cash for overseas travel

How to Travel Internationally With More Than $10,000 in Cash

Many people wouldn’t dare cross international lines with a lot of cash on them.

The risks are just too great. 

But if you’re traveling to a country where a U.S. debit card or credit card won’t work, bringing cash might be your only option for accommodations, transportation, and food. 

Or, you plan to give that money out as gifts to family and friends abroad.

While it makes sense to travel with some cash, there are specific rules when you travel internationally with $10,000 or more in cash . 

Here’s what you need to know to avoid running into problems, or worse, having your cash confiscated.

Rules for Traveling Internationally With $10,000

You have the right to withdraw your cash whenever you want; and if traveling internationally, you have the right to bring as much cash as you need for your trip.

With that said:

You must abide by government rules to keep your cash when going through U.S. Customs and Border Protection or TSA (Transportation Administration Security).

To be abundantly clear, it’s not illegal to travel with $10,000 in cash internationally .

The truth is:

You can travel with as much money as you like internationally. So if you want to stuff $1 million in cash or monetary instruments into your carry-on bag, there’s no law prohibiting this. 

Reporting cash over $10,000

Just know that anytime you travel internationally with money, you’re required to declare any cash over $10,000.

You’ll have to fill out declaration Form FinCEN 105 and provide the exact amount of money on you. 

Having to declare more than $10,000 in cash might seem a bit odd. But the reason for this rule is similar to why banks have to report withdrawals or deposits of $10,000 or more to the IRS . 

Federal law requires financial institutions to report unusual or suspicious activity, which often includes large deposits.

A single deposit of $10,000 isn’t likely to raise too many red flags with the IRS. But if you make several large deposits, you’ll need to provide an explanation.

Similarly, traveling internationally with more than $10,000 won’t put you in handcuffs, but law enforcement may ask a few questions before letting you continue with your trip. 

Basically, you’ll need to disclose the source of cash and provide a legitimate reason for having a lot of cash with you.

Bank Secrecy Act

The reason for disclosure has everything to do with the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, also known as the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970. 

This law was put in place to help detect and prevent drug trafficking and money laundering. 

Money laundering is the act of disguising money generated by criminal activity, by making it appear as if it came from a legitimate source. Some people attempt to deposit illegal funds in foreign banks.

The bottom line:

Always be upfront about any cash over $10,000 on your customs form.

If you’re not honest, you could have your cash seized. And unfortunately, it takes time to get your money back, if you get it back at all.

As a side note, you’re only required to disclose amounts over $10,000 when traveling to or from the United States.

For domestic flights, you can carry as much cash as you like.

Dangers of Carrying a Large Sum of Cash on a Trip

But even if you have a legitimate reason for traveling internationally with $10,000 or more—or any large amount of cash—it isn’t recommended.

Unlike traveler’s checks or credit cards, you can’t replace cash. And anything can happen on your trip resulting in losing possession of your money.

For example, there’s the risk of theft when traveling to a foreign country. Some people look to take advantage of travelers. They may observe you, watch your activity, and steal your money when given an opportunity. 

Even if you don’t run into criminal activity, there’s the risk of losing your cash.

So the less cash on you, the better. 

If you must travel with a large sum of cash, here are a few tips to protect your funds from loss or theft:

1. Lock your cash in a hotel safe

If possible, book with a hotel that has a safe in each room .

In addition to storing your cash, you can also secure your passport, jewelry, and other valuable items during a trip. 

You can set up a unique code upon checking into your room. When exiting the room, even for a short period of time, make sure the safe is closed and locked.

2. Separate Your Money

In the event that you don’t have access to a hotel safe, don’t keep all your money in the same place. 

Find two or three different hiding places, and keep your money separated. This way, if someone finds a hiding spot and steals your cash, you’ll have some money left for the trip. 

Avoid obvious hiding places like your suitcase.

Instead, stuff some cash inside socks within your suitcase or drawer, or perhaps within a toiletry bag.

3. Only carry what you’ll need

When enjoying outings in your destination country, only carry the cash you’ll need for the day. Keep most of your cash locked away in your hotel room, and travel with small bills. 

Don’t put your wallet in a back pocket or an outside pocket of bags.

Invest in a security belt with a hidden pocket or other on-body storage.

4. Don’t let cash out of your sight

When traveling through an airport, it’s also important to never let cash out of your sight. The worst thing you can do is put your money in checked luggage. 

Many people will have access to your bag before it’s returned to you, increasing the likelihood of theft. Keep your cash in your carry-on bag, buried near the bottom. 

If you have to remove cash from your carry-on bag, do so discreetly and out of public view.

Safe Alternatives for Traveling With Cash

Given the possible risks of traveling with a large sum of cash, consider safer alternatives before heading out of town.

1. Open a worldwide checking account

Depending on how frequently you travel out of the country, it might be worth opening a checking account with a bank that offers global services . 

Many financial institutions are able to accommodate international travel. You can deposit your cash at a U.S. bank branch. If you need to use an ATM in another country, the bank may reimburse your ATM fees. 

There’s also a good chance that you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees when using your debit card worldwide.

Foreign exchange fees are typically charged when using a debit card internationally. On average, the fee is 3 percent of a transaction.

You’ll not only save money, but the ability to use an ATM or your debit card in another country also means you don’t have to convert your money at an airport, which comes with its own expensive fees.

2. Use a credit card without a foreign transaction fee

While it’s good to have some cash when traveling internationally for cab rides, subways, and tours, it’ll be safer to keep most of your cash at home and use a credit card instead. 

But not just any credit card.

You’ll need a credit card that’s accepted worldwide, as well as a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees .

3. Send the money abroad, instead

Maybe you’re visiting friends or family members in another country and you want to bring cash as a gift for them.

Carrying cash in your carry-on bag might seem like the safest, simplest solution. But, it’ll be safer to use other methods that involve sending money abroad.

For example, you can ask your bank about international money transfers, or use money wire services like Western Union or Money Gram. 

You’ll pay a fee to wire money and upload a prepaid debit card, and you might deal with exchange fees.

Compare your options to find the least expensive alternative.

Final Word: Should You Travel With A Lot of Cash?

Traveling with cash is risky, since there’s no way to ensure your cash will arrive to your destination safely. 

To avoid having your money seized, make sure you understand the proper way to travel and declare your cash.

And once you’re at your destination, proceed with caution to keep your money safe and out of the wrong hands.

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UponArriving

How Much Cash Can You Travel With? (TSA & International Rules) [2023]

So you have a load of cash and you want to transport it across the country or perhaps even internationally. But exactly how much cash are you allowed to travel with?

In this article, I will break down everything you need to know about traveling with cash including important rules and limitations when flying.

I’ll also cover a number of key considerations you will want to think about before taking your cash with you when going through TSA or even traveling internationally.

Table of Contents

How much cash can you travel with?

There are no limits on the amount of cash you can travel with but there are some major considerations you need to think about when doing so.

If you are traveling domestically, your primary concern is avoiding forfeiture of your cash.

If you are traveling internationally, forfeiture is a concern but you should also be focused on remembering to declare the value of your currency and monetary instruments totaling above $10,000. Keep reading to find out more.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Legal risks of traveling with cash

TSA is concerned about dangerous threats such as explosives and not with enforcing laws and penal codes. (This is why they do not  check for arrest warrants .)

Your cash money does not present a dangerous threat and so there should be no legitimate concern about it harming other passengers on the plane.

However, in the past there have been reports of TSA agents initiating the process for seizing cash from passengers under the suspicion that it is money gained from an illegal activity or money that is intended to be used on illegal activity.

Think drugs, weapons, and organized crime activities.

The seizing of cash can be accomplished under a number of different statutes including 21 U.S. Code § 881(a)(6) which governs forfeitures.

It states that you have no property right for:

(6) All moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for a  controlled substance  or  listed chemical  in violation of this subchapter, all proceeds traceable to such an exchange, and all moneys, negotiable instruments, and securities used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this subchapter.

It’s possible that if a TSA agent spots a lot of cash on you or in your bag (especially a lot of smaller bills like $20 bills) they could refer you to authorities (i.e., DEA) for some type of questioning.

The authorities may check to see if you are on some type of watchlist but even if you are not they may still deem that your cash is subject to civil forfeiture, which means that it will all be taken from you.

This can happen even if you have not been charged or convicted of any crime.

Some dogs that patrol airports have a nose for cash and a lot of cash has come into contact with illegal narcotics.

In fact, a study by Yuegang Zuo of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2009 found that about  90 percent of banknotes contain traces of cocaine . Traces of other drugs have also been found on cash like codeine, amphetamines and methamphetamines .

That means that “false positives” could be triggered, which could potentially be used as further evidence about your illegal activity (reportedly dogs don’t usually sniff out these faint traces).

If your money is seized you should have the opportunity to petition the process and to retrieve your funds.

It’s an odd legal proceeding where your cash is literally the defendant: “United States of America v. $50,000 in United States currency.”

That’s important because it means that the legal burden of proof is at the civil level which only requires it to be more likely than not that you were up to no good.

This petition process may not be very fun, could last a long time, and could be very costly. For example, you will likely need to hire an attorney which might cost you as much money as you have at stake.

Your success rate could also be very low.

In March 2017, the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General reported that over the course of 10 years, the DEA only returned money in 8% of cases.

And if you do get your money back, if you owe taxes or judgments, those will likely have to be paid out first.

For these reasons, I would try to limit the cash I take through TSA security to maybe just a couple of thousand dollars (If that).

Personally, the most cash I ever carry on me is a couple of hundred bucks.

This may be problematic for people who want to gamble at their destination or who are looking to do things like purchase a car with cash but you should make alternative arrangements to receive your cash at your destination if possible.

Tips for traveling domestically with cash

If you are thinking about traveling through TSA with cash my advice would be the following:

Keep the amount as small as possible

First, avoid bringing more than $2,000 in cash if possible. That should be well below the level considered to be suspicious, as the lowest amount I saw subject to forfeiture was $6,000.

Also, try to avoid $20 bills since those are customarily used in drug deals.

Notify a TSA agent

If you do bring cash consider notifying a TSA agent when you enter the line and see if you can get some type of private or secondary screening.

If you have TSA Pre-Check , an agent might consider you to be less likely to be engaged in criminal activity but that is not a guarantee.

But note that cash has been seized in cases where people notified a TSA agent themselves so this is not a full proof method.

And it goes without saying but do not attempt to conceal the cash on your body such as strapping it to your chest because the full body scanners will find this quite easily.

Avoid checked baggage

You might be thinking about putting the cash in your checked baggage but that is not a good idea.

For one, if the cash was detected you will not be there to explain the situation and you may be caught off guard later when you are brought in for questioning by the DEA.

Second, if your cash is detected it’s possible that an unethical TSA agent could simply decide to take your cash.

And finally, if your luggage is lost you will not be able to retrieve that cash and cash is almost always an exception to baggage insurance policies.

Bring documentation

If you are traveling with a lot of cash because you want to purchase a vehicle or take care of some other transaction make sure that you have all of the supporting documentation already with you in case you are brought in for questioning.

Presenting anything less than an airtight explanation for transporting cash can mean instant forfeiture.

Avoid transporting suspicious items

It is a good idea to avoid transporting other items such as marijuana along with your cash since that will only reinforce the image that you are up to some type of criminal drug activity.

This is even the case if the state you are flying out of has legalized marijuana.

Consider your criminal history

And finally, if you have any type of criminal history — especially cases related to drug infractions — the odds of you encountering an issue with forfeiture go up.

That’s because it will be that much easier for them to make a case against you. Remember, we are talking about a civil court burden of proof — not criminal court.

So you should really reconsider bringing a lot of cash if that applies to you.

The International cash limit of $10,000 and the need to declare

US Customs and Border Protection is clear that you can transport “any amount of currency or other monetary instruments into or out of the United States.”

The caveat is that if the amount of currency exceeds $10,000 or it’s for an equivalent then you will need to file a  FinCEN Form 105  (“Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments”) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This is a pretty simple form to fill out and basically just requires you to input the following information:

• Contact information including passport number
• Export/import information
• Shipping information if applicable
• Details of the currency or monetary instrument

You can file this form electronically at  FinCEN Form 105 CMIR, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (dhs.gov) but you can also file it in paper form.

In addition, if you are entering the United States you must declare if you are carrying currency or any other monetary instruments if they total over $10,000.

You can make this declaration on your Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.

Do not blow off this requirement because failing to declare could mean forfeiture of your money and some pretty serious criminal penalties.

And remember each country has its own policy regarding traveling with cash so you have to make sure you are in compliance with the country you are headed to.

Monetary instrument

Unless you went to law school for three years you might be wondering what a “monetary instrument” is as it’s found on the  FinCEN Form 105 .

US Customs and Border Protection defines it as:

• Traveler’s checks in any form
• All negotiable instruments (including personal checks, business checks, official bank checks, cashier’s checks, third-party checks, promissory notes, and money orders) that are either, in bearer form, endorsed without restriction, made out to a fictitious payee, or otherwise in such form that title passes upon delivery
• Incomplete instruments (including personal checks, business checks, official bank checks, cashiers’ checks, third-party checks, promissory notes, and money orders) signed but with the payee’s name omitted
• securities or stock in bearer form or otherwise, in such form that title passes thereto upon delivery.

In this article we are mostly focused on cash which would most definitely fall under “currency.”

Specifically, 19 CFR § 1010.100(m) defines “currency” as the coin and paper money of the United States or of any other country that:

• (1) is designated as legal tender, (2) circulates, and (3) is customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in the country of issuance. 
• Currency includes U.S. silver certificates, U.S. notes, and Federal Reserve notes. 
• Currency also includes official foreign bank notes that are customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in a foreign country.

The big take away here is that this restriction applies to cash of the US and also other countries.

The cash of pretty much every developed country is going to meet the requirements for currency listed above so it doesn’t matter if you are transporting Great Britain Pounds, Euros, etc.

Keep in mind that each form of currency and monetary instrument counts separately, as well. So if you have $6,000 in cash and a $5,000 traveler’s check, you are above the limit.

And members of a family residing in one household entering the United States that submit a joint or family declaration must declare if the members are collectively above the $10,000 limit.

So if a husband has $4,000 and the wife has $7,000, that family must declare because they are collectively above the limit.  

Items that don’t count as currency

Some items related to currency do not officially count as currency but you still may have to declare them as “merchandise.”

For example, coins of precious metals, including silver and gold, do not fall into the definition of “monetary instrument” or “currency.” 

However, coins of precious metals must be declared as merchandise if they are acquired abroad.

Other articles of precious metals (including gold bullion, gold bars, and gold jewelry) also do not fall into the definition of “monetary instrument” or “currency.”

However, these articles must also be declared as merchandise if they are acquired abroad.

They also have a list of excluded items which includes:

• Warehouse receipts and bills of lading
• Monetary instruments that are made payable to a named person, but are not endorsed or which bear restrictive endorsements
• Credit cards and prepaid cards
• Virtual currencies including Bitcoin

So if you are traveling around with credit limits above $50,000 or a nice stash of cryptocurrency you don’t have to worry about declaring those items.

Factors to consider when traveling with cash

When you are traveling chances are you are going to want to spend some money on various expenses like dining and excursions. It is highly recommended to use a good travel rewards credit card for these expenses for a few reasons.

Getting through security

If you have a bag full of cash money, that bag is going to have to get through security at some point. This may be at the airport, a train station, etc.

As explained in detail above, if a screening agent notices that you have wads of cash in a bag this could potentially raise a red flag and a worst-case scenario of you losing your cash and never getting it back.

The theft risk

Traveling with cash is risky whether you keep that cash on you or you stored in your hotel room.

If you are walking around with cash on you there is always that chance that you could run into a thief. This could be someone who could pick pocket your wallet or cash right out of your clothes or bag.

Or in a more serious case, this could be someone who holds you up with some type of weapon and forces you to handover your cash.

If you are going to travel with cash on your person it’s recommended to have some type of hidden wallet and a dummy wallet in your pocket. Your dummy wallet will have a small amount of cash, perhaps a duplicate credit card and even a duplicate ID to make it look as realistic as possible.

The idea is that if someone were to take that dummy wallet they would only get away with a minimal amount of your valuables. You could then have your real stash of cash hidden beneath your clothing.

If you choose to store your cash in your hotel room you also need to be careful. Putting your cash into a hotel safe is not quite as secure as you might think . In some cases you may actually want to just hide your cash somewhere in the room where a thief would not think to look.

Either way you go, carrying a lot of cash on you is a risk that you need to weigh very carefully.

Travel insurance

You can get travel insurance by paying for your excursions and travels with a good travel credit card.

So if for some reason you purchase a nonrefundable hotel or tour and then you have to cancel because you get sick or for some other covered reason, you can get fully reimbursed for your purchase. In some cases this could put thousands of dollars back in your pocket.

But if you paid for something like your hotel with cash there is a good chance that you will simply be out of luck and get hit with the loss.

Also, you might struggle to even be able to pay cash for certain travel expenses like rental cars .

Foreign conversion fees

When you convert your cash into a foreign currency you will be paying some type of conversion fee and in some cases may be dealing with a subpar rate, especially at those kiosks .

Certain types of ATM cards will allow you to withdraw cash in the local currency with minimal fees but the best way to make purchases abroad is to simply have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Travel credit cards are great about offering rewards on purchases made abroad.

You don’t have to look very far to find a credit card that will earn you extra bonus points on flights, hotels, and even your tours and events. Earning extra points on dining, even when dining abroad, is also easy with cards like the Amex Gold Card.

By paying with cash you are missing out on all of these valuable rewards.

Traveling with a lot of cash can be problematic because that is often how actors travel who are engaged in criminal activities.

Your best bet is to avoid bringing a lot of cash but if you must, try to bring as much supporting documentation as possible and be prepared for questioning and the possibility of you having to fight against the government to retrieve your money.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

Privacy Overview

Here’s How Much Cash You Can Legally Carry (12+ Countries)

If you’re one of those people who like to carry wads of cash and are also an avid traveler, you need to be careful when going abroad (or maybe even within your own country!). Every country has a specific restriction on how much cash you can carry in or out of them. 

Here’s how much cash you can legally carry according to country or region:

• United States of America: $10,000
• Canada: $10,000
• United Kingdom: £10,000 (approx. $13,000)
• EU Countries: €10,000 (approx. $10,900)
• Australia: A$10,000 (approx. $7,500) 
• New Zealand: NZ$10,000 (approx. $7,000)
• China: 20,000 RMB (approx. $5000)
• Japan: ¥1,000,000 (approx. $8,500)
• Singapore: 20,000 SGD (approx. $14,800)
• Other Southeast Asian Countries: $955-$70,000 
• Latin America: $10,000 (except for Bolivia)
• Africa: $10,000 (may vary depending on the country) 

This article will further explain the legalities of carrying cash in the countries or regions listed above. I’ll also cover general tips on traveling with cash, as well as how to stay safe when traveling with cash.

1. United States of America: $10,000

If you’re entering and exiting the United States with over $10,000 worth of cash and similar monetary instruments, you need to fill out the FinCEN Form 105 from US Customs and Border Patrol. You can file the form electronically or carry a physical copy with you. You should also file a Customs Declaration Form along with Form 105.

2. Canada: $10,000 

Canada also requires you to declare anything over $10,000 when you enter and exit the country. You must make your declaration via Form E311, an Automated Border Clearance kiosk, a Primary Inspection kiosk, the CBSA Declaration Card, or orally when communicating with border services. 

3. United Kingdom: £10,000 (Approx. $13,000) 

The UK allows you to carry up to £10,000 (approx. $13,000) worth of cash on your person. Anything above this amount must be declared to border services. Before entering the U.K., it’s a good idea to declare items online via the country’s official government website . 

Once you’re in the U.K., you should declare your goods to a Border Force officer when you pass through immigration. Otherwise, they’ll confiscate your money, and you may suffer a £5,000 penalty (approx. $6,500). They may also refuse to give your money back if they think you’re involved in criminal activities. 

4. EU Countries: €10,000 (Approx. $10,900)

If you’re traveling to any EU country with a minimum of €10,000 (approx. $10,900) in cash, you need to fill out the EU Customs Declaration form, which varies from country to country. You should also check with the national customs administration of the country you’re visiting to ensure you’ve fulfilled all their requirements. 

According to the official EU website, if you are caught with undeclared goods above the legal limits, you can face prosecution and imprisonment. They will also seize your goods and any vehicle used to move them. Depending on how your case turns out, you may not get these items back.

5. Australia: A$10,000 (Approx. $7,500)

If you have cash and other non-cash assets amounting to 10,000 Australian dollars on hand, you have to declare the total value of both to the Australian Border Force. You can fill out a Cross-Border Movement – Physical Currency form before departure.  

6. New Zealand: NZ$10,000 (Approx. $7,000) 

Technically, there’s no restriction on how much cash or its equivalents you can carry into New Zealand. However, if you have anything over 10,000 New Zealand dollars on your person, you need to fill out a Border Cash Report at the airport. 

7. China: 20,000 RMB (Approx. $5000)

When traveling in and out of China, you can carry up to 20,000 RMB (approx. $5,000) whether you’re a Chinese citizen or not. If your cash and its equivalents total $5,000 to $10,000, you need a bank-issued “Permit for Taking Foreign Currency out of the Customs Territory” If you’re carrying over $10,000, you need to get a legal warrant from a State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) agency. 

8. Japan: ¥1,000,000 (Approx. $8,500)

When you enter or exit Japan, you can carry up to one million Japanese yen (approximately $8,500) — including cash, checks, and gold of at least 90% purity — without having to declare anything. Otherwise, you need to fill out a Declaration of Carrying of Means of Payment form.  

9. Singapore: 20,000 SGD (approx. $14,800)

If you’re entering or exiting Singapore with more than 20,000 SGD ($14,800), you have to file a NP727 form to the Customs Red Channel upon arrival, and another one via the immigration counter when you depart. You can pick up the form from any checkpoint (such as the Neighborhood Police Center or Post), or download it directly from the Commercial Affairs Department website. 

10. Other Southeast Asian Countries: $955-$70,000 

As you can see, Singapore has pretty strict rules on foreign currency coming into their country. In the rest of Southeast Asia, you’re free to carry as much cash as you want. However, you may need to declare your cash and its equivalents if they exceed the following amounts.

• Myanmar: $10,000
• Cambodia: $10,000
• Timor-Leste: $10,000
• Indonesia: No more than $70,000 can be brought into Indonesia. You must declare anything over $7,500.
• Laos: $2,000
• Malaysia: $10,000
• The Philippines: Anything over $955 must be given approval from the Philippines Central Bank.
• Thailand: $20,000
• Vietnam: $5,000

11. Latin America: $10,000 (Except for Bolivia)

Most places in Latin America require you to declare any cash or goods exceeding $10,000 upon arrival to or departure from the country. The one exception is Bolivia, which has a regulation that anything over $2,000 must be declared at customs. Otherwise, the countries where the $10,000 rule applies include:

• Argentina 
• Brazil 
• Chile 
• Colombia 
• Costa Rica 
• Ecuador 
• El Salvador 
• Honduras 
• Nicaragua 
• Panama 

12. Africa: $10,000 (May Vary Depending on the Country)

Most popular travel destinations in Africa also require you to declare cash that’s over $10,000 on your person. However, many of the smaller countries set lower minimum amounts. Make sure you check the national website of the country you’re visiting just to make sure. 

Traveling Internationally With Cash 

Technically, there’s no legal limit to the amount of cash you can carry. However, if you have $10,000 of cash or its equivalents on hand, most countries require you to declare the amount upon arrival and departure. If you need to carry more than $10,000 while traveling, there are a couple of things you should take into account. 

• Forfeiture is always a risk. Carrying a suitcase full of cash naturally raises suspicion. If the local authorities have any reason to suspect that your cash is tied to any illegal or criminal activity, they will likely seize it. 
• You can suffer criminal penalties. If the authorities seize your cash, it can be difficult to get it back, especially if you didn’t comply with the local legal requirements.

Filling Out the Customs Form

If the amount of cash you have exceeds the legal amount in the country you’re visiting, you need to fill out a customs form (or its equivalent) at the border. Otherwise, as I previously mentioned, you may face criminal charges or risk getting your money taken from you. 

When filling out the customs form, make sure you declare all monetary instruments on hand. These include:

• Traveler checks 
• Securities or stocks 
• Anything negotiable, including business checks, personal checks, bank checks, cashier checks, third-party checks, etc. This includes checks that are made out to an individual, fictitious or otherwise. 
• Incomplete instruments, including personal checks, business checks, bank checks, third party checks, etc. This includes checks that are not already made out to any payee. 
• Currency 

Other than figuring out which assets you have count as “monetary instruments,” filling out a customs form is pretty easy. Most of them request the following information:

• Basic personal info (name, age, etc.) 
• Passport number
• Shipping information if relevant 
• Information about the cash or monetary instrument/s 

Traveling Domestically With Cash

Similarly, it’s not technically illegal to carry large amounts of cash within the United States. Still, if you choose to travel with at least $10,000 around the country, you could encounter problems that (while relatively minor) can put a damper on an otherwise enjoyable trip.  

For example:

• Carrying a bag full of cash is very suspicious. If a TSA agent notices you have a great deal of money on you, they may take you aside for questioning or alert a security officer. If they’re not convinced that your activities are entirely legal, they may take your money from you.
• You could get unwanted attention from security dogs. According to a study from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, approximately 90% of bills contain traces of drugs. When large amounts of bills are in one place, security dogs are sometimes able to smell the drugs. 
• You may have to take your case to court. When the authorities seize your property, it can become difficult to get back. If you petition the seizure, you’ll essentially be taking the United States government to Court. This can be costly, not to mention a total waste of time. Only about 8% of Drug Enforcement Administration money gets returned to its original owner. 

For the above reasons, having a large amount of money when traveling domestically isn’t recommended. You shouldn’t take anything more than a couple thousand dollars to be safe. 

Tips To Stay Safe When Traveling With Cash

Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of running into any unwanted issues when carrying a lot of cash during your travels. 

Tell a TSA Agent Before They Scan Your Bags

If you alert the TSA agents about what you’re carrying before they check your bags, this can lower their suspicions. After all, if you’re doing anything illegal, you wouldn’t be so open about the fact. Show them any financial documentation you have and let them know why you have so much cash. They may ask you further questions, but if you’re not doing anything wrong, you should be able to get away scot-free.

Bring Your Cash as a Carry-On Instead of Checking It

If you put your cash in your luggage, you can run the risk of losing it. Losing $10,000 (or more) in one go isn’t something you want to happen. Also, if someone finds your cash in a checked bag, you’ll have to explain why it’s there, and it’s more likely the authorities will seize your bag. It’s also possible that there’ll be unscrupulous agents who will take your cash for themselves. 

Bring All Your Proper Paperwork and Documentation

This goes without saying, but you should always make sure you have all the necessary paperwork required by your travel destinations. That way, you can enjoy a stress-free travel experience knowing that you’ve taken all the necessary steps to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

Don’t Carry a Lot of Cash if You Have a Criminal History

When a TSA agent spots a lot of cash in your belongings, they may look you up to see if you have a criminal background. If you do, they’re much more likely to seize your money. In this case, as I mentioned earlier, you should carry up to two thousand dollars at most and let your debit or credit card cover the rest.

Protect Your Belongings Against Theft

Theft is always a possibility when you have a lot of cash on you. To protect yourself, you should always keep your money on you. If you’re traveling to a country that’s notorious for pickpockets preying on foreign tourists, you should look into buying anti-theft items such as a money belt. 

No matter where you travel, never make it obvious you have a lot of money on you. Don’t leave the part of your bag that contains the cash open. Instead, keep a small amount of bills where you can access them easily every time you need to buy something. 

Purchase Travel Insurance

Good travel insurance will protect you and your belongings up to a certain amount. Many insurance companies provide reimbursement if anything of yours is stolen or damaged. That said, double-check with your travel insurance company to see if they cover stolen money.

Conclusion 

Although it’s perfectly legal to travel domestically and internationally with a great deal of cash, I don’t recommend it. You have to jump through a lot of bureaucratic hoops to carry the money safely. Also, there are risks due to the suspicion raised when you carry that much money. It’s a lot easier and safer to leave your money in the bank and convert it when you arrive. If you have to carry a lot of cash when you travel, make sure you follow the regulations of the countries you’re visiting.

I've been everywhere, man. Crossed the deserts bare, man. I've breathed the mountain air, man. Of travel, I've had my share, man. I've been everywhere!

The cheapest ways to access your money overseas

With the right travel money tips, you may not need to carry much with you..

October 19, 2022 | 4 min read

You’ve been planning your trip abroad for ages.

You’ve scoured websites to find the best deal on your flights. You’ve spent hours searching for the right hotel in the right spot at the right price. You’ve even mapped out the best restaurants, iconic tourist attractions and ideal sunset spots to Instagram so you can make your followers a little envious.

It’s great that you’ve  saved  and planned what you can afford. Now it’s time to turn that budget into a vacation that you’ll remember forever.

While you’ve been busy  budgeting for your trip , you may not have considered some of the  unexpected costs  that can throw your budget off course like possible fees and currency exchange rates that might impact what you can actually spend. Use this guide to prepare for all the ways you can access your money abroad and keep your travel budget intact.

Plan to access your cash

Since not everyone will accept credit and debit payments, you’ll want to have some cash in your wallet. Some restaurants and taxis, for example, only accept certain credit cards—if they accept them at all. Plus, you may want to  tip along the way .

That doesn’t mean you have to take a pocketful of cash with you. In fact, the best way to withdraw cash abroad could be in your pocket already.

Like no-transaction-fee credit cards , there are no-transaction-fee debit cards. If your travel money is in a  checking account with no foreign transaction fees , you’re ahead of the game. Foreign ATM fees can be a bigger cost than you might have realized. Some fees can be as high as $5 per transaction, plus around 3% of the amount you’re withdrawing. 1

To get you started, one of the best ways to bring money overseas is to exchange some currency at home before you board your flight. That can give you some peace of mind and keep you from scrambling when you reach your final destination. You’ll want to give yourself a few days to exchange your currency because your local branch may need time to get the currency you want. The steps may vary based on your bank, but generally this is how you exchange currency at your local bank:

• Call your bank 2 or 3 days before you want to exchange currency.
• Tell them how much you want and in what currency.
• Wait for it to be delivered to your local branch for pickup.

You’ll want to keep in mind that not every bank will have easy access to every form of currency. Remember to call your bank ahead of time in case you need to make other arrangements such as an international currency exchange.

Avoid dynamic currency conversion

While it may seem like a handy thing for a vendor, a concierge or an ATM to convert your transactions to dollars, there can be hidden costs and substantial markups on top of a foreign transaction fee. 2 You’ll also want to keep in mind the exchange rate from the U.S. dollar to your destination’s currency.

Downloading a conversion rate app to your smartphone will help you spot the moments when such extraordinary rates are being offered. It could also help you find the best way to change money abroad by keeping you up to date on the rates.

Wait, what about traveler’s checks?

Traveler’s checks were created to help people travel with less cash. To get some for your trip, you go to your bank and request them in predetermined amounts. You can then use them to pay bills or exchange for cash. While it seems straightforward, there can be drawbacks to using them.

Like the checks for your checking account, traveler’s checks are becoming less and less common. That means that they can be harder to get a hold of before you travel and it’s harder to find places that will accept them. 3 While they might be useful to have for emergencies or if you have no access to a debit or credit card, they’re not typically one of the most convenient ways to spend abroad.

Avoid foreign transaction fees

In general, the best way to spend abroad is to have access to your money without additional fees. That means you’ll want to think about all the ways you spend and any foreign transaction fees that might come with them. If you have a bank account or credit cards, check to see if they charge foreign transaction fees. It’s a big help to your budget if they don’t.

How much cheaper will it be not to have those extra fees? Foreign transaction fees are typically 3%, so every $1,000 you spend, will actually be $1,030. While 3% might seem small, it can certainly add up. 4

Let’s get packing!

One final thing to remember as you pack your bags, check your passport and grab your tickets: Call your bank and credit card companies to let them know your travel plans. That way, they won’t freeze your accounts when international charges pop up unexpectedly.

Now that you’ve read up on these money tips for accessing cash overseas, all that’s left to say is bon voyage!

Related Content

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Money and Other Monetary Instruments

You may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, if it is more than $10,000, you will need to report it to CBP. Use the online Fincen 105 currency reporting site or ask a CBP officer for the paper copy of the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen 105). The penalties for non-compliance can be severe.

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10 Smart Ways to Carry Money While Traveling

Christine Sarkis

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis .

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times , Conde Nast Traveler , and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008 . She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : The Trtl Pillow . It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto : Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at [email protected] .

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Carrying money on vacation is a balancing act between safety and utility. Making money difficult to access deters thieves, but when it comes time to pay for something, you still want to be able to get to it without stripping off clothes or playing hide-and-seek with a bag’s hidden pockets. With that in mind, here are 10 tips that will help you carry money safely and elegantly while traveling.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Divide Money

Even if you disregard all other advice about carrying money, take this tip to heart: Whenever possible, divvy up your travel cash and even credit cards into multiple safe spots. If you have all your money in one place, it only takes one incident for a thief to totally wipe you out.

When possible, leave all the cards and cash you won’t need immediately in a secure location in your hotel or vacation rental. And when you’re out and about, keep some of your money attached to your person (see below for ideas about how to wear money securely), and some in a bag you carry. If you’re smart about how you distribute your funds, you’ll still have enough money to get to a police station or back to your hotel in the event your bag gets lost or snatched.

The Best Credit Cards for Travelers

Favor On-Body Storage

Under-clothing storage accessories have come a long way since neck pouches and money belts came onto the scene. Though those classics are still effective, newer options include bra stashes , as well as long johns , underwear , and undershirts with built-in pockets for safe storage. On-body storage accessories are particularly useful if you’re sleeping somewhere that doesn’t have a secure place for cash and other valuables.

Note that on-body storage isn’t a good wallet alternative, since fishing around under your clothes for money advertises where you’re hiding the goods.

Keep Small Bills Handy

Changing or withdrawing large amounts of money minimizes the fees you’ll pay to get local currency, but it also means you’ll be traveling with far more cash—and larger bills—than you’d likely have on you at home. In addition to dividing your money, it’s also wise to make smaller denominations of currency easily accessible. That way, you won’t pull out the local equivalent of a $100 bill while attempting to buy a 30-cent souvenir. You also won’t have to reach down into your jeans to get more money from an under-clothing money pouch.

Make money preparation part of your morning routine: As you’re packing your bag, make sure you’ve got a variety of small bills and coins at the ready for purchases such as food, souvenirs, and attraction entry fees. Squirrel away larger bills in your under-clothing money pouch , or tuck them into a secure part of your wallet or bag.

3 Incredible Money-Saving Tips from a Flight Attendant

Carry an Anti-Theft Bag

If garbage-bag commercials have taught us anything, it’s that some bags are tougher than others. The same goes for travel purses , backpacks , and bags —some, designed specifically for travel, have features such as cut-proof, steel-cable-reinforced shoulder straps; slash-proof fabric; and locking zippers.

Since elements like these slow down thieves, anti-theft bags can do a decent job deterring opportunistic pickpockets. Anti-theft bags are available online from Arden Cove , Pacsafe , Travelon , and other retailers. Consider your purchase an investment that might save you some money.

Trim Your Wallet

Are you going to need your library card when you’re 6,000 miles from your local branch? Probably not. Before you leave, take the time to go through your wallet and take out everything except the necessities (a primary credit card and a backup, an identification card, an insurance card, etc.). Not only will it help you travel lighter, but if your wallet does get lost or stolen, you’ll have fewer items to replace.

How to Save Money on Gas: 8 Easy Tricks

Use a Dummy Wallet

If you’re traveling in a place known for pickpockets or muggings, consider getting a cheap wallet that looks real enough to use as a decoy that you can keep in your pocket or bag. Pad the wallet with some small bills and make it look more real by slipping in one or two of those sample credit cards you get with offers in the mail. A dummy wallet can stop pickpockets before they get to your real wallet.

Buy a Travel Wallet

In addition to a dummy wallet, you might also consider a wallet that you reserve specifically for travel. There’s one simple reason for this: If you’re the type of person whose day-to-day wallet is packed with cards—gym memberships, prepaid coffee cards, frequent-buyer punch cards, and the like—the card pockets are likely to be stretched out and won’t be able to securely hold just an item or two. By keeping a travel-only wallet at the ready, your cards will have snug pockets that they can’t slip out of accidentally.

As an added bonus, you won’t have to unpack and repack your day-to-day wallet; you can simply transfer what you need for your trip to your travel version.

Is It Better to Pay in Local Currency or USD When Given the Option Abroad?

Adapt to the Local Money Culture

Being prepared to pay your way on vacation means different things depending on where you are. In a cash economy, you’ll need to make sure to have a variety of bills and coins on hand at all times, but your credit cards will likely just collect dust.

However, in much of Europe and parts of Asia, where automation is common and chip-and-PIN credit card technology is standard, having a compatible credit card will come in very handy, especially if you find yourself at an unattended gas station late at night or a train station after hours. Also keep in mind that in some countries, U.S. dollars are an official or unofficial secondary currency, so it’s wise to keep a few greenbacks at the ready.

Use Money Alternatives

In high-traffic settings such as metro stations and close quarters like bus lines, it’s nice to be able to forgo cash or credit card transactions and rely instead on a multi-use ticket or other cash alternative. If you’re in a city where the public transportation system offers multi-use cards (for instance, London’s Oyster card or San Francisco’s Clipper card) or where you can buy a bunch of tickets at once for a discounted price, then take advantage. You’ll reduce your chances of losing your wallet simply by retrieving and stowing it fewer times.

Where to Get the Best Exchange Rate When You Need a Foreign Currency

Stow Valuables Securely

Sometimes the best way to carry money is not to carry it at all . Hotels’ in-room safes are generally pretty secure, and if you’ve got an item (or a wad of cash) you’re particularly nervous about, check to see if the hotel has a safe-deposit box behind the desk. If you do use a hotel lockbox of any sort, remember to retrieve your items when you leave. In the rush to pack up and depart, out of sight can easily mean out of mind—until you’re on your way to the airport. If you’re a forgetful type, leave a colorful note on top of your suitcase .

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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Don’t waste your money while traveling internationally. How to save when going abroad.

• Don't use your debit card to pay for anything but ATM withdrawals.
• Both cash and credit are useful for different transactions.
• You can get foreign currency from your bank, a currency exchange kiosk or an ATM.

Get more news like this delivered to your inbox by signing up for our Travel newsletter here . 

You’re finally taking that big trip abroad.

For as much time and energy you’ve spent saving up and searching for the best deals on flights or cruises, places to stay, and travel experiences, it would be a shame to blow extra money at the last minute. But that’s what you’ll be doing if you don’t use your cash and credit wisely.

“The thing I never, ever, ever recommend doing abroad is (using) your debit card to pay for things unless you're withdrawing money from an ATM,” said consumer savings expert Matt Granite, who’s known as The Deal Guy on YouTube .

Here’s why and what else travelers should know before visiting another country:

Learn more: Best credit cards of 2023

Can you use debit cards internationally?

Yes, but Granite strongly discourages using it to pay for anything but ATM withdrawals.

“You've just given a terminal that you are unfamiliar with access to your bank account with a pin. You've absolutely no idea what happens beyond that point,” he warned. 

Is it better to travel with cash or credit?

“You generally want cash on you, always, in case of an emergency,” Granite said. 

Cash is also useful for gratuities and small purchases. For larger transactions, he recommends credit, provided there are no foreign transaction fees.

“You're more likely to encounter fraud or operators not necessarily giving you what you've paid for when you're in a remote area where you don't know where you are, you don't know who you're dealing with. The potential for a ripoff is a lot higher than where we're on our own territorial ground,” Granite said. “So always use your credit card because if there is a problem, you are not responsible for your purchase. You have coverage. You have fraud investigations. They'll put a hold on a suspicious transaction. You have everything in the world working for you.”

How can I avoid foreign currency transaction fees?

Call your credit card company or look up their policies online before leaving for your trip, and avoid using any cards that charge fees.

How much cash should you travel with internationally?

“I would say that anyone traveling for more than three days in a country should have the equivalent of at least $300 with them,” Granite said. 

He suggests the equivalent of $500 for families, adding that it could be less for destinations where the dollar is strong.

“You always need to say to yourself: ‘What do I do if I need to get from an airport to a hotel to pay for one night of the hotel when my credit card is stolen?” he said. “You need to be able to survive abroad for 24 to 48 hours, where your credit card company can emergency FedEx or DHL your (new) credit card to you.”

Where are US dollars accepted?

Several foreign countries use the U.S. dollar as official currency or tender. They include:

◾ Bonaire , St Eustatius and Saba

◾ British Virgin Islands

◾ El Salvador

◾ Marshall Islands

◾ Micronesia

◾ Timor-Leste

◾ Turks and Caicos

U.S. dollars are also the currency in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. Some businesses in other destinations accept dollars at will.

How to get foreign currency

There are several ways to get foreign currency before and during your trip. You can order foreign currency from your bank for a fee. You can exchange cash at a currency exchange kiosk, though the exchange rate will not favor you. You can also withdraw cash at an ATM at your destination.

“Another trick that I use is if you are traveling and you do have a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees, you can often get very good exchange rates from both chain and boutique hotels to a limit,” Granite said, explaining that the front desk can give you local currency, then add that amount to your hotel bill like a room incidental. “Not all hotels can, but many hotels, specifically in Europe, will be very pleased to do so.”

Should I get foreign currency before I travel?

You don’t need to, but if you want to, Granite said, “Your bank can definitely give you a wonderful experience, provided the U.S. dollar is stronger before you leave.” 

“For example, if you were traveling to Canada, it is 100% in your favor to get the Canadian dollar from the U.S. bank before you travel if the U.S. currency is stronger. But when we're looking at currencies like the British pound, better to do everything when you get to London, not beforehand,” he added. 

Where is the best place to exchange currency?

Many travelers prefer to withdraw from ATMs at their destination for better exchange rates, but there are instances when you may opt for a pricey currency exchange kiosk instead.

“Those booths, they're generally in very well-lit areas. They're very secure. They're often in airports or in the mecca center of a city if you are traveling somewhere where you have concerns over your safety,” Granite said, recalling one of his past trips. “I would have gotten a considerably better rate by going to some of the ATMs that were not in areas (where) I should be walking at certain times of the day. I will gladly take the hit of $15 on a $100 withdrawal for safety.”

Consider how much you take out if you use a currency exchange booth.

“Some people will have the concept of they're going to take a little bit and they're going to find an ATM, and then they're going to be OK,” he said. “But the more you withdraw from those places, the rates are generally more within your favor. And there's generally a maintenance or a convenience fee attached to that one transaction, so you're paying $15 whether you take out $5 or $1,000.”

Can I withdraw money at a foreign ATM?

Yes, but watch out for fees. 

Just like at home, you may be charged usage fees by both the ATM and your bank for withdrawing cash out of network. 

You can avoid or limit those fees by sticking to ATMs within your bank’s Global ATM Alliance , Granite said. You can look up banking partners online before you even leave home. Apps like ATM Fee Saver can help you locate fee-free ATMs while traveling.

Be aware that if your bank account normally limits the number of withdrawals you can make each month before incurring fees, foreign withdrawals also count toward that limit, he warned.

He also reminded travelers that ATMs are legally required to disclose fees on screen.

“If you find an ATM you don't like, you can decline. You can take your card out, and then you can walk a block and go to the next ATM,” he said. “I think a lot of people feel compelled – it's a weird psychological thing – that once your card is in the machine, you have to complete your purchase. That is actually not the case.”

Can you withdraw cash on a credit card?

Yes, but you should avoid it.

“Always use your debit card when you're going to an ATM. The credit card fees are horrendous,” Granite said. “No one will ever have a good experience using a credit card and an ATM, and there should be no reason to do so unless your account is completely empty, and by that point you have other problems.”

He also warned that if your debit card is co-branded with a major credit card company, like Visa or Mastercard, make sure withdrawals are made as debit, not credit.

Do I need to notify my credit card of international travel?

Not necessarily.

“Most credit card companies these days, within the last three to five years, have such sophisticated AI on you, they've already known you've booked your trip,” Granite said. “They've figured out somewhere along the way that you have a flight or you have a tour, or you've browsed on their app, something tied to where you're going, and they know you're going.”

There’s no need to tip in Japan. Here’s what else travelers should know.

Should I pay in foreign currency or USD?

“Always use your credit card in the local currency,” Granite said. “When you put your credit card into a machine to pay for something and it asks you, Do you want to convert? Never convert.”

How to get rid of leftover foreign currency

The easiest way to get rid of extra foreign currency is to spend it.

“You almost never want to convert it back,” Granite said. “If you do end up with too much cash, which we have on trips before, we'll do things like pay for the balance of our hotel using cash.”

Another option is to hold onto the currency if you think you’ll go back to the destination.

“I find that even if you put that cash into an envelope and it sits in the safe, and you go back three years later, I never forget when I have pounds or euros in the safe based on what it took me to get them,” Granite said.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

How much money can you bring into and out of the U.S.?

There is a limit on how much undeclared money you can bring into and out of the U.S. Find out how much, how to declare it, and what the penalties are if you do not report it.

How much money do you have to declare when you travel to or from the U.S.? 

If you are traveling with an excess of $10,000, you must report it to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer when you enter or exit the U.S. But there is no limit to the amount of money you can travel with. 

Currency and monetary instruments that are subject to this rule include U.S. and foreign:

• Paper money and coins
• Travelers’ checks
• Cashier’s checks
• Promissory notes
• Money orders

Learn how the U.S. government defines these currency and monetary instruments.

How to report money when you travel

To report to CBP that you are bringing more than $10,000 in currency or money instruments into or out of the U.S., do one of the following:

• Fill out the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen 105) online
• Fill out and print Form FinCen 105 before you travel and present it to a CBP officer
• Ask a CBP officer for a paper copy and fill it out at customs

If you are an international traveler entering the U.S., you must declare what currency or monetary instruments you have on CBP Form 6059B . This is in addition to declaring it on Form FinCen 105.

Learn more about reporting money when you travel , including how to do it if you are submitting a joint or family declaration. 

What happens if you do not declare that you are carrying more than $10,000?

If you fail to report to CBP that you are bringing more than $10,000 through customs or do so fraudulently, the penalties may include:

• Confiscation of all currency or monetary instruments
• A fine of up to $500,000
• Up to 10 years of imprisonment

LAST UPDATED: August 2, 2024

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4 Best Ways to Take Travel Money Overseas in 2024

Travelling can be exciting. From trips to see family and friends overseas, to exploring new cities or taking a beach break, or even travel for business. But whether you’re off on a well earned break to Bali, or headed to the US for work, you’re going to need to figure out the best way to spend money overseas.

Deciding the best way to travel with money overseas without getting hit by high fees and bad exchange rates can be a headache. But it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of different ways of taking money overseas, each of which has its own pros and cons. This guide walks through 4 of the best ways to pay overseas so you can decide on the option that suits you best.

What are the best ways for Australians to spend money abroad?

As Australians, we  love  travelling. And while we travel, we need access to money. It's not the most glorious part of our travel plans, but it's equally important to decide on the best travel money option for us so we're not left feeling negative at any stage of our trip.

The problem is, it can be tricky working out the best travel money option to use. The fact is, the best one for you will really depend on what you need from the travel money type you're using.

Travel Debit Card

Prepaid Travel Card

Travel Credit Card

Foreign Currency Cash

Wise card - our pick for travel debit card.

Open a Wise account online or with your card, and order a Wise travel debit card to make it easier and cheaper to spend while you’re away. Plus if you need cash for travel you can get some fee free ATM withdrawals overseas every month, too.

Once you have a Wise account and card you’ll be able to top up your account in AUD and either switch to the currency you need in your destination, or just let the card do the conversion for you at the point of payment. In either case you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.43%, with no foreign transaction charge to worry about.

Find out more about the Wise card .

Debit Cards offer the convenience of a credit card, but work differently. They draw money directly from your bank account when you make a purchase. It's designed for everyday money transactions and means that you're not accumulating debt.

A debit card could make you stick to your travel budget, because you can't overdraw money from your account.

Benefits include:

• Direct access to your savings
• ATM withdrawals worldwide
• Security features like disposable virtual cards and zero-liability if lost or stolen

What are the fees?

• Currency conversion fees for all debit card payments in foreign currency
• Dynamic currency conversion fees if you don't choose the local currency to pay
• Flat fee or percentage-based ATM withdrawal fees
• Foreign ATM fees
• Flat fee or percentage fee for debit card purchases via EFTPOS

How do you get a travel debit card?

• Apply : Compare everyday transaction options and open account
• Give details : Bring personal I.D. You need be over 16 years old and have an Australian address
• Activate your account : get your debit card through mail
• If you haven't received your card, visit your branch or call your chosen provider to check

Tips when travelling with a travel debit card

If you get a travel debit card from a specialist like Wise you won’t usually need to tell the provider you’re headed on holiday. However, there are a few smart things you can do to make using your debit card easier and more convenient when you’re away:

• Make sure you know how to top up your account so you can add more money easily if you need to
• Check you know how to freeze and unfreeze your card (this can usually be done in the app)
• Keep a note of how to contact the provider, just in case your card is lost or stolen while you’re away
• Use a currency conversion tool to keep an eye on exchange rates - if rates change in your favour you might want to lock them in by converting some AUD to your destination currency in advance
• Always pay with the local currency wherever you are to avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC)

Revolut - out top pick for prepaid travel cards

Revolut offers digital accounts you can manage through their app, and prepaid travel debit cards that can be used to spend in 25+ different currencies. You’ll need to open an account online or in the Revolut app and have your card sent to your home address, but you can then add funds in dollars and spend easily at home and abroad.

There’s no fee to spend a currency you hold in your account, and all accounts get some fee free ATM withdrawals and some currency conversion which uses the mid-market exchange rate. However, there are limits to the free transactions you can get, which are set according to the account type you choose, with fair usage fees after that. 

Prepaid travel cards are a good alternative to carrying cash. With prepaid travel cards, you load the card with a set amount of money in the currency you need. You can then use it to make purchases online, in stores and to withdraw money at ATMs.

Most travel cards allow for different currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.

• Load money upfront so you can budget
• Access multiple currencies
• Lock-in your foreign exchange rates
• Replaceable if lost or stolen
• Frequent flyer points
• Back-up card sometimes on offer

• Exchange rate margins for your initial load
• Exchange rate margins when you close the card
• Flat or percentage-based fees to load the card
• Overseas ATM withdrawal fees
• Exchange rate conversion fee when you use the card
• Reload fees
• Closing fees

How do you get a prepaid travel card?

• Get a card : Compare prepaid card options and purchase your card online, at a bank or through your airline loyalty program
• Activate and register : call the phone number or go online to activate and register
• Load : add funds to your card in-store at time of purchase or online
• Use : Make purchases or withdraw money from ATM
• Reload : Add more funds to your cards via bank transfer/Bpay online

Tips when getting with a prepaid debit card

Prepaid debit cards can be convenient and safe ways to spend when you’re overseas. Generally using a prepaid card is as easy as using your bank card - but you might find your foreign currency spending costs you less in the end. Here are a few extra tips:

• Check that the prepaid travel card you’ve selected supports the currency you need in your destination
• Look out for foreign transaction fees or conversion fees, which may apply if you don’t switch your funds over to the destination currency in advance
• Make sure you know how to add more funds and manage your account and card once you’re away
• Keep a record of who to call if your card is lost or stolen
• If you intend to use your card again for next year’s holiday make sure there are no inactivity fees - these often apply if you don’t use your card for 6 or 12 months
• Choose a card on a major network like Visa or Mastercard for the best global acceptance

Westpac - travel credit card

If you’re considering a travel credit card, the Westpac Reward Altitude Black might be a good bet. You can earn rewards every time you use your card, but the rate at which you earn is far higher at 6 points per dollar, when you spend with partner airlines including Qantas, Jetstar and Emirates. There are also some other retailers which offer higher points earning opportunities, such as Airbnb and Uber, with all other spending accruing rewards at 1.25 per dollar. 

Once you have reward points banked you can use them to pay for purchases, as cash back, to get gift cards, or when buying flights. Bear in mind that this card has a minimum income requirement of 75,000 AUD/year, plus annual fees, foreign transaction fees and cash advance costs.

Credit cards have been around for a long time. But now there are specialised travel credit cards. These cards give you longer to pay back what you've spent, but the interest rates can be quite high.

The main advantage with travel credit cards are the reward points you get in return when you spend. But it only works if you pay off the balance in full each month.

Credit cards are great to use for car hire, restaurants and accommodation - larger expenses that are easier for you to pay back over time. Some services only take credit cards to hold purchases so it's handy to have while you travel.

• Access to credit - often greater than your savings
• Security features like card fraud protection and zero-liability
• Low or no transaction fees
• Frequent flyer points or rewards
• Extra perks - travel insurance, purchase protection, airport lounge access, wifi, or concierge services
• Widely accepted - visa and mastercard is accepted almost everywhere

• Annual fees
• Reward scheme fees
• Cash advance fees
• Interest charges

How do you get a travel credit card?

• Build credit history - pay your bills on time
• Choose your type of credit card : low rate, low fee or rewards points
• Apply  for a credit card: Bring personal details, photo ID and proof of income
• Register for a new account if you don't have one
• Receive credit card in the mail if approved

Tips when getting a travel credit card

If you’re interested in using a credit card to spread the cost of your travel, and don’t mind paying a few fees to do so, a travel optimised credit card can be a great option. You’ll usually find you earn extra points, miles or rewards when you spend on travel - and you can then normally switch points for discounts on your next travel booking, too. Here are a few tips to bear in mind when you get a travel credit card:

• Make sure you’ve checked eligibility requirements as there may be a minimum income to apply
• Look for a card which offers extra rewards for spending with merchants you use anyway
• Check out how you can redeem points, and whether there are expiry dates or black out dates for travel booking, which can limit your options
• Weigh up the costs of the annual fee and any interest charges against the points or rewards you’ll earn
• Bear in mind you might have to pay a foreign transaction fee when you’re abroad, which may mean this is a better option for spending at home and accumulating points to get a cheap flight, rather than to take along with you 

It may sound obvious, but the most convenient way to carry money overseas remains cash. Virtually everywhere accepts it. Some places only accept cash, particularly in Asian and African countries.

It's always a good idea to have a little cash handy, even if only for emergencies and tipping. But keep it secured in a safe place.

Getting cash is best when you:

• Want to lock in a rate
• Want to stick to a budget
• Have a secure place to keep it
• Like to bargain for a better price for a product
• Don’t have precious time to waste hunting down the nearest ATM
• Want to avoid card fees every time you need to pay for something

Getting cash is  not great if you:

• Want the absolute best rates
• Need to pay by credit card
• It can easily be stolen
• Need to make a claim for stolen cash on your travel insurance
• Are visiting multiple countries and plan to exchange money at each local currency provider
• Can only exchange money at the airport
• Flat fee or percentage-based currency conversion costs
• Delivery charges

While not a fee, you also should consider the exchange rate you're getting when you convert your Australian dollars

How to organise foreign cash online?

• Compare: foreign exchange rates for cash
• Select your currency and amount : then choose delivery or pick-up
• Pay : Online pay by card, Bpay or bank transfer
• Get your cash : In 2-5 business days

Buying money at the bank before you go

Banks usually give competitive exchange rates and fees, but shop around various banks and other providers as you might save a few dollars. At a bank, if you buy $1,000 worth you can pay more than $25 in fees and commissions.

Order your currency about a week before your trip (allow longer for uncommon currencies), because some money changers won't have the currency you want in stock.

Best way to withdraw money overseas?

Withdrawing money from a local ATM once you arrive in your destination is convenient, and can be safer than carrying a lot of cash all at once - but it can also be expensive.

The exact costs you incur will depend on the specific card you use, including whether it’s a credit or debit card. With either card type you’ll need to check what foreign transaction fee is levied - this is often about 3% every time you withdraw. If you’re using a credit card you’ll usually also pay a cash advance fee which is a further percentage charge, and you may start to accrue interest instantly, too.

Getting a travel debit card, like the Wise card, can be a good option for taking money out from ATMs in the local currency. With Wise you get some fee free withdrawals every month, with low costs after that - plus there’s no foreign transaction fee, and you’ll get the mid-market rate every time.

How much cash can I take overseas

There’s not actually a cash limit for overseas - but you’ll need to report to AUSTRAC or at the border if you’re exporting currency (AUD or any other currency) of 10,000 AUD or more in value.

In reality, the more cash you carry, the more you’re risking if you’re unfortunate enough to be the victim of crime. Carrying a small amount of cash, plus one or more cards to make withdrawals as and when you need to, is usually a more sensible option.

Want to learn more about travel money card providers?

We review some of the best travel money cards on offer from the following providers. They’re some of your cheapest options to take travel money with you. We’ve shared information on:

• An overview of each travel money card, giving you some quick, useful insight.
• The advantages and disadvantages of each travel card or account and why you might choose to use them.
• Fees, exchange rates and limits.
• The currencies and extra benefits the card has to offer.
• Safety and security of the provider that offers the card.

To find out how to compare travel cards, use our travel card guide .

Thinking about getting your travel card through your bank?

Banks are almost always more expensive than companies that specialise in travel money. They charge high fixed fees and worse exchange rates than you can get from companies like Wise , Revolut and similar businesses.

To make a fair comparison,  we’ve reviewed all of these banks and shared pros and cons about each one.

Remember, you can also use our comparison table in our travel card guide  to find the cheapest option.

Do you know what currency you want to exchange?

Use our comparison tool to find the travel money provider with the best exchange rates for the currency you want to buy.

USD Dollars (USD)

Euro Dollars (EUR)

British Pounds (GBP)

Japanese Yen (JPY)

NZ Dollars (NZD)

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

Thai Baht (THB)

All Other Currency

FAQ - Best ways to take money overseas

What is the best travel card.

We recommend 5 top travel money cards for Australians going overseas:

• TransferWise  is our best value travel debit card
• Revolut  is our best multi-currency travel card
• Citibank Saver Plus  is our best bank travel debit card
• 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard  is our best travel credit card
• Travelex Money Card  is our best prepaid travel card

Related reviews:  TransferWise Debit Card vs Revolut;   28 Degrees MasterCard vs Citibank Plus Transaction Account vs NAB Traveller;   List: The best and worst travel cards in Australia

What is the cheapest way to get foreign currency?

The cheapest way to exchange currency really depends on what currency you are buying, how much and where you are.

It's usually cheapest to buy foreign currency at your destination, but not as convenient. If you're more prepared, there is  very little difference between buying currency in-store or online . For in-store currency exchanges, you'll get better rates in the CBD than further out. The most expensive option is to exchange your currency at the airport - so don't do it! There are  smarter ways to buy currency .

Related reviews:  Compare foreign exchange rates for cash ;  How to Get the Best Currency Exchange Rate;   S Money

What is a cross currency conversion fee?

This fee is also known as Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and is the amount charged by a merchant to make the currency conversion to your local currency.

For example, you're travelling in Italy and your bill is delivered to you in AUD, instead of EUROs. The good news is you can view your purchases in your local currency, without stressing about converting it. The bad news? Many merchants add huge exchange rate mark-ups compared to your travel card issuer.

We recommend you refuse the DCC when a merchant asks you if you want to transact in Australian dollars while you're overseas.

How can I avoid ATM withdrawal fees?

Avoid ATM withdrawal fees by using an everyday debit card to withdraw cash, rather than a credit card. Some banks waive the overseas ATM fee for your everyday debit card. Especially banks that have international ATM alliances, like Westpac.

On the other hand, a cash advance fee applies to credit cards at ATMs, even if you preload money with additional funds to avoid interest charges.

Unfortunately some ATMs overseas will charge additional withdrawal fees. If your Australian bank charges you too, you'll be paying double the amount of ATM fees when you withdraw money.

We recommend you  choose a debit or prepaid travel card that won't charge you when you withdraw cash from ATMs  overseas.

Can I just use my bank card instead?

Yes. As long as you have a card with a Visa or Mastercard symbol you'll be able to access funds. Use your card to withdraw cash from ATMs and at EFTPOS terminals. However, foreign currency fees may apply depending on whether you use a debit or credit card.

What currencies can I buy online?

Where is the best place to exchange money travelling, your currency knowledge centre.

5 Cheaper Ways to Transfer Money Overseas

Using a bank is one of the easiest ways of transferring money overseas, but can also be the most costly. There are alternatives that can make the whole process cheaper.

• Read more ⟶

International Money Transfer Comparison and Reviews

Find the best international money transfer exchange rates to send money overseas from Australia. Compare the rates and fees from leading banks and money transfer services.

How to Transfer Money Overseas from your Australian Bank Account

Transferring money overseas from your Australian bank account is simple once you know how to do it, but you might be short on time to figure it out.

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5 Best Banks for International Travel

Ruth Sarreal is a content management specialist covering consumer banking topics at NerdWallet. She has over a decade of experience writing and editing for consumer websites. She previously edited content on personal finance topics at GOBankingRates. Her work has been featured by Nasdaq, MSN, TheStreet and Yahoo Finance.

Yuliya Goldshteyn is a banking editor at NerdWallet. She previously worked as an editor, a writer and a research analyst in industries ranging from health care to market research. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, with a focus on Soviet cultural history. She is based in Portland, Oregon.

Spencer Tierney is a consumer banking writer at NerdWallet. He has covered personal finance since 2013, with a focus on certificates of deposit and other banking-related topics. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, among others. He is based in Berkeley, California.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Using the right bank can save you money when traveling abroad. When researching the best banks for international travel, features we considered included:

Low wire transfer charges.

Decent currency conversion rates.

International ATM fee reimbursement.

Foreign currency delivery to your home.

Here are our favorite banks for international travel.

Charles Schwab Bank: Best for using ATMs.

Capital One 360: Best on foreign transaction fees.

HSBC Bank: Best for expats with high balances.

Citibank: Best for wiring money.

Revolut: Best for nonbank multicurrency account.

Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to make sure our coverage is fair and accurate, so you can choose the financial accounts that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions .

Best Banks for International Travel

Our pick for

Schwab Bank

Why We Like It

Schwab Bank customers who use the Investor Checking Account get fees refunded from any ATM in the world. That kind of perk is usually only available for premium checking accounts at other banks.

Plus, the bank doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

Pros: - Refunds on all ATM fees worldwide. - No foreign transaction fees. - Account earns interest. - No minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee. - Free travel and emergency assistance services, including emergency messaging, medical and legal referrals, emergency translation and lost luggage location.

Cons: - Checking account must be linked to a Schwab One brokerage account (but the account doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement).

Foreign transaction fees

Capital One

Though it’s not the only bank that doesn’t ding you for international purchases, Capital One 360 is a NerdWallet favorite because its fees are low across the board.

Capital One 360 doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee for using your debit card outside the U.S. or for any transactions made in a foreign currency. If you want to use cash, the bank won’t charge you a fee for taking money out at an ATM (but it also won’t refund you if the ATM owner charges you a fee).

In comparison, many banks charge special fees when you make purchases abroad, or even if you buy something online from a retailer based outside the U.S.

Pros: - No foreign transaction fees. - No ATM fees. - No monthly maintenance fees.

Cons: - No refunds for fees charged by ATM owner.

Expats with high balances

In the U.S., HSBC only offers premium accounts that require a high balance to open. But for those who can swing the balance, this bank can be handy while living abroad. A few features make this bank handy for expats or frequent globetrotters: The bank doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on debit card purchases; it lets depositors monitor and move money between HSBC accounts in multiple countries; and if you lose your wallet while traveling, you can access up to $10,000 in emergency cash.

Pros: - Can access up to $10,000 in emergency cash in U.S. dollars or local currency if you lose your wallet while traveling. - No foreign transaction fee on debit card purchases. - Account holders can receive international wire transfers for free.

Cons: - In the U.S., HSBC only offers premium accounts with high minimum balance requirements. - Outgoing international wire transfers may come with a fee if the receiving account is not also an HSBC Premier account holder. - Mobile apps are poorly rated.

Wiring money

Citibank, N.A.

While many banks offer customers a way to send remittances directly without going through a third-party wire transfer service, few do it as elegantly as Citibank, which offers free international transfers to other Citi accounts through the Citibank Global Transfers service.

Plus, if you need cash while you’re abroad, Citibank offers free withdrawals at its ATMs in more than 20 countries. And if you often find yourself in a hurry before a trip with too much to do, the bank will deliver foreign currency by the next business day to a Citibank branch, your home or office.

Pros: - Foreign currency delivery before a trip. - Free international transfers to other Citi accounts. - Citibank ATMs available in more than 20 countries.

Cons: - Non-premium accounts are subject to out-of-network ATM fees from the ATM owner. - If you need to wire money internationally to someone who doesn’t have a Citibank account, the fee could be as high as $35.

Nonbank multicurrency account

The Revolut account lets you hold and send money in more than 28 currencies and uses a real-time exchange rate. Exchanges done in the app, exchanges for a transfer and exchanges for a payment use the same rates. One catch is that Revolut will charge an exchange fee for transactions on the weekends.

Pros: - Can withdraw up to $400, $800 or $1,200 fee-free per month at out-of-network ATMs, depending on your plan. - Can hold and send money in more than 28 currencies. - Account earns interest.

Cons: - Foreign currency exchanges made on the weekends incur a fee. - Premium accounts have a monthly fee of about $10-$17, which can’t be waived.

More top choices for best banks for international travel

BECU: No foreign transaction fee ( read full review ).

Axos Bank: ATM foreign currency conversion fee reimbursements with World Checking account ( read full review ).

Navy Federal Credit Union: Branches in just under 10 foreign countries ( read full review ).

Varo: No foreign transaction fee ( read full review ).

Wise (formerly TransferWise): Multicurrency account with a debit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees ( read full review ).

More strategies to keep banking costs down while traveling

Using money abroad can incur costs, but switching banks isn’t your only way to avoid them. Here’s a breakdown of different approaches and accounts to consider:

When spending money abroad:

Try a multicurrency account : Spend and hold different currencies in one account. This option is usually best if you live or work outside the U.S. for extended periods. Two mainstream providers are the financial tech firms Wise and Revolut .

Find a credit card with no foreign transaction fees : For everyday purchases when you can use physical cards or mobile wallets, a travel-friendly credit card can be useful.

When dealing with cash abroad:

Use a debit card with no foreign transaction or ATM fees : This is especially good for cash withdrawals, especially in countries where cash is heavily used. Generally, these debit cards, and the checking accounts they’re connected to, don’t have foreign transaction fees either.

Take advantage of currency exchange services from your bank : For cash you’ll bring on your next trip, see if your bank or credit union has this service since it’s cheaper than using kiosks at the airport.

When sending money abroad:

Consider nonbank money transfers : If you're sending a wire overseas while still in the U.S., companies such as Wise and OFX offer stand-alone transfers internationally that have competitive rates and low to no fees.

When managing wealth abroad:

Look into private banking : Private banking offers a personalized experience for high-net-worth individuals, which can include overseas considerations.

Open an offshore bank account : If you need help managing international business or investments, or if you'll be traveling long term, consider the merits of an offshore bank account.

Last updated on November 15, 2023

Methodology

We took a close look at over 90 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable and/or emerging players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.

Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm , All America Bank , Alliant Credit Union , Ally Bank , Amalgamated Bank , America First Credit Union , American Express National Bank , Andrews Federal Credit Union , Associated Bank , Axos Bank , Bank of America , Bank5 Connect , Bank7 , Barclays , Bask Bank , Bethpage Federal Credit Union , BMO , BMO Alto , Boeing Employees Credit Union , Bread Savings , BrioDirect , Capital One , Carver Federal Savings Bank , Charles Schwab Bank , Chase , Chime , CIBC U.S. , CIT Bank , Citibank , Citizens , Citizens Bank , City First Bank , Climate First Bank , Commerce Bank , Community First Credit Union of Florida , ConnectOne Bank , Connexus Credit Union , Consumers Credit Union , Current , Delta Community Credit Union , Discover Bank , E*TRADE , EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank) , Fifth Third Bank , First Foundation , First National Bank , First Tech Federal Credit Union , Flagstar Bank , FNBO Direct , Global Credit Union , GO2bank , Golden 1 Credit Union , Greenwood , Hope Credit Union , Huntington Bank , Industrial Bank , Ivy Bank , KeyBank , Lake Michigan Credit Union , LendingClub Bank , Liberty Bank , Live Oak Bank , M&T Bank , Marcus by Goldman Sachs , Navy Federal Credit Union , NBKC , One , OneUnited Bank , Pentagon Federal Credit Union , PNC , Popular Direct , Quontic Bank , Regions Bank , Revolut , Salem Five Direct , Sallie Mae Bank , Santander Bank , SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union , Security Service Federal Credit Union , Securityplus Federal Credit Union , Self-Help Credit Union , Service Credit Union , SoFi , State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina , Suncoast Credit Union , Synchrony Bank , TAB Bank , TD Bank , Truist Bank , U.S. Bank , UFB Direct , Upgrade , USAA Bank , Varo , Vio Bank , Wells Fargo and Zynlo Bank .

How we rate banks and credit unions

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Banks for International Travel

• Schwab Bank : Best for Using ATMs
• Capital One : Best for Foreign transaction fees
• HSBC : Best for Expats with high balances
• Citibank, N.A. : Best for Wiring money
• Revolut : Best for Nonbank multicurrency account

Frequently asked questions

Banks that don’t make it expensive for you to use your debit card when you’re out of the country are best for international travelers.

Here are NerdWallet’s picks for best banks for international travel :

Some banks offer international bank accounts that U.S. citizens can open. International bank accounts generally require a high minimum balance.

Some banks allow you to make purchases and perform other transactions in other countries without charging a fee. Banks that don’t charge foreign transaction fees include Capital One 360, Discover Bank, HSBC Bank and Schwab Bank.

5 Money Tips To Know Before You Travel Abroad

Traveling abroad can be a positive life-changing experience — but also an expensive one.

Money expert Clark Howard says you can save some big money while traveling to a foreign country by knowing a few simple tips.

5 Things To Know About Travel and Your Money

In this article, we’ll go over some steps Clark says you should follow before and during your trip, including one of his “Never, Not Ever” rules .

Are you ready to save? Let’s get started.

1. Make Sure Your Bank and Credit Card Issuer Knows You’re Traveling Abroad

Before your trip, contact your bank and credit card issuer(s) to tell them that you’re going out of the country.

If you fail to take this simple step, you could find yourself at the cash register with a shopping bag full of souvenirs only for your credit card to be declined!

When I went to Ireland a few years ago, I made sure to alert Chase that I was going out of town for several days and would be making transactions. Chase asked me to provide my specific travel dates as well as the country I was visiting.

Fast forward to me traveling abroad a month ago and Chase told me that I didn’t need to let them know I was traveling due to their fraud protection measures already being in place.

Experian says, “Many credit card companies now have advanced fraud detection tools that identify when you’re traveling, making travel alerts unnecessary.”

So while not all institutions require this step, it’s worth checking with your bank or credit card company before you leave.

2. Make Sure To Pay in the Local Currency

When you’re making a transaction abroad and you’re at the checkout, it’s up to you to ensure that you choose to pay in the local currency and not in dollars. If you don’t, you may get hit with expensive junk fees.

“You go somewhere to buy something — OK, now this is diabolical — the banks have programmed the terminals all over the world where they override the currency of the country you’re in, and whatever currency of the country you’re from, it pops up on the terminal,” Clark says.

“If you just take the bait and sign for that … what happens is then you’re assigned a 7 to 10% junk fee for having them do a courtesy conversion of your purchase from euro to dollars. It is an unbelievable new way to steal your money by the world’s banking industry.”

To make sure you pay in the local currency, Clark says you’ll typically have to decline to pay in dollars and choose the next option, which should be to pay in the local currency.

“You want to do that because otherwise, your trip is going to cost you 7 to 10% more than you thought it would,” Clark says. “When you go to pay for your hotel room, the same thing will happen and the stakes are higher.”

3. Use an ATM Card To Change Your Money

“You want to use your ATM card to get euros,” Clark says. “This is true for any place you go in Europe.” And true for just about any currency abroad.

“ You get a much, much better rate when you get euros out of an ATM than if you go exchange at a bank or one of those money-changing things in an airport.”

But you shouldn’t use just any ATM, says Clark: “You want to make sure that the ATM card you use is fee-free … and that your financial institution doesn’t charge you any foreign currency junk fees when you get euros out.”

Some major U.S. banks have international partners for ATM use. Check your bank’s website before you travel to see which banks in your destination country will let you withdraw money with no fees.

4. Watch Out for Foreign Transaction Fees

Some credit cards and ATM cards charge foreign transaction fees. You don’t ever want to pay for those.

Here are what some of the major financial institutions say about fees when you use their credit and/or debit cards abroad:

• Citibank: “Citi charges a foreign currency markup fee of up to 3.5% . This is a standard charge levied across the market,” it says on its website. This fee is waived on some Citibank cards.
• JP Morgan Chase: Chase Bank says the rate for foreign transaction fees is usually 2-5% of the entire purchase. You may be able to have the fee waived depending on which Chase credit card you have.
• Wells Fargo: The bank says it charges 3% for each purchase in a foreign currency that a network converts into a U.S. dollar amount.
• Bank of America: Per its website, for ATM withdrawals, “Bank of America will assess an international transaction fee of 3% of the converted US dollar amount.” There may also be a $5 usage fee.

But fear not: you can avoid foreign transaction fees with certain credit cards. Read our guide on the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.

And note that Clark warns against using a debit card for purchases — anywhere.

5. Clark’s ‘Never, Not Ever’ Rule for Money Exchange

And now for that “Never, Not Ever” rule:

“ One place you should never, never, never, not ever change money from U.S. dollars to any foreign currency is at any American airport — unless you just hate your money and you want to throw it away!”

“The exchange rates you get in an international terminal … in a U.S. airport are the world’s worst!” Clark says. Clark wants you to wait until you get to your destination to get those euros or other types of currency.

Want to spend less when you vacation? Follow Clark’s #1 travel rule to save on your next trip .

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• Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards

15 Best Travel Credit Cards Of September 2024

Expert Reviewed

Updated: Aug 26, 2024, 8:24am

For anyone who travels enough to have a travel savings account, credit cards are a valuable resource toward booking and paying for your trip. The rewards can offset a huge portion of your out-of-pocket expenses, and the best travel credit cards often pay for themselves both in savings and avoided headaches.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.

• 113 countries visited
• 5,500 hotel nights spent
• 93,000,000 miles and points redeemed
• 29 loyalty programs covered

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card : Best Everyday Earnings with Travel Redemptions
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best Travel Earnings Without a Portal
• American Express® Green Card * : Best Midrange Travel Card with Lounge Access
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best Premium Travel Rewards Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best Travel Rewards Card for Lounge Access
• American Express® Gold Card : Best Travel Rewards Earnings for Foodies
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card * : Best Premium Perks with Simple Redemptions
• Chase Freedom Flex® : Best Intro APR Travel Card
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard® * : Best Flexible Rewards Without an Annual Fee
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best Low Annual Fee Card with Flat-Rate Rewards
• United Quest℠ Card : Best Airline Credit Card
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best Hotel Credit Card
• Best Credit Cards Of 2024
• Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
• Best Hotel Credit Cards
• Best Credit Card For Lounge Access
• Best No-Annual-Fee Cards For Travel
• Best Airline Credit Cards

Best Travel Card Offers

Best travel credit card for beginners, chase sapphire preferred® card.

Up to 5x Reward Rate

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all Read More

Welcome Bonus

60,000 bonus points

Regular APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

I jumped at the chance to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when it was first launched. More than a decade later, I’m still a loyal cardholder. It’s the ideal starter card for someone dipping their toe into travel rewards and I’m living proof you may never need to upgrade. Cardholders earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for access to transfer partners or for easy, no-strings-attached redemptions through Chase Travel℠. There’s no foreign transaction fee and a wide selection of travel insurances.

Why We Like It

For a modest annual fee of $95 (which can be partially offset with an annual $50 hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel℠) you get a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility.

What We Don’t Like

The highest earning rate requires making reservations through Chase Travel℠, which doesn’t include direct bookings or online travel agencies.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best for travelers who want to earn transferable points without a steep annual fee.

I​​t’s the granddaddy of travel credit cards, but it still earns its reputation as one of the best around with solid bonus categories, strong travel protections, a great set of domestic and international transfer partners and a reasonable annual fee to boot. You can’t go wrong with it as your first travel credit card.

• Earn high rewards on several areas of spending
• Transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate
• Many travel and shopping protections
• No intro APR offer
• Best travel earning rates are only for bookings through the Chase Travel℠ portal
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Best Everyday Earnings with Travel Redemptions

Citi strata premier℠ card.

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar at Read More

70,000 bonus points

21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Excellent, Good

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card slides right into everyday life, with earning categories that reflect typical expenses at home as well as rewarding you for your travel spending—then giving you the opportunity to redeem toward travel.

This card could be a supreme fit for someone looking for a one-card solution, thanks to a low annual fee, access to transferable points and a variety of accelerated earn categories. It also offers a $100 annual hotel benefit which can be applied toward eligible stays reserved through Citi Travel to save you even more money. Select travel protections are also included.

Citi makes you jump through some hoops to access card benefits. You’ll need to book through the card’s proprietary booking portal to maximize your travel earnings and to use your annual hotel benefit.

The Strata Premier makes the most sense for travelers seeking a modest annual fee and a card that rewards varied spend.

Several key travel benefits were recently reintroduced on the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, including trip delay and cancellation protections and lost baggage and rental car damage coverage. But the card still retains all its original features and its relatively low $95 annual fee. The highlight of the Citi Strata Premier continues to be its ability to earn 3 points for every dollar you spend on gas, and now EV charging. Those points can be transferred to any of Citi’s over 15 airline and hotel partners, making your rewards potentially even more valuable than if you just earned straight cash back with another credit card

• High rewards rates for many popular categories
• Ability to transfer points to hotel and airline loyalty programs
• No foreign transaction fees
• Some built-in travel protections
• The $100 hotel benefit is difficult to redeem
• The highest earning rates are on Citi Travel bookings
• $95 annual fee
• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on Capital Read More

Earn 75,000 bonus miles + $250 credit

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Casual travelers who don’t plan to carry a balance will find good value in the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ’s earnings rates ( rates & fees ). And if you appreciate the skip-the-line perks of TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry as much as I do, you’ll be grateful for the up to $100 credit toward program fees.

You can earn double miles on every purchase and can access transfer partners without ponying up a triple-digit annual fee.

Expect dialed-back benefits compared to more premium travel cards. You’ll still enjoy select trip protections along with no foreign transaction fee. Keep in mind that you’ll want to redeem for travel bookings or transfers to partner programs (cash back redemptions are often not the best value).

This card is ideal for cardholders who want to earn travel rewards at a flat rate and want to keep their annual fee below $100.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card is extremely low maintenance as far as travel reward cards go. It provides consistent value and flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming points for travel and is an excellent alternative for anyone a bit leery of the high Venture X annual fee ( rates & fees ).

• Solid rewards rate
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit (up to $100)
• Miles are easy to redeem either via partner transfers or by applying against travel purchases
• No introductory APR on purchases or transfers
• Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Best Travel Earnings Without a Portal

Wells fargo autograph journey℠ card.

Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points Read More

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

We love that the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card bestows you with strong earning rates on travel without requiring you to book through a card’s portal. Go ahead and book directly with your preferred airline and hotel: You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airlines, 3 points per dollar on other travel and restaurants and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

This card has a minimal annual fee and offers the opportunity to earn a $50 statement credit each year when you spend $50 or more on airline purchases. That’s a bargain all travelers will love.

For now, there’s a limited number of transfer partners, which means you’ll have fewer redemption options than what some other issuers provide.

This card is a perfect fit for travelers who like to book trips directly, especially if they’re looking for cash-back rewards rather than travel transfers.

Wells Fargo has entered the premium card market with its highly anticipated Autograph Journey credit card which offers accelerated points earnings on airfare, hotels and restaurants. It’s also the newest card to offer the option to redeem points by transferring them to travel partners.

• Solid welcome bonus
• High rewards rates on travel and restaurants
• Annual statement credit for airfare
• Limited everyday bonus rewards
• Few transfer partners
• Charges an annual fee
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
• $95 annual fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Best Midrange Travel Card with Lounge Access

American express® green card *.

Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit and restaurant purchases including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn Read More

Earn 40,000 points

See Pay Over Time APR

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

When you don’t want to limit your earnings only to travel charges, check out the American Express® Green Card * . It offers elevated rewards on dining and local transit, too.

Cardholders have access to annual statement credits for CLEAR® Plus and LoungeBuddy charges, which can easily exceed the cost of the card’s annual fee and let you dip your toe into the world of premium perks.

Amex isn’t always accepted overseas, which could be a major issue for international travelers without a backup card.

This is a great midrange card that offers access to American Express Membership Rewards®, making it a good choice for those who don’t want the high cost of a Gold or Platinum card.

Occasional travelers who want to be treated like VIPs will find that the Amex Green card has an ideal set of perks. The $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit is just enough to cover airport lounge access a few times a year, and the CLEAR credit provides expedited access through TSA security at major airports across the country. Put them together and it’s a perfect balance of benefits for infrequent flyers at a relatively low annual fee.

• No foreign transaction fee
• Flexible redemption and points transfer options
• High rewards rate on dining, travel and transit
• Mediocre base rewards rate
• Limited features and perks
• No balance transfer option
• Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
• Earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, transit purchases and eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide
• Earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
• $199 CLEAR® Plus and $100 LoungeBuddy credits
• Trip delay insurance

Best Premium Travel Cards

Best premium travel rewards card, capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals and 10 Read More

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Excellent (750 - 850)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is packed with extras that put it firmly in competition with other upscale credit cards. Just as important, the easy earnings structure is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to stress over details.

Its annual fee ( rates & fees ) is easily recouped through an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles after your anniversary, which makes the perks feel almost free. A Priority Pass membership also provides value, giving you access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide.

The flat-rate earnings mean that if you spend a lot in a single category, you might be better off with a different card.

The Venture X is a strong choice for travelers who want premium benefits and are willing to book through Capital One Travel at least once a year.

If you’re looking for lofty perks without a lofty annual fee ( rates & fees ), the Venture X fits the bill. While other cards with elite benefits run nearly $700 a year, you’ll only pay a little more than half that for the Venture X. And you’ll still get Capital One and Priority Pass airport lounge access for you and your guests, an annual travel credit and solid earnings on everyday purchases.

• Annual fee lower than others in its category
• Annual travel credit through Capital One Travel and anniversary miles alone could justify the annual fee
• Miles are easy to earn and easy to use
• Lack of domestic airline and upscale hotel travel partners
• Capital One lounge network in its infancy
• Lack of hotel status benefits
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection

Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Up to 10x Reward Rate

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Read More

22.49%-29.49% Variable

If you spend frequently on travel and dining out, you can accumulate rewards with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . Its greatest selling point is its awesome list of 1:1 transfer partners. There are also best-in-market travel insurance benefits and no foreign transaction fees. Plus, as a Visa card, it’s widely accepted globally.

Cardholders can make up for a chunk of the annual fee with the $300 annual travel credit, a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and up to a $100 credit every four years to cover your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee, all of which make far-flung travel easier to bear. The travel protection benefits have personally reimbursed me more than $1,000.

There’s an extra fee to add an authorized user to your account.

This card is readymade for frequent travelers who want to take advantage of built-in travel insurance protections and airport perks.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the most valuable flexible rewards credit cards thanks to its lucrative bonus categories and easy-to-use travel credit. Cardholders can offset the annual fee and get great value when redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card, thanks to partnerships with numerous airlines and hotels and its convenient travel booking portal, Chase Travel℠.

• $300 annual travel credit is incredibly flexible
• Generous welcome bonus
• Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase
• Points transfer to valuable airline and hotel partners
• High annual fee
• High variable APR on purchases
• Excellent credit recommended
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best Travel Rewards Card for Lounge Access

The platinum card® from american express.

5X Reward Rate

Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directly Read More

Earn 80,000 points

Good,Excellent (700 - 749)

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees ) is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of travel benefits. Trust me when I say the perks can make you feel like a VIP. The staggering annual fee for this classic status card won’t be worth it for everyone, but in the right hands the expense can be well justified.

Lounge access with this card extends beyond the Priority Pass membership you see on other premium cards. Plus, if you’re looking for a giant welcome bonus to get things started, the Platinum Card certainly shakes things up.

Many of the perks are very specifically applied and may require enrollment. Examples include statement credits toward Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, select digital entertainment, select hotel stays and airline incidental fees.

The Platinum Card® from American Express could be a valuable pick for cardholders who are willing to track and maximize its long list of member benefits.

Being an Amex Platinum cardholder grants access to the International Airline Program, which can save you money on first and business class seats on more than 20 airlines as well as premium economy tickets for you and up to seven traveling companions. Start your search on the Amex Travel website to find international flights departing or arriving in the U.S. on any of those premium cabins.

• High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel
• Multiple credits can help justify the fee
• Comprehensive airport lounge access
• Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment
• Very high annual fee
• Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be impractical for many
• Reward rate outside of travel is sub-par for a premium card
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Best Travel Rewards Earnings for Foodies

American express® gold card.

Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X; Earn Read More

Earn 60,000 points + earn up to $100 back

Foodies and travelers can leverage the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, see rates & fees ) to the hilt, earning up to 4 points per dollar. The annual fee may seem intimidating—I get that. But my household comes out ahead by taking advantage of the card’s dining credits and rotating Amex Offers. It’s an appealing option for anyone who wants to redeem travel rewards but doesn’t spend enough on flights or hotels to require elevated earning categories on travel itself.

The grocery earnings on this card are impressive and rare for a travel card. For someone who wants to transform everyday expenses into a vacation, this card seamlessly blends the experience.

The American Express® Gold Card also offers a variety of ways to earn statement credits. This includes up to $120 ($10 per month) in annual dining credits for purchases at participating partners, up to $100 ($50 semi-annually) in annual statement credits for purchases at Resy restaurants and up to $84 ($7 per month) in statement credits for Dunkin purchases. Plus, cardholders get $10 in Uber Cash each month for a total of up to $120 per year. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

While the Amex Gold’s credits can be valuable, you’re required to enroll to take advantage of them and credits are dished out monthly or semi-annually rather than in an annual lump sum.

The Amex Gold might be the consummate choice for travelers with high spending on food expenses.

This card makes it easy to earn Membership Rewards points while doing regular grocery shopping since the card earns bonus points at supermarkets. And for the nights that cardholders don’t want to cook, they can make use of the monthly dining and Uber credits (which can be used on Uber Eats orders).

• High rewards earnings possibilities
• Points transfer option to many partners
• Add up to five authorized users for no additional annual fee
• Can choose from regular, rose gold or white gold versions
• Most credits are doled out monthly and can be cumbersome to redeem
• Limited options to carry a balance
• High APR for pay over time feature *
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin’ Credit: With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin’ locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.

Best Premium Perks with Simple Redemptions

U.s. bank altitude® reserve visa infinite® card *.

Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. Earn 3X points for Read More

50,000 points

22.24% - 29.24% variable

For a simpler take on travel rewards, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card * can be an excellent pick. It doesn’t have transferable rewards. Instead, you’ll get strong value by getting a 50% bonus when redeeming toward travel.

First of all, the earning potential on this card turns heads thanks to its multiplier on mobile payments which are accepted nearly everywhere these days. Earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible net purchases. We also love that its annual $325 credit can be used toward your choice of travel or dining, giving it ultra flexibility.

Though this card comes with Priority Pass airport lounge access, it limits cardholders to a maximum of eight free visits per year. That might be enough for some travelers but could be a major downside for frequent travelers or someone flying with multiple companions or family members.

The Altitude Reserve is best for travelers who don’t want to be limited by travel portals or partnering airlines and hotels for their travel redemptions.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card * is unique because it earns 3X on all mobile wallet spending, which no other ultra-premium cards offer, and has a low net annual fee after taking the $325 travel/dining credit into account. Given the net annual fee after the credit, the fact that the card lacks lounge access—even Priority Pass—is not that big of a deal. The question is, do you spend enough on mobile purchases to add a card specifically for that?

• 50% points bonus when redeeming for travel
• Up to $325 in annual travel credit
• No limits on points earnings
• No points transfer options available
• Free lounge access limited to eight visits per year
• Earn 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening
• Earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible net purchases
• Earn up to $325 in annual credits
• Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards

Best Intro APR Travel Card

Chase freedom flex®.

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate quarterly on up to $1,500 when enrolled, 5% on travel purchased through Read More

20.49%-29.24% Variable

I don’t automatically think of the Chase Freedom Flex® as a travel card, but it’s a great everyday card that also rewards you generously for bookings made through Chase Travel℠.

In addition to the welcome offer and ongoing rewards this card offers, new cardholders can also take advantage of an introductory APR offer to help pay off their travel expenses: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% applies. Balance transfer fee of up to 5% (min. $5) of the amount of each transfer applies.

Rewards are initially made available as cash back. If you want to transfer your rewards to partner airlines and hotels, you’ll also need to hold an Ultimate Rewards® card that offers that feature.

The Freedom Flex requires a little more hands-on management to earn in its quarterly bonus categories, so it’s a better fit for someone willing to stay on top of details.

Kudos to Chase for always keeping the rotating categories relevant on the Freedom Flex. From Amazon to PayPal and Starbucks to Walmart, you’re almost guaranteed to find at least one quarter every year (or even several) where the 5 bonus points roll in with almost no effort. Just don’t forget to activate the categories every quarter.

• No annual fee
• Rotating quarterly categories earn 5% rewards when activated, up to a combined quarterly $1,500 maximum
• Travel rewards rate rivals some of the best premium travel cards
• Generous rewards rate in several other categories
• Travel bookings must be made through Chase Travel℠ to earn 5% cash back
• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.

Best Flexible Rewards Without an Annual Fee

Bilt world elite mastercard® *.

Up to 3x Reward Rate

Earn 1x on rent payments with no transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year). 2x points on Read More

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

You don’t need to pony up an annual fee for the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® * (), which earns flexible points that you can transfer to a selection of beloved travel brands.

Bilt offers one of the most distinctive earning structures of all cards: 1 point per dollar on rent payments without the transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year), 3 points per dollar on dining, 2 points per dollar on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. It also throws in some great travel benefits for a no-annual-fee card, including select trip protections, primary collision damage waiver on eligible car rentals and no foreign transaction fees.

This is the only credit card on our list that doesn’t include a welcome offer. Renters could make up for that opportunity cost quickly by earning points on their rent payments, but it’s an unmistakable disadvantage.

We recommend this card to someone paying rent and looking for a credit card with no annual fee.

It’s almost impossible to earn rewards on what is the biggest monthly expense for many people, which is why anyone who pays rent should have a Bilt Mastercard in their wallet. Not only will you earn points just from paying your rent (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year), you’ll do it without being charged a fee for the transaction, and Bilt points are among the most versatile travel points around. ( Pro Tip: Don’t redeem Bilt points to pay rent when you can get much more value for them for travel!).

• Earn rewards on rent
• Primary car rental and cellphone insurance
• Points can be transferred to partners
• Requires five card transactions per statement period to earn rewards
• No welcome bonus
• Rewards outside of rent spend are relatively low compared to other cards
• Earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent payments (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
• Earn 2 points on eligible travel
• Earn 3 points on dining and 1 point on other eligible purchases
• Cell phone protection
• No foreign fees

Best Low Annual Fee Card with Flat-Rate Rewards

Capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every Read More

20,000 Miles

High spenders will do better with one of Capital One’s other travel cards, but if you specifically are seeking out a no annual fee travel card, consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ( rates & fees ).

This card incorporates positive facets from its Venture line, including a flat-rate earning structure, transferable rewards and no foreign transaction fees. New cardholders are also eligible for an introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months, 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you.

The earnings rate isn’t particularly inspiring—unless you consistently maximize travel transfer redemptions, you’re likely better off with a 2% cash back card with no annual fee or an annual fee-carrying travel rewards card with 2X earnings.

The VentureOne can be a good way to get your foot in the door with Capital One, even if you ultimately decide to upgrade your card later.

A contender for the best no annual fee and starter travel card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card could be a fantastic travel companion for vacation goers and road warriors. The travel value can be immediately appreciated with no foreign transaction fees, while the rewards-earning is higher than basic rewards-earning credit cards at 1.25X miles. Plus, this card earns Capital One Reward Miles, which offers excellent value when transferred to airline and hotel

• No penalty APR
• Ongoing rewards rate is relatively low
• Locked in to Capital One Travel booking to earn the highest rewards
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Best Travel Cards for Airlines and Hotels

Best airline credit card, united quest℠ card.

3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services & all Read More

Earn 60,000 bonus miles

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Frequent United Airlines customers will appreciate that the United Quest℠ Card comes with an annual up to $125 United credit, rewards on travel and dining and travel protections such as primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation insurance.

This card rewards your loyalty. You can earn up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits per year, starting after your first cardmember anniversary, for booking eligible award flights with your miles. You’ll also earn 25 Premier Qualifying Points for every $500 in net purchases (including purchases made by authorized users) up to a maximum of 6,000 PQPs, in a calendar year.

The annual fee on the United Quest is more than double the average airline card.

This card will likely appeal to United flyers who want above-average benefits but aren’t interested in committing to an ultra-premium card.

Don’t let the card’s annual fee scare you off. Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, the perks can make this card worth your while, and the rewards rates are better compared to most airline cards.

• Up to $125 annual United purchase credit
• Earn up to two 5,000-mile award flight credits annually
• Two free checked bags for cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points per calendar year
• Primary auto collision damage waiver for eligible rentals
• Checked baggage benefit only applies to one companion
• Earnings for general purchases are only 1 mile per dollar
• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

Best Hotel Credit Card

The world of hyatt credit card.

Up to 9X Reward Rate

Earn up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 bonus points per $1 on qualified purchases Read More

Up to 60,000 Bonus Points

21.49% - 28.49% variable

While Hyatt doesn’t have an extensive network of properties compared to other chains, the value offered by The World of Hyatt Credit Card is outstanding. If you’re a regular at Hyatt, a combination of high redemption values, sweet perks and one free night per year easily covers the annual fee and then some.

The card comes with five qualifying night credits, but cardholders can earn more through card spending to work their way up the elite ladder.

The automatic Discoverist elite status for cardholders is, frankly, uninspiring.

This card is designed for Hyatt enthusiasts looking to earn extra points and work toward status.

For many Hyatt loyalists, earning Globalist status each year is a priority and this card can help them get there faster by providing five elite night credits annually. Plus the complimentary yearly certificate for a category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotel counts toward elite status too and can offset the card’s annual fee.

• Annual free night certificate on card member anniversary
• Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
• High redemption values for points
• Limited number of properties
• No worthwhile redemption options aside from Hyatt properties
• Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships

Here's a Summary of the Best Travel Credit Cards

Best Travel Credit Cards Methodology

Forbes Advisor considered dozens of airline, hotel and flexible-rewards credit cards to create this list of the best travel credit cards. The primary factors taken into consideration for all types were:

• Estimated annual earnings—25% to 50% depending on card category
• Welcome bonus—15% to 25% depending on card category
• Travel benefits—15% to 25% depending on card category
• Annual fee—5% to 15% depending on card category
• Consumer benefits—0% to 10% depending on card category
• Foreign transaction fee—0% to 5% depending on card category

Hotel earnings rate was weighted 25% for hotel credit cards and airline earnings rate was weighted 15% for airline credit cards.

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case. Sometimes, cards with average stand-alone ratings may still rank highly on a particular list according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre overall could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Forbes Advisor uses data from multiple government agencies to determine how much a typical cardholder might spend. We use the same numbers for cards in the same category to make sure we are comparing cards the same way. The bonus categories for spending included with each card are factored into our determination of how many rewards a cardholder could expect to earn if they use the card as a consumer normally would.

Each Forbes Advisor credit card list is reevaluated at least every 12 months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to the mentioned cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards .

Complete Guide to Travel Credit Cards

Best travel credit card deals right now, what is a travel credit card, how do travel credit cards work, types of travel credit cards, co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards, pros and cons of travel credit cards, how many travel credit cards should i have, how to compare travel credit cards, evaluating airline credit cards, evaluating hotel credit cards, how to maximize credit card points for travel.

• Travel Rewards Cards in the News

Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It?

Frequently asked questions (faqs).

If you want to replenish your stash of points to work towards booking your next dream trip, you may want to know which travel credit cards have the highest-value welcome bonuses right now. Below are the airline, hotel and flexible rewards travel cards with the highest welcome offers. Keep in mind that annual fees and additional benefits will vary, often significantly, so weigh the pros and cons of a particular card beyond just the bonus before you apply.

Top Travel Credit Card Offers

A travel credit card is a card that earns rewards on travel. Rewards may be earned in the form of airline miles, hotel points or flexible points that can be transferred to partners or applied towards travel charges.

Many travel credit cards also come with additional benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, elite status, access to airport lounges and even discounts on hotels or rental cars. Some cards offer welcome bonuses when you meet an initial purchase threshold, which can provide a nice cache of points or miles to help you start redeeming for valuable rewards. The best travel cards also charge no foreign transaction fees, which means there is no extra charge from the credit card company to make purchases abroad.

Credit cards with travel benefits can be an awesome resource, but don’t get fooled into thinking you need them all. Focus on cards that provide a good balance of benefits and costs to fit your specific needs. Otherwise, you’re paying annual fees for no reason.

– Becky Pokora , Credit Card Rewards Expert

A travel rewards credit card accrues miles or points for each purchase made with the card. Every card has a different earning and redemption structure.

• A co-branded card , like one labeled with Marriott or Southwest, will earn rewards in the specifically named travel brand.
• General travel cards may instead earn flexible bank points, like those you see with Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards® .

Here’s how credit card points and miles work:

• Earn rewards when you make purchases. Nearly all purchases on a card will earn rewards at the rate specified by the card. Rates may vary based on the type of purchase.
• Rewards are deposited into your account. Most cards update your rewards balance once per month, after your billing statement closes. On co-branded cards, travel rewards are typically deposited into your existing airline or hotel account automatically. On general travel cards, you’ll most likely have a bank of points where rewards pool.
• Consider your reward options. Airline and hotel point values often are variable, which means that the value of a point may fluctuate depending on the specific redemption. Before you make a redemption, ensure that you’re happy with the value of your specific reward.
• Make a redemption. Once you’ve chosen a redemption option, you’ll need to follow the specific direction to request your reward. Depending on the type of redemption, you might request this through your card issuer through their travel portal or your preferred travel partner.

There are many other intricacies to redeeming miles and points , so if you’re not confident on all your options, you’ll want to review the opportunities from your program before committing to a redemption.

Not all travel credit cards are alike. Here’s how the various types break down, so you can choose which type of rewards card is best for your unique circumstances.

Transferable Rewards Credit Cards

These types of credit cards earn rewards that can be transferred to other programs, like airline or hotel loyalty programs. Transferable rewards include Capital One Rewards , Bilt Rewards , Brex Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards® , American Express Membership Rewards , Wells Fargo Rewards and Citi ThankYou® Points .

Airline Credit Cards

Airline credit cards earn miles that can be used to redeem for future purchases with that airline. You can also use that airline’s miles to book flights on partners, which may yield more award opportunities. Some common airline credit card extras may include free checked baggage, priority boarding, a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee credit and airport lounge access. If you’re able to max out these extras, the perks can often be worth more than the annual fee.

Hotel Credit Cards

With hotel cards, you’ll earn rewards in the hotel’s currency, like Marriott Bonvoy points , Hilton Honors points or World of Hyatt points , which are redeemable towards any eligible hotel property under that brand’s umbrella. Some cards also confer automatic elite status upon ownership, which comes with benefits that can range from late check-out to free breakfast to room upgrades. Additionally, many cards also offer one night free annually every year you renew your card membership, as well as other perks such as airport lounge access.

Fixed-Value Credit Cards

Credit card points may often have a fixed-value when redeemed for things like cash back or travel, where the issuer publishes the cash value per point. For example, a card may offer a value of a penny per point when redeemed for any valid travel purchase. Fixed-value points currencies can also vary by redemption type. For example, points on a card might be worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel rewards, but only be worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back.

Business Credit Cards for Travel

If you’re traveling for work and you want to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses, a travel business credit card may be worth considering. Business credit cards for travel function the same as consumer credit cards for travel, although the business versions often offer different earning rates and perks, as well as a different annual fee structure.

To learn more about the best co-branded credit cards, see our guides below:

• Best American Airlines Credit Cards
• Best Delta Credit Cards
• Best Southwest Credit Cards
• Best United Credit Cards
• Best Hyatt Credit Cards
• Best Marriott Credit Cards

Ask an Expert

Is it better to choose a flexible travel rewards card or one branded to a specific airline or hotel?

Yanely Espinal

Credit Cards Expert

Clint Proctor

Credit Cards Lead Editor

Becky Pokora

Credit Cards Writer

If I had to choose, I’d say flexible travel rewards because it allows for much more versatility in your redemption options beyond just flights and hotel stays. But the best approach is to have both. You can maximize benefits from each card type by earning rewards across all of the spending you normally do, while getting perks with your favorite travel providers at the same time.

Since I’m not particularly loyal to any airline or hotel, I prefer the flexibility of general travel cards. I especially appreciate travel cards that offer transfers to travel partners. With flexible rewards, I can access 10 to 20 or more loyalty programs from a single card. This increases my chances of being able to take advantage of the best award deals that are available for my next trip.

I love that most co-branded travel cards include benefits when booking with that brand. Free night certificates on hotel cards and free checked bags with airlines are valuable perks. Plus, even though earning a single type of point might seem limited, big hotel chains have more than a dozen brand choices and airlines may have 10 or more alliance partners, so you’ll still find plenty of versatility.

What is the most underrated benefit of travel credit cards that is often overlooked?

Jerod Morales

Credit Cards Editor

Credit Cards And Loyalty Programs Expert

Some of the benefits of travel cards I rely on that don’t get much attention are the travel and purchase protections. I always make sure to book travel with a card that includes things like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay protection and lost or delayed baggage benefits. It’s not always a substitute for separate travel insurance, but it can go a long way to getting compensation when travel goes awry.

I feel cellphone insurance is overlooked by some travelers and followed by travel insurance coverage. Many credit cards even cover the trip if you just pay taxes on a reward ticket.

Free nights, big bonuses and statement credits get all the attention but one perk that goes unnoticed is the option to add authorized users to your card account at a reduced cost (or even free). That extends benefits like airport lounge access to a household member, even if they’re not traveling with you.

The number of travel credit cards you should have depends on how often you travel, which benefits you value, your financial situation and whether you’re willing to spend time tracking multiple cards. Frequent travelers can find value in holding at least one travel card, but may consider holding several. For example, having both an airline card and a hotel card can provide complementary benefits and the ability to earn rewards for all aspects of your travel plans.

Personally, the vast majority of my spending is split between three credit cards in order to maximize earning rates, in different purchase categories. However, I also have three other travel cards that I primarily carry for the benefits—annual free hotel nights and extra award flight inventory make my travels more affordable.

– Becky Pokora , Credit Cards Writer

When comparing travel credit cards, items to consider include:

1. Annual fee

The annual fee on credit cards ranges from zero to several hundred dollars. In general, the more expensive the card, the richer the perks and rewards.

2. Foreign transaction fee

Foreign transaction fees can be an additional 2% to 3% surcharge when making transactions in other currencies, such as when you’re traveling abroad. The best no foreign transaction fee cards avoid this surcharge.

3. Sign-up bonus

One time offers to new cardholders can be extremely lucrative and an important factor in which cards appeal to you.

4. Rewards rate

Different cards have different earning rates, both in the amount you earn with every purchase and what form the rewards are provided in—points, miles or cash back.

5. International acceptance

When traveling outside of the United States, Visa and Mastercard tend to be more widely accepted than American Express or other cards. Because of this, international travelers may wish to pick their card type accordingly.

6. Travel protections

Included travel insurance could save you money compared to separately purchased policies, but won’t necessarily be comprehensive . If you travel often, it might be worth specifically seeking out the best credit cards with travel insurance .

Benefits might range from airport lounge access to statement credit reimbursements for certain purchases.

When choosing between two similar cards, it’s savvy to look for the less known credit card perks like luggage protection and travel delay insurance. These protections reimburse you up to a certain amount for lost or missing luggage and/or cover the cost of meals and lodging when your flight gets delayed more than a certain number of hours.

– Yanely Espinal , Credit Card Expert

Airline credit cards typically earn frequent flyer miles on every purchase. Co-branded airline cards also frequently come with perks while traveling, like free checked bags, enhanced award space or lounge access. They may also help you achieve elite status more easily.

When evaluating the best airline credit cards , think about:

• Earning rates. Many airline credit cards don’t offer elevated earnings on categories other than airline spending, so you’ll need to choose carefully if that’s important to you.
• Perks while flying. Typically, only cards with an annual fee include benefits while flying such as priority boarding or complimentary checked bags.
• Elite-qualifying bonuses. Some cards include bonus elite-qualifying miles when hitting spending thresholds, which can further enhance your flying experience.
• Companion fares. Some airline cards offer the opportunity to earn a companion certificate, which allows you to bring a second traveler on your trip for a reduced price.

Additionally, redeeming frequent flyer miles can be more complicated than requesting cash back or other types of rewards. Though using miles for award flights can lead to tremendous value, you’ll need to learn the ropes of the program.

Hotel credit cards earn points toward future free stays, but this is one case where the benefits can often outshine rewards. More often than not, hotel cards come with automatic elite status, as well as a fast track to even higher levels of status. Plus, annual free night certificates or statement credits add even more to their value proposition.

Many hotel loyalty programs offer multiple co-branded cards to choose from, making it even more important to compare the characteristics of an individual card. It’s not uncommon for a single hotel brand to offer a no-annual-fee card, a mid-tier card and a premium card—each with different earning rates and benefits.

When evaluating hotel credit cards, consider:

• Elite status offers. Generally speaking, cards with higher annual fees may automatically bump you to higher elite status levels, which can be invaluable for frequent stays.
• Free night certificates. Many, but not all, hotel cards offer free night certificates either upon renewal of your card or when hitting spending thresholds. Each certificate may come with restrictions on when or where you can redeem it, so compare fine print.
• Earning rates. Hotel cards may offer huge multipliers on bonus categories, allowing you to earn five to 10 times on certain purchases. However, keep expectations in check: Hotel points may not be worth a full penny per point.
• Statement credits. Some cards may include statement credits toward eligible purchases made at hotels and resorts or even on airline fees or restaurant purchases, which can be valuable, but you’ll need to actually use them.

The best way to make the most of your credit card is to use a card that aligns with your spending patterns.

• Choose a card that offers bonus points in spending categories meaningful to you
• Credit card pairings can maximize your earnings by pooling points from two or more cards that have different bonus categories
• Use your credit card instead of cash or debit when possible

Airline and Hotel Rewards Loyalty Programs

Understanding how to get the most out of the points and miles you earn from your travel credit card goes hand-in-hand with using the loyalty programs offered by most airlines and hotel brands. It’s free to join and you can belong to as many loyalty programs as you like. Typically, when you sign up for a co-branded credit card affiliated with a particular brand, you’ll automatically become a member of the loyalty program if you aren’t already.

Track Your Credit Card Points and Miles Earnings

Tracking your spending allows you to make sure that every time you make a purchase, you’re using the card that earns the most rewards. This means knowing which card to use in which scenario based on how a particular merchant codes the purchase .

For example, if you own two credit cards, one that earns high rewards on dining and one co-branded airline card, it might not make sense to use the airline card to pay your restaurant tab since the dining card likely earns more rewards. You can do this by various methods as complicated as creating a spreadsheet or as simple as putting stickers on each card to remind you when to use it.

How To Use Credit Card Points for Travel

Beyond earning rewards, there are strategies to get the most value when it comes time to redeem your rewards, too. When you’re ready to cash in your travel rewards, there’s generally two ways to do it.

You can plan the itinerary you want and use your rewards to fully or partially off-set the cost. Or, you can research to see where the rewards you have can be used to get the most bang for your buck. Now, American Express is making it easier for some cardmembers to redeem miles for flights due to a partnership with Point.me .

Find The Best Credit Cards For 2024

No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.

Travel Rewards Cards In the News

• IHG One Rewards is presenting one of their best ever offers for new cardholders. This is your chance to earn free night certificates toward your next trip.
• Small businesses wishing to earn travel rewards should look into a limited time offer on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card —you could earn an upgraded bonus of 120,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• You can extend the value of your travel rewards with these transfer bonuses in August 2024.

Best Small and Mid-Sized Cities to Redeem Travel Rewards

It’s been a busy year for air travel, with a new high of 3,013,413 travelers screened by TSA checkpoints on July 7, 2024. Given unprecedented travel levels and rising costs, rewards are a valuable resource for covering the price of travel.

Forbes Advisor compared data on more than 20 metrics for 62 of the most-traveled small and mid-sized cities to reveal the best cities for redeeming points and miles. Of these, Tampa tops the list for being most accessible when paying with rewards, with two other Floridian cities rounding out the top three. Kona, Hawaii ranks at the bottom.

Top 5 Best Small to Mid-Sized Cities for Redeeming Points and Miles

1. tampa, fl.

Tampa’s score: 100 out of 100

When looking at nonstop route coverage and flight volume across five major U.S. airlines, Tampa ranks the highest, regardless of your preferred carrier. The city also ranked third-highest for hotel availability across the six major hotel groups ( Marriott, IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, Choice and Wyndam). It has over 263 hotels to choose from when redeeming points, ranging from luxe stays to more value-oriented options.

2. Orlando, FL

Orlando’s score: 99.4 out of 100

Catching a flight to Orlando should be easy even during peak travel periods as it ranks second-highest for flight availability in small and mid-sized cities. Redeeming points for a hotel stay is also simple, with 333 available hotels to choose from across six hotel groups. The combination of options on both flights and hotels puts it second on our list.

3. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale’s score: 83.9 out of 100

Travelers will have no issue securing a flight to Fort Lauderdale as it ranked third-highest for flight availability. The city ranked seventh-highest for hotel availability and is covered by all six of the major hotel groups. It has 287 total hotels to choose from within those groups. As a bonus, the ease of redeeming points for a trip to Fort Lauderdale may make it a worthy alternative to trips to Miami, less than 30 miles away.

4. Raleigh-Durham, NC

Raleigh/Durham’s score: 74.0 out of 100

If you’re looking to book a trip outside of Florida using points and miles, your best bet is the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. Travelers flying in will have multiple options for airfare, as it ranks sixth-highest for this category based on availability for flights from the six busiest airports nationwide by scheduled airline capacity as of May 2024 according to the most recent data from OAG Aviation Worldwide, a flight data analytics company. The city ranks 11th-highest for hotel availability with 170 hotels to choose from.

5. Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis’ score: 70.7 out of 100

Travelers looking to redeem their miles for a trip to Minneapolis will be happy to know that it ranked within the top 15 for the flight availability category. The city also tied for fifth place for hotel availability and is covered by all six of the largest hotel groups, with 237 total hotels that accept point redemptions.

Methodology

To uncover the small and mid-sized cities where it is easiest to redeem points and miles, Forbes Advisor looked at the 100 most traveled destinations nationwide (based on the number of domestic air passengers in 2023) and excluded the 25 largest cities and the principal cities of the 15 largest metropolitan areas. 

We analyzed the remaining 62 cities across 22 metrics spanning four categories and using the weights described below:

• Flight coverage 
• Flight availability
• Hotel coverage
• Hotel availability

For the flight-related metrics, data came from each airline's booking portal. This included United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways. We considered round-trip flights from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, using the country’s six busiest airports (by passenger boarding volume): ATL, DFW, DEN,  LAX, ORD and JFK. 

Data for hotel coverage and volume comes from Booking.com with a check-in date of Friday, July 26 and a check-out date of Sunday, July 28.

Flight Coverage (15% of total score)

• Star Alliance Carriers (3% of total score)
• OneWorld Carriers (3% of total score)
• Skyteam Carriers (3% of total score)
• Southwest (3% of total score)
• JetBlue (3% of total score)

Flight Availability by Volume (35% of total score)

• Number of Flights from Star Alliance Carriers (7% of total score)
• Number of Flights from OneWorld Carriers (7% of total score)
• Number of Flights from Skyteam Carriers (7% of total score)
• Number of Flights from Southwest (7% of total score)
• Number of Flights from JetBlue (7% of total score) 

Hotel Coverage (15% of total score)

• Presence of Marriott group hotels (2.50% of total score)
• Presence of IHG group hotels (2.50% of total score)
• Presence of Hilton group hotels (2.50% of total score)
• Presence of Hyatt group hotels (2.50% of total score)
• Presence of Choice group hotels (2.50% of total score)
• Presence of Wyndham group hotels (2.50% of total score)

Hotel Availability by Volume (35% of total score)

• Number of Marriott group hotels (5.83% of total score)
• Number of IHG group hotels (5.83% of total score)
• Number of Hilton group hotels (5.83% of total score)
• Number of Hyatt group hotels (5.83% of total score)
• Number of Choice group hotels (5.83% of total score)
• Number of Wyndham group hotels (5.83% of total score)

Generally speaking, yes, travel credit cards are worth it —if you’ll use the benefits. Travel rewards credit cards can be a strategic addition to your finances, if you travel with any regularity. You’ll be able to earn rewards on every purchase and later redeem those rewards toward future trips—often at a higher yield than cash back. Many travel cards also include benefits to enhance your travel experience along the way to add even more value.

To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page . To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page . For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Is it a good idea to use a credit card when traveling?

Paying by credit card can be a smart idea while traveling since it offers additional protections compared to paying with cash or debit card. You might also earn rewards on your purchases by paying by card. Before traveling internationally, check to see whether or not your credit card charges a foreign transaction fee. If it does, every transaction will cost you a little extra (usually around 3%). The best travel cards don’t charge this fee.

What is the easiest travel credit card to get?

Most travel credit cards require good to excellent credit scores. However, generally speaking, travel cards with no annual fee are typically easier to be approved for than the ultra-premium travel cards with high annual fees.

What is the best credit card with travel insurance?

Forbes Advisor’s best credit cards for travel insurance list has a variety of cards offering solid travel insurance. Although you shouldn’t get a credit card for this feature alone, it can be a useful money-saving extra. Credit cards that offer travel insurance tend to have high annual fees, so keep this in mind when weighing whether or not you are likely to use the feature.

What is the best card for international travel?

Many credit cards are well suited for international travel. You want to make sure that the card has no foreign transaction fees . It also helps if the card’s points are suitable for the locations where you wish to travel. For instance, if you want to go to Asia, an airline card co-branded with a U.S.-based airline that doesn’t fly to Asia, like Southwest, won’t help you.

How can you travel for free with credit cards?

Travel with credit card points can save you a lot of money on travel compared to paying full price. A combination of welcome bonus offers and the rewards you earn from everyday spending can add up to hundreds of dollars in value toward free travel. However, you’ll need to learn the rules of your specific program to maximize travel points and get the most possible value.

Included statement credits or card benefits can also help you travel for free. Premium credit cards may offer annual credits toward the purchase of select travel, effectively serving as a rebate. Alternatively, you might have airline companion certificates or hotel free night certificates, which work more like a coupon.

Other Credit Cards To Be Considered

• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
• Best Travel Credit Cards For Fair Credit

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: American Express® Green Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, Bilt World Elite Mastercard®, Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card . The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents.

Clint Proctor is a lead editor with the credit cards and travel rewards team at Forbes Advisor. He has five years of experience in personal finance journalism and has contributed to a variety of leading national publishers including Business Insider and MyFICO. Clint has redeemed millions of credit card points and miles to book budget-friendly travel and is passionate about helping others do the same.

Yanely Espinal is the director of educational outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit working to ensure that every high school student gets a full semester of personal finance education—including lessons in proper credit card usage—before graduation. She is often described as a ball of energy, with a gift for storytelling, and a passion for explaining credit cards and other financial concepts in a straightforward way.   While working as an elementary school teacher, Yanely decided to change her financial life by paying off $20,000 of debt in just 18 months. In 2015 she created MissBeHelpful, a YouTube channel and social media platform that now has over 5 million views, to help others learn the money skills she never learned in school. Some of her most popular videos on the channel include “5 Things to Consider When Applying for a Credit Card” and “When To Pay Your Credit Card Bill and Increase Your Credit Score.”   Her book, “Mind Your Money,” is an Amazon bestseller and was a Plutus Award finalist for Best New Personal Finance Book of 2023. She hosts Financially Inclined from Marketplace, a video podcast for teens about money lessons for living life your own way. Yanely is also a member of CNBC's Financial Wellness Advisory Council and an Advocate at the NGPF Mission 2030 Fund.  

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Best places to exchange currency in Santa Clara

You've got a few options if you want to exchange currency in Santa Clara. Whether you’re buying travel money in cash, looking for secure ways to cut the costs of making ATM withdrawals abroad, or sending money to someone overseas, we’ve got options for you.

You might decide to pop into a physical currency exchange store in Santa Clara - but many customers will find it more convenient to pick up a low cost travel card instead, for on the go payments, cash withdrawals and easy to convert currencies with great exchange rates.

Wise travel card - A low cost alternative to exchange shops

Order and get your Wise travel card in Santa Clara for convenient spending and withdrawals during your trip.

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup or margin when converting your money to any currency you need. This may work out cheaper than most currency exchange shops in Santa Clara.

1 best places to exchange money in Santa Clara

The best place to exchange currency in Santa Clara does depend a lot on where in the city you are, and which currencies you need. You'll need to do a bit of your own research - but to start you off, we've detailed 1 of the top rated exchange services in Santa Clara, according to Google.

Orlandi Valuta

• Phone : (408) 882-0117
• Website : http://locations.orlandivaluta.com/?locale=en
• Address : Arteagas Food Center, 1003 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, USA
• Monday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Thursday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Saturday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Sunday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

How we rated the currency exchange shops in Santa Clara

We've taken into account the Google ratings at the time of research, looking at exchange services in popular Santa Clara areas. As ratings are dynamic, and things change all the time, you’ll want to also do your own research before you head out to exchange your money.

How to exchange currency in Santa Clara

Depending on your needs and preferences, you may want to choose between banks, currency exchange shops and online platforms to exchange currency conveniently in Santa Clara. It’s worth noting that to keep customers safe, and to comply with the law, it’s common for exchange services to ask for ID when you buy foreign currency. Get ready by having your photo ID, such as a passport or driving license, with you when you arrange your exchange.

If you’re planning on exchanging currency with a bank, you’ll need to double check the travel money and exchange options available. Many banks only offer exchange to customers who already have an account - plus you might have to order online in advance, particularly if you’re looking for a more exotic currency. If your local bank offers currency exchange to people who aren’t customers, bear in mind that you’ll need to take an ID document along with you to collect your cash.

To exchange currency in Santa Clara using a bank:

• Check that the bank you've picked offers currency exchange
• Make sure the currency you need is available - you may need to order ahead
• Visit a branch with cash, or order online, depending on the bank's process
• Take your travel money instantly, or collect in branch later - remember your ID document if you're not a customer

As an alternative you could choose to visit a currency exchange service or travel money specialist which offers online or on the spot exchange. Currency specialists usually have a very good selection of foreign currencies available, although smaller branches may not hold everything in stock at one time. It’s also useful to know that the exchange rate you get for an on the spot exchange in a store may be different to the one you’ll get when ordering online for collection - usually online orders get a better rate.

To exchange currency in Santa Clara using a currency exchange service:

• Decide if you'll visit a currency exchange store in person to exchange, or order ahead
• Place your order online and pay by card or with BPAY, or visit a branch with cash
• Take your travel money instantly, or collect in branch later - you'll need to take along your ID document when you visit the branch to place a collect your order

Finally, you might choose to order your travel money online. There are a few ways to do this. Some providers will let you order online and either have the cash delivered to home, or you can collect at a branch or in the airport. Other options offer a travel money card which you can order online, top up, and then use for spending and withdrawals while you’re away. This can be an especially convenient option as it’s often possible to complete the whole process without needing to leave home.

To exchange currency in Santa Clara online:

• Choose an online currency exchange service which suits your needs
• Order your travel money or travel money card, following their specific process
• You'll normally need to upload an image of your photo ID document for verification
• Your money or card can be delivered to home or collected, depending on the provider you pick

Things to look at before exchanging money

Before you decide how to exchange money it’s worth shopping around to compare a few different available options. That can mean your money goes further. Here are a few more important tips:

Avoid airport currency exchanges

Airports often have currency exchange services - but they’re not usually good value. Services at the airport know that customers have few options left, which means they can crank up the costs. You may not see any fee displayed, but there are likely to be charges rolled into the exchange rate used to convert your dollars to the currency you need, which can be very high.

Check the mid-market rate

Not sure what a good rate looks like? Check the mid-market rate for your specific currency. The mid-market rate is the one used on global markets, and when banks buy and sell currencies. However, it’s not usually passed on to customers. Instead extra fees are added - a markup, margin, or spread. Compare the rate you’re being offered to the mid-market rate for your currency - which you can get from Google - to see this.

Beware of ATM rates

If an ATM in a foreign country asks if you’d prefer to pay in dollars, say no. If you agree, the ATM will manage the currency conversion for you - and that ATM will not give you as good a rate as the one your bank or card network offers. Pay at ATMs and with merchants using the local currency wherever you are, to avoid this.

Get a travel money card from Wise

Travel money cards can help you avoid costs and hassle when exchanging money. Order a card online, add a balance in dollars, and either convert to the currency you need in advance or at the point of payment. Providers like Wise support 40+ currencies for holding and exchange, and often use better exchange rates and lower fees compared to physical currency exchange stores.

Factors to consider when choosing an exchange provider in Santa Clara

Before you pick the right Santa Clara currency exchange option for your needs, do a little shopping around. Compare the available options, looking at the costs involved, how safe they are, and what customers say about them.

When considering costs make sure you check both the exchange rate and the fees charged. It's common for services to state there's no commission, when the costs have simply been added into the exchange rate being used.

Double check safety by picking a reputable and licensed provider. If you're exchanging money at a major bank you can rest assured it's licensed. If you're using physical currency exchange stores it's worth asking how they're regulated - and with online providers you can usually find everything you need in a footnote on the website, including licensing details.

Finally, ask around for personal recommendations from friends and family in Santa Clara, and use online resources like Google reviews and Trustpilot to make sure previous customers are positive about any service you might pick.

Best foreign currency exchange rates in Santa Clara

Exchange rates can be confusing. It can often seem like every bank, exchange store or online service has their own rate - and choosing can feel daunting.

The key to getting the best currency exchange rate in Santa Clara is to understand the mid-market exchange rate for your currency pair. The mid-market rate is the rate used when trading on global markets - the one banks and currency exchanges get when they buy or sell currencies themselves. However, providers usually don't pass on this rate to customers - they'll add a percentage markup or margin, which is a fee, to the rate offered to retail customers buying or selling relatively small amounts of currencies.

You can take the mid-market rate for your currency as a good benchmark when measuring up your options for currency exchange in Santa Clara. Find the mid-market rate on Google, and then look for a provider which offers this or as close as possible to it.

Another good bet is to pick a travel money card from a service like Wise which offers currency exchange which uses live mid-market rates, with the fees split out for clarity and transparency.

When is the best time to exchange currency

Exchange rates change a lot, based on the demand in global markets. That means that there's no best time for currency exchange, but tracking the market can certainly help you spot a good deal when one becomes available.

Keep an eye on the mid-market rate for your currency, using any of our handy tools, and watch how it's changing over time. It's also possible to set up rate alerts online which can help you learn when a rate hits the level you're looking for. If you're planning on converting cash - or if you have a travel money card - you can lock in the rate by buying your foreign currency at that point.

No matter how good a deal you think you're getting, be sure you're picking a safe and reputable provider for your exchange. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Tips for finding the best currency exchange rates in Santa Clara

Here are a few final ideas on how to find the best exchange rates in Santa Clara, no matter which currency you need to buy:

• Compare the available rates across different providers close to you and online - and be sure to check for any additional fees or commissions which can push up costs significantly
• Use online currency converters or mobile apps to stay updated on the current exchange rates for your currency pair, and buy when the time's right
• Consider using an online alternative such as Wise or https://revolut.ngih.net/c/2840549/1471653/9626(https://revolut.ngih.net/c/2840549/1471653/9626?subid1=exiap-com&subid2=guides&subid3=guides%2Fcurrency_exchanges_best_in_santa_clara_california ) so you can instantly convert currencies using just your phone, wherever you're ready

Why buy foreign currency in Santa Clara?

Getting your foreign currency in Santa Clara may offer a better deal compared to buying it from the airport or in your destination country. Airport exchange services know they have a captive audience and can add in extra fees and exchange rate hikes, pushing up the price you pay. Exchanging money in your destination eats into your precious holiday time - plus you may be targeted by unscrupulous money changers with bad rates.

Here are a few good reasons to exchange your currency in Santa Clara:

• As you have time to shop around, you may find you can get better exchange rates
• Buying currency close to home (or even without leaving home) offers speed and convenience
• It's far easier to check the safety and reputation of a provider you know, rather than picking one at your destination
• You won't need to waste your holiday standing in line in a currency exchange store - you can get on with your trip instead

There are a few different ways you might want to currency in Santa Clara. You could head to a bank, choose a physical currency exchange service, or go for an online option.

There are also some great travel money cards from providers like Wise and Revolut which allow you to order a card online or in an app, top up remotely, and spend or make withdrawals overseas easily. Travel money cards are secure and often offer better exchange rates and lower overall costs compared to switching currency at the airport or in a physical location in your destination.

Use this guide to figure out which currency exchange in Santa Clara might be best for you, and don't forget to also take a look at travel money cards to see if popping one in your wallet can help you save.

FAQ - Best places to exchange currency in Santa Clara

There's not one single best place to exchange currency for travel, but converting your currency online before you head off can save time - and often money. One convenient option is to get a travel money card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, to add and exchange money with just your phone.

The cheapest way to get foreign currency in Santa Clara will depend on the currency you need and the value you want to exchange. This guide gives some good pointers to locations you may want to compare, but shopping around is still essential. Compare the exchange services in Santa Clara with online and digital services to get the best deal overall.

Exchanging cash on arrival is inconvenient and can leave you vulnerable to scams and unscrupulous money changing services in your destination. You can exchange money before you go conveniently - or get a travel money card which you can top up digitally and use for spending and withdrawals when you're away, often with great rates and low fees.

Yes. If you get a bad exchange rate - or high commission costs - you'll end up with less money in the end for your trip. Before you exchange money, shop around and compare both on and offline options to make sure you get a good deal without excessive fees.

Banks and currency exchange stores can exchange your foreign currency back to US Dollar - but the rate is unlikely to be as good as it was when you converted in the first place, which means you get less back than you spent. Instead, consider a travel money card like the Wise card which lets you leave your money in dollars and convert on the spot when you make a payment or withdrawal overseas.

More places to exchange currency in the US

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I’m a Travel Expert: 5 Reasons To Use Your Credit Card While Traveling Abroad and 4 Reasons Not To

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International travel can be a dream come true: New countries. New experiences. A whole new world of possibilities.

But international travel also comes with a few challenges, such as learning a new language or spending money in a foreign currency.

These days, having a credit card makes international travel a bit less stressful. You can simply swipe your card and be on your way. But there are also some downsides to using a credit card while traveling abroad — and it could cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful.

GOBankingRates interviewed two travel experts to get their take on when you should use a credit card when traveling abroad — and when you should avoid using a credit card .

5 Reasons You Absolutely Should Use a Credit Card When Traveling Abroad

It’s usually a good idea to have a credit card on you when traveling, especially in a new country. Here are a few reasons why.

Worldwide Acceptance

Credit cards are universal at this point. You can go almost anywhere and use one.

“Most credit cards are widely accepted, hence one can use them to buy things in almost every country,” said Kenan Acikelli, CEO and founder at Workhy , an international business launch platform. “This helps travelers avoid carrying huge amounts of cash or frequently exchanging currency.”

In addition, you don’t have to worry about converting your cash into foreign paper currency in most cases, making it a simpler travel experience.

Currency Conversion

When traveling abroad, using a credit card will automatically convert into local currency. This allows you to use your card basically anywhere and make purchases without physically converting your currency.

Plus, you might even save money.

“Most credit card companies enjoy competitive exchange rates, often better than what a traveler would get from the currency booths or even banks,” said Acikelli. “In this regard, money could be saved on foreign purchases.”

Fraud Protection

Credit card fraud can feel scary, but most cards offer fraud protection to help you avoid losing money.

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“Most credit cards come with robust fraud protection policies whereby any unauthorized transactions on the card will be detected and reversed immediately; hence, such a person does not need to worry about falling prey to fraudsters while traveling,” said Acikelli.

You may need to have a new card shipped to you if you’re a victim of fraud, but you won’t be responsible for the false charges.

Medical Emergencies

If you have a medical emergency when traveling abroad, it can be a good idea to have a credit card handy.

“There are a few good reasons to use a credit card for unexpected medical costs while traveling abroad,” said Hans Mast, a travel agent for Golden Rule Travel . “First, medical emergencies cost a lot, especially when you’re not insured and you’re abroad. Credit cards can help you pay for unexpected costs without using all of your cash on hand. A lot of credit cards come with travel insurance that might cover medical emergencies.”

In addition to using a card, it’s a good idea to have a separate travel insurance policy in place.

Hotel Incidentals

If you’re staying in a hotel when traveling internationally, credit cards are a must.

“Hotels usually need a credit card when you check in, so they can cover any small costs,” said Mast. “Some examples are room service, buying things from the minibar, spa treatments and damage to the room. Some hotels may hold onto your card for small charges. If you have a credit card, this is easier to handle than a debit card, which could tie up your money.”

You might even need a card to book a hotel in the first palace, so make sure you have one handy when you check in.

4 Reasons You Should Not Use a Credit Card When Traveling Abroad

While using a credit card for international travel can be a good idea, it’s not always the best method of payment. Here’s a few times when you’d want to avoid using a credit card when traveling abroad.

Merchant Fees

Some retailers will pass on credit card merchant fees to the customer, and this can be costly.

“This happens a lot in some countries, especially when small businesses try to cut down on credit card fees,” said Mast. “Surcharges can [increase] your bill by 1% to 4%, which quickly cancels out any rewards or benefits from your card. In this case, cash is usually cheaper.”

It’s always a good idea to ask about fees before any major purchases abroad.

Foreign Transaction Fees

If you use a credit card in another country, you could get slapped with a foreign transaction fee.

“Most credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of around 2% to 3% of each purchase,” said Acikelli. “These add up quickly and will increase the cost of using a credit card for every little purchase.”

And another type of fee that’s tougher to spot is a currency conversion fee.

“Another situation to avoid using your credit card is when a payment terminal offers to charge you in your home currency instead of the local currency,” said Mast. “This practice, known as Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), might seem convenient, but it often comes with hidden costs. Most of the time, DCC exchange rates are worse than credit card rates, and there may be fees.”

If you want to avoid these fees, make sure to only use a credit card that doesn’t come with any foreign transaction fees.

Credit cards usually offer some fraud protection, but that doesn’t make it less frustrating when fraud does happen while you’re traveling.

“Although most credit cards have fraud protection, they still can be skimmed or otherwise stolen,” said Acikelli. “In several countries, there is a good fraud incidence rate; sometimes, this may pose temporary inconveniences to travelers while the issues are ironed out.”

Having a stash of cash available in the local currency can help you get through times you can’t use your card.

Cash Only Locations

There are simply some retailers that don’t accept cards. In these cases, you’ll want to have cash set aside for purchases.

“Not everywhere will take credit cards, especially in rural areas,” said Acikelli. “In such locations, cash is king. Travelers might find themselves in a tight spot if they only rely on a credit card.”

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Mapped: New mpox cases reported. What countries have it now?

A new, potentially more deadly strain of the virus is rapidly spreading within Africa and has been discovered in Asia and Europe.

Uganda has reported two new cases of the clade 1b strain of  the mpox virus .

The health ministry has announced that one of the patients is a truck driver and that both are in isolation at a hospital in Entebbe, about an hour south of the capital.

Keep reading

Public health emergency as global mpox cases confirmed, what is mpox and how do you protect yourself, thailand says mpox detected in european who travelled from africa, mpox not the new covid, says who.

As mpox spreads, concerns are rising about the confirmed cases of 1b, a new and potentially deadlier strain.

Where has mpox spread?

Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and Uganda have reported cases – a total of 18.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a “public health emergency of international concern” while emphasising that mpox is “ not the new COVID “.

This is the second emergency alert relating to mpox from the global health agency in two years.

The current outbreak is triggered by Clade 1, believed to be a more serious variant that can spread through skin-to-skin contact.

Mpox has been identified in Africa since 2022, originally traced to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In 2023, a new strain of Clade 1 was discovered in DRC – Clade 1b.

A different outbreak of the virus’s earlier Clade 2 variant is also spreading, although at lower levels, with more than 100 countries reporting infections by last month.

Clade 2 is believed to cause milder infections and has a fatality rate of 0.2 percent compared with 3.9 percent for Clade 1.

Here’s where mpox disease has spread from January to August this year:

According to data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the governments of Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda and the Ivory Coast, the Clade 1 variant of mpox has been detected in the following countries this year:

• Burundi (eight cases, zero deaths)
• Cameroon (35, two)
• Central African Republic (213, zero)
• Ivory Coast (28, one)
• Republic of Congo (146, one)
• DRC (13,791, 450)
• Ghana (four, zero)
• Liberia (five, zero)
• Nigeria (24, zero)
• Rwanda (two, zero)
• South Africa (22, three)
• Uganda (four, zero)
• Kenya (one, zero)
• Mozambique (one, zero)

The DRC is experiencing the biggest outbreak of the disease ever recorded with thousands of people infected as of August 21. The government declared an epidemic in December 2022 .

Nearly all reported cases – 96 percent – across Africa are in the DRC, where children younger than 15 account for 60 percent of the cases, Africa CDC said.

The new Clade 1b strain has been detected in countries neighbouring the DRC: Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, which had not previously reported any cases since the outbreak began in 2022.

So far, 541 deaths have been recorded from mpox, with 535 in the DRC (97 percent). The Africa CDC does not classify deaths according to strain.

In Ivory Coast, authorities said, the outbreak is linked to the 2022 Clade 2 variant.

• Pakistan (one, zero)
• Philippines (one case, zero deaths)
• Thailand (one, zero)

The Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan reported new mpox cases this month.

In Thailand, authorities confirmed a new case of Clade 1b on Thursday, Asia’s first case of the new strain.

The individual, identified as a 66-year-old European male, reportedly returned from an unnamed African country currently experiencing a “large” outbreak of the Clade 1 variant.

He reportedly does not have serious symptoms and was believed to have transited through a Middle Eastern country en route to Thailand.

In the Philippines, authorities said the milder Clade 2 variant has been confirmed in the most recent case there – a 33-year-old Filipino male with no travel history.

The patient is the country’s 10th confirmed case since 2022 and authorities say mpox has likely been spreading quietly for a while.

Pakistani authorities said its first patient reported this year is a male infected with Clade 2.

However, authorities said last week they are trying to trace the patient, who is believed to have travelled to another province before the test results were released.

•  Sweden (one case, zero deaths)

Sweden reported an mpox case on August 15 which was confirmed to be the more serious Clade 1 variant.

It is “highly likely” that Europe will record more cases of Clade 1 because of frequent air travel between Europe and Africa, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

However, sustained transmission might be low in Europe if cases are quickly diagnosed and if testing, surveillance and contact tracing are used, the agency said. The European Union has ruled out closing its borders to hard-hit countries.

Americas, Middle East, Oceania and Antarctica

No countries in North or South America have reported new Clade 1 cases so far.

However, they should be “alert” to possible Clade 1 and Clade 2 cases, the Pan American Health Organization said on August 9.

The region reported more than 62,000 cases of the Clade 2 virus from 2022 to July 2024, including 141 deaths.

There are no confirmed cases of Clade 1 in Oceania or the Middle East.

Americans to Cut Back on International Travel for Labor Day Weekend

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

August 19th, 2024 at 12:01 AM EDT

After splurging on travel this summer, Americans are starting to cut back and take more vacations closer to home.

Dawit Habtemariam

Americans aren’t going to be setting a new travel record for Labor Day weekend like they did for July 4th and Memorial Day, according to an analysis of booking data released Monday by AAA.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a record,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel.

Twidale said Americans are cutting back on trips abroad this year. International travel bookings are down 4% from last year for Thursday, August 29 through Monday, September 2.

Inflation is a big reason for the decline: The cost of international travel, including airfares and hotel stays, is up 11%, according to AAA. Higher costs more generally, including for groceries, are also straining budgets, even as the pace of inflation slows.

“Inflation is up so discretionary income is a little constrained,” said Twidale.

To save money, Americans have opted to travel within the U.S. Domestic travel for Labor Day weekend is up 9% over last year. Costs for trips within the U.S. have increased only 2%.

In recent weeks, gas prices have remained steady at around $3.50 on average, down from $3.81 for last year’s holiday, according to AAA.

According to the State of Travel 2024 report from Skift Research, as of May, tourism experts ranked high costs and the economic environment as the top factors weighing down an international tourism recovery.

American s Book More Labor Day Cruises

There’s been a surge in domestic cruises for Labor Day weekend. Domestic cruise bookings for Labor Day weekend are up 18% from last year, with Alaska the top destination, according to AAA.

Twidale attributed the boom in cruises to American families trying to save money on hotels and transportation while also enjoying many destinations in one short trip. “It is another way to economically spend their amount of money and see a lot of cities and have everything done for you,” she said

Cruise executives have noted the been strong demand from North America this year. “Their willingness to pay more for these incredible vacation experiences continues to increase, so our pricing continues to increase into 2025 and into 2026,” said Royal Caribbean CEO and President Jason Liberty on a conference call discussing second-quarter results.

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I spend $1,300 a year on credit-card fees to get big travel perks. Here are ones I swear by and which I won't pay for again.

• I'm a frequent traveler spending $1,300 a year on credit card fees to get great perks. 
• The Platinum Card® from American Express  saves me money with its complimentary Priority Pass membership.
• My United℠ Explorer Card card has gotten me priority boarding but I'm not sure I want to keep it.

I used to think that paying an annual fee for a credit card was a terrible idea and a waste of money. 

For years, I prided myself on using no-fee credit cards that offered a small amount of cash back on purchases. But I changed my mind once I started traveling more and learning about the perks some credit cards offered.

I dove in head first. This year I've spent about $1,300 on annual fees. Most of the fees are worth every penny and have easily paid for themselves, though there are some I'm not sure about. 

Here are my favorite travel card perks , plus a few I've enjoyed but would be OK losing.  

I love having airport-lounge access and travel upgrades

My American Express Business Platinum comes with a hard-to-swallow $695 annual fee, but the perks have more than outweighed the cost. For context, I'm a freelance writer and use this card for expenses associated with my business, but American Express offers a personal version that's very similar.

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I've used this card's benefits to get CLEAR and Global Entry , both of which have helped me speed through security lines at airports. It got me an automatic upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold elite status, which has scored me free breakfast and room upgrades throughout my travels. 

However, my favorite perk of this card is my free Priority Pass  membership. With it, I've gained access to several airport lounges for myself and up to two travel companions, usually my children.

This benefit alone has saved me hundreds of dollars since I no longer have to buy pricey food at the airport — most lounges offer plenty of it for free. Plus, lounge access has made long travel days and layovers so much easier. I wish I had gotten this card sooner. 

Being able to avoid foreign transaction fees has saved me a lot of money

The first credit card I applied for with an annual fee is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which has a $95 annual fee. Many of my cards charge up to 3% for every transaction made in a currency other than US dollars, but this one doesn't. 

Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly, even on a short trip. Because I take a couple of international trips a year, the $95 annual fee more than pays for itself. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also has other money-saving perks for travelers I like, including competitive travel insurance and car-rental insurance for trips charged to the card. 

Although my Amex Business Platinum also provides fee-free foreign transactions and travel insurance, American Express isn't as widely accepted internationally. I've had Chase credit cards accepted almost everywhere I've traveled so I will keep this one in my wallet. 

I paid several hundred dollars to get an Amex Gold, but I got points galore 

I applied for an American Express® Business Gold Card card when the company ran one of its rare promotions offering 150,000 points as a sign-up bonus. The card's $375 annual fee is high, but the generous sign-up bonus more than made up for it for me.

I have several international trips planned this year, and I expect that the 150,000 points I plan to redeem for airline tickets will easily save me at least triple the annual fee. For example, a ticket on a flight I'm eyeing to New Delhi from Washington, DC, costs $1,488 and is 148,000 points.

With this card, I also receive monthly statement credits — up to $20 a month — offsetting more than half of the annual fee I paid. However, it's a pain to keep track of earning the monthly credit, and the card's other benefits aren't that valuable to me.

I probably won't keep this card for a second year since American Express offers a personal version of it with similar perks and a lower annual fee.

Priority boarding has been nice, but not quite worth the price

I'm a frequent flyer on United but have never accrued enough points to gain status with the airline. To get more perks on United, I applied for a United℠ Explorer Card card, which doesn't charge an annual fee for the first year ($0 intro for the first year, then $95 annually in subsequent years). 

My favorite perk of this card is priority boarding. Combined with other perks like single-entry passes to United Club lounges and free checked bags, I thought this card was a good value. 

However, I now get lounge access and credit for checked bags with my Amex Business Platinum , and I don't think priority boarding is valuable enough to make up for the annual fee. 

I would also rather earn points that can be transferred to several airlines and hotels rather than being locked into United. I plan on canceling this card when the next annual fee comes due, but I might reapply if I find that I miss priority boarding a lot. 

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.

Watch: Marketing leaders have to help their companies keep pace with the rapidly changing worlds of their customers, says Elizabeth Rutledge, CMO of American Express

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