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About travel credit cards
No or low foreign transaction fees when you spend abroad
Better exchange rates than your regular card
Section 75 protection on eligible purchases over £100
Some cards offer fee-free cash withdrawals
Travel credit cards are designed for spending abroad, and unlike regular cards, they won’t charge you extra fees when shopping overseas or buying from foreign websites. You’ll often get better exchange rates, which means your money goes further.
How do travel credit cards work?
When you use a regular credit or debit card abroad, you’ll usually pay a foreign transaction fee, plus you find yourself paying extra for ATM withdrawals. Travel cards aim to cut out these fees, giving you a better exchange rate without the mark-up.
Some travel cards will also let you withdraw cash fee-free at ATMs, but these can sometimes count as cash advances, and you might start paying interest straight away – so it’s best to just use the card for purchases when you can.
How to apply for a travel credit card
Compare your options
Shop around, and look at the foreign transaction fees and charges on cash withdrawals. Some might also have annual fees, so work out if you travel enough to make it worthwhile.
Check your eligibility
Use an eligibility checker to find out your chances of being accepted before you apply. Look out for TotallySure offers which come with pre-approval and guarantees.
Get accepted
You’ll usually receive your card within a few days. Let your card provider know if you’re travelling, or they might block your card when you use it abroad.
Pay in local currency
Remember that when asked if you want to pay in pounds or the local currency, you should almost always choose local as it could result in a better rate.
Types of credit card
There are a number of different types of credit card on the market, such as:
Balance transfer
If you want to cut the interest on your existing debts, a balance transfer credit card is for you. With a balance transfer credit card you can move balances you've accumulated on other credit cards and enjoy 0% interest for a set period of time.
Purchase
This is the simplest type of credit card. With a purchase card you'll get a 0% interest period for a set amount of time, allowing you to spend without accruing any interest, even if you don't pay your balance back in full each month.
Cashback
If you clear your credit card balance every month, and have no plans to build up any debt, a cashback credit card is a good option. These cards reward your spending habits by giving you a percentage of your spending back in the form of cash.
Rewards
An alternative option for people who clear their balance each month is a rewards credit card. Rather than paying you back with cash, these cards offer various forms of points in return from using them. These can range from airmiles to supermarket points.
Travel
An alternative option for people who clear their balance each month is a rewards credit card. Rather than paying you back with cash, these cards offer various forms of points in return from using them. These can range from airmiles to supermarket points.
Credit builder
If you have poor credit, a poor credit card can help you build your credit rating over time. While they have high interest rates, if you pay your balance in full each month, they can be an effective way of showing lenders you can be trusted.
What are the pros and cons of travel credit cards?
There are advantages and disadvantages to having credit cards, such as:
Pros
Avoid foreign transaction fees - Save money when you spend by avoiding foreign transaction fees that you might otherwise pay on your regular card.
Better exchange rates - Get the card provider's exchange rate without extra mark-ups, helping your money go further.
Section 75 protection - Eligible purchases between £100-£30,000 are protected if something goes wrong with your booking or purchase.
Safer than cash - If your card is lost or stolen, you can cancel it. With cash, the money’s gone.
Fee-free withdrawals on some cards - Some cards let you withdraw money from an ATM without fees, though interest usually applies immediately.
Good for online shopping - Use them to buy from foreign websites without paying extra charges.
Avoid foreign transaction fees - Save money when you spend by avoiding foreign transaction fees that you might otherwise pay on your regular card.
Better exchange rates - Get the card provider's exchange rate without extra mark-ups, helping your money go further.
Section 75 protection - Eligible purchases between £100-£30,000 are protected if something goes wrong with your booking or purchase.
Safer than cash - If your card is lost or stolen, you can cancel it. With cash, the money’s gone.
Fee-free withdrawals on some cards - Some cards let you withdraw money from an ATM without fees, though interest usually applies immediately.
Good for online shopping - Use them to buy from foreign websites without paying extra charges.
Cons
Higher APRs than other cards - Travel cards often come with higher interest rates, making them expensive if you carry a balance.
No 0% offers - Unlike purchase cards, most travel cards won't give you interest-free periods on spending.
Interest on cash withdrawals - Even cards with no ATM fees are likely to start charging interest when you withdraw cash.
Annual fees on some cards - The best travel cards might charge a yearly fee, so check if you'll use it enough to justify the cost.
Limited acceptance - Some cards aren't accepted everywhere, so you might need a backup card and cash.
Not great for UK spending - These cards are designed for travel, so they're usually not the best choice for everyday UK purchases.
Higher APRs than other cards - Travel cards often come with higher interest rates, making them expensive if you carry a balance.
No 0% offers - Unlike purchase cards, most travel cards won't give you interest-free periods on spending.
Interest on cash withdrawals - Even cards with no ATM fees are likely to start charging interest when you withdraw cash.
Annual fees on some cards - The best travel cards might charge a yearly fee, so check if you'll use it enough to justify the cost.
Limited acceptance - Some cards aren't accepted everywhere, so you might need a backup card and cash.
Not great for UK spending - These cards are designed for travel, so they're usually not the best choice for everyday UK purchases.
Our expert says
“Whether you’re hitting the slopes or catching some winter sun, it’s important to make sure you don’t get burnt by bank fees. A travel credit card can help you avoid unwanted charges when you’re away, saving you money.”
“Just try to clear the balance in full every month, or the fees you avoid overseas can quickly get wiped out by interest. You should also pay in the local currency when you’re given the option, and watch out for cash withdrawals – because unlike purchases they can trigger instant interest and leave a mark on your credit file.”
Alastair Douglas, CEO of TotallyMoney
How to find the right travel card
The best travel card depends on how often you travel, where you're going, whether you'll need to take out cash, and how quickly you can repay what you borrow.
If you’re away a few times a year, a travel card with no annual fee makes sense. You’ll save on foreign transaction fees without paying extra to pack the card.
Even for one trip, a travel card can save you money. Just remember to clear the balance as soon as you’re back to avoid paying interest.
Look for cards that offer fee-free ATM withdrawals. Just be aware that you might pay interest from the day you take cash out, so only take out what you really need.
Travel cards work for foreign websites too, and can save you money on transaction fees when you book trips or buy from overseas retailers.
All credit cards give you Section 75 protection on purchases between £100-£30,000. This is especially useful for holiday bookings as you’ll get extra protection if the travel company or airline goes bust or something goes wrong.
TotallySure offers come with pre-approval, guaranteed credit limits and APRs. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting before you apply.
Why use TotallyMoney
With TotallyMoney, you can compare credit cards from across the UK market and check your eligibility before making an application. This will help protect your credit score as you can then only apply for cards you’re likely to be accepted for. Too many rejections can have a negative impact on your credit score.
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Credit card FAQs
Travel cards let you spend abroad and avoid paying transaction fees. They usually give you the card provider’s exchange rate, which is often better than what you’d pay with a regular card. Just remember to clear your balance when you get back to avoid interest charges.
Regular cards charge usually charge a percentage in foreign transaction fees and give you worse exchange rates. Travel cards don’t have these fees and offer better rates, which can save you a lot when you’re abroad.
It’s best to let them know in advance where you’re going and when, otherwise the bank might think the foreign transactions are fraudulent and block your card.
It’s almost always best to choose local currency. If you choose to pay in pounds, the shop or ATM can set the exchange rate, and they could add a big mark-up, making the transaction more expensive than it should be.
Some cards let you withdraw cash fee-free, but you could start paying interest immediately. It’s often better to just use the card for purchases, and to use a fee-free debit card to withdraw cash.
With all credit cards you get Section 75 on purchases between £100 and £30,000. And this can be useful for holiday bookings, giving you added protection if something goes wrong.
This depends on your credit history. Check your eligibility so you know your chances of being accepted before you apply. TotallySure offers come with pre-approval and guaranteed terms, giving you extra certainty.
Some travel cards are free, while more premium ones might charge a yearly fee. Work out if you’ll save enough on foreign fees to justify any annual costs.
You can, but travel cards might have higher interest rates and no special offers for UK spending.
Avoid carrying a balance as the interest is likely to cost you more than you saved on fees, and try not to withdraw cash as interest applies immediately.
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Travel credit cards
Save money abroad with a travel credit card – avoid foreign transaction fees and get better exchange rates, plus Section 75 protection on your holiday bookings.
0% purchase credit cards
Spread the cost of big purchases without paying interest for a set period – useful for paying off holiday costs over several months.
Best credit cards
Find the right credit card for what you need – whether that’s earning rewards, paying off debt, spreading costs, or spending abroad.
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