travel money gift cards

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Gift Guides

The 49 Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers

We’ve rounded up the best gift cards for any travel lover on your shopping list.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

The benefits of travel are impossible to wrap up neatly with a bow. You just can’t put a price tag on an impossibly beautiful view , the experience touching down on a new continent , or that life-changing conversation with a local who lives oceans away . That said, a travel-related gift card is probably the closest you’ll get to giving the actual gift of travel to your loved ones (without booking their flights or hotels for them, anyway!).

You’ll want to make sure to select a gift card you know they will be able to put to use. If your loved ones always fly Delta, for example, you won’t want to select a gift card from a different airline. If they’re planning a backpacking trip through South America in the near future, they’ll benefit much more from a Columbia gift card, where they can stock up on camping and hiking gear, versus one from a luxe hotel chain.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best gift cards for jetsetters, from cruise lines and airlines to the top luggage and accessory brands.

Southwest Airlines Gift Card

Southwest Airlines

Southwest is known for offering booking flexibility with no hidden costs, and the airline consistently ranks on our World's Best domestic airlines list. If you've got a friend or family member who's looking to plan their dream trip, you'll be their new favorite person with this pick.

Delta eGift Card

Delta’s SkyMiles offers one of the best rewards programs in the business — which is why there are so many frequent flyers who swear by the airline. The Delta eGift Card is particularly practical as you can purchase one to instantly email to your favorite traveler, making it an exceptional ultra-last-minute gift.

Hotels.com Gift Card

Expedia's hotel arm, Hotels.com, is one of the best places to score hotel bookings and packages for less. The site is always offering savings at some of the top spots around the world, whether you book for now or later. You'll effectively be gifting a discount and taking care of the bill, too.

Airbnb Gift Card

 Amazon

There’s something about checking into an Airbnb that can feel a lot cozier for certain travelers, especially if they’re planning a long-term trip to a new city. The gift of an Airbnb gift card will give them the leeway to select their own unique apartment or home anywhere in the world while still cutting down the overall cost of their trip.

Princess Cruise Lines Gift Card

Princess Cruise Lines

Princess Cruise Lines sails to 380 cruise destinations across more than 100 countries — and all seven continents — which makes this an excellent option for the traveler on your list who has been planning a bucket list cruise for ages. Gift cards are available for as little as $50 and as much as $500 (but you can always purchase a custom amount).

Holland America Gift Card

Holland America

Holland America Line was founded nearly 150 years ago in 1873, and has continued to be one of the most trusted cruise lines on the sea. The premium ships are smaller than most cruise lines which will give them a much more intimate experience; the average guest also tends to be a bit older which makes this option great for travel fiends who prefer a more laid-back experience at sea.

Amtrak Gift Card

Shopping for a travel lover who prefers riding the rails to boarding flights? Amtrak gift cards are available from $25 to $250 and will allow them to book a train journey anywhere in the United States, and select destinations in Canada. We also love that this option can be emailed directly to the recipient at a scheduled date and time.

Starbucks Gift Card

We know, we know. Part of the thrill of travel is experiencing the local customs and culinary offerings — and that includes coffee culture. But sometimes we just need that venti iced caramel macchiato to shake off the jet lag. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that Starbucks cards don’t work in every country, so giftees won’t be able to use an U.S card in most places in Europe or Asia, for example, but Ireland, Australia, and the U.K. should be fine.

Nordstrom Gift Card

Not exactly sure when or where your favorite traveler is planning their next escape? No worries since a Nordstrom gift card offers infinite possibilities. Whether they need a new suitcase or carry-on duffel bag, or they’re looking to invest in a few new swimsuits for a winter getaway, there are thousands of practical (and pretty) items available both in-store and online.

Foot Locker Gift Card

Foot Locker

It doesn’t matter if they’re planning a backpacking trip around Southeast Asia or they’ve booked a weeklong vineyard-hopping experience in France, it always pays to have a comfortable pair of walking shoes. A gift card to Foot Locker will allow travelers to choose the stylish and practical sneakers, sandals, or boots that best suit their specific needs and preferences. (This option also offers email delivery for those ultra-last-minute shoppers.)

Uber Gift Card

Navigating a new city can be stressful, especially when you first touch down at the airport after a long-haul flight. Thankfully, Uber is now available in many parts of the world and even has designated airport pick-up zones, making a gift certificate not only a smart idea but one that will help you rest easy, knowing your loved one can make it from point A to point B safely.

Amazon Gift Card

When you think of traveling, your first instinct might not be to shop online, but it’s easy to get all sorts of before-they-go essentials here from packing cubes to portable chargers and suitcases under $100 . If your pal is already subscribed to Amazon Prime, a gift card to this marketplace will help them keep their bags stocked even quicker.

Apple Gift Card

Have a digitally nomadic friend who you constantly have to locate via Instagram? They've mastered the skill of booking a flight at the drop of a hat and finding the cheapest last-minute hotel deal, but they could always use a little insurance for their most valuable asset: their technology. With an Apple gift card, they'll be able to buy accessories they need or enjoy a little discount if their laptop or iPhone bites the dust on the road.

Air Canada Gift Card

Looking to find the right gift for your travel-loving pal up north? Air Canada gift cards are a great option for anyone who regularly travels between the U.S. and Canada, as well as Canadians who travel internationally as the airline currently serves more than 220 destinations worldwide on six continents.

Zappos Gift Card

For trips where much of the sightseeing will take place on foot, a gift card to Zappos will help your friend find the most comfortable shoes for these upcoming plans. Whether they’re in the market for winter boots for a mountain escape or sandals for an upcoming beach vacation, there’s something to suit every kind of traveler.

CheapOair Gift Card

Whether they’re planning a trip in the next few months or they’re still saving for a dream European vacation, you can still give the gift of adventure with a CheapoAir gift card, since they never expire. CheapOair will allow your loved one to search for the least expensive routes and flight paths and start planning their dream trip, whenever that might be.

Columbia Gift Card

After months of training, your sister is finally setting out to hike the Appalachian Trail all by her bad self. Express your support and encouragement with a gift card to Columbia, one of the leading trusted brands in outdoor wear. Depending on how generous you're feeling, you can outfit her with a tent, an insulated jacket, a backpack, and much more.

Fluent City Gift Card

Fluent City

If being able to speak another language comfortably has always been a goal for your mom as she plans her dream trip to Rome, consider giving the gift of the spoken word. Right now, Fluent City offers both private and group language lessons online. Even if it's a while before she puts her Italian skills to the test, she'll be more than prepared for when she finally arrives.

Away Gift Card

We’ve been big fans of Away luggage for their functional designs, gorgeous colors, and affordable price points ever since the brand’s inception back in 2015. Digital gift cards can be used in-store or online, and you can load the card up to $1,000 (to outfit your loved one with a full set of suitcases and travel accessories).

REI Gift Card

If your travel-loving buddy is more of a backpacker and camper and less of the luxury hotel type, a gift card to REI will be right up their alley. The multi-purpose store stocks everything they could possibly need for their next adventure in the great outdoors, from camping gear and weatherproof apparel to snacks appropriate for trekking in the bush.

Sephora Gift Card

Stocking up on travel-sized skin care and cosmetics is easy at Sephora, with hundreds of well-loved beauty brands offering miniature products to fit in a carry-on without going over the liquid limit. We especially love that Sephora allows you to customize a gift card with your own images or sayings. Let those creative juices flow!

Audible Gift Card

Book-loving travelers know the struggle of wanting to pack enough paperbacks to last the entire trip but also not wanting to run the risk of overweight baggage fees. A gift card for Audible will allow them to download as many books as they want to listen to right on a smartphone instead.

MaidPro Gift Certificate

Nobody likes coming back to a messy house after a long trip, but sometimes there’s just not enough time to tidy up, pack, and make it to the airport in time. A gift certificate to MaidPro will allow travelers to pre-schedule a professional cleaner to come, so all they’ll have to do is unpack and relax in an already tidy home.

Spafinder Gift Card

You might not know the details of your loved ones’ next five-star vacation, but a gift card to SpaFinder lets you give them a little dose of luxury whenever that may be. These gift cards are universal and can be redeemed at thousands of spas across the United States, and all over the world, so you can pretty much guarantee they’ll be able to find an eligible establishment in their future travels.

Marriott International Gift Card

If they’re all about racking in those Bonvoy points, you’ll want to consider a gift certificate to Marriott International. The digital gift cards are universal, which means gift recipients can put them toward their next stay anywhere in the world as long as it falls under the Marriott umbrella (think Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin, and more).

Fairmont Gift Card

A Fairmont gift card pretty much guarantees a luxurious experience. Whether your jetsetting friend uses it to check into one of the hundreds of historic properties around the world (like the Grand Railway Hotels across Canada, for example), or to enjoy a three-course meal, you know it’ll be put to very good use.

Hilton Gift Card

Whether your pal is a road-trip warrior, luxury enthusiast, or budget-conscious adventurer, a gift card to Hilton will suit them just fine. There is a vast network of brands at all price points — from the budget-friendly Hilton Garden Inn to the five-star Waldorf Astoria. The best part? Hilton gift cards don’t expire so they won’t have to rush to plan their next trip.

If there’s a cruise lover on your shopping list, Holland America gift cards can be used to book sailings worldwide and also for onboard purchases to make the journey even better. Whether your friend is looking to cruise Caribbean, European, or Australian waters, this gift card is the best way to start the trip.

Tortuga Gift Card

With Tortuga’s home try-on program, the adventurer in your life can select the perfect travel backpack for their trip and body needs. Tortuga products also offer a worldwide warranty, so this gift card may just be the most reliable gift you give this holiday season.

Most of us have enjoyed the convenience of summoning a Lyft to get us where we need to go. A Lyft gift card can not only be used for a comfortable ride, but for Lyft scooters and bikes as well. The gift amount will be credited to your friend’s Lyft account so they can use it however, and whenever, they want.

Best Western Travel Card

Best Western

Best Western Hotels and Resorts can be found in more than 100 countries and territories. Gifting the Best Western Travel Card means Rewards points can still be earned on all booked stays, and there’s no expiration date either.

White Duck Outdoors Gift Card

White Duck Outdoors

White Duck Outdoors is known for their easy-to-use and long-lasting camping gear. From durable glamping tents to duffel bags, your adventurous friend can choose just what they need to make their next trip a comfortable outdoor adventure with this gift.

CruiseDirect Gift Card

CruiseDirect

If you know a cruise aficionado looking for their next adventure, a CruiseDirect gift card lets them choose from over a dozen cruise lines to book their next dream getaway. This is perfect for those with flexible travel plans, or anyone new to the cruising world.

Briggs & Riley Gift Card

Briggs & Riley

What traveler doesn’t need a reliable bag? With a Briggs & Riley gift card, your jetsetter can choose between dozens of styles to suit their needs. Whether they’re in the market for a new carry-on duffel, hardside luggage, or even laptop backpack, gift card holders get a great selection of gear, all coming with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

Chaco Gift Card

Chaco 

You probably don’t know your friend's shoe size off the top of your head. Instead of guessing, give them a Chaco gift card so they can shop for the best size, shape, and style for their outdoor needs. Physical Chaco gift cards can be shipped or sent electronically for ease and immediate use.

Hawaiian Airlines Gift Card

With over 35 destinations to choose from and no expiration date, Hawaiian Airlines’ gift cards will help your traveler start planning a dream vacation. Whether they’re interested in island hopping through Hawaii or exploring the South Pacific, giving this card means they will still earn miles on flights purchased as a present from you.

Calpak Digital Gift Card

Calpak Digital 

Calpak luggage and bags are the durable, high-end gift any traveler would love to receive this holiday season. Even better? Sending a Calpak gift card, so they can choose the design that’s best for them. From the sturdy Kaya Laptop Backpack we love to helpful packing cubes, there’s plenty to shop.

Four Seasons Gift Card

Four Seasons

If you’re unsure when shopping for your favorite luxury lover, look no further than the Four Seasons gift card. It’s redeemable for overnight stays, plus dining, spa treatments, and other experiences at Four Seasons locations worldwide. Cards can also be purchased in one of four currencies to avoid exchange rate fees.

Carnival eGift Card

Does your best friend have a Carnival cruise booked this year? Make their trip even better by giving them a Carnival gift card. Not only can it be used once onboard for gifts, drinks, and excursions to make an experience even better, it can be used to book their next cruise as well.

Monos Gift Card

Give your adventurer exactly what they want by letting them pick out what they need for an upcoming trip from lightweight luggage to comfortable clothes. The Monos gift card never expires and can be used on top of sales and discount codes, too.

Barnes & Noble eGift Card

Who doesn’t love the planning stages of an upcoming trip? Give the gift of in-flight entertainment with a gift card to Barnes & Noble. Whether your pal is looking for travel guides, magazines, or novels, they’ll find thousands of options in stores and online to get them excited to take off.

Alaska Airlines Gift Certificate

Alaska Airlines

With dozens of destinations to choose from, an Alaska Airlines gift certificate suits loved ones traveling throughout the United States and beyond. These gift certificates can be used not only on Alaska Airlines flights, but also Horizon Air or SkyWest flights operated by Alaska Airlines. They never expire and can be delivered directly to your friend’s email or printed and mailed.

Nomatic Gift Card

From accessories for everyday travel around town to bags for extended trips, Nomatic has something to offer everyone. The Nomatic gift card is not only a nice pick for your on-the-go friend this season, all products are also covered by a lifetime warranty, too.

OneTravel Gift Card

With the OneTravel gift card, your friend can book a flight to their dream destination across the globe. The best part is, you choose when the treat is sent to your loved-one’s email, which means you can buy now and still keep the surprise for later!

Virgin Experience Gifts Gift Card

Virgin Experience Gifts

With a Virgin Experience Gifts gift card, travelers can select an experience — from helicopter tours to murder mystery dinners — based on their location. With hundreds of excursions to choose from in dozens of cities, any adventurer can find something fun and unique to enjoy.

Athleta Gift Card

The Athleta gift card is perfect for any active woman on your list as the brand’s sizes range from XXS to 3X. Athleta gear runs on the sportier, more casual side which means styles like their comfy travel pants work both in the air and on a hike, too.

Cabela's Gift Cards

For the outdoor-loving travelers on your list, Cabela’s has everything for your favorite camper and boater. Their gift cards can be redeemed online and instore for both Cabela’s and BassPro Shops giving your friend even more options.

Celebrity Cruises E-gift Card

With over 300 cruise ports to choose from, your friend has plenty of trip options when receiving a Celebrity Cruises gift card. Treat them to an upscale cruise experience with $50, $100, $250, and $500 denominations to suit your gifting needs.

Arlo Skye Online Gift Cards

Arlo Skye is known for their beautiful and durable luggage — and we all know someone who’s obsessed with traveling in style. This season, give your trendy traveler a gift card to Arlo Skye to help them live out their dreamiest fantasies with a new bag in tow.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Kaitlyn McInnis and Taylor Fox used their experience as travel writers and former lifestyle editors to curate the best options to suit most needs.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

25 Best Gift Cards for Every Type of Traveler

By Meaghan Kenny

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list is no easy feat. Maybe you're shopping for the friend who has everything already or someone you don't know that well—you're stumped on what to buy, but still want their gift to be thoughtful and practical. Or, maybe you've accidentally waited too long to finish up your holiday shopping and need a gift with zero shipping time required. In any case, a gift card is a great idea for travelers. We put together a list of the very best gift cards for travelers, with options for book worms, outdoor enthusiasts, and beauty gurus included. From suitcases to skincare to entire vacation rentals , you can put your gift to good use and rest easy knowing your giftee got exactly what they wanted: something they picked out themselves. Plus, some have physical card options, if sending an email isn't the glamorous gift-giving experience you imagined.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Meredith Carey.

Find the best gift cards by category:

For the frequent flier, for the sporty traveler, for the outdoor enthusiast, for the fashion-forward friend, for the beauty guru, for the book worm, for anyone on your list, airline gift cards.

Tons of airlines offer gift cards so you can offset someone's flight to their dream destination. You can buy a digital or physical Southwest Airlines gift card from the airline directly or a physical card from Amazon , from $50 to $200. American Airlines offers virtual and physical gift cards from $50 to $1,500. Delta's gift cards range from $50 to $1,000 and can be sent via e-mail or through UPS. Low-cost airline Norwegian offers digital gift cards up to a whopping $11,000, while Ireland's Aer Lingus offers gifted flight vouchers up to $500.

For the person who has everything, there's only one thing to buy: experiences. Think tours, cooking classes, and even entire vacation rentals—all of which you can do with an Airbnb gift card. Of course, the traveler in your life can spend their gift card on some stellar home stays, like this luxe space in Florence with a private terrace, a Colorado cabin with mountain views, or a cozy Copenhagen apartment with an impressive vinyl collection. Giftees can also use Airbnb gift cards to book IRL experiences like azulejo-painting workshops in Portugal, city tours through Paris on a motorbike , or many more of our favorites .

Whether you're shopping for the budding traveler or the frequent flier, the chance to upgrade your luggage will always be appreciated. When it comes to luggage, we often turn to a favorite among our readers , Away. It's known for its lightweight, durable designs, especially styles like The Bigger Carry-On , The Carry-On Flex , and The Medium Flex . Gift a customizable digital card with up to $1,000.

Is sleek, neutral-toned luggage more your giftee's style? They can easily upgrade their collection with new travel essentials from Béis . Choose from the brand's bestsellers like The Weekender , The Carry-On Roller , and The Check-In Roller . In addition to its classic travel bags, Béis also makes thoughtfully designed baby travel bags , kids luggage, and work bags ideal for commuters. Choose an e-gift card amount from $25 to $500.

We're big fans of all things Calpak here at Condé Nast Traveler, so it's no surprise that the brand is on our list of the best gift cards. Whether someone you know could use some new luggage for upcoming travel plans, a duffel bag for weekend getaways, or packing cubes to help stay organized, there's something for every traveler who receives a Calpak gift card. Send a digital gift card for an amount ranging from $25 to $500.

Paravel makes some of our favorite packable duffels , beachy totes , and chic rolling suitcases . But it's more than just quality that draws us to the brand: Paravel's commitment to sustainability—from the recycled water bottles, fabrics, and aluminum used to make some of its best-selling bags to the brand's carbon-neutral outlook on its factories and shipping models—keeps us coming back for more. Pick up a digital gift card stocked with anywhere from $25 to $1,000 to let your giftee upgrade their luggage with the exact pieces they need.

From compression leggings and sports bras to cute matching sets , there's plenty of sporty must-haves to score at Alo Yoga. Whether your giftee is a yogi, hiker, or runner, they'll be more than excited to start shopping for their favorite new workout set. The brand also makes great-quality yoga mats, equipment, and gym bags. Alo Yoga offers e-gift cards for $50 to $1,000.

Girlfriend Collective

Our editors love the supportive leggings , exercise dresses , bike shorts , and sports bras from size-inclusive and sustainable brand Girlfriend Collective. The brand also designs packable jackets that are great for travelers and ultra-warm puffers for winter adventures. Send your giftee a virual gift card from the brand for $25 to $200.

If someone you know is a fan of Lululemon's mega-popular leggings , they'll appreciate a gift card to shop for even more cult-favorite items the athleisure brand. Active travelers can snag any of its bags like the Fast and Free running belt,   the City Adventurer duffel bag for the gym, and of course the Everywhere Belt Bag (when it's not sold out, that is). Choose a digital gift card or have one sent by mail.

The fitness junkie you know will definitely make good use of a Nike gift card. Buying activewear or knowing exactly what running shoes someone likes can be tricky, so a gift card to this iconic brand is a safe bet. It's always a good time to invest in a new pair of sneakers , sweatpants for long-haul flights, or accessories for the gym . Shoppers can choose a custom amount up to $500.

Parks Project

Know someone who absolutely loves the National Park Service? A gift card to Parks Project opens doors to not only rep some of their favorite parks on impeccably designed T-shirts , woodsy candles , and essential camping gear —but to protect the parks, too. The Parks Project supports wildlife restoration, visitor programs, youth initiatives, and clean-ups to keep the parks accessible and maintained for years to come. Load anywhere from $25 to $300 on the gift card.

For insulated, packable jackets , fleece sweaters and zip-ups , fanny packs , and more outdoor gear , we turn to Patagonia. Your giftee will have plenty of options to shop with a Patagonia gift cards, whether they're looking for everyday winter essentials or more specific hiking or camping gear. Our editors love the brand's Black Hole duffels for the adventures that require lots of gear and packing must-haves (these travel bags hold a ton). Choose a custom amount up to $1,000.

Give the outdoorsy traveler in your life the freedom to upgrade their gear however they please, whether they need a new crossover tent, sleeping bag, or hiking boots. Choose between a digital or physical gift card, which comes in dozens of creative designs. Unlike most other options on this list, you can denote a custom amount to put on the card between $10 and $1,000—plus, you can designate exactly when you want the digital card to arrive in the recipient's email inbox.

Anthropologie

There's endless goodies to shop from Anthropologie, from party dresses and cozy loungewear to personalized mugs and unique home decor . The brand makes some of the cutest outfits for special occasions, with options for weddings, vacation, and cocktail parties. Choose from a variety of festive gift cards for amounts up to $2,000.

If your giftee is all about building his or her capsule wardrobe , a gift card to Everlane will be greatly appreciated. The sustainable clothing brand makes some of our editors' favorite travel essentials, from everyday tees and trousers to comfortable loafers and flats. Send a physical or a digital gift card for up to $500.

It's nearly impossible to buy someone other than yourself a pair of jeans. Instead of guessing what you think will fit, treat them to a gift card to Madewell so they can find their new perfect pair. In addition to great denim, Madewell is also known for its soft sweaters, well-made jackets, and versatile bags, like The Sydney crossbody and The Medium Transport tote . Shoppers can purchase e-gift cards or classic gift cards for amounts up to $500.

Choose an amount up to $250 and let your recipient splurge on new makeup must-haves, skincare, and hair care products. This way, the giftee can pick out the exact products they already love or have been wanting to test out, like the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream , the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm , Rare Beauty Soft Pinch liquid blushes , and the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless setting powder . They can also put this gift card toward the beloved Dyson Airwrap ; this hair care tool is popular for a reason— trust me .

Everyone deserves some time to pamper themselves and practice good self-care . Spa Finder offers spa gift cards for up to $500 in the form of a digital card, via mail, or as a print-from-home gift. Consider this a nudge for any busy traveler to take time out of their hectic schedule for a massage or facial—it'll leave them feeling refreshed and relaxed.

The friend who's always perfecting their skincare routine will love a gift card to Ulta. They can shop travel-size minis of their favorites or try out new products from top beauty brands like Clinique, Tarte, Urban Decay, Dior, and Fenty Beauty. Ulta offers digital and physical gifts in a variety of fun designs for up to $250.

For your friend who keeps saying they want to get back into reading but can't find the time, a gift card to Audible is the perfect way to help them make a dent in their reading list . Audible allows subscribers to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and other original content on the go. Choose from one month, three months, six months, or one year of credits. Each month is equivalent to one credit, which is good for any book title in Audible's entire premium catalog. You can also gift a specific book title if you already know what vacation read they've been meaning to get to.

Bookshop.org

Some of the best gifts inspire future trips, or let us travel back in time to destinations we visited years ago. New books, cookbooks, and coffee table books often make great gifts—but knowing what book to buy, and what your giftee already has in their personal library can be a challenge. Let them choose for themselves with a Bookshop gift card. Bookshop allows readers to support local bookstores online and gives 100 percent of the profits to local shops if you shop directly ( check out this map to find your nearest indie) or donates 10 percent to a pool split between thousands of stores if you shop the general site. The gift cards come in denominations from $10 to a very generous $1,000. Plus, you can designate a specific send date so the recipient gets their digital gift right on time.

When in doubt, everyone on your shopping list can make use of an Amazon gift card. Travelers will have their choice of just about anything they want—from tech must-haves like Apple AirPods Pro and Kindle Paperwhite to outdoor gear like this portable hammock or the LifeStraw personal water filter. Amazon offers gift cards in various gift boxes and can include a customized message, making them feel a bit more personalized. Select an amount ranging from $25 to $2,000.

Whether someone you know just moved or is refreshing their current apartment, a Brooklinen gift card will certainly be appreciated. Brooklinen's sheet sets and comforters are just as luxurious as the ones at your favorite hotel . The brand's towels and plush robes are also bestsellers, and for good reason: There's nothing quite like putting on a cozy robe and crawling into bed with a fresh set of crisp sheets.

If you're really stuck on what to get someone, a Nordstrom gift card is a great option. There's something for every traveler to buy at Nordstrom—whether it be a new pair of outdoor boots for winter, a home decor gift, or a Hatch Restore 2 alarm clock . Choose a digital gift card for an amount up to $500 for anyone on your shopping list.

Uncommon Goods

If you want to give someone a gift card that still feels unique or just a touch more personalized, a gift card to Uncommon Goods is the way to go. The brand is an expert at curating gifts, ranging from personalized presents in a variety of categories like kitchen and bar, home goods, jewelry, clothing, wellness, and travel gear. Gifts from Uncommon Goods are little bit quirky and show some personality—like these rocks glasses inspired by your favorite city , this pickelball paddle tote bag , and these beer sleeping bags .

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

Why Trust Monito?

You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.

Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.

Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.

Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.

*The Mastercard Wildlife Impact gift card is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. This card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark, of Mastercard International Incorporated. Use of this card constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in the Cardholder Agreement.

The underlying funds do not expire. An inactivity fee of $4.95 per month will be deducted from your balance beginning on the 13th month after each 12-month period of inactivity.

MASTERCARD BENEFIT INQUIRIES

Within the U.S.: 1-800-Mastercard (1-800-627-8372) | Outside the U.S.: Mastercard Global Service Phone Numbers

Terms & Conditions on your card may vary by the card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for more details. Availability of insurance benefits on your card may vary by card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for complete insurance benefit coverage terms, conditions and exclusions.

Tap and Go is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

How to give the gift of travel: From using points and miles to booking a vacation package

With the holiday season officially here , you may be wondering what to get that special someone in your life. While some people prefer unwrapping physical presents, others — such as many of the writers here at TPG — enjoy gifting and receiving vacations. Yes, giving the gift of travel may sound a bit complicated, but if you're looking to surprise your spouse, kids, and/or loved ones with a trip , we have some ideas.

And, while we love surprising our friends and families with travel plans, sometimes you need to keep that person in the loop when the gift you want to give them is travel. Are they in a position to take time off from work or family obligations to make the trip? Are you gifting the trip to them and a "plus one" so they don't have to travel alone? Does your recipient even want to travel? These are all valid questions, and they can all be answered in advance of the gift with a few key conversations.

Once you know your recipient would love the gift of travel , here are a few ways to make it happen.

Related: How to give a surprise trip as a gift

Use your points and miles to book travel

If you've got a stash of points and miles that you can't possibly keep all to yourself, gifting some for a loved one's trip is an awesome idea. Since you likely have more knowledge of how these programs work, it's usually best if you handle making the award reservations on their behalf. If you're going on the trip too, consider using your points and miles for your traveling companion and paying cash for yourself if you want to earn a few extra miles to partially replace what you are spending.

Before you make any plans, be sure to check out the current list of bonus transfer offers . If there's a good one that's relevant to booking particular flights or hotels you're interested in, taking advantage of one of these offers can make a lot of sense and save you points and miles. It's a great way to stretch the points and miles you already have.

Related: Using points and miles to book award travel for others

Book a vacation package or cruise

Vacation packages can present a tremendous value when they include airfare, lodging and sometimes even a rental car and excursions. We've seen some solid deals at Costco Travel. And watch for deals from airline vacation departments. For example, Delta Vacations is currently running a Black Friday promotion in which you can save up to $300 on a vacation package. In previous years, we've seen money-off promos for American Airlines vacation packages and British Airways London vacation packages (airfare and hotel) for under $600 per person.

Plus, booking a vacation package takes away the unwanted stress of researching and planning every detail of a trip. And, if flying to your next destination doesn't sound ideal, you may want to look into booking a cruise for you and/or your companion. Several popular cruise companies are offering Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals that will definitely pique your interest.

Buy travel-related gift cards

Around the holiday season, it's par for the course to see promotions that offer gift card buyers a gift to use themselves. This season, you can buy a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for $399.99. And travel doesn't just mean hotel and flight gift cards; currently, you can purchase a $100 Uber gift card for $90.

The point is, have eagle eyes if you plan to give the gift of travel via gift cards. Watch your email for targeted promotions or check TPG for deal announcements. You can often find discounted travel gift cards or those offering some type of bonus for the purchase.

Even if you can't find a discounted gift card, at least ensure you are earning as many points as possible when you purchase a gift card.

Related: Best credit cards for gift card purchases

Use Hyatt Globalist elite status to make a reservation for someone else

If you're a Hyatt Globalist, you can use your elite status to improve someone else's stay through the company's Guest of Honor program . Basically, if you're a Globalist elite member, you can redeem points for a stay for a family member or friend and "transfer" your elite status privileges to that traveler. What does this actually mean? Depending on the property, it means your gift recipient would get extra perks like Regency Club or Grand Club access, free breakfast and late checkout. If you want to give someone you love the royal treatment, this is a great way to do so.

Use a credit card to get a welcome bonus when paying for your gift

If you do plan to pay cash for the gift of travel, make sure to reward yourself. Here are a few of our favorite credit cards with lucrative welcome bonuses.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: 14 best travel credit cards in 2023

Bottom line

Travel is a privilege that not everyone gets to partake in. Think about gifting an entire trip or a portion of one to someone you love. Whether you book a cruise deal or utilize your points and miles to pay for a hotel stay, gifting that special someone in your life an experience that they'll probably remember forever is certainly one of the best presents to give. Plus, who knows, maybe they'll catch the travel bug and become a built-in companion for future vacations!

18 Travel Gift Cards for a Flexible Last-Minute Gift – 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on December 6, 2022
• Published on November 16, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

Sometimes, buying a gift for someone who loves to travel can be downright frustrating. You need to know their favorite color, shoe size, preferred destination, and whether they’re Team Android or Team Apple. Gift cards have always been a safe bet – especially for a last-minute gift – but did you know there are almost two dozen fantastic options for travelers?

I’ve compiled a great list of all the physical gift cards you can buy that will directly benefit someone who loves to travel. Airfare, hotels, shopping, and services. These would also make excellent stocking stuffers!

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

Before you can buy the perfect Christmas gift, you have to find it. Each year, I publish a series of Holiday Gift Guides to help you find fantastic travel gear, accessories, unique gifts, and awesome items to put under the tree.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest “consistently ranks” as one of Travel & Leisure’s top domestic airlines. Their flights can take people all over the country to amazing destinations at a low cost. One of these gift cards will go a long way toward giving someone a vacation.

Did you know the further in advance you buy an airline ticket, the cheaper it can be? Help someone plan their next trip with a Delta gift card. Delivered via email or UPS, these gift cards are easy to redeem same as cash for flights with Delta.

American Airlines

“The whole wide world, it comes in a card.” American Airlines offers digital or physical gift cards to help someone plan their next getaway. Go big or small, you can set the amount on the card that can easily be redeemed.

Trains, planes, and automobiles – Amtrak is a favorite way for some people to travel. The Amtrak gift card could go a long way – pun intended – toward helping someone plan their next getaway on the railway.

The popular ride share app has become a staple for getting around destinations as people travel. The Uber gift card – physically delivered – can be redeemed easily through the app.

Carnival Cruise Line

Cruising is rising again in popularity, making the Carnival Cruise Line gift card a good choice. Easily redeemed through the website, the gift card is physically delivered and gives you something to put under the tree or stuffed in a stocking.

Now owned by Expedia, Hotels.com is one of the better apps for quickly and easily booking hotel rooms. Competitive on pricing, the greatest advantage of the free account is collection of “reward nights” – after spending 10 nights booked through the app, 1 free night is available equal to the average of those nights.

Know anybody loyal to staying at Hilton properties? When picking the Hilton gift card you can choose between three designs, add any amount you like, and have the plastic card physically mailed just in time for Christmas.

National Park Week 2024

Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.

Marriott went a little overboard with their gift cards and it’s wonderful! Choose from dozens of designs, add custom text to the plastic card, include any amount you like, and have the physical card mailed and placed under the Christmas tree.

Best Western

At Best Western, they called their gift card the “Travel Card” because of the versatility. Add amounts in USD, CAD, GBP, or EUR denominations for use around the world and thousands of properties.

Airbnb has become well known for the unique lodgings around the world. Buy someone a few nights at a comfy cottage, unique house, or outstanding apartment in their favorite destination.

The Visa gift card is the most versatile, accepted at almost all locations around the world. No account is needed to begin using the gift cards. Pay for lodging, gas, food, or attractions, the Visa gift card can go a long way toward someone’s vacation.

Smartphones, tablets, headphones – Apple makes a lot of great tech to make travel safer and easier. Fortunately, Apple’s designs have finally expanded from the sterile white to include a variety of colors. Get someone an Apple gift card if you’re not sure what particular item to get them for Christmas.

Without a doubt, the most useful gift card you could get a traveler for Christmas would be from Amazon. Easily redeemed online, these gift cards will allow anyone with a free account to make purchases for a wide arrange of travel items. The gift cards are physically delivered in adorable boxes ready for a bow to be placed under the tree.

With coffee shops around the world, a Starbucks gift card could go a long way toward fueling someone’s next adventure. With a free account through the app, patrons can redeem the gift card and begin collecting stars toward rewards in the future.

Barnes & Noble

One thing in abundance on most vacations is time – time that can be spent catching up that novel series or diving into something entirely new. The Barnes & Noble gift card might be a great option for the book nerd to let them choose their own wordy adventure.

Recreation Equipment, Inc. has been a premier resource for outdoor gear and clothing since the company was founded in 1938. Help someone get their next pair of hiking boots, climbing harness, or backpacking tent with an REI gift card. Available in dozens of designs and loadable with up to $1,000, the physical cards can be mailed just in time for Christmas.

From GPS navigation to noise cancelling headphones, a Best Buy gift card can help purchase a lot of travel tech. Order one of their physical cards, load it with a selection of amounts, and it comes wrapped in a box ready to be put under the tree.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• share this article

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Jason Barnette | All rights reserved | Seriously, don’t steal my stuff

Share this Article

Did you enjoy reading this article? If so, then share it with your friends. Sharing is caring, after all.

Travel Gift Cards: How to Give the Gift of Travel

The one gift any traveler in the world would love—a travel gift card.

Do you remember the time you bought your first computer? No? OK – how about your phone? Still no?

Isn’t it curious how the modern world is so obsessed with material goods (let’s call it stuff ), and yet the joy we get from said stuff is so temporary?

Back to your memories. Do you remember your first trip abroad?

Yeah, I thought so.

We’re Hardwired for Experiences, Not Stuff

As James Hamblin explains here in The Atlantic , we get a kick out of actually doing things, and spending time and money cultivating those experiences makes us happy.

Owning material possessions, on the other hand, doesn’t.

The joy we get from acquiring and buying physical things is fleeting. Dr. Elizabeth Dunn of the University of British Columbia calls this kind of satisfaction a “ puddle of pleasure ”—because it quickly evaporates. People fawn over their new acquisitions before quickly and easily growing over-familiar with them.

It’s part of why I love spending long periods of time living out of a backpack (is that weird?)—it forces me to take a personal inventory of the things that are important to me, and whether I want them in my bag/life.

And to me, and to so many others, all that stuff just isn’t all that important.

It’s especially easy to fall into the comparisons trap with material things. Have the best iPhone? Not for long! When the new one comes out, and someone/everyone you know gets hold of it, the money you spent on the old version feels wasted.

You end up stuck in this endless loop where you’re hemorrhaging cash and spending money on things that ultimately end up forgotten.

Material Things Have Expiration Dates—Experiences are a Lifetime Investment

This constant “raising the bar” with material purchases, coupled with our natural ability to adapt (where novelty turns into boredom), means that using stuff to make you happy is doomed to failure from the start —even if you’re fabulously rich, as many millionaires through history have discovered.

None of this happens with experiences .

Would you compare your first travel adventure with someone else’s? No, because it’d be pointless. Everyone tackles experiences differently, so they always feel incomparably unique .

Even better, they’re irreplaceable . You can’t upgrade your first time in a whitewater raft, or the first time you jumped out of an airplane. You’re never going to trade that in for a better model.  It’ll never lose its value, and it’ll stay with you forever.

How many times do you go skydiving or rafting through rapids in the average week? The special thing about experiences is that they’re temporary . And that’s the secret to their appeal.

That’s also what makes experiences a lot more fun to give.

Giving The Gift of Experience with Travel Gift Cards

Imagine if you could give those feelings you experienced on a life-changing trip to someone else, instead of giving them stuff that will quickly disappear from sight and mind. Imagine how that would feel, for them and for you.

This is the theory behind travel gift cards from Tinggly —and they’re the most elegant solution to a problem we’re faced with year after year: WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THEM THIS TIME?

If you’re buying travel gifts for those who prefer experiences over things, the answer is exceedingly difficult. All the stuff you might offer will likely either end up a) forgotten, 2) in a drawer, or iii) weighing down their backpack or suitcase.

Giving meaningful travel experiences to other people is not easy. Luckily, a bunch of smart people realized this, changed the rules, and made it easy.

Travel Gift Cards from Tinggly

Tinggly ’s founding fathers are a group of four world-traveling entrepreneurs with a penchant for pushing the limits and experiencing all that life has to offer; they are a passionate group of travelers who value the concept of experience over things.

By creating travel gift cards, they invented the solution to a problem that’s never before been solved—how to give the gift of experience.

The person who has lived the most is not the one with the most years but the one with the richest life experiences. —Jean-Jacques Rousseau

As the person giving the gift of experience, Tinggly lets you choose from three tiers, at three different price points. The person who is receiving the travel gift cards can pick any experience they like within that tier.

From skydiving to helicopter rides to pizza-making to romantic sunset river cruises, Tinggly offers experiences in 100+ countries around the world.

Whether someone you know is celebrating a special occasion (like a landmark birthday or life event), or whether they simply love to travel and try new things, travel gift cards solve the problem of what to get them.

Why Travel Gift Cards Make the Perfect Gift

• You’re not choosing for them . You’re giving them a huge number of options to choose from, from within one of three “Experience Collections.” Then you leave the rest up to them. The type of experience they receive is their call, not yours.
• You’re letting them pick the time to do it , taking that potential disaster out of your hands. They can redeem it anytime they want in the next two years, and until they do, it’s pure anticipation.
• You’re giving them an experience they’ll remember forever . It’ll never devalue and it’ll never bore them or end up stuck in a cupboard, gathering dust. It’ll never get old.
• The gift cards can be delivered instantly via email . If you’re running a bit behind schedule, Tinggly makes forthe perfect last-minute gift.
• You can easily give the gift of experience to someone anywhere in the world, no shipping address required .

It’s brilliant, really. Not only does it eliminate the agonizing decision-making process of gift-giving, but it’s a way for you to give a gift that that person will remember for the rest of their life.

So the next time a special occasion rolls around, try something a little different—something that’s not a waste of money, time, space, or all three. Instead, try giving the gift of experience with a travel gift card from Tinggly.

It’ll make you both feel all…Tinggly inside.

• How Traveling the World Will Change You
• Why Do People Travel? 7 Ways the World Will Change Your Perspective
• The Science of Why (and How) Travel Makes You a Better Person

Travel Gift Cards FAQs

Is there such thing as a travel gift card.

Yes, there is such a thing as a travel gift card. Tinggly offers a wide range of gift cards for amazing experiences.

Can you gift a travel card?

Giving someone a travel gift card is a great way to give the gift of travel.

How do you give a travel as a gift?

The best way to give travel as a gift is to give a travel gift card.

Can you gift someone flights?

Flights for a trip are an amazing gift. The best way to give someone flights is using a travel gift card.

What is the best gift for someone going abroad?

Some of the best travel gifts for someone going abroad include a travel backpack, a Kindle, and a portable power bank.

Jeremy Scott Foster

I would NEVER say no to a good trip! Never! 🙂

That’s a pretty cool idea. Will have to look into it! Thanks!

I wish I travel all the time. I love travelling and sending travel gift cards.

Cheers Jeremy

Great Ideas! Thanks for sharing. I just love to travel and great reasons to choose travel gift cards to give someone as a gift.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search our latest articles, reviews and gear guides

• TravelFreak on Instagram
• TravelFreak on Facebook
• TravelFreak on Twitter
• TravelFreak on Pinterest

Sign up now and get the best gear, travel tips, deals and destinations, straight to your inbox.

Thank you for signing up!

• Skip navigation
• Find a branch
• Help and support

Popular searches

• Track a parcel
• Travel money
• Travel insurance
• Drop and Go

Log into your account

• Credit cards
• International money transfer
• Junior ISAs

Travel and Insurance

• Car and van insurance
• Gadget insurance
• Home insurance
• Pet insurance

Travel Money Card

• Parcels Online

For further information about the Horizon IT Scandal, please visit our  corporate website

• Travel Money

A safe-to-use, prepaid, reloadable, multi-currency card that’s not linked to your bank account

No charges when you spend abroad*

Make contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay™ payments

Manage your account and top up or freeze your card easily with our Travel app

*No charges when you spend abroad using an available balance of a local currency supported by the card.

Win £5000 with Post Office Travel Money Card

A chance to win £5000 when you top up a new or existing Travel Money Card*. Offer ends 12 May

*Exclusive to travel money cards. Promotion runs 4 March to 12 May 2024. 1 x £5,000 prize available to be won each week. Minimum equivalent spend of £50 applies.

Why get a Travel Money Card?

Carry up to 22 currencies safely.

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

Accepted in over 36 million locations worldwide

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

Manage your card with our travel app

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

It’s simple to get started

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

Order your card

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

Activate it

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

It’s ready to use

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

Stay in control

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

New-look travel app out now

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

Order a Travel Money Card

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

Need it quick? Visit a branch

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

Need some help?

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

Lost or stolen card?

Please immediately call: 020 7937 0280

Available 24/7

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

Visit our Travel Money Card support page

Common questions

How can i order my card.

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

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

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

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

How do I use my card?

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

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

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

How can I manage my card?

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

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

Which currencies can I use?

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

Currencies available:

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

What are the charges and fees?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are there top-up limits?

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

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

Other related services

Knowing how much to tip in a café, restaurant, taxi or for another service can ...

Post Office Travel Money unveils the first Islands in the Sun Holiday Barometer ...

Long-haul destinations offer the best value for UK holidaymakers this year, ...

To avoid currency conversion fees abroad, always choose ‘local currency’ ...

If you’re driving in Europe this year, Andorra’s your best bet for the cheapest ...

One of the joys of summer are the many music festivals playing across the ...

Prepaid currency cards are a secure way to make purchases on trips abroad. They ...

For the first time in 16 years of our reports, Lisbon is not only the cheapest ...

The nation needs a holiday. And, with the summer season already underway, new ...

Hoi An in Vietnam is still the best-value long haul destination for UK ...

Our annual survey of European ski resorts compares local prices for adults and ...

Travelling abroad? These tips will help you get sorted with your foreign ...

We all look forward to our holidays. Unfortunately, though, more and more ...

The nation needs a holiday, and Brits look set to flock abroad this year. The ...

Thinking of heading off to Europe for a quick city break, but don’t want to ...

Kickstarting your festive prep with a short getaway this year? The Post Office ...

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

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

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

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

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

MASTERCARD BENEFIT INQUIRIES

Your benefits may vary by card type and by issuing financial institution. Refer to your issuing financial institution for complete benefit coverage terms and conditions or call Mastercard (0800-96-4767) for assistance. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

Terms & Conditions on your card may vary by the card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for more details.

Availability of insurance benefits on your card may vary by card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for complete insurance benefit coverage terms, conditions and exclusions.

Great, you have saved this article to you My Learn Profile page.

Clicking a link will open a new window.

4 things you may not know about 529 plans

Important legal information about the email you will be sending. By using this service, you agree to input your real email address and only send it to people you know. It is a violation of law in some juristictions to falsely identify yourself in an email. All information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of sending the email on your behalf. The subject line of the email you send will be “Fidelity.com”.

Thanks for you sent email.

A beginner's guide to travel credit cards

Key takeaways

• Travel reward programs allow you to earn points or miles when you make purchases with certain credit cards.
• Once you hit a specific spending threshold, points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related perks.
• The point-to-dollar exchange rate varies widely with each program and could add up to big savings, but program fees could offset the benefits in some cases.
• Rewards cards that aren't tied to a specific company often let you transfer points to a participating travel partner like a hotel or airline.

Using credit to book travel can unlock cheaper, even free ways to see the world if you play your cards right. Travel credit cards also may offer airport lounge access or rewards you can redeem for travel-related perks like hotel or flight upgrades. There's a reason why 41% of Americans already use a travel rewards credit card, according to a 2023 NerdWallet survey. 1 But choosing one can be daunting. Here's how travel rewards work and how to navigate the options.

Feed your brain. Fund your future.

How do travel rewards work?

Travel reward programs function on a simple premise: You earn points or miles by spending on a designated credit card. Depending on the specific card, transactions such as booking flights or hotel stays through partner companies can earn you these points. Some cards even offer points on everyday purchases, like groceries or gas, or for every dollar spent. You could even earn bonus incentives by signing up (these are called introductory offers) or by passing a spending threshold on certain types of purchases.

Once you've accumulated enough points, you can then spend them on benefits within your travel rewards programs, such as flights, hotel stays, upgrades, and more, depending on the program. And these points can add up to some serious savings. Although it's tricky to assign a specific dollar value to points (more on that later), a 2023 survey found that the average travel card holder had a balance of over 50,000 points. 2

If these rewards would act as a coupon for your current spending habits, a travel rewards credit card could be a good financial move if you'd save more than the annual fees and pay off your balance each month. But if one of these credit cards would encourage you to spend more than you would without it, then a travel rewards program may end up costing you more money than it saves.

Travel rewards and credit card features to consider

Every travel rewards program is unique, but here are some common features to consider when trying to score travel rewards with a credit card.

Annual fees

An annual fee is the cost of owning a travel rewards credit card and reaping the benefits that come with it. Not all travel rewards credit cards have annual fees, but those that do can range from less than $50 to more than $500. 3 While these fees may sound like a drawback, they often correlate with enhanced benefits and rewards potentially including lucrative sign-up bonuses, complimentary travel insurance, and airport lounge access, to name a few.

Before committing to a card with an annual fee, it's important to do a cost-benefit analysis first. Weigh the value of the benefits against the annual fee and decide whether the card would save you money, based on your spending habits and travel aspirations. Also, keep an eye out for waived annual fees in the intro period enabling you to test-drive the card's features without an immediate financial commitment. An introductory bonus offer may cover a card's annual fee for one year, for example, which could be a good trial run to see if the card's perks are worth it.

Initial spend/sign-up bonuses

Sign-up bonuses are an incentive to join a credit card travel rewards program. These bonuses typically come in the form of points or miles awarded to your account—commonly in bulk, at one time—after meeting a minimum spending requirement in a specific timeframe. It gives you a head start on accumulating rewards and can help justify an annual fee (if there is one). Like many promotions, rewards for new cardholders can change at any time, so keep in mind that an offer you see today could be different tomorrow.

And while the allure of a boatload of points may seem irresistible, read the fine print so you know up front whether the required spending aligns with your budget and financial habits. Ultimately, sign-up bonuses (and travel rewards in general) are designed to encourage you to spend more on a given card. This gamification of spending may seem exciting, but it can also foster bad financial habits if you aren't careful. A good guideline to help keep spending in check is to never put more on a credit card than what you can pay off when the bill comes. If the card offers a reward for signing up, consider the long-term value beyond that initial bonus.

Cash-conversion rate for points

Once you've narrowed down your travel rewards program options, get a rough estimate of the cash conversion rate for points or miles. Some programs allow you to directly convert your points to cash and pay down your credit card bill, in which case, the point-to-dollar ratio shouldn't be too hard to figure out. But many don't, only allowing you to spend those points or miles to book travel.

The value of your points or their redemption value aren't always a one-for-one exchange. Online calculators are one way to check whether a specific rewards deal is a good one.

Although it varies from card to card, points may have more lucrative redemption values for some rewards over others. For instance, booking travel through the card issuer's portal might mean 100,000 points gets you a $100 flight—but booking that same flight on another platform might cost 150,000 points. If this sounds confusing that's because it is, and each program has its own incredibly nuanced points exchange program. Online communities for travel rewards points could be another resource for decoding the points value for your specific program and getting info about how other travelers have used their points.

Foreign transaction fees

A foreign transaction fee is an extra charge added to transactions that aren't in US dollars. This includes charges on the ground in another country and purchases online from retailers that work in different currencies. Although these fees vary from card to card, they usually range from 1% to 3% of the transaction. 4

If all your travel is domestic or in countries that use US dollars, you won't have to worry about these fees. But if you plan to travel internationally, you might want to look for a card that waives foreign transaction fees. This will ensure that you're not charged extra for that croissant in Paris or for those souvenirs in Tokyo.

General travel vs. specific travel company rewards

Some travel rewards programs are tied to a specific airline or hotel, while others reward you for spending no matter who you book with. If you always book with a specific airline, stay at one brand of hotel, or use a specific rental car company, you could get more value for your points—or earn more points—if you use that company's travel rewards credit card.

Transfer point programs

Many general travel rewards credit cards let you transfer their points to loyalty programs at different hotels and airlines, which you can then redeem for hotel stays and flights. These exchange programs tend to have a higher redemption value than programs offering cash back and, by most estimates, are the best way to maximize the benefits of a travel rewards credit card. Keep in mind that credit card companies have different exchange rates for each hotel and airline partner, so you'll have to determine on a case-by-case basis whether an exchange program is worthwhile for your specific card.

Airport perks

Airport lounge access is a popular perk for travel rewards credit card holders, especially those who travel often. Some programs will also cover the cost of programs that make getting through airport security easier. Consider the annual fees associated with each card and whether these perks would cost less if you paid for them with cash—and without paying for the card.

Consider general cash-back cards

Making the most of a travel rewards program can be a lot of work. Not to mention, travel rewards points can't always be easily redeemed unless you plan to travel. If you're looking for a less fussy and more liquid way to earn rewards for your credit card spending, consider a general cash-back card. Typically, these credit cards give you a percentage of your total spending back in cash without having to calculate exchange rates or redemption values.

One to consider: the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card, which can earn you unlimited 2% cash back on everyday spending. 5 That cash back can be deposited into any eligible Fidelity account, 6 giving your money more chances to grow.

Spend and earn at the same time

Spending on your Fidelity ® Rewards Visa Signature ® Card can put money in your Fidelity account.

More to explore

How to save money on travel, 10 credit card security tips, subscribe to fidelity smart money ℠, looking for more ideas and insights, thanks for subscribing.

• Tell us the topics you want to learn more about
• View content you've saved for later
• Subscribe to our newsletters

We're on our way, but not quite there yet

Oh, hello again, thanks for subscribing to looking for more ideas and insights you might like these too:, looking for more ideas and insights you might like these too:, fidelity viewpoints ® timely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance. (debug tcm:2 ... decode crypto clarity on crypto every month. build your knowledge with education for all levels. fidelity smart money ℠ what the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest. active investor our most advanced investment insights, strategies, and tools. insights from fidelity wealth management ℠ timely news, events, and wealth strategies from top fidelity thought leaders. women talk money real talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers. educational webinars and events free financial education from fidelity and other leading industry professionals. fidelity viewpoints ® timely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance. (debug tcm:2 ... decode crypto clarity on crypto every month. build your knowledge with education for all levels. fidelity smart money ℠ what the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest. active investor our most advanced investment insights, strategies, and tools. insights from fidelity wealth management ℠ timely news, events, and wealth strategies from top fidelity thought leaders. women talk money real talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers. educational webinars and events free financial education from fidelity and other leading industry professionals. done add subscriptions no, thanks. 1. erin el issa, "how the 41% of americans with a travel credit card can boost rewards," nerdwallet, march 28, 2023. 2. erin el issa, "how the 41% of americans with a travel credit card can boost rewards." 3. beverly harzog, "best travel rewards credit cards of 2024," u.s. news and world report, april 9, 2024. 4. lyle daly, "what happens if a credit card's sign-up bonus increases after you get the card," the accent: motely fool, november 14, 2024 5. you will earn 2 points per dollar in eligible net purchases (net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns) that you charge. account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem rewards and benefits. upon approval, refer to your program rules for additional information. subject to applicable law, you may not redeem reward points, and you will immediately lose all of your reward points, if your account is closed to future transactions (including, but not limited to, due to program misuse, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or death). reward points will not expire as long as your account remains open. certain transactions are not eligible for reward points, including advances (as defined in the agreement, including wire transfers, travelers checks, money orders, foreign cash transactions, betting transactions, lottery tickets and atm disbursements), convenience checks, balance transfers, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, overdraft advances, interest charges, fees, credit insurance charges, transactions to fund certain prepaid card products, u.s. mint purchases, or transactions to purchase cash convertible items. the 2% cash back rewards value applies only to points redeemed for a deposit into an eligible fidelity ® account. the redemption value is different if you choose to redeem your points for other rewards such as travel options, merchandise, gift cards, and/or statement credit. other restrictions apply. full details appear in the program rules new card customers receive with their card. establishment or ownership of a fidelity ®  account or other relationship with fidelity investments ®  is not required to obtain a card or to be eligible to use points to obtain any rewards offered under the program other than fidelity rewards. 6. eligible accounts include most nonretirement registrations as well as traditional ira, roth ira, rollover ira, sep ira, fidelity charitable ® giving account ® , fidelity hsa ® , and fidelity ® -managed 529 college savings plan accounts. the ability to contribute to an ira or 529 college savings plan account is subject to irs rules and specific program policies, including those on eligibility and annual and maximum contribution limits. full details appear in the program guidelines new card customers receive with their card. contributions to fidelity charitable ® are generally eligible for a federal income tax charitable deduction. please consult with your tax advisor. the list of eligible registration types may change without notice at fidelity’s sole discretion. for more information about whether a particular registration is eligible, please call 1-800-fidelity (800-343-3548). the third parties mentioned herein and fidelity investments are independent entities and are not legally affiliated. the views expressed are as of the date indicated and may change based on market or other conditions. unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author, as applicable, and not necessarily those of fidelity investments. the third-party contributors are not employed by fidelity but are compensated for their services. the fidelity investments and pyramid design logo is a registered service mark of fmr llc. the third-party trademarks and service marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. fidelity brokerage services llc, member nyse, sipc , 900 salem street, smithfield, ri 02917 © 2024 fmr llc. all rights reserved. 1141513.1.0 mutual funds etfs fixed income bonds cds options active trader pro investor centers stocks online trading annuities life insurance & long term care small business retirement plans 529 plans iras retirement products retirement planning charitable giving fidsafe , (opens in a new window) finra's brokercheck , (opens in a new window) health savings account stay connected.

• News Releases
• About Fidelity
• International
• Terms of Use
• Accessibility
• Contact Us , (Opens in a new window)
• Disclosures , (Opens in a new window)

Discounted Disney Gift Card Deals and How to Get Them

H oping to surprise your family with a Disney Vacation and need ways to save money on your Disney Vacation Package? From using Gift Cards to pay for your vacation to using Gift Cards to pay for food once you’re there, here are all the Discounted Disney Gift Card Deals, that can help you save money on your next Disney Trip. 

Whether you’re going on a Disney Cruise, heading to Disneyland, or flying a magic carpet into Walt Disney World, you can use  Disney Gift Cards to get discounts on all of it. You can even use Discount Disney Gift Cards on shopDisney.com. As such, there’s no reason to pay full price. Whether you’re paying for a Disney Vacation Package, buying new Disney merchandise or eating at a restaurant in the parks, here’s all the ways you can get discounted Disney Gift Cards.

What can you use a Disney Gift Card For?

Disney gift cards can be used to pay for almost anything associated with Disney, even Disney Plus+! You can easily save hundreds of dollars throughout the year, with Disney Gift Cards! Especially if you’re planning for a Disney vacation. 

• A Disney Vacation Package: A Disney Vacation Package to Any Disney Theme Park. This includes Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Disney Tokyo, Disney Hong Kong and Disney Shanghai. 
• A Disney Cruise
• Disney Tickets
• A Disney Resort Stay
• Parking at Walt Disney World
• Disney Merchandise
• Disney Food and Snacks at Kiosks
• Disney Restaurants
• Disney Mobile Order in the app
• Disney Self Check Out at Disney Gift Shops
• Disney Gift Shops
• shopDisney.com
• Disney Plus: You can use Disney+ Gift Cards and Disney Gift Cards toward the cost of your Disney+ or Disney Bundle subscription, or to gift to recipients

Can you Use a Disney Gift Card to Pay for a Disney Cruise?

Yes. You can buy Disney gift cards to pay for some or all of your Disney Cruise. From using it for a down payment on your cruise package, to paying for the trip, to buying alcohol and paying gratuities. Disney Gift Cards can be used for all of it. 

Where to Buy Discount Disney Gift Cards

As one of our favorite ways to pay for a Disney Vacation, knowing where to get Discount Disney Gift Cards is key to saving money on a Disney Vacation. Many places offer Disney Gift Cards for Sale. You can buy Disney Gift Cards at most retailers, including your local grocery store, gas station, Target, Wal-Mart,  and more.  The best place to buy Disney gift cards

In this post, we’ll share where to get the best Disney Gift Card Deals and the best places to buy Disney Gift Cards. Keep in mind that since certain retailers are only in certain areas of the country, you may have even more places to buy Disney gift cards near you. 

You can get Disney Gift Card Deals online and in-store. Retail locations like Target, Wal-Mart, Target, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale are best for discount Disney gift cards. But we’ll share some tried and true tactics to make sure you’re getting the best Disney gift card deals. 

Can you Combine Disney Gift Cards?

Yes! So, let’s say you’ve been buying Disney Gift Cards throughout the year, and got some gift cards from friends and family. Suddenly, you have tons of Disney Gift Cards! Do you have to individually add them all on the Disney website to pay for your trip? Not necessarily! You can combine Disney Gift Cards on the Disney’s Gift Card Check Balance site. While you can only combine up to $1000 on one gift card, it makes all the difference when you’re paying off your vacation online. 

Use Disney Gift Cards to Save For Your Vacation

Planning a Disney Vacation any time of year, should give you enough time to save! And what better way to save for a Disney Vacation that to collect Disney Gift Cards throughout the year. 

Save 5 % on Disney Gift Cards with the Target Red Card 

You can save 5% on Disney Gift Cards all year long with the Target Red Card. We most like the Target Red Card Debit Card, which simply connects to your bank account, so that you’re not racking up extra credit card fees or interest. All you need to do to save 5% and get discount Disney gift cards is use your Target Red Card at Checkout. A REDCard can save 5% on not only the Disney gift cards but also all gift cards in-store. This means you can also save 5% on airline gift cards, car rental gift cards, uber, and Starbucks. All the things you need when traveling with Disney. 

You can even buy discount Disney Gift Cards online at Target.com. Simply add Disney Gift Cards to your cart, and pay with a REDcard at checkout to save 5%. Check out the Disney Gift Cards at Target so you can save 5% on your next Disney Trip. Incidentally, if you’re visiting Disneyland, Target also offers discount Disneyland Tickets on their website! 

Grab Sam’s Club Disney Gift Cards on Sale and Save 4%

If you’re already a Sam’s Club member then you can get a $50 Disney Gift Card for about $48 dollars. While this isn’t as good as the Target offer. But, if you’re staring down a 2000 dollar vacation, you can save about 80 dollars with this offer. 

Get 10% Off Disney Gift Cards using Cash Back with Rakuten and DOSH

True savers, and discount seekers already know about Rakuten, but did you know you can Get 10% Cash Back with Rakuten at a variety of retailers? And many of them sell Disney Gift Cards. Target, Sam’s Club, Walmart are all included. The money-saving app DOSH is similar and gives you cash back for purchases made through the app when you visit retailers online. Check out our 5 Best Apps to Save Money for even more options. 

Get 5% Off Disney Giftcards with a Discover Card

If you’re a Discover card holder then you can take advantage of the Discover Rewards throughout the year! 

You can earn 5% CASH BACK on a variety of retailers that sell giftcards! Including Disney Gift Cards. This means you can get Discount Disney Gift Cards, and get Cash Back at the same time! Retailers typically in the Discover Card Rewards program include Amazon.com, Target, Wal-Mart, Drug Stores, Gas Stations, etc. And they ALL carry Disney Gift Cards that you get 5% Cash Back on through Discover! Just be sure to activate your reward on the Discover Website, or in the Discover App as the reward periods arrive. 

Get Cash Back on Disney Gift Cards with Capital One

If you’re going to have credit cards, might as well maximize the rewards, right? And Capital One has not only cash back, but also it’s shopping extension, which you can access from the computer or in the app. This option is also super flexible, because you can buy Disney gift cards anywhere that you would get Cash Back! 

BJ’s Disney Gift Card Sales

You can grab a BJ’s One Day Pass to get access to a 24 hour window in which you can buy all the the discount Disney gift cards you’d like! You can typically get 3% off Disney Gift Cards at Bj’s. Making a 100 dollar giftcard about $96.99 instead. Again while 4 dollars off may not seem like the biggest Disney Gift Card Sale, it beats paying full price! 

Stack Discounts for the Best Deals on Disney Gift Cards and get 10% Off.

No matter where you’re shopping, be sure to consider buying Disney gift cards with a Credit Card that earns Rewards or Cash Back! For instance, if you’re shopping at BJ’s or Walmart, or Sam’s Club, you can take advantage of the discount Disney Gift Cards AND stack your Cash Back or Rewards by using a Credit Card to pay for it. Adding even more savings. 

An example is if you head to Sam’s Club and get 4% Off, then buy those gift cards with a 5% Cash Back Rewards Deal, you’d get a total of 9% off! That’s huge when you’re paying so much for a Disney trip! 

Purchase Disney Gift Cards at a Grocery Store with Fuel Perks

One of our favorite Disney gift card hacks is to buy Disney Gift Cards at our local grocery store with gas station perks. In the north we have Giant Eagle, but there are many grocery chains, like Kroger, that are nationwide and offer discounts on fuel too. This means that you can get a Disney Gift Card on Sale and then also gets discounts on fuel while you’re there!  

Discounted Disney Gift Cards

There are so many ways to Save Money at Disney, that buying Disney Gift Cards at a Discount just makes sense. And since Disney just gets more and more expensive, why not save some money while you’re at it! No matter where you buy Disney Gift Cards, hopefully this post has helped you find your best way to get Disney Gift Cards at a discount. 

Bucket list travel on a budget: Expert tips for airfare, loyalty programs, credit card perks and more

Nicky Kelvin from The Points Guy dives into ways to save this summer.

Many travelers have their sights set on summer getaways , but with everything from baggage fees to fuel costs impacting the price of a ticket, "Good Morning America" is asking travel experts to share tips for booking bucket list destinations on a budget and finding savings along the way.

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, senior director of content for The Points Guy, offered his tips for affordable travel techniques.

Where to find the best flight deals

Kelvin encourages travelers to utilize Google Flights and other free price-tracking tools to compare fare prices and snag the best deal.

He also suggests using both the calendar and map features within Google Flights to see which airports, dates and destinations how the lowest fare.

From the Google Flights homepage on a computer, click "explore destinations" and select a departure city without adding a destination. Then zoom out on the map to see the best prices for destinations all over the world.

Get the most out of free travel loyalty programs

Travelers should be earning points for anything and everything that they are buying or booking from airline and hotels to car rentals, Kelvin said.

In addition to the points that can can help travelers earn free flights and hotel stays, Kelvin said to look for extra perks just for joining.

Hyatt rewards, for example, offers all guests free breakfast.

For Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Car Rental, he said you can add your spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver for free.

Loyalty programs are great for airlines too. JetBlue, for example, allows enrolled customers -- even if they don't have enough points for a flight -- to use points for discounts. Plus, with any airline, as you accumulate points to earn status, you can get free seating upgrades.

Travel credit cards with cash back perks

Along with earning points, travel credit cards give you protection for your trip like insurance to help with lost or damaged baggage and trip cancellation protection

Chase debuts new airport lounge: Gourmet menus, sleek interiors, free facials redefine hospitality for airport travel

As for credit cards, The Points Guy team suggests the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card as an all-around pick -- you get 75,000 miles after meeting your minimum spend in the first three months. Which Kelvin said is a value of over $1,300.

If you're looking to earn the most miles, he said look to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

"You'll earn the most points on all your purchases with this one," he said.

Finally, if you want a credit card with no fee, Kelvin suggested the Bilt Mastercard, which he said is particularly great for renters because you can earn points on what's likely someone's biggest expense.

Editor’s Picks

Airlines required to refund passengers for canceled, delayed flights

Google reveals top destinations for summer vacation 2024

What to know about new Venice entry fee, other summer destinations with a tourist tax

Save money on international phone plans for summer trips.

If someone's trip is taking them out of the country, using a cell phone internationally can cost $10 to 15 per day. For a family of four, that's more than $400 for a week.

If your phones support eSIM, Kelvin suggested purchasing a data plan for your destination through an app such as Airalo, Truphone or GigSky.

For example, one of Airalo's global SIM plans costs $9 for one week, which could save a family close to $350 dollars, depending on their existing international coverage.

Related Topics

Top stories.

Hidden world of 'catch-and-kill' tabloids spotlighted in Trump's hush money trial

• Apr 26, 8:16 AM

Ex-official told investigators Trump had 'no standing declassification order'

• Apr 25, 6:55 PM

Trump trial updates: Pecker says arrangement supporting Trump wasn't unusual

• 19 minutes ago

Walmart US CEO talks inflation, self-checkout, and non-college degree workers

• Apr 25, 7:51 PM

Could a president stage a coup? And 9 more key moments from Trump's immunity hearing

• Apr 25, 3:18 PM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events