travel money card comparison

Here Are the Four Best Travel Money Cards in 2024

François Briod

Co-Founder of Monito and money transfer expert, François has been helping Monito’s users navigate the jungle of money transfer fees, bad exchange rates and tricks for the last ten years.

Jarrod Suda

A writer and editor at Monito, Jarrod is passionate about helping people apply today’s powerful finance technologies to their lives. He brings his background in international affairs and his experiences living in Japan to provide readers with comprehensive information that also acknowledges the local context.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

From the multitude of bank fees and ATM charges to hidden currency conversion fees, there's no question that spending your money abroad while travelling can be costly — and that's saying nothing about the cost of the holiday itself!

As you prepare for your trip abroad, the golden rule is that you'll save the most money by using the local currency of your destination. This means withdrawing local cash at foreign ATMs and using a debit card to pay directly in the local currency. For example, if you're from the UK, using your bank's debit card that accesses your British pounds will likely lose you money to hidden fees at ATMs abroad and at local merchants.

In general, we rate Revolut as the best travel card all around. Its versatile account and card can be used to spend like a local pretty much anywhere in the world. ✨ Get 3 months of free Revolut Premium as a Monito reader with our exclusive link .

If you're from the EU, UK, or US, here are a few more specific recommendations to explore:

• Best for travelling from the UK: Chase
• Best for travelling from the US: Chime ®
• Best for travelling from the Eurozone: N26

If it's not possible for you to spend in the local currency when travelling abroad, then spending in your home currency while using a card that doesn't charge any hidden exchange rate markups from your bank (e.g. only the VISA or Mastercard exchange rates to convert currency) is still a good bet for most people.

In this guide, we explore cards that waive or lower ATM fees and that hold multiple currencies. Spend on your holiday like a local and enjoy peace of mind after each tap and swipe!

Best Travel Cards (And More!) at a Glance

Best travel money cards.

• 01. What is the best best multi currency card? scroll down
• 02. Are prepaid currency cards really it? scroll down
• 03. Monito's best travel money card tips scroll down
• 04. FAQ about the best travel cards scroll down

Revolut: Best All-Rounder

Revolut is one of the most well-known fintechs in the world because it offers services across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.

• Trust & Credibility 8.9
• Service & Quality 7.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 8.3
• Customer Satisfaction 9.4

Revolut is available in many countries. You can double-check if it's available in yours below:

Here's an overview of Revolut's plans:

Revolut Ultra is currently only available in the UK and EU.

Like Wise, Revolut converts your currency to the local currency of your travel destination at an excellent exchange rate (called the 'Revolut Rate', which, on weekdays, is basically on par with the rate you see on Google), making it a good way to buy foreign currency before travelling abroad. As always though, bear in mind that Revolut's exchange rates might be subject to change.

Revolut's Standard Plan only allows currency exchange at the base mid-market exchange rate for transfers worth £1,000 per month. ATM withdrawals are also free for the first €200 (although third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee, and weekend surcharges may also apply). These allowances can be waived by upgrading memberships.

N26: Good Bank For EU Travellers

One of the most well-known neobanks in Europe, N26 and its debit card operate in euros only. However, N26 is a partner with Wise and has fully integrated Wise's technology so that you never have to pay foreign transaction fees on your purchases outside of the eurozone. While N26 does not have multi-currency functionality, N26 will apply the real exchange rate on all your foreign purchases and will never charge a commission fee — making N26's card a powerful card for EU/EEA residents who travel across the globe.

• Trust & Credibility 7.9
• Service & Quality 8.0
• Fees & Exchange Rates 9.3
• Customer Satisfaction 8.1

These are the countries in which you can register for an N26 account:

And here is an overview of the various plans and account:

This low-fee option for banking is also ideal for travellers who do not belong to a European bank but frequent the Eurozone. For example, N26 is available for residents and citizens of Switzerland, Norway, and other European Economic Area countries that do not run on the Euro.

These citizens, who are in close proximity to the Eurozone, will save each time they spend with an N26 card while in Europe. N26 provides three free ATM withdrawals per month in euros but does charge a 1.7% fee per ATM withdrawal outside of Europe.

Take a look at our guide to the best travel cards for Europe to learn more.

Wise: Best For Multi-Currency Balances

Load up to 54 currencies onto this card at the real exchange rate, giving you access to truly global travel.

• Trust & Credibility 9.3
• Service & Quality 8.9
• Fees & Exchange Rates 7.6
• Customer Satisfaction 9.6

These are the countries in which you can order a Wise debit card:

Unlike banks, credit unions, airport kiosks, and foreign ATMs, Wise is transparent about never charging a hidden exchange rate margin when you convert your home currency into up to 54 currencies. The live rate you see on Google or XE.com is the one you get with Wise.

An industry-low commission fee per transaction will range from 0.35% to 2.85%, depending on the currency.

Chase: Great UK Bank For Travel

A recent arrival from the USA, Chase is one of the UK’s newest digital challenger banks and comes with a rock-solid reputation and no monthly charges, no currency conversion charges, no withdrawal fees, and no other charges for everyday banking from Chase. It’s a simple, streamlined bank account with an excellent mobile banking app and a great cashback offer. However, it doesn’t yet offer more advanced features like international money transfers, joint accounts, business banking, overdrafts and loans, and teen or child accounts.

• Trust & Credibility 10
• Fees & Exchange Rates 10
• Customer Satisfaction 8.7

Chime: Great Account For US Travelers

Chime  is a good debit card for international travel thanks to its no foreign transaction fees¹. Unlike multi-currency accounts like Revolut (which let you hold local currency), Chime uses the live exchange rate applied by VISA. This rate is close to the mid-market rate, and Chime does not add any extra markup to your purchases, although out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may still apply.

• Trust & Credibility 9.5
• Service & Quality 8.8
• Fees & Exchange Rates 9.8

While Chime waives ATM fees at all MoneyPass, AllPoint, and VISA Plus Alliance ATMs within the United States, this fee waiver does not extend to withdrawals made outside the country. For withdrawals abroad, Chime applies a $2.50 fee per transaction, with a daily withdrawal limit of $515 or its equivalent. This is in addition to any fees charged by the ATM owner. Therefore, we recommend Chime primarily for card purchases rather than relying on it for withdrawing cash while traveling internationally.

• No  foreign transaction fees ¹;
• Uses VISA's exchange rate ( monitor here ):
• A $2.50 fee per ATM withdrawal made outside of the United States;
• More info:  Read our  Chime review  or  visit their website .

Best Travel Money Cards in 2024 Compared by Country

In the table below, see our comparison summary of the four best travel cards for 2024 by country:

Last updated: 8 January 2024

What's The Best Prepaid Card to Use Abroad?

Travel cards come in many varieties, such as standard credit cards or debit cards with no foreign transaction fees or cards that waive all foreign ATM withdrawal fees.

What is a Multi-Currency Card?

Multi-currency cards are a specific type of travel card that allows you to own all kinds of foreign currencies, which you can instantly access when you pay with your card abroad. By spending the local currency in the region of travel , you bypass poor foreign exchange rates. ATMs and cashless payment machines will treat your card like a local card.

We have already mentioned a few multi-currency cards in this review, but we will also introduce Travelex . Travelex's Money Card also allows you to top up several foreign currencies — albeit at exchange rates slightly poorer than the real mid-market rate .

Wise Account

Wise has one of the best multi-currency cards available on the market.

Read our full review for more details.

Revolut is impressive for its vast options in currencies and its additional services.

Our in-depth review explores Revolut's services in detail.

Travelex offers a prepaid travel money card that supports 10 currencies and waives all ATM withdrawal fees abroad.

• Trust & Credibility 9.0
• Service & Quality 5.8
• Fees & Exchange Rates 7.1
• Customer Satisfaction 9.3

Travelex charges fees, which fluctuate according to the exchange rates of the day, in order to convert your home currency into the currencies that it supports. But once the currency is on the card, you'll be able to spend like a local. Learn more with our full review .

Don’t Let Banks, Bureaux de Change, and ATMs Eat Your Lunch 🍕!

Are you withdrawing cash at an ATM in the streets of Paris? Exchanging currencies at Gatwick airport? Paying for a pizza with your card during a holiday in Milano? Every time you exchange currencies, you could lose between 2% to 20% of your money in  hidden fees . Keep reading below to make sure you recognize and avoid them.

Currency Exchange Fees Eating My Lunch? What’s That?

You’re often charged a hidden fee in the form of an alarming exchange rate.

At any given time, there is a so-called “ mid-market exchange rate ” — this is the real exchange rate you can see on  Google . However, the money transfer provider or bank you use to exchange currencies rarely offers this exchange rate. Instead, you will get a much worse exchange rate. They pocket this margin between the actual rate and the poor exchange rate they apply, allowing the bank or money transfer provider to profit from the currency exchange. 

In other words, you or your recipient will receive less foreign currency for each unit of currency you exchange. All the while, the provider will claim that they charge zero commission or zero fees.

So the question now is… how can you avoid them? Thankfully, the best travel money cards will allow you to hold the local currency, which you can access instantly with a tap or swipe. Carrying the local currency avoids  exchange rate margins  on every purchase.

Top Travel Money Tips

• Avoid bureaux de change. They charge between 2.15% and 16.6% of the money exchanged.
• Always pay in the local currency and never accept the  dynamic currency conversion .
• Don't use your ordinary debit or credit card unless it's specifically geared toward international use. Doing this will typically cost you between 1.75% and 4.25% per transaction. Instead, use one of the innovative travel money cards below.

By opting for a travel card without FX fees, you can freely swipe your card abroad without worrying about additional charges. However, saving money doesn't stop there. To make the most out of your travel budget, consider using  Skyscanner , one of the most powerful flight search engines available that allows you to compare prices from various airlines and find the best deals.

With Skyscanner's user-friendly interface and comprehensive search options, you can discover cheap flights and enjoy your holidays with peace of mind and more money in your pocket.

Best Travel Money Card Tips

When you convert your home currency into a foreign currency, foreign exchange service providers will charge you two kinds of fees :

• Exchange Rate Margin:  Providers apply an exchange rate that is poorer than the true  "mid-market" exchange rate . They keep the difference, called an  exchange rate margin .
• Commission Fee:  This  fee  is usually a percentage of the amount converted, which is charged for the service provided.

With these facts in mind, let's see what practices are useful to avoid ATM fees, foreign transaction fees, and other charges you may encounter while on your travels.

Tip 1: While Traveling, Avoid Bureaux de Change At All Costs

Have you ever wondered how bureaux de change and currency exchange desks are able to secure prime real estate in tourist locations like the Champs-Élysées in Paris or Covent Carden in London while claiming to take no commission? It’s easy: they make (plenty of) money through hidden fees on the exchange rates they give you. 

Our study shows that Bureaux de Change in Paris charges a margin ranging from 2.15% at CEN Change Dollar Boulevard de Strasbourg to 16.6% (!!) at Travelex Champs-Élysées when exchanging 500 US dollars into euros for example. 

If you really want cash and can’t wait to withdraw it with a card at an ATM at your destination, ordering currencies online before your trip is usually cheaper than exchanging currencies at a bureau de change, but it’s still a very expensive way to get foreign currency which we, therefore, would not recommend.

Tip 2: Always Choose To Pay In the Local Currency

Don’t fall for the dynamic currency conversion trap! When using your card abroad to pay at a terminal or withdraw cash at an ATM, you’ve probably been asked whether you’d prefer to pay in your home currency instead of the local currency of the foreign country. This little trick is called dynamic currency conversion , and the right answer to this sneaky question will help you save big on currency exchange fees.

As a general rule, you always want to pay in the local currency (euros in Europe, sterling in the UK, kroner in Denmark, bahts in Thailand, etc.) when using your card abroad, instead of accepting the currency exchange and paying in your home currency. 

This seems like a trick question - why not opt to pay in your home currency? On the plus side, you would know exactly what amount you would be paying in your home currency instead of accepting the unknown exchange rate determined by your card issuer a few days later.

What is a Dynamic Currency Conversion?

However, when choosing to pay in your home currency instead of the local one, you will carry out what’s called a “dynamic currency conversion”. This is just a complicated way of saying that you’re exchanging between the foreign currency and your home currency at the exact time you use your card to pay or withdraw cash in a foreign currency, and not a few days later. For this privilege, the local payment terminal or ATM will apply an exchange rate that is often significantly worse than even a traditional bank’s exchange rate (we’ve seen margins of up to 8%!), and of course, much worse than the exchange rate you would get by using an innovative multi-currency card (see tip #3). 

In the vast majority of times, knowing with complete certainty what amount you will pay in your home currency is not worth the additional steep cost of the dynamic currency conversion, hence why we recommend always choosing to pay in the local currency.

Tip 3: Don't Use a Traditional Card To Pay in Foreign Currency/Withdraw Cash Abroad

As mentioned before, providers make money on foreign currency conversions by charging poor exchange rates — and pocketing the difference between that and the true mid-market rate. They also make money by charging commission fees, which can either come as flat fees or as a percentage of the transaction.

Have a look at traditional bank cards to see how much you can be charged in fees for spending or withdrawing $500 while on your holiday.

These fees can very quickly add up. For example, take a couple and a child travelling to the US on a two-week mid-range holiday. According to this study , the total cost of their holiday would amount to around $4200. If you withdraw $200 in cash four times and spend the rest with your card, you would pay $123 in hidden currency exchange and ATM withdrawal fees with HSBC or $110 with La Banque Postale. With this money, our travellers could pay for a nice dinner, the entrance fee to Yosemite Park, or many other priceless memories. 

Thankfully, new innovative multi-currency cards will help you save a lot of money while travelling. Opening an N26 Classic account and using the N26 card during the same US holidays would only cost $13.60.

Need Foreign Cash Anyway?

In many countries, carrying a wad of banknotes is not only useful but necessary to pay your way since not every shop, market stall, or street vendor will accept card payments. In these cases you'll have two options to exchange foreign currency cheaply:

1. Withraw at an ATM

As we've explored in great depth in this article, withdrawing money from a foreign ATM will almost always come with fees — at the very least from the ATM itself, and so it's therefore the best strategy to use a travel debit card that doesn't charge in specific ATM withdraw fees on its own to add insult to injury. That said, if you need cash, we recommend making one large withdrawal rather than multiple smaller ones . This way, you'll be able to dodge the fees being incurred multiple times.

2. Buy Banknotes (at a Reasonable Rate!)

As we've also seen, buying foreign currency at the airport, at foreign bank branches, or in bureaux de change in tourist hotspots can be surprisingly expensive. Still, not all exchange offices are equally pricey . If you're looking for a well-priced way to exchange your cash into foreign currency banknotes before you travel, Change Group will let you order foreign currency online and pick them up at the airport, train station, or a Change Group branch just before you leave for your holiday. A few pick-up locations in the UK include:

• London centre (multiple locations),
• Glasgow centre,
• Oxford centre,
• Luton Airport,
• Gatwick Airport,
• St. Pancras Station.

(Note that Change Group also has locations in the USA, Australia, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Austria, and Finland!)

Although its exchange rates aren't quite as good as using a low-fee debit card like Revolut, Change Group's exchange rates between popular currencies tend to be between 2% to 3%, which is still a lot better than you'll get at the bank or at a touristy bureau de change in the middle or Paris or Prague!

FAQ About the Best Travel Money Cards

Having reviewed and compared several of the industry's leading neobanks, experts at Monito have found the Wise Account to offer the best multi-currency card in 2024.

In general, yes! You can get a much better deal with new innovative travel cards than traditional banks' debit/credit cards. However, not all cards are made equal, so make sure to compare the fees to withdraw cash abroad, the exchange rates and monthly fees to make sure you're getting the best deal possible.

• Sign up for a multi-currency account;
• Link your bank to the account and add your home currency;
• Convert amount to the local currency of holiday destination ( Wise and Revolut convert at the actual mid-market rate);
• Tap and swipe like a local when you pay at vendors.

Yes, the Wise Multi-Currency Card is uniquely worthwhile because it actually converts your home currency into foreign currency at the real mid-market exchange rate . Wise charges a transparent and industry-low commission fee for the service instead.

More traditional currency cards like the Travelex Money Card are good alternatives, but they will apply an exchange rate that is weaker than the mid-market rate.

The Wise Multi-Currency Card is the best money card for euros because unlike banks, credit unions, airport kiosks, and foreign ATMs,  Wise  is transparent about never charging a hidden exchange rate margin when you convert your local currency into euros with them.

The live rate you see on Google or XE.com is the one you get with  Wise . An industry-low commission fee will range from 0.35% to 2.85%. USD to EUR transfers generally incur a 1.6% fee.

Learn more about how to buy euros in the United States before your trip.

There are usually three types of travel cards, prepaid travel cards, debit travel cards and credit travel cards. Each have pros and cons, here's a short summary:

• Prepaid travel cards: You usually need to load cards with your home currency via a bank wire or credit/debit card top-up. You're then able to manage the balance from an attached mobile app and can use it to pay in foreign currencies or withdraw cash at an ATM abroad tapping into your home currency prepaid balance. With prepaid travel cards, as the name indicates, you can't spend more than what you've loaded before hand. Some prepaid card providers will provide ways to "auto top-up" when your balance reaches a certain level that you can customize. On Revolut for example, you can decide to top-up £100/£200/£500 from your debit card each time your balance reaches below £50.
• Debit travel cards: Some innovative digital banks, like N26 or Monzo, offer travel debit cards that have the same advantages than a Prepaid Travel Cards, except that they're debit card directly tapping into your current account balance. Like a Prepaid travel card, you can't spend more than the balance you have in your current account with N26 or Monzo, but you can activate an overdraft (between €1,000 or €10,000 for N26 or £1,000 for Monzo) if you need it, for a fee though.

Note that even if they're Prepaid or Debit cards, you can use them for Internet payments like a normal credit card.

• Credit travel cards: You can find credit cards made for international payments offering good exchange rates and low fees to withdraw money abroad, but you'll need to pay interests in your international payment if you don't pay in FULL at the end of every month and interest on your ATM withdrawals each day until you pay them back.

Why You Can Trust Monito

Our recommendations are built on rock-solid experience.

• We've reviewed 70+ digital finance apps and online banks
• We've made 100's of card transactions
• Our writers have been testing providers since 2013

Other Monito Guides and Reviews on Top Multi Currency Cards

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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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A Guide to Travel Money Cards

Often deemed the cheapest way to spend money abroad , travel money cards are deemed a failsafe option for many travellers. Given the rapid growth of the financial services sector, we want to find out if travel money cards are still as cutting edge as they once were, by comparing them to the new alternatives. Our job is to identify the best international money transfer services and payment providers in the industry: will travel money cards make the cut?

What are travel money cards?

Travel money cards are a popular payment method for individuals headed abroad. Customers will load funds onto the card, using the money as foreign currency when overseas, much like a debit card is used at home. Also known as travel money prepaid cards or currency cards, they facilitate free foreign transactions and overseas ATM withdrawals.

We recommend finding a travel money card which lets you lock-in a favourable exchange rate and supports multiple currencies on one card, to make sure you are securing a flexible and cost-effective deal.

How do you use a travel money card?

Using a travel money card should be straightforward and stress-free. Simply load funds onto the card before you leave, and once abroad, you will be able to reload funds and change currencies using the website or associated money transfer app . The card can be used to make withdrawals, in-store purchases and book travel arrangements.

Where can I get a travel money card?

Travel money cards are available from different retailers and can be purchased and preloaded online, over the phone or in-store, depending on the brand. In the UK, popular brands include Travelex and the Post Office.

Where can I use a travel money card?

Again, this depends on the brand and where you get your money travel card from. Available currencies vary from card to card but commonly used currencies include US Dollars, UK Pound sterling, Euros, Japanese Yen and New Zealand Dollars. Make sure you check with the provider before ordering a travel money card.

How secure are travel money cards?

Generally, travel money cards are considered a lot safer than handling multiple currencies in cash, or travellers cheques, as your provider will be able to cancel it if need be. Furthermore, some of the best travel money cards employ an equivalent level of security to traditional debit cards, including a PIN code, touch ID and face recognition.

Many consider it safer to use a travel money card abroad than a debit card, as they are not associated with your bank account and therefore cannot be linked if lost or stolen.

Travel money cards vs. Credit cards: What is the difference?

One of the biggest advantages of using a travel money card is that your chosen currency is preloaded before you arrive in the foreign country and you won’t be charged conversion fees. This means you are able to benefit from the most favourable exchange rates, locking it in ahead of time and using the funds at a later date.

Most people who use their credit card abroad do it because it is more convenient. The cost of this convenience, however, can sometimes amount to 3 - 5% per use, depending on the transaction and financial institution. Making a foreign ATM withdrawal with your credit card can incur flat-fees of $5 and up, each time.

This being said, there are some excellent traveller credit cards on the market, so we would recommend users compare exchange rates and transfer fees offered by each provider before making a decision on which card is more beneficial.

If you're planning on using your credit card, we suggest you take a look at our credit card wire transfer guide.

What are the alternatives to travel money cards?

Multi-currency accounts.

International money transfer companies are often tailoring their products and services to meet the needs of their customers. Wise , offers a multi-currency account designed with “international people" in mind. This savvy travel credit card is aimed at frequent flyers who want to spend in various currencies in over 200 countries. Wise is a reliable company to trust with your overseas spending habits.

Challenger banks

More and more alternative service providers are popping up around the world, many of them offering reputable banking features for the modern traveller. In a bid to distinguish themselves from traditional banks, challenger banks are scrapping fees on foreign exchange and international spending. Monzo customers, for example, can benefit from free international ATM withdrawals as well as fee-free spending overseas.

We hope this guide to travel money cards has enlightened you and helped you make a decision about whether this is a suitable payment method for your next trip overseas. We appreciate the value of your hard-earned cash and want all our customers to benefit from the best possible rates when dealing with international payments. Use our comparison tool today to make sure you are offered the most desirable exchange rate for your currency.

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Contributors

April Summers

International Money Made Simple

Best Travel Money Card

About Author: Hi, I’m Quinn Askeland. In 2014, I started Transumo after experiencing expensive, slow, and frustrating international money transfers and payments through banks. Once I discovered how to manage my own international currencies much better, I became driven to help others improve their transfers and payments. Fortunately, today, there are many excellent options. See My Full Bio .

Best for You?! (and Can You Trust Them?)

(for uk, usa, europe, australia and nz).

Travel money cards have rapidly become one of the most important if not THE most important tools for paying for things while overseas.

Know you want one? – Skip down and compare the best using our handy table.

• You can pre-load or switch to different currencies easily (and often inexpensively)
• Withdrawl cash at ATMs in local currencies (without expensive fees)
• Pay for anything where Mastercard (and sometime Visas) is accepted – pretty much everywhere .
• Apps and online access enables you to manage money on the road

The Problem

Every big bank , Dick and Harry has a “travel card” with all kinds of perks designed like to attract your business but like anything in the finance world it seems – very few are great and many are not .

For example, some have seemly generous loyalty travel points – but then more than make up for it through hidden fees – usually in the exchange rate.

The Solution

In recent years a new breed of card has emerged – they are app focused and put your needs first.

But there is still a bit of a problem.

Now instead of getting fleeced by big banks, there are a tonne of new services that all have some really great marketing and cool features.

Here is how to make it easy.

Focus on the important things you DO NEED in a travel card. Then check out the cool features.

Here are the things we think you will find most important (and use to evaluate the competition below):

• Lots of control over your money (In – Out and Between Currencies)
• Inexpensive currency exchange rates (In – Out and Between Currencies)
• Inexpensive ATM withdrawal fees
• Reasonable limits (usually daily or monthly) before higher fees occur
• Excellent user experience (using apps and online)
• Service (if things go wrong)

The good news is that this removes about 99% of the competition – mostly big bank operated cards that are very keen for your business and collecting the fees that go along with it.

If this travel money card idea is new to you, you will want to read the next sections!

How Do (good) Travel Money Cards Work?

What you need to know, in comparison.

• Revolut VS N26 (summary)
• Revolut VS Wise (summary)
• Monzo VS Revolut (summary)

And the Winner Is…

Some travel money cards are a secure and convenient way to manage your banking and foreign currency needs. These are specially designed prepaid debit cards that can be used like credit cards.

Simply preload them with whatever currency you wish and manage expenses and currency transfers easily from an app or online .

You need to sign up with the company of your choice, and they will do some basic identity checks and approve your account.

Once it is done, they will issue you a card. The card is connected to the Mastercard or Visa network which means you can spend money pretty much anywhere.

Here is where is gets really good.

Apart from being able to use a helpful app on your phone to easily manage expenses in different currencies the fees to switch between different currencies are much cheaper than normal travel cards which usually unbeknownst often to many people have all kinds of fees attached.

You can use also use the card to withdraw cash from ATMs for free instead of the usual “Fee Notice”.

Does this remind you of any messages you may have seen?

You may be charged in a different currency. This bank will charge a fee for using the ATM. This fee is in addition to any fees that may be charged by your financial institution . Press to Continue --> Press to Cancel -->

The fixed ATM fee is often only a small part of the total fees!

Your bank often also takes fees through giving you a poor exchange rate and other fees.

You can effectively eliminate the ATM fees and get a great exchange rate and they don’t try to make money elsewhere without telling you.

Here is how it works:

Before you travel overseas, you transfer your home currency from your bank account or debit/credit card to your prepaid travel card at the going exchange rate. You can then use this card overseas in the same way that you would use a regular debit or credit card. This card can be used in any country that uses the currency that you have loaded in your card.

Of course you can only spend the money you have loaded – these cards do not let you borrow money, but they sure do save you loads.

Using debit cards to withdraw money from ATMs may prove quite costly as they charge a Foreign ATM withdrawal fee (wikipedia)  and a percentage fee (1%-3%) on the amount you are withdrawing.

On the top of it, you pay currency exchange fee as well. The actual costs you incur would depend on the card you are using. Some cards are more travel friendly than others.

Another factor that weighs against most cards issued is the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DDC) fee (wikipedia) . This fee is levied when the bill amount in foreign currency is converted to your home currency and then charged from your bank debit card. You not only pay the current exchange rate (which could be quite uncompetitive), you also pay a mark-up that is usually added to this rate.

DCC allows the merchant, merchant's bank or ATM operator to charge a markup on the exchange rate used, sometimes by as much as 18%.

With a travel card, your exchange rate is locked in and you can decide the most favourable time to for currency exchange and loading your travel card. In addition to safeguards against any major currency volatility the additional costs associated with using most bank cards are dramatically reduced.

Here are the best by country where you reside: (Links are to summaries of the services below)

Wise , Revolut , Monzo , N26

🇺🇸 USA and Canada

Wise , Revolut , N26

🇦🇺 Australia and NZ

Wise , Revolut

N26,  Revolut

Best Travel Money Cards

The Wise prepaid debit card (review) works with the Wise multi currency account in a very cool way.

The multi-currency account that lets you hold money in 50+ currencies and provides you international bank details in 10 currencies including NZ Dollars, Aussie Dollar, US dollars, as well as British Pounds and Euros.

As you can imagine if you are temporarily living in these countries or simply get paid in these currencies – this can make it easier for you to get paid but it also means huge savings when it comes time to spend that money no matter what the currency.

Wise converts your money at the real mid-market rate and fees are kept to a minimum.

Visit the Wise Card Page Here

Features (UK)

• Enjoy free ATM withdrawals up to £200 / 30 days
• Low currency conversion fees
• Receive payments in USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD, PLN for free using your own local bank details
• Hold money in 50+ currencies
• The card is already available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
• Can use anywhere in the world where MasterCard is accepted
• Enjoys excellent reviews on TrustPilot with a score of 4.6

TransferWise costs

Revolut is a digital bank and enjoys  over 7 million customers. It gives you access to a contactless debit card that lets you make free ATM withdrawals and exchange currency with 0% fee. It is connected to their app and is a great solution for international travellers. There are no hidden fees and they offer “real” exchange rate without any mark-ups.

Get the latest for your country here .

Or Revolut for business latest inclusions and plans.

• Lets you spend overseas in over 150 currencies at mid-market rates
• For currency exchange amounts over and above the monthly limits, they charge a small 0.5% fee
• ATM withdrawals for amounts higher than monthly limits attract a small 2% fee
• For as little as £1.00 per day, they provide travel insurance
• You have complete control over your card. You can turn on and off features like swipe payments, ATM withdrawals, contactless etc. all from within the app
• It also offers location based security
• Revolut is available in United Kingdom, European Economic Area (EEA), Australia and Singapore.
• Revolut has a TrustPilot score of 4.5 with excellent customer reviews

Revolut costs

N26 is a Berlin based online bank that started in 2013 and offers their service to Europe only. The N26 bank works with a prepaid card system enabled by Mastercard.

N26 had operations in the UK and USA but has pulled out of these markets so keep reading and here are the five best alternatives to N26 .

Features (Eurozone)

• Free ATM withdrawals in Euros
• Free payments in any currency with no surcharge for paying abroad
• N26 Black/Metal allows free withdrawals worldwide and provides comprehensive travel insurance
• You get mid-market exchange rate
• N26 is available in Germany, Austria, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Finland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Estonia, Greece, Slovakia, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland.
• You can combine N26 with Google Pay or Apple Pay to make payments
• N26 has a TrustPilot score of 4, with some great reviews and some not-so great ones. The bad reviews are mostly related to customer service but as we point out in our review of N26 these can be mostly avoided.

Monzo came into being in 2015 and became regulated by the FCA in 2016. Today, 3 million people use Monzo to spend money overseas. This digital bank issues a debit Mastercard for purchases and cash withdrawals. Monzo is currently only available to UK residents.

• Lets you pay in restaurants, shops and online, in any currency, anywhere in the world and with no fee
• Allows cash withdrawals of up to £200 every 30 days for free
• Monzo travel reports are really helpful. Keep you informed of the current exchange rate, provides tips on travelling
• Lets you automatically categorise transactions
• You can exchange currency directly at the Mastercard exchange rate without an additional fee
• Monzo Plus comes with additional perks such as higher free ATM withdrawal limits and worldwide travel insurance
• Monzo enjoys excellent customer reviews with a TrustPilot score of 4.4/5

Monzo costs

Monese lets you open a European or British current account in minutes without a traditional proof of address. This makes Monese particularly attractive to expats, travellers and digital nomads who need get up and running quickly running without jumping through hoops.

Get the latest prices and features for Monese here .

• Can open a Euro or GBP account and then another currency account (GBP or EUR) for no additional cost
• Signup does not require an address

Monese costs

Here is our review of Monese.

Each service has its own strengths and all have a potentially serious weaknesses we uncover in our verdict below..

This table is a great place to start.

From here refer to the individual services above.

Revolut VS N26

With Revolut and N26 there is a lot to consider between the two. In our full comparison we found that there is more to consider than just the basics we have shown.

Revolut for example seem more targeted towards the traveler and focuses on perks like access to airport lounges, travel insurance and even buying cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile N26 is a real bank based out of Europe (Germany) which does offer a little extra comfort for all Eurozone users.

Revolut VS Wise

After reviewing both services extensively and having used them personally, the Wise multi currency account seems to be the better option if it meets all your requirements. It is also available in more countries, so it could be your only choice.

If you frequently travel and reside in Europe or the UK, Revolut might be preferred for its cool features, especially if you opt for the Premium or Metal account options (and the cards themselves look pretty amazing).

However, if you need to transfer money or make payments in different currencies, Wise is likely to be more suitable for you. While Revolut has more options for saving money and other services, it is limited to the UK and some European countries.

If you are considering Revolut as an everyday alternative to your high street bank, you might find the paid plans to be the most flexible and cost-effective.

Monzo VS Revolut

Monzo VS Revolut is fairly easy to to decide between. Both are great but for quite different reasons. Revolut is clearly better when it comes to travel and additional perks like insurance, a booking service (concierge) and travel lounges but to access these perks you have to get the Premium or Metal offering.

Monzo on the other hand being a bank (UK only) enables it to offer interest on its accounts, personal loans, and bill-pay services which in addition to occasional short term travel benefits makes it a great choice if you want some banking and travel more limited travel features rolled into one.

You (tacky old bad joke – yes – but true).

Travel money cards are a great alternative to regular bank debit cards. They help save a lot of money on currency exchange, ATM withdrawals and overseas spending. The cards listed above are among the best available. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and offers the best value.

However , there is some things you should know… most importantly;

• Frozen Accounts
• Money Transfers
• Receiving Bank Accounts

In our in-depth analysis of the reviews for each service we looked at the most recent one star reviews and collated the data. One of the most common and most concerning complaints was about the possibility of your account getting frozen . For some people who were relying on the card this can be more than frustrating, leaving travellers in awkward situations or alternately without access to their funds often for weeks.

The trouble here is not really the companies who run these cards but the regulations and security measures which are aimed to prevent money laundering, terrorism and theft. Unfortunately this can have some unwanted side effects.

The solution is simple . Given that the cards can save you a lot of money and become really great ways to manage your money – we think it best to have one of these cards and have a backup option where you keep the majority of your funds.

Money transfers are another story. In many cases we found that for large or essential transfers it might be better to use a specialist money transfer company that can do bank-to-bank transfers. The reason is that many of these travel cards use 3rd party companies which introduces additional potential for the funds to be delayed.

For those what want to accept payments in different currencies, the services differ reasonably significantly. For example, some give you the ability to effectively have bank accounts in several countries which can be a big bonus when asking for payments. Others ask they you use their money transfer services to accept payments in the senders currency and they you can exchange to for the currency you choose which may not be suitable if you are invoicing but would be fine if someone from home was sending funds.

Overall, we expect many more cards to surface and more people to use them.

Happy Travels!

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• Currency Card
• Travel Money

Compare Best Prepaid Travel Money Card

Compare travel money card and travel like a pro.

• Travel Budgeting
• Security of your holiday cash abroad
• Easy reloading of cash

Who offers the best travel money card?

Compare Prepaid Euro Travel Money Cards

Compared Prepaid US Dollar Travel Money Cards

Compare Prepaid Travel Money Cards

Other popular currencies.

• Australian Dollar Card
• Canadian Dollar Card
• New Zealand Dollar Card
• South Africa Rand Card
• Swiss Franc Card

What is a travel money card?

For most people that go overseas, using your normal debit or credit card frequently on holiday comes as second nature. Perhaps you leisurely whip out the card to buy a round of drinks, buy lunch for the family or use your plastic at a favourite local restaurant. Unfortunately, you are more than likely being ripped off on a daily basis with the high costs associated with using your debit and credit card abroad!

Fortunately, your new best friend abroad maybe a specialist travel money card.

This type of plastic is a free to obtain prepaid currency card that is pre-loaded with foreign currency prior to your departure. Most offer free ATM cash withdrawals overseas and specialist travel money cards alleviate the need for any currency conversion to take place. It works in a very similar way to your standard UK Visa or Mastercard debit card. Without the hefty overseas card charges!

Effectively, the travel money card eliminates the totally unnecessary complex series of fees and charges you may encounter when taking cash out or paying for goods with your everyday debit or credit card.

In a nutshell, we have found the best prepaid currency cards as an excellent way to budget your trip, so you know exactly how much you have to spend abroad. The best card issuers listed on our travel money card comparison tables charge no overseas ATM withdrawal fees for using the card.

Budget like a pro

We all know that spending money abroad feels like play money.

One of the best benefits of a prepaid travel money cards is that they help you stick to a holiday budget. However, if you need cash fast when your abroad and running low on funds, be sure to carry some cash too. Otherwise, you will need to reload the currency card.

PrePaid cards are a secure and safe way of carrying cash abroad

One of the best advantages of prepaid currency cards versus foreign cash is that if you lose your card, you can have it replaced for a small fee. On the other hand, if you lose foreign cash in the back of a Spanish taxi, you can say 'Arivaderchi.'

How much cheaper is it to get a travel money card

Research shows the cheapest travel currency cards can save you up to 10% on buying holiday money at the airport & 5% on the cost of using UK debit and credit cards abroad.

The cheapest currency cards on the market will let you take advantage of better currency exchange rates than you would likely obtain from the high street or (heaven forbid!) airport bureaus. Airports are the world’s worst place to convert currency.

As previously mentioned, you also alleviate the complex set of fees and charges your bank will take for the convenience of using your everyday card abroad. If you use your normal credit card when taking cash out of the wall, you will have to pay interest immediately, which accentuates the costs. In most cases, when using a travel currency card there are no ATM fees for drawing money out the wall and are often the safest option when travelling.

In short, for the benefits listed below, we recommend using a pre-paid travel currency card when holidaying abroad or making a business trip.

What are the benefits of a pre paid travel money card?

Explain to me in simple terms: how travel money cards work.

• Check website for any additional in-destination fees (good housekeeping)
• Compare providers & apply for the card
• You need to make an initial first load on your new prepaid currency card
• Lock in exchange rates as soon as you load your card
• Travel money card can then be used anywhere you see a Mastercard OR Visa sign
• Use in shops or ATM’s abroad fee free to withdraw cash as you would your regular UK debit card.
• Check your balance either online, SMS or via telephone

Add more currency to your card via SMS, Online OR Telephone. Be aware of the cost of overseas calls if you top up over the phone

What prepaid travel money card is right for me?

Below, we compare travel money cards and highlight some top picks that include no spending or load fees.

It's important to remember that depending on the destination you are travelling to, you can take advantage of currency specific cards that will help you save on overseas charges.

For a more extensive comparison, check out our specialist comparison tables for: Euro Currency Cards , Dollar Currency Cards , Worldwide Currency Cards

Our Recommendation

Prepaid card comparison: best load rates or free cost of card.

You can dynamically compare rates using our prepaid travel card calculator here. We screen scrape the live exchange rates offered for all major euro and dollar currency card providers.

This is a question we are asked most often. The cheapest travel money card is not necessarily the provider who offers the currency card free of charge OR even the card that offers the best initial load rate. Consider both the purchase cost of the card together with the ‘in destination’ costs when comparing travel cards. Trying to compare prepaid currency cards on an ‘apples by apples’ basis can be difficult.

Loading your travel money card operates in a similar way to buying foreign cash online. The travel currency card exchange rates on both the Euro and Dollar specific cards will be determined on the initial load. Once you have loaded your card with foreign currency, try not to worry too much about whether the pound strengthens or weakens. Even the best traders are not able to forecast future currency fluctuations!

Who typically uses a prepaid currency card?

Holiday With Family or Friends

Whether your travelling to Spain, France or Australia you can save a fortune with superior exchange rates. Youll get more bang for your buck with a prepaid card versus using your standard UK debit or credit card abroad.

Business Travel

Business usage of currency cards is perfect to track both your and your team’s expenses abroad. You get all the benefits of your standard plastic without the unnecessary transaction costs of your standard Visa & Mastercard. This is a particular favourite of Finance Directors from small start-ups to large corporates who can manage controlled usage of spending money overseas. With most currency card programs, you don’t need to log expenses as these are detailed online in your usage reports.

Regular Travellers

The best currency cards are valid for three years so once you have applied, you can simply top up before you go abroad. This makes prepaid currency cards perfect for overseas property buyers, expats and worldwide travellers. With millions of Visa & Mastercard ATM’s worldwide, it alleviates the need to store cash every time you travel in your hotel or apartment.

Students & Backpackers

We’ve covered the budgeting benefits & boy do backpackers need to stick to a budget! This makes prepaid currency cards perfect for those 3, 6 or 12 month stints abroad. And what’s more, once your money has maxed out on the card, you can always call the bank of mum and dad to help out with a small top up to keep you going.

Pre Paid Travel Cards are issued by Visa and Mastercard

The prepaid currency card you end up choosing will either be a Visa travel money card or Mastercard issued. You can use your prepaid travel card to withdraw cash worldwide from any ATM that displays either Visa or Mastercard.

Are there more Visa or Mastercard ATM’s worldwide?

Mastercard have over one million ATM’s in over 210 countries. You can check on their website using the Mastercard Global ATM locator tool. Likewise, Visa offer a Visa Global ATM locator service for their 1.8 million ATM’s worldwide and it is recommended to use both to ensure you are never too far away from an ATM when using your prepaid visa card or prepaid mastercard abroad.

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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.

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The 6 Best Travel Money Cards for the US - 2024

If you’re visiting the US, a specialised travel money card can make it cheaper and more convenient to access US dollars for spending and withdrawals. There are various options available, such as travel debit cards, prepaid travel cards, and travel credit cards, which cater to different types of customers. The right one for you will depend on your personal preference and how you like to manage your money.

Read on for all you need to know, including a closer look at travel money card types, some great options to consider, and the sorts of fees you need to think about when you choose.

Wise - our pick for travel debit card for the US

Before we get into details about different travel money card options, let's begin with the Wise card as a versatile travel money debit card that can hold and spend USD, as well as a diverse range of other currencies.

Hold and exchange over 50 currencies alongside USD

No fee to spend any currency you hold, low conversion fees from 0.41%

Mid market exchange rate on all currency conversion

Some fee free ATM withdrawals every month

No ongoing costs and no interest to pay

ATM fees apply once you exceed your plan limits

No option to earn points or rewards

Click here to read a full Wise review

What is a travel money card?

Similar to your standard bank card, a travel money card can be used for online and in-store purchases, as well as for cash withdrawals. However, with a travel money card, the features and fees are tailored for global usage. This may result in a better exchange rate, or fewer charges, in comparison to using your regular card abroad. Certain travel cards even offer opportunities to earn cashback and rewards for using your card internationally.

6 travel money cards for the US compared

Before we get into each card option in more depth, here’s a summary of how six of the best travel money cards for the US compare to each other.

The features of various travel money cards can differ significantly. Generally, travel debit cards can be convenient and relatively inexpensive to use, while travel credit cards may offer extra benefits such as cashback or rewards. However, they also come with the risk of incurring interest and late payment fees, if you don’t pay off your bill in full every time.

Travel debit cards usually allow you to easily add funds online or via a mobile app, which helps you stick to your budget and avoid overspending. Conversely, travel credit cards enable you to spend up to your credit limit, and you can pay off the balance over several months. Which is best for you will come down to how you like to manage your money - we’ll dive into a few more details about each card type, next.

What are different types of travel cards?

Generally, Canadian customers are able to select a travel money card from either a regular bank or a specialist provider, with card types available including travel debit cards, travel prepaid cards or travel credit cards. We’ll walk through what each travel money card type is, and pick out a couple of good card options, so you can compare and choose.

1. Travel debit cards

2. Travel prepaid cards

3. Travel credit cards

1. Travel Debit Cards

Travel debit cards are usually offered by specialist providers, with linked digital accounts you can use to hold and exchange a currency balance. Although these cards may have varying features, they generally provide an easy-to-use online platform and mobile app for topping up your balance. Additionally, you can view your balance and receive transaction notifications on your phone, making it easier to manage your finances no matter where you are in the world.

Travel debit card Option 1: Wise

Wise is our pick for a travel debit card for the US. There’s no fee to open a Wise account, and no delivery fee for your Wise card, with no minimum balance and no monthly charge. You just pay low Wise fees from 0.41% when you convert currencies, and transparent ATM fees when you exhaust the monthly free transactions available with your account.

No fee to open a Wise account , no minimum balance requirement

No fee to get your Wise card, free to spend any currency you hold

2 withdrawals, to 350 CAD value per month for free, then 1.5 CAD + 1.75%

Hold USD and 50+ other currencies, convert between them with the mid-market rate

Get local account details to receive CAD, USD and 7 other currencies for free

Click here to read a full review on the Wise card

Travel debit card Option 2: Canada Post Cash Passport

You can pick up a Canada Post Cash Passport in your local Post Office, and top up your account in CAD. You can then switch your balance to any of the 7 supported major currencies - or you can just allow the card to convert to the currency you need, although there is a foreign exchange fee of 3.25% for doing so. You can use your Canada Post Cash Passport card in ATMs and wherever the network is supported. ATM fees apply which vary by currency.

Supports 7 major currencies, including USD

No fee to spend currencies you hold in your account

Variable ATM fee, 2.5 USD when in the the US for example

1.5% fee for using your card in Canada - plus any applicable fee to convert funds back to CAD if you hold a foreign currency

Pros and cons of using debit travel cards in the US

Avoid interest costs and late payment fees

Hold and exchange currencies in advance or at the time of spending

Accounts can be topped up, viewed and managed using just your phone

Safe to use, as accounts aren’t linked to your main Canadian bank account

Travel debit cards are issued on popular global payment networks

Transaction and currency conversion fees may apply

Cash back and rewards may not be available

How to choose the best travel debit card for the US?

Choosing the best travel debit card for the US depends on your personal preferences and financial management style. If you travel often - and not just to the US - it's smart to consider an account that offers mid-market currency exchange rates and a wide selection of supported currencies, including USD, like Wise.  Other providers like Canada Post also support USD alongside a handful of other major world currencies, and the Cash Passport can be conveniently collected in your local Post Office.

Is there a spending limit with a travel debit card in the US?  

Card use limits are determined by individual providers and can vary depending on the transaction type. Limits may apply on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. For instance, there may be a cap on the number or value of ATM withdrawals allowed per day or a limit on the value of contactless payments you can make. These limits are set for security reasons and can often be adjusted using the provider's app.

2. Prepaid Travel Cards

With a prepaid travel card you’ll usually need to first order a card and then add funds in CAD from your bank account or card. Once you have a balance you can then pay merchants and make cash withdrawals at home and abroad. While prepaid travel cards are usually issued on large global networks - and can therefore be used pretty widely - you may find you pay a foreign transaction fee when overseas, depending on the specific card you select.

Prepaid travel card option 1: BMO Reloadable Mastercard

The BMO Reloadable Mastercard can be topped up in CAD and used when you travel in the US. You’ll pay a 2.5% foreign transaction fee when overseas, but you’ll still have the advantage that - as with other prepaid and travel cards - this card is not linked to your primary bank account, so it can increase security when spending abroad. There’s a 6.95 CAD annual fee, but as this is a purchase card rather than a credit card, there’s no interest to worry about. You just top up and you can spend up to your account balance freely.

6.95 CAD annual fee, 2.5% foreign transaction fee

5 CAD ATM fee

No interest to worry about

Manage your card online or using your phone, to top up and view balance

Add funds from BMO or other Canadian banks directly

Prepaid travel card option 2: Koho Premium Mastercard

You can get up to 2% cash back with the Koho Premium Mastercard, and there’s no foreign transaction fee to worry about. Instead, you pay a monthly card fee of 9 CAD. The basic card is free to get, or you can upgrade to a Koho metal card for 159 CAD if you want a fancier way to pay when you’re at home and abroad.

9 CAD/month premium fee

No foreign transaction fee

Earn cash back on your spending

Pros and cons of using prepaid travel cards in the US

Manage your account, add more money or convert funds online or with an app

Accounts with no monthly fees are available

Issued on globally popular networks for good coverage

ATM withdrawals supported globally

Some accounts have extras like options to earn cash back or reward points

Typically only CAD supported - watch out for foreign transaction charges

Transaction fees apply to most accounts

How to choose the best travel prepaid card for the US?

There’s no single best travel prepaid card for the US - it’ll come down to your personal preference. If you don’t mind paying a monthly fee you might like the Koho Premium card which waives foreign transaction fees, and other charges like ATM withdrawal fees. Otherwise, if you just want a simple prepaid card and don’t mind the foreign transaction fee when you’re in the US, the BMO prepaid card might suit you.

Is there a spending limit with a prepaid card in the US?

Various prepaid travel cards have different spending and withdrawal limits that can vary depending on the currency. To find the right card for you, you’ll want to carefully review the terms and conditions of each card provider you’re considering. This way, you’ll be confident you’ve picked a provider that meets your specific needs and requirements.

3. Travel Credit Cards

Travel credit cards often come with additional benefits not found in regular credit cards. These benefits can include lower or no fees for foreign transactions and the chance to earn extra rewards when using the card abroad. While travel credit cards offer safety and convenience, it's worth noting that they may be more expensive than using a debit card.

Before choosing a travel credit card, it's essential to consider factors such as fees, rates, eligibility criteria, and interest rates. Take the time to compare different options and select the one that suits you best.

Travel credit card option 1: HSBC World Elite Mastercard

The HSBC World Elite Mastercard has been optimised for overseas use, with extra rewards on international spending and travel, plus no foreign transaction fees to pay. There are lots of ways to earn rewards, including variable new customer bonus offers - the downside is that there’s an annual fee of 149 CAD, so you’ll need to check if the benefits outweigh the costs. As with any other credit card, you’ll also need to pay off your bill in full every month to avoid interest charges.

149 CAD annual fee, 5 CAD ATM withdrawal fee

Variable interest rate

Options to earn rewards, including enhanced benefits for travel spending

Travel credit card option 2: Home Trust Preferred Visa Card

The Home Trust Preferred Visa Card is a credit card with a variable interest rate, no foreign exchange fees and 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. There’s no annual fee to pay, although the ATM withdrawal fees can run pretty high - 1% or 1.5% depending on the ATM type, and the maximum cap is 15 CAD for some withdrawals.

No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee

1% cash back on all eligible purchases

ATM fees apply, which are set as a percentage, and can run pretty high

Pros and cons of using credit cards in the US

Enjoy peace of mind with zero liability policies offered by some cards

Spread the cost of your travel expenses over several months

Some cards have no foreign transaction fees, saving you money on international purchases

Exchange rates typically offered by card networks are usually fair

Earn cash back and rewards on your spending with select cards, making your travel even more rewarding.

Interest charged if you don’t repay in full every month

Eligibility rules apply

How to choose the best travel credit card for the US?

Selecting the best travel credit card for the US largely depends on individual preferences. If you aim to earn rewards and cashback on your foreign transactions, the Home Trust Preferred Visa may be a suitable option as it does not have a foreign transaction fee and provides cash back on all purchases. Whichever card you’re considering you’ll want to weigh up the potential fees you’ll need to pay against the rewards you can earn to make sure it’s worthwhile.

If you regularly travel to the US or further afield, getting a travel money card which supports the currencies you need frequently can help you save money. Travel money cards have different features, and can be picked up via regular banks, online specialists and even the Post Office.

You could opt for a low cost travel debit card which comes with a linked account to hold a selection of currencies - like the Wise account. Or you might prefer a prepaid travel money card like the Koho Premium Mastercard which has monthly fees in exchange for features like no foreign transaction charges - handy if you use it abroad often. Finally, another option is to get a travel credit card either to earn cashback and rewards, or to avoid foreign transaction fees.

The good news is that the Canadian market is well served for all types of travel money cards - use this guide to start your research and pick the right option for your specific needs.

FAQ - Best travel cards for the US

You can usually make cash withdrawals with a credit card in the US at any ATM that supports your card network. You’ll often find that a fee applies, and you may start to accumulate interest on the withdrawn amount immediately. Travel money debit cards from providers like Wise and Canada Post can be a lower cost option for cash withdrawals overseas.

You can use your debit card anywhere you see the card network’s logo displayed. Visa and Mastercard networks are very well supported globally, including in the US, making these good options to look out for when you pick your travel debit card for the US.

Prepaid cards from reputable providers are safe to use at home and abroad. They aren’t linked to your main bank account which can offer extra peace of mind, and may also make it easier to manage your travel budget. However, you’ll need to check the card features and fees carefully to make sure you're getting the best match for your needs.

Compare and save on travel money

Before you join the jet set, land yourself a travel money deal. Mozo helps you navigate the choppy fees and mountainous exchange rates for the warm, soothing waters of forex, pre-paid travel and credit card deals.

Prepaid travel cards

Travel debit cards, travel credit cards, travel insurance, international money transfers, foreign exchange calculator, who we are and how we get paid.

Our goal at Mozo is to help you make smart financial decisions and our award-winning comparison tools and services are provided free of charge. As a marketplace business, we do earn money from advertising and this page features products with Go To Site links and/or other paid links where the provider pays us a fee if you go to their site from ours, or you take out a product with them. You do not pay any extra for using our service.

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Finding the best travel money card for your trip 

Going overseas, whether it's to Europe to experience amazing new cultures or just across the ditch for a ramble in the New Zealand wilderness, is always exciting. There are so many places out there to explore it's hard to know where to start! Once you've made the big decision of where to go, there's plenty more to be made. Of all the aspects of planning an overseas trip, organising your travel funds is possibly the most confusing and where you are most likely to occur unexpected fees.

 But with a little bit of research and planning - and Mozo's expert advice - you can choose the right travel money option for you. If you are looking for information on transferring money overseas, this section isn’t for you. Instead head on over to our international money transfer page where you can compare rates and providers that offer money transfers from Australia. 

Types of travel money cards

Prepaid travel cards .

A popular choice for many Aussies who are jetsetting overseas is purchasing a prepaid travel card, which as the name suggests is when you load foreign money onto the card before you jetset overseas. Prepaid travel cards have the advantage of being a convenient source of money when you're overseas as you can use them just like you use a credit or debit card - they also have credit card-like security usually coming with either Visa or MasterCard’s zero liability policy, which means you are protected against any fraudulent activity if your card is lost or stolen.

 Plus you’ll also get the peace of mind of pin number access. Another advantage is you can also choose the best time to purchase foreign currencies to lock in a great currency exchange rate in the lead up to your trip. If you’re heading on a major globetrot to multiple countries, you’ll be happy to hear that many prepaid cards also allow you to load up to five different currencies onto the card. 

The disadvantage of travel money cards is the associated purchase and reload fees can be quite high and it can be difficult and/or expensive to get back any 'unused' funds at the end of your trip. Also be mindful that there can be high penalties for cross currency purchases, so it’s wise to only pay using the currency you have loaded onto the card. In summary: they give you globe-trotting ease, but may come at a price. Mozo tip: Look for a prepaid travel card that has a wide overseas ATM network, so you can avoid the cost of high ATM withdrawal fees overseas.

For instance, users of Westpac’s Global Currency Card have fee free cash withdrawals at two million ATMs worldwide from any of Westpac's Global ATM Alliance partners. 

Travel credit cards:

Credit cards are many people's' go-to answer for travel money, as an alternative of carrying around cash. When choosing a credit card to pack for your holiday there are three main types of travel friendly cards: Travel credit card : A popular choice for jetsetters is going for a credit card that is specifically designed for overseas travel, with a low or no currency conversion fee that is widely accepted around the world. While travel credit cards are great as you’ll avoid the slap of a high currency conversion fee, be mindful that credit cards aren’t made for ATM withdrawals as you’ll be charged the cash advance rate which is often over the 20% mark and to make matters worse the interest free period doesn’t apply to cash withdrawals. 0% purchase rate credit card : Another option is going for some plastic free of interest for an introductory period. While a 0% credit card deal can be a good choice if you want to shop up a storm overseas and pay back those purchases over a longer timeframe, make sure you can repay the balance in full before the honeymoon period comes to an end because many interest free cards revert to much higher rates. Rewards credit card : For those regular jetsetters, there’s also the option of racking up points fast with a rewards credit card, as many come with extra bonus points per $1 spent in overseas countries. 

Plus to top things off many rewards cards are packed with complimentary features, such as travel insurance and concierge. But keep in mind, rewards credit cards are notorious for having high annual fees attached, so you’ll need to make sure the value of the rewards and freebies outweigh this cost. Before you decide to go down the travel credit card path, make sure you have a read of our credit card survival guide , which reveals the potential traps to avoid when using a credit card overseas.

Travel debit cards: 

Also known as travel cash cards, a travel debit card is a way of taking your everyday bank account into the big wide world. They share many of the advantages of credit cards, in that they're pin secured and accepted in most places (since they're secured by the same companies e.g MasterCard or Visa), but you’re spending your own money not the banks. So with a debit card, you can avoid coming home to a massive amount of debt.

 Many of the better travel card providers also offer fee-free ATM withdrawals around the world and no foreign currency conversion fees, compared to standard debit cards with a 2-3% rate. The only downsides of travel debit cards is that you generally won't earn the same rewards that credit cards can offer. To learn more about the difference between travel prepaid, credit and debit cards, read our travel money 101 guide here . 

Kicking off your travel card comparison

With all of these alternatives, it's hard to know what's the best travel money option for you and your holiday. This is where Mozo comes to the rescue! You can compare all of your travel money card options right here on the one site in our prepaid travel card , travel credit card and travel debit card comparison sections - no need to waste time trawling to each provider’s website! Mozo lists all the fees and hidden costs, so you can make an accurate travel card comparison. We also have a great foreign exchange calculator which lets you see what rates the Australian currency converters are offering on four of the major currencies that are popular with Australian travellers - US dollars, British Pounds, Euros and New Zealand dollars. And all this information is presented in an easy to operate chart, so you can quickly know if today's the day you should exchange your mighty Australian dollars for another currency.

Mozo’s top travel money tips…

Let your card provider know you’re heading overseas.  

Card providers are constantly on the lookout for any fraudulent activity. So if they suddenly see transactions on your account in an overseas country, they could decide to deactivate your card. To avoid being left without access to your cash, give your provider a quick buzz before you leave.

Take more than one travel money option with you. 

You’ve probably heard the disaster travel stories where a traveller is left cashless due to a lost or stolen card. So make sure this isn’t you, by packing at least two travel money options with you. For instance, you could consider bringing a travel credit card with you for all those big purchases over the counter and a prepaid travel money card for your ATM withdrawals. This will give you the peace of mind that if you lost one of your cards, you’ll have a back up travel money card at hand.

Report any unauthorised transactions immediately. 

While most travel money cards come with the protection of Visa, MasterCard or AMEX’s zero liability policy, to ensure you’re covered against any fraudulent activity you need to ensure you contact your card provider within a “reasonable period of time.”

Always pay in the local currency.

When you’re overseas and a merchant asks if you would like to pay in AUD, always say no because when you have the currency converted into your local currency you will generally be charged a higher currency conversion rate than your banks.

Want more helpful advice for using a travel money card like a pro? Then reading our handy guide on the top 5 travel money tips should be your next stop.

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Travel Money Card Comparison

How to find the best card for your next overseas trip.

In this guide

Travel money card comparison

What is a travel money card, the pros and cons of different options, what are the travel money card fees i should know about, how to find the best travel money card, top travel money tips, australian travel statistics, faqs about prepaid travel money cards.

Travel Money Cards

What you need to know

• The most important features to compare are the foreign transaction fees, exchange rates and usability.
• If you want to withdraw cash, a prepaid travel card or debit card will likely be cheaper than a credit card.
• It is a good idea to have several travel money options in case of loss, damage or theft.

A travel money card is a prepaid card which you can add multiple foreign currencies onto to use while you're travelling overseas. You can use it to make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs.

Prepaid travel cards work similarly to debit cards as you can deposit a certain amount of money into the card and only spend what you've got available in the account. However, unlike a standard debit card, a prepaid travel card allows you to lock-in exchange rates before you travel.

You can also avoid some of the fees that you might be subject to if you were to use your normal bank card. Many transaction accounts have international transaction fees or other limitations, so getting a travel money card can save you money there. It can also feel safer to have a travel money card, avoiding the risk of losing your money if something were to happen to your bank card.

ING Orange Everyday Account

There is no universal best travel money card as your options vary from country to country and person to person. In saying that, some of favourable features of travel cards include:

• No additional fees: including ATM fees, reloading fees and card closure fee
• The option to lock in exchange rates before you leave
• The option to add multiple currencies onto the one card
• Digital wallet compatibility so you can add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay
• Low or no additional cost to convert your left-over money back to AUD
• Security, including card pin

You should also consider exchange rates, conditions, limits and safety.

Here are our top travel money tips:

• Pay for your purchases in the local currency. This will help avoid any currency conversion fees.
• Keep an eye on your transactions . It's always a good idea to regularly check your transaction history to make sure there's no unauthorised transactions - and if there are, you should report them to your bank immediately.
• Always take more than one travel money option. You don't want to be left stranded if you lose your card or it gets stolen. Consider bringing 2 forms of travel cards to avoid being left cashless in a foreign country.
• Keep your travel money in a few different places. Having all your foreign cash and cards in a wallet means you'll have no backup if you lose your wallet. Instead, consider keeping some of your travel money in a separate place. For example, you could keep most of your cash in a hotel safe or a locked part of your luggage.
• Inform your bank. If you're using your regular debit or credit card, let your bank know. You wouldn't want your card to be cancelled due to a 'suspicious transaction' while you're overseas because your bank thinks you're still in Australia.

Australia is a nation of travellers. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 8,337,080 resident returns from overseas for the year 2022 - 2023. The most popular reason we travel is for a holiday, and the median trip duration is 15 days.

How do you top up travel money cards?

You can top up your travel money card if you need more money while you're on your trip. Depending on your specific travel money card, you can reload your card online, using BPAY, through your bank's app or via your bank's branch. Look into the card you are topping up because some methods do incur fees e.g. the Qantas Travel Money Card has an instant reload fee of 0.5% while its BPAY and bank transfers are free.

Can you get your money back if you don't spend it all?

You can generally get your money back if you don't end up spending it all while overseas. However, you might encounter fees to get the remaining money back into your regular bank account.

What should I do if my travel money card is lost or stolen?

The first thing you should do upon discovering that your card is missing is call your card provider. Reporting the theft or loss immediately will help protect the funds on your card.

Most of the card companies provide 24/7 customer service emergency numbers. Some even accept reverse charges, so it can be as simple as dialling the operator to connect your collect call. If you dial the number directly, you may be charged for the call.

• CommBank Travel Money Card: +61 2 9999 3283
• Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard: +44 207 649 9404
• Qantas Travel Money Card: +61 1300 825 302
• Travelex Money Card: 1800 303 297
• Revolut: +61 1300 281 208

What are the travel money card exchange rates?

Travel credit cards typically use the Mastercard or Visa network and use the daily exchange rates that the networks provide. You can find out the daily exchange rate by going to the Mastercard or Visa website. Prepaid travel cards allow you to lock in the exchange rate beforehand, so if you find a favourable one you can lock it in and not have to worry about fluctuations while you're away.

What is a cross currency conversion fee?

A cross currency conversion fee is charged when you use your Australian card with Australian dollars to make a purchase in a foreign country. The money is exchanged from Australian dollars into the local currency electronically. You can avoid this fee by choosing to pay in the local currency.

When are inactivity fees charged with prepaid travel cards?

If you have a travel card that charges an inactivity fee (a fee that's charged every month when your account is inactive for a period of time), you will lose any remaining funds on the card, but your account won't go into a negative balance. Once the card has a zero balance, this fee will not be charged.

Amy Bradney-George

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Read more on this topic

The Wise Travel Money Card supports over 40 currencies, with free loading by bank transfer and an instant, virtual card. Here’s how its other features compare.

Revolut offers virtual and physical Visa cards, support for over 30 currencies and other travel perks – plus 3-month Premium trial with this offer.

Use finder's interactive world map to learn about variations in beer prices globally. Find out where in the world you'd pay a whopping $15.10 for a pint.

Discover the travel money options available for young people and how to prepare for a trip overseas.

Find out which travel cards are the best to use in the 10 most popular holiday destinations for Aussie travellers.

Want to avoid fees and charges when using your card overseas? This guide explains the most common pitfalls when using travel cards.

This guide explains how you can get back any leftover funds from your travel money card after your trip.

Use this guide to understand foreign currency exchange and discover how to get the best deal.

Spend in up to 13 major currencies, lock in exchange rates and manage your account with the CommBank app when you use the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card.

Spend in 11 currencies wherever Mastercard is accepted and save on currency conversion fees with the Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard.

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320 Responses

When travelling from Australia to Switzerland is it best to exchange money at Australia Post from AU dollars to Swiss Franc in advance rather that change on arrival in Switzerland.

Hi Marjorie,

If you exchange your money at an airport or at a kiosk once you’ve arrived overseas, you may pay a hefty commission – it’s hard to know what charge in advance. Banks and licensed currency exchange outlets are likely to offer the best rates overseas but again, its hard to know what fees you’ll pay.

AustPost exchange is conveneint but it is not always the cheapest. Today, if you exchange $1000: – At AustPost, you’ll get CHF541.80 – The same transfer with Travelex is CHF550.80 – With Wise, you get CHF572.05

It pays to shop around and compare to find the best value.

Hope this helps!

I want a good all-rounder card, locked in FX, no maintenance charges, ATM fees , no withdrawal fees. What card is best ?

Hi Charles,

The comparison table in this guide includes details of ATM fees, load and re-load fees that can help you compare different options. For example, currently the Wise Travel Money Card and Revolut standard card both offer $0 ATM withdrawal fees for the first $350 per month, with charges for further ATM withdrawals. The Travelex Money Card also offers $0 ATM withdrawal fees.

All of these cards also let you lock in FX rates for supported currencies, but may charge fees when you’re spending in a currency that’s not loaded on the card. So it’s a good idea to consider which currencies you plan to spend, as this could have a big impact on the overall costs and help you choose a card that’s suitable for you. You can also view more details on potential costs for each card on Finder’s review pages. I hope this helps.

I am going to the Uk in 2019. Confusions is supreme. I see there is information about conversation currency fees, however on individual travel card sites they claim 0 fees. If I have a facility with my current domestic bank that charges no fees to transfer money to another facility and I use a travel card that states they have 0 fees for upload and currency conversation fee, am I correct in believing that there will be no cost to me to upload AUD to GBP. I am traveling for about 3 months and with a budget of around AUD 20,000. What cards should I consider compared to using my domestic Credit and Debit cards. I have tried using your search engine for best card for country but it is not uploading.

Thanks for getting in touch.

Sorry to hear about your confusion as to which card you would bring to the UK and apologies as well if you’re having a hard time uploading our page. Nevertheless, to help you narrow down your options, you can refer to our guide on travel money to the UK . From the page, you’d be able to compare your options for pre-paid, debit, and credit cards, and even foreign cash. Just click on the tabs to see the list. Once you have chosen a particular travel card, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.

With regard to the cost, usually, there’s no cost in loading AUD to the prepaid travel cards. If the currency is supported by the card, say GBP, it’s also free.

I hope this has helped.

Cheers, May

Hello, just wanted to let you know that unless I’m mistaken, the Qantas Cash card has differing information on your website. On one page it says that there is a 1% reload fee and on another that there is 0%. That said, thanks for offering unbiased easy to understand information, much obliged…

Thank you for your inquiry.

There are actually two ways to reload your Qantas Cash Card. The first option is via bank transfer or BPAY which has 0% fee and the second option through Direct Debit that charges 1% of the total amount. As a sample, this is how Direct Debit works:

If you wish to load or reload 200 AUD onto your card using Debit Card Load, you will be charged a fee of 1% of the load amount being AUD 200 x 1% = AUD 2. This means you will be required to pay AUD 202 to complete your Debit Card Load transaction.

Please also note that you may be charged other fees by third parties in relation to the Debit Card reloading transaction like the fees charged by your financial institution.

I hope this information helps.

I am traveling to South Africa and wanted to take a prepaid debit card but do not know who to contact for something like that. I talked to Travelex but they do not deal in South African currency. Any suggestions?

Thank you for contacting Finder .

Our Travel money guide to South Africa will provide you some options that may suit your needs. On the page, is a comparison table for a list of travel debit cards and prepaid travel money cards. You can use the table to help narrow down your options. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.

Before applying, please ensure that you read through the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Danielle

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Travel money cards with the lowest fees

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel money card fees

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

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

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

Travel money card with the lowest fees and best exchange rate

Westpac worldwide wallet.

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

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

Key features:

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

Other travel money cards

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

Australia Post Travel Platinum Mastercard

Available online or at post offices.

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

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

Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard

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

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

CommBank Travel Money Card

CommBank Travel Money Card (Visa)

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

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

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

Qantas Travel Money Card

Qantas Travel Money Card (Mastercard)

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

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

Travelex Money Card

Travelex Money Card (Mastercard)

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

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

Fees : 

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

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass

Travel Money Oz Currency Pass (Mastercard)

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

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

Travel money card tips

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

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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Chase sapphire preferred review: a standout travel card with impressive perks.

Whether you just learned about travel credit cards on TikTok or are a seasoned pro at using rewards to reduce vacation costs, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is an excellent option to help you save on travel. It has a generous rewards program and new cardmember bonus and, if you use your card to book your airfare and accommodations, it also provides you with significant protections and added benefits.

However, the card has an annual fee and no promotional annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases or balance transfers. Whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred card would be a worthwhile addition to your wallet depends on your spending and travel habits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Annual fee : $95

Welcome offer : Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months

5x points on travel booked through Chase

5x points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)

5x points on Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)

3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases

2x points on other travel purchases

1x points on everything else

More details : $50 annual hotel credit, 25% higher redemption value when you use points to book travel through Chase, and perks at partners like DoorDash, Instacart, Lyft, and Peloton.

The Sapphire Preferred’s variable APR ranges from 21.49% to 28.49%, depending on your credit.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has an annual fee of $95. Even occasional travelers may find it easy to recoup that cost with the card’s added benefits.

Welcome offer

New card members can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending at least $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. Those points are worth $750 if you use them to book travel through Chase.

You're only eligible for the bonus if you haven't received another Chase Sapphire card member bonus — such as from the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — within the past 48 months.

This card doesn’t offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers. The standard APR applies right away.

Rewards rate

You can earn the following rewards with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card :

5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel

3x points on dining, including qualifying delivery services and takeout

3x points on groceries purchased online (excluding wholesale clubs, Target , or Walmart )

3x points on select streaming services

1x points on all other purchases

How to earn rewards

You’ll earn points on every purchase you make with the Sapphire Preferred Card . However, you can maximize your earnings by booking travel like flights, hotels, and rental cars through Chase — this nets you 5x points, compared to the 2x points you earn when booking elsewhere.

In addition, dining will net you 3x points, whether you dine in a restaurant, drop in for takeout, or order through an eligible delivery service. If you frequently purchase groceries online, you could also reap larger rewards. However, popular retailers like Target or Walmart don’t qualify.

You don’t earn rewards on any credits, cash advances, or balance transfers .

How to redeem rewards

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program offers several ways to cash in your points, offering more flexibility than some other cards. But, using your points to book travel through Chase or transferring them to a loyalty program partner can maximize your point value.

If you redeem your points through Chase Travel, you’ll receive a 25% bonus on your points’ value. But if you don’t find what you’re looking for there, you can transfer your points directly to a partner airline or hotel. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to over a dozen travel partners.

In addition, you can cash in your points via:

Statement credits

Credits for qualifying purchases

Amazon and Apple purchases

Bookings made through Chase Experiences or Chase Dining

Additional benefits

You’ll earn an annual $50 credit after booking a hotel through Chase Travel. Maxing out that perk alone essentially cuts the annual fee in half.

In addition, you earn bonus points on your account anniversary each year. Get a bonus equal to 10% of your spending over the last 12 months. If you spent $20,000 on the card last year, for example, you’ll get a 2,000-point anniversary bonus.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an excellent card to take with you when you travel. It doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it especially useful if you're traveling outside of the U.S. Plus, it provides the following travel benefits:

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: If you use your card to pay for your travel and your trip is canceled or interrupted due to weather, illness, or other covered events, you'll be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per trip for non-refundable expenses like fares and hotel stays.

Baggage delay insurance: If your baggage is delayed by six hours or more when traveling by a passenger carrier, get reimbursed up to $100 per day for up to five days.

Auto rental collision damage waiver: The card provides primary coverage against theft or collision damage if you decline the car rental company's insurance and pay for the entire cost with your card.

Trip delay reimbursement: If your travel on a common carrier is delayed by 12 hours or more, the card will reimburse you for food and lodgings, up to a maximum of $500 per ticket.

Travel and emergency assistance: If you need help while traveling, you can call a benefits administrator for legal and medical referrals, but you're responsible for the cost of any services provided.

The Sapphire Preferred also provides the following benefits:

Purchase protection: New purchases made with the card are covered against theft or damage for up to 120 days for up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

Extended warranty: On purchases with warranties of three years or less, the card will extend the warranty.

Partner benefits: For a limited time, you can take advantage of the following:

5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025

5x points on purchases of $150 or more of Peloton equipment (up to a maximum of 25,000 points) through March 31, 2025

Six months of complimentary membership to Instacart+ if you enroll by July 31, 2024

Get a complimentary DoorDash and Caviar membership and take advantage of $0 delivery fees if you enroll by Dec. 31, 2024

Who is the Chase Sapphire Preferred best for?

While frequent travelers should easily recoup their costs with the rewards they earn, you don’t need to travel every month to get good use out of the Sapphire Preferred . Even occasional vacationers can come out ahead with a little planning.

Consider the card’s welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending at least $4,000 in the first three months. Those points are worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel — enough to offset the $95 annual fee for the first seven years. Add in the card’s numerous other perks, including an annual $50 hotel credit, and it’s easy to see how many people could use this card to their advantage.

However, if you rarely travel or don’t often spend in the card’s bonus reward categories, you may not have much use for this card. The same goes for applicants who aren’t eligible for the welcome bonus or who might struggle to spend the $4,000 necessary to earn it. If you fall into any of these categories, you may have to work a little harder to make this card worthwhile.

Chase Sapphire Preferred pros

Competitive earning categories: This card offers solid rewards for both travel and everyday categories. If you can maximize these on a regular basis, you could quickly rack up points.

Bonus redemption value : Redeeming your points through Chase Travel offers a 25% bonus in your points’ value. That means you can stretch your rewards farther and get more bang for your buck.

Transfer partners : If you prefer to book travel directly with the provider, it’s easy to transfer your points to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners. Doing so could increase the value of your rewards even more, depending on what you redeem them for.

Travel protections: Frequent travelers may be put at ease by the Sapphire Preferred’s ample travel insurance and reimbursement opportunities. Notably, the card offers primary rental car coverage ; many travel cards only offer secondary coverage for rentals, meaning any claims must go through your personal car insurance first before the card’s insurance will kick in.

Chase Sapphire Preferred potential cons

No promotional APR: Unlike many cards, the Sapphire Preferred doesn't have a promotional APR offer on purchases or balance transfers.

Annual fee: While there are many rewards cards without annual fees , this card has a $95 annual fee. Make sure the rewards and perks you earn outweigh that cost.

High-value redemption options may be limited: You must redeem your points for travel through Chase or transfer points to a travel partner to get the most value for your rewards. Other redemption methods, such as gift cards or statement credits, give you less value for your points.

High spending requirement for new cardmember bonus: The new cardmember bonus is relatively high, but it requires you to spend at least $4,000 within three months of opening an account. That works out to about $1,330 a month in purchases, which may be out of some cardholders’ typical budgets.

Where can you use the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a Visa card, meaning it belongs to the largest credit card network. It's accepted by most physical and online retailers.

How to make a Chase Sapphire Preferred payment

You can make a payment online, through the Chase mobile app, over the phone or by mail:

Online or in-app: Visit chase.com/paycard or download the Chase app and log into your account to make a payment via a linked checking or savings account.

Phone: You can make a payment 24 hours a day, seven days per week, through Chase's automated phone line at 1-800-436-7958.

Mail: Mail a check or money order to the following address: Cardmember Services P.O. Box 6294 Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294

Chase Sapphire Preferred customer service info

To get help with your account, contact customer support through the following methods:

Phone: 1-800-432-3117

Chase’s credit card resource center

Chase Sapphire Preferred login page

Alternative cards to consider

Capital one quicksilver cash rewards credit card.

Why we like it: The Quicksilver Cash Rewards card stands out for its straightforward 1.5% cash back on all purchases, offering simplicity compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred's category-based reward system. With no annual fee, it’s also a more cost-effective option for those who prefer a hassle-free experience. Additionally, its flexible redemption options, allowing cash back to be redeemed in any amount at any time, provide greater accessibility and convenience for users.

Read a comparison of the Quicksilver Cash Rewards card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Why we like it : The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers significantly higher rewards, particularly with its 3x points on travel and dining worldwide, compared to the Sapphire Preferred's 2x points in these categories. Its inclusion of a $300 annual travel credit effectively offsets a substantial portion of the higher annual fee, making it more valuable for frequent travelers. Additionally, the Reserve provides superior travel benefits like access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Why we like it : The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is appealing for its strong cash-back rates in everyday spending categories, offering 3% at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). This is more beneficial for typical shoppers compared to the Sapphire Preferred, which only offers bonus grocery rewards for online orders.

It also stands out with a $0 annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious consumers. Plus, the card’s introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months is a significant perk that the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer. (See rates and fees .)

This article was edited by Alicia Hahn

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

Travel Money

• Clubcard Prices Clubcard Prices

Clubcard Prices are available for all currencies, just enter your Clubcard number on the next page. Full T&Cs below.

• Click & Collect Click & Collect

Collect for free from more than 350 Tesco stores with a Bureau de change.

• Home Delivery Home Delivery

Free delivery on orders worth £500 or more.

Exchange rates may vary during the day and will vary whether buying in store, online or via phone.

Select currency

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How much would you like?

Error: Please enter an amount between £75 and £2,500

Find a Store to get your Travel Money

With Click & Collect you can order your travel money online and pick it up from selected Tesco stores near you, or you can buy instantly from an in-store travel money bureau.

Enter a postcode or location

Search results

3 easy ways to purchase Travel Money

Click & collect.

• Order online and choose to collect from over 500 Tesco store locations Order online and choose to collect from over 500 Tesco store locations
• Pick a collection day that works for you Pick a collection day that works for you
• Order euro or US Dollars Order Euros or US Dollars before 2pm and you can pick-up from most stores the next day

About Click & Collect

Home delivery

• Order online by 2pm Mon-Thurs for next day delivery (excludes bank and public holidays), to most parts of the UK Order online by 2pm Mon-Thurs for next day delivery (excludes bank and public holidays), to most parts of the UK
• Free delivery for orders of £500 or more Free delivery for orders of £500 or more
• Secure delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery Secure delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery

About Home Delivery

Buy in-store

• Buy your foreign currency instantly in our travel money bureaux in selected Tesco stores across the UK Buy your foreign currency instantly in our travel money bureaux in selected Tesco stores across the UK
• Turn unspent travel money back into Pounds with our Buy Back service Turn unspent travel money back into Pounds with our Buy Back service

About Buy Back

Best Travel Money Provider 2023/24

Now in it’s 26th year and voted for by the public, the Personal Finance Awards celebrate the best business and products in the UK personal finance market. We’re delighted that you voted us as Best Travel Money Provider 2023/24.

Additional Information

Ordering and collection.

You can pick a collection date when you're ordering your money. Order before 2pm and you can pick up Euros and US Dollars from most Tesco Travel Money bureaux the next day. Other currencies can take up to five days. Alternatively, you can order any currency for next weekday delivery to most of the selected customer service desks.

Please make sure you collect your money within four days of your chosen date. If you don't, your order will be returned and your purchase will be refunded, minus a £10 administration charge.

Will I be charged if I cancel my order?

Collection fees

Click and collect from stores with a Bureaux de change:

• Free for all orders

For non-bureaux stores with a click and collect function:

• £2.50 for orders of £100.00 - £499.99
• Free for orders of £500 or more

What to bring

For security, travel money will need to be picked up by the person who placed the order.

• a valid photo ID – either a passport, EU ID card, or full UK driving license (we do not accept provisional driving licenses)
• your order reference number
• the card you used to place the order (you’ll also need to know the card’s PIN)

Home Delivery

We can send your travel money directly to you via secure Royal Mail Special Delivery. You can even pick the delivery date that suits you best.

We also offer next-day home delivery on all currencies to most parts of the UK if ordered before 2pm Monday-Thursday.

Check the Royal Mail site to find out if your postcode is eligible for next day delivery

Delivery costs

£4.99 for orders of £100 - £499.99 Free for orders of £500 or more

• You’ll need to make sure there’s someone at home to sign for your delivery.
• Bank holidays and public holidays will affect delivery times.
• We are unable to cancel or amend home delivery orders after they have been placed.

Clubcard Prices

Clubcard Prices are available on the sell rate only for currencies in stock online, on your date of purchase. The Clubcard Price will be better than the standard rate advertised online on the date of purchase. When purchasing online you must enter a valid Clubcard number to obtain the Clubcard Price rate. Exchange rates may vary whether buying in store, online or by phone.

Clubcard Prices apply to foreign currency notes in stock on your date of online purchase. Due to constant market and currency fluctuations, rates on the date of purchase cannot be compared to another day’s rates. The actual rate you receive may vary depending on market fluctuations. Clubcard data is captured by Travelex on behalf of Tesco Bank.

Check out the Tesco Bank privacy policy to find out more.

Buying foreign currency using a credit or debit card

No matter how you purchase your travel money, whether it be in store, online or over the phone, you will not be charged any card handling fee by us. However, regardless of your card type, your card provider may apply fees, e.g. cash advance fees or other fees, so please check with them before you purchase your travel money.

Click & Collect cancellations

You can cancel a Click & Collect order any time prior to collection. We'll refund you with the full Sterling amount that you paid for your order, unless you cancel less than 24 hours before your collection date, in which case we'll charge a £10 late cancellation fee.

We are unable to refund any fees charged by your card issuer, so please contact them if you have any further queries.

When you get home, we'll buy your travel money back

Let us turn your unspent holiday money into Pounds. It couldn't be simpler.

Just pop into one of our in-store Travel Money Bureaux when you get home. We buy back all the currencies we sell in most banknote values and also the Multi-currency Cash Passport™. Buy back rates may vary during the day.

It doesn't matter where you bought your travel money, even if it wasn't from a Tesco Travel Money Bureau, we'll still buy it back.

More about currency buy back

How our Price Match works

If you find a better exchange rate advertised by another provider within three miles of your chosen Tesco Travel Money Bureau, on the same day, we'll match it.

Price Match only applies in store on a like-for-like basis on sell transactions and does not apply to any exchange rate advertised online or by phone. This is not available in conjunction with any other offer. We reserve the right to verify the rate you have found and the three mile distance (using an appropriate route planning tool).

See full terms and conditions below.

Tesco Travel Money is provided by Travelex

Tesco Travel Money ordered in store is provided by Travelex Agency Services Limited. Registered No. 04621879. Tesco Travel Money ordered online or by telephone is provided by Travelex Currency Services Limited. Registered No. 03797356. Registered Office for both companies: Worldwide House, Thorpewood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.

Multi-currency Cash Passport is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard® International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

How much travel money will I need?

Whether it’s a burger in Brisbane or a taxi in Toronto, get a feel for how far your travel money might go with our foreign currency guides. We’ll help you manage your travel budget like a pro.

What the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card offers

How other travel cards compare to the wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card, 3 key benefits cardholders get from the autograph journey , move over, chase sapphire preferred. this new travel credit card is turning heads.

Wells Fargo's newest card has one key advantage over the gold standard in travel cards.

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 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.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * -- Wells Fargo’s latest and best travel card -- recently launched with an impressive set of features. Its competitive rewards, welcome bonus and redemption options take aim at incumbent travel credit cards from Chase, American Express and Capital One.

What gives Wells Fargo’s first foray into the point-transfer space an edge is that you don’t have to book travel in a portal to earn the highest rewards rates. 

Here’s why we think the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey could go toe-to-toe with some of the best travel credit cards, plus three insider tips to help you decide if you should add it to your credit card lineup.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect with the Autograph Journey:

• Earn 60,000 welcome bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x on other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch and cell phone insurance.
• $95 annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Here’s a rundown of four facts we discovered about the Autograph Journey that you should know when deciding whether to apply.

1. You can transfer points with Wells Fargo point-based cards

The launch of the Autograph Journey also marks the first transferable points program from Wells Fargo, which joins other card issuers like Chase and Capital One, which have their own pooling programs .

Autograph Journey will be able to do a points transfer with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . This is especially notable since the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers bonus rewards in different categories than the Autograph Journey. 

For example, the Autograph card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus 1x points on other purchases. So you can maximize your point earning across different categories, then transfer your points to your Autograph Journey account to access premium travel redemptions.

2. It offers more options for earning bonus miles on travel than some competitors

The Autograph Journey will offer more flexibility than many travel rewards cards when it comes to earning more points on travel purchases. For example, cardholders earn unlimited 5x points on hotels booked directly with hotel brands and 4x points on airfare booked with airlines. 

This helps the card stand out from other popular travel credit cards that offer the most bonus points only if you book travel through their portals. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * only offer the highest bonus rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also offers its highest rate of 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, whereas other travel purchases earn 2x points.

Autograph Journey cardholders also earn a minimum of 3x points on other travel purchases, which could include rental cars, cruises and travel booked through online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.

3. The card may grow in value as more transfer partners join

The Autograph Journey Card will earn flexible travel rewards points that transfer to a selection of airline and hotel partners, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards . While the list of transfer partners is limited, Wells Fargo stated in its initial press release that “more partners will continue to be added throughout the year.”

Points transfers could dramatically change the value proposition of the Autograph Journey, especially if new partners include domestic airlines and popular hotel loyalty programs. 

Wells Fargo point transfers will be available to new cardholders starting on April 4. For now, Wells Fargo transfer partners include the following:

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Recommended Articles

After writing about hundreds of credit cards, these two are still my favorite, 6 reasons the chase sapphire preferred should be your next credit card, 3 steps to take when your flight is canceled or delayed, 8 best credit card strategies to maximize earnings in 2024, as a foodie who enjoys a night out on the town, this credit card gives me plenty to savor.

* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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.

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Credit Cards

Amex Gold vs. Platinum

Harrison Pierce

Julie Sherrier

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

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Published 6:16 a.m. UTC April 15, 2024

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The American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees ) and The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) are two popular rewards cards offered by American Express. Both cards can have a place in your wallet, but should be used in different ways. The Platinum Card earns more points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or American Express Travel and prepaid hotel stays booked via American Express Travel than the Gold Card, but the Gold Card earns more at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, so you’ll want to strategize where you spend with each card. 

The Platinum Card offers over $1,500 worth of annual statement credits that can easily offset its high annual fee. There are also numerous benefits across travel, dining and entertainment. Plus, cardholders gain access to the Global Lounge Collection (including Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa, Plaza Premium and Priority Pass Select airport lounges), which can significantly enhance your travel experience. Similarly, the Platinum Card will be the best bet for someone looking for comprehensive travel protections and insurance. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

However, if you can’t justify the $695 annual fee on Amex Platinum card and still want a card that offers some travel protections and statement credits, you can go with the Gold Card. Let’s take a deep dive into the most significant differences with the Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum cards. 

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

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

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.
• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

Card Details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum

Earning rewards.

The Amex Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

If you have the Platinum Card, you can earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. 

Winner for rewards: Tie

Redeeming rewards

With both cards, you can redeem your Membership® Rewards points when shopping at Amazon.com and other popular brands, for Airbnb gift cards, as a credit to cover a charge made on your card, as a deposit into an American Express® Rewards Checking account, for travel on American Express Travel, or transfer your points to several different travel partners. The exact value of a point will vary depending on your redemption method. 

Winner for reward redemption: Tie

Transfer partners

American Express has 11 airline partners and three hotel partners. You can transfer your Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio to Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Flying Blue, Iberia Plus, Qantas Frequent Flyer, SAS EuroBonus and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. 

The following transfer partners have a different transfer ratio: 

• Singapore KrisFlyer: 3 Membership Rewards points = 2 KrisFlyer mile
• Marriott Bonvoy: 2 Membership Rewards points = 3 Marriott points
• Hilton Honors: 1 Membership Rewards point = 2 Hilton Honors points
• Radisson Rewards: 1 Membership Rewards point = 3 points

Note that some partners have a minimum transfer amount, and the transfer time can vary from one business day to 15 business days. Transferring your points is typically the best way to maximize your redemption value. Consider the transfer partners before applying for either card to see if you regularly fly with these airlines or stay at these hotels. 

Winner for transfer partners: Tie

Welcome offers

The Amex Gold Card currently offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.

The Platinum Card offers 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. 

As long as you can reach the spending threshold, either amount of points can undoubtedly take you places. 

Winner for welcome offer: The Platinum Card

Travel benefits

The amex gold card.

When you book a two-night minimum stay with The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel, you can receive a $100 experience credit to use during your stay. The Gold Card also offers a baggage insurance plan and car rental loss and damage insurance as secondary coverage. Note that the baggage insurance plan only covers lost luggage, not delayed. 

The Platinum Card

The Platinum Card outshines the Amex Gold Card in terms of travel benefits. First, you can receive up to $200 as a statement credit each calendar year on select prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel. Plus, you receive complimentary room upgrades and a $100 experience credit for select activities during your stay. 

When flying, cardholders can access the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,400 lounges in 140 countries. These are high-end lounges, like the Centurion Network, Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge and Priority Pass Select (enrollment required). 

One of the other travel benefits of the Platinum Card is the airline fee statement credit, which allows you to select one qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you are charged incidental fees. 

Cardholders can also quickly make it through the airport with a $189 CLEAR ® Plus credit each calendar year and an enrollment fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100). Platinum cardholders receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors Gold Status and premium status with popular car rental companies Avis, Hertz and National. Enrollment is required for select benefits. 

In terms of insurance coverage, the Platinum Card includes secondary car rental loss and damage insurance², trip delay insurance⁴ and trip cancellation and interruption insurance⁴. You’ll also have access to the Platinum Travel Service to help plan your trips.

Winner for travel benefits: The Platinum Card

Dining and entertainment rewards

The Amex Gold Card offers up to $10 in monthly statement credits for purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations, up to $120 per calendar year (enrollment required). Cardholders also receive $10 in Uber Cash each month, up to another $120 annually (card must be added to Uber account to receive this benefit). Taking full advantage of these statement credits almost entirely covers the card’s annual fee. 

The Platinum Card offers numerous dining and entertainment benefits that can provide substantial value. Cardholders can receive up to a $20 monthly statement credit for eligible purchases from the following digital entertainment providers: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Similarly, cardholders receive $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December, for rides or UberEats orders in the U.S. Cardholders also have exclusive access to reservations on Resy. Enrollment is required for select benefits. 

Winner for dining and entertainment rewards: Tie

Shopping perks

You’ll get access to Amex Offers with both the Amex Gold and Platinum Card. 

In addition, the Amex Gold offers purchase protection¹ and extended warranty coverage¹, which can be very useful coverages, but doesn’t offer much else in terms of shopping perks.

The Platinum Card offers purchase protection and extended warranty coverage¹, as well as cellphone protection⁴ and return protection. It also comes with a slew of other shopping benefits such as a $155 Walmart credit to cover the cost of a Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal), plus up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue (up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually). Cardholders also receive up to $300 in statement credits each year for an Equinox+ digital subscription or Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal), as well as a $300 statement credit towards the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike. (An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Cardholder must charge the full price of the bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment required). 

Winner for shopping perks: The Platinum Card

There’s a noticeable difference in the annual fees for these cards. The Amex Gold Card has an annual fee of $250, while the Platinum Card will cost you $695 each year. That’s more than double the cost just to hold the card. 

You can easily offset the annual fee of either card by making the most of available statement credits and cardholder perks. 

Additional cardholders on the Amex Gold are complimentary up to 5 authorized users, then $35 for additional cardholders, while every authorized user you add to the Platinum Card will cost $195.

Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.

Winner for fees: Amex Gold Card

Who should choose Amex Gold?

The Amex Gold Card may be a good fit for you if:

• You are looking for a mid-tier rewards card and want to avoid a high annual fee. 
• You regularly ride with Uber or order UberEats and dine at eligible restaurants for the dining credit and can utilize the annual statement credits.
• You spend big on restaurants, groceries at U.S. supermarkets and travel-related expenses so you’ll benefit from the high earning rates in these categories.

American Express® Gold Card

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Up to $240 in combined credits for Uber Cash and on select dining.
• High rewards rate on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and travel.
• Generous welcome bonus.
• $250 annual fee.
• Minimal travel perks.
• Complex rewards structure.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Who should choose Amex Platinum?

The Platinum Card could be the best choice for you if:

• You will actually use all of the annual statement credits — if you take the time to enroll and maximize your credits, you can get more than $1,500 in value from credits alone.  
• You regularly book flights, hotels and car rentals and would benefit from high rewards rates in these categories.
• You’re a regular guest at Marriott, Hilton or other luxury properties where you’ll receive status and other benefits. 

Which card should you get?

Both the Amex Gold and Platinum cards are fantastic options for frequent travelers and they’re two of the most popular reward cards for different reasons. One isn’t automatically better than the other for everyone. To pick the right one for you, consider the cards you currently have in your wallet. Look for potential gaps in your points and miles strategy to see which card makes more sense. 

You should also analyze your monthly spending and your travel and financial goals. While the Platinum Card offers many more benefits than the Amex Gold Card, it also comes with more than double the annual fee. While long lists of perks can be very enticing, it’s essential to make sure you’ll actually use them in order to offset the higher cost. 

Of course, you don’t have to choose between them. These cards also pair very well together to deliver the best of both worlds. Plus, you can combine points earned from each card. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

One card is not better than the other. The best card for you will depend on your spending habits and travel needs. While the Gold Card offers bonus categories for restaurants and groceries at U.S. supermarkets, the Platinum Card is more travel-focused and offers more annual statement credits for a much higher annual fee. 

No, the Amex Gold Card does not provide any lounge access. 

American Express will consider many factors when reviewing your application. However, you should have a good to excellent credit score to improve your chances of getting approved. On the FICO model, this is a credit score of 670 or more. 

The Amex Gold Card does not have a preset spending limit , nor does the Platinum. This means the amount you can spend will adapt based on multiple factors, like your purchase, payment and credit history. 

Whether the $695 annual fee for the Amex Platinum is worth it will depend on your spending habits. If you can take advantage of the statement credits, you can likely wholly offset the annual fee. However, you might be better off with a different card if you don’t purchase many flights and hotel stays throughout the year. 

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page .

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

³Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

⁴Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. 

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

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.

Harrison Pierce is a freelance writer and digital nomad that is passionate about all things personal finance and travel. While traveling full-time, he refined his love for writing and now enjoys working with various brands to tell stories and create meaningful content.

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.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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Best balance transfer credit cards of April 2024

W ith interest rates continuing to climb over the past two years, variable-rate debt has become more expensive than ever to own. If you’re looking to give yourself a clean slate, opening a new card with an introductory 0% APR balance transfer offer could be a smart strategy. 

The Fortune Recommends TM team evaluated more than 30 balance transfer credit cards available today and ranked them based on factors such as introductory period, annual percentage rate (APR) , rewards structure, consumer benefits, and more. See our full methodology here.

• Best overall balance transfer card : U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
• Best for no fees: Citi Simplicity® Credit Card

Best for fair credit: Citi® Double Cash Credit Card

Best for post-balance transfer apr: bankamericard®.

• Best for cash back: Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
• Best for travel and consumer protections: Chase Freedom Unlimited ® Credit Card

Best for travel rewards: Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

• Best for choose-your-own-adventure: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

Best for Preferred Rewards members: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards

Best overall balance transfer card:  u.s. bank visa platinum card, why we like this card .

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card features an exceptionally long 0% introductory APR period for purchases and balance transfers. After that, the card reverts to a variable APR of 18.74%–29.74%, depending on creditworthiness. Balance transfers also include a fee or 3% of the amount of each transfer, $5 minimum.

This card also comes with a few additional perks, including up to a $600 reimbursement if your cell phone is stolen or damaged when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card. Plus, there’s no annual fee, making the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card an economical choice for cardholders looking to minimize their debt.

Best for no fees: Citi Simplicity Credit Card

With no annual fee, late fees, or penalty APR, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card stands out as a consumer-friendly option. It offers an impressive 21-month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers (and a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases). The balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount of the transfer, $5 minimum, for transfers completed within four months of account opening. After that, the fee is 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). Once the intro period is over, the APR reverts to a variable 19.24%–29.99%, depending on creditworthiness.

The Citi® Double Cash Credit Card is ideal for those who want a straightforward rewards program without the need to track spending categories or sign up for quarterly bonuses—and without the need for excellent credit to qualify. It offers a generous 18-month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers. The balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount of the transfer, $5 minimum, for transfers completed within four months of account opening. After that, the fee is 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). Once the intro period is over, the APR reverts to a variable 19.24%–29.24%, depending on creditworthiness.

Additionally, the Citi Double Cash card provides 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% cash back when you make a purchase, plus an additional 1% as you pay. There are no category restrictions or enrollment required, and there is no limit on the amount of cash back you can earn. For a limited time card holders also earn 5% total cash back on hotel and car rentals booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

New cardholders also have the opportunity to earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Plus, the card offers additional perks such as 24-hour fraud protection with no annual fee.

Dig deeper:

A balance transfer acts as a patronus against the dementor of debt

How to gain control of your debt with a balance transfer

The BankAmericard® is an excellent choice for those who want a card with a long 0% APR period for both purchases and balance transfers, plus a reasonable APR once the intro period is over. It offers a valuable introductory 0% APR for the first 18 billing cycles on purchases, as well as balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account. After the intro APR offer ends, a variable APR of 16.24%–26.24% applies, depending on creditworthiness. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Despite its lack of an annual fee, cardholders also enjoy several valuable perks, including free access to their TransUnion FICO score and optional overdraft protection for an eligible Bank of America checking account.

Best for cash back: Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card

The Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card is an excellent option for those seeking high cash back rates and a diverse rewards program. It provides an impressive introductory 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. It also has a generous rewards structure that, when maximized, rivals the best cash-back cards on the market.

Best for travel and consumer protections: Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card

In addition to a lengthy introductory APR period and generous rewards program, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card also offers a host of valuable protections. It offers a competitive introductory 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. Despite its lack of an annual fee, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card also comes with several consumer and travel benefits, including purchase protection, extended warranty protection, cell phone insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and auto rental collision damage waiver. 

The difference between a 0% intro APR card and a balance transfer card is that 0% intro APR offers usually refer to new purchases. Some 0% APR cards offer a balance transfer intro rate and vice versa, but make sure the card does double duty if you want to both make a big purchase and do a balance transfer.

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card is particularly well-suited for regular shoppers, especially those who spend a lot on groceries, as well as frequent travelers. It comes with a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening while earning valuable Membership Rewards points. Plus, the Everyday card comes with added travel protections such as car rental loss and damage insurance and a Global Assist hotline.

Best for choose-your-own-adventure: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card is ideal for those looking for flexible reward options, especially in categories where they spend the most, along with additional perks and a competitive sign-up bonus, all without an annual fee. It offers a 0% introductory APR for your first 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account.

This card also stands out for its competitive cash back rewards. First, you choose which category you want to earn 3% cash back in: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. This selection can be changed in the future.

You also automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Note that you earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. Preferred Rewards members earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase.

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards card is a compelling option for those looking for a straightforward, no-annual-fee cash back credit card—especially for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members who can maximize their cash back returns.

Like the Customized Cash Rewards card, the Unlimited Cash Rewards card from Bank of America offers a 0% introductory APR for your first 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account.

However, these cards differ when it comes to their rewards. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card provides 1.5% cash back on all purchases. There’s no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire. 

Preferred Rewards members earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase, which translates to a cash back rate of 1.87% to 2.62%. Members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program enjoy many other exclusive benefits and pricing discounts as well.

You can't transfer balances between credit cards from the same issuer. When selecting a new balance transfer card to apply for, make sure it's issued by a different bank or credit union than the card(s) on which you currently have debt.

Pro tip: You can't transfer balances between credit cards from the same issuer. When selecting a new balance transfer card to apply for, make sure it's issued by a different bank or credit union than the card(s) on which you currently have debt.

What is a balance transfer?

A balance transfer involves moving the outstanding balance from one or more credit cards to another credit card, usually with a lower interest rate. In order to attract new business, some cards may even offer an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers. Cardholders generally choose to transfer a balance in order to consolidate high-interest credit card debt and reduce the amount of interest being accrued, allowing them to save money and pay off the balance faster. Learn more about how balance transfers work .

What is the difference between 0% APR on purchases and a balance transfer?

A balance transfer happens when you take the balance from a higher-interest loan and transfer it to a card with a lower interest rate. 0% APR on purchases allows you to finance a large purchase for a longer period of time without interest. If you are looking to make a large purchase, check out our list of Best 0% APR cards .

How much does it cost to do a balance transfer? 

Most credit card issuers charge a balance transfer fee that typically ranges from 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred. For instance, if you transfer $10,000 and the fee is 3%, you would pay a one-time cost of $300.

Also, keep in mind that while some balance transfer credit cards offer a 0% introductory APR for a set period (usually around 12 to 18 months), if you don't pay off the transferred balance within that period, you will start accruing interest at the card's standard rate. Before transferring a balance to a new card, be sure to check the fee and APR for balance transfers and understand how long the promotional rate applies.

When should I do a balance transfer? 

If you have high-interest credit card debt, transferring the balance to a card with a lower interest rate can save you money. It also makes it easier to pay off your debt faster since 100% of your payments go toward the principal balance. If you find a credit card offering an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers, this can be a great opportunity to pay down your debt without accruing additional interest during the promotional period.

How do I do a balance transfer?

Start by comparing your options and look for a card that offers favorable terms. Key factors to consider include the length of the introductory 0% APR period (if there is one), the regular APR after the introductory period ends, and the balance transfer fee.

Once you've chosen a card that fits your needs, you can apply for it. Be sure your credit score aligns with the card issuer's requirements to ensure you get approved. 

After your application is approved and you receive your new card, you can initiate the transfer. This can often be done online through your new credit card account or by calling the card issuer. You’ll need to provide a few details, including the card numbers and amounts you want to transfer from each account.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do balance transfers hurt your credit score.

A balance transfer itself should have a negligible impact on your credit score. However, if you continually open new credit cards and transfer debt around without paying it down, your score can be harmed in the long run.

Is a balance transfer ever a good idea?

A balance transfer can be a good idea if you have a high-interest credit card with a significant balance. Transferring the balance to a new card with a low or 0% APR can help you pay down the debt faster without the added burden of accrued interest.

Is there a catch to balance transfer cards?

There is no catch with balance transfers, but there are a couple of important points to be aware of. The first is that in most cases, you’ll be required to pay a fee of around 3% to 5% when you transfer a balance. However, this fee is usually worth the interest savings. Second, you should pay off your entire balance before the introductory APR is over, otherwise you will start accumulating interest at the regular purchase rate.

Our methodology 

To bring you our top picks for the best cash back credit cards, the Fortune Recommends team compared more than 30 balance transfer cards available from major issuers. 

We ranked each account in these six core categories: 

• Introductory 0% APR balance transfer term (60%): The most heavily weighted factor in our rankings was the length of time that the introductory 0% APR on balance transfers lasts.
• Balance transfer fee (5%): This is the one-time fee associated with each balance transfer. We only considered cards with a balance transfer fee of 3% or less.
• Maximum APR on purchases and balance transfers (10%): To ensure cardholders with an existing balance once the intro period is over aren’t burdened by excessive interest rates, we considered the maximum APR each card charges for balance transfers and purchases.
• Rewards (10%): Cards that also provide rewards (such as cash back or points ) on spending were given a boost in our rankings.
• Welcome bonus (5%): It’s common for credit card issuers to entice new customers by offering a bonus when they spend a certain amount of money within a few months after opening an account. Cards that include a welcome bonus were favored in our rankings.   
• Consumer benefits (10%): Cards were awarded 0–5 points based on which consumer benefits/protections were included: purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone insurance, car rental coverage, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Keep in mind that the interest rates, balance transfer terms, and fee structures for the cards mentioned are available for limited periods and subject to change. 

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

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

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

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

Airline Credit Card vs. Flexible Points: Which One is Best?

Airline credit cards offer benefits when flying that airline, while general travel cards include rewards that can be used in multiple ways.

Airline vs. Flex Points?

Getty Images | Maskot

If you aren't loyal to a specific airline brand, you may benefit more from a flexible points credit card.

Key Takeaways

• Airline credit cards earn miles for that specific airline and include perks similar to elite status, such as free checked bags, priority boarding and in-flight discounts.
• General travel cards earn flexible points that can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards and more or transfer to airline and hotel partners.
• Some travelers have both types of cards to get the best benefits, earning power and redemption options.

Earning airline miles, hotel points and flexible points helps travelers save money when booking trips. There are dozens of travel rewards credit cards to choose from, so it can be challenging for people to decide between an airline credit card and flexible points cards. Both types of rewards cards have a lot to offer, but they also have downsides. Here's how to choose the best travel credit card to match your goals.

What Is an Airline Credit Card?

An airline credit card is a rewards credit card that earns airline miles for a specific airline. These cards also offer exclusive benefits for cardholders when flying that airline, which typically mimics elite status perks. These benefits may include the first checked bag free, priority boarding, discounts on in-flight purchases and more. Some airline credit cards can also accelerate your path to elite status based on your annual spending.

Airline credit cards typically have different price points ranging from no annual fee to several hundred dollars per year. Typically, as the price increases, you'll earn higher rewards and receive additional benefits.

Premium versions of these cards may also include a complimentary airline lounge membership for an annual fee that is lower than buying the membership directly. For example, the United Club Infinite Card has an annual fee of $525 and includes complimentary entrance to the United Club lounges for the cardholder and their eligible travel companions. By comparison, purchasing a United Club lounge membership costs $550 to $650 (depending on elite status) and includes access for just the member.

What Is a Flexible Points Credit Card?

A flexible points credit card is a card that earns points from an issuer rather than a hotel or airline loyalty program. These travel rewards credit cards are not affiliated with a specific program, which makes them ideal for people who are looking for the best travel deal rather than focusing on a single brand.

Flexible points have multiple redemption options, including booking travel through the issuer's travel portal, getting cash back or a statement credit, online shopping and more. Most flexible points programs also have a dozen or more airline and hotel transfer partners. However, Wells Fargo just launched the ability to transfer points to partners in April 2024, and it has just one hotel and five airline options – but the bank says more are coming soon. When you transfer points to these programs, the rewards combine with your existing miles and points balances so you can book an award reservation sooner.

Banks also offer multiple versions of flexible points credit cards with annual fees ranging from $0 to almost $700. The earning power, category bonuses, annual fees, benefits and other features vary among issuers and which card you choose. While these cards don't offer specific airline or hotel benefits, they offer a range of general travel perks and protections. For example, you may receive an annual credit for travel spending, airport lounge access and protections that include trip delay, baggage insurance and rental car protection.

Before paying a higher annual fee, make sure that you'll get at least that much value from the card in order to justify paying the fee.

Are Points and Miles the Same?

While many travelers use the terms points and miles interchangeably when referring to travel rewards, they aren't the same. Points generally mean the rewards earned from a hotel credit card such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card or a flexible rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card . Miles usually mean the rewards earned from an airline credit card, like the United ℠ Explorer Card .

However, some airlines and banks confuse consumers by switching these terms up themselves. Rewards earned from Southwest and JetBlue airline loyalty programs are points, while rewards earned from Capital One Venture cards and Spark Miles cards are miles.

The major difference between the two is that airline miles are generally redeemed for booking flights, while flexible points have multiple options. Flexible points can be turned into cash back, statement credits, gift cards, online shopping and more. Most flexible points programs also have airline and hotel partners where you can convert rewards into airline miles or hotel points.

Which One Is Worth More?

The value of airline miles and flexible points varies by program and how they are redeemed. Typically, airline miles are more valuable than points earned by hotel credit cards, and flexible points have the highest value. Flexible points are often the most coveted rewards because they can be used in many different ways, including transferring to airline and hotel partners to book award travel.

How to Calculate the Value of Points and Miles

The value of miles and points varies based on how they are redeemed. Most people consider it a good redemption if you can get more than the average value. However, the best redemptions are the ones you're happy with. Remember that airline miles and hotel points typically decline in value over time as those loyalty programs update pricing to book award flights and hotel rooms.

Before redeeming your travel rewards, perform a simple calculation to determine the value of the redemption you're considering. This will help you decide whether you should redeem them now or save them for another time.

For flights, you'll take the cash price of the airline ticket and divide it by the number of miles required. To get the best possible answer, you should also subtract any taxes and fees that the airline charges for booking the award flight. For example, airlines typically charge a $5.60 fee for each direction you're traveling on a domestic flight. A $300 flight that costs 15,000 miles has a value of 2 cents per mile, which is a good value for almost any airline loyalty program.

When booking a hotel award, you should add taxes and fees to the list price of the hotel room to get a total cash price. Divide that total by the number of hotel points required to book the room. For example, a hotel room that costs $325 (including taxes) or 40,000 points has an award value of 0.8125 cent per point. This redemption is a solid value for Hilton and IHG hotels, but it is a subpar value for Marriott and Hyatt hotels.

How to Choose Your Card

Choosing between an airline credit card and a flexible points card is easier once you narrow down what rewards and perks are most important to you. While these cards may have some crossover, benefits from airline credit cards tend to focus on the issuing airline, while flexible points card benefits are more general in nature.

Anthony Losanno, a travel expert at The Bulkhead Seat, says, "The decision between airline credit cards and flexible points cards varies by traveler. Those with elite status might find the benefits useless or lessened on an airline card if they're already getting the perks with their status."

Who Needs an Airline Credit Card?

Airline credit cards are best for travelers who want to focus on earning airline miles and receiving perks when they fly. These cards typically earn extra miles when buying flights or upgrades and paying fees with that airline. They may also include exclusive benefits that mimic elite status, such as free checked bags , priority boarding and in-flight discounts.

Moli Aggarwal, a credit card expert at Maple Miles, says that an airline credit card's perks have more value in the long run. "An airline-specific credit card provides benefits when flying with that airline, such as a free checked bag, lounge access or any form of priority service,” Aggarwal says. “Flexible points cards might offer travel credits to buy those services directly. However, those credits might only cover one or two round-trip flights. An airline credit card extends its benefits to every flight taken with the airline."

When you fly on one airline regularly, having that airline's credit card can help you earn miles faster. Plus, you can save money and time by taking advantage of the card's perks. Depending on the airline and credit card, you may be able to achieve elite status more quickly based on your spending.

Who Needs a Flexible Points Credit Card?

Flexible points credit cards are best for travelers who aren't loyal to a specific airline. They want to find the best deal or departure time when searching for flights, even if it means flying on different airlines each time they travel. These travel rewards credit cards offer multiple redemption options, including getting cash back, buying gift cards, booking travel and more.

Losanno argues that their "flexibility is the greatest advantage. Being able to transfer to a host of airline and hotel partners has tremendous value."

Transferring points to airline and hotel partners is also common with flexible points credit cards. Most programs have more than a dozen transfer partners to choose from. This benefit makes it easier to find award availability for flights and hotel rooms to match your needs versus an airline credit card, which only earns miles in one airline loyalty program.

Card Comparison 

Credit card annual fees, redemption options and benefits vary widely based on the issuing bank and associated loyalty program. Additionally, travel rewards credit cards with higher annual fees tend to offer higher earning power, additional redemption options and more valuable perks.

This chart highlights the main differences between airline credit cards and flexible points credit cards.

Should You Get Both?

Many travelers choose to have both airline credit cards and travel rewards credit cards in their wallets. This allows them to get the best of both worlds by having access to the earning power, redemption options, benefits and other features of both types of cards. When you don't want to fly a particular airline, you still have flexibility in redeeming rewards with your flexible points card.

When comparing which flexible points cards to get, seek out travel rewards cards whose points transfer to your preferred airline. This allows you to combine rewards to book award travel more quickly. Plus, the benefits from the airline credit card may be able to save money on baggage fees and in-flight purchases or get you on the plane faster with priority boarding. Either card may also include airport lounge access, travel protections and other benefits that improve your travel experience.

Tags: credit cards , Airline Credit Cards , rewards credit cards

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