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Travel money cards with the lowest fees

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel money card fees

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

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

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

Travel money card with the lowest fees and best exchange rate

Westpac worldwide wallet.

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

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

Key features:

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

Other travel money cards

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

Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard

Available online or at post offices.

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

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

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

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

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

CommBank Travel Money Card

CommBank Travel Money Card (Visa)

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

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

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

Qantas Travel Money Card

Qantas Travel Money Card (Mastercard)

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

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

Travelex Money Card

Travelex Money Card (Mastercard)

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

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

Fees : 

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

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass (Mastercard)

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

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

Travel money card tips

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

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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Travelex Money Card Review Australia

The Travelex Travel Money Card replaces the pre-existing Multi-currency Cash Passport with enhanced features and benefits. Learn about the Travelex travel card in this review to help you decide whether this is the card for you.

What is the Travelex Travel Money Card?

The Travelex Travel Money Card is a prepaid Mastercard%C2%AE currency card, designed specially for your overseas adventures. It replaces the Multi-Currency Cash Passport, which is no longer available.

Travelex itself is owned by Finablr, a financial company that owns many well known brands like Remit2India and UAE Exchange.

The company listed on the London stock exchange in 2019 with an implied valuation of about 1.23 billion pounds, making it one of the largest foreign exchange businesses in the world.

Pros and cons of the Travelex Travel Money Card

• Smartphone app and Free Wifi
• $0 international ATM fees
• Lock in exchange rates
• Limited number of currencies
• Expensive - high cross-currency conversion, extra initial loading, inactivity and closing fees
• ATM fees in Australia

When to use (and avoid) the Travelex Money Card for your travels

We think the Travelex Money Card is ideal for an organised traveller going to popular holiday destinations like Europe or the US. It comes with free Wifi, which fantastic for you to keep in touch with family or friends. Travelex has better online rates than your bank so you can lock in a good initial loading rate and save. Plus they don't charge you ATM fees while you're overseas.

Unfortunately, all of these conveniences comes with a high price tag. If you're looking for cheaper travel money options , you can also try the Wise (formerly TransferWise) debit card or Revolut .

Best way to use the Travelex card

The best way to use this card is to take cash from ATMs, because your limit is $3,000 and there are no additional ATM fees. The limit for in-store purchases is only $350 per day, which isn't much.

We also think it's a good idea to get a spare card, kept securely and separately from your main card. This way if your card gets lost or stolen, you won't have the hassle of ordering and waiting for a new card.

Learn more about the Travelex Money Card

Benefits of the travelex money card.

• Chip and PIN
• 24/7 Global Travel Assistance
• Emergency card/cash available if stolen/lost

Convenience

• Easy way to manage, spend and save on multiple currencies
• No bank account required
• Contactless payments

• No international ATM fee
• Lock in exchange rate by loading funds to foreign currencies and avoid fluctuations

Manage Your Money

• Reload and manage your funds easily online
• Redeem your unused funds easily on your return

How does a Travelex card work?

There are three main steps to setting up the travel money card with Travelex Australia, outlined below. You can also watch our video tutorial for a complete guide.

Step 1: Purchase Card

Order your Travelex Money Card online , over the phone or in your local Travelex store. Make an initial load amount of A$100 minimum. Get your travel card.

Step 2: Activate

Register your travel card details through the Travelex website or via the Travelex Money app and activate your card. You can manage your account online or through your app.

Step 3: Top-Up

Top up or reload money onto your travel card online, over the phone or via the Travelex Money app.

How much does the Travelex Money Card cost?

Travel money cards have multiple fees associated with them, which can make it difficult to compare.

For the Travelex Money Card, the initial load fee for Australian Dollars are the greater of 1.1% of the initial amount or A$15.00, but for loads or top-ups into all other currencies it's free. There is also a A$4.00 monthly inactivity fee.

Travelex exchange rates

Travelex provides a currency calculator on their website . However Travelex quotes the market rate, which is not necessarily the rate you will get when you load currencies on your card.

Travelex sets the exchange rate at the time you move your funds from one currency to another. If you don't have enough currency in your account and have made a purchase, Travelex will use the Mastercard%C2%AE exchange rate ("FX Rate") plus a margin of 5.95% of the transaction value to cover the cost.

All prices are in AUD * Foreign currency conversion is charged when you spend in a currency that is not loaded in the card

All prices are in AUD

Does the Travelex Money Card have an App?

Yes. When you have an account with Travelex, you can top-up your card through their website, or through their iOS and Android apps. This means Travelex is available to both Apple and Android users.

Like their website, Travelex's Money Card app is very easy to use. Having the app makes loading currencies and taking out cash on the go when you're travelling much easier.

Travelex Customer Reviews

TrustPilot TrustScore: 8.9/10

On TrustPilot , Travelex have four stars and most customers think it's an "excellent company" to use. Generally customers speak favourably about their experiences with Travelex Australia as a whole.

However customers are more negative when it comes to reviewing Travelex's travel money card. A lot of customers complained about difficulty in using the app and issues with reloading money onto the travel card.

With too many negative user experience stories in online forums, we think a comparison with alternative travel cards for your situation is a good idea.

Is the Travelex Money Card safe to use?

Yes. Travelex is regulated in Australia. They have an Australian Financial Services Licence, and are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). They also have strict regulatory guidelines to follow.

How to contact Travelex if you have a problem

Website: https://www.travelex.com.au/travel-money-card/contact

Phone: https://www.multicurrencycashpassport.com/contact-us/card-service-numbers/

Frequently asked questions about Travelex Money Card

How do i get a travelex card.

You can buy a Travelex Money Card from any Travelex store or online and can collect it from any Travelex store in Australia. In-store fees for the card are more expensive than buying online.

Where can I get a Travelex Money Card?

Travelex have plenty of stores all over Australia . They have 1,400 Bureau de Change outlets principally located in airports and tourist locations in over 100 airports, across 26 countries. You can pick up your Travelex Money Card instantly from any Travelex store.

Can I use my Travelex Money Card in Australia?

Yes, you can use your Travelex Money Card in Australia. However if you are withdrawing money from an Australian ATM you will be charged 2.95% of the total amount you are withdrawing.

What currencies can you load on your card?

Your Travelex Money Card can be loaded with Australian dollars, which is your default currency.

You can load up your card with 9 additional currencies, including US dollars (USD), Euro (EUR), Great British pounds (GBP), New Zealand dollars (NZD), Hong Kong dollars (HKD), Canadian dollars (CAD), Singapore dollars (SGD), Thai baht (THB) and Japanese yen (JPY).

Can I still use my Travelex Multi-Currency Cash Passport?

If you're an existing Cash Passport customer with Travelex, you can still use your card until the expiration date on the front of the card. Positively, you can also order and use a Travelex Money Card should you wish to do so. You can even transfer the balance from your existing Cash Passport to your new Travelex Money Card, in the same currencies and at no extra cost.

What happens if I lost my Travelex card?

If you lose or misplace your card you can contact 24/7 Global Assistance. Travelex quickly and securely provides you with emergency cash and a free replacement card.

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Pros and Cons of Travel Reward Cards

Travel cards can save you money but they're not all alike

Pros and Cons of Travel Cards

• What to Consider Before Opening One
• What to Consider When Choosing One

 Westend61/Getty Images

Travel credit cards are convenient for booking trips, and the best ones save you money plus offer travel perks . These cards typically allow you to earn miles or points for every dollar you charge on travel, or in some cases, everyday expenses. The rewards are redeemable for free or discounted hotel stays, airfare, seat upgrades, online shopping and more.

So should you get a travel card, and if so, how do you decide which one to get? Before you start your search, weigh the pros and cons.

There are several reasons to consider a travel card:

• Many travel cards offer points or miles on everyday spending as well as travel purchases, making it easy to rack up rewards even if you don’t fly that frequently.
• Points or miles can often be redeemed as a statement credit (maybe you charged your last trip), or to save money on future travel.
• Some travel cards come with valuable perks, such as complimentary airport lounge access, hotel-room upgrades, discounts on dining and entertainment and travel insurance.
• Co-branded hotel and airline credit cards can help you earn free nights or flights faster than other travel cards because your spending may count toward rewards with the hotel or airline's loyalty program as well.
• Some travel cards allow you to transfer points or miles to other partnered airline or hotel travel programs, giving you more ways to redeem. Just make sure it’s a decent transfer ratio.
• In addition to travel, you may also be able to redeem points or miles for gift cards, merchandise, or cash back.
• Many top-tier travel rewards cards offer big introductory bonuses as an incentive to sign up.

While an introductory bonus will help you rack up miles or points quickly, you’ll probably need to spend a certain amount in the first three months to get it.

In terms of downsides, here are the main things to consider:

• Many travel cards charge an annual fee , with premium travel cards topping out at more than $500 per year.
• Some travel cards charge foreign transaction fees , which apply to purchases made overseas. This fee is typically 2%-3% of the purchase amount, so if you plan to use your card abroad regularly—or just buy a lot online from an overseas vendor—it may cancel out the rewards.
• Some travel cards impose blackout dates or other restrictions on when and how you can redeem your rewards.
• Redeeming travel miles or points for anything other than travel (i.e., gift cards, statement credit, or cash back) typically diminishes the value of your rewards. This is something to carefully consider, especially if you’ve invested in a card with a sizeable annual fee.

Keep in mind that typically, miles or points can’t be used for the taxes or fees on airfare. These can be sizeable, depending on the airline.

What To Consider Before Opening a Travel Card

If you're on the fence about whether to get a travel reward card, ask yourself some key questions:

• How often do you travel and how much do you spend on travel annually? Generally speaking, if the annual fee on a travel card is more than 2% or 3% of that figure, you’d want to make sure the signup bonus or other rewards make the investment worthwhile. (Some card issuers have a rewards calculator, but remember to consider the value of travel perks like free checked bags.)
• Do you travel at peak times or are you flexible with your travel dates?
• What would you most need a travel card to do (i.e., get discounts on flights, unlock extras such as hotel upgrades)?

If you want to save money on your next trip but don’t travel a ton, a cash-back card is another option. These are less likely to have an annual fee and may earn you higher rewards on everyday spending. You can book your travel on a cash-back card, then redeem your cash as a statement credit. Cash-back cards typically don’t have nearly as many travel perks, though, and the sign-up bonuses might be smaller.

What To Consider When Choosing a Travel Card

If you've determined that opening a travel credit card is the right choice, ask these questions when choosing which one is right for you:

• Aside from travel, what else will you charge to the card, and how often? Do you eat out a lot or have bigger grocery bills? Do you use mass transit or want a card that gives big bonuses at the gas pump?
• Do you plan to use your card a lot abroad? If so, look for a card without a foreign transaction fee, to avoid extra charges.
• How much will you need to spend to snag the signup bonus if there is one?
• What's the annual percentage rate on the card? Interest can nibble away at the value of your rewards if you carry a balance .
• What extras does the card come with? And which of those perks do you think you'll actually use?

The more research you do, the more likely you are to find a card that matches your spending habits and needs. Once you've opened an account, remember to review the card's terms, features, and benefits annually to make sure it's still the best card to have in your wallet.

Travelling with Cash vs Travel Card vs Credit Cards

Which is the best option: travel money card vs credit card, pros of travelling with cash, cons of travelling with cash, travel money cards, pros of travelling with a travel card, cons of travelling with a travel card, pros of travelling with bank cards, cons of travelling with bank cards, the perfect companion, the travelex money card, travelex info, join the conversation, customer support.

The pros and cons of travel credit cards

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• • Travel credit cards
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Key takeaways

• Travel credit cards can offer significant rewards and benefits for travelers, including complimentary checked baggage, access to airport lounges, bonus points on travel spending and automatic elite status.
• Make use of all that your card offers to fully maximize the value of travel rewards cards with high annual fees.
• The sometimes hefty annual fees and high credit score requirements associated with travel credit cards mean they aren't the best choice for everyone.

Whether you’re an aspiring world traveler or experienced globetrotter, getting rewarded for your purchases with a travel credit card can unlock a world of new experiences, discounts and dream destinations.

The annual fees for many travel cards  — sometimes rather high fees, at that — might make you wonder if a travel credit card is worth it, but enticing perks like flights, hotel stays and other travel benefits could sway your decision. We’ll explore the pros and cons of travel credit cards so you can scope out the right choice, and help you find the best travel credit card to fuel your next vacation.

What are the pros of travel credit cards?

Travel-focused rewards categories.

Many travel credit cards allow cardholders to  earn bonus points or miles across travel purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, trains, taxis and rideshares. These bonus categories are appealing — and easy to maximize — for frequent travelers.

Depending on the card, you could earn anywhere from 3X to 10X points per dollar on specific travel-related purchases. However, to earn the bonus on airfare and hotels, you’ll typically have to book through your card issuer’s travel portal.

Once you have a stash of points or miles, you may be able to put your rewards toward your next trip. With careful planning, many have  traveled the world on credit card points . For instance, you might redeem your rewards for a free business-class flight to the Maldives or a luxury hotel stay in Miami.

Travel benefits and credits

Anyone who travels often (or even occasionally) can appreciate perks like airport lounge access or elite status through an airline or hotel loyalty program. Many travel cards come with these perks , which can make long layovers and hotel stays more pleasant.

Elite status

• free room upgrades
• late checkout
• food credits
• free breakfast
• annual free night awards at hotels

Pairing your hotel status with your airline status means even more travel perks. Airline elite status may offer you privileges like free checked bags, free upgrades and priority boarding. Of course, some travel cards offer these perks directly to cardholders — so you won’t even need to hold elite status as long as you have an eligible credit card. While status is usually reserved for frequent travelers, hotel and airline credit cards usually offer some level of status to their cardholders as a simple perk of carrying the card.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• United℠ Explorer Card *

Annual statement credits

Flexible rewards and redemptions.

Contrary to what you might think, there’s more than one way to redeem your travel points or miles. Many of the best travel rewards cards allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline or hotel partners, often at a higher redemption value, which helps stretch your rewards a bit further.

Travel cards also tend to have  dedicated travel portals , which allow you to use your points or miles to book various travel purchases. While these portals don’t always offer the best value, some do offer bonuses when you redeem that way, plus they tend to be a simple, straightforward way to redeem travel rewards.

Maximized rewards value

While many  swear by cash back cards , saving on your next trip with travel credit cards might be more enticing. With a cash back card, for example, you might earn a few hundred dollars in rewards each year. But the value proposition of a travel card can be greater. You could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars using your points and miles for hotels, airfare and upgrades — far beyond what most cash back cards can give you.

Plus, if you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel brand, you can earn directly with that brand using a co-branded airline or hotel credit card — which also helps you reach elite status.

Authorized users may get travel perks, too

Your travel partner doesn’t have to feel left out while you benefit from seemingly endless perks. Some cards extend benefits to authorized users, too. The secondary cardholder may get many of the same perks as the primary cardholder, such as airport lounge access. And while some cards charge an additional fee for adding an authorized user, others don’t.

If you just want company on your next trip without the commitment of an authorized user, you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars to earn an airline companion pass every year. With the right card, you can get a companion ticket annually just for renewing your card. That means your adventure buddy gets a free or discounted flight.

Bankrate’s take: Check the card's terms and conditions before applying to see if there is a fee to add authorized users and what benefits they get. If a companion ticket is more your speed, check the requirements for earning one.

Valuable welcome bonuses

One of the best ways to get yourself closer to a free flight or hotel stay is applying for a new travel credit card and meeting the requirements to earn the welcome bonus.

For example,  The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a welcome bonus of up to 80,000 Amex Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 within six months of account opening — that’s worth $800 when redeemed through American Express Travel. However, Bankrate’s  points and miles valuations place Amex points at around $0.02 each on average when redeemed with high-value transfer partners. This could boost the offer’s value to $1,600 in travel when redeemed in this way.

High-value benefits that justify annual fees

It’s easy to see how a large welcome bonus can make paying an annual fee worth it, at least for the first year. But many travel credit cards also offer benefits worth more than their annual fees.

For example, the  Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flights. You’ll also get four annual guest passes (Effective 2/1/25, Reserve card members will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club).

Other benefits include a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, a first checked bag free on Delta flights (for up to nine travelers on the same reservation), a Delta companion certificate (available each year after card renewal; additional terms apply) and more, all for an annual fee of $650.

Money tip: Considering that the Delta Sky Club membership alone costs $695 per year, it would be well worth it for frequent Delta travelers to get this card.

What are the cons of travel credit cards?

High annual fees.

Some premium travel credit cards come with hefty annual fees, such as the aforementioned Amex Platinum, which has an annual fee of $695. The key to getting the full value out of travel rewards cards with high annual fees is to capitalize on the benefits. In some cases, you may be able to get your money’s worth. But if you don’t travel often, getting the full value out of your travel card might feel like pulling teeth.

Luxury travel cards with high fees aren’t the right fit for everyone, so keep in mind that you can reap the benefits of a travel card without a sky-high annual fee. For example, the  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — one of the best beginner travel rewards cards — has an annual fee of just $95 and comes with perks that outweigh the cost. There are even  travel cards without annual fees , like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

It can be difficult to maximize value

Sometimes, maximizing your travel rewards card takes tons of research and work. Between ensuring your rewards don’t expire and scouring through the terms and conditions to secure each benefit — maximizing value can feel like a full-time job, especially if you have more than one travel credit card.

Keep in mind: The key to getting the max value is understanding your card's benefits and how you'll use them. Take note of any blackout or expiration dates and read all the terms and conditions, too.

High credit score requirements

Most travel credit cards require a good to excellent credit score (670 to 850), and many premium travel cards require an excellent credit score. If you don’t have a credit score of at least 700 (or if you don’t have any credit history at all), take steps to build or improve your credit before applying for a travel card.

They’re not worth it if you don’t travel enough

Simply put, travel credit cards aren’t typically worth it if you don’t travel much. You won’t be able to take advantage of many of the perks and benefits — like statement credits for hotel stays, airline fees and other travel-related purchases — or earn bonus points or miles for travel purchases. These make up a large chunk of your travel card’s benefits.

Likewise, redeeming your points or miles for non-travel-related purchases — like cash back or merchandise — means you’ll often exchange those points for a lower value than a travel redemption, so you’ll give up a portion of your hard-earned rewards. Instead, consider a different  type of rewards card , such as a cash back credit card.

The value of your rewards may fluctuate

Many airlines and hotels regularly revamp their loyalty programs to remain profitable, so what you can obtain with your points and miles may change. Sometimes these types of fluctuations can make your points and miles worth more, but more often it makes them less valuable.

One of the best ways to avoid devaluations is to use your rewards in a timely manner. Stockpiling rewards until you earn enough for your dream vacation is one thing, but don’t sit on huge reward balances forever. By using them quickly, you’ll get the max value out of your rewards and potentially avoid future devaluations from airlines and hotels.

Travel credit cards are only worth it if you can pay off your bill in full each month. Like most rewards cards, travel cards tend to have high APRs. Some premium travel cards can have a variable APR of up to 30 percent, well above the  average credit card APR of about 20 percent.

Having to pay high interest rates will negate any travel rewards earned, so if you can’t pay your card off every month, it’s best to opt for a card with a lower variable APR. If you only anticipate carrying a balance for a short period of time, you may want to consider a card with a  0 percent intro APR period on purchases for a limited time.

Should you get a travel credit card?

Before you apply for a travel credit card it’s important to consider a few aspects of your lifestyle and finances.

• Consider your spending habits. Your spending habits are crucial to determining if a travel rewards card is worth it. If you’re only spending a few hundred dollars a month on your rewards card, you’re probably better off with cash back. If you can take advantage of category bonuses and then put your points to good use, then a travel rewards card might be a good option.
• Are there cheaper alternatives? The higher-fee card that everyone raves about may not be the best option for your spending. For example, a lot of cardholders love the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for its luxe travel benefits. But if you don’t use them, it’s a waste of a $395 annual fee. Consider more affordable card options with a low or no annual fee.
• Have a travel goal in mind. Are you looking to book aspirational travel or are you more of an RVer? Travel cards are ideal for luxury travel since they carry annual fees and sometimes have complicated reward programs. With a redemption goal in mind you’ll make the most of your rewards.
• Consider recurring benefits. Recurring perks could save you money on travel year after year.

Confession: I don’t put as much spending as I could on my Hilton Aspire Card, so I’m losing out in rewards value. The card has a $450 annual fee and offers generous category bonuses that I’m not utilizing. However, I will keep it in my wallet for two reasons: Hilton Diamond status and the annual free weekend night award. Both perks provide me with exceptional value. — Ariana Arghandewal Credit Cards Contributor

When getting a travel credit card makes sense

• Your credit is in great shape.
• You pay off your statement balance in full each month.
• You’re already a frequent traveler or want to travel more often.
• An annual fee doesn’t bother you if the rewards outweigh it.
• You’re detail-oriented and have time to max out the perks and benefits.

The decision to apply for a travel card is ultimately up to you. But annual fees, high credit standards and complex rewards programs are major hurdles for many people considering a travel card.

When getting a travel credit card doesn’t make sense

• Sticking to a budget is difficult for you.
• You don’t spend much on your credit card each month.
• Traveling only happens once or twice a year for you.
• You cringe at the thought of an annual fee.
• Past credit mistakes are negatively affecting your credit.
• The requirements for using your rewards seem too complicated.
• You usually hold a balance on your credit card.

Travel cards aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. There are other types of rewards cards that may work better for your spending habits and lifestyle.

The bottom line

The best travel credit cards can offer you plenty of value as long as you’re able to maximize the benefits they offer. If you don’t travel frequently enough or won’t be able to use enough card benefits, consider another type of rewards card that will better reward the type of spending you do. If you’re not sure what type of card could fit that, consider using Bankrate’s CardMatch tool to help you find personalized credit card offers aligned with your spending and goals.

Should I get a travel credit card that earns points, miles or both?

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Pros and Cons of Travel Money Cards

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Planning a trip overseas? Have you considered what you will do for money yet? Travel money cards have become increasingly popular for overseas explorers. We have collated the top pros and cons to help you make a decision about travel money cards.

Cash can get stolen

When travelling overseas, the last thing you can is for your international cash to be stolen. Using a travel money card means you only have to worry about one card instead of wads of cash.

Multiple currencies

All good travel money cards have the capability to store multiple currencies on them at once. This is great if your trip is taking you to a multiple countries with different currencies.

Backup card

Most travel money cards will come with a backup card that you can activate in the event your primary card is stolen. Just remember to keep your backup card in a different bag!

Your savings are safe

When you use your travel money card you will be spending from a different account to your everyday account. This means that you can keep your spending under control, and in the event your card is stolen, you don’t have to worry about the thieves accessing your savings account.

Locking exchange rate

This one could be on the ‘pro’ list as well. The ability to lock in an exchange rate when transferring to the card could save you some cash if the rate goes up, however, if it improves, you miss out on savings.

You will incur some fees when using a travel money card, however just how much you’ll have to spend varies. Some cards will only charge a once-off transfer fee, while others will charge more. Make sure you read all the terms before choosing a card.

Reload delay

Some cards will have a delay of up to three days between transferring and being able to access funds. This could cause some problems if you have any unexpected costs while travelling.

You may need cash

Some places you can travel to may only take cash in smaller stores or markets. Before travelling, be sure to do research around this issue to prevent being found in an unfortunate situation!

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REVIEW: ING Orange Everyday – The Best Travel Card For Aussies? (Inc $50 Promo Code!)

Looking for the best travel card for Australians? After a year of bouncing around the world with my ING Orange account here’s my full review…

Picking the right travel card can make the difference between an easy, relaxing holiday and a financial nightmare – and finding a bank account that doesn’t totally take the p*ss with fees once you leave the country is a bit of a minefield, especially in Australia.

Having struggled with really bad exchange rates, fees and a clunky app whilst banking with Commonwealth I decided I needed to make a big change and did some solid research into the best Australian bank for travelling abroad.

And that’s how I came across the ING Orange Everyday Account…

REVIEW: ING Orange Everyday – The Best Travel Card For Aussies?

Aussie travel cards – not a lot of choice.

Unlike the UK – which has heaps of new ‘disruptor banks’ like Starling (who I use for my UK accounts) and Monzo which both offer awesome deals on fees and withdrawals abroad – Australia seems a LOT more limited for options.

The big banks like Commonwealth (who I also bank with in Australia) and ANZ both fell flat on their face for travel cards, especially for those heading out on a long term trip and more importantly bouncing through a a lot of currencies along the way.

After a heap of Googling and chatting to my Aussie buddies it seemed the ING Orange Everyday account is leading the way for Aussies travelling the world and is also epic as a day to day card in Australia too!

First off, setting up my account with ING was a breeze.

A simple online form that took less than 15 minutes to fill out and have my account approved (as long as you have your ID and stuff to hand!), and I did it all without having to step foot into a bank, super easy!

You physical debit card will then arrive within 2-5 working days and you’re good to go!

Download The App

As you’d expect from a banking app you can easily keep track of your transactions and easily make payments etc.

From a travel perspective you can also easily see your payments/ATM withdrawals in both local and AUD too.

Another handy travel feature is the “rebates’ tab – which gives you an instant overview of how much you’ve saved on both card and ATM withdrawal rebates – not essential but it’s good to see in hard $ how much the travel card is worth the money!

As an example, my recent tint in Bali I racked up over $140 worth of rebates – so it’s well worth it.

Notifications

The other huge advantage of the app is enabling notifications on your phone/ Apple Watch – for everyday banking its super handy to keep up to date with your spending and income, but once you’re abroad it’s a really convenient way to keep an eye out for fraudulent transactions and card skimming.

So make sure you get push notifications enabled ASAP!

How To Go Fee Free Abroad

The ING travel card offers both free ATM withdrawals abroad as well as great exchange rates and fee free on card transactions abroad too.

However, unlike Starling Bank in the UK , the ING Orange Everyday account has a few conditions to be able to to go fee free abroad;

• Make 5 transactions per month (completed, not pending)
• Transfer in at least $1,000 from an external bank account

Doing the above in the current month unlocks the free transactions/rebates the next month.

…something I’ve overlooked a couple of times which has been a bit annoying!

Also if you’re worried about the $1,000 a month restriction, you can sneak your way around that as there are no conditions on where it comes from or how long it stays in your account – so in theory you can simply transfer it in, then straight back out!

Once you’ve ticked those off the list the next calendar month becomes fee free!

You can also quickly check in the app whether you’ve unlocked these features for the following month too and your first month is already activated so you can hit the road right away as well.

Along with removing fees abroad, the card also covers rebates on ATM withdrawals from within Australia too , which is super handy if you’re also using it as a day to day card in Oz as well.

Oh…and there’s no monthly fee for the account either as an added bonus!

Customer Service

I’d also like to point out how epic my experience with ING customer service has been too.

When I headed to the Mentawais I took a large chunk of cash out from an ATM in Padang, which was well out of line of my patterns of spending and previous geo location. I then got a notification on the app saying my card had been restricted.

Initially my thoughts we “oh great, I’m going to be on hold for hours sorting this” .

But actually the whole thing was quickly resolved – and they also helped me put through an online payment which required an extra code (due to the payment size) as I didn’t have access to my Aussie SIM at the time either.

I also got my card skimmed at an ATM in Bali (yaaaaay!) and the ING team were super helpful with getting this resolved and refunded into my account as well – with an email update once it was all sorted.

So yeah, kudos to that and this has given me even more faith in them!

Want to sign up and earn $50 as well? Well use the promo code GYT174 when you setup your account!

Please note, this offer runs quite often, but not all the time, it’ll tell you during sign up though.

• Go to ing.com.au/everyday , open a new Orange Everyday and enter GYT174 in the promo box at the end of the online form
• Deposit $1,000+ (such as pay) from an external source into your new Orange Everyday account within a calendar month.
• Open a Savings Maximiser and make a deposit into this account.
• Make 5+ settled (not pending) purchases using your new Orange Everyday card within a calendar month.

Are you Aussie?

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I had a really different experience of this product when I moved to Canada for six months for study. I can’t recommend this card for trips longer than a few weeks.

I didn’t keep my Aussie SIM, as I got a local phone plan. BIG MISTAKE. ING requires an SMS authentication code for large credit payments, money transfers, new BPay or PayID billers, etc. Unlike banks like Westpac, ING won’t send that SMS to an overseas number. So I had to call them and they’d get a supervisor to manually authorise — ten minutes on the call, easily.

Second, unlike other banks, ING won’t issue you with a spare card. Only one card per account; if you want another one for peace of mind, open another account. But shiz happens when you travel. I got pickpocketed on the metro in Toronto—rookie mistake, putting my wallet in my overcoat because I couldn’t reach my jeans pocket. I couldn’t even get through to ING on the phone or via their website to put the card on hold. I called VISA instead and they issued me with a temporary card (stripe, but no chip, so no cash withdrawals at any Canadian ATMs).

When I did finally get through to ING, they said they would send a replacement card, and it could take up to six weeks. At the six week mark I called going ‘where is it’ and they finally admitted that their system would not send a replacement card unless I cancelled the temporary card — because, wait for it, only one card per account. So in their mind, it’s reasonable for a customer to go up to six weeks without any card access at all.

So—fee free payments and withdrawals are GREAT, but if you’re going to be travelling for long, keep your Aussie phone plan active to minimise inconvenience, and make sure you have a backup card from another bank or account, in case shiz happens, because ING will not be there for you if it does.

Hey Daniel, Oh geez, sounds like things didn’t go well for you hey? Good to know! I was also unaware about the singular card side of things too, so I’ll add that into the post. SIM wise I registered mine to a PAYG SIM (I swap through SIMS heaps when travelling), which is what I’d advice people travelling long term as well to avoid that side of things. With a lot of banks I find it odd that they can’t do those notifications as a push notification to the app on the phone – would make way more sense right?! Thanks for the feedback an input though – did you find another bank that worked well as a back up/your new travel card?

Siri Stafford/Getty Images

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What to know about prepaid travel credit cards

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

Published: December 15, 2022

Author: Allie Johnson

Author: Dan Rafter

Editor: Brady Porche

Reviewer: Kaitlyn Tang

How we Choose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• How do prepaid travel cards work?

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

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

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

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

• What are the benefits of a prepaid travel card?

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

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

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

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

More convenient than traveler’s checks

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

• What are the drawbacks of a prepaid travel card?

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

Foreign transaction fees, among others

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

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

No help for your credit score

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

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

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

Prepaid travel card tips

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

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

Should you use a travel credit card instead?

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

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

Editorial Disclaimer

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

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

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

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The Pros and Cons of Using Travel Cards

Just as purchasing cards (commonly known as P-Cards ) have become a convenient and safe way to handle business expenditures, the more specifically used travel cards (or T&E Cards) have also become popular with businesses as a method of payment. What exactly are travel cards, and what are their pros and cons, especially in terms of monitoring your business expenses?

What is a travel card?

A travel card is similar to a purchasing card, with the only exception being that its use is delegated specifically for travel expenses, often on a global scale. Typically, they are pre-paid cards: a certain amount of money is placed on the card for the cardholder’s use. But it’s also possible to have travel cards that are based on a credit or debit model.

The pros of using travel cards

They help with the management and monitoring of transactions. Because travel cards are being used specifically for travel (as well as dining and entertainment) expenses, they — by their very nature — assist with the organizing and categorizing of expenses. Having these expenses organized in clear, easy-to-view categories makes trends — both positive and negative — easier to track. With use of the data, budgets are better determined, while red flags of fraudulent behavior or misuse become more apparent.

They provide spend control. A handy tool for companies that use cards is the ability to block certain “merchant category codes” (more commonly called MCCs ). Doing so helps ensure that the card is used only for its intended purpose — namely travel expenses. Blocking MCCs helps limit misuse and fraud, and it eliminates needless categories when doing expense reviews.

They make tax compliance and deductions easier. The same tools that help transactions more secure and easier to track also help businesses when it comes to taxation. Travel cards make it more convenient to track the T&E deductions and discern tax obligations.

They’re secure. Travel cards offer a secure method of payment. They can be quickly and easily deactivated and replaced if lost, stolen, or damaged.  The transactions themselves are safer too, thanks in large part to modern technology — such as chips, PINs, and security monitoring.

Furthermore, some banks also offer other means of security as part of their benefits, such as T &E insurance and emergency travel assistance. When an employee is in a foreign country with limited resources, such added benefits can be extremely reassuring — and they have the potential of saving the company money when such services are necessary. Businesses should check with the bank that issues their travel card to determine if these benefits are available.

They can protect personal credit. One of the great things about travel cards is that they typically do not report credit activity to any consumer credit bureaus. So their usage rarely impacts personal credit lines. Again, check with the issuing bank to confirm whether or not it reports activity to consumer credit bureaus.

They pay — literally. Many travel card companies provide monetary value back to the company via cash rebates, frequent flyer mileage, and hotel points.

The cons of using travel cards

They are limited. While for monitoring and managing expenses this trait is a “pro,” the fact that travel cards are only used for T &E can also be a “con” for some businesses.

Since travel cards are — technically and practically speaking — strictly for travel expenses, this fact creates the necessity of an alternate payment source for all the other types of business expenses. Creating multiple expense payment systems can be challenging for many businesses, as it can place an overwhelming burden on a company’s resources.

They don’t always cover all travel expenses. As ironic as it might seem, there are some expenses that companies with T &E cards exclude that are “travel” in nature. These can include flight upgrades to first or business class, “non-preferred” hotels, car rental upgrades to luxury lines, extra luggage, and memberships for business-lounge access. To prevent confusion on what to purchase with a travel card, companies typically have cardholders comply with a travel policy that will outline the purchases that are prohibited or allowed on the travel card.

They still require monitoring and reviews. Yes, travel cards do inherently assist with organizing expenses. But the key word here is “assist.” The cards alone cannot provide assurance against internal fraud and misuse. Only a stringent system of statement and receipt reviews can do that.

So the assumption that, due to the nature of T &E , monitoring is unnecessary is a dangerous one. Without internal controls, compliance goes unchecked, savings are not realized, and spend categories can become vague, misleading, and downright inappropriate.

Reviewing travel expenses can also be a huge undertaking. Travel cards can carry thousands of data transactions to review. And if your company is still handling reviews manually, that can be a daunting task.

They don’t stop misuse.   Travel cards cannot, on their own, stop personal purchases from happening. Nor can they end business purchases that might be out-of-policy, prohibited, or conducted with non-preferred suppliers. Without constant, consistent communication and deliberate training of card users, a greater possibility of misuse on unauthorized charges exists.

That risk of confusion runs for both the travel card and any other methods of payment that might be in use. Without proper orientation of procedures, employees might use the travel cards for non- T&E expenses and likewise, other payment methods for travel.

Another trend worth noting is the extension of business trips into personal travel. Hotel stays and meals that are actually personal in nature can show up on travel card statements. Termed “bleisure trips” (for business and pleasure combined), these trips don’t necessarily have to be condemned — they are often a beneficial perk for employees — provided that the “pleasure” portion doesn’t creep its way onto their travel cards.

Again, monitoring and conducting reviews, with included targeted controls, need to be put into place to keep these transactions from occurring.

They can be pricier. Travel card fees tend to be higher than the typical credit/debit card. There can be fees for:

• Loading and reloading pre-paid cards
• Rate conversion
• Cash back at the time of purchase
• Card replacement
• Closing the card’s account

So, to avoid these fees, research a number of financial institutions and their fee structures before choosing a travel card for your organization.

They’re used on a bigger, wider scale. As discussed in our article “ Taking on the world: the challenges of a global card program ,” the more far-reaching a card program, the more issues that program can potentially face. Namely, these would include the necessity of unique policies and procedures, dealing with international law and compliance, establishing and maintaining good business relationships with international vendors, and reviewing the global spend data. A T &E program will face all these challenges. Click HERE to read and learn more.

Is a travel card right for your business?

So is a travel card right for you and your company or organization? As with anything else in business, you have to weigh the pros and cons — and then decide for yourself, taking into account your organization’s unique wants, needs, and priorities.

But remember when making that decision that Card Integrity can handle the massive, often global aspects of a T &E program. The issues of monitoring all those international transactions, creating and communicating special program policies, and training employees on new card usage are no longer a part of that consideration. Problems solved!  

To learn more about how Card Integrity can be an integral part of your travel card program, call us today at 630-501-1507 or contact us by clicking HERE .

For More Tips, Download the Complete T&E Best Practices eGuide

Card Integrity’s T&E card expense review  best practices eGuide  will provide your organization with a clear and detailed outline of best practices that can be implemented into your program today.

Find More Articles on Business Travel & Policy

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Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Two of the best travel cards for everyday rewards

They might be two of the most lucrative travel credit cards available today, but there’s a clear divide between the American Express® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

If you’re looking for great rewards on both travel and your regular spending — along with a ton of redemption value — these cards are probably already at the top of your list. Before you apply, here’s everything you need to know about both the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred, and how to decide which one is best for your travel goals .

American Express Gold Card overview

Annual fee : $250 ( see rates and fees )

Welcome offer : Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 within the first six months

4x points at restaurants worldwide

4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent per year, then 1x)

3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com

1x points on all other purchases

Why we like it : We like the Amex Gold for both frequent and occasional travelers who want to maximize everyday spending to save on future travel . With the highest rewards on dining and at supermarkets, you can easily rack up rewards at home — then cash them in for your next flight or vacation.

We also like the annual savings you’ll get to offset the annual fee. These include up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 per month) when you connect your card to your Uber account, and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits ($10 per month, with enrollment) for spending at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Though Amex Gold does have a high $250 annual fee, these credits alone can get you a potential $240 each year.

American Express Gold Card pros

Annual credits : With up to $240 back in Uber Cash and annual dining statement credits each year, you can nearly outpace the Amex Gold card ’s annual fee before even accounting for rewards. Of course, these credits only add value if they give you money back on things you would have bought anyway. If you don’t typically use Uber for ridesharing or purchase from any of the eligible dining options, you may not get the full annual potential.

Transfer partners : One of the best ways to use your Amex points is by transferring them to a transfer partner loyalty program. Amex has more than 20 travel partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors.

American Express Gold Card cons

High annual fee : Though it offers a lot in return, there’s no getting around the fact that Amex Gold has a steep annual fee. At $250 per year ( see rates and fees ), you’ll absolutely want to do the math on your spending and travel before you apply to make sure you’re getting enough out of your rewards and benefits to justify the cost.

Getting the most from your redemptions : Unlike some other rewards programs, different Membership Rewards redemption options carry different values. If you want to make the most of your Amex Gold points, you’ll generally want to use them to book flights through Amex Travel or transfer to partners. While there are other ways to get the full 1 cent per point value, many other travel redemptions (including hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages through Amex Travel) typically redeem at a lower rate .

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card overview

Annual fee : $95

Welcome offer : Earn 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within the first three months

5x points on travel through Chase Travel (not including hotel spending that counts toward your annual hotel credit)

3x points on dining

3x points on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart, or wholesale clubs)

3x points on select streaming services

2x points on all other travel

Why we like it : While Chase Sapphire Preferred offers solid rewards in a number of categories, we like its redemptions even more. If you choose to redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel, you can get a 25% boost on the value, making each point effectively worth 1.25 cents. If you have 100,000 points to redeem, for example, you can get up to $1,250 toward your next Chase Travel booking.

You’ll also get up to $50 in statement credits annually for hotels you book through Chase Travel and an annual points bonus on your account anniversary, totaling 10% of your total purchase value over the prior year — and it all comes at a $95 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred pros

High-value redemptions : The Chase Sapphire Preferred ’s 25% redemption boost when you use points to book travel through Chase Travel is one of the card’s biggest benefits — and makes the rewards points among the most valuable you’ll find. If you don’t mind booking travel through the issuer’s portal, this can be a great way to get the most out of every point you earn.

Transfer partners : Like Amex, Chase has a long list of travel transfer partners you can redeem your points with. They include British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue Air France KLM, JetBlue TrueBlue, United MileagePlus, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and more.

Chase Sapphire Preferred cons

Lack of annual credits/benefits : While you will get up to $50 back in statement credits when you book hotel stays through Chase Travel, it’s tough to match Amex Gold’s high-value credits. Compare your own spending before you apply to make sure you’ll get enough rewards value to offset the annual fee.

Not the highest rewards rates : This card can help you earn big rewards if your spending falls in line with rewards categories. But it does lag a bit behind the 4x rates offered by Amex Gold, as well as the wider-reaching rewards categories you’ll find on some other travel cards . Still, there’s plenty of opportunities to earn great rewards with the Sapphire Preferred.

Should you get the Amex Gold?

The Amex Gold everyday rewards categories and high-value annual credits make it one of the most rewarding travel credit cards available today — even with a higher annual fee.

To start, the 4x rewards rate on both dining at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (up to the annual limit) is one of the highest you’ll find among any rewards card . On top of that, the Uber Cash and dining statement credits can help you earn back nearly the entire annual fee each year. Even when you’re not traveling, these can be useful for maintaining your card’s annual value.

But when you also factor in travel rewards and credits, you can potentially far exceed the cost. This includes 3x points on airfare spending through Amex Travel or the airline, and up to $100 in experience credits for eligible Hotel Collection stays you book through Amex Travel.

One thing you should think about before getting the American Express Gold Card is how you’ll redeem your rewards. You’ll get the best Membership Rewards program redemptions when you use them to book flights through Amex Travel. There are some other high-value redemptions, but hotel and rental car redemptions, for example, generally get 0.7 cents per point value compared to a full 1 cent per point for flights.

Should you get the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

We think nearly anyone who wants major travel value for a relatively low annual fee could benefit from Chase Sapphire Preferred .

The 25% boost on redemptions may just be the best reason to choose this card, as long as you don’t mind booking your travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Take the welcome bonus as an example. You can redeem those 75,000 bonus points for more than $900 in travel expenses.

And at just $95 per year, it’s not difficult to earn back the annual fee amount in rewards value even if you only travel a few times per year.

Depending on how much you spend, you can also get a significant boost with the 10% bonus on every account anniversary. For example, say you charge an average of $1,200 per month to your card, or $14,400 per year. That would make your 10% bonus worth 1,440 additional Ultimate Rewards points — on top of what you’ve already earned for the year. While that’s not a huge amount of points in itself, the amount adds up year after year.

Should you get both cards?

For most cardholders, there’s little reason to open both the American Express Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card . They have relatively similar reward structures, and neither offers extra benefits like lounge access, elite status, or other huge annual discounts that could justify the extra cost of owning both.

Instead, consider which of these cards makes the most sense for how you spend. Take groceries, for example — for many Americans, it’s one of the most consistently high monthly expenses. If you don’t already have a grocery rewards card but you do spend a lot of money at your local supermarket, the Amex Gold offers one of the highest rates among any rewards credit card today. But maybe you already have a card for grocery rewards, or you prefer your groceries through an online service. Then, you’ll probably get much more value from the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

How you travel can also be a big deciding factor between these cards — including which travel brands you prefer. If you always fly with Delta and you’re a Hilton Honors member, you’ll probably benefit more from Amex’s travel partners. But if, instead, you live near a United Airlines hub and World of Hyatt is your choice loyalty program, you’ll want access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.

With either of these cards — or any other travel rewards credit card — it’s most important to keep track of your spending and make sure you don’t overspend only to earn rewards or take advantage of benefits. These cards carry very high APRs that can lead to lasting debt balances if you can’t pay in full.

Other cards to consider

Depending on what exactly you’re looking for in a new travel card , here are a few more we like:

If you want to simplify travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Why we like it : Capital One Venture is another travel credit card with great rewards potential. It has a $99 annual fee, and you can earn a 75,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 within the first three months. Ongoing rewards are simple: Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars you book through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on all other purchases.

Capital One Venture card redemptions are easy, too. You can use your miles to book future travel through Capital One Travel or put them toward any travel purchases charged to your card. Capital One also has a list of 18 airline and hotel partners you can transfer your miles to, often at a 1:1 ratio.

If you want premium travel perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why we like it : If the above cards lack the added benefits you want for a premium experience every time you travel, the Platinum Card from Amex may be more your speed. After you’re approved, you can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first six months. Rewards include 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 spent per year), 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and 1x points on all other purchases.

The Platinum Card does carry a whopping $695 annual fee ( see rates and fees ), though frequent travelers may earn that back with the long list of benefits and credits. Here are just a few: up to $200 back in annual statement credits for eligible prepaid Amex Travel hotel bookings, up to $200 in statement credits for airline fee charges each calendar year with your chosen airline, up to $200 Uber Cash annually ($15 each month plus a bonus $20 in December), up to $189 in statement credits for CLEAR Plus membership, and many more.

If you want to combine cash back and travel: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Why we like it : Chase Freedom Unlimited is a cash-back credit card , but it earns rewards that you can redeem for travel through Chase Travel (in addition to cash back). There’s no annual fee with this card, and it has an introductory 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers.

These are all the Chase Freedom Unlimited rewards categories: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on dining, 3% cash back at drugstores, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. But for the first year, you’ll get even more. This card’s welcome offer increases your rewards earned by 1.5% across all categories, up to $20,000 spent in the first year. Instead of 3% on dining, for example, you can get 4.5% back during this period. If you’re able to max out the $20,000 cap, that’s up to $300 in extra rewards.

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

I f you're new to the world of credit cards and/or travel rewards, you might be wondering if a travel credit card makes sense for you.

If you travel frequently or even semiregularly, travel credit cards are some of the most rewarding cards on the market. With plenty of perks and earning categories — to go along with their sometimes very high annual fees — travel cards can provide plenty of value if used correctly.

Here are some of the upsides and downsides of travel credit cards so you can figure out if it's the right card type for you.

Pros of travel credit cards

Travel perks and benefits.

Premium and even mid-tier travel credit cards often come with lavish perks that pretty much anyone can take advantage of when they're on the go.

Common benefits include annual credits for general travel, services like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck , elite status with a given airline or hotel , access to airport lounges , free checked bags and priority boarding .

Most of these perks are conferred automatically on cardholders, meaning it won't take much effort on your part to take advantage.

Travel-based rewards bonuses

If you spend a lot on travel, you'll also enjoy many cards' travel-focused rewards categories, which offer extra points or miles when you spend with an airline or hotel or use a card issuer's travel portal.

For example, the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase travel portal, 5 points per dollar on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal.

If you're loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand, consider applying for one of its cobranded cards , like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card , to enjoy all the perks and rewards bonuses of that program.

Flexible rewards

Many travel cards offer the ability to redeem your points or miles across various hotel and airline transfer partners, leading to even more valuable redemption opportunities .

To do this, most card issuers have their own dedicated travel portals so users can find the best way to utilize their rewards. Some even offer the chance to earn additional points or miles on trips booked through the portal, as mentioned above.

For example, eligible Chase cardholders can get more than 1.25 cents per point in value by transferring rewards to the issuer's 14 different airline and hotel partners . Some of the best Chase transfer partners include United Airlines MileagePlus, World of Hyatt and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Valuable welcome bonuses

Lastly, premium travel cards often come with hefty welcome bonuses, which, if obtained, can justify the card's annual fee multiple times over.

Most cards come with a spending threshold that you have to hit within the first three to six months of card membership, so pay attention to that number to see if it's a reasonable spending requirement for you. If a card has a special or elevated welcome offer when applying, even better.

Cons of travel credit cards

Credit score requirements.

While conferring plenty of valuable benefits, travel credit cards usually have stringent credit score requirements, making it difficult to apply for some.

Most travel cards will require a "good" to "excellent" credit score of 670 or higher, with the most premium cards having an even higher requirement. If you're not in that range, consider improving your credit score before getting denied and hurting your score further with a hard inquiry .

High annual fees

Travel credit cards can also come with a bit of sticker shock: high annual fees, with the most lavish cards having price tags upward of $500.

While these annual fees typically justify themselves if you take full advantage of the card's benefits, that can be hard to do if you aren't traveling frequently or laser-focused on maximizing value. Consider starting small with a no-annual-fee or low-annual-fee card and going from there.

Travel credit cards also typically come with high annual percentage rates , which is the amount of interest you'll pay on your debt if you don't pay promptly.

Of course, this can be avoided entirely if you pay your card off in full each month, one of TPG's 10 commandments of rewards credit cards . But it's still a consideration if you can't do so.

Difficult to maximize value

It might also be hard for some to get the maximum value from their travel credit cards if they aren't constantly on the go or looking to fund a big upcoming trip .

Unsurprisingly, the best way to take advantage of your travel rewards is to put them toward travel. If you instead redeem rewards for cash back or statement credits, you likely won't get the full value. Moreover, many hotels and airlines are constantly revamping their rewards programs, meaning the value of your points and miles themselves can fluctuate.

For help maximizing value, keep an eye on TPG resources like our evaluations of what points and miles are worth and our guides on getting the most out of your next credit card or vacation stay.

Should you get a travel credit card?

If you have the required credit score and can justify the annual fee, you'll almost definitely be able to squeeze value out of a travel rewards credit card. Remember that welcome offers on cards , to say nothing of benefits and rewards programs, always change. If you have your eye on a card that you think might fit you, apply at a good time to get the most bang for your buck and cash in on a great welcome offer.

Bottom line

Choosing the right travel credit card can help get you over a financial hump and fund your next big trip , or it can just put a little extra money in your pocket each month. How you use it — and how much value you derive from it — is highly dependent on your lifestyle and what makes the most sense for you and your wallet at the time.

For more resources and advice, check out our beginners guide to credit cards .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

How basic economy flights essentially cover my United Explorer Card’s annual fee

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  

As someone who travels frequently, I absolutely love my United SM Explorer Card . With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95), this little plastic rectangle provides so much value it feels like a steal. 

My favorite benefit is its ability to save me hundreds of dollars per year by neutralizing a few of United’s customer-unfriendly basic economy rules. I’ll show you how it works—and highlight some credit cards that can help you do the same with other airlines. For the budget-minded traveler, this is info you want to know.

United SM Explorer Card

Intro bonus.

Rewards Rates

• 2x 2x miles on dining (including eligible delivery services), hotel stays, and United® purchases (including tickets, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, Economy Plus® and more)
• 1x 1x miles on all other purchases
• Free first checked bag benefit.
• Expanded award availability on United Saver flights.
• No foreign transaction fee.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95) annual fee
• Subject to Chase 5/24 rule.
• United perks: 25% back on in-flight purchases checked bag benefit, expanded Saver award ticket availability
• Travel perks: TSA/Global Entry credit, trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Foreign transaction fee: None

What is basic economy?

Put simply, basic economy is the lowest-level fare class used by many airlines, including Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines.

When you book a basic economy ticket, you’ll get exactly the same seat as those who purchase a regular economy ticket—but you’ll typically pay between $30 and $50 less each way. For example, take a look at the below round-trip United fares between Houston (IAH) and Indianapolis (IND). All the basic economy fares in this example cost $70 less than an economy fare. That’s not exactly peanuts.

Restrictions when flying basic economy

So, maybe you can save money flying basic economy, but what’s the catch?

Well, basic economy is tangled in red tape. It comes with restrictions that almost coerce many travelers to pay the extra money for a regular economy seat. Here’s a quick look at the limitations enforced by popular airlines’ basic economy fares.

Air Canada restrictions:

• Seat selection fee.
• No changes or cancellations/no future travel credit.
• No same-day standby.
• Accrue fewer redeemable rewards.
• No Status Qualifying Dollars or Status Qualifying Segments toward elite status. 

Alaska Airlines restrictions:

• No seat selection.
• Accrue fewer redeemable and elite qualifying miles.
• Eligible for 50% travel credit only if canceled at least 14 days before departure.
• Last boarding group.

American Airlines restrictions:

• Seat selection costs extra.
• No changes after 24 hours of booking (though you can cancel and receive travel credit for a fee).
• No seat upgrades.

Delta Air Lines restrictions:

• No seat assigned until after check-in.
• No changes allowed after 24 hours from booking (though you can cancel for a fee).
• No miles earned or credit toward elite status.
• Delta Sky Club entry not permitted.

Hawaiian Airlines restrictions: 

• Seat selection after booking for a fee.
• No changes or cancellations after 24 hours from booking
• Cannot earn rewards for partner airline frequent flyer programs.

JetBlue restrictions:

• No carry-on bag permitted (unless flying to select international destinations).
• Between $100 and $200 for changes and cancellations, depending on the route.

United Airlines restrictions: 

• No carry-on bag permitted (unless flying to select international destinations)
• No seat selection
• Last boarding group
• No changes after 24 hours from booking (though you can cancel and receive travel credit for a fee)
• No Premier Qualifying Flights earned

As you can see, basic economy comes with a lot of metaphorical (but not literal) baggage. From the inability to choose your own seat to being the last onboard, you’re practically shamed into buying a standard Economy flight. But here’s the secret: There are ways to mitigate the effects of basic economy simply by holding the right airline credit card .

For instance, do you fly Delta frequently? If you’re not happy about basic economy putting you in the last boarding group, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card could be the answer to your problem. For a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150., this card grants you priority boarding—plus a free checked bag, 15% off when booking a flight on Delta with miles, and a $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

See Rates and Fees

Intro Bonus

Reward Rates

• 2x 2X miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 2x 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets.
• 2x 2X miles on Delta purchases made directly with the airline.
• 1x 1X mile on all other eligible purchases.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
• First checked bag free on Delta for cardholder and up to nine companions on same reservation
• 15% Discount on Award Tickets on Delta Flights
• No perks when flying airlines other than Delta
• Has an annual fee after the first year
• Some of the potential credits can be hard to use
• 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app (discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees).
• $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
• $100 Delta Stays credit each year when you use your Delta Gold Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.
• 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your card.
• Travel benefits including baggage insurance and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance.

How my airline credit card makes flying basic economy better

Two of the most frustrating basic economy restrictions, to me at least, are the inability to bring a carry-on and the obligation to board dead last—both of which are enforced by United Airlines. But because I hold the United Explorer Card, I can skirt these restrictions. The card comes with:

• A free carry-on bag with basic economy tickets
• Priority boarding, which allows you to board in Group 2 instead of Group 6 (which is the last United Airlines boarding group).

In other words, the only major day-of-travel benefit I’m forfeiting when booking a basic economy fare is the ability to choose my own seat. That’s easily worth the savings I get when booking basic economy over a standard coach seat.

Take a look at the prices for my upcoming trip to Oklahoma City as an example. A round-trip economy fare costs $502, while a basic economy flight is $65 cheaper. Considering my United Explorer Card charges a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95), I can easily recoup my losses from paying the card’s annual fee after taking a single basic economy trip with my wife each year. If I didn’t have the card, I would try to avoid basic economy whenever possible.

It’s worth mentioning that the United Explorer Card also delivers considerable value outside its ability to combat basic economy restrictions. For example, you’ll get:

• The first checked bag free for you and another traveler on your reservation when you pay for your flight with the card. Checked bags cost up to $40 each way, so this is a huge money-saving perk.
• Access to increased award inventory, meaning you can find Saver-level awards that are only visible to select United cardholders and elite status members.
• Two United Club airport lounge day passes each cardmember year.
• Up to a $100 statement credit to offset the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS every four years (membership is valid for five years). These programs help to dramatically speed up your airport security experience.

There are several other airline cards that can improve your basic economy experience, too. The airlines outlined below offer co-branded credit cards that will eliminate some common restrictions.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, see this page

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, see this page

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, see this page

Learn more about some of the above cards in these guides:

• Best American Airlines cards
• Best Delta cards
• Best United Airlines cards

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• 3x Earn 3 miles per dollar at hotels
• 2x Earn 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
• 1x Earn 1 mile per dollar of eligible purchases.
• Benefits for Delta flyers, like first checked bag free, MQD Boost and MQD earned through spending
• Companion certificate good for a round trip domestic, Caribbean or Central American Main Cabin flight each year upon renewal of your card
• High annual fee
• Limited travel insurance options
• Companion pass comes with limitations
• Statement credits toward Delta Stays, Resy and rideshare purchases
• Consumer protections including cell phone insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection

The takeaway

Basic economy fares are the full-service airline’s answer to the impossibly cheap prices of low-cost carriers. They give you the luxury of flying legacy carriers like American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines for prices that are often competitive with the likes of Frontier, Allegiant, and Spirit Airlines. The only issue: these flights come with lots of restrictions.

By holding the right airline credit card, you can vanquish some of these restrictions, potentially making basic economy a no-brainer for the budget-conscious traveler. That said, if you’re not convinced paying an annual fee for one of these airline cards is a good fit for you, pop on over to our list of best no-annual-fee travel credit cards instead. You won’t get priority boarding or a free checked bag, but you can enjoy racking up rewards for your flights and hotel stays.

Beginner’s guide to travel rewards: How to travel with credit card points and miles

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.  

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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A look at the pros and cons of putting travel expenses on a credit card | On Your Side

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• Delta SkyMiles Blue Card

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• Key takeaways

Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue card worth it? 

Delta skymiles blue card rewards, delta skymiles blue card benefits, delta blue card fees, rates & limit, how the delta blue card compares, is the delta skymiles blue card right for me, how do i apply for the delta blue card, faq: delta skymiles blue card.

Delta SkyMiles Blue Credit Card: Good for Occasional Delta Flyers

• The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a simple travel rewards credit card that earns miles for every qualifying purchase.
• What we think: The Delta SkyMiles Blue card is not nearly as perk-heavy as other Delta cards, but if paying an annual fee for an airline credit card isn’t something you want to do, this is a decent option. However, if you fly frequently, you’ll certainly find more value in a higher-tier card.
• If you spend $1,000 in six months after opening the account, you’ll earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 SkyMiles. 
• The Delta SkyMiles Blue card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees ( see rates and fees ).
• Restaurant orders, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., earn 2 miles per dollar.

If you’re not a regular traveler, it can be hard to get enough value from a premium travel credit card to justify the annual fee. That’s where the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card comes in — this card gives you the opportunity to earn SkyMiles without paying an annual fee.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to understand about this Delta card from American Express , including:

• How to earn and redeem Delta SkyMiles rewards
• Cardholder benefits
• Fees and interest rates
• No annual fee
• 20% in-flight savings
• Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
• Low earning rate
• No free checked bags
• No priority boarding

If you’re loyal to Delta but don’t travel frequently, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card could be a good option. 

It offers an easy way to earn SkyMiles on your everyday purchases, so you can save money on flights in the future — and you don’t need to pay an annual fee. Plus, you’ll get a few perks that come in handy on vacation and in real life, including car rental insurance and purchase protection.

Pros and cons of the Delta SkyMiles Blue card

• Solid welcome offer
• Straightforward SkyMiles earnings tiers
• Discount on Delta in-flight purchases
• No intro APR offer

Learn more about Delta SkyMiles Blue card

Terms apply / Rates & fees

The Delta SkyMiles Blue card from American Express is a co-branded card; instead of points, it earns Delta SkyMiles. That’s a great perk, especially if you tend to fly Delta more than other airlines.

Welcome bonus

If you spend up to $1,000 in the first six months of having the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, you’ll earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 miles. Only purchases of goods and services count toward this spending threshold; fees and interest charges, prepaid card purchases and gift cards do not.

Keep in mind that American Express may decide you’re not eligible for this welcome offer if you’ve ever had one of the following cards:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Earn Delta SkyMiles Blue rewards

The most exciting aspect of this SkyMiles credit card is, of course, the rewards. There are three easy-to-understand earnings tiers. You’ll earn 2 Delta SkyMiles per dollar for every purchase you make at restaurants and directly with the airline. For all other eligible purchases, you’ll earn 1 mile for every dollar you spend. If you’re a Delta flyer, it’s relatively easy to accrue miles — a $500 flight earns 1,000 SkyMiles.

Redeem Delta Blue rewards

Delta and American Express offer a variety of ways to redeem the SkyMiles you earn with your Amex Delta Blue card. One of the most popular is the Pay with Miles option. When you book a flight on Delta, you can redeem miles to pay for part or all of the flight. Every 5,000 miles gives you up to $50 off the cost, which is a maximum value of 1 cent per mile.

However, it’s important to note that you can only redeem blocks of 5,000 miles. If your flight isn’t an exact multiple of $50, you’ll lose a bit of value. To pay for a $175 flight entirely with rewards, you’ll need to redeem 20,000 miles.

Can’t fly with Delta? You can also use SkyMiles to book SkyTeam Alliance flights. Member airlines include KLM, AirFrance, AeroMexico, Virgin Atlantic and Korean Air.

Other ways to redeem your Amex Delta SkyMiles rewards include:

Once you book a flight on Delta, use your SkyMiles to purchase an upgrade or select a preferred seat.

Checked bags:

Use miles to cover the fees for standard checked bags. This option is only available at a few airports in the United States.

Hotel stays:

With Delta Stays, you can use SkyMiles to pay for hotels.

Charity donations:

Don’t need your miles? Donate them to charity through Delta, and they’ll go to organizations that help children, veterans and natural disaster victims, among others.

Delta Vacations:

Make a booking through Delta Vacations, and you can use miles to pay for some or all of the cost.

Magazine subscription:

Choose from a wide variety of magazines, including Better Homes & Gardens and InStyle.

Premium drinks in Delta Sky Club lounges:

There’s no need to shell out for an expensive gin fizz the next time you’re in a Sky Club; just use your miles to cover the cost.

Delta Sky Club lounge memberships:

If you’re a SkyMiles Medallion Member, you can use your SkyMiles to buy lounge memberships. An individual annual membership is 69,500 miles, which is a value of $659.

Delta SkyMiles Experiences:

Get access to one-of-a-kind experiences, ranging from special chef dinners to VIP seating at sporting events — then pay for them with miles.

SkyMiles aren’t the only perk you get with a Delta Blue card from American Express. Your card also entitles you to a variety of benefits you can use while traveling or going about your life.

Travel benefits

Taking a trip? Make sure you’re taking advantage of these Delta SkyMiles card benefits:

• Car rental insurance:  With the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, you don’t need to worry if your rental car is damaged or stolen. As long as you book and pay for it with your card — not with miles — you’ll be covered for up to $50,000.
• In-flight savings:  Pay for food and drinks with your Blue card on a Delta flight, and you’ll automatically get a statement credit that equals a 20% discount.
• Global Assist Hotline: In trouble on the road? The Global Assist Hotline can help you access a range of services, including referrals for medical or legal assistance. It can even wire you cash if you can’t access it otherwise.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/​benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Shopping and entertainment benefits

If you love to shop and seek out entertainment experiences, these Delta SkyMiles Blue card benefits may save you money:

• ShopRunner membership:  Your Delta SkyMiles Blue card entitles you to free two-day shipping if you enroll in a ShopRunner subscription.
• Amex Offers:  Use your Delta Blue card to enroll in Amex Offers, and you can earn extra SkyMiles on certain deals.
• American Express Experiences: Get access to exclusive tickets for events, including concerts and sporting events; these deals are available only to American Express cardholders.
• Send & Split: This special feature allows you to split payments with friends who use PayPal or Venmo — without ever logging into either platform. You can manage the split right in the American Express app.

Protections and assistance

If you love to shop, these Delta SkyMiles Blue card benefits can help you save:

• Purchase protection:  When you make a purchase with your Delta Blue card, American Express will reimburse you if it’s damaged or stolen in the first 90 days of ownership. That means if your brand-new laptop is stolen, you can get your money back — coverage includes up to $10,000 per item.
• Extended warranty: Get an extra year of warranty protection on eligible purchases with manufacturer’s warranties of up to five years. If you need to make a claim against the extended warranty, you can get up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per card per year.

Before you make a final decision on the Delta Blue Amex card, make sure to consider the fees and interest rates ( see rates and fees ).

Delta SkyMiles Blue fees

When it comes to fees, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card offers a good deal — you won’t pay an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

Here are the card’s standard fees:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fee: $0
• Balance transfer fee: N/A
• Cash advance fee: The greater of $10 or 5% of the transfer
• Late or returned payment fee: Up to $40

Delta SkyMiles Blue card interest rates

Your Delta Blue card from American Express includes a variable annual percentage rate (APR) of 20.99% to 29.99%. American Express will determine your APR based on your application and credit profile.

Here’s a look at variable APRs available at Delta SkyMiles Blue card:

If you make a late payment or if your bank returns a payment, American Express is within its rights to switch you to a penalty APR of 29.99%. It may not, depending on your creditworthiness and account history. After you’re hit with the penalty, this APR will stay for a minimum of six months.

Delta SkyMiles Blue credit limit

If American Express approves you for the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, your credit limit will be assigned based on a range of factors. This might include your income, credit history, credit score, debt and other factors the issuer decides are relevant. Most cardholders have a limit of at least $1,000; yours may be considerably higher.

Compared to other Delta airlines cards , the Delta Amex Blue card is a pared-down option.

Although it earns miles and offers a few perks, it doesn’t include benefits that are standard on other cards — namely, free checked bags. If you travel frequently, you’re probably better off getting a different card; the lack of bag fees alone will likely make up for the annual fee. If not, this card is a solid option; it’s a basic airline credit card with no annual fee.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

American Express issues both the Delta SkyMiles Blue and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , but they sit at opposite ends of the travel card spectrum. While the Delta Blue is a no annual fee card , the Reserve will run you a whopping $650 per year ( see rates and fees ). 

The Reserve is geared toward frequent travelers — it comes with $2,500 Delta Medallion Qualification Dollars per year, free access to Delta Sky Clubs, a free round-trip companion certificate each year, and more. The Blue card, on the other hand, is intended for occasional travelers who are Delta-loyal.

Read our full Delta SkyMiles Reserve card review

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card falls somewhere between the Blue and the Reserve cards. It has a $150 annual fee after the first year ( see rates and fees ). For that, you get a free checked bag, priority boarding, a $100 credit to Delta Stays and a $200 Delta flight credit after you spend at least $10,000 in a year. Plus, you’ll earn 2 SkyMiles for every dollar spent, compared to the 1 mile per dollar with the Blue card. 

If you’re a somewhat regular traveler but not quite ready for a luxury card, the Gold card is better than the Blue — it only takes five flights to make up for the annual fee in checked bag fees alone.

Read our full Delta SkyMiles Gold card review

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a general travel credit card; instead of SkyMiles, it earns points that you can redeem for travel. You’ll need excellent credit to be approved for this Capital One card , compared to the good credit that’s required for the Delta SkyMiles American Express card.

Both cards eliminate foreign transaction fees, but the VentureOne is accepted in more places around the world — an important consideration if you plan to travel internationally.

Read our full Capital One VentureOne card review

You might choose the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card if you’re a Delta fan and you’re searching for a basic rewards credit card .

It’s an effective way to earn SkyMiles on your everyday purchases — and with no annual fee, you don’t have to worry about getting your money’s worth in perks. As long as you can spend an average of $167 per month in the first six months, you’ll earn a 10,000-mile welcome bonus.

If you don’t travel often, one of these general rewards cards may suit you better:  

• Amex Blue Cash Preferred card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred card

You can learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card and apply online. 

To get approved for the Delta Blue card, you’ll need good to excellent credit . 

While American Express doesn’t give a credit score requirement, this usually means 690 FICO score or higher. When you apply, expect to provide your employment information and financial details.

What credit score do you need for Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card?

There are no hard and fast credit score rules for the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, but you will likely need a minimum score of 690 to get approved. The decision will take into account factors that might include your score, credit history and income.

Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue credit card good?

The Delta SkyMiles Blue credit card is good if you’re a loyal Delta flyer and you want to earn SkyMiles. It doesn’t offer many perks, but it comes with a $0 annual fee.

Do you get a free checked bag with the Delta SkyMiles Blue card?

No, you don’t get a free checked bag with the Delta SkyMiles Blue card.

What is the credit limit for the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card?

The credit limit for the Delta Blue card from American Express varies based on your qualifications.

What are the benefits of Delta Blue Card?

The Delta Blue Card comes with benefits that include rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and access to American Express experiences and offers.

Elizabeth Smith is an experienced travel and finance writer who specializes in topics including credit cards, travel insurance, and personal finance. Travel insurance, in particular, has both professional and personal significance for Smith. She’s traveled to 73 countries, and has extensive experience choosing and using various policies — she understands how valuable the right plan can be in an emergency, and loves to help readers find the perfect fit.

Smith comes to the world of finance from a scientific and technical background. She spent more than 10 years writing about engineering, science, and technology for universities and private companies. When she’s not writing or traveling, Smith can usually be found hiking or Nordic skiing.

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• Travel Insurance

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Tick Travel Insurance Top Cover Review: Features, Pros And Cons

Published: Apr 24, 2024, 1:46am

When comparing Tick Travel Insurance’s pricing against cover levels in key areas, such as emergency medical expenses and trip cancellation, it is safe to argue that it’s a highly competitive player in the market. Travellers will likely appreciate the unlimited medical and $20,000 of cancellation cover available. Plus, the 24-hour medical emergency assistance line may offer added peace of mind.

However, some travellers may feel that Tick Travel Insurance’s Top Policy falls a little short on nice-to-have coverage, including lost luggage and rental car excess limits. Let’s take a closer look at Tick’s top policy offering.

• Competitive pricing
• High levels of medical and cancellation cover
• High customer service rating
• Credit card fraud not covered
• Higher levels of luggage cover elsewhere
• Missed connections not covered

Table of Contents

About tick travel insurance, what does tick travel insurance cover, does tick travel insurance cover me for covid, pricing comparison, customer service, the bottom line.

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Tick Travel Insurance is owned by Europ Assistance which is a part of the global Generali Group, and underwritten by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited.

Generali is a large global insurance and asset management provider, while Europ Assistance says it has a presence in over 200 countries, providing comfort and empathy to customers in emergency situations, and an immediate global response.

Tick Travel Insurance’s aim is to make travel insurance simple, covering travellers up to age 100. It offers three levels of domestic travel insurance: Basic, Standard and Top and four types of international travel insurance: Basic, Budget, Standard and Top.

This review will focus on the most comprehensive offering for international travel, being the Tick Travel Insurance Top plan.

Tick Travel Insurance provides domestic and international cover, offering policies for single trips and annual cover for multiple trips in a year. The provider covers adults up to the age of 100, while dependent children, up to 18-years-old at time of purchase, are insured for free on an adult’s policy.

As is typical of travel insurance, its policies cover trip cancellation or curtailment and journey resumption, due to unforeseen circumstances such as injury or illness, as standard. Cover for travel delay is available on the top policies, with a pay out of $100 per completed hour up to $1,000. Valid reasons for claiming include bad weather, a vehicle breakdown or strike, and experiencing a delay of more than 12 hours.

Tick Travel Insurance’s Top plan also includes the following standard benefits that form a part of most comprehensive travel insurance policies:

Lost Luggage

This insurer covers the cost of repairing or replacing your lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings up to $7,500. Take note of the $3,000 sublimit— individual limit— on how much you can claim for devices such as laptops, tablets, phones, video cameras and cameras.

Tick Travel Insurance offers unlimited medical cover, which includes cover for ambulance and emergency surgery, repatriation if necessary, and the death of you, or another person insured on the policy.

While the insurer can cover pre-existing conditions (medical conditions you had before taking out the policy), whether you will be eligible for this cover will depend on the details you provide, outlining the condition and its severity, in the medical screening section of the application.

Is Dental Cover Included?

This insurer also extends its cover to dental treatment, paying out up to $500. This is half of what many providers offer, and bear in mind that you can only claim for dental cover for situations where you need immediate pain relief.

Yes, protection against risks in relation to Covid-19 are covered by Tick Travel Insurance’s Top policy. The insurer accepts related cancellation and disruption claims, as well as medical claims for trips outside of Australia.

What About Pregnancy?

You can claim for an extensive range of pregnancy or childbirth complications up to 31 weeks into your pregnancy with this insurer. These include toxaemia, gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.

What About Sports And Activities?

From abseiling, to jet skiing and motorcycling, insurance for 90 sports and activities is included automatically with Tick Travel Insurance.

Remember to look out for conditions for claiming. For instance, you will only be covered for three bungee jumps and can only kayak in grades 1 and 2 rapids or lower. Also, some activities may require safety gear that you will need to wear to make a valid claim.

Cover for personal liability and accidental injury only apply to certain activities, as specified in the PDS.

Compared to the competition, Tick Travel Insurance offers relatively decent to high levels of cover across the board for a super competitive price.

When comparing the price of its most comprehensive policy against those of Travel Insurance Direct and Allianz—two providers we rated highly for their comprehensive offering—it comes out on top.

The data below is based on a 28-year-old who needs insurance for Indonesia for seven days.

The above table shows how important it is to shop around for travel insurance, and weigh up your needs with your budget when comparing policies. Tick’s Travel Insurance’s Top policy is only $77, offers considerably more cancellation cover than its competitors for this price, and levies less in excess—the set portion of each claim you must pay.

However, it may not be suitable for those who need higher levels of cover in other areas such as lost luggage and rental car excess. You can find out exactly what a policy includes and excludes in its PDS, which is usually published on the insurer’s website.

You can also find out more about the comprehensive travel insurance providers Forbes Advisor Australia has independently rated the best.

Customers award Tick Travel Insurance a high score of 4 out of 5 stars across 2832 reviews on ProductReview, Australia’s leading consumer opinion site.

Satisfied customers were pleased with how simple they found the process of taking out insurance, and the price of their policy.

However, disgruntled customer complaints were varied. Some speak of technical difficulties with the provider taking payment and not offering a refund instead, trouble accessing their policy documents and rejected claims.

To speak to someone on Tick Travel Insurance’s customer service team, you can fill in the online query form or email: [email protected] .

For 24-hour emergency assistance, you can call: +612 9333 3963, and for emergencies and claims, email: [email protected] .

You can also send written correspondence to:

Customer Services Tick Insurance Australia Suite 1.04, Level 1, 19 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009 Sydney NSW

Additionally, you can send a complaint via post, or email: [email protected] .

Tick Travel Insurance may be considered most suitable for those looking for reasonable to high levels of cover in key areas, for a competitive price. This includes unlimited medical cover and $20,000 for trip cancellation. In other areas cover levels are decent, but may not be suitable for all. Those taking away belongings worth over $7,500 or needing more than $4,000 in rental car excess may want to look elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can i find the tick travel insurance pds.

A policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS) details what it covers, any exclusions and limitations or sublimits. It’s crucial that travellers read through this document before deciding whether to purchase the policy.

Typically, an insurer will provide a link to a policy’s PDS on its website. The PDS for Tick Travel Insurance’s policies, including its comprehensive cover, are also online .

What is Tick Travel Insurance’s phone number?

Existing customers and those with service queries can fill in Tick Travel Insurance’s online query form should they need assistance, or contact at [email protected].

For 24-hour emergency assistance customers can call: +612 9333 3963.

How good is Tick travel insurance?

We have awarded Tick Travel Insurance 3.7 out of 5 stars based on factors such as the unlimited amount of medical cover, and high level of cancellation cover, it provides. It also scores highly on customer review site productreview.com.au.

However, customers should note it does not cover you, if you fall victim to credit card fraud while away. Neither are you able to choose the amount of cancellation cover you need as with some other insurers. This may not be of concern, considering $20,000 for cancellation is automatically provided, which is a considerable amount, and Tick Travel Insurance policies are competitively priced.

I have been writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 10 years. My passion is providing, in a way that is easily accessible and digestible to all, the knowledge needed for readers to not only manage their finances, but financially flourish.

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