Best Travel Cards To Use Abroad

Best Travel Cards

Last updated September 2024

UK

| UK –

September 2024

  • Best exchange rates.
  • Fast approval process.
  • Worldwide spendings & withdrawals.

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Our Top Choice
1

EMI E-money institution (EMI) authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

  • No monthly fee
  • Hold and spend money in 35+ currencies
  • Up to 10% cashback depending on plan and no booking fees on Stays
  • Currency exchange up to £1,000/m with no additional fees, Mon-Fri
  • Round up your spare change to save more
9.8
Editorial Score

Plans & Cards

Standard – Free

No monthly account fee

Plus – £3.99/m

24/7 priority customer support

Premium – £7.99/m

Travel savings and protection

Metal – £14.99/m

No fees on unlimited currency exchange

Ultra – £45/m

Best value

Security Features

  • Safer online shopping with disposable virtual cards
  • Sherlock anti-fraud system
  • Fingerprint identification
154,658  reviews
2

EMI E-money institution (EMI) authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

  • No monthly fee
  • Fee free international transfers, spend in 200+ countries
  • Part of the HSBC Group but no HSBC account needed
  • No UK ATM fees, monthly free international ATM withdrawals
  • Hold 20+ currencies, send 30+ currencies
9.5
Editorial Score

Plans & Cards

Debit Card

Free account
Payment tracking and data management
Move money between your wallets

Security Features

  • 24/7 customer support
  • Part of the HSBC Group but no HSBC account needed
92  reviews
3

FCA-regulated

  • No monthly fee
  • Multi-currency account, zero transaction fees
  • Earn up to 3.5% cashback at top UK retailers
  • Unlimited card loads for free
  • Over 170 countries accept the cards
9.1
Editorial Score

Plans & Cards

Mastercard Prepaid Card

Free account and first card
£0 international payment fees
Multi-currency card

Security Features

  • Money is protected via safeguarding
  • Available human support through live chat (Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00)
10,348  reviews
4

FCA-regulated

  • No monthly fee
  • Free ATM withdrawals up to £200/month
  • Set budgets for your spending
  • Send payments via SMS and Email
  • Get instant notifications
8.8
Editorial Score

Plans & Cards

Monzo Account – Free

Spend, save and manage your money

Monzo Plus – £5/m

Get interest on your money

Monzo Premium – £15/m

Extensive phone and worldwide travel insurance

Security Features

  • Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)
  • Protect your account with Touch ID, Face ID, fingerprint or PIN
24,036  reviews
5

FCA-regulated

  • No monthly fee
  • Use a card anywhere Mastercard is accepted
  • Load up to £12k of GBP or currency per day
  • Phone support 365 days
  • Works with Apple Pay and Google Wallet
8.5
Editorial Score

Plans & Cards

Free account

Yes

Free travel money card

Load a min. of £10 to receive your free Caxton Card

Activation

Card activation online or via the app

Delivery

3-5 days

Security Features

  • Top-up and card security in-app 24/7
  • Block your card at any time of day
  • Phone support 365 days
4,438  reviews
Our Top Choice
1
9.8
Editorial Score
  • Hold and spend money in 35+ currencies
  • Up to 10% cashback depending on plan and no booking fees on Stays
Get all travel perks with 3 mth. of free premium access
🏆 Chosen by 13794 visitors this week

9.8

Editorial Score

Monthly Fee

No fee

Regulation

  • EMI
  • E-money institution (EMI) authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
154,658  reviews

Additional Features

    • Up to 10% cashback depending on plan and no booking fees on Stays
    • Premium overseas medical insurance
    • Premium baggage loss or damage
    • Premium lounge access
2
9.5
Editorial Score
  • Fee free international transfers, spend in 200+ countries
  • Part of the HSBC Group but no HSBC account needed

9.5

Editorial Score

Monthly Fee

No fee

Regulation

  • EMI
  • E-money institution (EMI) authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
92  reviews

Additional Features

    • No UK ATM fees, monthly free international ATM withdrawals
    • Currency conversion fees from 0.2%, fixed per currency. All amounts and days of the week
    • Hold 20+ currencies, send 30+ currencies
    • Real-time currency conversion rates
3
9.1
Editorial Score
  • Multi-currency account, zero transaction fees
  • Earn up to 3.5% cashback at top UK retailers

9.1

Editorial Score

Monthly Fee

No fee

Regulation

  • FCA
10,348  reviews

Additional Features

    • Unlimited card loads for free
    • Hold 20 currencies, save on FX fees
    • An ATM withdrawal fee of £1 worldwide
    • Over 170 countries accept the cards
4
8.8
Editorial Score
  • Free ATM withdrawals up to £200/month
  • Set budgets for your spending

8.8

Editorial Score

Monthly Fee

No fee

Regulation

  • FCA
24,036  reviews

Additional Features

    • Send payments via SMS and Email
    • Get instant notifications
    • No fee for spending abroad
    • 1% currency conversion fee
5
8.5
Editorial Score
  • Use a card anywhere Mastercard is accepted
  • Load up to £12k of GBP or currency per day

8.5

Editorial Score

Monthly Fee

No fee

Regulation

  • FCA
4,438  reviews

Additional Features

    • Delivers cash in 50+ currencies to your home
    • Hold 15 currencies, save on FX fees
    • Block your card at any time of day
    • Phone support 365 days

What is a travel card?

A travel card is a type of payment card that is specifically designed for use while traveling. It can be used to make purchases and withdraw cash at locations around the world, and often offers additional benefits such as rewards programs, currency exchange, and travel insurance.

Overall, a travel card can be a convenient and secure way to manage your finances while traveling, but it’s important to compare different options and carefully consider the fees and benefits before choosing a card.

Travel card features

Exchange rate

Some use the ‘interbank rate’ and others use Mastercard or Visa’s exchange rates. Sometimes, a provider may pick one of the rates and then apply a percentage on top, usually between 1% and 3%.

ATM withdrawal abroad

The ATM withdrawal will likely incur a cash advance fee if you use a card with no foreign transaction fees. However, most companies do not charge withdrawal fees for amounts between £200 and £500.

Foreign transactions

Foreign transaction fees are charges that appear on your card bill when you make a purchase that either crosses a foreign country or is done in a foreign currency. There are some companies that charge no fees for foreign transactions. A typical fee ranges between 1% and 3%.

Multi-currency account

If you want to visit multiple destinations, you can load several currencies onto a single card. You could have different amounts of money stored on the same card. You can lock in rates by converting when you load the cash or store some money in pounds.

Security

When you swipe your card at the ATM or store you’ll get the same level of protection as if you used your bank’s card.

Global use

Usually, MasterCard and Visa cards can be used in millions of places around the world and online. You can use your card at most ATMs in other countries, as well as with most retailers that accept card payments.

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