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Post Office Travel Money Card   Reviews

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Reviews 3.3.

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Lovely staff

Lovely staff when dealing with my request and good advice on taking the card instead of cash

Date of experience : June 07, 2024

Reply from Post Office Travel Money Card

Hi James, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, it's great to hear you were so happy with the service provided!

Easy and safe to use

I've started loading money on again for my girlfriend and myself holiday, its so easy to transfer money into American dollars from my bank. I have never had problems using it in shops, restaurants etc. in L.A. and the surrounding areas.

Date of experience : June 01, 2024

Hi Phil, thank you very much for your review!

It’s impossible to top up through the…

It’s impossible to top up through the app. You have to go online which is annoying. The daily withdrawal limit of £450 is also a nuisance. WISE card is much more user friendly and cheaper - you even get 3 free withdrawals a month.

Date of experience : June 15, 2024

Thank you for your review, we’re sorry to read that the Travel Money Card hasn’t met with your expectations on this occasion, we would like to understand more so we can help resolve this. Could you call us at 0207 937 0280 or email us at [email protected] Sarah, Thanks

only concern is that McAfee shows it as…

only concern is that McAfee shows it as a malicious site

Date of experience : June 14, 2024

Best travel card on the market.

I purchased a travel money card from my local post office. Excellent customer service. The benefits of the card and the accompanying app were fully explained. I registered the card after 10.30 the next day, downloaded the app and topped up the card all at home. Simple!!! Can be used contactless and comes with a pin. Used in bars, restaurants and hotels. No problem's. Card is secure as it's not attached to any of my bank accounts. Huge benefit is you can have up to 22 currencies added to the card. Plus the exchange rates are better than cash and secure.

Date of experience : May 16, 2024

Hi Stella, Thank you for your fantastic review! I hope you continue to enjoy your Travel Money Card on future holidays.

It was a lot better doing this on the computer, simple and not time consuming. However on the phone through the app was hard as it would accept my payments at all

Date of experience : May 27, 2024

Hi there, thank you for your review! Apologies to hear you had some bother with the app, if you run into any more issues please contact us on 0207 937 0280 or email us at [email protected],uk and we can advise further. Thank you

Account security is HIGH RISK.

Account security is HIGH RISK. Having used the card for a long time I had used it for many transactions. It became very clear that there was fraudulent transaction amounting to £800. Post Office failed to protect the account sufficiently. They are refusing to cover the loss and are hiding behind the small-print. They are happy to take your fees, but not so good at protecting you. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

Date of experience : June 05, 2024

Thank you for your review, we’re sorry to read that the Travel Money Card hasn’t met with your expectations. We would like to understand more so we can help resolve this. Could you call us at 0207 937 0280 or email us at [email protected]. Thanks

Coop Bank customers should avoid this product. Since April the post office have not…

Since April the post office have not been able to transfer money from the Coop bank to Travel Cards once people are abroad. I bought my card in May when this was already a problem Using a Coop bank account. I am now abroad and having to use my daughters account to top my travel card up. Lousy service and too late to buy another proper product.

Thank you for your review, we’re sorry to read that the Travel Money Card hasn’t met with your expectations on this occasion. Could you call us at 0207 937 0280 or email us at [email protected]

It is rather pointless having a travel…

It is rather pointless having a travel card app which cannot be downloaded when travelling abroad.

Date of experience : June 11, 2024

Thank you for your review, we’re sorry to read that the Travel Money Card hasn’t met with your expectations on this occasion, we would like to understand more so we can help resolve this. Could you call us at 0207 937 0280 or email us at [email protected] , Thanks -Aaron

No fees and easy to use

The Travel Money Card was so easy to use and having the physical card as well as the app meant my husband and I could pay for things from the same account when needed. There are no transaction fees as there are with most bank cards used overseas so would definitely recommend and use next time we go abroad.

Date of experience : March 02, 2024

Than you so much for your great review, it really helps us! We hope yo continue to enjoy your Travel Money Card on future trips

I wouldn't go on holiday without it!

I've had my Post Office Travel Money Card for years and carry all my holiday spending money on it. Its so easy to use and I've always been able to access cash if I've needed it, from an ATM. The App makes everything easy to manage and I can transfer from my bank whenever I need to because who sticks to budget when they're on holiday?! 😅

Date of experience : March 05, 2024

Thank you so much for your great review and feedback, it really helps us. It's really good to hear that you have been using your Travel Money card for so long with us, so thanks again and we hope that you continue to enjoy it for many more years!

so far, so good

I am an older person and view apps and phone banking as necessary evils and with great distrust. However it is almost impossible to live without them and some products do help make life easier. This is the premise behind the PO Travel card which allows you to carry foreign currency in the equivalent of a use-abroad deposit account card. While it wasn't entirely pain-free to set up it was bearable with minimal faff, and it worked 100% the small handful of times I tried it in shops abroad. Assuming the remainder of the currency I put in that card does not vanish before I next go abroad I will continue to use it. I'm unsure of the exact advantage it gives over my UK bank account card and using that abroad, perhaps not getting fleeced by fluctuating exchange rates. I was told it is more efficient than just buying a wad of Euros at the Post Office.

Date of experience : April 01, 2024

Hi Peter, thank you for your review! Your funds will remain safe on your card for your next trip, and our Travel Money card has no charges when using your card in retailers in the country of the currency on the card. Hope this helps and you continue to enjoy your card for any future trips.

Ordered a card 1st June and still not…

Ordered a card 1st June and still not turned up. Call after call but nothing. Went to a local Post Office and the woman was brilliant. Lesson learnt don’t do it online..

Hi Wayne, sorry to hear this. To allow us to investigate why your card did not arrive please could you call us at 0207 937 0280 or email us at [email protected]. Thanks.

Post office travel money card was…

Post office travel money card was excellent when I use abroad I can top up freeze unfreeze East to top up online text I manage to withdraw cash from ATM too V good service

Date of experience : April 11, 2024

Thank you for your great review and feedback!

I used my PO travel card 5 years ago in…

I used my PO travel card 5 years ago in NY and it was great. I'm now in NY again and despite renewing my card I've been unable to top up my balance for 3 days. Everytime I try (with different cards) I get an error message saying 'sorry there appears to be an issue with our system'. Thank god my husband bought his Monzo card with him otherwise I dread to think what state we'd be in. Only option to contact post office is by phone which is no use when using a data only sim when abroad. Really disappointing and such a let down. It was great the first time but would never use the card again after this experience.

Date of experience : May 28, 2024

Hi Jemma, we’re sorry to read that the Travel Money Card hasn’t met with your expectations on this occasion, we would like to understand more so we can help resolve this. Could you email us at [email protected] so we can look into this? Thanks

Lessons in travelling

I've found the Post Office travel money card very useful and easy to use on two European trips in the past four months. For a number of reasons my current trip, to Australia, has not been so smooth. I found it impossible to top up on either the app or the website, which proved to be my bank's fault - it declined the transaction, despite having allowed it in the past. The TMC app and website fell short by not explaining at all why things were not working out. And I fell short by switching off my UK phone SIM card to avoid international call rates, which meant that I couldn't receive messages from my bank which would have explained why I couldn't top up. So, faults with me, my bank and (really least of all) the TMC, all now resolved.

Date of experience : March 21, 2024

Hi Nicole, thank you for your review, and we are glad to hear your issue got resolved in the end! We appreciate your feedback regarding the app and hope that you continue to enjoy your Travel Money Card

Mixed experience once abroad

Mixed experience once abroad. In France there was no problem using the card for any transaction. In Netherlands however it was declined in 50% of transactions in tourist cafes, pubs and restaurants. Mastercard needed for back up.

Date of experience : April 06, 2024

Hi, I am sorry to hear that you experienced your Travel Money card declining in tourist cafe's, Pubs and restaurants in the Netherlands. Can you please call us on 0344 335 0109 and we will be happy to have a further look into this for you.

Great customer service for Travel Money

Went in to my village Post Office to ask how many Euros I would get for £400, I was asked if I would be using any credit or bank cards whilst on holiday and I said yes, the very pleasant counter person gave me details about the Post Office Travel Money Card and explained the safety benefits of the card rather than taking all cash or using bank/credit cards, they also told me about their Travel APP which I can use to see transactions or top up the card with more currency in the future, I was also told that if I buy over £700 I would get a much better exchange rate. I decided to take the Travel Money Card, I got an exchange rate of just over 1.12 for £700 of Euros on the card rather than a rate of 1.05 had I taken just £400 in Euro notes. Thank you for the great advice and service.

Date of experience : March 04, 2024

Thank you so much for your great review, it really helps us and we hope that you get to enjoy using your Travel Money Card again soon!

Bought 45000 baht (BHT) cash for…

Bought 45000 baht (BHT) cash for £1003.17, which was the best I could find and close to the actual day exchange rate of 46780 BHT per £1000. Bought a travel card and had to put £50 on it, I was given a pathetic exchange rate of 40908 on a day when the exchange rate increased to 48780 on 31/05/24.

Date of experience : May 31, 2024

Hi Keith, sorry to hear the Travel Money Card hasn't met your expectations on this occasion. We hope the following explanation will help clarify; our Travel Card is a different service than cash currency, and the exchange rates do differ between the two, as the Travel Card competes with other Travel Card providers, and the cash currency competes with other high-street providers. Our rates fluctuate daily but we do often have promotional rates/flash sales, and we try to be as inclusive as possible and our rates are available on the app and online. We encourage our customers to check which rate, product and ordering method is most suitable to them prior to committing with a purchase. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please contact us at 0207 937 0280 or email us at [email protected]

Postoffice travel money card is a great…

Postoffice travel money card is a great little card to take away I have used this all over in Europe and worldwide highly reccommend 🎉

Date of experience : April 25, 2024

Thank you for your great review and feedback, we are so pleased that you would recommend Travel Money Card!

Post Office Travel 4+

Travel money card & insurance, post office limited.

• #62 in Travel
• 4.5 • 7.6K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Buy, add, and manage your Travel Money Cards, travel insurance, holiday extras and more all in one place. Take the new-look Post Office travel app on your adventures today.  Combining all the travel features our loyal app users love, this refreshed version’s now cleaner and simpler to use. So, it’s even easier to relax on your travels.  Do all this on the move   Manage your Post Office Travel Money Cards  · Buy and activate new cards in the app   · Add existing Travel Money Cards   · Top up with any of 22 currencies, including US dollars and euros  · Swap funds between different currencies   · Check your PIN, balance, spending, and daily exchange rates  · Freeze your card for security or to limit your spending  · Add your cards to your Apple Wallet   Buy and check your travel insurance  · Get a quote and buy cover – plus any add-ons to tailor it to your trip  · Link the app to your existing Post Office Travel Insurance policy  · View and download your policy documents  Get those holiday extras sorted  · Book parking at 60 UK domestic airports  · Find great deals on airport hotels  · Check into lounges at 100+ airports  · Fast track your security checks at 11 UK airports  · Book airport transfers to your holiday accommodation  · Hire a car with leading brands in over 60,000 locations  What to do now  Download the Post Office travel app today. Order or link your existing Travel Money Card and Travel Insurance policy.  Or order a Travel Money Card at your nearest Post Office branch. 

Version iOS App version 461.2

Bug fixes and performance improvements, all to make your experience the best that it can be. Recent updates include fixes to Apple Wallet, sign up and login journeys.

Ratings and Reviews

7.6K Ratings

Post office travel application

Now, the post office application has been very useful, as one can top up money whilst travelling as well as check ones balance on the travel money card. In conclusion, lastly, I found the travel money card particularly useful on 16th November 2019, evening time as one can search for useful tips and questions that one maybe concerned about before travelling, during and after travel, and for me, I found this application extremely useful, as there was information I needed to know before my travel, such as the currency of the country I am travelling to, and where to obtain the currency of the country I am travelling to shortly. Moreover, I thank the developers for making this useful, and appropriate travel application as I believe it is a safe as well as secure method of travelling with money, to the country of ones choice instead of carrying loads of cash around in different currencies, and risking theft issues or lost issues. Also, I found the help and advice section on the website useful, as I had forgotten my PIN number as I never used my travel money card for a while, and I was able to call up a number from the travel money website, and follow the on phone instructions to retrieve my PIN number once again. Next, thank you developers for making this travel application once again. Many thanks Hannah Boyce

Developer Response ,

Thanks very much for the fantastic feedback, glad you like the app and the product.

Dreadful new App not working for 3 days now

Rang customer services 3 days ago now as newly downloaded App top up button gives an error that it can’t fetch the rates right now so have to go on main website to do that. Then when you use the card it doesn’t update the balance. It retrieve the pin either. The card was then unsupported in an ATM when I tried doing a balance enquiry. Different information from service staff who told me I needed to load another £50 minimum on card and buy something using chip and pin to use card for for first time. However that’s £3 commission just to load on £50 of your own money ! I don’t even need sterling on the card as the whole point is for using it abroad to TRAVEL!! So I had already bought Euros. The lady in the post office said I can’t use the card at all for online purchases however I managed to pay for my holiday eventually over the phone in euros once they had removed the security 3 times! A smarter assistant also said I don’t need to add sterling to buy something in U.K. - the euros will auto convert- which they did. Still stuck with a non working app and took 3 hours to finally get the card loaded and working to pay for holiday. Agh. Why so complicated

Thank you for your feedback. This will be shared with our development teams who are committed to improving the app experience for all.

No problems at all

I have had and used this Post Office Travel Card for the last eight years with no issues whatsoever, it expired earlier this year and a replacement arrived in good time for this year’s use. I did have a little hiccup with the first login online for the first use but very soon sorted out and hay presto of and running again, brilliant. I did have a lot of issues with another company travel card whereby EVERY TIME I tried to login on the app or online it wouldn’t recognise me and had to reset password wasted six and a half hours, still getting no results so cancel the subscription 😡. Update to review April 2024 I have been away from UK to USA and CANADA this time and have had no end of problems trying to login into the app on my phone or Laptop, issue with the app freezing on my phone or going round in circles on laptop with password/security reset issues I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled all to no avail it would not let me use face recognition ID Very disappointed after such a brilliant service the first time around until the new card and updated app 😡😡😡 I to like so many others am looking for an alternative card & app.

Thank you for your feedback. It looks like you might need more help here, please contact us directly at [email protected]

App Privacy

The developer, Post Office Limited , 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 Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact Info
• Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Diagnostics

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

Information

• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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Post Office Travel Card Review 

Travelling is one of the most exciting and liberating experiences out there. Whether you’re jetting off to a far-off destination or just exploring your own country, having the right travel card can make the whole experience easier and more enjoyable.

Are you planning a trip? If so, you may be wondering if the Post Office Travel Money Card is a good option for you. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the Post Office Travel Money Card, how it works, and what you need to know before using it. 

By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not the Post Office Travel Money Card is right for your next trip.

Table of Contents

Benefits of Having a Travel Card

First and foremost, travel cards are an excellent way to earn miles and points. This can be incredibly valuable if you are a frequent traveller or want to visit somewhere far off where you’ll have to pay high airfare. Plus, you can use these miles and points to book travel, hotels, flights, vacation packages, and more. 

Another major advantage of travel cards is their versatility. As you travel, you’ll have the ability to withdraw cash from ATMs using your card, pay for purchases using your card, and even get roadside assistance on select cards. You’ll also have access to excellent trip cancellation and travel insurance. 

Plus, travel cards are typically easier to qualify for than other types of credit cards. This is because many companies view travel cards as a “safe” type of credit. However, having a travel card can also help to improve your credit score.

Post Office Travel Cards: What Are They?

The Post Office Travel card is a Mastercard prepaid card, which can be loaded with a choice of 23 currencies. ATMs are available in more than 200 countries where you can spend and withdraw money.

You can load your account with any currency before travelling and then use it abroad without having to convert your currency.

Post Office Travel offers a contactless card that can be accessed through its app.

Post Office Travel Cards Benefits and Features

Here’s a quick look at the Post Office Travel card’s main features and benefits:

• Payments for low-value items can be made quickly and conveniently using contactless technology
• Compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay
• With the Travel app, you can manage your card, top it up, transfer currencies, as well as freeze it.
• You can choose from 23 different currencies and top it up whenever you need it
• Accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Call centre assistance is available 24/7
• Whenever there is currency left over, it can be transferred into another currency by using the wallet-to-wallet feature
• If you use a local currency supported by your card to spend abroad, there are no fees 

Post Office Travel Card Costs

Travel money cards from the Post Office cost nothing to order and no fees apply when you pay for purchases using the currency you hold. Provided your available balance is in a currency accepted by the card, you can shop, dine, and drink without any charges.

When using your card in a country that doesn’t support the currency of your card, you will have to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee. Using your card in Brazil, for example, will result in a 3% foreign transaction fee since the Brazilian Real isn’t a supported currency.

Despite the card’s currency support, you’ll still have to pay ATM withdrawal fees. Each currency has a different ATM fee. 

An example would be:

• Euro – 2 Euros
• Canadian Dollar – 3 Canadian Dollars
• US Dollar – 2.5 United States Dollars
• Swiss Franc – 2.5 Switzerland Francs
• Australian Dollar – 3 Australian Dollars
• Pound Sterling – 1.5 Pounds Sterling plus 1.5% commission

Regarding fees, one final note. There is a three-year validity period on all Post Office Travel cards. After your card expires, you will be charged a maintenance fee of £2 per month.

Exchange Rates

Exchange rates fluctuate based on the demand for currencies at the Post Office. Thus, you’ll receive a particular amount of travel money depending on the current exchange rate.

For travel money cards, you can get exchange rates at Post Office branches and on the website. Be sure to remember that rates may differ whether you are purchasing online, by phone, or in person.

In addition to the margin, the exchange rate at the Post Office will probably include a markup. When you search for the rate on Google or currency websites, you’ll most likely get an accurate one. Consequently, a margin will reduce the amount you receive when exchanging EUR, USD, or another currency.

A Post Office Travel Money company profits by offering its customers a better rate than the base rate. U.K. pounds are converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of 1.23 dollars per pound, for example. 

If you exchange £400 through Post Office Travel Money, you can get 1.18 USD per pound. In this case, there is a difference of £16 or 4%. Exchange rates are better when you exchange large sums of money . 

Exchange Rates for In-Branch Travel Money

According to the Post Office, in-branch exchange rates are determined by many factors, including branch location, competitor pricing, convenience, etc. The company will always strive to offer the best possible rate within these parameters. Online orders/distribution is the cheapest method for many retailers, as they can use centralised packing costs. Because of this, online exchange rates are always better than branch rates.

Comparing Post Office Travel Money Rates to Other Providers

There are several new services that it’s worth comparing directly to Post Office Travel Money.

Online-Only Banks

There have been several purely mobile banks launched in recent years both in the UK and across Europe. With services like Monzo, N26, Revolut, Monese, or Bunq, consumers can access a wide range of banking options. 

Each of these modern financial institutions provides services such as money transfer agencies and international travel cards, and it makes sense to compare them with Post Office Travel Money.

For example, Monzo facilitates international money transfers through the popular exchange company Wise. For example, when sending a thousand pounds to a Swedish account using Monzo/Wise, the recipient receives 12,103 Swedish crowns versus 11,546 with Western Union, a difference of around 5%.

Other Currency Providers

It may also be possible to transfer money at a better rate in some countries. Using Xendpay, you could send 500 pounds to Saudi Arabia, and the beneficiary would receive 2,289 Saudi Riyals instead of 2,158 Saudi Riyals with Post Office Travel Money.

Supported Currencies

Prepaid travel cards from Post Office can be loaded with any of the following 23 currencies:

• CAD – Canadian dollar
• JPY – Japanese yen
• USD – US dollar
• AUD – Australian dollar
• CHF – Swiss franc
• AED – UAE dirham
• CNY – Chinese yuan
• DKK – Danish kroner
• PLN – Polish zloty
• CZK – Czech koruna
• ZAR – South African rand
• GBP – Pound sterling
• TRY – Turkish lira
• HKD – Hong Kong dollar
• THB – Thai baht
• HRK – Croatian kuna
• SGD – Singapore dollar
• HUF – Hungarian forint
• SEK – Swedish kronor
• SAR – Saudi riyal
• NOK – Norwegian krone
• NZD – New Zealand dollar

Sending Money With the UK Post Office

Many Post Office branches and their website offer Post Office Travel Money. They offer convenient and quick foreign exchange services. They are useful for local currency exchanges because they are so widely available. Post Office services like international money transfers and travel cards offer additional options for sending and spending overseas.

How to Get and Use a Post Office Travel Card?

Post Office travel cards are only available to UK residents over 18 years old.

Ordering Your Card

To order a Post Office Travel card, you can do one of three things:

• You can order through the Post Office Travel app
• Visit the Post Office website to apply online
• Get your card at your local Post Office. It will be necessary to bring photo identification, like a passport or driver’s licence

Your card should be available immediately if you apply at a branch. Your card will be delivered within two to three days after you apply online or via the app.

Card Activation

It’s necessary to activate your travel card before you can use it. You’ll find detailed instructions in your welcome letter.

Using Your Card

ATMs and online sites that accept MasterCard accept Post Office travel cards, too. If you are buying something in person, you’ll need your PIN to verify your purchase and possibly your signature if the Chip and PIN system is not widely available in the country.

In some countries, contactless payments are also allowed for small amounts, although the rules and limitations vary.

According to its terms and conditions, you should not use your Post Office card in certain situations. 

Some of them include:

• Tolls on the road
• Petrol pumps with self-service
• Deposits for car rentals or hotels
• Airline or cruise ship transactions

Adding Money to Your Card

With the Post Office Travel app, you can add money to your card easily. Additionally, you can add money at a local branch or on the Post Office website.

Buying Back Currencies

Having unused currency on your card gives you a few options. You may be able to withdraw cash at your local Post Office branch or ATM, but there may be a fee.

Wallet-to-wallet transfers are also available in the app. You can transfer unused balances from one currency to another. In preparation for your next trip to Europe, you can convert unused USD into EUR.

Each currency listed above can be topped up for between fifty pounds and five thousand pounds on your card. Your card can hold up to ten thousand pounds, as well as carry out transactions of up to thirty thousand pounds annually.

Different currencies have different limitations on cash withdrawals. For example, in a single transaction, you may withdraw up to 450 euros or 500 dollars.

App Overview

On Google Play and the App Store, you can download the Post Office Travel app for free. With the app, you can activate and order your card, check your balance, add money to it, and more. 

In addition to transferring leftover currency between wallets, it’s possible to convert it to another currency you prefer by using the new wallet-to-wallet feature.

Furthermore, you can book airport parking, purchase travel insurance through the app, and use other features.

Contacting the Post Office 

If you need assistance, you may reach the contact centre by dialling 0344 335 0109 in the United Kingdom or 0044 20 7937 0280 from abroad. Customer service is available each day of the week at any time of the day.

In addition, you can reach Customer Services at the Post Office in the following ways:

• Postal mail at PO Box 3232, Cumbernauld, G67 1YU, Post Office Travel Card
• Send an email to [email protected]

Post Office Travel Card: FAQs

Here are some common travel card problems you might encounter.

When I lose or damage a card, what do I do?

Post Office currency cards are easy to replace if lost or damaged. Your card will be blocked, and another one will be sent to you. App users can also freeze their cards.

How should I deal with a declined or blocked card?

The first thing you need to do is ensure that you have enough money in your account via the app. If you don’t have enough money in your account to purchase your item, call the customer care centre.

If I forget my PIN, what should I do?

Call the customer service centre if you cannot remember your travel money card PIN. If you need a new one, they can issue it for you.

My card is about to expire. What should I do?

A new card should automatically be sent to you. You can call the contact centre if it hasn’t arrived after the expiration date, and they’ll issue you another.

Post Office Prepaid Travel Card Summary 

Travel cards from the Post Office are handy if you want to keep your money safe while you’re away from home. The convenience of not carrying cash around with you and not having to change money during your trip will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Because it’s a contactless card, you can pay in local currencies quickly and easily. This helps you budget because you can only spend what’s on it.

If you travel frequently or take multi-destination holidays, the card is convenient since you can store 23 currencies on it. A card that supports a variety of currencies might be more useful if you love exploring far-flung areas.

The exchange rate is a drawback to take into account. Post Office rates may be competitive (compared to airport exchange rates, for example), but they will likely include a margin or markup. ATMs also charge fees when you use your card.

Comparing other travel money cards could help you find a better deal, so make sure to shop around.

by Matt Woodley

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Renew an adult passport

Find out if you can renew your passport or need a new one. Learn how to renew your passport by mail or online, get it changed or corrected, or what to do if it expires soon.

Renew early. Passport processing times  vary. And some countries and airlines deny entry if your passport expires in less than 6 months.

Determine if you can renew your passport

If any of the following are true, you cannot renew your U.S. passport and must instead apply for a new passport in person using Form DS-11:

• Issued before your 16th birthday
• Issued more than 15 years ago
• Damaged, lost, or stolen. Learn how to report a lost or stolen passport.
• Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change

If none of the above situations are true, you can renew your U.S. passport. 

Can you renew an expired passport?

You can renew an expired passport, but only if it was issued within the last 15 years.

How to renew your passport and what documents you will need

You can renew your passport and/or passport card by mail. You may instead be able to renew them online during the limited beta release of the Online Passport Renewal System.

Because it can take up to three months to process your application, it is important to renew your passport before it expires. Check with the Department of State to find out the current processing times for passport renewals .

Renewing your passport by mail

Typically, you will need the following items to renew your passport or passport card by mail:

• You can fill out Form DS-82 online , or
• Download Form DS-82 and fill it out by hand, or
• Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up a copy.
• Passport photo
• Passport fee
• Your most recent passport - Your most recent passport will be mailed back to you separately after your new passport is mailed.
• Name change documentation, if necessary

Learn how to submit all your documentation and passport fees and where to mail them.

Renewing your passport online

You may be able to renew your passport book and/or card online. The Department of State's online system currently limits the hours it is available and the number of passport renewals it accepts each day. 

Learn about the Online Passport Renewal System , including:

• Eligibility for renewing your passport book and/or card online
• How to create an online account
• What information and documents you will need to renew your passport online  

If you need your passport quickly

Learn how and where to get your passport fast for emergency or urgent travel or to get expedited processing. The time it takes for each varies throughout the year, and there may be additional fees. Use the fee calculator or chart.

Check the status of your passport renewal

Learn how to check the status of your passport renewal online . Or check its status by phone (call wait times may be long).

If you need to change your name or correct your passport

After you receive your renewed passport, if you change your name or find an error, you will need to get an updated one to reflect the change. The process, cost, and forms you need depend on how long you have had your current passport. Follow the steps from the State Department to change your name or correct your passport.

If you are outside the U.S.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate near you to request a passport while outside the U.S.

If you need help with your passport application

If you have questions about your U.S. passport, the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) can help. Get contact information for NPIC and find out when to contact them based on when you are traveling.

Be aware of passport expiration rules for your destination

Some countries and airlines will not allow a U.S. passport holder to enter if their passport expires in less than 6 months. 

Check your destination country's U.S. passport expiration rules on the  Department of State's country information page .

• On the left, search for the country name in the "learn about your destination" box.
• On that country's page, look for "passport validity."

LAST UPDATED: June 17, 2024

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

Online passport renewal is now available for some applicants. Here's how it works.

• The State Department is running a trial for online passport renewals.
• Online renewals will be available to a limited number of applicants each day for now.
• To qualify for online passport renewals, applicants must meet certain criteria.

You may not need to go to the post office to renew your passport anymore.

The State Department is running a trial for online passport renewals and says it plans to fully open the system for online renewals in the coming months.

Online renewals will be available to a limited number of applicants each day for now, and those applications will only be accepted during Eastern time zone midday hours.

“We plan to continue to limit the number of applications accepted each day so we can monitor the system’s performance in real time,” a statement from the State Department said. “This beta release during which we are limiting the daily applications is an important and standard part of the software development process.”

To qualify for online passport renewals, applicants must: 

• Have an existing U.S. passport that was issued no more than 15 years prior to the new application date. It must still be in the applicant’s possession, and not previously reported lost or stolen.
• Not be changing their name, gender, date of birth or place of birth for the new passport.
• Be applying for a regular tourist passport.
• Live in a U.S. state or territory.
• Be able to pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card online.
• Be able to upload a digital photo.

The State Department will not offer expediting for online passport renewals during the system trial period, so it requires applicants to certify that they have no international travel plans for at least eight weeks from the application date.

Cruising Altitude: See Europe as the Europeans do this summer with these pro tips

The fee for online passport renewal is the same as renewal by mail – $130. The State Department advises applicants that their existing passport will be canceled as their renewal application is processed. New passports will still be delivered by mail after the application is approved.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Does Travel Insurance Cover Passport Issues?

A Los Angeles native, Jennifer is a freelance personal finance writer and editor whose goal is to help readers get excited about improving their financial health. She loves using credit card rewards points toward airfare, and recently took a round-trip flight to Southeast Asia entirely on points. Her work has been featured by Forbes, HuffPost, MSN Money and Business Insider.

Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. When not traveling, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.

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 .

Traveling abroad can be logistically challenging, even when your itinerary unfolds smoothly. Encountering a passport complication just before a big trip, or during your travels, can be an even bigger hurdle.

With the help of travel insurance, a lost passport — or trip delays resulting from a lost or stolen passport — might be covered. However, the level of travel protection you’ll get for passport issues (if any) depends on your plan’s covered reasons for a claim and its exclusions.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is an optional protection plan for travelers. It generally offers financial reimbursement for unexpected events or situations that occur during your trip. According to NerdWallet analysis , buying travel insurance typically costs about 7% of your total trip expenses.

Some types of travel insurance coverage are:

Baggage loss/delay and personal effects. This option covers a traveler's lost, stolen or damaged baggage/personal items. 

Trip cancellation or delay. You’ll get full or partial reimbursement for travel costs you’ve paid upfront, and that aren’t refundable by the travel provider. For example, if you become significantly injured during your trip and can’t travel safely, this coverage might cover expenses related to the trip delay, like a hotel stay.

Cancel For Any Reason. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance offers a financial safety net if you need to cancel your pre-paid, nonrefundable travel plans for an otherwise non-covered reason. CFAR can reimburse you for up to 75% of your travel expenses , but costs extra.

Travel insurance providers offer varying coverages and bundles. The allowable reasons for submitting a travel insurance claim, and coverage exclusions, also vary by provider and plan.

» Learn more: Trip cancellation insurance explained

So, does travel insurance cover passport issues?

Some travel insurance plans do cover passport issues depending on your unique situation.

These are just some of the passport-related mishaps and scenarios that might be covered through your travel insurance provider:

Passport replacement reimbursement. If your passport is lost or stolen during your trip, the cost to replace it might be covered by some travel insurance plans under baggage and personal effects coverage.

Passport snags before your trip starts. If your passport was stolen before your trip and the theft was documented, trip cancellation coverage may help you reclaim your qualifying lost expenses.

Passport obstacles during your travel. Costs resulting from trip interruption due to a lost or stolen passport in the middle of your trip might be covered by trip interruption protection. Examples of expenses that might be reimbursable include the cost of rescheduling your flight, extended hotel stays, etc. 

Passport issues that might be excluded from travel insurance

The best way to determine what scenarios are excluded from travel insurance policies is to read the policy terms directly or ask the insurer. However, delays due to certain passport scenarios are generally not covered.

Losing a passport before your trip. Although you might be covered with trip cancellation if your passport was stolen before your travel plans, travel insurance usually doesn’t offer coverage for passports that were simply lost (rather than stolen) before traveling.

Passport processing delays. Travel insurance doesn’t cover passport delays resulting in canceling or delaying your scheduled, prepaid trip. For example, ineligible reasons include if your passport doesn’t arrive in time for your flight or the U.S. Department of State’s processing timeline is taking longer than expected.

Passports that don’t meet validity requirements. If your passport expires during the middle of your trip, like if you’re doing a multi-country trip, trip delays due to an invalid passport might not be covered. 

Passports that are confiscated or detained. If the local authorities or customs agency confiscates or detains your passport for any reason, resulting trip delays are likely not covered.

Stolen passports without a police report. Part of the travel insurance claims process for stolen passports is providing a copy of the police report for the theft. The police report must also be made soon after the passport is found stolen; for example, within 24 hours. You’ll also need a filed police report for the stolen or lost passport to get a replacement from the local U.S. consulate or embassy.

Passport issues due to personal negligence. Some insurance policies won’t cover expenses from a lost or stolen passport if you didn’t take reasonable care of your passport. Placing it on a restaurant table and leaving it behind, for example, is likely not a covered reason.

Where to get travel insurance protection

If you want travel insurance for your next trip, you can find it in a few ways.

Via your travel service provider

When booking your travel, many airlines and hotels partner with insurance providers to offer a travel protection option at checkout. For instance, United Airlines offers flight coverage via AIG Travel Guard .

Travel insurance companies

You can also purchase travel insurance directly with a third-party provider. When doing so, compare pricing from a handful of travel insurance companies and ensure each plan offers the same apples-to-apples coverage.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Travel credit cards

You might also already have some level of travel insurance protection through your credit card’s benefits program. Various travel rewards credit cards include trip protection coverage that might have your back if you face passport issues.

To activate travel insurance benefits, you must use the card to purchase your travel expenses. Also, check with your card provider to confirm to what extent passport issues are covered.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

Passport insurance options recapped

You might be able to reclaim lost travel expenses that arise because of unexpected passport setbacks. Whether your travel insurance covers lost passports or other passport concerns depends on your travel insurance type and the covered events outlined on your policy.

If your passport issue is covered by your travel insurance policy, it might be able to help you recoup at least some of your travel expenses. Reading the terms and conditions of your travel insurance can help you understand which passport issues are covered.

For the greatest peace of mind, consider CFAR travel insurance if it fits your budget. It’s the most reliable travel protection for travelers, but also the costliest option.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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

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.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Best Chase credit cards of June 2024

If you’re looking for great cash-back rates and valuable transferable reward points, consider our top picks for the best Chase credit cards. Chase offers a wide selection of credit cards for all customers, whether you’re looking for the easiest cash-back option or a premium travel card. Chase also makes it easy to combine rewards across multiple accounts, so holding more than one Chase card can allow you to maximize your earning strategy — especially if you’re interested in maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

With so many card options available, you’re sure to find a Chase card that fits your wallet — so check out the list below of offers from our partners compiled by our team of travel experts. 

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for overall mid-tier cards
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for business travelers
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for dining and travel insurance
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card : Best for office supplies and technology services
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ : Best for rotating bonus categories
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : Best for frequent Southwest flyers
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : Best for a lower annual fee
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card : Best for no annual fee business card

Browse by card categories

Comparing the best credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, maximizing chase credit cards, how we rate, what is chase, how to choose the best chase credit card, ask our experts, pros + cons of chase credit cards, frequently asked questions.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card .

• You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else. 

• Annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Chase Travel
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
• The card comes with a $95 annual fee
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 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, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card’s sign-up bonus is among the highest we’ve seen from Chase. Plus, earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card .

• One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening
• Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption
• Reasonable $95 annual fee; bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners
• Primary car insurance; and perks including cellphone and purchase protection
• Extended warranty
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement
• High spending needed to get 100,000-point sign-up bonus
• No travel perks
• Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a $300 travel credit, bonus points on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card. Read our full  review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve .

• Access to Chase Travel hotel and airline travel partners
• 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel, 10 points per dollar on dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Chase Travel portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
• 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Travel℠
• $300 Annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
• Steep initial $550 annual fee
• May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• 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
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Cash is an excellent no annual fee card for small business owners. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on office supplies and select utilities, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations. On top of that, the Ink Business Cash card also offers automatic credit limit increase assessments every six months — and sometimes even sooner — to suit the needs of growing businesses. Read our full review of the Chase Ink Business Cash card .

• The current sign-up bonus on this card is an impressive up to $750.
• There is no annual fee which is perfect for small business owners.
• You’ll earn 5% at office supply stores and on common monthly bills such as internet, cable and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
• 5% cash back earned on certain categories is capped at the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex delivers a formidable 5% cash back on select bonus categories and travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This card is an excellent addition to your wallet as it provides ongoing rewards, a welcoming sign-up bonus and no annual fee to worry about. Read our full  review of the Chase Freedom Flex .

• The generous sign-up bonus is impressive for a no annual fee card.
• The card features several categories that earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards and rotating quarterly bonus categories and 3% back on dining and drugstores.
• Your phone is protected against theft or damage for up to $800 per claim (up to $1,000 per year) when you pay that bill with the card.
• You must remember to activate your bonus categories quarterly or risk not earning 5x on select purchases.
• This card charges foreign transaction fees so it's best to use it within the U.S.
• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
• No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
• Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

While other airlines’ top credit cards have annual fees toppling over $500 per year, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card comes with just a $149 annual per year. If Southwest is your airline of choice, you’ll receive a number of perks every year: a $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 points on your cardmember anniversary. These benefits alone make up the annual fee for frequent Southwest flyers. For every $5,000 spent on this card, you’ll earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points, fast-tracking your way to A-List Status. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card .

• Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
• $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
• 7,500 points on each cardmember anniversary.
• 20% inflight discount on food, drinks and WiFi.
• Ability to earn A-List status faster by spending on this card
• $149 annual fee.
• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Plus credit card is a great starter card for those who are loyal to the carrier. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card .

• Earn 3,000 points each year after your cardmember anniversary
• Extended warranty and purchase protection
• Secondary car rental insurance and collision damage waiver.
• Baggage delay insurance
• Up to $3,000 in reimbursement for lost luggage
• Roadside dispatch
• Travel accident insurance via Visa Signature
• $69 annual fee
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• Flight redemption limited to U.S., Caribbean and Central American destinations
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited’s sign-up gives you a generous $750 cash back spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase. It fills in rewards gaps not covered by the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. You can maximize this card by pairing it with cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card .

• No annual fee
• Flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Primary insurance for car rentals
• 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases (then a variable APR of 18.49% - 24.49% applies)
• Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus
• No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred
• No travel protections
• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel rewards credit cards available. It offers comprehensive travel protection plus elevated rewards on travel and dining purchases while maintaining a reasonable $95 annual fee. 

New travel credit card users who are looking to earn transferable rewards without committing to a high annual fee would be a great fit for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for 5-plus years and is the go-to midlevel rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt. The strong earning rates on dining and travel as well as streaming services makes it a good choice for a millennial like me. Finally, I like using this card when renting cars, as it provides primary rental car insurance and a little more peace of mind.” —  Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

Transferable points are often considered the golden currency in the travel reward world, but if you find that you prefer American Express travel partners, the American Express® Green Card offers a comparatively low annual fee while still allowing you to earn on travel, restaurants and more.

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. 

You get tons of perks for a $95 annual fee. Instead of having to spend $15,000 to qualify for the 100,000 bonus points offer, new cardholders can qualify for the bonus points by spending $8,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Although this is primarily a business card, it’s also a great travel card as well. Frequent flyers who book trips through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards can maximize the value of their earned points when booking travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. The best part? The cash back you earn doesn’t expire as long as your account remains open.

“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I’ve found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter , senior writer

The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a good option if you want to avoid paying an annual fee and want to earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend at office supply stores, on internet, cable and your phone bill, 2% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend at gas stations and restaurants plus an unlimited 1% cash back on every other purchase you make.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium travel card with matching benefits. The card offers an elevated earning rate on many bonus categories, includes premium lounge access and features a  $300 annual travel credit . For just about any traveler, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a solid pick.

Frequent flyers will find the Chase Sapphire Reserve to be a great addition to their wallet, thanks to its travel perks and benefits. 

“The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a no-brainer for me. My top two spending categories are travel and dining, and this card lets me earn 3 points per dollar in both of these categories. Then, I can transfer these points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners or redeem them for a generous 1.5 cents apiece through the Chase travel portal or Pay Yourself Back program. The card has a high annual fee, but I don't mind paying it thanks to perks like a $300 travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access and impressive travel protections.” —  Benji Stawski , former senior reporter

If you’re looking for a more luxury-focused travel card, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express instead. The Amex Platinum comes with more benefits, travel credits and lounge access — as well as a higher annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees ). 

The Ink Business Cash offers a great introductory offer, no annual fee and multiple elevated reward rates. In addition, you can increase the value of your rewards by transferring rewards to an eligible Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points.

New business owners who are looking to separate their business and personal expenses while earning rewards on a card with no annual fee should consider the Ink Business Cash card. 

The Ink Business Cash card offers elevated cash-back rates on regular business categories and a solid sign-up offer, all with no annual fee. When combined with a higher-end Ultimate Rewards card, the Ink Business Cash is a no-brainer for any small-business owner looking to maximize their rewards earning.

If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee business card but have varied spending habits, consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card . That card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all spending and features a similar introductory bonus.

The Chase Freedom Flex makes cash-back earning easier than ever. You can earn elevated cash back on dining and travel, but every quarter, the Freedom Flex also earns 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases at a rotating selection of merchants (after activation). 

The Chase Freedom Flex is a great addition to any beginner’s wallet since it has no annual fee and offers a large spectrum of elevated cash-back categories.  

“I love when a cash-back card is more than a cash-back card, and that's definitely the case with the Chase Freedom Flex. I can effectively convert the cash-back rewards on this card into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points, since I also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve — opening up fantastic redemptions like luxury World of Hyatt properties and top-notch premium airplane cabins.” —  Nick Ewen , director of content 

If you know your spending habits do not align with the quarterly bonus categories offered by the Chase Freedom Flex, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited® instead. You will still earn the same elevated rate on travel and dining but you get 1.5% cash back on all other purchases instead of 1%. 

The Southwest Priority card is a great card for Southwest loyalists who can maximize the card’s perks and benefits. Some notable features include an annual bonus of 7,500 Rapid Rewards points (valued around $98, according to TPG’s valuations ), a $75 annual Southwest travel credit and four upgraded boardings per year. 

Southwest loyalists can easily justify the Priority’s annual fee with the anniversary point bonus, travel credit and other perks. 

Any Southwest loyalist should add the Priority card to their travel wallet, as the perks and benefits easily pay for the annual fee every year. 

If you still want a Southwest card but find that you don’t need all of the perks on the Priority, consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card , which offers similar perks with a lower fee. 

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus credit card is a great starter card for Southwest travelers thanks to its low annual fee. In addition to earning bonus points on Southwest purchases, the card comes with two EarlyBird check-ins annually and bonus points for each account anniversary.

If you’re a casual Southwest flyer (at least once a year), you’ll likely benefit from the perks on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card. 

For beginner travelers who occasionally fly Southwest, adding the Southwest Plus card can be a great way to expand your travel card collection. 

If you’re looking for more benefits from your Southwest credit card, consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card which features a higher annual bonus upon card renewal and additional benefits when flying the carrier. 

There is no easier cash-back business card than the Ink Business Unlimited, as you’ll earn 1.5% back on all purchases. In addition, it features a generous introductory annual percentage rate period and primary insurance on business-related car rentals — all for no annual fee. 

Small-business owners who want a simple business card will benefit from the Ink Business Unlimited’s flat reward rate.

“I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited cards. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, whilst the Ink Unlimited covers everything else, with a flat 1.5% earning rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

If your business has more specialized purchases that align with the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card , it can be a better fit, as the bonus categories have higher earning rates than the Ink Business Unlimited’s flat 1.5%. 

Decide the type of rewards you want to earn

Chase offers a wide range of credit cards — including ones that earn the issuer’s own Ultimate Rewards points as well as cobranded products with partners like United and Marriott . You could even opt for a top cash-back card if you don’t want to mess with travel rewards. Before you apply for a Chase credit card, consider what type of rewards are most useful for you. Many travelers will benefit from the flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards, though everyone’s situation is different.

Earn the welcome bonus

Once you’ve pulled the trigger on applying for a new card, it’s critical to ensure you hit the minimum spending requirements to earn the welcome bonus. Most Chase credit cards give you at least three months to do so, but it’s critical to plan your spending accordingly. In some cases, the bonus can get you over $1,000 worth of rewards, so missing out on it can be a major setback for your travel planning.

Add new cards to maximize your earning potential

Getting a top Chase credit card can unlock valuable rewards, but if you really want to take your card strategy to the next level, consider adding more than one to your wallet. While managing multiple credit cards takes added effort, it can also expand the number of points or miles you can take home. You can use one card to earn bonus points on travel and dining, for example, and then another card can give you extra rewards at drugstores. In fact, Chase cards feature prominently in our guide to the best credit card pairings .

Chase, also known as JPMorgan Chase Bank, is a large American national bank. It offers a large variety of banking and investment products for both consumers and small businesses — including a wide range of credit cards. 

Types of Chase credit cards

Chase offers a large selection of credit card products. Some notable types are defined below.

Travel credit cards are typically tailored to travelers, offering more rewards on travel purchases and providing additional protection and value-added perks. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers an annual $300 travel credit, which can help lower the out-of-pocket cost of your trips. In addition, it offers extensive travel protection when things go wrong, along with lounge access — both perks that can make your next trip a simpler process. 

Cash-back credit cards earn a percentage of cash back on each purchase you make. Some — like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card — offer a simple, flat cash-back rate on all purchases. This could be a great fit for someone who is looking for a straightforward earning structure without needing to worry about maximizing bonus categories.

Other cards — like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ — feature bonus categories which help those who have more tailored spending habits get the most return on their spending.

But the best part about Chase is that you can effectively convert your cash-back rewards into fully transferable (and more flexible) Ultimate Rewards points, simply by having a higher-end Chase card.

A “starter” credit card typically refers to a simple product that’s relatively easy to get. Generally these don’t impose an annual fee, and they offer basic cash back so as not to overwhelm a new entrant into the world of credit cards.

One such card would be the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, as it earns an unlimited 1.5% back on all purchases plus an elevated rate on travel and dining, two big expense categories for many people. With no annual fee, even the newest credit card user can find many benefits with the Freedom Unlimited. 

Business credit cards typically offer business-focused perks and elevated earning rates on business spending. These cards are a great way to keep your business expenses separated from your personal expenses and earn on what you are already spending. Chase offers multiple business products under the Ink family of credit cards .

Business owners will have to look over their spending and see which card will help them earn the most on their current expenses.

Finally, cobranded credit cards are issued by a bank in partnership with another organization. The cards typically feature brand-specific rewards and benefits, most frequently with travel companies. For example, Chase issues cobranded cards with United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and the World of Hyatt loyalty program.

However, it can also partner with a lifestyle brand — as it’s done with the Instacart Mastercard®  and DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® .

How to apply for a Chase credit card

You can apply for a Chase credit card online, by mail or in person at a Chase bank. You'll need some basic information like your social security number and gross annual income. Here's what else you should know before you submit an application.

The Chase 5/24 rule is infamous in the credit card world. While Chase has never publicly published this policy, data has proven that it almost always applies.

In short, Chase will not approve new applicants who have opened five or more personal credit cards within the last 24 months. This applies to all bank cards, not just Chase cards. You generally have to be under this number to be approved for a new Chase credit card. You can learn more with our full guide to the Chase 5/24 rule .

Chase's 48-month rule states that you're ineligible to earn a bonus on a Chase card if you're a current cardholder of that specific card or if you have already earned a sign-up bonus on a specific card you've had within the last 48 months.

Chase credit card benefits

Chase credit cards come with many benefits and perks. Some notable benefits are highlighted below.

Many Chase cards fit into the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem . However, only three that are available to new applicants earn Ultimate Rewards points: the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. These Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to a number of airline and hotel partners but can also be used to book travel directly, making them incredibly valuable when it comes to redemption.

Luckily, if you have one of these products, you can combine your cash-back rewards with your Ultimate Rewards points in a single account — allowing you to maximize your earning. 

Chase is known for some of the best welcome bonuses in the card industry. You can see the current welcome bonus on the card tiles above — and you can refer to our guide with historical offers to see how the current ones measure up.

Travel and shopping protections can be some of the most underrated perks offered by credit card companies. You hope you won’t need to use them, but they can save the day when things go wrong.

One of Chase’s most notable benefits is primary rental car coverage, available on many popular products like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. When you charge a rental car to an eligible card, you’re covered for theft, loss or damage to the vehicle, without needing to invoke your personal insurance. 

Related: Best credit cards with travel insurance

One of the most notable features of Chase cards is their pairability, thus maximizing the reward potential for your wallet. It is worth considering adding multiple Chase cards to your wallet to get the best return on your spending.

There are multiple strategies for pairing Chase cards, but one of the most popular is commonly known as the Chase Trifecta — the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited®. However, the best combination of cards should be tailored to your spending and specific reward needs.

That being said, you’ll almost certainly want to feature the Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred in your strategy to ensure you’re earning fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points. Then, select the cash-back Chase cards that best match your spending habits.

Related: How (and why) to combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points into a single account

Redeeming your Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable transferable rewards currencies out there. TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each, but you have the potential to redeem them at a higher rate for the right travel redemption. 

In many cases, the best way to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points is by transferring them to Chase’s travel partners . Popular programs that can unlock luxury travel experiences include World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus. However, if you don’t want to mess with another loyalty program, using your Ultimate Rewards points directly with Chase Travel can still offer a solid value .

For an in-depth look at how to maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, check out our complete guide . 

What TPG readers have to say about their favorite Chase credit cards

We asked TPG readers to share their opinions on their favorite Chase credit cards. From generous travel perks to flexible redemption options, these are the top Chase credit cards, according to our readers.  

Note: Responses have not been edited.

“The $300 travel credit per calendar year (got the card in October and traveled the following year so used the credit twice for this trip) got me free flights and hotels from SFO to HKG, SIN, PKT, PVG. All hotels were on points or booked with travel credits from mine plus significant others [sic] new card.” — Katelyn M via Facebook

“ Chase Sapphire Preferred extends its trip insurance to family members other than spouse and kids. Includes parents, grandkids etc…” — Elaine C via Facebook

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card 

“No annual fee, high approval limit, great sign up bonus ! The list of value can go on and on!” — Dean M via X

• 1 Sign-up bonus Choose a card that aligns with your financial goals — if you’re saving for a big vacation, applying for a card with a generous sign-up bonus may help cover some of the travel costs for that trip.
• 2 Annual fee Whether your preference is a card with no annual fee or a premium card with a high annual fee, choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.
• 3 Bonus categories Choose the card that earns rewards in your most frequently used bonus categories like groceries, gas and streaming subscriptions.

What's your favorite Chase card — and why?

• Using Chase credit cards responsibly can help you build your credit score.
• Chase credit cards can earn points, miles or cash back on every dollar you spend.
• Some Chase credit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection.
• Select Chase credit cards provide perks like travel insurance, lounge access and more.
• Chase credit cards can encourage overspending.
• Carrying a balance and using your Chase card irresponsibly can damage your credit score.
• The cost of borrowing on Chase credit cards is higher than traditional loans.
• Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score.
• Chase has some of the most stringent application restrictions of any issuer.

There’s no single Chase credit card that’s best for everyone. Instead, it will depend on your spending habits and what rewards you are looking for. Luckily, Chase cards are easy to pair and maximize, so you can consider adding multiple cards to your wallet.

To apply for any Chase card on this list, you can click on the card’s name, photo or “Apply Now” link to the right of the card. Then, simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete (and submit) your application.

Chase doesn’t have an official limit on the number of Chase cards one person can have. In fact, many TPG staffers have had several Chase credit cards at the same time. However, Chase does limit the amount of total credit it will extend to you. It also has the 5/24 rule (more on that below). Finally, as a general rule of thumb, you can only be approved for one personal card and one business card within 90 days — but even that’s not a hard-and-fast rule.

There are also different application rules for specific Chase cards. You can only hold one Sapphire card at a time. You can only have a single personal Southwest credit card; however, you can hold both a Southwest business card and personal card, which is a great way to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.

For more details on Chase’s application rules, read our guide to credit card application restrictions .

That being said, having a score of at least 700 will give you the best chances of being approved for the top Chase credit cards. Of course, it’s possible to be approved with a slightly lower score; it’s just not as likely.

To cancel a Chase credit card, you’ll need to call the number on the back of your card. A phone agent can help you complete the cancellation process. However, be sure to use (or transfer) all of your rewards first, since you may forfeit them after canceling (or shortly thereafter). Pay off any outstanding balances, and be sure to update your account with any merchants that automatically bill the card you’re closing.

Just note that canceling a credit card should not be taken lightly, as it can affect your credit score. You can check out our guide to how to cancel a credit card to help you determine if you should go this route.

Chase does not publish an official score for approval, but our data suggests that a score of at least 670 will increase your chances of getting approved. In addition, rewards credit cards generally require a higher credit score for approval, typically 720-plus.

Having a score of at least 700 will give you the best chances of being approved for the top Chase credit cards. Of course, it’s possible to be approved with a slightly lower score; it’s just not as likely.

Related: How to check your credit score for absolutely free