Everyday Global Account

There are a few decent banking options in Australia, but the HSBC Everyday Global Account takes the cake not only because there are no fees to use it, but also thanks to the fact that it lets you hold a total of 10 different currencies in your account!  

You can choose to pre-load your account with a certain currency before traveling or use your main currency and benefit from no foreign currency conversion fees.

• In addition to Australian Dollars, you can hold 9 other currencies in your account: US Dollars, British Pounds, Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Japanese Yen, New Zealand Dollars, Singapore Dollars, and Chinese Yuan
• Contactless Visa debit card with a chip & PIN
• You need to have an Australian phone number and address (no P.O. boxes) to open an account.  If you don’t live in Australia, you might be able to open an account by visiting the nearest HSBC bank to you or by simply using a friend’s phone number and address. 

Best Travel Debit Card in Europe

If you live in Europe (or even if you don’t, see below), you gotta go with N26 .  They don’t offer completely free accounts, but compared to all the others available, they are the best.

You are able to open a Euro account with N26 in any one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.  

Note: they used to be available in the UK, but have left ever since Brexit.  

And even if you don’t live in any of those countries, you can ask a friend living in one of them if you can use their address to receive the card, after which you can change the address no problem!

*N26 has also expanded to the US, but Charles Schwab  is still the better travel bank account and debit card for Americans to use for the time being unless your priority is fraud prevention, in which case N26 is best since it has instant notifications for transactions + the ability to freeze & unfreeze your card instantly from the mobile app.

• No monthly account fees for the standard account (9.90 EUR for N26 You & 16.90 EUR for N26 Metal)
• Free ATM withdrawals in Euros* (See Eligibility)  
• Foreign currency ATM withdrawals come with a 1.7% fee (this fee is waived if you pay for a premium account)
• Free cash withdrawals and deposits at select stores across Germany, Austria, and Italy using their CASH26 feature (deposits over 100 EUR a month get charged a 1.5% fee)
• TransferWise integration for cheaper transfers than most banks
• Online account and customer support also available in Spanish, French, German, & Italian
• Premium accounts come with Travel Insurance, Car Rental Insurance, and even Mobile Phone Theft Insurance!
• The number of free ATM withdrawals in Euros that you get depends on the country you sign up in.  Signing up in Austria or Italy gets you unlimited free withdrawals in Euros, whereas signing up in any of the other countries gets you 5 free ATM withdrawals in Euros in Eurozone countries (and only 3 of them if you sign up in Germany), after which they will cost you 2 EUR per withdrawal.
• You need to have an address (no P.O. boxes) in one of the eligible countries to open an account.  You can easily use a friend’s address when creating your account to receive the card and then change the address in your account once you get it without any issues.  Try to get a friend in Austria or Italy for the unlimited free withdrawals!

Best Travel Debit Card in the Rest of the World

TransferWise Borderless Account

Even if you don’t live in any of the countries I just mentioned or you just want another alternative, you should consider opening a TransferWise Borderless Account.  

In addition to super low international transfer fees, you can keep money in more than 50 different currencies in your account as well as have real bank accounts for the USA, UK, Eurozone, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland which also let you receive payments in those currencies like a local!

You also get a contactless Mastercard debit card which you can use to make purchases and take out cash anywhere in the world.  Whenever you use that card, if you already have the currency in your account, you don’t get charged any fees and if you don’t have it, you only get charged a small conversion fee, making it a great option for travelers.  

Sign up  using this link  and get a no-fee international transfer of up to £500!

Keep in mind that TransferWise is only able to send cards to residents of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, or the USA (but you can always use a friend’s address to get the card as well).

• Foreign currency conversion fees range from 0.24% – 3.69% depending on the currencies involved, but are typically under 2%
• Free ATM withdrawals up to $250 USD (or your currency’s equivalent) per month if you have the currency you’re withdrawing on your balance.  After that, a 2% withdrawal fee will be charged
• Can keep money in 50+ different currencies in your account
• Real bank account details for the USA, UK, Eurozone, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland
• Online account and customer support also available in Mandarin, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Polish, Romanian, and Hungarian.
• You need to have an address (no P.O. boxes) in one of the eligible countries to open an account.  You can easily use a friend’s address when creating your account to receive the card and then change the address once you get it without any issues.
• The Mastercard debit card is free, but you need to have a minimum of $20 USD (or the equivalent in another currency) in your account before you can order it unless you’re in Australia, in which case you don’t need a minimum balance to get the card.

And that’s all there is to it!

Having the right debit card while traveling can make a world of difference when it comes to all those annoying fees that most banks charge.  Don’t be afraid to get a debit card from more than one bank on this list either! It doesn’t hurt to have the best option for every currency possible.

Let me know in the comments below if this guide helped you find the right debit card for your travels and if there are any similar or better cards or banks in your country, let me know so I can update the list!  

And if you want to add a credit card to your wallet as well, check out my Guide to the Best Credit Cards for Traveling .

About The Author

Hi there,  I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my  About page   and find me on social media.

Hi there, I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my About page   and find me on social media.

I’m Sebastian , the founder and creator of Travel Done Simple! I was born in Europe and raised in Canada, but I now consider myself to be a citizen of the world. When I’m not busy exploring new destinations, I’m here giving you the best travel tips so you can do the same! 

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Barclays Travel Wallet Review

Byron Mühlberg

Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

Barclays Travel Wallet is Barclays' very own in-app multi-currency spending tool, and although the concept behind the travel wallet is simple, it's quite unique in our opinion and comes with a few interesting perks that might interest you if you're a frequent traveller.

In this short review, we go through what Barclays Travel Wallet is, how it's different from other travel wallets and cards in the UK, and what its fees and exchange rates are like. Then, we give our verdict on whether we think it's worth it or not, before highlighting a few alternatives instead.

What Monito Likes About Barclays Travel Wallet

• Available to all Barclays current account customers,
• You can set it up in a few taps right from your mobile banking app,
• You simply use your existing Barclays debit card,
• No FX margins for converting leftover currency back to sterling.

What Monito Dislikes About Barclays Travel Wallet

• Exchange rate margins of around 4.6%,
• Balances only available in US dollars and euros,
• Easy to accidentally spend the wrong currency and incur fees.
• 01. What is Barclays Travel Wallet? What makes it different? scroll down
• 02. Is Barclays Travel Wallet really so cheap? scroll down
• 03. How does Barclays Travel Wallet compare to other travel cards? scroll down
• 04. Is Barclays Travel Wallet worth it? Our verdict scroll down

What is Barclays Travel Wallet

When it comes to travel spending, it's easy to think there are two opposed solutions: using your home bank's credit or debit card (the expensive way), or using a third-party travel card like Revolut or Currensea (the more cost-savvy way). However, that's where the Barclays Travel Wallet is different. It lets you use your ordinary debit card and current account to spend abroad and manually convert your pounds sterling into either US dollars or euros right from your Barclays Mobile Banking app.

Barclays Travel Wallet Features

In our opinion, this ease of use is by far the biggest selling point of the Barclays Travel Wallet. Here are the three main features in summary:

• Entirely App-Based: You can set up your Barclays Travel Wallet very quickly and convert sterling right from your bank balance into dollars or euros, even while you're already abroad! This means you don't need to wait to register for and verify a new account with another provider or wait several days for a new debit card to arrive at your door before you travel.
• Use Your Normal Debit Card: Because you don't need to wait for a new special-purpose travel debit card, you can essentially convert your usual debit card into a travel card with Barclays, avoiding the need to wait for a new card to arrive, pay a delivery fee, and have yet another piece of plastic sitting in your wallet!
• Overview and Control: You can use the Barclays Mobile Banking app to keep track of all your transactions (in pounds and in the foreign currency) as well as buy foreign currency at a fixed exchange rate and convert it back to pounds later.
• USD and EUR Only: You can only convert your pound sterling bank balance into US dollars or euros — no other currency is supported yet. This is okay if you're going across the Channel or across the Pond, but it can be a big limitation if you're planning to travel further afield.

How Barclays Travel Wallet Works

Here's a step-by-step overview of how the Barclays Travel Wallet works, assuming you're already a Barclays customer:

• Open your 'Barclays Mobile Banking' app,
• Tap 'Cards' on your home screen,
• Select 'Create a travel wallet',
• Convert pounds to dollars or euros,
• Use your debit card abroad like normal,
• Convert leftover currency back to pounds.

It's worth noting that the last step of converting unused foreign currency back to pounds is important, otherwise you'll be charged 2.99% to pay if you pay in euros or dollars while in the UK! More about that and other fees in the next section.

Barclays Travel Wallet Fees: Are They Any Good?

Using Barclays Travel Wallet to spend your pounds in the Eurozone or the USA is certainly cheaper than using your Barclays debit card directly without the wallet. That's because it allows you to dodge the 2.99% currency conversion fee that's incurred by most Barclays debit card purchases abroad. However, in our opinion, the good deal ends there, because you'll still need to pay the standard Barclays exchange rate to either the US dollar or the euro.

Here's a breakdown of what you are (and are not) charged by Barclays:

Currency Conversion Fees

Barclays Travel Wallet charges no currency conversion fee (allowing you to dodge the standard 2.99% on most Barclays debit cards).

Exchange Rates

The moment you convert your British pounds to dollars or euros, Barclays charges you an exchange rate margin — a type of hidden fee that emerges when you pay the bank's exchange rate while the bank itself uses the mid-market exchange rate (i.e. the 'real' exchange rate you find on Google). To illustrate, here was the mid-market exchange rate for both currencies at the time of writing (7 August 2023 at 11:00 GMT +2):

• GBPEUR: 1.159722
• GBPUSD: 1.2721946

but here were Barclays' exchange rates at the same moment:

• GBPEUR: 1.1061
• GBPUSD: 1.2139

Looking at the difference between these rates, we can see that Barclays charges margins of 4.62% for euros and 4.58% for dollars . While this margin might fluctuate slightly, it's reasonable to assume you'll get a rate between 4% and 5% of the total value of your transaction when converting currencies, which, in our opinion, is very pricey for a travel card.

Fortunately, however, this exchange rate margin does not apply when you're converting unused foreign currency back into sterling; only when you're converting sterling into foreign currency in the first place.

ATM Withdrawal Fees

Just like standard currency conversion fees, Barclays Travel Wallet charges no ATM withdrawal fees (which also allows you to dodge the same 2.99% fee that impacts cashpoint withdrawals with most standard Barclays debit cards).

How Does Barclays Travel Wallet Compare?

Barclays Travel Wallet is a rather unique in-app travel solution whose exchange rates are quite high. But how does it compare to other travel card options in the UK? Let's go through a few below:

Starling Bank

If you're open to registering for a new bank account altogether, then Starling Bank should be top of mind. It's a fully-authorised bank in the UK that's well known for its fee-free current account and its complete range of financial services (including overdrafts, loans, joint accounts, spending insights, payment splitting, virtual cards, euro accounts, interest, etc.). We think Starling offers the best online bank in the UK — one we recommend as a complete replacement for an account at a high-street bank like Barclays.

• Trust & Credibility 9.3
• Service & Quality 8.5
• Fees & Exchange Rates 10
• Customer Satisfaction 9.3
• In-Balance Currencies: GBP only
• Foreign Currency Conversion Fee: £0
• Exchange Rate Margin: 0%
• Foreign ATM Fee: 0%

Probably the UK's most famous fintech, there's a good chance you've heard of  Revolut . Using its innovative online platform, you'll not only have access to a broad range of financial services, but you'll also be able to take advantage of these services at a comparatively low price (though fair use limits and weekend FX surcharges may apply). However, Revolut is a travel card and not a bank  in the UK, meaning we think it's best used as a powerful spending tool next to a main bank account instead of in place of it.

• Trust & Credibility 8.9
• Service & Quality 7.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 8.3
• Customer Satisfaction 9.4
• In-Balance Currencies: USD, EUR, CAD, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, and 25+ others
• Exchange Rate Margin: 0%-2%

Wise isn't a bank in the UK but a money transfer operator that's well-known for offering some of the  cheapest international transfers  globally. However, money transfers aren't Wise's only speciality — they also offer the  Wise Account , a low-cost foreign currency spending account and card product that's best in class for foreign currency spending of all kinds, whether it's holidays overseas, online shopping, or international money transfers.

• Service & Quality 8.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 7.6
• Customer Satisfaction 9.6
• In-Balance Currencies: USD, EUR, CAD, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, and 45+ others
• Foreign Currency Conversion Fee: 0.35% - 2.85%

Is Barclays Travel Wallet Worth It?

All in all, we think the Barclays Travel Wallet is a viable option for Barclays customers travelling abroad. It's comparatively very easy to set up and start using, which is a big plus in our books, plus it lets you use your ordinary debit card instead of ordering a prepaid one and waiting for it to be delivered.

For this reason, we think the Barclays Travel Wallet is best for its convenience , and can help you access foreign currency quickly if you're a Barclays customer travelling to the US or the Eurozone who doesn't have the time to organize another option ahead of your trip.

On the other hand, the high exchange rates of around 4.6% make Barclays a rather expensive travel card compared to leading prepaid debit cards and other travel card options on the UK market, so if saving money is important to you, you can find much better deals elsewhere. We particularly recommend Revolut , whose debit card comes with no monthly fee, very low fees all round for foreign currency spending, and the capability to hold over 30 foreign currency balances in your app-based account.

As we've seen, Barclays Travel Wallet isn't the only kid on the block when it comes to low-cost overseas spending. See how it stacks up against a few of the best travel cards in the UK below:

Check Out These UK Travel Money Guides

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• Digital services

Your mobile banking app

Travel wallet

A multi-currency solution at your fingertips, whenever you need it

You can use your debit card to make payments in euros or US dollars and even withdraw currency from your travel wallet, all without incurring any fees. To help you stay on top of your finances you can also get notifications on your wallet balance.

Why should I use it?

Fix your exchange rate before travelling.

Take the worry out of fluctuating exchange rates. Buy your currency at a fixed rate for your travel wallet. If you’re running low, you can top up any time and use your debit card as normal.

Use your debit card abroad

Our travel wallet allows you to use your existing pound sterling debit card like a multi-currency card abroad. It allows you to use the one debit card in both euros and US dollars, you can create a travel wallet for each currency and use the same card to spend from both.

No transaction fees

You can make purchases and withdraw money abroad for free 1  in the local currency once you have added money to your travel wallet.

Keep the change or change it back

You have the choice of swapping any currency remaining in your travel wallet back to British pounds, and move it back into your account. Or, you can keep it for your next trip – your choice.

Stay on top of your money

You can keep on track of your spending by setting up notifications to manage your wallet balance. Or see how much is left and where you have spent it so far by viewing the balance within the app.

Spending abroad is simple with a travel wallet

How to create your travel wallet in the barclays app.

If you haven’t already, you will need to download the Barclays app 2  to create a travel wallet. Once you’ve registered, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the app 2. Tap on ‘Cards’ on the home screen 3. Tap ‘Create a travel wallet’

Terms and conditions apply . You must have a Barclays current account, be at least 18 years old and have a mobile number.

Please note that travel wallet is currently only available to sole account holders. Debit cards linked to a joint account will not see the option to open a travel wallet.

Check your balance, make payments and keep on top of your finances with our app.

Important information

Fee conditions apply. Some UK-based ATMs dispense foreign currency but charge in pounds sterling which is taken from your current account. Return to reference

Restrictions apply, the app may not be available to download and register in all countries. Return to reference

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Best Travel Cards with No Annual Fees [2024 Guide]: Debit & Credit Options

Travel cards are optimized for international use, with extras like ways to hold a foreign currency balance, extra rewards when you spend overseas, or easy ways to avoid foreign transaction fees.

Travel cards can be either debit or credit cards, and may be issued by major banks, card networks, or specialist non-bank alternatives like Wise or Revolut . Whichever you choose, picking a card with no annual fee can mean you get all the perks when you travel, but don’t have to pay ongoing costs.

This guide walks through 5 of the best travel cards with no annual fee for US customers, so you can see if any might fit your specific spending needs.

Key points: Best cards with no annual fees

Here are the cards we’ll investigate in more detail as we dive into the best travel cards with no annual fees:

• Wise Travel Debit Card : Hold 40+ currencies, and spend with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.43% in 150+ countries
• Revolut Travel Debit Card : Hold 25+ currencies, and pick your account plan to suit your needs and spending pattern – no-fee currency exchange available to fixed plan limits
• Capital One 360 Debit Card: Spend internationally with no foreign transaction fee – and very few fees to worry about overall; network exchange rates apply
• Bank of America Travel Rewards Travel Credit Card: Spend and earn rewards, with no foreign transaction fee and no annual fee
• Discover Travel Credit Card: Travel credit card with no foreign transaction fee and extra perks like reward points that never expire

Go to Wise Go to Revolut  

We’ll take a look at each provider more in detail, later.

Are there travel cards with no annual fee?

Yes, you can get travel cards without annual fees, including debit and credit cards. Generally travel cards have some features specific to international use, whether that’s ways to hold a foreign currency balance, no foreign transaction fees, or extra cash back when you spend overseas.

Picking a card with no annual fee – or no monthly fees – means you can use your card as and when you like, with no ongoing costs to cover. This guide looks at both debit and credit cards, including major bank options – and some alternatives you may like to consider, like Wise and Revolut.

Best international travel cards with no annual fees 2023

This guide walks through a selection of no annual fee travel cards from different provider types. We’ve got a couple of smart international debit cards from non-bank providers, plus a debit card from a major bank, and 2 travel credit cards. This gives a great overview into the options available for US customers – let’s start with a head to head comparison, and dive into the detail right after:

*Details correct at time of writing – 7th December 2023

Wise Travel Debit Card

Who is it for? Customers looking for low cost ways to hold, send, spend, and exchange 40+ currencies with a handy, low cost travel debit card

Wise is a specialist provider which has digital account options you can use to hold 40+ currencies and spend internationally with a linked debit card which is accepted globally.

Add money in USD and simply allow the card to make the conversion at the point of transaction, or convert your funds to the currency you need ahead of time. In either case you get the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees – plus some free ATM withdrawals globally every month.

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies
• Manage your money with just your phone
• Mid-market currency exchange with conversion fees as low as 0.43%
• Spend in 150+ countries
• No ongoing fees or minimum balance

Wise fees: 9 USD card order fee: 1.5 USD + 2% ATM fee once free withdrawals are exhausted; currency exchange from 0.43%

Here’s how to order your Wise card :

• Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app
• Add a currency balance in USD or another supported top up currency
• Tap the Cards tab in the app, and follow the prompts to order your card
• Complete any required verification step
• Pay the one time fee, and your card will be mailed to you

Go to Wise Learn more: Wise card review

Revolut Travel Debit Card

Who is it for? Customers looking for a travel debit card for 25+ currencies, which also comes with extras like accounts for under 18s, and options to upgrade to an account with annual/monthly fees for more perks

Revolut offers various different account options for US customers, including the Standard plan which has no monthly or annual fee. If you’d prefer you can upgrade to an account with monthly costs, which also unlocks extra benefits and higher no fee transaction limits. This gives flexibility to pick the account that suits your spending habits.

All Revolut accounts can hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and come with a linked debit card for global spending. You’ll get mid-market exchange rates to your plan’s limits, then pay a 0.5% fair usage fee. There are also some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly with all accounts.

• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies – all accounts have some no-fee currency conversion every month
• Choose from an account with no monthly or annual fee, or upgrade to an account with ongoing fees if you’d rather
• Get extras like accounts for younger family members and ways to save
• In network ATM withdrawals have no fees; accounts have some no fee out of network withdrawals monthly

Go to Revolut

Revolut fees Standard plans have no monthly fee, Premium plans – 9.99 USD/month, Metal plans – 16.99 USD/month; Some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly, 2% fees after that; Mid-market rate currency exchange to plan limit; fair usage fee of 0.5% after that; 1% out of hours currency conversion fee

Here’s how to order your Revolut card :

• Register a Revolut account in the Revolut app
• Tap Cards, and then Add new
• Complete your mailing details, and your card will be mailed to you

Capital One 360 Debit Card

Who is it for? Customers looking for a low fee checking account with no ongoing charges, and a debit card which has no foreign transaction fees

If you’d prefer a travel card which is linked to a checking account from a major US bank, the Capital One 360 account may appeal. It’s a low fee account, with very few transaction costs and no annual or monthly charge for either the card or the underlying account. You’ll not pay any foreign transaction fee, making this a good option for international use as well as home spending. Some features on this account – such as options to make international payments – may be limited, so it’s important to read through the terms and conditions carefully if you intend to use this as a primary checking account.

• No fuss, low fee checking account from an established bank
• No foreign transaction fee when you’re abroad
• No monthly or annual fee to pay for the account or card
• Get all the options you’d expect from a bank – additional services and products are easily available for existing customers

Capital One 360 Debit Card fees: 30 USD domestic wire fee, where available, international wires cost 30 USD – 40 USD; some fees for checking services apply

Here’s how to order your Capital One card:

• Go to the Capital One website and hit Open Account
• Enter your name, address and SSN
• Add a balance
• Once your balance is cleared and your identity is verified, your account will be opened and you’ll get your account and routing number

Go to Capital One

Bank of America Travel Rewards Card

Who is it for? Customers looking for a no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee credit card with reward options and great global acceptance

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Card offers rewards on spending, which you can trade in for flights, hotel stays, vacation rentals, baggage fees, and at restaurants. There are attractive opening offers – at the time of writing these include extra bonus points for new customers and an initial 0% APR. After any opening offers expire, you’ll pay a variable interest on your spending if you don’t repay your bill in full every period, and as with other credit cards, penalty fees may apply if you miss a payment or don’t pay at least the minimum required amount.

• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fee – making this good for overseas use
• Great offers for new customers, including reduced costs and extra bonus points
• Trade in your rewards flexible, for a good range of treats and practical items
• Relatively low cash advance fees – but still more costly than using a debit card

Bank of America Travel Rewards Card fees: 18.24% – 28.24% variable APR after introductory offer; 3% cash advance fee

Here’s how to order your Bank of America card:

• Go to the Bank of America website and hit Apply now
• Enter your personal and contact information
• Follow the prompts to enter the details needed for eligibility checks
• Once your account is approved, you’ll be sent your card in the mail

Discover Travel Credit Card

Who is it for? Customers looking for a travel credit card with great rewards which have flexible redemption options

Discover doesn’t have foreign transaction fees on any of its cards – but we’ve picked out this one in particular as the reward options can be cashed in for travel credit, or cash to make your foreign travel that bit more luxurious. There’s no annual fee, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the cash advance fees are pretty high so you may decide not to use this card to get cash from an ATM to cut your costs overall. Discover isn’t the most popular global network – so it’s also worth checking if it’s commonly available in your destination.

• No foreign transaction fee and no annual fee to pay
• Good reward options including bonus perks for new customers
• Cash in your rewards for different things, depending on your personal preference
• Get access to your FICO credit score as part of the package

Discover Travel Credit Card fees: 17.24% to 28.24% variable APR after introductory offer; 10 USD or 5% cash advance fee

Here’s how to order your Discover card:

• Go to the Discover website and hit Apply now

Go to Discover

How can you avoid paying an annual fee?

Avoiding annual fees can keep down the costs of your spending overall, and allow you to get a card which you use primarily when you travel, with no extra charges to worry about.

Here are a few tips to help you pick out the right travel card:

• Look out for debit or prepaid cards in particular – as they often don’t have any annual fee
• Read your card’s terms and conditions carefully to make sure you’re not caught out by surprise ongoing costs
• See if you can find a card which waives the annual fee for new customers – this can be a low risk way to see if a travel card suits your needs
• Pick a card from a non-bank alternative like Wise or Revolut which both have account options with no annual or ongoing fees

How do no-annual-fee travel cards work?

A no annual fee travel card allows you to get your card without paying fixed annual, monthly or ongoing charges. You’ll still find some fees apply in most cases – for example, a one time order fee or a card delivery fee, or fees based on how you transact. However, the advantage here is that you can choose a card which only charges you for the specific services you need, so you can use it as and when you need to without having fees to pay when the card is simply sitting at home.

Pros and cons of no annual fee travel cards

• No ongoing charges so just pay the for transactions and services you use
• Cut the costs of international spending
• Cards are convenient and safe to use, at home and abroad
• Travel cards have international benefits, which can include multi-currency balances and no foreign transaction fees
• Cards are available from banks, direct from card networks, and from non-bank alternatives – giving you a great range to choose from
• You may not get all the features and benefits you would with a card which has annual fees
• Transaction fees still apply, which can include cash advance or currency conversion charges
• You’ll need to complete your application for a new card, and wait for it to arrive in most cases – it’s not an instant option

How to get a travel card with no annual fees

Each travel card has its own application process, but in most cases you can order your card online or in an app, and complete all the verification and eligibility checks needed with nothing more than your laptop or phone.

Here’s what you’re likely to need to do to get a travel card with no annual fees:

• Research which card provider might suit your specific needs
• Go to the provider’s app or website and hit Open Account, or Register
• Enter your personal and contact information – usually name, address and SSN
• Complete any verification or eligibility checks needed
• Add a balance if you’re ordering a debit card
• Once everything is checked and approved, your account will be opened and you’ll get all you need to use and manage your card by mail

How to choose the best card for your travel

The right travel card for your needs will depend on how you plan to use it – including how frequently you’ll transact, how often you’ll be transacting overseas, and whether you prefer a debit or credit card. Here are a few things to consider:

If you’ll travel often: Picking a card that lets you hold multi-currency balances – like the Wise or Revolut cards – can reduce the costs of spending in multiple different currencies, without ongoing fees

If you’ll only use your card occasionally: No annual fee cards can be the best bet, particularly debit cards which tend to be cheaper and more flexible overall

If you want to spread the costs of travel: You’ll want to prioritize credit cards, but look carefully at the interest, including any introductory offers which may help you to reduce costs in the short term

If you want to reduce your costs as much as possible: Debit cards are usually cheaper overall than credit cards, and you can’t accidentally spend more than planned or run up an unexpected bill.

Related: Best travel cards without foreign transaction fees

No annual fee travel cards can offer lots of benefits for anyone who travels frequently – but because there are no ongoing costs, they’re also super helpful for people who only occasionally transact internationally. You’ll only pay for the services you need, and many card providers also have ways to upgrade if you find you use your card regularly and would prefer to pay ongoing charges to unlock more benefits.

If you’re thinking of a debit card which has low costs and lets you hold foreign currency balances, check out the Wise Travel Debit Card which is flexible enough to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and offers mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees. Or if you want to spread the costs of travel over a few months, you might prefer a travel credit card like the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card . You’ll earn rewards as you spend, and although there will be interest to pay, this does allow you to pay back your costs gradually if you choose to.

Use this guide to get you started in picking the right no annual fee travel card for your needs.

FAQs: No annual fee travel cards

Why do some cards have annual fees.

Different travel cards are designed for different customer needs. You’ll be able to find some with no annual fees, such as the flexible debit cards from Wise and Revolut – but if you’re a frequent card user you might prefer a card with an annual fee which can also often have extra perks and benefits as part of the package.

Is a travel card with an annual fee worth it?

Whether or not a travel card will be worthwhile for you depends on how often you travel and how you prefer to manage your money. The benefit of a no annual fee card is that you can test it out with little risk – check out the no annual fee options from Wise and Revolut if you want a flexible debit card which has no ongoing costs and low service charges.

• Disclosures

The Best Travel Credit and Debit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees (Updated 2022)

No matter where you go or how long you travel, using a credit or debit card with no foreign transaction fees is one of the easiest ways to save money while travelling, period.

Currency exchange booths at airports and banks can be convenient, but a lot of your money goes towards exchange fees (e.g. $10 per exchange) and hidden commissions padded into poor exchange rates (especially the booths advertising “no commissions”). With a bit of research and planning, you can save  hundreds , if not thousands of dollars in fees over the long-term!

Credit and debit cards with no foreign transaction fees are the cheapest, easiest ways to get money and make payments overseas.  Credit cards are accepted worldwide, and ATMs are internationally networked through the Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus networks. You enter your PIN and withdraw your cash just like you would at home, while the exchange rates are automatically handled by the banks.

However, some credit and debit cards are better than others!  For the majority of cards, banks still try to add commissions and fees to each payment or ATM withdrawal made abroad. Even if you don't travel a lot, these fees add up quickly.

We've rounded up the best credit and debit cards around the world that minimize or eliminate these fees, putting more money back into your adventure funds!

NOTE: These are cards to be used overseas to avoid foreign transaction fees. For the best all around travel points cards, check out the travel rewards cards section of CardRatings , as well as our free guide “ How to Get Free Flights with Travel Credit Cards and Points “!

The best travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Credit cards have various features that can make or break your travel savings. Ideally, these are the features to look for in a credit card:

• Foreign transaction fee of 0%
• Competitive points or cash-back rewards program (at least 1% of the purchase price)
• Extra perks, like free car or travel insurance

Our top U.S. credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Not only do the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards have no foreign transaction fees, but they offer major sign-up bonuses that can already cover a free domestic flight. You also earn 2x-3x the points when spending on travel and dining worldwide, making them essential cards for travelling.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• 60,000 reward points (worth $750 ) after meeting the minimum spend of $4,000 in the first 3 months
• $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x points for purchases on Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, and 2x points on all other travel purchases.
• Points are worth 25% more on airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards (e.g. 60,000 points worth $750 toward travel)
• Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage insurance and more.
• Can transfer your reward points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $95

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• 75,000 bonus miles (worth $750 ) once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Up to $100 credit for  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• 2 complimentary lounge visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges
• Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles don't expire. Book flights, hotels, or transfer points to 10+ travel loyalty programs.

Americans have the cream of the crop when it comes to credit card options, and they're constantly improving. We highly recommend checking out the No Foreign Transaction Fees section on CardRatings.com for up-to-date card comparisons and sign-up bonuses.

Not from the U.S.? Check your country below to see what's best for you!

The best travel debit cards with no foreign transaction fees

These are the ideal features to look for in a debit card:

• Foreign transaction rate of 0%
• International ATM withdrawal fee of $0
• Refund of third-party ATM withdrawal fees (This is rare, but it exists!)
• Competitive points or cash-back rewards program (at least 1% of the purchase price)

Many banks around the world have come together to establish the Global ATM Alliance . If your card belongs to a bank in the alliance, you can make withdrawals from banks at other alliance member ATMs around the world without paying additional fees . Here's our roundup of the best debit cards for travel.

Essential tips for using debit and credit cards while travelling

1. pay using a credit card whenever possible..

Foreign ATMs can still inflate their exchange rates and charge withdrawal fees, but a direct credit card payment only involves the credit card you signed up with in your home country. And with a good points or cashback program, this beats any other method of foreign payment.

Bottom line? Always pay with a credit card, but  NEVER withdraw cash from an ATM with one. Credit cards charge interest on cash advances from the moment you withdraw it at the ATM.

2. Never take the option of paying in your own currency

Card terminals at shops and hotels will often detect that your card is from another country and offer to bill you in your home currency. Never choose this option – always pay in the foreign currency!  The exchange rate offered will be inflated by the card terminal, so if you’re using one of the credit cards recommended above, you will receive a much better exchange rate.

3. Inform your debit and credit card providers of your travels

Credit and debit cards are frequently being monitored by security departments for suspicious activity. If you're from the U.S. and you make an ATM withdrawal in Thailand when they don’t know you’re overseas, this could appear suspicious to your bank, and your card might be locked the next time you withdraw. Give your bank or credit card provider a call and let them know when and where you’ll be travelling. Take it from us – you  do not want to be stuck without cash and a useless card!

4. Obtain at least one debit and credit card on each of the Visa/Plus and MasterCard/Cirrus networks.

Even if you follow the advice in tip #3, it’s possible your card could get locked anyway. On top of that, it’s easy to find yourself in a situation where an ATM accepts only one network and not the other. For example, when we travelled in Japan, the only ATMs we could find that would even accept international cards were at 7-Eleven, and they only worked with cards on the Visa/Plus network. I speak from experience – there’s nothing more stressful than needing more cash and not being able to withdraw it, so be prepared and bring multiple cards on multiple networks .

5. Consider a credit card with included insurance

The jury is still out on whether it's safe to rely on car and travel insurance that is sometimes provided by credit cards, and unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to file a claim after the accident has happened. If you're concerned about insurance, its best to be safe and purchase it from the car rental company, but if not, you might as well pay with a credit card that offers car insurance and hope for the best if you do end up in an accident. We generally try to use American Express cards when thinking about insurance, as they are managing the insurance on the cards worldwide, whereas Visa/Mastercard insurance is often handled by the card's issuing bank, and may not be as straightforward to redeem.

6. Keep backup cards in your hotel room

If you lose all your credit and debit cards while overseas, you're going to be in quite the pickle. Always keep at least one extra card back at your accommodation in case your main card or entire wallet is lost or stolen while you're out.

7. Bring $100 USD as backup cash

When all else fails, U.S. dollars are the closest thing to a global currency that we have today. It's the most commonly accepted currency, not only at exchange booths, but even at shops and restaurants in other countries. If there are no ATMs in sight or your cards have been stolen, an emergency backup of U.S. dollars will get you out an emergency situation.

Do you have another card recommendation? Know something we don't? Write it in the comments below!

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Thrifty Nomads has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Thrifty Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions expressed here are author's alone. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Nice! This is really helpful thanks!

Great tips for travelers!

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What are the best U.S. debit and credit cards to use overseas?

Just got off a long phone call with HSBC Canada. They are unable to tell me what their card issuer exchange rate surcharge. I had just come back from Mexico and used my HSBC ATM card on a HSBC ATM machine and I calculated the fee to be about 2.1% based on that days interbank rate. Shouldn’t this fee be in the disclosure statements? There was a class action lawsuit I believe many years ago because the credit card companies failed to state their foreign exchange surcharge. From what I’m reading on the Global ATM website is that Visa is involved with the foreign exchange when using an ATM and it states they add a 2.5% foreign exchange fee. You didn’t show this in your nice graphics above. Is it berried in the base exchange rate?

We use Visa Avion, which is good in all categories but I believe they do charge a slight foreign transaction fee. But we have claimed through their default insurance, both car, health, and travel. All minor things, but ya, no issues. The card is not free however, and unless you spend a lot each month or travel frequently it’s not worth it. For us, the points for the business transactions transfer to personal, so it really adds up! (Currently we have more than enough to fly the entire family pretty much anywhere. ) When abroad we usually only use the card for car rental or nicer hotels and of course flights or trains and such (to access insurance benefits one must book the flight etc on that card…) But read the fine print, confirm with the agent. For example, usually to get car insurance you have to wave the rental companies insurance. (This saved us a ton in Africa!) The rental agencies will even phone and confirm if they don’t know the card. These cards were set up for frequent business travelers originally. But read the fine print too, I know our card covers 30 days from home, but you can add insurance to the card for longer trips too. It’s all through RBC, and like any blood sucking corporation there are advantages for the savvy but their ultimate goal is to get you to pay twice for the same thing. Read the fine print, phone your card agent, etc… But we honestly have found the Avion worth it for us because of the company points.

This info is super helpful! For Canadians, what about the Marriott Rewards® Premier Visa® Card? I’ve been looking into credit and debit cards for an upcoming trip to Southeast Asia, and came across this card today. From what I can tell, it seems pretty good (no foreign currency transaction charges and has perks). Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this card? Thanks!

so where do you find that tangerine thrive chequing account info? I have an account with tangerine and I can find no info on this animal on their website

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Disclosures Many of the listings that appear on this website are from companies which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The site does not review or include all companies or all available products. Thrifty Nomads has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Thrifty Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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What to know about prepaid travel credit cards

Prepaid travel cards are one more way to access cash while traveling the globe

Published: December 15, 2022

Author: Allie Johnson

Author: Dan Rafter

Editor: Brady Porche

Reviewer: Kaitlyn Tang

How we Choose

Prepaid travel cards can make it easy to access cash while you’re traveling abroad, but remember that convenience comes with limitations.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

Finally ready to take your next international trip? Whether it’s a business meeting in Brussels or a foodie’s tour of Florence, you might consider packing a prepaid travel card for your trip.

Prepaid travel cards let you access cash in your destination’s local currency without the risk of using your debit card. They also let you avoid the high fees of credit card cash advances or the hassles of scrounging up traveler’s checks before you depart.

But, be careful — despite the convenience of prepaid travel cards, they come with their own set of fees and limitations (most notably ATM withdrawal and purchase amount caps that could put a damper on your vacation).

“A prepaid travel card is one tool in a diverse travel wallet,” said Julie Hall, internal communications manager for Hilton Grand Vacations and former public relations manager for AAA, in a previous interview. “It’s one of the most convenient ways to get money while traveling.”

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about prepaid travel cards — from how they work to the pros and cons of using them for your travels.

• How do prepaid travel cards work?

Prepaid travel cards work much like general-purpose prepaid cards, except that they typically offer special features and perks designed for travel — which can vary based on the issuing bank.

In general, to use a prepaid travel card, you purchase the card and simultaneously load it with the funds you want to spend on your trip, up to the maximum amount allowed on the card. (For example, the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® , a general prepaid card, allows a maximum balance of $15,000.)

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you can use your prepaid card to make purchases directly (much like you would with a debit card). You can also use it at an ATM to get cash in that destination’s currency.

Depending on the card issuer, you’ll be able to log in to a mobile app or your online account to check the balance, review your purchases and see any any account charges.

• What are the benefits of a prepaid travel card?

Why not just take cash, your credit cards and your debit card the next time you travel to an international destination? Why would you also take a prepaid credit card?

If you lose your card, thieves only have access to the loaded cash

If a thief gains access to your prepaid card abroad, they’ll only have access to whatever funds are loaded onto the card (unlike debit cards, which can provide thieves access to your bank account, or credit cards, which a thief can charge up to a certain limit).

Further, the network through which a prepaid card is offered may provide a zero liability policy , though, overall, prepaid cards don’t offer the same breadth of protections as debit and credit cards (think chargebacks and fraud alerts).

More convenient than traveler’s checks

Prepaid travel cards also provide more convenience than, say, traveler’s checks (which, yes, still exist). Getting traveler’s checks before you go can be a hassle, and you might also be surprised at how many retailers across the globe no longer accept them. As a result, prepaid cards are often a better option than these paper checks.

• What are the drawbacks of a prepaid travel card?

Like most financial products, prepaid travel cards come with pros and cons. Here are some of the drawbacks of using one:

Foreign transaction fees, among others

Travelers should be wary of the fees connected to prepaid cards, as they can add up to a lot of money during an international trip. Many prepaid cards carry foreign transaction fees. Today, it’s far easier to find credit cards with no foreign transaction fees than to find prepaid cards without them.

Further, prepaid travel cards may also charge a card purchase fee, ATM withdrawal fee, higher foreign ATM withdrawal fee, inactivity fee and a fee to get any remaining balance back by check.

No help for your credit score

If you charge restaurant meals, souvenirs and tickets to a traditional credit card and pay your bill on time, your three-digit credit score will receive a boost. This doesn’t happen with purchases you make with prepaid travel cards, because your prepaid card activity isn’t reported to the national credit bureaus .

If you don’t keep track, you could run out of funds

If you’re used to swiping a credit card without much thought, there’s a chance a prepaid card could leave you high and dry when you go to make a purchase. Just be sure to keep tabs on the amount of money you’ve loaded — and spent — on your card.

Prepaid travel card tips

Prepaid travel cards do come with some potential hurdles. Here are some tips for avoiding the most common downsides of these cards:

• Check the fees associated with your card (or potential card): Prepaid cards can charge fees that existing debit and credit card holders aren’t used to, so it’s important to read the fine print before swiping. For example, the Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card charges a $5.95 inactivity fee per month after the card has been idle for 90 days.
• Verify the card will work at your destination: Double-check with your issuer that your prepaid card will be accepted where you’re traveling. Even a card that’s designed for international travel might not work in specific locations due to restrictions from U.S. trade sanctions.
• Know the limits: Prepaid travel cards typically have limits that could throw a wrench into your trip if you don’t understand them ahead of time. For example, some cards can have a daily reload limit as low as $500 (or as high as $7,500, in the case of the Netspend Visa card). Again: Be sure to read through your card’s fine print before embarking.
• Avoid holds at all costs: In a sense, prepaid travel cards work like debit cards. Be sure to avoid using a prepaid travel card to reserve a hotel room or a rental car, which can trigger a hold that could tie up hundreds of dollars of your cash for a week or longer. Instead, use a credit card to reserve these items, then use your prepaid card to pay the final charges.

Should you use a travel credit card instead?

If the drawbacks of a prepaid travel card outweigh the benefits, you might be better off signing up for a travel credit card  or using one you already have as your primary payment method while traveling.

Travel credit cards almost always have zero fraud liability, which can set your mind at ease in the event your card is lost or stolen . They also let you earn rewards for your spending, and many offer purchase and trip protection and have no foreign transaction fees. Some even offer perks such as access to airport lounges where you can get complimentary food and drink. And, depending on your credit limit, you may have more spending power with a credit card than a prepaid card.

That said, they can also have pitfalls. Not all travel credit cards are accepted in all countries. For example, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, while American Express and Discover have a smaller international presence. And, depending on your location, some merchants may require chip-and-pin cards or may not accept payment cards at all.

It’s advisable to carry a few different payment methods with you (credit, debit and prepaid) when traveling, along with some local cash. Also, notify your credit card company about your travel plans, lest they flag your card as stolen and cancel it.

Bottom line

A prepaid travel card doesn’t come without downsides, but if you want an easy way to access cash in your destination’s currency — and want a quick way to pay merchants once you arrive at your international destination — the ease of using them might make your trip a less stressful one.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Allie Johnson is an award-winning freelance writer covering personal finance, business and lifestyle. She loves tracking down tips, tricks and cautionary tales about credit cards and money.

Dan Rafter has covered personal finance for more than 15 years for publications ranging from The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune to Wise Bread, HSH.com and MoneyRates.com. His work has also appeared online at the Motley Fool, Fox Business, Huffington Post, Christian Science Monitor and Time.

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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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Household Bills

Barclays to launch travel wallet this summer.

The bank’s current account customers will be able to buy euros and US dollars direct from the Barclays banking app – but the exchange rate is not yet known.

Barclays is adding a Travel Wallet feature to its banking app later this summer. The feature will allow Barclays current account customers to exchange money from their current account into euros or US dollars. They can then spend the foreign currencies abroad using their existing debit card without being charged foreign exchange fees.

Once launched, Travel Wallet will automatically appear in the Barclays app. To use the feature, open the Barclays app, go to the ‘Cards’ section under ‘Quick Links’ and tap ‘Create Travel Wallet’, and select whether you want a euro or a US dollar wallet.

You’ll then be able to securely exchange money, as and when you need it, from your current account into your selected currency. You’ll be able to see exactly how many euros or US dollars you will receive in-app before you make a conversion.

You can spend as normal with your Barclays debit card in the local currency without being charged extra fees for card transactions. Simply spending abroad on your Barclays debit card, or withdrawing cash, normally incurs a foreign exchange fee of 2.75 per cent.

If you use Travel Wallet, Barclays will not charge any additional fees for using ATMs overseas or limit the number of ATM withdrawals you can make abroad. There are no fees for Travel Wallet card transactions or converting remaining currency back into British pounds after a trip. More currency options will be added in the future.

Gillean Dooney, head of current accounts and travel money, said: “The build up to a trip abroad is stressful enough without worrying about finding the time to get currency, let alone knowing how much you need to take out.

“Travel Wallet means you can strike this consideration off your holiday list and simply exchange what you need, when you need it into either euros or US dollars keeping just as much control over your money when you’re abroad as you would at home.”

Compare exchange rates

However, Barclays hasn’t stated the exchange rate Travel Wallet will use, so at the moment it’s impossible to say whether it will offer customers a good deal.

Holidaymakers should look for a credit, debit or prepaid card that uses the interbank exchange rate which is the dynamic rate at which banks swap currencies between one another. Revolut uses this rate and doesn’t charge extra for card usage abroad.

Rival digital bank Monzo uses the Mastercard exchange rate which is a fraction less favourable than the interbank rate but still significantly better than most of the big banks’ rates. It doesn’t add on any additional fees or charges for use overseas although free cash withdrawals overseas are limited to £200 a month – after that there’s a 3 per cent charge.

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Travel money card

• Activate and manage your card Activate and manage your card

Are you an existing customer?

A smart and safe way to pay in foreign currencies

Features and benefits

• Travel and shop worry-free Lock in your budget by converting your loaded AUD ahead of time and feel safe and secure from fraudulent transactions with Mastercard Zero Liability protection.¹  
• Lounge access if your flight is delayed You and a companion can get access to over 1,000 lounges² if your flight is delayed for 120 minutes or more. Visit the Mastercard Flight Delay Pass website to pre-register your flight. T&Cs apply.
• Convenient options for you Pick up cards from any branch and activate them online, or order online from home and receive your cards in 5-8 business days.
• Access unforgettable experiences and rewards Your Mastercard gives you access to Priceless ®  Cities with unforgettable experiences in the cities where you live and travel.³ You can also get cashback when you shop overseas with your Worldwide Wallet, thanks to Mastercard Travel Rewards .⁴

How it works

Before you leave.

• Order a Worldwide Wallet online or pick one up in branch
• Activate your cards in Online Banking
• Transfer AUD to your card and convert into your choice of up to 10 currencies to lock in your rates.

While you’re away

Pay for things using the local currency loaded on your card

Avoid ATM fees at Global ATM Alliance partners 5

Reload your card as you go using the Westpac App, with no load or reload fees.

When you get home

• Convert leftover currency back to AUD or another available currency, with no unload fees
• Remember , you can avoid foreign transaction fees while shopping online by paying with your Worldwide Wallet.

Save on fees

• Avoid ATM withdrawal fees Through our Global ATM Alliance and overseas partner ATMs which you can easily find using the ATM locator in the Westpac App   
• No foreign transaction fees Avoid a 3% foreign transaction fee whenever you use your Worldwide Wallet to shop online or in person.  
• No load or unload fees Reload your account on the go, whenever you need.  
• No account keeping fees You won’t pay any inactivity or account keeping fees, so any funds left in your account will be there ready for your next trip or purchase.  

Other fees may apply. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF 307KB)  for full list of fees. 

Like to shop online?

Use your Worldwide Wallet for online purchases in foreign currencies and avoid a 3% foreign transaction fee.

You can also shop worry-free from fraudulent transactions with Mastercard Zero Liability protection. 1

Complete visibility and control

All in one view

See your account balance and transactions in the Westpac App or in Online Banking.

Move money easily

Transfer money to and from your Worldwide Wallet and convert AUD into foreign currencies while you’re on the go in the Westpac App.

More ways to pay

Add your Worldwide Wallet to Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay™, or use your card to tap and go.

A spare card for peace of mind

Both cards give you access to the same funds and can be locked and unlocked instantly at your convenience via Online Banking or the Westpac App. 6

Add up to 11 currencies

Lock in your rate head of time by converting currency in advance.

You'll still be able to spend in currencies not listed here and avoid Westpac's 3% foreign transaction fee.

To view our latest rates, see our  currency converter .

Order online or pick up in branch

Order online.

You can open your travel money card account online and we’ll mail your cards to your address in 5-8 business days.

Pick up in branch

If you need your cards within 8 business days its best to pick them up in branch and activate them online.

Already have your cards? Activate now

A Westpac Worldwide Wallet is a prepaid travel money card that can help you save on foreign transaction fees and give you control over your spending. With the Westpac Worldwide Wallet, there are no load, reload or unload fees, or ATM withdrawal fees at Westpac Group or select Westpac Group partner ATMs in Australia and Global ATM Alliance partners. 5

Before you shop or travel, you can also choose to convert your loaded AUD into any of the following currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY, THB, ZAR, SGD, NZD and HKD. By locking in your exchange rate in advance and knowing exactly how much of a foreign currency is loaded on your card, the Westpac Worldwide Wallet can make it easy for you to stay on top of your spending. When you sign up to a Westpac Worldwide Wallet, you’ll also get access to exciting Mastercard travel and shopping perks -  Flight Delay Pass , Mastercard Travel Rewards and Priceless Cities.

With the Westpac Worldwide Wallet, you can avoid a 3% foreign transaction fee when you shop online in available currencies.

You can shop safely by loading only what you need into any of the following currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY, THB, ZAR, SGD, NZD and HKD. By knowing exactly how much of a foreign currency is loaded on your card, you can stay on top of your spending.

You’ll also benefit from Mastercard Zero Liability protection, 1 so you can shop worry-free from fraudulent transactions.

To apply for a Westpac Worldwide Wallet, you must be aged 14 years or older and be an existing Westpac customer who is registered for Online Banking. If you haven’t registered for Online Banking, see this  helpful guide  to learn how to get started. If you’re new to Westpac and would like to apply for a Worldwide Wallet, you’ll need to become a customer first by opening a Westpac savings or transaction account and meeting our identification requirements. You can visit  westpac.com.au/aml  for more information on how we identify you. 

If you have insufficient funds to complete a transaction in a currency loaded on your account, or the transaction is in a currency not loaded on your account, the transaction will be automatically processed by drawing down from another currency in your account (provided that there are sufficient funds available in one or more other currencies to complete the transaction). Funds will be withdrawn according to the drawdown sequence, and the applicable exchange rate will apply. See the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF 307KB) for the drawdown sequence.

Yes, you can withdraw money or check your balance at overseas ATMs using your Worldwide Wallet. The balance displayed will be in the currency of the country you are visiting. You won’t pay an ATM withdrawal fee when using a Global ATM Alliance ATM. 5  However, fees may apply if you use an ATM outside of the Global ATM Alliance network.

If you have insufficient funds to complete a transaction in a currency loaded on your account, or the transaction is in a currency not loaded on your account, the transaction will be automatically processed by drawing down from another currency in your account (provided that there are sufficient funds available in one or more other currencies to complete the transaction). Funds will be withdrawn according to the drawdown sequence, and the applicable exchange rate will apply. See the Product Disclosure Statement (PDF 307KB) for the drawdown sequence.  

We recommend you download our app as we may send you important notifications about your Worldwide Wallet while you are travelling. Using the Westpac App makes it easy for you to get these notifications while you’re on the go. You can also use the app to:

• Instantly transfer AUD between your savings and transaction Westpac account/s and your travel money card
• Convert between your loaded AUD and up to 10 different foreign currencies at any time to lock in your exchange rate
• View your currency balances and transactions
• Access your Worldwide Wallet account’s BSB and account number as well as your eStatements
• Block your card/s if they have been lost or stolen

If you’re new to the Westpac App, learn more about how to get started .

See all FAQs

Get started

Order online and have your cards delivered to you

Worldwide Wallet 24/7 support in Australia

1300 797 470

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Things you should know

Westpac Retail and Business Banking Financial Services Guide and Credit Guide (PDF 238KB)

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Why the Charles Schwab Debit Card Is a Must for International Travel

Reviewed by Ryan Smith

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers .

No one wants to pay pesky international ATM fees, which typically cost 1%–3% per transaction. That's why we believe the Charles Schwab Bank Visa ® Platinum Debit Card — which offers unlimited ATM fee rebates — is a must for international travelers.

Simply put: If an ATM charges a fee, Schwab will reimburse it at the end of the month. You'll also pay no foreign transaction fees when using this card for purchases outside the U.S. Plus, there are no account minimums or account fees.

Read on to explore the card's many benefits and learn how to get the Charles Schwab debit card.

Page Contents

No fees on ATMs or foreign transactions

Security features, shopping benefits, travel benefits, why you need the charles schwab debit card for international travel, funding the account, bottom line, charles schwab debit card benefits.

Besides charging no foreign transaction fees, no currency conversation fees, and no ATM fees worldwide, Schwab issues rebates each month for any fees charged by international ATMs. At the end of the month, you'll see a credit for the fees in a lump sum reimbursement.

I withdrew cash twice on a 12-day trip to Asia last year. A Seven Bank ATM in Tokyo's Haneda Airport didn't charge a fee, but a Shanghai ATM charged $0.74. That's not much, but on longer trips ATM fees really add up. Schwab reimbursed me for that ATM fee at the end of the month.

But other AwardWallet writers have received even higher rebates. Here's an example of a $7 rebate in one month.

Remember that all ATM fees for the month are reimbursed in a single transaction at the end of the month.

Related: How To Save Money While Traveling Internationally

Lock/unlock through the mobile app

No need to worry about card “skimming” with this debit card. Before an ATM withdrawal, unlock the card in the mobile app. Lock it back up after use.

Security alert services

Stay informed of account activity through bank transactions, travel, and fraud two-way text alerts.

ID Navigator powered by Norton Lifelock

A Visa cardholder benefit, this complimentary service features:

• Dark web monitoring: Patrols the dark web searching for your personal information.
• Data breach notifications: Sends notifications on large-scale breaches.
• Stolen wallet assistance: Assistance to cancel or replace stolen documents in case of wallet theft.
• Privacy monitor: Scans people-search and data broker websites for your personal information.
• One-bureau credit monitoring alerts: Helps you stay on top of your credit and detect fraud.
• Credit, bank, and utility account freezes: Helps you freeze credit to combat identity theft.
• Restoration assistance: Identity restoration specialist assistance.
• U.S.-based member services and support: Available seven days a week.

Dovly uplift

Cardholders receive complimentary enrollment in this smart credit engine designed to help raise your credit score . It scans, detects, and disputes inaccuracies on your TransUnion credit score. 90% of enrolled members see a double-digit score increase within six months.

• Extended warranty protection :  Purchase even a portion of an item with this card and double the manufacturer's warranty, up to one year total, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
• Price protection :  Receive a price adjustment if you see something purchased on the card sold for a lower price elsewhere within 60 days — up to $250 per item and $1000 per year.
• Purchase security : Purchases made with the card are covered for up to 90 days, for replacement, repair, or reimbursement — up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per card.
• Travel accident insurance : If you purchase a fare on a common carrier with the card, you qualify for a $100,000 accidental death and dismemberment policy.
• Travel and emergency assistance services: Provides emergency referrals for assistance while traveling; cardholder pays for services used.
• Roadside dispatch: Pay-per-use roadside assistance program. Set price per service for a tow, tire change, jump start, lockout service, fuel delivery, or standard winching.

You can withdraw up to $1,000 per day with this card, with no withdrawal fees, anywhere in the world. No one wants to carry a lot of cash when traveling; if you part ways with cash for some reason, it's likely gone forever. But travelers do need to carry at least a little cash for places where credit cards don't work. That's why you need a debit card for international travel.

Sure, there are some fee-free ATMs like the Seven Bank ATM at Haneda airport. But you can't count on finding one of those everywhere you go. That's what makes the Charles Schwab debit card a necessity. You won't have to investigate ATM fee schedules before using them. Schwab won't charge a fee; if the other bank does, Schwab will reimburse you at the end of the month.

How To Get a Charles Schwab Visa Debit Card

Open a fee-free Schwab Bank Investor Checking account to receive a Charles Schwab debit card. The checking account must be linked to a brokerage account, however. If you don't already have one of those, you'll need to open a no-fee Schwab One brokerage account at the same time. Neither charges a monthly fee or requires a minimum balance; however, Schwab sometimes offers bonuses for setting up an account with a minimum deposit, so check for promotions before opening. Don't worry about a hard credit pull, either: Schwab did away with those years ago. In addition, rest assured knowing that both accounts are FDIC insured, up to $250,000.

If you don't have any Schwab accounts, visit this website and click “Open a Checking Account.”

Next, choose between an individual or joint brokerage account, either of which works for obtaining the debit card in question.

On this last screen, you'll be invited to open both accounts at once.

Before a recent overseas trip, I wanted to get a Schwab debit card to avoid ATM fees. Since I already had a Schwab account — but not a brokerage account — I simply logged in and easily set up an individual brokerage account and a linked checking account. “Open An Account” is an option in the upper right-hand corner when logged into an existing Schwab account.

My card arrived in the mail within two weeks. Take that into consideration if you need this card before an upcoming trip.

I funded the checking account with an ACH transfer from another checking account before traveling. Be aware that Schwab can take up to four business days to make funds available if transferring from an external account. I moved $1,000 into the account and then moved the remainder back out of the account after I got home. However, I've heard anecdotally that Schwab sometimes closes inactive checking accounts with a zero balance, so I left $100 in the account (though I plan to use this card and its associated again on my next international trip).

For anyone traveling internationally, the Charles Schwab debt card is ideal. It's easy to get, charges no fees for transactions or ATM withdrawals, and even reimburses international ATM fees charged by other banks. Knowing you can grab cash whenever you need without worrying about the fees will take some of the guesswork out of your next international trip. Pair it with your favorite no-foreign-transaction fee credit card, and you're doubly ready to head overseas.

Related: Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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The Best Anti-theft RFID Wallets You Can Buy at Amazon Right Now for Under $30

Top-rated styles from Vera Bradley, Herschel, Timberland, and more start at $8.

Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

As travelers we hear a lot about the benefits of RFID-blocking technology to combat identity theft, but what are we actually protecting ourselves from? Many of the everyday cards in our wallets — credit cards, debit cards, and even some forms of ID — use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) to contactlessly transmit data. And in high-traffic areas, identity thieves armed with any cheap RFID reader can get close and surreptitiously steal your data without even touching you. And this kind of identity theft has been on the rise , according to the Federal Trade Commission. 

That’s where these handy RFID-secure wallets come into play. They all feature technology that blocks your card's electromagnetic signal from thieves — and they have some pretty handy pockets and organizing spaces, too. But you don’t need to blow your travel budget on this kind of protection. From a sleek, durable black wallet with more than 79,000 five-star ratings to more stylish Vera Bradley and Herschel styles, here are the smartest ways to protect your data — all for $30 or less at Amazon.

Travando Slim Wallet with Money Clip Austin RFID-Blocking Bifold

This is possibly one of the most durable — and popular — RFID wallets at Amazon, with an astonishing 79,000 five-star ratings from shoppers. That could be because of its sporty good looks and 11-card capacity; plus, it’s made of carbon fiber with a Stainless Steel lining and a clip to hold bills. “Keeping my cash in my front pockets (old school guys) works just fine while your cards are protected in this seemingly bulletproof wallet,” said one five-star reviewer .

Vera Bradley Cotton Deluxe Zip ID Case Wallet With RFID Protection

An identity thief’s signal won’t stand a chance against this protective wallet — despite its soft cotton fabric and stylish floral print. The 3-inch by 5-inch wallet has three credit card pockets, and it conveniently comes with a key ring so you have to keep track of even fewer items when you’re on the go. “I love this item. I was able to condense my slim wallet…and the clear ID pocket is scannable,” said one reviewer who swears by it to hold and display their work ID. 

Herschel Hank RFID Wallet

If you prefer an extra light wallet versus some of the slightly heavier leather options here, try this wallet with a washed fabric exterior from Herschel, the trusted brand makes some of T+L editors’ favorite backpacks . It’s a simple bifold for a minimalist, versatile look, but it has RFID-blocking tech built in too. “Everything fits perfectly in here, and it seems to hold up well. Not bulky, not cheap or flimsy; this is just a really great wallet,” one happy shopper said . 

Imeetu RFID-blocking Leather Zipper Credit Card Holder

This small but mighty wallet unzips to reveal an accordion-style set of card slots with easy access to everything you might need while on the go. It has a stylish bee on the front and super soft leather for a luxe feel. It fits 12 cards; plus, it has two wide slots for bills, receipts, and a tiny zipper pocket for coins. It even has a handy clip for securing it to larger bags or luggage. “I tend to travel light…so this was able to fully replace my regular wallet on my latest trip,” said one reviewer .

Timberland Genuine Leather RFID-blocking Trifold Wallet

Almost everyone knows Timberland for its high-quality leather shoes, but they also make this quality trifold wallet with cool contrast stitching. The 4.25-inch high by 3.5-inch wide wallet comes with six card slots, two slip pockets, an ID window, and two cash pockets, and you can rest assured it’s keeping it all safe from thieves. Even better, for those who prioritize supporting American companies, it’s made in the U.S. 

Nautica Be Shore RFID-blocking Zip Around Clutch Wallet

Ideal for those who don’t like to fold their bills, this discreet pocketbook style wallet holds more than a dozen cards and has pockets galore, plus a place for your ID. And the 4.5-inch by 7.5-inch by 1-inch wallet is made from vegan leather. “Very pleased with this purchase,” said one reviewer . “It can fit my phone without its case, so that's a plus.” Bonus: It comes in 11 colors and patterns.

Toughergun RFID-blocking Bifold Leather Wallet

Carry just the essentials in this compact but trusty wallet with six card slots, one cash slot, one zipper coin pocket, and an ID window. Its waxed leather has secure RFID-blocking technology, and it comes in more than 40 colors. The $12 price point can’t be beat, especially considering its popularity: more than 39,000 reviewers gave this No. 1 best-seller an average of 4.6 stars. “I didn't want to take everything I keep in my go-to wallet, so I packed my ID, debit, a back up CC, and insurance card for a two-week vacation in the UK. The size was perfect,” shared one traveler .

FurArt Slim Minimalist RFID-blocking Front Pocket Wallet 

Want to pack really light? This is the thinnest wallet on the list, measuring just 0.4 inches of thickness after filling it with eight cards. Yes, it blocks RFID thieves from accessing your info, but when kept in your front pocket, it’s also discreet and barely noticeable to pickpockets too. There’s even a handy key ring and a finger groove so you can easily push out your cards for quick access. 

Timberland Leather RFID Small Indexer Wallet Billfold

Smart organization and quick access to your ID and credit cards is key to a travel wallet. This model makes the most of its space, letting you hold four cards, cash, coins, and your ID — all with an easy snap closure that keeps everything secure. “Love how small it is but holds a lot! I got red so it's easy to see if you are using a large bag,” said one reviewer . But how nice is the quality of the cognac leather? It looks way more expensive than $23, if you ask us.

Travelambo RFID-blocking Bifold Multi-card Case Wallet with Zipper Pocket

The design innovations don’t have to stop at RFID-blocking technology. This sleek wallet also has snap enclosures you can release to open it up wide and reveal a whopping 16 card slots — plus two zippered pockets for cash and coins. With this style, you have space for even more, like receipts, tickets, and other small essentials travelers need. 

Oak Leathers Slim Minimalist Leather RFID-blocking Wallet 

Credit card holder-style wallets are a favorite of savvy travelers who keep their wallet in their front pocket. This is a smart way to avoid pickpockets, as well as the digital thieves out there. It can securely hold all your cash and five to eight cards — plus, it has 25 other color options to suit just about any traveler’s taste (a nice yellow will make it easy to find in your bag). And because it’s leather, it has a luxurious feel, despite its high-tech RFID-blocking interior. 

Falan Mule Leather Bifold RFID-blocking Wallet

For those who want to carry more while taking up less space, this compact wallet carries 14 credit cards, two SIM card slots, as well as spots for bills, coins, and ID windows (two are even removable). Its real leather exterior has a subtle texture for a richer, more traditional feel. “Perfect for business travel,” said one happy reviewer . “The pull out ID is very useful…for going through security.” For the price, the organization and peace of mind you get with this travel-friendly wallet can’t be beat.

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Can You Rent a Car With a Debit Card?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

The process of renting a car is no joyride. Not only do you need to be a certain age, you also have to sign a mountain of paperwork and receive a hard sell for additional insurance coverage at the pickup counter. And when the agent asks for a credit card to put on file — you realize all you have is a debit card.

So, before you hit the road, get up to speed on whether you can rent a car without a credit card.

Why do car rental companies want you to pay with a credit card?

With a debit card transaction, you normally have to enter a PIN to authorize the charge. If the rental agency finds damage, unpaid tolls or parking fines after you return the vehicle, it can’t charge your debit card for these expenses.

But with a credit card, the rental agency can charge you for these items even if you’re not present. This is why credit cards are the preferred method of payment when renting a car.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Can you rent a car with a debit card?

Yes, it’s possible to book a car rental with a debit card, but be prepared to face a few obstacles. You might have to pony up a deposit, provide additional identification or agree to a credit check.

Often, the vehicle type will be limited to cars of lower classes, like economy or compact. And in some cases, you won’t be able to rent a car at all if you haven’t reached a certain age.

The restrictions for renting a car with a debit card vary by car rental company and even location, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with the terms before you decide to rent a car without a credit card.

Prepaid cards and gift cards are not the same as debit cards and are generally not accepted as a valid method of payment when making a reservation or picking up a vehicle. They may, however, be used at drop-off at some rental agencies.

Which companies allow you to rent a car with a debit card?

Many car rental companies in the U.S. allow individuals to rent cars with a debit card, but there are typically more requirements to do so, such as credit checks and large deposits.

Here’s what you need to know for each company:

Alamo accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover debit cards. However, airport locations only accept debit cards issued in the U.S.

When renting from airport locations, you must present a ticketed return travel itinerary. Additionally, the name and address on the driver’s license must match your current home address (active duty military members are exempt).

If you don’t have a return ticket, you’ll need to present a credit card along with a refundable deposit of $300 to $400.

Additional drivers are only allowed if they’re your spouse or domestic partner.

» Learn more: The best apps for renting a car

Most Avis locations accept Visa and Mastercard debit cards for car rentals. Some locations won’t accept debit cards at the time of rental but will accept one for payment after your rental is completed.

A driver must be at least 25 years old (or at least 18 in New York) to rent a car without a credit card.

At pickup, a hold in the amount of the estimated car rental charges will be placed on your card, and the funds won’t be available to you until you return the vehicle.

Avis' premium cars can’t be rented with debit cards.

When renting a car with a debit card from Budget , you must be at least 25 years old (18 in New York).

At pickup, the car rental agency will place a hold equal to the rental cost amount ($100 minimum) for the duration of your rental period. You won’t have access to those funds while the vehicle is in your possession, and the hold will be removed once you return the vehicle and settle the bill.

If you’re renting from an airport location, you will be asked to show proof of a return flight before you can pick up the car. Not all locations allow you to rent with a debit card, so it’s worth calling to check a location’s rules first.

» Learn more: Where to find rental car discounts

Dollar accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover debit cards for car rentals but charges a $500 deposit for incidentals along with the estimated car rental cost upfront. The deposit applies only to renters who are not members of its rewards program, Express Rewards. Additionally, a credit check will be performed to determine your creditworthiness.

For a successful car rental without a credit card at airport locations, you must provide proof of return travel and at least two forms of identification: a driver’s license and one other, such as a passport, military ID, or utility bill. You don’t have to be 25 years old to rent from airport locations, but you do have to pay a young renter fee.

» Learn more: How to avoid paying the under 25 rental car fee

Off-airport locations do require you to be at least 25, present two forms of identification and provide either a corporate discount plan number or proof of return travel.

Debit cards aren’t accepted for premium rentals. However, you can pay with a debit card at the end of your rental upon return regardless of car type.

Enterprise also lets you secure a car rental with a debit card as long as it has a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo. If you’re renting from an airport location, you must provide a return travel ticket, and you can’t add a second driver unless they’re your spouse or domestic partner.

» Learn more: How Enterprise Plus rewards works

Although Hertz prefers a credit card when making a car rental reservation, the rental car agency will usually accept a Visa, Mastercard or Discover debit card as well. However, some locations won’t release a vehicle without a credit card.

A $500 hold will be placed on the card on top of any projected costs associated with your rental. If you’re renting from an airport location, two forms of ID and proof of return travel will be required.

At non-airport Hertz locations, you must be at least 25 years old to rent with a debit card.

» Learn more: Smart rental car alternatives you might not know about

National is another car rental company that accepts debit cards at pickup.

As is the case with most companies on the list, you’ll need to present a ticketed return travel itinerary for rentals reserved at airports. Otherwise, you’ll be asked for a $300 to $400 refundable deposit on top of the full rental cost, along with a credit card to cover the cost of the rental.

The driver’s name and current address must match what’s on the driver’s license, and only spouses or domestic partners can be added as second drivers.

» Learn more: The guide to National Car Rental Emerald Club

Sixt takes debit cards at most of its locations for both short-term and long-term rentals (28 days or longer). The debit card must be issued in the primary driver’s name, and you must provide two forms of identification at the counter. Additionally, some vehicles are excluded, and other restrictions apply.

In-state renters can’t rent a car using a debit card from an airport location (some downtown locations don’t allow debit cards, either). Those traveling from out of state can rent from the airport, but proof of return travel is required. Finally, local customers may rent from a non-airport location but must provide a utility bill from the last 30 days.

Thrifty performs a credit check for drivers looking to rent a car with a debit card. Thrifty airport locations require proof of return travel to coincide with the rental and two forms of ID.

The authorization amount charged to your debit card will include the estimated total for the rental costs plus a $500 deposit for the incidentals, which will not be available to you for the duration of the rental period.

However, the deposit requirement is waived for established Blue-Chip loyalty program members who have added a Visa debit card to their Thrifty profile.

» Learn more: The best car rental company

Benefits of renting a car with a credit card

If you have a credit card, there are some good reasons to use it to rent a car instead of pulling out your debit card. Here are some benefits of renting with a credit card:

Fewer hoops to jump through

Even though car rentals with a debit card are possible, rental agencies drive a hard bargain to make it happen. Extra deposits, age restrictions, credit checks and vehicle limitations can make you want to do a U-turn. Renting a car with a credit card eliminates most of these obstacles.

Built-in collision insurance

Many credit cards offer rental car collision damage waivers as part of their benefits package. For the benefit to apply, you’ll have to decline the car company’s additional insurance upsell and pay for the rental with a card that offers this perk. Should you get into an accident or become a victim of car theft, you’ll be covered, though limits will vary by card.

If you hold a credit card that offers a collision damage waiver, make note of whether the coverage is primary or secondary as this will determine whether your personal insurance gets involved or not.

» Learn more: Do you need rental car insurance?

Credit card rewards

In addition to simplifying the rental process and having access to collision insurance, you can also earn points or miles when you rent a car using a rewards credit card.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and offers 3 points per dollar on all travel purchases, including car rental charges, so you can be on your way to earning another vacation while you travel.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth?

Booking car rentals with a debit card, recapped

You can get a rental car with a debit card, but you’re going to have to overcome a few hurdles first. In most cases, you have to be 25 years old, provide multiple forms of ID and pay a larger deposit.

Read the fine print and remember to bring the required documents so you can spend less time at the rental counter and more time with your foot on the gas.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Capital One's website

2x-10x Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Ways to pay, septa key: the easy way to pay.

SEPTA Key is a reloadable, contactless chip card with options to load period passes and/or load funds for seamless travel. The card costs $4.95, but when you register it at  septakey.org , the card’s cost is refunded to your card’s travel wallet for spending on future travel. Card must be registered within 30 days of purchase. Limit two rebates per account.

Key cards can be purchased from SEPTA Sales Offices, Station Fare Kiosks or from retailers located throughout the service area.

Cards can be loaded via any sales venue including Fare Kiosks located at stations. Kiosks accept cash, credit, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

• Accepted on all SEPTA services
• Integrated with several fare products, pass programs and features including SEPTA Key multi-rider
• May be reloaded online to save time; auto-reloading is available.
• Qualifies customers for discounts from area businesses and venues

The SEPTA Key card can be loaded with Daily, Weekly or Monthly Passes and/or funds stored to the Travel Wallet portion of the card.

Commuter Passes

• Multiple pass types available
• Best value for customers traveling frequently
• Potential employer subsidy or federal tax benefits

Travel Wallet

• Charged on a per trip basis
• Trips offered at best price
• May include free transfers on transit

Quick Trip Ticket – Transit/Metro

Customers at Metro stations may purchase a Quick Trip ticket, from Fare Kiosks, for a single one-way ride on the Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, Norristown High Speed Line and select Trolley lines. Transit Quick Trips are not valid for bus rides. SEPTA recommends that customers simply use a contactless bankcard to travel, eliminating the need for a Quick Trip ticket and adding additional travel privileges. Quick Trips are available from station Fare Kiosks and are valid on the day purchased until 2 am the following day. Customers attending events in the Sports Complex area are encouraged to purchase a Quick Trip for their return trip prior to the event. Free transfers are not available with Quick Trip. 

Quick Trip Ticket – Regional Rail

Inbound trips towards Center City Philadelphia:  Any customer, at any time, may purchase a Quick Trip ticket from Conductors aboard trains. Both cash and bankcards are accepted for purchase and no pre-planning or reservation is needed. Simply board and pay for your fare while traveling. The conductor will issue a Quick Trip, needed to exit Center City Philadelphia Stations (valid 2 hours from time of purchase). Outbound trips from Center City Philadelphia:  Customers without a fare must purchase a Quick Trip from a Fare Kiosk or Sales Office, valid for one station entry any time on date of purchase. This applies to Temple, Jefferson, Suburban, William H. Gray III 30 th  Street and Penn Medicine Regional Rail stations. To ensure the lowest fare, SEPTA recommends the purchase of a Key card from the Fare Kiosk or Sales Office.

SEPTA accepts cash for travel on any of its services. Exact fare is required for transit trips.  

Contactless

SEPTA accepts contactless payment (credit/debit card or Apple/Google/Samsung Pay) for travel on bus and Metro (BSL, MFL, NHSL & Trolley). 

SEPTA Key Tix

SEPTA Key Tix is the new and convenient way to pay for transit using your smartphone! Riders can use SEPTA Key Tix for Bus and Metro. For more information, click the links below. How to use SEPTA Key Tix SEPTA Key Tix: How To Guide

PATCO Freedom Share Card as Fare

PATCO customers traveling to Philadelphia from New Jersey can use their PATCO Freedom Share card for travel on SEPTA Metro and buses for $2 per trip. This includes all SEPTA service except Regional Rail. Cards must be purchased from PATCO in advance and preloaded with funds. Visit the PATCO Freedom Share Card site for more details.

Amtrak Tickets as Fare

Amtrak paper tickets and e-Tickets, purchased for the same date of travel and presented for inspection, will be accepted as a fare to ride on Regional Rail trains between William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Suburban Station and Jefferson Station.

Customers with e-Ticket confirmations should present their personal device (iPad, laptop computer, smart phone, etc.) to the barcode reader located at the faregate and to the conductor on the train for visual confirmation. Mobile app users must add the e-Ticket to their mobile wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, etc.) before scanning.

NJ Transit Tickets as Fare

NJ Transit paper tickets and mobile tickets valid for travel on SEPTA, purchased for the same date of travel and presented for inspection, will be accepted as a fare to ride on Regional Rail trains to a station within the designated ticket area. SEPTA tickets sold by NJ Transit include an intermediate ticket valid on a branch for travel between New Jersey towards but not entering the CCP zone, a ticket valid to travel to a CCP Zone Station, and a ticket through the CCP Zone to another station.

Our Customer Service Center answers common questions about fares, passes, rider discounts, routes, services, advisories, and more.

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Help us provide a great online experience by reporting issues and sharing ideas for improvements.

Send Feedback

Thank you for visiting our newly redesigned beta website. SEPTA is excited for the future launch of this project and improving your transit experience. We invite you to click around, plan a trip, and provide some feedback using this link. Survey participation helps us identify and fix areas of concern prior to the launch of the official website.

Please note, this site is still in the beta phase; continue to refer to SEPTA.org for the most up to date information, accurate schedules and active alerts & advisories.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners of May 2024

5 best beginner travel credit cards in 2024, best overall: chase sapphire preferred® card.

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great starter travel card with elevated rewards on travel and dining, lots of options for redeeming your points and a suite of useful travel protections—all wrapped up in a $95 annual fee. Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review .

• Competitive rewards rates on travel and dining
• Many rewards redemption options, transfer partners and Chase Travel portal bookings
• Offers most of the basic travel protections you’ll need
• No Priority Pass lounge access
• Has an annual fee
• Subject to Chase’s unofficial 5/24 rule—you likely won’t be approved if you’ve opened more than five credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months

Best for Simplicity: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

After spending $4,000 in first 3 months from account opening

Why we chose it: Earning 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on everything else, the $95-annual-fee Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has no complicated rewards structures to keep track of. You can transfer your miles to travel partners or redeem them for statement credit against travel purchases. Read our Capital One Venture Card review .

• 2X flat rewards rate offers simplicity
• Good selection of transfer partners
• Current welcome bonus is competitive
• No bonus rewards categories besides Capital One Travel bookings
• Non-travel reward redemptions offer significantly less value
• Travel protections are less robust than the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Best for Premium Perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Why we chose it: If you want Priority Pass lounge access and other premium travel perks, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the most affordable ways to get it. The value from a $300 annual credit for travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal brings the $395 annual fee down to effectively $95—the same price as a mid-tier travel card—if you can fully use the credit. Read our Capital One Venture X card review .

• Priority Pass and Capital One lounge access
• Generous travel credits
• 10,000-mile anniversary bonus
• Annual travel credit limited to bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal
• $395 annual fee

Best for Travel Rewards on Everyday Spending: Citi Premier Card

Citi premier® card.

After spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

Why we chose it: The $95-annual-fee Citi Premier® Card offers elevated rewards on everyday spending categories like groceries and gas, allowing you to rack up points from your regular spending and then transfer them to Citi’s hotel and airline partners. Read our Citi Premier Card review .

• Bonus rewards for restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels
• Can transfer points to travel partners
• Annual hotel savings benefit
• No travel protections
• $100 hotel savings benefit requires booking through Citi’s travel portal
• Few travel benefits

Best for Business Owners: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Why we chose it: The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, which operates within the same ecosystem as the consumer-facing Chase Sapphire Preferred, is Chase’s main business travel card. For a $95 annual fee, you’ll get a large welcome bonus, travel protections and good rewards rates on several business-related bonus categories. Read our Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card review .

• High welcome bonus
• Various travel and purchase protections
• 25% redemption bonus on travel booked through Chase Travel
• Must have a business to qualify
• High spending threshold to earn welcome bonus
• Rewards are lackluster if your business’s main expenses fall outside of the bonus categories

A Closer Look at the Best Starter Travel Credit Cards

Best overall: chase sapphire preferred card.

Why we love this card: For a modest annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred offers all the basics you’d want in a travel card. From good rewards rates on travel and dining to robust travel protections to a lineup of valuable hotel and airline transfer partners, the Sapphire Preferred has it all. You’ll also get a 25% redemption bonus when redeeming your points through the Chase Travel, meaning each point is worth 1.25 cents. And, you can pool points from multiple Ultimate Rewards-earning cards in one account—so if you have a cash-back card like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ , you can transfer your points to the Chase Sapphire Preferred to access the transfer partners.

Who should have this in their wallet: Most travelers will benefit from this card, but especially travel card beginners. The wide range of redemption options, including both travel and non-travel options, make it easy to spend your points even if you’re not ready to dive into the complicated world of transfer partners.

Other cards to consider: If you’re looking for more premium benefits (like airport lounge access) but want to stay within the Chase ecosystem, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . If you want a similar mid-tier travel card in a different rewards system with different transfer partners, the Capital One Venture Rewards Card is a good choice.

Why we love this card: The Capital One Venture is the closest alternative to the Chase Sapphire Preferred for anyone who wants a mid-tier travel card. Its 2X flat rewards rate on all purchases outside of hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (which earn 5X miles) is simple to keep track of. The Venture’s travel protections are slightly less robust than the Sapphire Preferred’s, but still enough to meet most needs. It also currently offers one of the highest welcome offers compared to other mid-tier travel cards.

Who should have this in their wallet: This card is perfect for anyone who wants a mid-tier travel card with flat-rate rewards or is looking for one of the biggest welcome bonuses on a sub-$100-annual-fee card.

Other cards to consider: Those who want a tiered rewards system may prefer either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Citi Premier, while those looking for premium perks and lounge access will be better off with the Venture X.

Why we love this card: The Capital One Venture X is one of the most economical ways to get perks like airport lounge access and fee credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. The card’s $395 annual fee is significantly lower than two of the most popular premium travel cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve with a $550 annual fee and The Platinum Card® from American Express at a $695 annual fee ( see rates and fees ). A $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal, as well as 10,000 bonus miles each anniversary, reduce the effective cost further. See how the Venture X stacks up against The Platinum Card .

Who should have this in their wallet: If you want Priority Pass and Capital One lounge access for the lowest annual fee, this card is the best way to get it. It’s also a good choice for anyone who wants an upgraded version of the regular Venture card, with better travel protections and more perks.

Other cards to consider: The Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express also offer lounge access for higher annual fees. But each of these cards offer additional benefits that the Venture X doesn’t and have different rewards systems with different transfer partners. Check out our guide on the Venute X vs. Sapphire Reserve .

Why we love this card: There aren’t many travel cards that earn elevated rewards on everyday spending categories like groceries or gas, and cash-back cards that earn bonus points in those categories typically don’t have access to airline and hotel transfer partners. The $95-annual-fee Citi Premier offers the best of both worlds with its 3X points on airlines, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets paired with a good selection of transfer partners.

Who should have this in their wallet: This card is great for anyone looking to rack up points with everyday spending and transfer them to Citi’s hotel and airline partners.

Other cards to consider: The Citi Premier’s lack of travel protections means you’ll likely want another travel card in your wallet, even if you primarily earn and spend points with the Premier. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X are both great ways to meet your travel insurance needs.

Best for Business Owners: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Why we love this card: Business owners looking for travel rewards will find a lot of value in the Chase Ink Business Preferred. For a $95 annual fee, you can earn a 100,000-point welcome bonus (after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening), travel protections and elevated rewards on common business spending categories. These include: shipping; advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines; internet, cable and phone services; and travel. You can redeem your points for cash back, partner transfers and more. You’ll also get a 25% bonus when redeeming for travel through Chase Travel.

Who should have this in their wallet: Business owners who spend a lot in the card’s bonus categories and can meet the spending threshold for the impressive welcome bonus will find a lot of value in this card.

Other cards to consider: The Capital One Spark Miles for Business ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 after) and Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business (no annual fee) offer flat-rate rewards in a different ecosystem for a similar or lower price.

What Is a Travel Credit Card and How Do They Work?

A travel credit card is a credit card with features tailored to people who travel. They typically have higher rewards rates on travel purchases, earn rewards that can be redeemed for free travel through a travel portal or through airline or hotel loyalty programs and come with travel protections and travel-related perks like airport lounge access . They also generally don’t charge foreign transaction fees, making them great for international travel.

Travel credit cards can typically be split into two types: general travel cards and co-branded hotel and airline cards. General travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture earn rewards in their respective issuers’ rewards ecosystems—in this case, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One Miles, respectively.

Your redemption options are set by the issuer and typically include the option to transfer your points to partner hotel and airline loyalty programs. The exact partners available depend on the card, but you’ll usually have quite a few options. The main benefits associated with these cards are typically not tied to any specific hotel or airline.

Co-branded cards are issued by a partnership between a credit card issuer (like Chase or American Express) and a specific hotel or airline (like Hyatt or Delta Air Lines). These cards usually earn rewards directly in the hotel or airline’s own rewards currency—World of Hyatt points for a Hyatt card, Delta SkyMiles for a Delta card, and so on. Their benefits also tend to be tied to the hotel or airline and may include perks like free checked bags or elevated status.

How to Choose the Best Beginner Travel Credit Card for You

To help sort through all the options, here are the most important factors you should look for when choosing a starter travel card:

Many travel credit cards charge an annual fee ranging from just under $100 to upwards of $500. Cards with a higher annual fee tend to offer better rewards or more benefits.

An annual fee can often be worth it if you can use most or all of a card’s benefits. But if you don’t travel a lot or don’t want to commit to an annual fee, start with a no-annual-fee card and upgrade later if you have the need for more or better features.

Rewards Rates

Many travel cards have tiered rewards, offering higher rewards rates on certain spending categories and a lower rate on all other purchases. To maximize your point earnings, choose a card whose award rates align with your normal spending habits.

For example, if you like to eat out a lot, look for a card that offers bonus points on dining . If you don’t want to think too much about maximizing rewards, you might prefer a simple flat-rate rewards card , which earns a flat rate on all purchases regardless of spending category.

Rewards Redemption Options

When it comes to redeeming rewards, not all credit cards are created equal. Some cards only let you redeem your points for cash back, statement credit or purchases through a travel portal. Others let you transfer points to airline and hotel partner loyalty programs, which you can then use to book award flights and award nights directly through the partner. Different cards have different transfer partners, and some have a greater selection than others.

Cash back and travel portals are easier to use, but point transfers typically give you much better value. Ideally, you should look for a card that offers both options. But if not, decide what’s more important to you—the option to quickly and easily liquidate your points for a fixed value, or the option to transfer points for the chance to get great deals on hotels and airfare if you’re willing to do some legwork.

Travel Protections and Benefits

Travel protections—like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance, or rental car insurance—reimburse you for some costs if things go wrong. Travel benefits—like airport lounge access or credits for a TSA PreCheck membership—upgrade your travel experience.

Most travel cards include some measure of travel protections and benefits, though the extent can vary from card to card. In general, cards with higher annual fees tend to have more or better benefits. When choosing a card, it’s important to consider what benefits you’ll actually use.

General vs. Co-Branded Card

In general, general travel cards provide more flexibility, while co-branded cards provide a quick way to rack up points within a specific loyalty program and benefits specific to a particular airline or hotel chain. Travel card beginners might be better off starting with a general travel card that gives them more options—especially if you’re still figuring out what you want from a travel card—unless you’re already loyal to a particular airline or hotel.

Other Travel Credit Card Alternatives

If you don’t want to open a dedicated travel credit card, here are some other options you should consider.

A Non-Travel Credit Card

At the end of the day, a travel card works just like any other credit card. If you already have a favorite cash back card , you can use it for travel purchases in addition to your everyday spending. For example, the following credit cards charge no annual fee and offer bonus categories that can cover all or some of your travel costs:

Although you might earn fewer rewards on travel purchases and have fewer travel protections, the convenience of using an existing card or the additional rewards in other categories may make it worthwhile.

For example, if your preferred form of travel is a road trip, a cash-back card that earns a lot on gas may be better than a travel card that earns more points on airfare. Just make sure that if you’re traveling internationally, you find a card without foreign transaction fees .

A Debit Card

Even if you have a credit card, you should always keep a debit card on hand for easy cash withdrawal without cash advance fees. But you can also skip credit cards altogether and pay for everything with a debit card when traveling.

This does have some downsides: you’ll generally earn fewer rewards , have fewer travel benefits and have fewer protections in the case of fraud. But for people who either can’t qualify for a credit card or don’t want a credit card for fear of getting into debt, a debit card is a perfectly fine option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best travel card for beginners.

The best travel card for you depends on your spending habits, how you want to redeem your rewards, the annual fee you’re willing to pay and what travel protections or extra perks you value. But the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a well-rounded option with a modest annual fee that’s a good start for most travelers.

Is It Better to Use a Travel Card or a Debit Card?

When traveling, it’s typically better to use a travel credit card over a debit card—assuming you pay off your balance on time and in full every month so you aren’t charged interest or late fees. Travel credit cards offer rewards, travel protections and can be more secure than a debit card.

Do Travel Cards Charge Foreign Transaction Fees?

Foreign transaction fees are fees you incur when you use your card abroad or make a payment in a different currency and are typically charged as a percentage of the transaction. Many travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, although you should check the rates and fees of your specific card to be sure. If you plan to travel abroad, it’s important to have a card without foreign transaction fees or you could rack up a lot of extra costs.

The post Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners of May 2024 first appeared on Newsweek Vault .

How credit cards can help you cope with travel troubles

“Revenge travel” has been a big theme the past couple of years as Americans have been raring to go here, there and everywhere after hunkering down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, the Transportation Security Administration screened a record-high 858.5 million passengers in 2023.

But it hasn’t been a smooth ride for travelers. In fact, if you flew in 2022 or 2023, there was a one-in-five chance your flight was delayed, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Cancellations were an especially big problem in 2022, when the airline industry had a tough time ramping back up after the pandemic.

That year, 2.7% of flights were scrapped entirely, often due to staffing and/or equipment shortages.

Last year, however, the cancellation rate was a mere 1.3%. Higher prices – not cancellations or delays – were travelers’ biggest concern last summer and last holiday season, according to Bankrate research.

Still, there can be hidden costs associated with delays, cancellations and other travel snafus.

For instance, my family flew from New Jersey to California last month, and both of our flights were delayed about two hours.

With two young kids in tow, our nerves were strained more than our wallets, though we still ended up spending a bit extra on food (which isn’t cheap when even a basic airport sandwich seems to cost at least $15).

I’ve had a few other travel experiences in recent years which made me wish I had paid with a credit card with strong travel insurance benefits.

These perks wouldn’t have kicked in for my two-hour delay, but they definitely could have helped me out the time my flight from Chicago to New York was diverted to Virginia in the middle of the night and the airline basically just left us there.

Or the two times in 2022 when airlines canceled our flights the night before they were scheduled to leave (seemingly due to operational issues) and couldn’t rebook us for several days – or when I came down with COVID and had to cancel a trip last fall.

Travel insurance benefits

Not all travel insurance benefits cover the same situations, but here are a few of the most common credit card travel insurance policy perks:

• Trip delay reimbursement

• Trip cancellation or interruption insurance

• Baggage delay protection

• Lost or damaged baggage protection

• Medical evaluation

• Travel accident insurance

• Auto rental collision insurance

The Chase Sapphire PreferredⓇ Card is a great example.

For a fairly modest $95 annual fee, it offers a lot of travel insurance (among other perks).

In my estimation, its trip cancellation/interruption benefit (up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip) should have applied to both of my 2022 flight cancellations.

I ended up getting those refunded by the airlines and booked new flights on different carriers (since the original carriers couldn’t accommodate us until nearly a week later), but that cost extra.

If I had paid for my original airline tickets with this card, I believe that Chase would have reimbursed me for the difference between my canceled flights and my new bookings (although I would have had to request that refund through a claims administrator).

But there’s a chance my request would not have been approved, perhaps if the company argued I should have taken the airline up on its offer to fly a few days later, rather than rebooking myself more immediately at a higher cost on a different airline.

These programs aren’t always easy to navigate; a coworker needed to be very persistent and had to submit several rounds of documentation to win a reimbursement claim involving the Chase Sapphire Reserve and a trip disrupted by a hurricane.

I wish it were easier to use, but this coverage can still be very valuable.

For a heftier annual fee ($550), the Sapphire Reserve offers better trip delay insurance, triggering after six hours or an overnight delay, while the Sapphire Preferred triggers after 12 hours or an overnight delay.

Both the Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve offer the same primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance (up to $500 per ticket), delayed baggage insurance, emergency medical coverage and more.

Both cards would have been useful the time I got stranded in Virginia (I ended up renting a car and driving about five hours to get home; my company paid for that since it was a business trip, but if it had been a personal trip, I likely could have gotten a reimbursement from a travel card with good trip cancellation/interruption protections).

The Platinum Card from American Express and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also made our list of the best credit cards for travel insurance.

It’s also worth asking what the airline, hotel or rental car agency can do for you if you need to cancel.

I lost out on a prepaid rental reservation in 2020 when I was afraid to travel in the early days of the pandemic.

But in 2023, when I had COVID and needed to cancel a hotel stay, the hotel generously refunded my supposedly non-refundable reservation. Perhaps it made a difference that I was actually sick that time instead of worried about potentially getting sick, but it never hurts to ask.

The bottom line

Many airlines and hotel chains have relaxed their change and cancellation policies in recent years.

So if you do encounter an unexpected issue, it’s a good rule of thumb to start with the travel supplier, and then pull in your credit card company as a backup.

For this reason, I think it only makes sense to pay for travel insurance if you have a particularly complicated or expensive itinerary (especially an international trip).

Often, that coverage is comparable to what you may already qualify for between your credit cards and the travel suppliers’ policies.

Paying with a credit card that has strong travel insurance benefits can provide additional assistance without adding to the cost.

Local stroke survivor urges others to learn signs of stroke

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, 65-year-old Spokane resident Gary Mortlock woke up in the middle of the night,

Prime Taxis‪.‬ 17+

Prime travel solutions ltd, designed for iphone, iphone screenshots, description.

Book a taxi in under 10 seconds and experience exclusive priority service from Prime Taxis. You can place the booking directly on our map, and see how many available cars there are nearby. Not carrying any cash? Pay by credit or debit card, and avoid having to stop at the cash point along the way. No standing in the rain. Track your car as it arrives on a map, or call the driver when he/she is nearby. No more guessing where your cab might be. Place bookings hours, days or weeks in advance. Whenever it's convenient for you. If necessary, cancel your booking at any time. It takes seconds to place a new booking directly from the handy favourites list. Prime Taxis is FREE to download and it costs you nothing to register. It's so easy and quick to use. Download the App and register just once. Our intelligent software will suggest your favourite Pick Up locations, and you're ready to book your car. When you make bookings, we'll notify you by Push Notification as your car is dispatched. We value feedback and take all reviews very seriously. So please leave us feedback about your journey using the App. This helps us continually improve our service.

App Privacy

The developer, Prime Travel Solutions LTD , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

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