5 Best UK Credit Card for Travel Latest 2024

5 Best UK Credit Card for Travel – If you are planning an overseas adventure or gearing up for an international business trip, having a travel credit card might be your ticket to cheaper spending abroad.

Now, let’s be real. Your everyday bank account debit card? It often charges you high fees on exchange rates for foreign transactions or cash withdrawals. But fear not! There are plenty of cards out there that save you from these annoying charges.

Our team did deep research on the travel credit card market and rounded up the best deals we discovered. Check out the best UK credit card for travel below

In this article, we dive into the best payment cards to use while you’re travelling abroad. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of using a credit card and highlight features, fees, exchange rates, and travel rewards too.

How to Select the Best UK Credit Card for Travel?

What exactly is a travel credit card, and why should you consider getting one? Well, if you are planning to minimize the cost of your holiday spending without bothering about fees for using a card abroad, the best UK credit card for travel could be one of the perfect options for you.

These specialist travel credit cards are designed for use outside of the UK. One major perk is their fantastic exchange rates when converting currency. This feature is crucial because every time you use a UK-issued card abroad, your spending needs to be converted from GBP to the local currency.

Moreover, travel credit cards usually come with no foreign transaction fees, which are also known as non-sterling transaction fees. Being charged every time you purchase a cocktail at the beach bar will increase your expenses.

So, what should you look for when shopping for a travel credit card?

1. No foreign transaction fees – Avoid those pesky extra costs.
2. No upfront or annual fees – Keep your card expenses to a minimum.
3. Low or no cash withdrawal fees – Access your money without high charges.
4. Extra rewards – Look for perks like cashback, air miles, or reward points.
5. A good exchange rate – Aim for rates close to the mid-market exchange rate, similar to what the Wise card offers.

In addition, a good travel credit card can enhance your travel experience by saving you money and offering additional rewards.

5 best travel credit cards in the UK

Choosing the perfect travel credit card is a big Challenge. With so many options available in the market, it’s not easy to select one from many possibilities. Also, the eligibility criteria for the credit card can be a factor because not every credit card will be accepting everyone

But worry not! To make your decision more simpler, we have framed a list of the best travel credit cards in the UK.

Here’s a quick overview, highlighting their fees, interest rates, and standout features:

Metro Bank Credit Card

Metro Bank’s everyday low-rate credit card is your ticket to hassle-free spending across most European countries. With this card, you can make purchases and withdraw cash without any transaction fees.

When you move beyond Europe you need to pay a 2.99% fee on non-Sterling transactions, irrespective you’re buying something or withdrawing cash. Additionally, each cash withdrawal will cost you an extra £1.50. The card uses your Mastercard’s exchange rate for all currency conversions.

The Metro Bank Credit Card comes with a representative APR of 14.9% (variable), based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200. Do you know What the best part of this card is? There are no monthly or annual fees to worry about.

To Apply for this card you require to visit your local Metro Bank branch. But there’s a silver lining: you’ll get your new credit card printed on the spot, ready for immediate use.

Read More:- 10 Best Start up Business Credit Card

Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card

The Barclaycard Rewards Card is an excellent choice for those who love to travel with a feature of no foreign transaction fees as well as no fees on cash withdrawals. So, whether you’re withdrawing cash in local currency in any part of the world, Barclays card will not charge you any fees. Just be cautious of any fees that might be imposed by the ATM operators.

But that’s not all! The card comes packed with some exciting perks:

• 0.25% cashback on all your everyday purchases.
• Purchase protection on items over £100.
• Up to 5 months of free Apple subscriptions, including Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and Apple Arcade.

Now, let’s about the interest rate. The representative interest rate for purchases stands at 27.9% APR (variable), based on a credit limit of £1,200, which is what most accepted applicants receive.

Thinking you need to know before applying?

• Applicant must be at least 21 years old.
• Have a permanent UK address that you’ve lived at for the past few years.
• A solid history of managing credit and paying on time.

Not sure if you qualify? You can check your eligibility before you apply to make things easier.

Santander All in One Credit Card

The Santander All-in-One Credit Card comes with many exciting features:

• No foreign transaction fees on purchases (though a 3% fee applies for cash withdrawals, with a minimum of £3)
• 0% interest on balance transfers for 15 months, with no balance transfer fee
• 0% interest on purchases for 15 months
• 0.5% cashback on all purchases

But there’s a catch that might change your decision. The card comes with a £3 monthly fee, totaling £36 a year, making it the only card on our list with a fee. The purchase interest rate stands at 21.9% APR (variable), assuming a credit limit of £1,200.

The Eligibility criteria for this credit card are simple as other Credit card providers:-

• Applicant must be a UK resident over 18 years old.
• A minimum annual income of £10,500.

For those looking for premium perks, Santander offers the World Elite Mastercard. This card includes benefits like airport lounge access, Wi-Fi hotspots, and a 24/7 concierge service. However, it comes with a £15 monthly fee and is available only to Santander Select and Private Banking customers.

Halifax Clarity Credit Card

The Halifax Clarity Credit Card stands out as the best choice for your holiday spending. This credit card will neither charge you an annual fee nor charge an extra fee for overseas spending.

In addition, Halifax doesn’t impose fees for ATM withdrawals, though be aware that some ATM operators might charge transaction fees. A key point to remember is that interest begins accumulating from the moment you withdraw cash.

When you spend or withdraw money in different currencies, Halifax uses the Mastercard exchange rate applicable on that particular day. The card’s interest rate applies to each applicant, based on individual credit assessments.

While the Halifax Clarity Credit Card doesn’t come with an array of additional perks, it does provide several extra features:

• Complete fraud protection
• Multiple payment options
• UK-based customer support
• Purchase protection for amounts ranging from £100 to £30,000

The interest rate and credit limit you receive will be based on your application details. Additionally, Halifax offers an eligibility checker tool, allowing you to see if you qualify before officially applying, similar to other providers on our list.

NatWest Credit Card

The NatWest Credit Card stands out with one of the lowest interest rates among its competitors, charging a representative 12.9% APR (variable) on purchases. It’s primarily marketed as the bank’s standard everyday credit card, but its perks extend into travel.

When used abroad, the card impresses by not charging foreign transaction fees on spending. However, a set of 3% fees is charged (minimum of £3) for cash withdrawals.

Additionally, ATM operators in certain countries might charge their fees. As with most credit cards, interest on cash withdrawals starts accumulating immediately.

Being a Mastercard, this credit card benefits from the generally favorable Mastercard exchange rate for currency conversions.

While the NatWest Credit Card doesn’t overflow with extra features, it does offer the option to sign up for an installment plan, allowing users to spread the cost of significant purchases over time.

To Apply for this card online you need to fulfill certain criteria

• Applicant must be a UK resident
• At least 18 years old
• Have an annual income of at least £10,000.

Conclusion

Choosing the best UK credit card for travel is a difficult task. However, having a perfect card for travel can make a significant difference in your travel experience. With the right card, you can earn rewards, enjoy low foreign transaction fees, and get exciting travel perks.

In the above article, our team has mentioned the top 5 best travel credit cards which help you to select the best credit card. Go through the specifications of all the credit cards so that so can choose the perfect travel credit card for your needs.

source used

1. Barclaycard – Barclaycard Rewards
2. Halifax – Travel Credit Cards
3. NatWest – The NatWest Credit Card
4. NatWest – Summary Box for The NatWest Credit Card
5. Santander – All in One Credit Card
6. Metro Bank – Credit Card

Ella

Hello! I’m Ella Patel, a blogger based in India with a strong specialization in the finance sector. My journey into the world of finance and writing is a blend of academic achievements and professional experiences, which I am excited to share with you