A good and reliable credit card is now absolutely essential for any trip. Whether for payments, cash withdrawals or even insurance and protection. A good credit card is indispensable these days. However, not every credit card is suitable for travel and stays abroad. Some can even be costly. But which travel credit card is best for me? There are countless credit cards nowadays, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Here we present some reasonable credit cards, some of which we have even used on our travels.
A good travel credit card should be free and have no fees. There are now quite a few good providers that don’t charge a monthly or annual fee and still offer many features of a good travel credit card.
Important when choosing a credit card or the right provider is whether it includes various types of insurance, such as travel cancellation insurance, international health insurance, luggage insurance or even a rental car insurance.
A good travel credit card should not charge foreign currency fees. With an American Express card, for example, you often pay a foreign currency fee of around 2% abroad and you want to avoid that at all costs. It’s also important to note that you should always pay in the local currency when abroad.
You need a credit card that doesn’t charge an additional fee for cash withdrawals. However, in some places and countries, this is unavoidable. Sometimes your local bank abroad will charge you fees because you want to withdraw money with your credit card (which is not local). These are known as “foreign currency fees”, which your own bank unfortunately can’t do anything about. The local banks automatically charge fees (which are usually not high). In general… look always to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad for free.
One of the most important things about a credit card, in our opinion, is that it gives you access to an airport lounge. These typically cost between 30-50€ per person and with a credit card like American Express (Amex charges monthly fee), you have free access at over 1.500 airports. A lounge is a real game-changer, especially when you have delays, missed a flight or have long layovers.
Some providers even offer travel credit. With this travel credit you have an annual amount available that you can redeem when booking online, for example flights, rental cars or hotels.
Generally speaking, there’s not much difference between them. Both credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. We would recommend carrying at least one of these cards with you. Ideally, you’ll simply have a Visa and a Mastercard with you on your travels.
Depending on the credit card and provider, you’ll receive a certain percentage of your cashback. This is often credited to your account or as a discount on the purchase. With Rewards, you collect bonus points or miles for every euro/dollar/etc. you spend. You can then use these points or miles for your travel, credits or other rewards.
App and support are important and often underestimated. A good app should be clear and easy to use. You should also be able to block your card online (if it’s lost or stolen). You should also be able to view your balance and spending. Good reliable support and 24/7 emergency assistance are also highly recommended.
The answer is clearly yes! Even if you’re not planning on traveling, you can’t avoid credit cards these days. Especially when booking flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. a credit card is usually necessary. If you’re considering to do a long-distance trip or even a trip around the world, you should think about getting a good, reliable credit card.
Whether you choose a credit card or a debit card always depends on various factors, as well as your personal usage and preferences. Generally, we recommend at least one debit card and two credit cards (preferably Visa & Mastercard), as they each have different advantages and disadvantages. You often need a credit card to book flights, hotels or rental cars. You should always have a backup card with you, which you should also keep in a separate location from your other cards. Most providers also offer free debit cards and you simply have a better overview of your spending, cause they are debited directly from your account.
Conclusion: You should carry both cards with you on your travels. Ideally at least one debit card and two credit cards from different providers.
+ High global acceptance
+ Easy and quick booking
+ High security & Additional services
+ Often includes travel insurance
+ Airport lounge access
− Fees for cash withdrawals
− Foreign currency fees abroad
− Risk of misuse
− Sometimes with an annual fee
− High debt risk
+ Ideal for digital banking
+ Direct cost control
+ Usually no card fees
+ Good usability in your country
+ No debt risk
− Low acceptance abroad
− No insurance coverage
− Foreign currency fees
− Limited protection against fraud
− Deposits & bookings often difficult
An important, still underestimated aspect of a credit card is collecting miles and points. Many credit cards allow you to collect miles or points, which can entitle you to travel, flight upgrades, hotel nights or many other rewards at a lower price or even for free. The advantage of such a card is definitely that you can use it in your everyday life and collect points or miles with every payment, whether it’s shopping, filling up with gas or eating in a restaurant or café. You can also use different credit cards to participate in different loyalty programs, combine them and thereby maximize your benefits. Many providers even offer a welcome bonus wich you can redeem straight away.
It's best to write down your blocking numbers and PIN separately on a piece of paper or in an encrypted app. Never write them down and keep them near your card!
This gives you direct insight and information about all transactions in real time, allowing you to quickly identify and take action against fraudulent activity.
Check ATMs and terminals before withdrawing money. It's best to withdraw money from ATMs located inside banks, shopping malls, supermarkets or airports.
These payment methods are considered very secure and often even more secure than paying with a physical card. Your data is encrypted and requires additional device authentication.
To avoid bad exchange rates (Dynamic Currency Conversion), always pay in the local currency. This also avoids fees and ensures you always have track of your costs.
Adjust your credit card limit on each trip to minimize losses in case of theft or misuse. Always consider that any deposits or amounts may be blocked during your booking.
Always keep an eye on your card and be present during the payment process. In restaurants, the card is often brought to the table for payment; you should always avoid this to prevent fraud.
If your card includes various travel insurance options (luggage, health insurance, rental car, etc.), you should be aware that these are usually only valid if you pay for your trip with this card.
The right payment card is especially important when traveling and crucial for flexible, secure, reliable and cost-effective payments. The four common payment systems differ fundamentally in terms of acceptance, costs, fees and additional services. Each card type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Generally speaking, Visa and Mastercard are the best and most reliable options, as they are accepted mostly worldwide. A debit card is usually the best option if you’re traveling in your home country or Europe. American Express is a good choice if you want additional services, participate in bonus programs or take advantage of discounts. Here’s a brief overview of the four different cards.
A quick overview of cards we use on our travels and those that have been recommended to us. It’s important to distinguish between free and fee-based credit cards. In this list you will find mainly free credit cards that are ideal for every trip. Cause we’re from Germany and have primarily used German (and European) credit and debit cards, we focused mostly on those here.
The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute financial or investment advice within the meaning of legal regulations. While all content has been prepared with the utmost care, we assume no liability for the completeness, timeliness, or accuracy of the information provided.
We recommend that all visitors carefully read the provider’s individual terms and conditions, fees, and legal notices before purchasing a credit card or financial product and maybe seek some professional advice if necessary.
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