Credit cards to use overseas

There are many ways for holidaymakers to take money with them on holiday, including credit cards designed for overseas use. These credit cards generally charge low or no foreign transaction fees, no currency conversion fees and no ATM withdrawal fees while offering travel-centric perks such as complimentary travel insurance, rewards programmes and airline lounge passes. But these cards aren’t entirely cost-free. As the best credit card for you will depend on where you’re travelling, your spending plans and your financial situation, you can use this guide to compare your options and find the right card for your needs.

Comparison of credit cards with no charge for overseas transactions

Updated July 16th, 2019

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Name	Product	Purchases	Balance transfers	Annual/monthly fees	Rep. APR		Incentive	Representative example
The Royal Bank Credit Card		9.9%	6.9%	£0	9.9% p.a. (variable)	Go to site More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The NatWest Credit Card		9.9%	6.9%	£0	9.9% p.a. (variable)	Go to site More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tandem Bank Journey Credit Card Mastercard		24.9%	N/A	£0	24.9% p.a. (variable)	Go to site More Info	No fees for making purchases or withdrawing cash abroad – currencies are converted at the standard Mastercard exchange rate.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Clydesdale Bank B Credit Card Mastercard		9.9%	9.9%	£0	9.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Yorkshire Bank B Credit Card Mastercard		9.9%	9.9%	£0	9.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ulster Bank Credit Card Mastercard		9.9%	6.9%	£0	9.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Metro Bank Personal Credit Card Mastercard		14.9%	14.9%	£0	14.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 14.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 14.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide BS Select Credit Card Visa		0% for 12 months reverting to 15.9%	0% for 12 months reverting to 15.9%	£0	15.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 15.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 15.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander Zero Credit Card Mastercard		0% for 12 months reverting to 18.9%	0% for 1 months reverting to 18.9%	£0	18.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	Retailer offers - 5 Welcome offers of up to 25% cashback at well-known retailers (must switch on Retailer Offers within 60 days of activating card).	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tandem Bank Cashback Credit Card Mastercard		18.9%	N/A	£0	18.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Halifax Clarity Credit Card Mastercard		19.95%	19.95%	£0	19.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	Receive £20 cashback when first purchase made within 90 days of a/c opening until 29.8.19.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander All in One Credit Card Mastercard		0% for 26 months reverting to 15.9%	0% for 26 months reverting to 15.9%	£3 per month	21.7% p.a. (variable)	More Info	0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 15.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 21.7% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money 12 Month Travel Credit Card Mastercard		0% for 12 months reverting to 21.9%	0% for 12 months reverting to 21.9%	£0	21.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	Earn cashback when you shop online with over 500 top brands with Virgin Money Back.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 21.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card		22.9%	0% for 6 months reverting to 22.9%	£0	22.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	Earn 5,000 bonus miles with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 0.75 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend. Spend £20K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to premium, or a Companion ticket. Double miles when you spend directly with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays through the contact centre and online.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
118 118 Money Card Mastercard		0%	0%	£14 per month. Customer with a card credit limit of £1200: £14 per month. Customer with a card credit limit of £225: £8 per month. Customer with a card credit limit of £250: £3 per month	28.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 0% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £14 per month. Customer with a card credit limit of £1200: £14 per month. Customer with a card credit limit of £225: £8 per month. Customer with a card credit limit of £250: £3 per month, your representative rate is 28.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
aqua Advance Mastercard		34.95%	34.95%	£0	34.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	Free Credit Checker provided by TransUnion Credit View, customers receive free unlimited access to their credit score and report.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
aqua Reward Mastercard		34.95%	34.95%	£0	34.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	0.5% on £1 to £20000 of yearly spend. Maximum of £100 cashback paid per year. Cashback paid Anniversary into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is £20000	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander World Elite Mastercard		0% for 18 months reverting to 18.9%	0% for 18 months reverting to 18.9%	£15 per month	49.8% p.a. (variable)	More Info	0.5% on £1 to £3000 of monthly spend. Maximum of £15 cashback paid per month. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 49.8% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card		22.9%	0% for 6 months reverting to 22.9%	£160 per annum	63.9% p.a. (variable)	More Info	Earn 15,000 bonus miles with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 1.5 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend. Spend £10K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to premium, or a Companion ticket. Double miles when you spend directly with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays through the contact centre and online.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £160 per annum, your representative rate is 63.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coutts and Co Silk Charge Mastercard		N/A (this product is a charge card).	N/A	£0	N/A (this product is a charge card).	More Info	Coutts Concierge service that gives you 24/7 access to expert help and advice, from flight information, tickets, accommodation, car hire, emergency currency lost passports, messaging and interpretation services.		Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coutts & Co Silk Credit Card Visa		14.71%	N/A	£0	14.7% p.a. (variable)	More Info	Coutts Travel Rewards available if you shop in the US between 1.7.17 and 30.9.19.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 14.71% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 14.7% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NatWest Reward Black Credit Card Mastercard		18.9%	18.9%	£84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum	37.1% p.a. (variable)	More Info	1% Rewards earned on supermarket spend and 0.5% at their petrol stations, at least 1% Rewards earned at MyRewards retailers and 0.5% everywhere else when shopping at home and abroad. 5 Rewards is £5 when redeemed. Rewards can be converted into money and transferred to a current account, exchanged for gift cards or tickets with some retailers doubling their value or converted into money and donated to one of the RBS Group chosen charities.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 37.1% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card Mastercard		18.9%	18.9%	£84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum	37.1% p.a. (variable)	More Info	1% Rewards earned on supermarket spend and 0.5% at their petrol stations, at least 1% Rewards earned at MyRewards retailers and 0.5% everywhere else when shopping at home and abroad. 5 Rewards is £5 when redeemed. Rewards can be converted into money and transferred to a current account, exchanged for gift cards or tickets with some retailers doubling their value or converted into money and donated to one of the RBS Group chosen charities.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 37.1% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to compare credit cards for overseas travel

With certain credit cards on the market specifically designed for overseas use, there are some important features you should compare to find the right one for you.

International acceptance

In your hunt for a credit card to use overseas, one of the first features to consider is international acceptance. Credit cards with affiliation to Visa or Mastercard find acceptance in most countries around the world, at ATMs and chip and PIN payment terminals alike. Acceptance of Diners Club and American Express cards is not as widespread and their use could attract higher fees.

Credit card fees

To understand how much your card could cost you, consider the following fees when comparing which cards to use outside the UK:

• Foreign transaction fees. When you make an international purchase using your card, your British pounds are converted to the local currency. When this happens, you’re usually charged a fee between 2% and 3%. If you want to avoid this fee each time you make a transaction overseas, consider a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign currency conversion fee.
• Annual fees. If you have a card that’s designed for overseas use and it comes with extra features, it’s likely that it could also come with an annual fee. Before you apply, make sure the value you get from the card outweighs the cost. Some cards also come with no annual fees for a promotional period or for the life of the card, so you should also factor this into your comparison.
• ATM withdrawal fees. If you use your credit card to withdraw funds overseas, you might be charged a few different fees. Firstly, most credit cards charge a cash advance fee when you use your card for ATM withdrawals (whether you’re in the UK or overseas). As well as the cash advance fee, you’ll immediately attract the cash advance interest rate. Secondly, many banks charge an overseas ATM withdrawal fee when using your card for withdrawals outside of the UK. Thirdly, the local ATM provider might also charge a withdrawal fee. If you want to avoid this last fee, consider using a credit card that belongs to an ATM alliance.

Complimentary insurance

If you’re travelling overseas, you’re going to have to organise international travel insurance. Using a credit card that offers complimentary insurance can help you save the time and money you’d otherwise spend on standalone cover. Depending on the card, the international travel insurance usually includes overseas medical insurance, transit accident insurance and travel delay insurance to name a few. The cover might also extend to your spouse or any dependent children travelling with you. As well as travel insurance, some credit cards offer purchase security insurance and extended warranty so you can shop with peace of mind. Complimentary insurance is often a feature of platinum credit cards, so make sure the feature is worth the cost of the card before applying.

Frequent flyer rewards

Using a frequent flyer credit card is an easy way to pick up reward points as you spend overseas. Depending on the card, you might be able to redeem these points for flights with a specific airline, accommodation with partner hotels, travel vouchers, cash back on your account or products from a rewards store. If your card is designed for overseas use, you could earn more points on foreign purchases. Compare frequent flyer credit cards with no foreign transaction fees to earn points without paying an extra cost overseas.

What should I be aware of when using a credit card overseas?

• Merchants or banks that offer to convert the currency for you. Once you’ve sorted yourself out with a card offering fee-free spending overseas, there’s one last crucial point to remember. Whenever you’re presented with the option to pay in the local currency or for the local merchant/bank to convert your funds to the local currency for you, choose to pay in the local currency (otherwise the it will be the local bank or merchant whose currency conversion fee structure will apply, rather than your card issuer’s).
• Adding funds to your credit card. There are certain people who add funds to their credit cards accounts before they leave for overseas, and they then make use of these funds through their card in the form of a debit card. By doing this, you can avoid paying interest. What you should know is that card providers don’t take any responsibility for funds you add to your credit card account. So, if your card is lost or stolen and used for unauthorised transactions, you might lose out on valuable funds.
• Consider other options. Using your credit card is not the only way you can spend money overseas. You can turn to traveller’s cheques and travel money cards, and you can even consider using a Mastercard or Visa debit card. In fact, it’s wise to organise more than one travel money option before travelling to ensure you’re not stranded without cash in case your card is lost or stolen.
• Excessive debt. A credit card may tempt you to overspend while on holiday. It’s important to remember that you have to repay everything you charge (plus interest in most cases), so make sure that you’re spending with a budget in mind so that your balance doesn’t get out of control.

What are the pros and cons of using a credit card overseas?

As you’ve probably gathered by now, the ideal credit card you can use overseas is one that best suits your unique requirements. Given the many options on offer, it’s worth taking some time to compare a few.

How to use a credit card in …