Best Credit Card for International Travel
No matter how long you are planning to travel for, choosing the best credit card for overseas travel is a great way to manage your finances and save money. Credit cards offer a better exchange rate than currency exchange booths and are a convenient and safe way of making purchases. Not every credit card is made to benefit the traveller. So, here are a few things offered by credit cards that are beneficial to those with wanderlust:
Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees
As mentioned above, credit cards offer a better exchange rate than currency exchange booths. So, to make the most of this rate, it makes sense to look for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Try to pay for everything with your credit card to take advantage of the exchange rate and never choose to pay in your own currency (as the exchange rate will be determined by the card terminal rather than your credit card company).
Here’s a list of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees:
- Bankwest Zero Platinum MasterCard
- Bankwest Qantas Platinum MasterCard
- Bankwest Qantas World MasterCard
- 28 Degrees Platinum MasterCard
- ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures VISA Card
- Coles Platinum Rewards MasterCard
Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
Many credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance. Most of them require a travel-related spend on the card to activate the offer and are a great way to save a bit of money. Check with each credit card to see what the complimentary insurance covers; some even cover family members. They may also include purchase protection insurance, which is great for protecting expensive purchases.
Here’s a list of credit cards with travel insurance for free:
- Bankwest Zero Platinum MasterCard
- Bankwest Qantas Platinum MasterCard
- Bankwest Qantas World MasterCard
- ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures VISA Card
- ANZ Frequent Flyer Black VISA Card
- NAB Rewards Platinum Card
- George Amplify Signature Credit Card
- Citi Signature Rewards Credit Card
Credit Cards with Rewards Programs
Many credit cards are linked to a rewards program. If you spend a lot, this is a great way to reimburse your spending by exchanging points for flights, hotel rooms, goods or even cash back depending on the program. Some credit cards offer very attractive sign up bonuses and airline lounge access as well, so keep an eye out for these if you like collecting points. Choose a card that fits your needs for the best credit card for overseas travel.
Here’s a list of credit cards with rewards programs:
- Bankwest Qantas Platinum MasterCard – Qantas Points: 0.5 points per $1 spent
- Bankwest Qantas World MasterCard – Qantas Points: 0.66 points per $1 spent
- ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures VISA Card – ANZ Reward Points: 1.5 points per $1 spent up to $2000 per statement period (uncapped until 5th August 2017), then 0.5 points per $1 spent. Points can be exchanged for Velocity, Air New Zealand Airpoints, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles or Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer frequent flyer program points. Bonus: Spend $500 in the first three months and enjoy one complimentary return domestic flight + two complimentary single entry lounge passes with Virgin Australia each year until the card is cancelled
- ANZ Frequent Flyer Black VISA Card – Qantas Points: 1 point per $1 spent on eligible purchases up to $7500 per statement period, then 0.5 points per $1 spent. Bonus: 75,000 Qantas points for new cardholders when you spend $2500 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. Get two complimentary Qantas Club Lounge invitations every year and unlimited access to Veloce Airport Lounges
- Coles Platinum Rewards MasterCard – Flybuys points: 2 points per $1 spent uncapped. Bonus: $100 off a single Coles Supermarket shop if you apply and are approved by 30th June 2017. Also, enjoy free delivery for Coles Online Orders over $100
- NAB Rewards Platinum Card – NAB Reward Points: 3 points per $1 spent on Webjet and foreign transactions overseas or online in Australia, 2 points per $1 spent on purchases made in major department and hardware stores and 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. Points can be exchanged for Velocity, Air New Zealand Airpoints or Cathay Pacific Asia frequent flyer program points. Bonus: 80,000 bonus points if you sign up and are approved by 31st May 2017 and spend $2500 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days
- George Amplify Signature Credit Card – Amplify Rewards Program Points: 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible Australian merchants, 3 points per $1 spent on overseas merchants. Amplify Qantas Program Points: 0.75 points per $1 spent on eligible Australian merchants, 1.5 points per $1 spent on overseas merchants. Bonus: 90,000 bonus points if you sign up and are approved by 20th September 2017 and spend $3000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days. Get two complimentary Priority Pass Lounge passes per year for Amplify Rewards Program members or two complimentary Qantas Club Lounge invitations per year for Amplify Qantas Program members. Receive a birthday bonus of 10% on points earned in previous 12 months
- Citi Signature Rewards Credit Card – Citi Rewards or Qantas points: 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases (up to $20,000 per statement period for domestic spend or uncapped for international spend). Bonus: 75,000 bonus points when you use your card within the first 3 months. Free glass of wine every time you dine through the Citibank Dining Program
