Traveling abroad? Are you looking to spend some time outside your country? Using a travel credit card is one way to get access to your money. Based on our Star Ratings for travel credit cards, Here is a list of the top travel credit cards in our database that we can recommend for you but first of, what is a Travel Credit Card?
What is a travel credit card?
A credit card having benefits for people making international purchases is called a travel credit card. For instance, minimal or no currency conversion costs, free travel insurance, and the opportunity to accrue rewards points or frequent flyer miles are just a few of the perks that travel credit cards frequently offer.
Which credit cards work best when traveling abroad?
Your unique demands and circumstances, like how frequently you travel, will determine which credit card is best for travel. Travel credit cards with little or no foreign exchange fees is usually a good choice. Think about if the card includes benefits that are important to you, such as free insurance or the chance to earn points. Also take into account the annual fee and additional expenditures, such as account-keeping or ATM fees.
The products included in this article were chosen in September 2022 based on the outcomes of the annual evaluation of these Star Ratings and Award results. And two different kinds of international travel were used to rate these cards.
First, lets look at the best general purpose cards with 5 star ratings.
The best general purpose Travel Credit Cards.
1: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
2: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
3: Chase Sapphire Reserve
4: The Platinum Card from American Express.
Best Travel Cards For Airlines.
1: United Club℠ Infinite Card
2: IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card
3: Aeroplan® Credit Card
4: United Quest℠ Card
5: British Airways Visa Signature Card
6: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Read Also: How To Apply For A Visa To The Bahamas.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Occasional travels.
Customers that travel abroad sometimes, perhaps just once or twice a year, are those who are seeking for a low-cost credit card to use.
1: ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Cards
2: Bank First Visa Platinum Credit Card
3: Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
4: Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard
5: Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Gold Mastercard
6: Horizon Bank Visa Credit Card
For frequent travelers, these are the best credit cards for travel.
Customers that often go abroad, or at least occasionally each year, are those who are looking for fully featured credit cards.
1: ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card
2: Bank First Visa Platinum Credit Card
3: Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
4: Bankwest More Platinum Mastercard
5: Bankwest Qantas Platinum Mastercard
6: Bankwest Qantas World Mastercard
7: Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard
8: Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Gold Mastercard
9: Commonwealth Bank Ultimate Awards – Rewards Option
Travel Cards With the Most Hotel Points.
1: Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
2: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
3: The World of Hyatt Credit Card
4: Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card.
Read Also: Credit cards Vs Debit cards: The Difference.
Read Also: Visa: Everything You Need To Know. Part 1.
Is it possible to use a regular credit card abroad?
Yes you can, the majority of credit cards are usable abroad. For instance, if you have a credit card with the Visa or Mastercard logo, it will be accepted anywhere you see that logo. However, it’s crucial to review all applicable fees before using your card abroad, including foreign exchange, cash advance, and ATM fees.
It’s a good idea to inform your credit card issuer if you choose to use your regular credit card abroad. If you don’t, your provider can consider your international purchases to be suspicious and temporarily lock your card.
What benefits and drawbacks come with using a travel credit card?
The following are a few benefits and drawbacks of using a travel credit card:
Pros.
1: Widely used; the majority of credit cards in Australia are issued by American Express, Mastercard, or Visa. You can therefore use your travel credit card anywhere that payment network is accepted abroad.
2: Additional features – Depending on your credit card, you can be eligible for additional advantages like travel insurance, access to airport lounges, reward points, and frequent flyer miles.
3: Having access to a line of credit may allow you to travel on a more flexible budget and take care of any unforeseen costs that arise.
Cons.
1: Fees– including as yearly fees, currency conversion fees, fees for using an international ATM, and fees for cash advances, may be incurred.
2: Interest – You will often be charged interest if you don’t pay off the entire balance on your credit card by the due date.
3: Compared to utilizing a trip debit card or travel money card, there is a greater chance of temptation to overspend when you have access to a line of credit.
How to compare credit cards when traveling abroad.
When evaluating travel credit cards, some aspects to compare include:
Fees, including annual fees, currency conversion fees, cash advance fees, and any applicable charge waivers.
Rewards: When selecting a frequent flyer credit card or rewards card, look at the earn rate and the possible uses of your points.
Premium features: Look for extras like free insurance coverage and access to airport lounges.
How simple it is to use the card and maintain your account, including security, merchant acceptance, and access to international ATMs.
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