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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.

On this page

• Prepaid travel card perks
• Stick with travel credit card?

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Are Prepaid Travel Cards a Good Idea?

They can help with budgeting but compare them with other debit and credit card options before you go.

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A prepaid travel card can offer fraud protection, with your liability limited to $50 if you report it within two business days of learning of the theft.

Whether you're planning a trip to Bali or Boston, staying on a budget and keeping your money safe is essential. A prepaid debit card can help.

Prepaid travel cards function similarly to general-purpose prepaid debit cards but offer extra perks that can make your life a little easier when you're abroad. However, they also come with limitations and other drawbacks that may give the casual traveler pause.

What Are Prepaid Travel Cards?

Prepaid travel cards, also sometimes called international prepaid cards, can make spending easier when you're outside the country.

There are two primary types of prepaid travel cards:

Multicurrency prepaid travel cards. These cards allow you to load cash in specific currencies onto your card before you go on your trip, letting you lock in your exchange rate instead of paying the current rate at the ATM or point of sale.

You can then use the card wherever its payment network, such as Visa or Mastercard, is accepted.

You can't load cash with just any currency, though. Even major prepaid cards may be limited to only a handful of currencies. For example, some have only six currencies available: the euro, British pound, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen and Mexican peso.

General travel prepaid cards. These cards don't differ much from traditional prepaid debit cards. However, they're more likely to offer certain features that can come in handy when you're overseas.

Examples include chip and PIN capability, emergency cash and card replacement, and international ATM use.

Not all prepaid cards have a chip though, and that can be a problem, says Quentin Telep, director of financial services for AAA National. "In many countries, especially in Europe, they've had the chip functionality for many years."

You may have difficulty using a chipless card at unmanned kiosks and other automated payment points.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Prepaid Travel Card?

If you're planning a trip within the U.S., you likely won't need a travel prepaid debit card. But if you're traveling internationally, you may gain some benefits from doing so.

It can help with budgeting. Sticking to your vacation budget can be tough. Traveling is a time to let loose and live a little, and it can be easy to spend more than you originally planned.

"It's a little easier perhaps to overrun the credit card when you're on vacation and you're not really thinking about how much you're spending," says Mike Clark, co-founder of PrepaidCards123, an online tool for comparing prepaid debit cards. "You may want to set aside a specific amount for your spending money while you're on your trip, and people use prepaid cards for that purpose."

You'll be protected from fraud. Prepaid debit cards are required to give cardholders the same level of fraud protection as traditional debit cards.

This means that if someone uses your card without your permission, your liability is limited to $50 if you report it within two business days of learning of the theft.

Some prepaid cards may go above and beyond this standard, providing a zero-liability policy that protects you from losing any money, even if you don't report the theft before charges show up on your account.

Prepaid cards offer a buffer for your accounts. If you're wary about using your debit or credit card on your trip, a prepaid card can help. While all three types of cards offer some level of fraud protection, it might take time to recover.

A thief who gets access to your debit card could do serious damage to your bank account right when you need funds the most. For example, you may not be able to get reimbursed right away, or it may take some time to receive a replacement credit card . If any kind of theft happens with your prepaid card, the stakes are much lower.

What Are the Disadvantages of Using a Prepaid Travel Card?

While prepaid travel cards can have their perks, watch out for some potential pitfalls, too.

They can cost more. General prepaid debit cards typically charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made in a foreign currency. And though many travel credit cards waive that fee, prepaid travel cards don't. That means you may be paying 3% on top of every purchase you make on your trip.

Even if you exchange your currency before you go with a multicurrency card, you can expect to pay a premium. For example, you may pay a fee of 5.5% to exchange U.S. dollars to an available currency.

Prepaid travel cards could be a more expensive option than other methods of obtaining foreign currency, such as withdrawing cash from an ATM at your destination. "The exchange rate is not nearly as favorable as you would even have if you prepurchase currency at a bank," says Clark.

And if you don't use all the money on the card, you may be subject to a fee to get a refund of your remaining balance.

Prepaid travel cards can also come with other costs, such as fees to load money onto the account, inactivity fees, ATM fees and even a fee to set up your account.

They don't provide rewards or perks. If you're a disciplined spender and can stick to your budget while traveling, a travel rewards credit card may give you a lot more value than a prepaid travel card. Not only do most travel credit cards charge no foreign transaction fees, but you could get access to rewards and other perks such as statement credits for select travel-related expenses, travel insurance protections , complimentary airport lounge access and more.

Most benefits aren't unique. There are some clear benefits of using a prepaid travel card when you're out of the country, but other products could offer the same benefits.

For example, both traditional debit and credit cards offer fraud protection, and you can also avoid debt by using your regular debit card. And while prepaid travel cards come with a built-in limit as to how much you can spend, it's possible to do the same thing with your checking account – you'll just need to make sure your overdraft protection is disabled to avoid nonsufficient funds charges.

You may run into limitations. If you're hoping to get a multicurrency card, you'll only be able to use it if you're visiting a country that uses an eligible currency.

"It's kind of limited in terms of the geography where it's viable," says Telep, "and it also is really only suitable for frequent international travelers or people who are on very extended international trips."

Should You Consider Using a Prepaid Travel Card?

Prepaid travel cards may sound appealing because they're geared toward travel use. But they don't always provide more than what you get from using your regular debit card and a travel rewards credit card.

And while a multicurrency prepaid travel card sounds like it can make your life easier, you'll pay a premium to preload the currency of your choice. Credit and debit cards may assess fees, but many of them are easier to avoid than on prepaid card fees.

Some prepaid cards charge high monthly fees, for example, which may feel unnecessary if you're only using it when you travel. If you're thinking about using a prepaid debit card when traveling overseas for the forced budgeting feature, avoid limiting your search to cards that brand themselves as prepaid travel cards. Instead, also consider general-purpose prepaid cards that allow for international ATM withdrawals and don't charge a lot of fees.

"Look for a card that has a fee structure that's not going to penalize you if you only use the card two or three times a year when you’re going on various vacation trips," says Telep.

You'll also want to make sure you don't run into limitations on how and when you can use your card while you're traveling.

"If I'm traveling abroad, I have to make sure that my prepaid card is going to work for both cash access and for purchases abroad," says Clark. "And you're always going to want to go with a Visa or Mastercard network because of the acceptance abroad."

Consider Using a Mix of Payment Methods

Instead of focusing your vacation spending on just one form of payment, consider using more than one. For example, a travel rewards credit card may be best for most purchases because you can avoid the foreign transaction fee and earn valuable rewards on each transaction. Then use a traditional or prepaid debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs, since credit card issuers will charge a cash advance fee on these transactions.

By having multiple payment options, you can judge which one is the best every time you need to make a purchase. It can also help if one of them gets stolen. While some credit cards and prepaid debit cards offer emergency cash and card replacement services, having a backup ready to go can be a major stress reliever.

Whatever you do, take some time to compare your options to make sure you're getting the most value out of your trip.

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The best prepaid travel cards (travel money cards) in 2024

Article contents

In a nutshell

• Best prepaid travel money cards
• Best direct debit travel card
• Our criteria for the best prepaid travel money cards
• What's the best prepaid travel card for Europe?

What is a prepaid travel card?

Store multiple currencies, the best prepaid travel card in the uk.

• Pros and cons of prepaid travel cards

What’s the alternatives to multi-currency prepaid cards?

What is the mid-market rate (the real exchange rate), what’s the mastercard rate, prepaid travel card fees, how to get a prepaid travel card.

• Are prepaid travel cards safe?

Let’s recap

The best prepaid travel cards are Revolut and Wise. Although not a prepaid card, one of the best cards to use abroad is Currensea (it links to your bank account). They’re all super popular, with low fees, and are easy to sign up and use.

Heading off on an adventure or holiday abroad? Or perhaps a work trip? Making the right decision on travel money can save you a small fortune – and a prepaid travel money card is likely your best option. So without further ado, here’s the best:

The best travel money card

The best travel card overall.

Best travel card

Currensea tops the list – it's super simple to use, just connect it to your bank account and it’s low cost too. You'll also get a £5 welcome bonus.

£5 welcome bonus

With Currensea, you can get a travel card that connects directly to your bank account – it acts just the same as your bank card, and transactions come directly out of your bank account.

The only difference, is you won't have to pay hefty bank fees, saving anywhere from 85% to 100% of the cost.

It's a great alternative to a prepaid travel card if you want something a bit simpler.

Best prepaid travel money card

The best prepaid card you top-up beforehand, all ready to spend.

Wise is one of the best travel cards out there. It's super popular, with over 16 million customers around the world.

It's got some of the lowest fees you'll find, and it's available in over 40 currencies and 150+ countries.

The card is contactless, and there's a great phone app (and website) to manage everything too.

Our criteria for the best prepaid travel cards

To compare and determine the best travel money cards, we looked at:

Exchange rate

• Withdrawal fees from an ATM

Card delivery fee

• Number of currencies available
• Ease of use (manage online via a website or phone app)

There’s lots of options for converting (changing) your money, or spending abroad, such as changing cash in-person at a bureau de change (not recommended), using an ATM, or a credit card or debit card abroad – but a prepaid travel card is often one of the easiest and cheapest options – and you can reuse them for all your holidays in the future, or even on the same trip to different countries, spending different currencies. 

We’re big fans of prepaid travel cards here at Nuts About Money, and are only recommending the best – they’re ones we recommend to our friends and family (and readers of course), and use ourselves when we’re able to get away.

So, whichever travel card (from our recommendations) you opt for, you can be confident they’re safe to use, trustworthy, and you’ll be using one of the cheapest options available.

What’s the best prepaid travel card for Europe?

If you’re heading off to Europe for a bit of getaway, you’ve got loads of options when it comes to a prepaid travel card – just make sure you don’t use your current bank account and debit card – you’ll be charged hefty fees (we’ll cover all of this below).

Anyway, the best travel card for Europe is Currensea ¹ – it’s easy to use, just link it to your existing bank account and you’re good to go. It’s very low cost too (and no set up fees).

A prepaid travel card is similar to a bank card (debit card) that you might use for all of your spending in the UK, except instead of your money coming directly out of your bank account, you’ll top it up with money beforehand (or during your trip) – meaning you’ll simply send Pounds (GBP) from your bank account directly to the card (account). 

Note: you can send it back if you don’t spend it all.

Once the card has been 'topped-up', you can spend it abroad and withdraw cash from an ATM (cash machine), (e.g. Euros if you’re heading to Europe), meaning that you can save a lot of money in hidden fees and bad exchange rates – and these fees can really add up.

Why? Typically using your high street bank card abroad will mean a fee every time you want to use it, and your money will need to be converted into the local currency every time you use it too – at a very bad exchange rate that the bank sets (which often includes a hidden fee).

The prepaid travel cards we've listed above give you the freedom to spend like a local, and not worry about the cost. They’re pretty great.

With prepaid travel cards, you can actually store a range of different currencies in your account, it doesn’t have to be just one. And for this reason they’re often also called a multi-currency card, or a foreign currency card.

With Wise ¹, there’s actually over 40 different currencies you can store, and of course, spend. 

And normally, if you don’t have the particular currency you want to spend, the card will automatically convert another currency in your account to the currency you need when you spend. Pretty cool.

The best prepaid currency cards we’ve listed above are some of the best wherever you are in the world, for changing one currency to another, and spending in a different country (there’s a huge range of currencies with Wise ¹). And all great if you’re from the UK travelling abroad.

You can sign up online and use both Revolut ¹ and Wise ¹ if you’re in the UK, and are travelling to pretty much any other country in the world.

Pros and cons of prepaid travel money cards

Let’s run through the pros and cons of using a prepaid card:

• Cheap way of spending abroad (pay in the local currency)
• Easy way to spend (make contactless payments abroad)
• Store multiple currencies on one card
• Often free to withdraw cash from an ATM (up to a limit)
• Safe way of spending money abroad (don’t need loads of cash)
• Protection from fraud (sometimes able to refund a transaction, called a chargeback)
• Easily block your card if it’s lost or stolen (and get a replacement card)
• Great for setting a spending budget (no overdraft)
• Can be low withdrawal limits from an ATM (before fees)
• Might not be able to use it to hire a car or a hotel (or any pre-authorised transactions)
• Can’t spend more than you top up (no overdraft like a bank)

A prepaid currency card isn’t your only option, but it’s definitely one of the cheapest (especially with one of the top prepaid travel money card providers). You could also change cash before you go (very expensive), or use a credit card or debit card designed for foreign currency spending (don’t just use any credit or debit card, they can be expensive!).

But with those, you’ll need to do a full application with credit checks, and open a whole new bank account for a debit card. There’s not really much benefit vs a prepaid card (unless you’re travelling a lot, or in the market for a new bank).

Nuts About Money tip: if you don’t want to use a prepaid card, check out Currensea ¹, they’re a travel card that connects directly to your bank account – so whatever you spend comes directly out of your bank. It’s a pretty cool idea and much cheaper than your bank, as you’ll get cheaper currency conversion rates and no transaction fees.

Although you’ve likely heard of an exchange rate, which is how much you get in another currency when you swap (exchange) your Pounds for them (e.g. Pounds for Euros) – depending on where you exchange your money, this rate can vary wildly.

Typically banks and other foreign exchange places tend to set their own exchange rate, which is much worse than the real exchange rate… (it’s how you can often see commission-free advertised, but it’s not really, there’s a hidden fee in the exchange rate).

The real exchange rate (used worldwide) is called the mid-market rate, and this is the rate that banks themselves use to swap money (also called the interbank exchange rate), without any hidden fees involved. It is the rate the ‘market’ sets – where buyers and sellers come together.

Technically the mid-market rate is the middle of the buy and sell prices of two currencies (e.g. Pounds to Euros), and so it effectively represents the current exchange rate.

So, if a travel money company isn’t using the mid-market rate (they might say interbank rate), you’re not getting the ‘real’ exchange rate, and you’ll be paying a fee.

European Central Bank (ECB) rate

In Europe, the European Central Bank (an organisation that is intended to look after the finances of all the countries in Europe that use the Euro, similar to the Bank of England in the UK), set an exchange rate too, called the European Central Bank rate. 

You could think of this as another official rate, just for Euros, although you’ll never actually be able to get this rate – but the closer to it, the more money you’ll save.

There’s also something called the Mastercard rate, which as you’ve probably guessed, is the rate the company Mastercard sets – they’re a very big company who provides cards for banks and other financial companies for their customers to use (e.g. a bank debit card). Another similar company is Visa.

And similar to the mid-market rate, they set an exchange rate which is set on their cards for foreign exchange. 

They take a small fee within this rate, so it will always be slightly higher than the mid-market rate. And, companies using Mastercard services (e.g. to give their customers cards), can choose to either add their own fee on, or add no fees and pass on the exact exchange rate.

So, if you see a bank saying you’ll get the Mastercard rate, that means they haven’t added any extra fees and are passing the lowest rate possible they can get (with Mastercard) onto you. 

This rate will be one of the cheapest you'll be able to get. Just make sure they haven't added any commission on top.

The topic we’re all here for, how much do you actually pay with prepaid travel cards? We’ve covered the exchange rates above, and typically this is the main fee you’ll pay (if there is a fee hidden in the exchange rate).

However, there are some other fees to be aware of, depending on which card you choose, let’s run through all the foreign exchange fees:

Note: you don’t typically get charged a fee to spend money (often called foreign transaction fees) with prepaid cards, these are more common on credit cards and and with banks.

As mentioned above, there’s always a fee within the exchange rate, whether it’s hidden or not. Normally, you’ll see this as the mid-market rate, interbank rate or mastercard rate plus a certain amount on top (e.g. the mid-market rate plus 1%).

ATM withdrawal fees

Some card providers will let you withdraw cash for free from an ATM (cash machine), some have a limit on how much you can withdraw for free per month (or a maximum number of transactions before there’s a fee), and others have no limit but will charge for every withdrawal.

This can range from a fixed fee per withdrawal (e.g. £1), to a percentage of the amount you take out (e.g. 2%), or a combination of both.

Producing a card can involve a lot of admin and of course actually producing and printing the card and delivery, so a travel money card provider will often pass this fee onto you – so they can cover their costs if you don’t end up using the card.

This is normally around £5-10, although with some companies it can be free, but there’s normally conditions such as topping up your card beforehand.

Note: if you lose your card, you’ll often have to pay a card replacement fee too. This is typical with all cards, even our recommended options.

Inactivity fee

With some cards, there can also be an inactivity fee, which is a fee for not using the card after a certain period of time. This is normally after 12 months, and a fee per month of around £2 per month.

Note: the best cards we recommend above ( Revolut ¹ and Wise ¹) don't have this fee. You can leave them for as long as you like (until your next holiday).

The great news is it’s super easy to get a prepaid travel card – it’s not like applying for a bank account or a credit card, you can get set up within a few minutes and the card can arrive the next day.

All you’ll need to do is first decide which travel card you’d like (we recommend Revolut ¹ or Wise ¹ as they’re the cheapest, and have easy to use apps for managing your money), and then fill out a few details on their website (or app), prove you are who you say you are with your passport or driving licence, and that’s it.

You’ll need to transfer some money (also called ‘load money’) over from your bank account, or deposit via a debit card, and that’s it. You can start spending online straight away (you can also add your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay) – or wait until your card arrives in the post to start spending on that.

It literally couldn’t be easier.

Are prepaid travel money cards safe?

Yep, it’s perfectly safe to use a prepaid travel card.

The company giving you the card will need to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who are the people making sure financial companies are looking after you and your money.

Your money will also be held in a bank account with a very large bank (e.g. Barclays), completely separate from the company’s own money. So, if anything happened to the company such as going out of business, your money could only be returned to you.

Using a card is also much safer than taking out cash when abroad, and keeping cash in your hotel room (or your sock). There’s lots of safety features such as being able to freeze your card (so it temporarily can't be used) and protection from fraudulent transactions if your card was lost or stolen – which you can often do immediately within an app on your phone.

That’s all there is to it. Pretty simple right? You can get a prepaid travel card in just a few minutes, and the card can turn up the next day – you’ll benefit from saving a small fortune on your spending money abroad. Plus, it’s much safer than travelling with cash.

You can also use your card in a huge range of shops, bars and restaurants, just as you would in the UK (with contactless), and withdrawing cash from an ATM can be easy too.

We recommend using one of the best travel cards above, such as Revolut ¹ or Wise ¹, they’re super popular, trustworthy, are easy to use and have great mobile apps to manage everything, not to mention they’re the cheapest out there (by quite a bit!).

And there you go, that’s your travel money sorted, all that’s left is to enjoy the holiday!

This article was written by the team at Nuts About Money, and fact-checked by 2 independent reviewers. You’re in safe hands.

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The smarter way to travel

Multi-currency Cash Passport™. One Card, Ten Currencies.

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Multi-currency Cash Passport

10 currencies, locked in rates.

Lock in exchange rates each time you load and top up. Load up to 10 different currencies on one card. Pound Sterling, Euros, US Dollars, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, New Zealand Dollars, South African Rand, Turkish Lira, Swiss Francs and Emirati Dirhams.

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Manage and track your Cash Passport on the go via your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC. Login to  My Account  and stay in control of your money. 

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Preload your Cash Passport and use like you would a credit or debit card in-store, online or to withdraw local currency at ATMs.

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Running low on travel money.

Multi-currency Cash Passport is reloadable, allowing you to top up any of your currencies, anywhere, anytime.

You can top up in 5 ways:

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Learn more about your top up options.

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You can use your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC to login to My Account  and stay in control of your travel money.

Register for My Account , so you can:

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You can also download the Cash Passport mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices.

Travel with confidence

Safe and secure access to your money

Cash Passport uses Chip and PIN technology which means you can rest assured you have additional security making your card safer than carrying cash. Accepted at millions of locations and cash machines worldwide.

Looking for a back-up card for safe keeping? Simply purchase an additional card when ordering online or in-store.

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We're only a call or email away at all times. Our global assistance team will help you if your card is lost, stolen or damaged.

We can replace your card quickly or provide you with access to emergency cash up to the available balance on your card (subject to availability), so you can keep enjoying your holiday.

Need further help?

View our frequently asked questions or feel free to contact us .

Cash Passport™ app

The new Cash Passport app has an improved design that makes managing your travel money faster and easier.

Start travelling smarter in just a couple of taps. Activate your Cash Passport card from your mobile, download the app from the iOS or Android store, log-in, and load up with your preferred currency. Simple!

Now you can securely store your payment card details in the Cash Passport app, so whenever and wherever you are, you can top up with up to 10 currencies, including Euros, US, Australian and Canadian Dollars and British Pounds at the touch of a button.

Stay in control the smart way. The new message centre feature lets you stay on top of tailored notifications, including low balance and transaction alerts. Keeping you up to date with your own personal need to know information.

Move money between your currencies with just a couple of taps – it’s that simple! Quickly move money between 10 currencies and spend more time enjoying your holiday.

Priceless Cities

Priceless Cities is a program available exclusively to Cash Passport cardholders and provides access to unforgettable experiences in the cities where you live and travel.

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*Foreign exchange rates can fluctuate and the rate that applies one day will not necessarily be the same on any other day. The exchange rates set out on this website apply to top-ups that are made via this website only and that are applied to your card account within four hours. We will provide you with the applicable exchange rate at the time you top up.

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Compare our best prepaid travel cards

Simplify your spending abroad with a prepaid travel card, find a prepaid travel card, what is a prepaid travel card.

A  prepaid travel card , also known as a 'travel money card', is  a debit card that you preload with money  and take on holiday. It's a good way to stick to your holiday budget and avoid carrying a lot of cash. 

Prepaid travel cards  can be used at cashpoints, in shops and restaurants , or anywhere that accepts Mastercard or Visa debit or credit cards.

However, a prepaid travel card is  not the same as a  credit card  for two key reasons:

You can only spend the amount you have put on the card; the pre-loaded limit prevents you overspending and getting into debt 

You can choose which currency to preload your travel money card with depending on where you're going, which often means you can secure a better exchange rate

Pick a card with fees that suit how you plan to use it, e.g. choose one with no withdrawal fees if you'll be withdrawing cash often while travelling.”

What are the different types of prepaid travel cards?

Multi-currency prepaid cards.

These can be loaded with several different currencies , making them ideal for both frequent travellers and those taking trips to multiple destinations. For example, you holiday in Europe but often visit the US on business, you could use a prepaid travel card to cover your everyday spending wherever you are by topping it up with say £600 then exchanging £200 into euros and £200 into US dollars. The different currencies will then be stored in separate “wallets” , allowing you to switch currencies when you like.

Sterling prepaid cards

These can be used at home and abroad , making them even more flexible than the best travel cards offering multiple currencies. You don’t need to worry about setting up a wallet for the currency you want to use; the card provider simply converts your pounds to the required currency each time you make a purchase . However, this can make holiday budgeting harder and may increase your costs, depending on the charging structure.

Euro prepaid cards

As well as multi-currency cards, you can take out prepaid cards designed to hold a specific currency . This can work out excellently if you're trying to lock in a good rate now by loading your euro prepaid card, but if you then use the card to buy things in a country that isn't in the eurozone. That's because if you spend in a country that does not use the euro, it converts to the local currency each time you make a purchase, which can work out more expensive.

Prepaid US dollar cards

These keep your balance in dollars . If you spend in countries that use a different currency, the card will exchange your dollars to the local currency, and you might well be charged a fee. The currency exchange takes place as soon as you load your card . If the pound strengthens afterwards, you won’t be getting the best value for money, but it if weakens you'll do well.

How to get a prepaid travel card

Compare cards.

Use our table below to find prepaid travel card that offers the features you need with the lowest fees

Check your eligibility

Make sure you fit the eligibility criteria for your chosen travel money card and can provide the required proof of ID

Apply for the card

Click 'view deal' below and fill out the application form on the provider's website with your personal details

What are the eligibility requirements?

Anyone can get a prepaid travel card. There's no need to have a bank account, and  no credit checks are required . Some providers have a minimum age of 18, but many will let you have a prepaid card from the age of 13 with parental consent. 

Sometimes parents like to use travel money cards to give their children a set amount of  holiday money , and to help teach them about budgeting and financial responsibility. 

Pros and Cons

What exchange rate do you get.

Exchange rates vary over time depending on what is happening in the wider economy. That means the exchange rate you get on a US dollar travel card today, for example, might not be the same as you get tomorrow or next week.

What prepaid cards offer is the ability to lock in today's rate to use later on. That could see you better off if the pound weakens, but might also mean you get a poor deal if the pound strengthens.

That offers is certainty - you'll know exactly how many dollars, euros, lira or whichever currency you load onto the card you have to spend on holiday.

Today’s best exchange rates

At what point is the currency exchanged with prepaid travel cards.

Some prepaid travel cards hold the balance in pounds sterling. These convert the required amount to the local currency every time you spend on them .

The exchange rate isn’t fixed, so you’ll only know how many pounds you have on the card - not what it will buy you while overseas.

But the cards in our comparison table convert your money when you add it onto the card. This means you know the exchange rate used and your card's exact balance before you go away.

Compare the rates before you choose a prepaid card. Although rates can change several times a day, some travel cards will be more competitive than others.

Using a card with competitive exchange rates will mean you get more local currency for your pound.

You also need to watch out for fees as well as withdrawal limits when choosing a card, as these can vary between providers.

What are the alternatives to prepaid travel cards?

Travel credit card.

A travel credit card works just like a regular credit card, with which you can make purchases by borrowing money. The main difference is that travel credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees for spending abroad. 

Travel money

For many people, cash is the most comfortable form of payment when travelling. It's hassle-free and universally accepted. But it’s riskier, as you'll lose out if it’s lost or stolen and you’ll need to budget carefully to ensure your foreign currency lasts the length of your trip. 

Travel debit card

These days, there are plenty of specialist banks and providers that offer bank accounts that don't charge foreign transaction fees when used abroad. This offers you a chance to take advantage of the best exchange rates. And if it's your main current account, you won't have to worry about topping up your account before you go.

What other costs or fees are there with prepaid travel cards?

As well as the exchange rate, you might have to pay several other charges on your prepaid travel card.

These could include:

A fee to buy the card

A monthly or annual fee for keeping the account open

Cash withdrawal fees

Transaction fees when you pay for anything on the card

Inactivity fees

Loading fees when you add money onto the card

Some cards also charge fees for withdrawing cash or making purchases inside the UK .

But some of the cards in this comparison do not charge fees in countries that use currencies loaded on the card - just make sure the right one is selected before spending on them.

Check carefully for fees before you pick one.

Read our full guide on how much it costs to use a travel prepaid card and how to choose one .

"With multi-currency cards, check you've selected the right currency before you arrive."

How long does it take to get a prepaid travel card?

You can apply online and get a decision immediately. However, it can take up to two weeks before your card arrives in the post.

Can I use any prepaid card abroad?

Yes, you can use prepaid Visa or Mastercard cards in most destinations worldwide.  Travel prepaid cards  are usually cheaper to use overseas than a standard credit or debit card. 

Can I withdraw cash abroad?

Yes, you can use a travel money card in a cash machine outside the UK. Some cards  charge fees  for this, so always check if you want to use your prepaid travel card to make cash withdrawals.

What currencies can my card hold?

All the travel money cards in our comparison can hold a balance in popular currencies such as euros or dollars, while some support more than 50 different currencies.

Can I make international payments?

Yes, some providers let you send or receive money from abroad by logging into your online account, which works in the same way as standard internet banking.

Who sets the exchange rate?

This depends on the company that processes the transactions. Typically, it’s down to  Visa or Mastercard , as well as your card provider, which may take an additional cut.

Can I use my prepaid card in the UK?

You can use prepaid cards to withdraw cash or buy things in the UK or online. However, you may pay fees or even an exchange rate if your card is loaded with a foreign currency.

Explore our prepaid card guides

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By Barry Choi on April 25, 2024 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Wise card Canada review 2024

This prepaid travel card eliminates foreign exchange charges on your purchases abroad, though the loading fees could irk some travellers

The Wise card is a welcome addition to the services that Wise—formerly TransferWise—offers, but as you’ll quickly learn in this review, the card has a few quirks that will annoy users. That’s not to say that the Wise card is not worth having in your wallet when you travel abroad. You just need to know how the card works in order to keep your transaction fees down.

Is the Wise card a credit card?

Often referred to as the Wise credit card, the Wise card is actually a prepaid card available to residents of Canada and dozens of other countries. To use the card, you must have funds loaded into your Wise account. What makes Wise appealing is that it allows you to hold multiple currencies. That means you could potentially purchase some foreign dollars when the exchange rate is in your favour and then spend it as needed when you’re abroad. 

No additional fees apply when making purchases with a currency you currently hold in your Wise account. However, if you don’t hold the currency in which you’re making a purchase, Wise will automatically deduct the funds from the currency in your account with the lowest conversion fees. That said, when making a purchase abroad and given the option to be charged in the local currency or Canadian dollars, always choose the local currency for the best exchange rate.

The Wise card also allows you to withdraw money from ATMs while abroad. Think of it as a Wise debit card, since you can use it for purchases and ATM withdrawals. Oddly enough, you can’t use the card within Canada.

The first two ATM withdrawals are free, up to a cumulative value of CAD$350 per calendar month. Any additional withdrawals will cost you $1.50 each, and a 1.75% fee will be added to amounts over $350. Also, note that the ATM provider may charge its own fee when you withdraw cash. Wise withdrawal fees and third-party ATM fees count towards your withdrawal limits—so plan accordingly.

How long does it take to get a Wise card ?

You must have a Wise account if you want to apply for a Wise card. The registration process only takes a few minutes and is done completely online. Once your account is active, you need to add funds. Doing so is simple, as you have many options including Interac e-Transfer, direct debit from your bank, and wire transfer. 

Each loading method has a fee. Interac e-Transfer typically has the lowest fee, and your money will arrive in about five minutes. How much you’ll pay in fees depends on the currency and how much you’re loading.

To order your Wise card, log into your account and click on Wise Card on the side bar. The physical card will arrive within 14 days, and you also get a digital card you can use immediately. While the digital option is convenient, it won’t help people who are travelling soon and may need ATM access.

Wise card pros and cons

The Wise card is a unique option that many people will naturally be attracted to. That said, you should consider the pros and cons before you open an account.

Wise card pros

• Can hold multiple currencies: This is a convenient option for travellers as they’ll know exactly what they’re paying to exchange money.
• Flexible payments: Even if you don’t currently hold a specific currency in your account, you can still use your card for purchases and ATM withdrawals, as Wise will simply deduct the amount from the currency with the lowest transaction fees in your account.
• No annual fee: There’s no cost to get the card.
• Digital card available: You get a Wise digital card immediately when you request a physical card.

Wise card cons

• Load fees: It’ll cost you money to load the card.
• Not a true no-foreign-transaction-fee card: Although Wise has competitive exchange rates, it still charges a markup to load your card and when converting currencies.
• Withdrawal limits: You get only two ATM withdrawals with a cumulative total of CAD$350 per calendar month without any fees.
• No rewards earned: You don’t get any cash back or points when making purchases.

Alternatives to the Wise card

The Wise card, introduced in Canada at the end of 2021, is clearly designed to compete against cards with no foreign transaction fees. Even though Wise offers a good card, there are arguably better Canadian options. Both Wealthsimple and EQ Bank offer prepaid cards you can order if you’re an account holder. 

The Wealthsimple and EQ Bank cards both have no annual fee, but what sets them apart from the Wise card is that they both use the exchange rate set by Visa, which is a bit lower than what Wise charges. Plus, Wealthsimple and EQ Bank don’t charge a fee to load funds into your account, so you’re coming out ahead right from the start. They also have no-fee ATM withdrawals.

Beyond prepaid cards, Wise is also competing with no foreign transaction fee credit cards , where competition is fierce. Even though the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite has an annual fee of $150, it’s often waived for the first year. In addition, you get great benefits such as six annual airport lounge passes and comprehensive travel insurance. Plus, this is a traditional credit card, so you don’t need to worry about preloading funds before departure.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

• Annual fee: $150
• Earn rate : 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys stores; 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit; 1 point per $1 on everything else. Plus, pay no FX fees
• Welcome offer: earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived. Offer ends July 1, 2024.
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
• Point value: 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners
• Recommended credit score   for approval : 700 or higher
• Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers

Is the Wise card any good?

Although the Wise card has some quirks that will annoy people who are looking to minimize their foreign transaction fees, the card does have enough positives to justify being in your wallet. You can easily add funds, and the ability to easily hold multiple currencies is incredibly convenient. That said, there are credit cards without foreign transaction fees that come with generous benefits and rewards that may be more appealing to some.

More on travel :

• Compare your travel card options
• The best chequing accounts in Canada for 2024
• What it costs to see Taylor Swift perform abroad
• Best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
• Best credit cards for airport lounge access

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Take one secure, prepaid Mastercard® away with you that holds multiple currencies (see ‘common questions’ for which).

Accepted in over 36 million locations worldwide

Use it wherever you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark – millions of shops, restaurants and bars in more than 200 countries.

Manage your card with our travel app

Top up, manage or freeze your card, transfer funds between currencies, view your PIN and more all in our free Travel app .

It’s simple to get started

No need to carry lots of cash abroad. Order a Travel Money Card today for smart, secure holiday spending.

Order your card

Order online, via the app or pick one up in branch and load it with any of the 22 currencies it holds.

Activate it

Cards ordered online and in-app should arrive within 2-3 working days. Activate it by following the instructions in your welcome letter.

It’s ready to use

Spend in 36 million locations worldwide, and top up and manage your card in the app or online.

Stay in control

Manage your holiday essentials together in one place on the move, from your Travel Money Card and travel insurance to extras like airport parking.

New-look travel app out now

Our revamped travel app’s out now. It makes buying, topping up and managing Travel Money Cards with up to 22 currencies a breeze. Buying and accessing Travel Insurance on the move effortless. And it puts holiday extras like airport hotels, lounge access and more at your fingertips. All with an improved user experience. Find out what’s changed .

Order a Travel Money Card

Order your card online – or through the Post Office travel app – and we'll deliver it within 2-3 days. Just activate it and go.

Need it quick? Visit a branch

Pick up a Travel Money Card instantly at your local Post Office. Bring a valid passport, UK driving licence or valid EEA card as ID. 

Need some help?

We’re here to help you make the most of your Travel Money Card – or put your mind at ease if it’s been lost or stolen

Lost or stolen card?

Please immediately call: 020 7937 0280

Available 24/7

To read our FAQs, manage your card or contact us about using it:

Visit our Travel Money Card support page

Common questions

How can i order my card.

There are three ways that you able to obtain a Travel Money Card, each very simple.

Please note, you must be a UK resident over the age of 18 to obtain a Travel Monday Card.

• Via our travel app: you can order and store up to three Travel Money Cards in our free travel app . Delivery will take 2-3 working days.
• Online: follow our application process  to order your card online. Your card will take 2-3 working days to be delivered. Once it arrives you can link it to our Travel app to manage on the go. 
• In branch: simply find a nearby Post Office branch and pop in to get your Travel Money Card there. Please remember to take a valid passport, UK driving licence or a valid EEA card in order to obtain your card, and you can take it away the same day.

Whichever way you choose to order your card, don't forget to activate it once it arrives. Full details of how to activate your card will be provided in your welcome letter, to which your card will be attached if it’s been sent in the post.

How do I use my card?

Travel Money Card is enabled with both chip & PIN and contactless, so you can make larger and lower-value value payments with it respectively. For convenience, you can also add it to Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

You can load it with between £50 and £5,000 (see more on load limits below). You can use it to pay wherever the Mastercard Acceptance Mark is displayed. And you can withdraw cash with it at over 2 million ATMs worldwide (charges and fees apply, see 'Are there top-up limits?' below).

Your Travel Money Card is completely separate from your bank account so it’s a safe and secure way to pay while you’re abroad.

How can I manage my card?

After you've activated your card, you can manage it using our travel app or via a web browser. You can check your recent transactions, view your PIN, transfer funds between different currency ‘wallets’, top up your card, freeze your card and more.

Our travel app brings together travel essentials including holiday money, travel insurance and more together in one place. As well as managing your Travel Money Card you can buy cover for your trip, access your policy documents on the move, book extras such as airport parking and hotels, and find your nearest ATM while overseas or Post Office branches here in the UK.

Which currencies can I use?

The Post Office Travel Money Card can be loaded with up to 22 currencies at any one time. You can top up funds on the card and transfer currencies between different ‘wallets’ for these currencies easily in our travel app or online.

Currencies available:

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

What are the charges and fees?

Full details of our charges and fees can be found in our   Travel Money Card terms and conditions .

The Post Office Travel Money Card is intended for use in the countries where the national currency is the same as the currencies on your card. If the currency falls outside of any of the 22 we offer on your card, you’ll be charged a cross-border fee. For example, using your card in Brazil will incur a cross-border fee because we do not offer the Brazilian real as a currency. 

Cross border fees are set at 3% and are only applicable when you use your currency in a country other than the ones we offer. 

For more information on cross border fees, please visit our cross border payment page.

There are no charges when using your card in retailers in the country of the currency on the card. This means that a €20 purchase in Spain would cost you €20 and will be deducted from your euro balance. 

To avoid unnecessary charges to your card, wherever asked, you should always choose to pay for goods or withdraw cash in the currencies of your card. For example, if you are using the card in Spain you should always choose to pay in euro if offered a choice; choosing to pay in sterling (GBP) in this example would allow the merchant to exchange your transaction from euro to sterling. This would mean your transaction has gone through two exchange rate conversions, which will increase the total cost of your transaction. 

For loads in Great British pounds, a load commission fee of 1.5% will apply (min £3, max £50). A monthly maintenance fee of £2 will be deducted from your balance 12 months after your card expires. Expiration dates can be found on your TMC; all cards are valid for up to 3 years. 

A cash withdrawal fee will be charged when withdrawing cash from a UK Post Office branch or from any ATM globally that accepts Mastercard.  

We have listed all available currencies and their associated withdrawal limits and charges below: 

EUR – euro Max daily cash withdrawal: 450 EUR Withdrawal charge: 2 EUR

USD – US dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 USD Withdrawal charge: 2.5 USD

AED – UAE dirham Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,700 AED Withdrawal charge: 8.5 AED

AUD – Australian dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 700 AUD Withdrawal charge: 3 AUD

CAD – Canadian dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 600 CAD Withdrawal charge: 3 CAD

CHF – Swiss franc Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 CHF Withdrawal charge: 2.5 CHF

CNY – Chinese yuan Max daily cash withdrawal: 2,500 CNY Withdrawal charge: 15 CNY

CZK – Czech koruna Max daily cash withdrawal: 9,000 CZK Withdrawal charge: 50 CZK

DKK – Danish krone Max daily cash withdrawal: 2,500 DKK Withdrawal charge: 12.50 DKK

GBP – Great British pound Max daily cash withdrawal: 300 GBP Withdrawal charge: 1.5 GBP

HKD – Hong Kong dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,000 HKD Withdrawal charge: 15 HKD

HUF – Hungarian forint Max daily cash withdrawal: 110,000 HUF Withdrawal charge: 600 HUF

JPY – Japanese yen Max daily cash withdrawal: 40,000 JPY Withdrawal charge: 200 JPY

NOK – Norwegian krone Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,250 NOK Withdrawal charge: 20 NOK

NZD – New Zealand dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 750 NZD Withdrawal charge: 3.5 NZD

PLN – Polish zloty Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,700 PLN Withdrawal charge: 8.5 PLN

SAR – Saudi riyal Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,500 SAR Withdrawal charge: 7.50 SAR

SEK – Swedish Krona Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,500 SEK Withdrawal charge: 20 SEK

SGD – Singapore dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 SGD Withdrawal charge: 3 SGD

THB – Thai baht Max daily cash withdrawal: 17,000 THB Withdrawal charge: 80 THB

TRY – Turkish lira Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,500 TRY Withdrawal charge: 7 TRY

ZAR – South African rand Max daily cash withdrawal: 6,500 ZAR Withdrawal charge: 30 ZAR

Are there top-up limits?

Yes, all currencies have top-up limits and balances. See full information below, which is applicable to all currencies available on the Travel Money Card.

• Top-up limit: minimum £50 – maximum £5,000
• Maximum balance: £10,000 at any time, with a maximum annual balance of £30,000
• Read more Travel Money Card FAQs

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Find out more information by reading the  Post Office Travel Money Card's terms and conditions .

Post Office Travel Money Card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd pursuant to license by Mastercard International. First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with number 4287490 whose registered office is Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9DF, (Financial Services Register No. 900412). Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

Post Office Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered number 2154540. Registered office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. 

These details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the  Financial Conduct Authority website  and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

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The 6 Best Prepaid Travel Cards for Australians 2024

Here is a list of the 6 best prepaid cards you can take with you on your travels and the positives and negatives for each one:

• Wise - our pick for prepaid cards

Revolut - low fees

• Citibank - good for use at home
• Travelex - no fees for ATM withdrawals
• Australia Post - lock in exchange rates

HSBC - no international transaction fees

Prepaid travel money cards let you load money - either in AUD or the foreign currency you need - in advance, which you can then use as you travel , for spending and withdrawals. Lots of cards let you top up and manage your account through an app, which means you can always keep up with your money, even when you’re away from home.

Picking the right prepaid card can mean you get more convenient ways to spend and withdraw when you’re abroad - and lower overall costs, too. Let’s look at some of the best prepaid travel cards  for Australians , so you can pick your perfect match:

Wise - our pick for prepaid travel card

• Top up for free in AUD using PayID or bank transfer
• No annual fee, hidden transaction fees or exchange rate markups
• No minimum balance requirements
• Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
• Local bank account details in Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR), Canada (CAD) and New Zealand (NZD)
• Available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand

Find out more about the Wise card .

With this card:

• It's very easy to set up and order
• Available as a  virtual card
• You can receive foreign currency into a multi-currency account linked to the card
• Pay with your Wise card in most places overseas where debit cards are accepted
• You can transfer money to a bank account overseas

It's not all good news though

• There is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• It takes 7-14 days for delivery

Go to Wise or read our review .

• No hidden fees or exchange rate mark-ups (except on weekends)
• Very easy to use app
• Free to set up account and top up
• You can use it to transfer money to a bank account overseas

Read the full review

• No purchase fee, load fee, reload fee, exchange rate margin or minimum balance requirements
• Unlike other Travel Cards, its free and easy to use the balance of your currency or convert it back to AUD
• The exchange rates are unbeatable. They use the same rate you see on XE or Google with no hidden mark-up
• For the free Standard account, there is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• The premium account costs $10.99 a month, which can really add up if you are not using it often
• Additional fees for using the card on a weekend
• 2% ATM fee once you withdraw more than $350 in any 30 day period
• 3-4 business days before you receive your card

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Revolut compares

Australia Post Prepaid Travel card - lock in exchange rates

• Load up to 11 different major world currencies
• Spend and withdraw easily around the world
• Get access to extras like free wifi when you travel
• Manage your card in online and via an app
• Transfer instantly to another Travel Platinum Mastercard

• Load up to 11 different currencies for easy spending and withdrawals
• Lock in exchange rates so you know what your travel money budget is in advance
• Get extra perks like free wifi when you load 100 AUD or more
• Get fraud protections from Mastercard
• 3.5 AUD international ATM fee, or 2.95% domestic ATM fee
• Exchange rates to add money in a foreign currency or spend a currency you don’t hold are likely to include a markup
• Some fees apply depending on how you top up your account

Travelex - no fees for international ATM withdrawals

• Load up to 10 major currencies at a time
• Spend and withdraw anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Contactless payments so you can just tap and go
• No Travelex fees for international ATM withdrawals
• Free to spend currencies you hold in your account
• Order online and have it delivered to your home - or collect in store

• Top up and hold up to 10 currencies at a time
• View and manage your account online
• Spend online and in person, and make withdrawals as you travel
• No membership or account fees to pay
• Get exclusive Mastercard discounts and perks
• Inactivity fees apply if you don’t use the card for a year
• Not all major currencies are supported for holding - double check they have the currency or currencies you need

Go to Travelex or read our review .

Citibank Saver Plus - best for use at home

• No international ATM or transaction fees
• Fee-free international money transfers to any account worldwide
• SMS notifications through Citi Alert

With this card you can:

• withdraw money for free at over 3000 ATMs Australia-wide and overseas
• take advantage of no foreign transaction fees, monthly fees, or minimum opening balance
• transfer money to friends and family anywhere in the world for free
• Cash deposits available within 24-48 hours
• Can’t have two cards active at the same time
• $5 account closure
• Hold and exchange 10 currencies: AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, HKD, CAD, JPY, NZD, SGD, and CNY 
• No account opening or annual fees to pay
• No foreign transaction fee and no HSBC ATM fee at home or abroad
• Some cashback earning opportunity on local spending 
• Easy online overseas transfers - 8 AUD fee and exchange rate markups apply

• Hold and exchange 10 currencies
• No account opening fee, no ongoing fees 
• Get up to 2% cashback on eligible card spend
• No HSBC ATM fee
• No international transaction fee
• 8 AUD fee for sending money overseas
• Cashback on low value transactions made in Australia only
• Limits apply on how you can use CNY within your account

Read our HSBC Everyday Global Account review .

What are Prepaid Travel Cards?

Prepaid travel cards are a good international card alternatives to carrying cash. They look like credit or debit cards, but they function differently.

You're able to load the card with a set amount of money in the currency you need and can use it to make purchases online, in stores and to withdraw money at ATMs.

Most travel cards allow for multiple currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.

Find out how our 5 best prepaid travel cards for Australians compare in our best and worst travel cards article .

Looking for something different?

Read our guides on:

• The best travel debit cards
• The best travel cards for Europe
• The Wise debit card review
• Best virtual debit cards for Aussies

How does a prepaid travel card work?

Order a prepaid travel card online, through a provider app , or - in some cases - pick one up at a physical location or store. Generally to get your card you’ll need to show or upload some ID documents for verification - this is to keep your account safe and is a legal requirement.

Once you have your card account open , you can load funds . Different cards have their own supported methods for topping up, which usually include bank transfer, PayID, credit and debit card, and which may also allow you to deposit cash in some cases. Once you have funds on your card, you can switch to the currency you need for overseas spending. In some cases you can also leave your funds in AUD and just allow the card to convert for you - but do check that no additional fees will apply in this case.

Prepaid travel cards can then be used to tap and pay , make withdrawals and shop online . You can often also add them to mobile wallets like Apple Pay for convenient spending. Because your card isn’t attached to your everyday account it’s secure, and you can only spend the funds you’ve loaded, which means there’s no chance of accidentally blowing your budget.

Advantages and disadvantages of prepaid cards

Prepaid cards can be a handy addition when you’re abroad, as they are secure and convenient to use for payments and withdrawals. However, they’re not the only option. If you’re not sure about whether a prepaid card is right for you, check out these advantages and disadvantages to help you decide:

Advantages:

• More convenient than carrying cash, with easy access to ATMs to withdraw when you need to
• Not linked to your primary day to day account, which can be more secure and make budgeting easier
• Some accounts let you buy currency in advance to lock in exchange rates when they’re good
• You may be able to access better exchange rates and lower fees compared to using a regular bank card

Disadvantages:

• Some prepaid cards have fairly high fees - including charges when you add money to the account. Read more on how to find the best travel cards with no foreign transaction fees
• Not all prepaid cards support a broad range of currencies - check the currencies you need are covered
• Prepaid cards aren’t always accepted for things like paying security deposits - so it’s safest to have a credit card as well

Who is a prepaid debit card for?

A prepaid debit card is handy for many different customer needs. For example, you may choose a prepaid debit card in the following situations:

• You’re planning travel and want to set your budget in advance with no chance of accidentally overspending
• You want to be able to hold and exchange a selection of foreign currencies all in the same account
• You want to increase security by using a payment card that’s not linked to your main everyday account when you travel
• Some cards also offer other perks like ways to receive foreign currency payments conveniently, or cashback 

How can I get a prepaid travel card?

Different prepaid cards have their own order and activation processes. However, to comply with local and international law, providers will usually need to see some ID before you’re able to get a card - this verification step may be available online by uploading images of your paperwork, or in person by visiting a branch. 

Here’s an outline of the basic steps you’ll take to get a prepaid travel card:

• Pick the right card for your needs
• Visit the provider’s website or app - or call into a branch if you’d prefer a face to face service
• Complete a travel card order from, which will include your personal information
• Get verified - usually this involves showing or uploading ID like a passport or driving licence
• Add money to your card, which could be in cash, with a bank card, or by bank transfer
• You can now get your card, and manage your account online or in the app

If you’re ordering a card in person you’ll be able to start using it right away. If you’ve ordered online for delivery, you’ll need to wait a few days, to a couple of weeks, depending on the provider you’ve picked, for your card to be available. You might be able to access virtual card details in the meantime, to start spending right away.

How to choose a prepaid debit card

There are many different prepaid debit cards on the Australian market - so picking the best one for you will require a bit of research. Starting with this guide, compare a few different prepaid debit cards based on features and fees. Here are a few pointers to think about:

• Make sure you know about any opening or card delivery fee which will apply once you order your card
• Check how long it’ll take to get your card if you’re ordering online for home delivery
• Make sure the card you pick can hold a broad selection of currencies, so you can use it for more than one trip away
• Check the fees for adding funds, making ATM withdrawals and converting currencies
• Look to see if there are any account close, cash out or dormancy fees that apply once you stop using the card
• Make sure the card is well rated by other users, and from a trustworthy provider

Where can I get a prepaid debit card?

Generally you can order your prepaid debit card online or by downloading your preferred provider’s app. Some cards, like the Auspost card, can also be collected in physical branch locations.

FAQ - 6 Best Prepaid Travel Cards

Are prepaid cards free.

Prepaid cards may be free to order, or you may pay a small one time fee, depending on the provider and card you pick. Once you have your card you may also pay transaction fees such as exchange rate markups when you switch currencies, and ATM withdrawal charges. Read the card’s terms and conditions carefully so you’re aware of the costs involved.

What are the best prepaid debit cards for international travel?

There’s no single best prepaid debit card - it’ll come down to your personal preferences, where you’re travelling, and the type of transaction you need to make. Pick a prepaid card which is easy to use, which supports the currency you need, and which offers a good balance of low fees and good exchange rates.

What is the best reloadable prepaid card?

There’s no single best reloadable prepaid debit card. Use this guide to compare a few options to pick the one that’s right for you, thinking about features, fees and the range of supported currencies you’ll need.

Should I use a Mastercard or Visa for overseas?

Both Visa and Mastercard are very broadly accepted globally. It’s often a good idea to have a prepaid, debit or credit card on each of these networks, so you’ll always have a backup if for some reason one network isn’t available wherever in the world you are.

Are prepaid currency cards worth it?

Picking the right prepaid currency card can help you save money on currency exchange and access low fee international transaction services. You might also get extra perks like easy ways to lock in exchange rates in advance, so you can get a good deal and fix your travel budget before you go away.

Your currency knowledge centre

5 Best Debit Cards for Australians Travelling Overseas

Travel debit cards are a good alternative to carrying cash. They also offer the convenience of a credit card, but work differently. Here is a list of the 5 best travel debit cards you can take with you on your travels and the positives and negatives for each one.

• Read more ⟶

Wise Debit Card Review

The Wise Debit card give customers an easy way to spend their balances in multiple countries. With interbank rates and low fees, this product is available in Australia for both personal and business customers.

8 Travel Traps to Avoid If You're Heading to Europe

To help you avoid spending money unnecessarily, here are some pretty important travel money traps you want to avoid if you travel to Europe.

Pros and cons of credit cards for EVs

What is a credit card for ev charging, how to choose the best credit card for you, how to maximize your ev charging card, alternatives to ev charging cards, how to apply for a credit card.

Why You Can Trust CNET Money

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

Best Credit Cards for EV Charging for April 2024

You can earn rewards for charging your electric vehicle, but the best cards also come with a variety of other benefits.

Holly Johnson

Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

The best cards for electric vehicles come with a range of benefits, including consumer protections and generous rewards for spending. Some of the best cards in this niche include both credit cards and debit cards that let you earn rewards and access other benefits.

If you’re looking for a card that rewards you for having an EV, you’ll want to compare options that offer cash back or points for EV charging and other “green” purchases. Other features to look for include built-in insurance protections and potentially introductory APR offers for purchases, balance transfers or both. The best cards for EV owners all come with no annual fee as well. 

Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back* stands out due to its unique earning structure that awards cardholders for different types of purchases throughout the year. Members earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent when activated in rotating categories that change every quarter (then 1% back) and 1% cash back on other purchases. The current bonus category  includes gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores and public transit. Categories will change when the next quarter begins on July 1, 2024. 

There’s no annual fee, and Discover will essentially double all rewards earned at the end of your first year. As an added bonus, this card comes with an introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers.

FutureCard Visa® Debit Card

The FutureCard Visa® Debit Card * is a debit card that earns rewards for spending with no monthly fees or annual fees and no credit check required. Cardholders earn 6% back when you shop with one of its 40+ “ FuturePartners ” and 5% cash back on up to $25,000 spent on public transportation, electric charging, bikes and scooters, secondhand clothes and furniture, and plant-based meat, dairy and eggs (then 1% back) and 1% back on other purchases, and all spending is funded with cash you deposit in your own FDIC-insured bank account.

Cardholders also earn 2.72% APY on cash they keep in their account.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card* lets users earn accelerated rewards on select travel purchases and other spending. Cardholders earn 4x points on travel, gas stations and EV charging stations through Sept. 8, 2024. After that, cardholders will earn 4x points on the first $1,000 spent at gas stations and EV charging stations each quarter (then 1x points). 

Cardholders also earn 2x points on dining, streaming services at grocery stores and on grocery delivery and 1x points on other eligible purchases. There’s no annual fee for the first 12 months, then $95 after that. Other notable benefits include a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, four free visits to Priority Pass airport lounges and built-in travel insurance protections. New cardholders can even earn 50,000 bonus points worth $500 after spending $2,000 on purchases within 120 days of account opening.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card stands out since it offers bonus points in so many categories with no annual fee. Members earn an unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations and EV charging stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Other purchases earn 1x points.

This card also lets new members earn 20,000 bonus points when they spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. An intro APR offer for purchases sweetens the deal and helps cardholders save money on interest for a limited time. Other benefits include cellphone insurance, travel and emergency assistance services and select Visa Signature perks.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

While the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card doesn’t offer bonus rewards specifically for EV-related purchases, it does offer an exceptional flat rewards rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases. There’s no annual fee, and new cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases within three months of account opening.

The flat rewards rate makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card a winner for people who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories over time. Other benefits include cell phone insurance and a generous intro APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

While you need to be a Costco member to apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi * , this card offers generous rewards for all kinds of purchases, including EV charging. Specifically, cardholders earn 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on EV charging and gas station purchases each year (then 1% back), 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases, 2% back on purchases at Costco and Costco.com and 1% back on other purchases.

There’s no annual fee with a paid Costco membership (which costs $60 per year). Also note that, with the top rewards category alone, cardholders have the potential to earn $280 back on the first $7,000 spent on gas and EV charging expenses every year.

If you plan to use a credit card for EV-related spending, including charging your vehicle at home or away , you should know about the potential advantages and disadvantages.

Earn rewards for spending and possibly bonus points or cash back for EV charging purchases

Offers a convenient payment option on the road

Many credit cards that let you earn rewards on EV charging also offer perks like travel insurance or cellphone insurance

Credit cards could lead to overspending and debt

Can be a hassle to keep track of cards that have rewards caps or changing categories

Credit cards that earn rewards often require good or excellent credit

Missing a credit card payment could damage your credit

A credit card for EV charging is just like any other credit card, but they offer benefits for EV-related purchases. For the most part, benefits come in the form of cash back or rewards points for EV charging bills, which can add up over the course of a year.

Credit cards for EV charging let users earn rewards when they charge their cars on the road or at home. Cardholders who want to take advantage can pay for EV charging stations and their home electric bill with their credit cards. It’s important to pay credit card balances in full to avoid interest charges.

Consider these tips to find the right credit card for your needs.

Assess your personal credit . The best credit cards for EVs require good or excellent credit. If your credit score isn’t quite in the good credit range, but you want to earn rewards for EV purchases, use these tips to help boost your score or consider credit cards for fair credit .

Compare cardholder benefits . Look at the benefits each card offers and decide which ones are most helpful for you. These could include 0% intro APR offers for purchases or balance transfers, travel insurance benefits, cellphone insurance and more.

Consider annual fees . The best credit cards for EV purchases don’t charge an annual fee, but some top rewards credit cards do. Apply for a credit card with an annual fee only if you know you’ll get enough in benefits and rewards to justify the fee each year .

Look closely at rewards rates . The best EV credit cards tend to offer better than average reward rates on EV charging purchases, but many have other bonus categories as well. There are also flat-rate rewards credit cards that offer the same cash back rewards rate on purchases, which could be attractive if you don’t want to bother tracking rewards categories.

Select the type of rewards you want to earn . Finally, make sure you’re earning rewards you can use. Investigate rewards programs to confirm you like the redemption options available with different cards.

To make the most of your EV charging credit card, you’ll want to use it to pay for expenses related to charging up whether at home or on the road. You can also use your card for other purchases you make to boost your rewards haul, depending on your credit card’s reward categories. 

Most importantly, you can maximize your card’s benefits by paying your credit card statement balance in full every billing period. If you carry a balance on your EV card and end up paying interest on purchases as a result, the rewards you earn won’t be worth the cost.

If you want to earn rewards for spending but you don’t necessarily want to prioritize rewards on EV purchases, you can expand your search to the following: :

• Best cash back credit cards
• Best rewards credit cards
• Best travel credit cards

Cards that fall into each of these categories offer different types of rewards you can earn for spending, each with their own benefits and features. Compare the best credit cards before you make your decision.

And if you want to skip using a credit card altogether, check out this list of no-fee charging options .

Follow these steps to apply for an EV credit card:

• Compare cards to find the right fit . Use this guide to find a credit card that matches your lifestyle and spending habits. 
• Apply securely online using the links above . The best credit cards let you apply for an account on a card issuer’s secure website. Some card issuers also let you apply for a new account over the phone.
• Submit your application . Be prepared to share information like your household income, your Social Security number, your monthly housing payment and your contact information. The card issuer will conduct a hard inquiry on your credit reports during the application process.
• Use your card responsibly . If you’re approved for the card, make sure to pay your credit card bill in full each month to avoid the high interest rates most credit cards charge for carrying a balance.

The best EV credit card varies from person to person. However, some of the top options available today include the Discover it® Cash Back, the US Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.

The best gas credit cards also offer bonus rewards on EV charging, including the Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi.

*All information about the FutureCard Visa Debit Card, US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi and Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

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The Business Platinum Card ®

Annual Fee: $695 ¤

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How You Earn

5x points on flights & prepaid hotels on flights & prepaid hotels, 1.5x points on eligible purchases on eligible purchases, 1x points on other eligible purchases ‡ on other eligible purchases ‡, 5x points on flights & prepaid hotels 5x points on flights & prepaid hotels, 1.5x points on eligible purchases 1.5x points on eligible purchases, 1x points on other eligible purchases ‡ 1x points on other eligible purchases ‡, unlock over $1,000 in business & travel value annually.

Enroll in each of the below and get statement credits of up to:

$200 back semi-annually for U.S. purchases with

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Upgrade your tech, enhance your business. Enroll and get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually on U.S. purchases with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card through 12/31/24. That's up to $400 back. ‡

$90 back per quarter for purchases with

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Build your team, grow your business. Enroll and get up to $360 in statement credits(up to $90 back per quarter) for purchases with Indeed on the Card through 12/31/24. ‡

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Get the creative solutions your business needs. Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits for eligible annual prepaid business plan purchases of Adobe Creative Cloud for teams or Adobe Acrobat Pro for teams on the Business Platinum Card through 12/31/24. 1 ‡

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Enroll and get up to $120 in statement credits per year for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $10 back per month. ‡

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$200 Airline Fee Credit

Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Business Platinum Card Account. 1‡

1 American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.

$189 back per year for your CLEAR ® Plus Membership

$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit

CLEAR ® uses unique attributes, such as eyes or fingerprints, to digitally verify identity to help its members move faster through security at select airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership 1 with up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with your Business Platinum Card. ‡

1 Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.

$400 Statement Credit

Up to $400 back (up to $200 semi-annually) on U.S. purchases with Dell Technologies through 12/31/24. Enrollment required. ‡

$360 Statement Credit

Get up to $360 back (up to $90 quarterly) for purchases with Indeed on the Card through 12/31/24. Enrollment required. ‡

$150 Statement Credit

Enroll and get up to $150 back for select auto-renewing annual business subscription purchases with Adobe on the Business Platinum ® Card through 12/31/24. ‡

$120 Statement Credit

Get up to $120 back per year for purchases with U.S. wireless telephone service providers on the Business Platinum Card. Enrollment required. ‡

$200 Statement Credit

Select one qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in credits per year for baggage fees and more. ‡

$189 Statement Credit

Breeze through security with CLEAR ® Plus. CLEAR lanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership when you use the Business Platinum Card. Learn More. ‡

Featured Benefits

The Global Lounge Collection ®

The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market ‡ 1 . 1 As of 3/2023

American Express Global Lounge Collection ®

Enjoy complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion ® Lounge, Escape Lounges - The Centurion ® Studio Partner, Delta Sky Club ® when flying Delta, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass ™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges. Lounges may have their own rules, like age restrictions and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express ® App ‡ or visit americanexpress.com/findalounge . ‡

Marriott Bonvoy ® Gold Elite Status

As a Business Platinum Card Member, you can upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy ™ Gold Elite status without meeting any stay requirements. Terms and limitations apply. ‡

Business Platinum Card Members and Additional Business Platinum Card Members may enroll (or upgrade an existing membership) directly into Marriott Bonvoy ® Gold Elite Status, bypassing the usual annual minimum night/stay requirements. Once enrollment is completed, the Card Member may take advantage of the Gold Elite benefits at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and booked with a Qualifying Rate. ‡ With Gold Elite status, members enjoy: 1. 25% bonus points on eligible hotel purchases 2. A Welcome Gift of Points and Complimentary In-room Wi-Fi Access 3. Enhanced Room Upgrades at select properties (when available) 4. 2pm Late Checkout (when available)

Fine Hotels + Resorts ® Program

For every type of traveler and every type of trip, find your stay with American Express Travel. For hotels that are destinations unto themselves, there’s Fine Hotels + Resorts ® . ‡

Fine Hotels + Resorts Program

When you're ready to relax and need an escape, enjoy an unforgettable experience with Fine Hotels + Resorts ® . When you book through American Express Travel, you'll receive an average total value of $600 1 in perks, like daily breakfast for two, 4pm check-out, and more. Plus, book on AmexTravel.com and you can earn 5X Membership Rewards ® points ® , or use Pay with Points ® , on prepaid stays with a minimum 2-night stay required to be eligible for the benefit. 1 Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2022 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 amenity, guaranteed 4PM late checkout, and noon check-in when available. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. $100 amenity varies by property. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.

All Benefits & Features

5x membership rewards ® points, the global lounge collection ®, $189 clear plus credit, fine hotels + resorts ® program ‡, fee credit for global entry or tsa precheck ®, no foreign transaction fees ¤, marriott bonvoy ® gold elite status, hilton honors ™ gold status, premium car rental privileges, business platinum travel service, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

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Annual fee: $695 ¤, get a decision in as little as 30 seconds.

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Credit Cards

United Airlines credit cards have a secret perk that makes it easier to book awards

Jason Steele

Julie Sherrier

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 5:12 a.m. UTC April 22, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

joshblake, Getty Images

Sometimes the best reason to have an airline credit card isn’t necessarily for the miles you can earn and redeem, it’s for the perks. 

You can earn far more points using Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. than you will from the cobranded United credit cards issued by Chase. And since you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points into United MileagePlus miles, there’s little reason to use a United card just to earn miles. 

Instead, you should have a United MileagePlus card for its benefits, including free checked bags and discounts on in-flight purchases. 

But there’s one other important benefit that you rarely see mentioned by Chase or United. MileagePlus cardmembers are eligible for “special member pricing” that’s otherwise reserved just for those with elite status. Just by having a United MileagePlus credit card, you’ll get the same, lower pricing that United elite status holders have access to, which can mean significant mileage savings on award flights.

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

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

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

What is “special member pricing”?

Let’s say you wanted to fly from Denver to Paris this summer. When I searched for flights on July 11, 2024, and filtered out options with more than one stop, I found flights starting at 70,000 miles.

But once I added my card to my MileagePlus account and logged in as a cardholder, the same options were available starting at just 40,000 miles.

You’ll notice that the lower priced options have a small notation indicating that it’s granted “special member pricing.” And true travel nerds might notice that the higher priced option shows a fare code of YN, while the lower priced option shows the code of XN, which is reserved for cardmembers and those with elite status.

Which credit cards offer United’s special member pricing?

All United MileagePlus credit cards issued by Chase include this benefit, which includes:

• United Gateway℠ Card * The information for the United Gateway℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• United Quest℠ Card * The information for the United Quest℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• United Club℠ Infinite Card * The information for the United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• United℠ Business Card * The information for the United℠ Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• United Club℠ Business Card * The information for the United Club℠ Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Except for the no-annual-fee Gateway card, all of these cards have an annual fee — starting at a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 for the Explorer card and topping off at $525 for the United Club Infinite card. 

If you’re just looking for access to lower-priced flight awards, you might be tempted to get the Gateway card, which comes with a welcome offer of 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Instead, I’d recommend getting either the Explorer card, which currently has a welcome bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, the Quest card, which offers 60,000 miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, or the Club Infinite card, which comes with 80,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

After having the card for a year, you might decide that you want to keep the card for its other perks. But you can always request a downgrade to the no-annual-fee Gateway card. This move allows you to keep your miles and account open, eliminate the annual fee and continue to enjoy lower-priced flight awards. 

Looking to get the most out of your United rewards? Read our guide on how to earn and redeem United miles

Final verdict

The hardest part of award travel isn’t always earning the points and miles, it’s finding efficient ways to spend them. United makes this easy for those with elite status and anyone who holds one of their credit cards. By signing up for the best card offer available and longer-term keeping a no-annual-fee United card open at all times, you can be assured of the lowest prices when you book your United award tickets.

*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠, United Club℠ Business Card, United Club℠ Infinite Card, United Gateway℠ Card, United Quest℠ Card, United℠ Business Card and United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Jason Steele is a freelance writer specializing in credit cards and award travel. Since 2008, Jason's work has appeared in over 100 outlets and he's been widely quoted in the mainstream media. Jason also produces CardCon, which is The Conference for Credit Card Media.

Julie Stephen Sherrier is a personal finance writer and editor based in Austin, TX. She is the former senior managing editor for LendingTree, responsible for all credit card and credit health content. Before joining LendingTree, Julie spent more than a decade as the managing editor and then editorial director at Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She also served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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