travel wise travel card

Wise Card Review – Is This Your Next Travel Card?

Disclosure: This post (probably) contains affiliate links. If you click on one, I may make a small commission. Of course, this will come at no extra cost to you and helps keep this site running.

There are some challenges that are pretty much universal when it comes to international travel. One of the most common is finding an easy and inexpensive way to pay for things while overseas. So when it looked like the Wise card could be a good solution, I decided to give it a go on my most recent trips. This Wise card review will take you through my experience traveling with the card.

My reasoning for doing a review is that I know how useful a good travel card can be be. Options for these kinds of things generally depend on which country you’re from, with some countries like the US having more choice than others. Coming from Australia, our options are far fewer, and I’m sure we’re not alone. So hopefully, this review of the Wise card that is widely available across the world can help you see if it’s a useful option for you or not.

Disclaimer: This is not financial advice and I am not a financial advisor. I do not know your financial situation or whether this product will be specifically right for you. This is simply a review of my experience using the Wise Card as a consumer. Please check the Wise website for latest rates/fees and do your own due diligence.

Table of Contents

What is the Wise Card?

Wise, formerly TransferWise, is an online foreign exchange service based in London. I’ve been using Wise for a while now to send/receive money from overseas for work. It’s very useful being able to provide banking details in other countries to receive payments.

They use the mid-market exchange rate for conversions and their transfer fees are considerably lower than alternatives such as Paypal in my experience. There are even tables they provide to show you how they compare to the competition.

The Wise card is simply a Visa debit card associated with your Wise account. It lets you pay for things using the money stored in your Wise account. Like with travel cards, you can store money in different currencies, but it will also auto-convert at the current rate if you don’t have money stored in the necessary currency.

If you’re curious, you can read here about how Wise is regulated according to your country’s laws .

Who is the Wise Card For?

Generally speaking, I believe anyone travelling internationally can get value out of using a Wise card. However, it’s much more useful if you’re already using Wise to receive different currencies from overseas. That’s because it saves you the step of loading funds onto your card’s account and the small associated fee for doing so.

As such, the Wise card is well-suited to digital nomads and freelancers with international clients. If you get paid in USD, Euros, GBP etc., you can get them sent to your Wise bank details and access them easily with your card. At the moment, they support 40 currencies, with information on which come with bank details here .

Wise Cash Withdrawals

Beyond just charging expenses to the card using your funds, you can also use the Wise card to withdraw cash at ATMs. This has turned out to be my favourite use for the Wise card , as cash is still very important when travelling in some countries like Japan and South Korea.

What’s good about the Wise card is the way its fees are done . Each calendar month, you’re given two withdrawals up to a certain threshold without any rates or fees. This is excluding any fees the ATM merchant may charge of course.

But even once you reach three withdrawals or go over the free limit, the fees and rates are minimal (in my opinion). In Australia, for example, the free threshold is AU$350, after which it’s a 1.75% fee, and after the first two withdrawals a $1.50 fee.

The threshold and fee for your withdrawals do depend on where you’re from, but they were favourable compared to my previous go-to travel card. And if you’re able to be strategic with your timing, like I was in Japan and South Korea, you can avoid them.

Benefits of a Wise Card

While using the Wise card these last few trips, I’ve encountered a few scenarios where I’ve been glad to have it with me.

It’s always helpful having more than one card when you travel, in case you run into a problem on one. Having a Visa card is also useful if your other card is a Mastercard in case of card/vendor problems or restrictions.
Rather than being strictly a debit card or a currency card, the Wise card feels like a hybrid of both. It lets you take advantage of favourable exchange rates, but doesn’t limit you if you exhaust funds in one currency either.
I ran into problems with my other credit card in Japan when trying to buy train tickets and at other times in South Korea. Thankfully, my Wise card worked fine and I think it was because it had the local currency stored on it.
Like other bank cards, you can add your Wise card to your smart phone to pay with Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Flaws of the Wise Card

My one and only small gripe with the Wise card has been when I’ve depleted my funds in the local currency. When that happens, it auto-converts the remaining balance from one of your other stored currencies. Unfortunately, it’s taken from my Euros account in that situation and I wanted to keep my Euros for later to withdraw as cash. I can’t seem to find an option to nominate a default secondary currency to withdraw funds from.

Managing the Card Through the App

Having an app for banking these days isn’t anything new or special. But I will say that the Wise app is especially easy to use and does help you manage your card. Go into the app and you can see for instance how far off the withdrawal threshold you are. You can also easily see your funds, add money, freeze the card, or even change which payment methods you want to allow for it.

With the app, it also makes it very easy to see the details of transactions and cash withdrawals. They clearly break down the fees associated with a withdrawal, so that there’s no confusion where you stand.

Getting a Wise Card

The process for getting a Wise Card couldn’t be simpler. Either log in or create a new account, and then pay a small one-time fee (currently US$9) for the card to be sent to you. They’ll also provide you with a digital card immediately so that you can get started using it online.

Have you tried using the Wise card as a travel card? What more information would you like from this Wise card review? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

David is the author behind the Travelsewhere travel blog and is always on the search for the quieter, less-visited corners of the world.

Wise Travel Card Review: The Multi-Currency Debit Card For Travellers

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: March 26, 2024

Wise Travel Card Review: The Multi-Currency Debit Card For Travellers

The Wise Travel Card is a Visa Debit card designed for international travellers and individuals who frequently make multi currency transactions. I was first introduced to the Wise card by another travel blogger who had been using it for a few years and could vouch for its credibility.

At the time, I was looking for a money transfer account that would allow different currencies to be paid into it without incurring the hefty conversion fees my high street bank was charging me. I also wanted an easy-to-use, app-based money card that I could use during my travels to check, top-up and convert balances whenever needed.

The Wise Travel Money Card sounded perfect because it would allow me to have one debit card holding credit balances in USD, EUR, and GBP, all in separate currency wallets. I could then use my Wise Euro credit balance to buy items charged in Euros and likewise for USD. My transactions would be like-for-like, with no hefty currency conversion fees appearing on a statement.

I could also exchange one currency wallet balance for another at any time via the Wise App. The app is easy to use, and with a press of a button, I can auto-convert my USD or EUR balances for GBP, which appear in my online GBP currency wallet immediately. Simple!

Wise also allows me to send, add, or request money at any time and even set up direct debits through the app.

In the time I have been using my Wise Travel Card, I have been very pleased with its functionality and am happy to let other travellers (and non-travellers) know about it. For transparency, please see the Wise Card Fees and Pricing.

This travel guide may contain affiliate links – please read my disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

Table of Contents

What Is The Benefit Of Using Wise?

The Wise Debit Visa is linked to a Wise multi-currency account, allowing you to manage money in multiple currencies.
One of the key features of Wise is its use of the real exchange rate, providing users with rates close to the mid-market rate without additional markups. This can result in cost savings compared to traditional banks.
The card offers interest on your multi-currency balances, which is great if you don’t intend to withdraw your funds immediately.
Wise typically offers transparent and competitive fees for international money transactions and currency conversions. Users may benefit from lower fees compared to traditional banks.
The card supports contactless payments, allowing for quick and convenient transactions at merchants that accept contactless payments.
The Wise Debit Card is a Visa, which means it’s an international debit card widely accepted globally. Users can use the card for online, in-person, and ATM withdrawals worldwide. It’s all you need in one card.
Wise provides a mobile app that allows users to manage their multi-currency accounts, monitor transactions, and receive notifications. The Wise app also features such as spending analytics and budgeting tools.
The card can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs around the world. Wise has partnerships with specific ATMs to offer fee-free or reduced-fee withdrawals up to a specific limit.
Visa provides standard security features, and Wise offers additional security measures through its app, such as the ability to lock/unlock the card and receive instant transaction notifications.
Users can activate and manage their Wise Debit Visa through the Wise mobile app.

Wise Card For International Travel

I recently used my Wise travel card while on holiday in Lanzarote, Spain . I paid for entrance fees and food and drink in Euros, which was debited from the Euro currency wallet in my Wise account. The debit card was so easy to use, and I knew I wasn’t going to be charged any additional fees as the transaction was made in EUR rather than being converted from GBP.

I also just purchased a flight online and paid in USD. This came from my Wise USD currency wallet, which was straightforward with no added foreign transaction fees.

How To Get Your Wise Card

I hope this post has helped outline the benefits of getting a Wise Travel Card. The details I have provided are a brief overview, so please visit the official Wise website for more in-depth details before signing up.

You can access a digital card in your app as soon as Wise accepts your application, but if you prefer a physical card like me, you can apply for one below.

The physical Wise card costs a one-off fee of £7. And yes, the card really is the same colour as Kermit the Frog from The Muppet Show!

APPLY FOR YOUR WISE TRAVEL DEBIT CARD

I am not a financial expert, nor did Wise pay me to write this article; however, I am now part of their affiliate scheme, and I will receive a small commission if you sign up through my link. This is at no extra cost to you and helps me keep this travel blog running.

The opinions in this review are based entirely on my own experiences using my Wise Debit Card. Before you sign up for a Wise Card, please be sure to do your own due diligence.

I would like to receive occasional updates and new travel posts.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

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how to use wise (transferwise) while travelling

How to use Wise for CHEAPER Travel Money & Spending

One of the key considerations for taking a trip is money. Especially if you’re traveling to a location where the currency is different from your home country. Getting hold of cash can be a costly exercise – from fluctuations in exchange rates to poor exchange rates and the dreaded currency commission rates. One of the best ways to pay the least to obtain currency while traveling is to use the Wise debit card for travel. Wise, is a great way to move money between currencies – and using the Wise debit card is one of the cheapest ways to use money while traveling.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

#1 TIP FOR CASH & CARDS

Get a Fee Free Card to Use

Get a WISE Card to take to on your travels. Two free ATM withdrawals per month, plus free to use to pay by card with zero foreign transaction fees.

Wise is now Wise

Wise changed its name to Wise in February 2021. However, name changes take a long time, especially in the web world, so the name change from Wise to Wise is a long-term process and the names are used interchangeably – and not just by me!

Using Wise for Lowest Travel Money Costs

There are a couple of elements to Wise and Wise that make it one of the best ways to obtain and spend money abroad.

The Wise Multi-Currency Account.

First, you can create what’s called a Wise“ borderless or multi-currency account ”. All that really means is that you can open bank accounts in multiple countries via Wise and hold different currencies in those accounts. So if I’m traveling to the USA for vacation it would make sense to have some money that I can use in US dollars. The Wise Multi-Currency Account lets me open an account, not just in my native British Pounds, but also in US dollars. (And Euros, and Australian dollars – and a whole lot of other currencies). But, you don’t HAVE to hold money in those currencies until you actually want it there. (Keep it where you’re earning interest if you’re lucky enough to be doing that!).

And the borderless accounts from Wise are Free. There are no account charges with Wise.

Do it now. See how easy it is. Open your Wise multi-currency account now!

These different currency accounts mean that you can move money from your home currency account to the currency in which you’re going to be spending. And the reason you want to use Wise to do this is that it offers some of the best currency exchange rates – WAY better than your bank, or the bureau exchange.

The Wise Currency Exchange Charging Rates

Wise uses the mid-market rate (like all the banks do when they move money between each other) when it is moving your money between currencies. It is completely transparent about this. The way that it makes money is that it charges a small percentage on the commission- and this is ALWAYS displayed and VERY CLEARLY, so you can see exactly how much your currency exchange is costing. Check out Wise currency rates here.

When you move money, say between Euros and US Dollars Wise clearly shows how much it costs, and what their commission is (it’s never hidden like some other providers) and it explains how much you have saved based on average rates for high street banks. You can also run through the process and see what it’s going to cost without committing. Check out the Wise exchange rate here now

The Wise Travel Card

There is a small charge for the Wise debit card – the cost of a Wise debit card depends on where you sign up (for instance in Portugal it’s 8 euros) – check the cost of a Wise debit card here. There’s no minimum balance you have to pay and there are no ongoing charges to pay for the card. The huge benefit of the Wise debit card is that you get TWO FREE ATM withdrawals up to the equivalent of GBP200 a month. After that, there’s a small fee per transaction and a 1.75 percent fee for withdrawals made in a 30-day period.

As of December 2021, Wise debit cards are also available to Canadian residents > Get yours here

There are zero foreign transaction fees with the Wise debit card. Convinced? Get your Wise Debit card here.

You can use the Wise debit card just like any other debit card, in more than 200 countries. Use it to pay for food, in bars, restaurants, shops – there’s no charge – just use it exactly the same as you would any other card, except you’ll be paying in the currency of where you’re traveling, with the money that you’re holding in your multi-currency account, and so getting some of the best exchanges rates around.

So what happens if you don’t have any money left in your Wise currency account? Don’t worry, your card will still work. When you set up your Wise multi-currency account you link it to a bank account in your home country. So if you aren’t holding any money in a particular currency but are spending that currency Wise will automatically do the conversion at the standard exchange rate and charge their regular fees.

You can spend in ANY currency on your Wise debit card and it will be converted using the lowest possible fee.

What are the Wise Fees?

I’m not going to type out what all those fees are, as they make it very clear on their website – you can check them here

Our Guides to Lower ATM Fees When Traveling

If you’re traveling, then our guides to ATMs and ATM fees are here

Guide to lowest Guatemala ATM fees
The Ultimate Guide to the lowest Colombia ATM fees
How to reduce Laos ATM fees
Understanding Japan ATM fees
The cheapest Chile ATM fees

Why Use Wise? Reasons for Using Wise

We use Wise for the following reasons

Because they provide cheap currency exchange rates
Because it Wise provides us with the ability to hold local accounts in US dollars, GB Pounds, Euros, Australian dollars, Japanese.
We can receive money for free in GB pounds, US dollars, Australian dollars and Euros – and other currencies – check which currencies you can use Wise with here .
Because it is all online and you don’t need to go into a branch or find someone to deal with if there is a problem (we haven’t had a problem, but doing it online is seriously important to us). – We ALWAYS login to our VPN before connecting to ANY financial services provider – as we tend to use publicly available wifi networks. Our guide to using VPNs for travel is here.
They’re transparent about their pricing.

Get the best VPN that we’ve found that works in ANY country we’ve been to including Turkmenistan, China, Myanmar &Cuba. This link gives you a coupon for THREE MONTHS for free as a reader of ASocialNomad

You can’t pop into a branch of Wise, they have a different model to other banks, so their overheads are lower. And those savings are passed onto you and me. Wise is fully regulated – and yes your money is safe – there’s more on regulation and your money at the end of the article.

What is Wise?

Wise is a financial services company with more than 6 million active customers who move more than US$4billion dollars EVERY MONTH, saving on average US$4 million a DAY in bank fees. Wise is an Authorised Electronic Money Institution independently regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. They are required by law to keep money safe by storing it in low-risk financial institutions. In Europe, they do this with Barclays. In the USA they do this with Wells Fargo.

These accounts are reserved for customer money, this means your money is kept in a separate account from the money they use to run the business.

Wise has more than 1,300 employees in 11 offices and 4 continents. This is a serious operation. Wise is also now a public company, listed on the London Stock Exchange.

How Much Can You Save with Wise?

Wise operates a really simple pricing structure . You get charged what it costs them to send your money plus a small fee. You will always know what that fee is before you send any money. You’ll also always know how long your money is likely to take to transfer between currencies. You can save up to 15 x what your local bank would charge for currency exchanges.

Wise collects data from other financial services providers that are publicly available – to show you how much you can save. They’ll show you this on each transaction you want to make, but you can also take a look for example here where they show how much transfers cost and also how long they take to go through. Some providers take as many as FOUR business days to transfer money, while Wise takes hours, which means you get the benefit of your own money for longer with Wise.

How to Use Wise for Travel

It’s really easy to use Wise for traveling. If you want to use the benefit of a Trnasferwise debit card then you’ll need to set up a Wise account and get hold of the Wise debit card before you leave home. If you don’t want the card, then you can set up a Wise multi-currency account from anywhere. Here’s how to set up Wise for travel .

Set up a Wise Account

The Wise multi-currency account is free to set up and free to maintain. There are no ongoing account costs for Wise accounts. All you need to do to set up a Wise account is to complete your profile , upload ID documents to verify your account for security and then you’re good to start!

Get local bank details with your Wise Account

British Pounds, Euros, Polish Zloty, Australian Dollars, US Dollars, and New Zealand Dollars all come with local bank details. That’s right, you get your own bank account details – IBANs, account numbers – the whole nine yards, just like your regular account.

Download the Wise App

Move money from an app, from your laptop, just as and when you need it. Confirm the rates.

Apply for a Wise card

Simply apply for your Wise debit card here , which gives you

No foreign transactions fees
No annual fees
Low currency conversion rates
Free ATM withdrawals worldwide – up to the equivalent of GBP200 every 30 days
Lowest possible fees with auto-convert for any currency
Manage with the Wise App – get instant notifications, freeze your card, unfreeze it any anytime

How to Use a Wise Card when travelling

Using Wise when traveling is a fabulous to save money.

You can hold balances in your Wise account in different currencies. (like US dollars, British Pounds, Euros, Australian dollars, Japanese Yen.. and so on). But equally, you don’t have to have money in those currencies to spend in those currencies. If you spend in say Japanese Yen but don’t have Yen in your currency account, then Wise will auto-convert to give you the lowest possible rates.

Once you’ve got a Wise account you can apply for a debit card. I don’t know of anyone who’s been turned down. This is a debit card, not a credit card. It is a Mastercard.

Your Wise card lets you take money out of an ATM for FREE – if you hold that currency in your Wise account. It lets you take out up to 200 GBP/250 USD/350 AUD/350 NZD/350 SGD (or your currency’s equivalent) in total per 30 days. After that, a 1.75% withdrawal fee will be charged. After two ATM transactions per 30 days, there’s also a 50p fee. These fees are charged in the currency of your account.

When using your Wise debit card always select to get charged by the ATM in the local currency – NOT your home rate – this means that Wise and not the bank whose ATM you are using will set the exchange rate. ALL ATMs will try and convince you to take their conversion rate – it’s called Dynamic Currency Conversion. You should NOT take their offer. Wise will ALWAYS offer you a better rate. Always.

Using Wise for Currency Transfer Payments

If you need to pay bills in another currency to your home account, then using your Wise account for this is really simple. You can do it ALL online. There’s no waiting period. No hassles and you’ll know exactly how much it is going to cost. And for me, it’s ALWAYS been cheaper than alternatives. Always. Read independent comparisons here.

Simply add your recipient to your recipient’s list – and then transfer the money. You don’t even have to be holding the foreign currency in your Wise account, you can make the exchange on the fly from your connected bank account, the fees are exactly the same as if you move money from say Euros to Dollars, and then pay them as if you just do it all as one transaction.

I love how transparent Wise is about showing me what the cost of the money is, and what their commission charge is for providing the service.

And I really love how quickly it all happens, as well as their humorous comments about how quick the service is compared to other things in the world ( check it out when you do your transfers! )

Using Wise for Holiday Travel Money

We are traveling most of the year, so most of our expenditure is in foreign currency, but even if you’re looking at a one or two-week holiday Wise can save you money. There’s no need to be using the seriously expensive currency exchanges at airports or border crossings. All you need is a Wise account, a Wise debit card, and an ATM.

Pop the card into the ATM, take the cash out and you’re off and running.

Don’t forget you can also use the Wise debit card like a normal debit card, – paying for restaurant meals, trips, tours, car rental, and so on. I don’t know why I keep saying “like a normal debit card”, I really should say, it’s a super-normal debit card – because it doesn’t charge huge fees for spending in a foreign currency!

Using Wise to Receive Foreign Currency Payments

If you get paid in foreign currencies then getting that payment into your home bank account can cost a HUGE amount in fees. Even if the person paying you wants to use, say PayPal, then your fees are high.

Wise lets you open accounts in multiple currencies, so you can give local bank details to the people wanting to pay you, or put them on your invoices. And this is all for free. Check out a multi-currency account here and now. Wise also lets you convert more than 40 currencies! So your billpayers will be paying in their currency, then you can use the low exchange rates that Wise offers to convert to whichever currency you want it in.

Is Your Money Safe with Wise?

In a word. Yes. Here’s how and why.

Wise FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)

Wise is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK – they’re required by law to keep money safe. They do this by storing it in low-risk financial institutions – in Europe, it’s Barclays in the UK, in the USA it’s Wells Fargo. All monies are held in a specific customer account, separate from their business operating monies.

Wise FCSC (Financial Services Compensation Scheme)

If Wise were to cease to exist, then your money would be paid back from the accounts referenced above. Wise, is, however, not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) as it is not a bank. Your money is protected by safeguarding.

FAQs on Why Use Wise

Got questions about what is Wise? About how to use Wise to transfer money? Or even what is Wise? Check out our frequently asked questions about Wise money transfers below, or ask us yours in the comments.

What is Wise? What is Wise?

Wise is an Authorised Electronic Money Institution. They are independently regulated by the FCA in the UK.

Wise is a financial services company with more than 6 million active customers who move more than US$ 4 billion dollars EVERY MONTH, saving on average US$4 million a DAY in bank fees. Wise is an Authorised Electronic Money Institution independently regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. They are required by law to keep money safe by storing it in low-risk financial institutions. In Europe, they do this with Barclays. In the USA they do this with Wells Fargo.

Which countries can get a Wise Account? Can I use Wise in Canada?

As of December 2021 as a resident or citizen of the following countries, you can get a Wise account and Wise debit card: Canada, UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, and EEA. As of December 2021, Canadian residents can get access to Wise cards too. > Get your Wise Account here

What is Transfer Wise borderless?

The Wise borderless account is the old name of the Wise Multi-Currency Account. It’s the same thing. A Wise borderless account is simply a way of holding multiple currencies.

Does Wise work in Cuba?

No. The Wise card will not currently work in Cuba.

How to Use Wise Debit Cards?

You use a Wise card / Wise debit card in the same way that you do any other debit card. Pay in restaurants, pay at tolls, pay in supermarkets. Use it online. There’s no charge for using a Wise debit card to pay for goods and services. As of December 2021 the Wise debit card is also available to Canadian residents > more here

Can You Link Wise to Paypal?

Yes. You can link a Wise account to Paypal easily. Usually, you can link a bank account from your primary Paypal currency online. (So my UK bank account is linked to Paypal online). Then to add a second account in a different currency (say US dollars), you might need to call Paypal. If you are not able to link Wise to Paypal online, then you can phone Paypal and they can add it manually for you. I did this to link my Wise account to Paypal for dollars and they were incredibly helpful and it only took 5 minutes.

Can you use a Credit Card on Wise?

Yes. You can link a credit card to Wise and use it to transfer money to your Wise multi-currency account. You can easily use a credit card on Wise. However, you will be charged a CASH advance fee if you use a credit card attached to Wise. And therefore it is usually cheaper to use a debit card. You should check with your card provider what charges they will make as payments made via Wise using a credit card may be interpreted by your bank as being a cash withdrawal and therefore may incur additional charges.

How do I use Wise?

How you use Wise depends on what type of transactions you want to use it for. You can set up a Wise account for free. You can then add different currency accounts to your wise account for free. There is no charge for this. You do not need to hold money in these currency accounts to have them open.

You link your Wise / Wise account to a “bricks and mortar” bank account or even a credit card. This then means that you can make transfers using Wise as the mechanism. So if you hold your money in Pounds sterling, but want to pay someone in US Dollars, the Wise currency conversion rates tend to be LOTS cheaper than regular bank transfers.

You can also use the Wise debit card. You can receive money in your Wise multi-currency account. Wise lets you hold and convert 40 currencies. Then you can use your Wise Debit card to spend in the local currency of the country that you are in. Or that you want to pay in. You can use the Wise debit card as an ATM card as well.

Is Wise covered by FCSC?

No. Wise is NOT covered by the FCSC. Wise doesn’t provide financial protection through the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which is a scheme used by traditional bricks and mortar banks. That’s because Wise is not a bank. But they are very clear about how they safeguard your money.

Wise safeguards your money. Safeguarding is a legal requirement that means your money is kept in separate accounts from those which are used to run the business of Wise. If anything ever happened to Wise then your money will be safe in the accounts of the banks in which it is stored.

Final Words on Using Wise to Save Money

Whether you are a frequent or infrequent traveler getting access to cash and paying for items in currencies outside your home currency is usually always expensive – regular banks charge a fortune to pay in different currencies. The Wise multi-currency account and Wise debit card change all of that. You can pay in multiple currencies, you can transfer money into multiple currencies and you can get paid in multiple currencies too. Wise operates a transparent method of charging – you can ALWAYS see how much something will cost to convert before you convert it. It makes traveling and using your own money a lot cheaper and easier.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

ASocialNomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, and amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .

Sarah Carter

One thought on “ How to use Wise for CHEAPER Travel Money & Spending ”

1 comment

Thanks for the great review. You explained everything very simply.

Privacy Overview

Wise Travel Card Review: Is It Worth Getting a Wise Card?

The Wise Travel Card Review is an in-depth examination of the Wise Card’s features and benefits. This includes paying quickly, safely, and at a lower cost in different currencies and its easy-to-use app for keeping track of funds and transparent price structure. It is ideal for international spending and travel because it allows for real-time top-ups, low currency translation fees, and fee-free ATM withdrawals up to a set amount.

Table of Contents

What is the Wise Travel Card?

If you’re anything like me and have dabbled in the realm of foreign transactions, you’ve probably heard of the Wise card or Wise travel card. Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a terrific online foreign exchange firm based in the heart of London that I’ve been using for quite some time. Personally, I’ve found it really convenient to transfer and receive money from abroad for my work. It’s game-changing to supply banking information in nations like the United States or the United Kingdom and receive payments as if you had a local account there.

Let’s take a look at Wise card review. This isn’t your average credit card; it’s a prepaid debit card linked to your multi-currency Wise account. It’s a traveller’s dream, whether you get it as a Mastercard or a Visa of wise travel card. You can do the following with this card in your wallet:

You can shop from 175 different nations.
Transfer funds to overseas bank accounts with ease.
Get money from overseas directly into your currency, with no costs.
Load this card with several currencies and shop like a local wherever your excursions lead you.

The Wise debit card is linked to your Wise account, making overseas shopping and payments as simple as a Bondi Beach morning. So, whether you’re a world traveller or simply want to get the most out of foreign shopping, the Wise card is a friend you’d want in your pocket!

Who is the Wise Card for?

The Wise debit card, available in Australia, caters to personal and business customers, offering a convenient way to manage finances while reducing transaction expenses. Travellers can benefit from its contactless or mobile payment features, making it a preferred choice for those wanting to withdraw cash from local ATMs during their holidays. For avid online shoppers, especially those frequently purchasing from international retailers, the Wise debit card is a cost-effective option. The card is not only designed for individuals, but also for businesspeople. Entrepreneurs with frequent foreign currency transactions will find it invaluable, and business owners can offer these international debit cards to their team, streamlining the management of spending and expenses.

Wise Card Review ⭐4.3/5

Pros & cons of wise travel card, pros of the wise card.

Affordable and Transparent: Wise aims to provide cost-effective solutions, such as the Wise card, which emphasises low costs and employs mid-market currency rates for conversions.
Multi-currency Support: While travelling in 170+ destinations, users can load up and spend in over 50 currencies.
Convenience for Travellers and Shoppers: For its global reach and contactless payment features, the card is perfect for travellers and online buyers.
Fast & Secure: Wise is known for its rapid transfers and dependable security safeguards. It offers real-time alerts, safe fraud detection tools, and multilingual customer service.
User-friendly: The desktop and mobile apps are simple, and the card is available globally.

Cons of the Wise Card

Fees: Although the overall cost is reasonable, there are certain fees to consider. For example, there is a one-time price to receive the wise debit card and ATM withdrawal fees after a set limit.
Lack of Rewards: Unlike typical credit cards, the Wise Travel card does not provide rewards or credit possibilities.
Account Freezes: Some Trustpilot reviews noted account freezes during verification checks, indicating possible, albeit infrequent, problems in their service.

Statistic Note

Wise has a commendable Trustpilot rating of 4.3 stars based on an independent evaluation. While the majority of users (84%) gave it 5 stars, there were some complaints about delays in receiving the wise card and several references of inadequate customer service. Recognising that these unfavourable evaluations represent a small percentage of users is critical.

It is usually essential to undertake personal research before making financial decisions, whether you are looking for a wise travel card review or detailed facts regarding the wise card fees. Individual needs and experiences differ, but the wise debit card has proven to be a game changer for many.

How to use Wise Card?

Imagine you’re an Australian resident named Alex who has recently discovered the allure of online shopping from international stores. You’ve heard about the wise travel card from a friend and read a glowing wise card review online. Intrigued by the idea of saving on hefty currency conversion fees and the convenience it offers, you decide to dive in. Here’s Alex’s journey, which will help you understand how to use the Wise Card seamlessly.

Alex’s International Shopping Journey

It started with Alex stumbling upon a UK-based online store selling unique antique watches. The price was in pounds, and he remembered the extra charges his bank levied the last time he made an international purchase. That’s when the wise card he had recently acquired came to mind.

1. Setting Up the Wise Account

Before Alex could use his Wise Card, he had to set up a Wise multi-currency account. The registration was simple, requiring some personal details and identity verification.

2. Topping Up the Wise Account

To make his purchase, Alex needed to ensure he had sufficient funds. He added Australian dollars into his account using his local bank. There might be a small wise card fee for certain transactions, but it’s generally more affordable than most banks’ conversion rates.

3. Making the Purchase

Alex bought the antique watch with his account topped up. At checkout, he used his Wise Debit Card like any other card. The watch’s price was in pounds, but Wise automatically converted the required amount from his AUD balance at a real exchange rate. The process was transparent, and he didn’t have to worry about hidden fees or poor conversion rates, a point highlighted in this wise travel card review.

4. Checking His Account

After purchasing, Alex was curious about how much he had spent in AUD. He quickly logged into his Wise account and could easily see the transaction, the conversion rate applied, and his remaining balance.

5. Converting Money Between Currencies

A week later, Alex found another enticing product, but this time from a US-based store priced in dollars. He used his Wise account to hold both AUD and USD, allowing him to avoid conversion fees for future USD transactions. Converting some of his AUD to USD was straightforward, and he was ready for his next international shopping spree.

6. Using the Wise Card Locally

Alex’s journey with his wise debit card wasn’t just limited to international transactions. He also used the card for local Australian purchases, benefiting from the ease of tracking his expenses through the Wise app.

Wise spending limits

The Wise debit card has features that increase security against fraudulent activity. The adoption of expenditure constraints is one of these aspects. These limits are not rigid; they are determined by the location in which the card was issued. Default limits are imposed if you received your card in Australia, New Zealand, or Singapore. Wise, on the other hand, provides flexibility by allowing consumers to alter these default limitations to match their spending habits using their mobile app or web platform.

The table below shows the most a user in Australia, New Zealand, or Singapore can spend. It should be noted that the values are given in AUD, NZD, and SGD, respectively:

Wise card fees

The Wise card is becoming a popular option for travellers and global spenders, with a variety of features aimed at streamlining foreign purchases. This card was created with ease and cost savings for customers in Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and Canada. Here to discuss the charges for different situations to wise card fees.

Issuance Fee: A fee of $10 is involved in the initial issuance of the card, but free to open the account.
Replacement Fee: A fee will be applied if you lose your Wise card and need a replacement. For example, $6 will be charged.
Conversion Fee: While the Wise travel card prides itself on offering optimal currency conversion with over 50+ options and reducing fees, there still exists a fee for currency conversion. Mostly, it will be starting from 0.41%. However, if a local currency is lacking when a transaction is made, the card will automatically utilise the currency with the lowest fee, ensuring savings for the user. Further, mid-market exchange rates are typically offered, amplifying its advantages.
ATM Withdrawal Fee: The Wise card, when used at ATMs, provides two free withdrawals of up to $350 each month. Beyond these two, fees will apply to $1.50 for each withdrawal. Only when the free and amounts limits are surpassed do fees for 1.75% of amounts withdrawn over $350.
No Annual Fees: The card does not come with annual maintenance fees, ensuring continual user savings throughout the year.
Other Fees: If there’s an excess beyond the set currency allowances, additional fees will be incurred. It’s also worth noting that using the Wise card abroad, especially for ATM withdrawals, might incur minimal fees after consuming the free limits.

Wise card exchange rates

The Wise travel card makes currency conversion easier while purchasing abroad. The card uses mid-market exchange rates, which are often better than those offered by traditional banks. Users can avoid unnecessary fees by using the correct payment currency.

Furthermore, when a local currency is not accessible during a transaction, the Wise card selects the most cost-effective currency conversion option from the available currencies in the user’s account, assuring cost-effective currency conversions.

Wise card vs traditional bank

Here’s a table that compares Wise card spending to using a traditional bank credit or debit card when you’re overseas:

How to get started with Wise Card

To use Wise Card in Australia, users must first open a Wise multi-currency account. This card, which can be a Mastercard or a Visa, is made for foreign transactions. It works like a traditional debit card and can be used in several different currencies. The Wise app allows users to manage their money.

Steps to apply for a Wise Card: A Handy Guide

1. Signup on Wise Platform: To begin, create an account on the Wise website or app.

2. Open a Multi-Currency Account: Set up a multi-currency account linked to your Wise Travel Card once enrolled. You can hold, trade, and spend money in different currencies with this account.

3. Fund Your Account: Fund your account before card issuance and future transactions.

4. Order the Wise Card: You can choose between a real and a virtual card, depending on your needs. The virtual card option is ideal for fast online purchases, whereas the real card will be delivered to your home address.

5. Activate Your Card: This is a way how to activate the Wise card, upon receiving your physical card, make a purchase or an ATM transaction using the given PIN to activate it. The virtual card is available for use immediately after purchase.

6. Using the Card Abroad: To understand how to use the Wise card abroad, you must ensure you transact in the local currency to avoid conversion charges when spending globally. The card will automatically convert your funds to the required currency using the best available conversion rates if you do not have the local currency. When prompted at ATMs or merchant terminals, always choose transactions in the local currency.

Wise Virtual Card & App

The Wise Virtual Card, an essential component of the Wise financial ecosystem, provides users with a convenient option to conduct online transactions without the physicality of a traditional card. As part of Wise’s dedication to worldwide ease, the virtual card works with the company’s multi-currency account, allowing for transactions in over 53 currencies. This digital application intends to provide customers with more flexible and safe methods of managing their international spending, which is especially important for Australians wanting to purchase or transact overseas.

Wise also provides a digital app to enhance the user experience in addition to the virtual card. This software has a virtual card and includes features such as customisable spending restrictions, encryption for extra security, and transaction monitoring. This programme allows Australians to manage up to three virtual cards, promoting better budgeting and a stronger security foundation for online purchases.

Final thoughts on the Wise Card’s value

For Australians engaging in international transactions or travel, the Wise Card offers convenience, competitive currency conversion rates, and security features. Given its benefits and minimal fees, it’s a worthy consideration for those seeking global financial flexibility.

**Disclaimer

Information provided here is for general guidance only. Always consult the official Wise website or relevant authorities for up-to-date and accurate details. Use at your own discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is wise card trusted.

Yes, the Wise card is licenced and regulated by financial authorities. It also provides encryption, transaction monitoring, and 3D Secure verification.

What are the Wise debit card withdrawal limits?

There are no ATM withdrawal limitations, but there are free withdrawal limits followed by fees for withdrawals exceeding $350.

Is the Wise Card contactless?

Yes, the Wise Card supports contactless.

What happens if you lose your Wise debit card?

If you misplace your Wise debit card, you can use the Wise app to freeze it to prevent unauthorised use.

How do I get my Wise virtual card?

A Wise virtual card can be obtained by using the digital Wise app. The virtual card is immediately useable after it is ordered.

Samantha Lim

Samantha Lim, a finance writer from Malaysia, combines her Finance degree and industry experience to offer expert insights on personal...

Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, wise debit card for travel: spend like a local when abroad.

I have been a regular Wise customer ever since it was still called TransferWise many years ago. I became a fan as soon as I started using their services – I even wrote some articles raving about them on my (other) personal blog.

For a while, I used Wise for its fair foreign exchange rate, so that I can receive any currency and convert it to Singapore Dollars without paying the unfair rate that banks usually give us.

When Wise released its debit card to the Singapore market in 2019, I was among the first batch to sign up for it. However, thanks to the pandemic which locked all of us in Singapore for two years, it wasn’t until my recent visit to the US that I was able to use the Wise Debit Card for its intended purpose. And it was then that I realized the true potential of it – the card truly allowed me to spend like I was a local! What a game changer in travel.

What is Wise?

OK, first of all – what is Wise ? Wise is not a bank. It is an international money transfer service. They were originally known as TransferWise, recently rebranded to just Wise in 2021. The main feature of Wise is that it lets you create multi-currency accounts, which lets you hold a balance in currencies that are not your home currency.

For example, I live in Singapore and my home currency is Singapore Dollars. With Wise, I am able to create a multi-currency account that let me receive transfers in US Dollars, British Pounds, Euro, and Japanese Yen – just to name a few – with practically no fees. Then, I am able to convert those currencies to Singapore Dollars at a very fair mid-market rate, also with minimal fees.

It saves me money and that makes me a very very happy camper.

San Francisco Itinerary - SF MOMA Oculus Bridge

What is the benefit of using Wise?

You might be wondering – why should I use Wise ? What is the difference between receiving a payment with PayPal or bank direct deposit vs using Wise? Well, the difference lies in conversion fees and foreign exchange rate , which PayPal and traditional bank charge an exorbitant amount for.

For example – I recently received a payment in PayPal for 1,942.31 Thailand Baht, which PayPal converted to $84.67 Singapore Dollars. If I had received the payment in Wise, it would have been converted to $87.39 Singapore Dollars.

This example is just a small amount, so the difference isn’t much – But if you are doing larger transactions and often, this could translate to a lot more difference!

On the other hand, if you accept payment via direct deposit to your bank account, then you’ll have no choice but to use your bank’s conversion rate which tends to not be the best rate in town.

How does the Wise Debit Card work?

In 2018, Wise released a debit card that lets you spend the balance you have in your Wise multi-currency account. It works just like any other debit card – except for one small difference: Wise Debit Card lets you spend in the 40+ currencies that Wise supports.

And that, coupled with the very fair rate Wise charges for currency exchange, is a very powerful thing when you use this card for your spending abroad! Especially in countries like US , Australia , and Singapore , where contactless payment is widely accepted.

San Francisco Itinerary - In-N-Out Burgers

For example, during my recent visit to NYC , I bought a US $100 pair of pants from my favorite brand. If I had charged this to my regular Singapore credit card, I would have been charged a 2.25% foreign currency fee, and it would be converted using the bank’s FX rate (and banks never give you a fair rate), which would translate to SG $136. But using the Wise Card, the US $100 spending converted to only SG $132!

Now $4 is not much savings, but repeat this for every single transaction I made during my entire stay in the US, and it translated to hundreds of dollars saved!

Unless your bank gives you a mid-market rate and no foreign transaction fees, you’ll stand to benefit from using the Wise Card. Overall, I find using the Wise card translated to be the same conversion rate as using cash converted at the best money changer, but without the hassle of converting, carrying and managing cash throughout your trip.

Another feature is that Wise Debit Card also lets you withdraw cash from ATMs using that same card, though I have yet to try this myself.

➡️ To start spending like a local, simply create a Wise account and apply for the Wise Card!

How can I use Wise Debit Card when I travel?

If everything I’ve written seems confusing to you, don’t worry! I’ve created a step-by-step how you can use the Wise card for your travel. Here goes:

Step 1: Create a Wise account

First of all, you do need to have a Wise account to be able to use the Wise card. So, register for an account right on their website! Do this about a month before you are due to travel , because you do need to provide some ID and go through verification before they can approve you for an account. It didn’t take too long for me in Singapore, but it might take some time for other countries.

Step 2: Apply for the Wise card

Once your Wise account has been approved, you can apply for the Wise card through the mobile app. Again, do this ahead of your travel as it may take them some time to send you the physical card.

You don’t actually need to get a physical card if you’re traveling to countries where mobile or contactless payment is accepted, like US , Australia , and Singapore . The Wise mobile app would have already let you create digital cards, which you can add to your smartphone wallet and use with contactless payments. But, I recommend getting the physical card anyway in case the merchant still lives in the stone age and needs to swipe your actual physical card. And we did actually encounter such a merchant in San Francisco!

Or, the physical card could also come in handy should you need to withdraw cash from the ATM at your destination country.

Step 3: Fund your Wise account

Before you travel, you’ll need to fund the Wise account so that you can spend the balance while you’re abroad. To do this, simply open a balance in your home currency, and use the details to send some funds. For security purposes, I suggest sending only what you plan to spend per trip so that you don’t have too much money in the Wise account.

For example, my home currency is Singapore Dollars. So in the Wise mobile app, I opened a Singapore Dollar (SGD) balance which gives me Singapore bank account details. Then, I simply transferred some Singapore Dollars to the Singapore bank account that Wise gave me. The transfer time varies per country and bank, but in Singapore, it is almost instant.

Step 4: Open a balance in the currency of the destination you are traveling to

You don’t actually have to do this because Wise will automatically convert your balance to whatever currency you’re spending, and it will choose the currency with the least conversion fee.

But if you want to have more control over how the balance is spent (like when you spot a really good fx rate), then I suggest you create a balance in the currency of the destination you’re going to. Then, you can convert some balance to that currency using the mobile app.

For example, suppose I am traveling to Australia. In my Wise app, I would open both a Singapore Dollar balance and an Australian Dollar balance. I would then transfer some Singapore Dollar to the balance. Then, whenever I notice Australian Dollar is getting weaker against Singapore Dollar, I would convert some amount to fund the trip.

Step 5: Always pay in the local currency of your travel destination

Let’s say all is well and you have received your Wise card (whether physical or digital) and you’re already in the midst of your travel, ready to spend the money. Sometimes, at point of sale, the cashier will ask which currency you want to spend in – your home currency, or the local currency of the destination you’re traveling in.

If given the option, ALWAYS pay in the local currency of the destination you are visiting . If you choose to pay in your home currency, you will trigger Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) – which is a scam, and it means funds will be deducted from the home currency balance, but converted at a conversion rate decided by the bank. This completely defeats the purpose of using a Wise card!

Let me give you an example: if I (as a Singaporean) am traveling in America, I might be asked at the point of sales whether I want to pay in US Dollars or Singapore Dollar. I will ALWAYS choose paying in the local currency (US Dollars – USD) when I’m traveling in the US. If I choose my home currency (Singapore Dollars – SGD), the funds will be taken from my SGD balance at the bank’s rate. The bank will simply tell Wise how much SGD to deduct, and Wise is completely unaware of the original USD transaction.

How can I use a Wise Debit Card safely when I’m abroad?

Wise Debit Card makes money management while traveling super convenient. I no longer needed to convert that much cash when I travel, I only keep some for emergencies. I was even able to use it as my travel card when I was in NYC since the metro now accepts contactless transactions. I simply added my Wise Debit Card to my Apple Wallet and tapped using Apple Pay to pay whenever I boarded the train!

Now, we all know credit card scams are very common. I myself have fallen victim when I used my credit card in Bali and Vietnam , so you definitely want to stay vigilant when you’re using your Wise Debit Card – just like any other card really!

Here are some tips to keep your Wise account and card details safe:

Security Tip #1: Use the digital card feature

As much as possible, limit the use of your physical debit card and never expose the card details by using it as-is when paying online. This is the golden rule because that’s how most card details get stolen – whether someone manually copied the detail, or the card details get stolen when you swiped your card, or the store you’re shopping online gets hacked.

Instead, Wise has a feature that lets you generate digital cards through their mobile app. This is a very handy feature – it gives you a card detail that only exists digitally but behaves like any physical card. You can delete and re-generate digital cards as needed, but you can only hold 3 digital cards at a time. If your digital card details get stolen or leaked, you can just freeze the compromised card through the Wise mobile app.

When traveling, I usually generate a digital card for the trip. Then I use that same digital card throughout the trip, and when the trip is done, I delete the digital card detail. Don’t delete it if you’re expecting a refund though!

Security Tip #2: Pay with your mobile wallet whenever possible

Mobile wallets, like Apple Pay or Google Pay, are one of the most secure ways of transacting in person. It obfuscates your card detail so that even if someone intercepts your card at the point of payment, they can’t know your actual card detail. Paired with the digital card feature and adding a digital card to your mobile wallet, it basically makes your account extra secure. No one will ever know your real card detail!

Security Tip #3: Freeze the cards until you need to use it

You can easily and instantly freeze and unfreeze any card details through the Wise mobile app. I always keep all physical and digital cards frozen until I am about to use them. This greatly reduces the chance of someone compromising my card and taking money from my Wise account.

Security Tip #4: Keep only the balance you need in your Wise account

Only transfer what you need for the trip to your balance. In the event that your card or account is compromised, this will help minimize damage because the thief will only have access to whatever balance is in your Wise account.

And there you have it! Wise Debit Card has definitely become an integral part of my travel. With all the security features around it, I feel confident to use the Wise card abroad at any destination.

As usual, please leave me a comment below if you have any questions!

Until next time 👌🏻

Note: I am just a regular, long-time, happy customer of Wise . I was not paid to write this review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are honest and remain my own.

May 28, 2024

Hi there! Great review! I was wondering: – if you run out of money on your trip, can you still transfer and convert money while you’re abroad? – if, by the end of your trip, you can get your unused money back? Thank you!

May 29, 2024

Yes, if you run out of money you should be able to transfer money to your Wise account and use it abroad. But it depends on your bank.

At the end of the trip, you can simply transfer back any money you don’t use to your bank account. However, unless you hold a multi-currency account, you might have to convert back any balance that is in a foreign currency.

April 2, 2024

Thanks for the helpful info! I’m just wondering, since you are saying you save money on conversion rates compared to the bank – isn’t that outweighed by the debit fee and wise fee for doing the conversion? In one example, if I transfer $1000 CAD to EUR, the fees on that are $8.86 which seems more expensive than using the bank exchange rate and a card with no fees (ie. CIBC prepaid visa card). Could you please let me know what you think? Thanks!

it definitely depends on your bank charge. for me in singapore, we don’t have any card that doesn’t charge forex conversion fee.

February 4, 2024

Hi Melissa! I came accross your post and it was very useful! I am myself a Wise user, but my doubt is: as a tourist in Singapore, how easy would it be to use my card and get some cash from regular ATMs? Are international Wise cards well accepted everywhere?

It would be wonderful if you could give me these details, as my trip to Singapore will take place within the next few weeks and I’m going on with preparations.

Hope to hear from you soon, many thanks!

Hey Tatiana. Singapore is where Wise has their APAC headquarters! you can use Wise pretty much everywhere here through the touchless function. If you have a smartphone, add a virtual card to your wallet and you are good to go. I haven’t tried withdrawing from ATM myself, but my siblings have and it is smooth process for them.

March 28, 2024

What other cards should you take as a backup when travelling to Singapore from Australia?

January 4, 2024

Very informative and useful information. Thank you.

Wise Travel Card Review [2024]

In a Nutshell

A market leader for exchange rates and transparency, the Wise card is one of the best prepaid cards for travel and great for making purchases overseas or online in a foreign currency. Fees apply if you go over the ATM limits. Includes a convenient app and virtual card.

Wise Travel Money Card

Best Excellent exchange rates
Worst High ATM fees
The best exchange rates for a travel card
No annual fees
Top up on the go in seconds
Low conversion fees that are clearly labelled
Ability to preload up to 53 currencies including USD , CAD , SGD , JPY , EUR and more
Ability to freeze your card via the app should it get lost or stolen
Track your spending via the app (great if you've got a travel budget)
Can use digitally with Apple Pay and Google Pay
One of the most popular travel cards with over 4 million global users
Customer support can be slow
No interest on your balance
Card delivery may be slow (but you can use the digital card straight away)
If you withdraw over $350 AUD anytime from an ATM, you will be charged an additional 1.75% of the amount
After the first two free under $350 AUD ATM withdrawals for the month, a $1.50 fee applies per additional withdrawal

The Wise card (formally TransferWise) removes the money headaches we associate with frequent travelling by making it easy to load and spend a huge range of currencies overseas.

Hands down, it is one of the best cards for overseas travel . No other travel card or debit card offers the same low fees and mid-market exchange rates as Wise. However, charges can add up if you need to withdraw large sums of cash from ATMs.

The average Trustpilot review for Wise is 4.3 stars (from 191,128 users on 14 June 2023).

The most common complaints by users are occasional delays to receive the card, along with poor customer support — although these customers are a minority. 84% of reviewers rate Wise 5 stars.

What is the Wise Travel Card?

The Wise card is a prepaid debit card attached to your Wise multi-currency account . Available as a Mastercard or Visa travel card, it allows you to:

Makes purchases from 175 different countries
Transfer money to international bank accounts
Receive money from overseas in your currency using local bank account details with no fees
Load up multiple currencies and pay like a local while you’re abroad

Note: Wise is the same company as TransferWise, just with a new name (as of 2021). The Wise multi-currency account used to be called the Borderless account. Nothing else has changed — the debit card remains the same.

How it works

The Wise travel card works just like a normal debit card.

You can use it almost anywhere around the world to withdraw money, make contactless purchases in shops and cafes, pay for accommodation, and shop online.

You can load and hold up to 53 currencies in your Wise account.

If you have the local currency for a payment, the card will use it. If you don’t have the right currency, Wise will convert one of your other currencies for you at the best rate.

Natalie lives in New Zealand and travels to Europe. In her Wise account, she adds euros, British pounds, and New Zealand dollars . She uses her Wise debit card throughout the trip.

In the UK, purchases are automatically deducted from her balance of pounds . In Europe, Wise directly debits purchases from her euros balance.

Towards the end of the trip, Natalie wants to buy a handbag for 500€ but she only has 200€ left in her euros balance, alongside £400, and NZ$1,000.

She can still make the purchase. In this case, Wise deducts the final 200€, then finds the best conversion rate into euros from British pounds or New Zealand dollars. It then converts that currency into euros to complete the purchase.

Adding money to your Wise debit card

The Wise app makes it easy to add money to your debit travel card . Just open the app, choose the currency and amount you want to add, and select your payment method (such as a bank transfer or by card).

You can hold and convert money in 53 currencies:

Wise spending limits

For fraud prevention and extra security, spending limits apply to the Wise debit card. These limits depend on where you got your card.

The card has default limits but you can adjust them to your own spending habits in the app or online. a

The table below lists the maximum limits allowed for Australian, New Zealand, and Singapore cardholders (in AUD, NZD, and SGD respectively).

Wise debit card fees

The Wise website declares that their travel card can help you save up to 85% when you spend internationally thanks to a better exchange rate and lower fees compared to banks.

Of course, fees are unavoidable but Wise makes sure to keep them competitively low.

While it’s free to create a multi-currency account with Wise (formerly TransferWise), other charges will be associated with the card, including:

Card issue and replacement fees
Currency conversion fees
ATM withdrawals fees (beyond 2 withdrawals per month)

Currency allowances

Australian customers can hold a large amount of money per currency for free in their Wise balances. The allowance varies depending on the currency but is roughly equivalent to A$23,000 per currency.

If you exceed the maximum allowance per currency for more than 3 days, you’ll be charged an annual fee of 0.4% for Euros and 1.6% for all other currencies. This is charged as a daily fee for every day in the month you hold over the allowance.

For example, if you hold A$24,000 in your account for a month, you will be charged approximately A$1.30 at the end of the month for the excess A$1,000.

Wise card exchange rates

The beauty of the Wise travel card is that it can hold more than 50 currencies so you don’t have to worry about high conversion fees for every purchase.

If you don’t hold the local currency for a purchase, Wise will use whichever currency you have that has the lowest conversion fee.

Here’s where it gets good.

Wise gives you the mid-market exchange rate for any currency conversions — a rate that is typically better than the exchange rates provided by banks or other travel card companies.

If you have the right currency for a payment, you avoid the conversion fee altogether.

Card Provider

Exchange rate.

A$ → GBP (11 am 09 December 2022)

Conversion Fee

Loading A$1000

$4.38 (0.44%)

No fee on weekdays

How it compares

Get your card

You can apply for a Wise card if you live in one of the eligible countries (including Australia and New Zealand). View eligible countries here.

To get your Wise card, it takes just a few simple steps:

Get a Wise multi-currency account for free online or via the Wise (formerly Transferwise) app. You’ll need ID.

Add money to your account

To be eligible for the card, you’ll need to add a minimum of US$20 to the account. This will cover card issuing fees.

Order your card

Apply for your card on the website’s Card tab or the Wise app’s Account tab.

Activate your Wise card

There are different ways to activate your Wise card depending on whether it’s a Visa or Mastercard.

If it’s a Visa card, you can activate it by entering your PIN in the first transaction you make in a physical store or ATM. If it’s a Mastercard, you will need to go online and enter the 6-digit code provided to activate it.

Wise virtual card & app

Wise has fully embraced the digital age with an easy-to-use smartphone app and access to virtual cards — all designed to banish money and currency confusion in an increasingly connected world.

The app (available on Apple and Android) has everything you need to create an account, get your Wise card, and manage it while you’re globe-trotting.

Once you sign up for a Wise multi-currency account and place an order for the physical card, you can have up to 3 Wise virtual cards connected to your account at the same time.

These free digital cards only exist on your phone and are easy to get through the Wise app or website. They’ll have different details to your physical card and are a great backup option.

Wise virtual cards work with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay and can be used to make payments online, in-store, and overseas.

The best bit? You can start using your virtual cards immediately — no need to wait for your physical card to arrive.

Importantly, the Wise card is not a travel credit card . You must have money in your account to make a purchase. If you don’t have enough funds, the transaction will be declined.

Your Wise card could take anywhere from 3 working days to 3 weeks to arrive, depending on where you live. However, you can set up your digital card on your phone to use immediately.

The Wise card offers 2 withdrawals of up to A$350 each month for free and A$1.50 per withdrawal after that.

If you need to withdraw more than A$350, you will incur a 1.75% fee on the amount withdrawn — plus the A$1.50 withdrawal charge if you’ve already made 2 ATM transactions that month.

The maximum amount you can withdraw in a single transaction is A$1,750. The maximum daily withdrawal is A$2,700 while the monthly maximum is A$7,000 (the default monthly maximum is set at A$5,250 but you can change this in-app).

Contactless is a common form of payment across Australia, Europe, the UK, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and Canada.

Wise enables contactless payments with both your physical Wise card and your Wise virtual card (accessible on Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and more).

There are different payment limits for cardholders in different countries. In Australia, the limit for single contactless payments is A$900. The daily limit is A$1,750 (set at a default of A$900) and the monthly limit is A$7,000.

As an extra security measure, you may be asked to enter your PIN if you’ve made a lot of contactless payments in one day or you’re making a purchase over a certain amount.

You can also pay with a chip and PIN or with the magnetic stripe where possible — different payment limits apply to these payment methods. View payment limits here .

When it comes to your money, safety is paramount. Wise knows this, which is why it has several safety guarantees.

To start, Wise encrypts any information you give them to protect sensitive data and follows strict guidelines for international money transfers.

Safety measures include the ability to freeze and unfreeze your card any time — helpful if you misplace it — and the option to receive instant transaction notifications to track purchases.

The Wise debit card also allows for 3D Secure (3DS) payments, where some transactions require verification through the Wise app, SMS, or a phone call.

As a company, Wise has an Australian Financial Services Licence and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). It is also registered overseas with the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (US), among other financial institutions.

It’s worth remembering that the Wise multi-currency account isn’t like a bank account and safeguards your money differently — the company is completely transparent in how it does this .

The Wise card is designed to be used just like a debit card, which means you can use it to withdraw money from any ATM that accepts Visa or Mastercard — with some exceptions.

You can make 2 free monthly withdrawals (up to A$350) each month. After that, there is a withdrawal fee of A$1.50, plus a 1.75% fee on withdrawals over A$350.

Wise cards issued in Singapore or Canada cannot be used for ATM withdrawals in the country of issue. But you can still use them for ATM withdrawals overseas.

For Wise debit cards issued in Japan, you can only withdraw from certain Japanese ATMs (including AEON, Family Mart, Viewcard, and Daily Yamazaki).

If your Wise card is lost or stolen, the first step is to freeze your card temporarily via the Wise website or app.

Freezing the card means it can’t be used for purchases or withdrawals so you can protect your balance. If you find your card, you can unfreeze it online.

If you can’t retrieve your old card, you can order a replacement card through the Wise app or website. There’s a small fee of A$6 for card replacements.

Wise will block and cancel your old card and ship the new one to you. It will take anywhere from 3 working days to 3 weeks for your card to arrive, depending on your location.

While you’re waiting for your replacement card to arrive, you can use a virtual card. Wise allows you to have up to 3 virtual cards at any given time.

Learn more about the best travel money, debit and prepaid cards for travel

Prepaid Travel Card

Best Travel Money Cards

ASIC regulated

Like all reputable money exchanges, we are registered with AUSTRAC and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

S Money complies with the relevant laws pertaining to privacy, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance. This means you are required to provide I.D. when you place an order. It also means the order must be paid for by the same person ordering the currency and you must show your identification again when receiving your order.

Travel Technology: Should I Use a Prepaid Travel Credit Card Like Wise?

by Carolyn Ray | Apr 9, 2024

A woman pays for her coffee during her travels with her prepaid travel credit card

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Last updated on April 19th, 2024

How to save money and convert multiple currencies while travelling

by Carolyn Ray

Welcome to our Travel Technology column, where I attempt to answer your questions about the mystifying, ever-changing and evolving world of technology. Having spent years working in the technology industry with IBM and other notable firms, I have always been an early adopter and feel qualified to share my personal experiences or find those who know more than me, which often includes our readers. I always encourage you to review other sources and consult with experts.

Topic of the week: Prepaid travel credit cards

One of the most frequent questions on our private Solo Travel Wisdom group is about prepaid travel credit cards.

Question: “Does anyone have experience with a Wise card? How are the exchange rates going from Canadian dollars to other currencies? Thank you for any guidance you can give me.” — Cheryl T.

My take : I much prefer having a digital card like Wise on my phone versus pulling my credit card out of my wallet when I want to pay for public transit or make payments at stores and restaurants. In most European countries, you can tap on and off public transportation, such as the metro, subway, or bus with your phone using your Wallet (on iPhone) which uses facial recognition for additional protection.The other feature I enjoy is currency exchange, which can be done at the touch of a button for a small fee. For example, if I am travelling to Switzerland and don’t have Swiss Francs, I can convert my Euros into this currency at the touch of a button, and then convert unused funds into a currency I need. As a business owner, I use Wise to make payments in different currencies and have found the fees significantly lower than Paypal. Wise also has a plastic credit card as well but I just use the digital one.

Editorial note: JourneyWoman may earn revenue from this article from the company mentioned if you choose to purchase their product, but there is no cost to you for this. Our perspective is informed by our readers and our personal experiences, not influenced by advertisers. We wouldn’t recommend a product we haven’t used ourselves and will state if an article of this type is paid for or sponsored by a company, which it is not in this case. Read our disclaimer here .

What is a prepaid travel card?

A travel money card, also called a currency card, is a type of card which allows you to keep multiple currencies and use the card while travelling the world with no hidden fees to worry about.

What women say about Wise and prepaid travel credit cards

“ Wise is an amazing resource. If you get the debit card, you can transfer money into a local currency account and use the debit card to withdraw it when in the country. You save a LOT on fees and currency conversion charges. — Mariellen W.

“Reminder to check which credit cards don’t have international fees. I forgot all about it this last trip & boy did those fees add up.” — MaKoa N.

“I have (a Wise card). I can’t really speak to your question about exchange rates but I have found it to be a great way to carry money internationally. It’s easy to load money onto it. It’s not connected to my own bank account so the risk of losing it is less damaging. It’s widely accepted so less need to carry anything else. I have nothing but positive experiences with it.” — Nancy T.

“I have Wise and I totally love it. You can go on their website and see that day’s exchange rate I believe. What you are not paying with this card is the 2 to 3% above that rate that bank cards charge to do a foreign transaction!!” — Cathi W.

“I used Wise to transfer money to an overseas vendor to pay for a trip in their currency. The exchange rate and service fees were less than using my credit card. It was easy once I read through the steps and provided confirmation of the transaction and delivery of the funds. I continue to weigh the savings vs credit card use (not accumulating points and insurance).” — Helen C.

“I also use Wise as a way to receive money from retreat participants in the currency of their choice and so that I can easily and seamlessly move through countries and access that same currency, having never paid exchange rates. I will caution anyone who holds large amounts (50K+) in any digital service, however. They are not a bank, and while highly regulated are not under the same protection as an institution.” — Tania C.

Please note: We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. While we may highlight certain positives of a finanical product, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product. To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by JourneyWoman. Read more in our Terms of Use of this site.

Learn More About Travel Technology

Travel Technology: What is a VPN or Virtual Private Network?

by Carolyn Ray | May 18, 2024

Our Travel Technology series answers the question: ‘what is a VPN’, to help you protect your privacy on public networks.

Travel Technology: What is an eSIM or Electronic Sim Card for Mobile Phones?

by Carolyn Ray | Mar 31, 2024

Our Travel Technology series starts with a look at eSIMs, a new, cost-effective way for women to save money and stay connected on mobile phones.

Hold The Phone, Grandma: Safe Etiquette for Grandkid Holiday Snaps and Social Media

by Kathy Buckworth | Dec 22, 2023

Suggestions for grandparents when posting holiday photos on social media, particularly when traveling with grandchildren.

Carolyn Ray

As the CEO and Editor of JourneyWoman, Carolyn is a passionate advocate for women's travel and living the life of your dreams. She leads JourneyWoman's team of writers and chairs the JourneyWoman Women's Advisory Council and Women's Speaker's Bureau. She has been featured in the New York Times, Toronto Star and Zoomer as a solo travel expert, and speaks at women's travel conferences around the world. In March 2023, she was named one of the most influential women in travel by TravelPulse and was the recipient of a SATW travel writing award in September 2023. She is the chair of the Canadian chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), a member Women's Travel Leaders and a Herald for the Transformational Travel Council (TTC). Sometimes she sleeps. A bit.

We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know. Disclaimer: We are so happy that you are checking out this page right now! We only recommend things that are suggested by our community, or through our own experience, that we believe will be helpful and practical for you. Some of our pages contain links, which means we’re part of an affiliate program for the product being mentioned. Should you decide to purchase a product using a link from on our site, JourneyWoman may earn a small commission from the retailer, which helps us maintain our beautiful website. JourneyWoman is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you! We want to hear what you think about this article, and we welcome any updates or changes to improve it. You can comment below, or send an email to us at [email protected] .

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Wise Launches Traveler- and Immigrant-Friendly Debit Card

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Wise (formerly TransferWise) an international money transfer service, announced this week the launch of a new Mastercard debit card alongside its foreign currency account that will make it cheaper and faster for customers to spend, send and receive money overseas. Travelers can spend on the card in any of more than 40 currencies and Wise will automatically convert the charge at the best rate from the customer’s account.

Dubbing it a “borderless account” that’s “like an international Venmo,” Wise aims to make it easier and less expensive for people to convert money quickly between currencies, especially when traveling or living abroad.

Card benefits include no foreign transaction fees, no annual or monthly fees, free ATM withdrawals up to $250 every 30 days, the ability to freeze and unfreeze your card, an app, and, for U.S. customers, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay capabilities.

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4.60% SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

EverBank Performance℠ Savings

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on Betterment's website

Betterment Cash Reserve – Paid non-client promotion

5.50% *Current promotional rate; annual percentage yield (variable) is 5.50% as of 4/2/24, plus a .50% boost available as a special offer with qualifying deposit. Terms apply; if the base APY increases or decreases, you’ll get the .75% boost on the updated rate. Cash Reserve is only available to clients of Betterment LLC, which is not a bank; cash transfers to program banks conducted through clients’ brokerage accounts at Betterment Securities.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD

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In addition to catering to travelers, the service is meant to ease financial complications for those who have moved away from their home countries, according to the company. The Wise website includes an area dedicated to the stories of immigrants to the U.S. and other countries, including narratives from company co-founders Kristo Kaarmann and Taavet Hinrikus and “Queer Eye” star Tan France.

The account converts money based on the mid-market exchange rate (the rate you’d see on sites like Google or Yahoo Finance) and charges a relatively small fee to do so. Wise also offers money transfer services to more than 70 countries.

» MORE: NerdWallet's guide to foreign ATM and debit card transaction fees by bank

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Wise travel card review [2023]

Getting a travel money card is a smart move when you’re headed overseas.

The Wise travel card is linked to a multi-currency Wise account which can hold 40+ currencies , and lets you convert from one currency to another with the mid-market exchange rate. You can use your Wise travel card in 140+ countries , which makes this a super flexible and versatile travel card option, even for frequent travellers and those who like to get off the beaten track.

This guide covers all you need to know about how the Wise card works, with a look at key benefits and fees. We’ll also touch on a couple of popular alternatives for New Zealand travellers, the ANZ debit card and the Westpac travel money card, so you can compare them and see which works best for you.

Wise travel card

Wise travel card: key features

The Wise card offers some great features which aren’t available from all New Zealand travel money card providers, including a linked account you can use to hold and exchange 40+ currencies , and local account details for up to 9 currencies, in case you also need to receive money from others in foreign currencies. However, it’s not perfect, so there are a few drawbacks to know about as well.

We’ll go through how the Wise travel money card works in detail, and look at features, fees and limits, in a moment. First, an overview of some of the Wise travel card pros and cons:

You can either top up in dollars and switch to the currency or currencies you need in advance of travel, or just let the Wise travel card do the conversion for you at the point of payment, with the mid-market rate and the lowest available fees .

Who is the Wise travel card for?

The Wise travel card is available for both personal and business customers , and your account can be entirely opened and managed online or in the Wise app. That makes it handy for a range of people:

Frequent travellers who need to spend in any of the 140+ supported countries
Individuals, business owners and entrepreneurs who want to hold and exchange 40+ currencies
Anyone who likes to convert their NZD to the destination currency in advance to set their travel budget before they leave
People paying or getting paid from overseas – for example if you have income from an overseas holiday rental, or need to pay a mortgage on your property abroad
Business owners who want to issue travel cards to their team members for overseas expenses
Online shoppers spending with international retailers
Anyone who wants to view and manage their account and card online or in-app

Get a Wise travel card

What is the Wise travel card?

The Wise travel card is a convenient prepaid debit card linked to a multi-currency Wise account . You can hold 40+ currencies in your account, and top up or exchange right from your phone. Switch your balance to the currency you need in advance, or just let the card’s auto convert feature do it for you at the point of payment, with the mid-market exchange rate and the lowest available fees every time.

Wise accounts are available for business and personal customers, and also offer handy extras like options to receive payments like a local from 30+ countries, send payments to 160+ countries , and easy account management through the Wise app. Business customers can also get time saving tools like batch payments and accounting integrations.

Is the Wise Travel Money a multi-currency card?

Yes. The Wise account and travel money card have powerful international features which make them perfect for anyone who wants a multi-currency card and account. You can hold 40+ currencies, including a broad selection of major world currencies, and plenty of less common currency options, too. And you can spend around the world – over 140 countries are covered, with in person, online and mobile payments, and cash withdrawals as and when you need them.

Alternatives to Wise travel card

The Wise card isn’t right for everyone. Fortunately, New Zealand customers have a really broad selection of travel card options, including providers like ANZ and Westpac which also have travel cards optimised for overseas spending.

Here’s a quick overview of how these providers line up on some key features:

Information taken from Wise pricing page , Westpac travel card desktop site and fee information , ANZ money transfers and ANZ New Zealand ; correct at time of writing, 27th July 2023

Whether Wise or an alternative provider like ANZ or Westpac suits you best will depend a lot on your personal preferences. Wise and Westpac both offer specific travel cards, while ANZ recommends using their standard Visa debit card or EFTPOS card overseas.

If you want a specific travel card, Wise has a very broad range of supported currencies, with low fees and mid-market currency exchange, while Westpac is a familiar name with no card order fee. If you’re happier just using your normal bank card when you travel, and already hold an ANZ debit card, using this attracts a fairly low 1.3% foreign transaction fee, with no hassle to get started.

ANZ doesn’t have a specific travel card for foreign currency holding, but instead recommends customers just use their normal debit or EFTPOS card when they’re abroad. This has the advantage that you don’t need to order a new card specifically for your trip. However you’ll pay a 1.3% fee whenever you spend or withdraw in a foreign currency which can push up costs overall.

Wise travel card fees & spending limits

There are a few fees and limits to consider if you’re thinking of the Wise travel card in New Zealand.

If you have a Wise New Zealand account there’s usually no limit to how much you can hold in your Wise account. However, there are limits – for security reasons – to the value of transactions you can make, on a single transaction, daily and monthly basis.

Firstly let’s look at the important limits that apply:

All information correct at the time of writing – 27th July, 2023.

As you can see, there’s a default limit per payment type, and a maximum. Your Wise account will initially be set to the default limits – but you can adjust caps anywhere up to the maximum allowed, in the Wise app.

Next, let’s walk through the fees you’ll pay to receive and use your Wise travel card:

All information correct at the time of writing – 27th July, 2023. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

Exchange rates

Wise currency exchange uses the mid-market exchange rate, with a low and transparent fee from 0.43%. You’ll be able to see the exchange rates available in the Wise app, and double check the fees, before you switch currencies. Once you have the currency you need for spending or withdrawals in your account, there’s no Wise foreign transaction fee.

How to get Wise travel card

To get your Wise travel card you’ll first need to open a Wise account online or in the Wise app using your email address, Facebook, Apple or Google ID. Once your account has been verified, you can top up your Wise account balance in dollars (or one of the other 20 or so supported currencies for loading funds).

Within the Wise app you can then order your Wise card, to start spending with your digital card right away.

What documents you’ll need

When you open your Wise account you’ll need to provide some documents for verification purposes. This is to keep your account secure and to comply with local and international law – but the whole process can be done right from your phone. You’ll be guided through what’s needed based on your account type – usually that’ll mean uploading images of:

Your proof of ID – such as your passport
Proof of address – like your driving licence or a utility bill

What happens when the card expires?

Once your Wise card is coming close to its expiry date you’ll be notified, and Wise will send you a new card automatically for free.

Get your Wise travel card here

How to use the Wise travel card?

The Wise travel card is issued on major global networks like Visa and Mastercard, so it’ll be accepted in most countries around the world. Plus you can add your card – or a Wise virtual card – to Google Pay and Apple Pay for convenient mobile payments at home, online and when you travel.

How to withdraw cash with the Wise travel card?

You can use the Wise travel card to make cash withdrawals at a broad selection of ATMs around the world – just like you would your regular card. If you find you’ve forgotten your PIN, don’t worry. You can also double check this by securely logging into the Wise app and accessing your card details.

Is the card safe?

Yes. The Wise travel card is safe to use. Wise has been established since 2011 and is fully licensed and regulated for the services it provides globally. In New Zealand, Wise is overseen by the DIA.

How to use the Wise travel card overseas?

You can use your Wise card for spending and making withdrawals in 140+ countries around the world. In most cases, where you can’t use your Wise card it’s as a result of global sanctions or financial regulations – there’s a list of the countries where you can’t use your Wise card over on the Wise website if you need to check.

Conclusion: Is the Wise travel card worth it?

The Wise travel card is a helpful option for anyone who would like to hold a multi-currency account and spend easily around the world. Because Wise supports a pretty impressive 40+ currencies, the card is super flexible, and all currency exchange uses the mid-market exchange rate with low fees from 0.43%.

Compare Wise to another card or two that are available on the New Zealand market, like the ANZ debit card and the Westpac Travel Money Card, to see which suits you best.

Wise travel card review FAQ

How does the Wise travel card work?

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and order your Wise travel card for a one time fee of 14 NZD. You can then use the card to spend in 140+ countries, with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.43%.

Is the Wise travel card an international card?

Yes. The Wise travel card is linked to a Wise account which can hold 40+ currencies, and can be used for convenient spending and withdrawals in 140+ countries.

Are there any alternatives to a Wise travel card?

Compare the Wise card against alternatives like the Westpac Travel Money Card which can hold and spend 9 currencies conveniently.

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The 6 Best Travel Cards for the US 2024

If you live in the US but travel often abroad, a travel money card can make spending in foreign currencies cheaper and more convenient. Travel money cards also have the bonus that they can be cheaper when you shop online with foreign retailers, as there’s often no foreign transaction fee to pay.

Different types of travel money cards, including travel debit cards, prepaid travel cards and travel credit cards, are available to support different customer needs. The right one for you will depend on your personal preference and how you like to manage your money.

Read on for all you need to know, including a closer look at travel money card types, some great options to consider, and the sorts of fees you need to think about when you choose.

Wise – good value debit card for the US

Before we get into details about different travel money card options, let’s start with the Wise card as a good all-round option that allows you to hold and spend US dollars, as well as a diverse range of other world currencies.

Wise account can hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and you can get a linked Wise card for a one time delivery fee. Top up your account in USD and you can spend locally and overseas conveniently. If you plan to travel, you can switch to the currency you need before you travel, so you know your travel money budget in advance - or if you’d prefer, you can simply allow the card to automatically switch currencies as and when you need it. All currency conversion uses the mid-market exchange rate, with low fees from 0.43%.

Plus you can get USD bank account details - as well as local account details for up to 8 other currencies - to get paid conveniently to your Wise account . If you’re receiving money in USD to Wise, it’s free to get paid by ACH, and there’s a low 4.14 USD fee to receive a wire. There’s no fee to receive any of the other 9 currencies which come with local bank details.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the Wise travel money debit card, to help you decide if it's suitable for you.

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card can be used for payments online and in stores, and for cash withdrawals , just like your regular bank card can be. You can use your travel money card in the US just as conveniently as you can when you travel or shop online with overseas retailers. However, with a travel money card you’ll find the features and fees have been optimized for international use . That might mean you get a better exchange rate compared to using your normal card overseas, or that you run into fewer fees. Some travel cards also have options to earn cashback and rewards when you use your card internationally.

6 travel money cards for the US compared

We’ll look at each of these card options in a little more detail in just a moment, but let’s start with an overview of how 6 top travel money cards for the US line up side by side:

As you can see, the features of different travel money cards can vary pretty widely. In general travel debit cards can be convenient and often fairly cheap to use, while travel credit cards can offer some nice perks like cashback or rewards - but do mean you might run into interest and late payment charges, depending on how you choose to pay.

Travel debit cards often let you top up a linked account online or through an app, so you can set your budget and can’t spend more than you intend. Travel credit cards on the other hand let you spend to your card limit, and then repay the amount over a few months if you’d prefer to. Which is best for you will come down to how you like to manage your money - we’ll dive into a few more details about each card type, next.

What are different types of travel cards?

Broadly speaking, US customers are able to select a travel money card from either a regular bank or a specialist provider, which may be a travel debit card, travel prepaid card or a travel credit card. We’ll walk through what each travel money card type is, and pick out a couple of good card options, so you can compare and choose.

Travel debit cards
Travel prepaid cards
Travel credit cards

1. Travel Debit Cards for the US

Travel debit cards are usually offered by specialist providers, with linked digital accounts you can use to hold and convert a currency balance. That makes them equally convenient to use in the US when spending in dollars, when shopping online with retailers overseas, and when you travel. While different cards have their own features, travel debit cards can usually be topped up easily online and through an app, with the option to see your balance and get transaction notifications through your phone too. That makes it easier to keep on top of your money, no matter where in the world you are.

Travel debit card Option 1: Wise

Wise is a good value travel money debit card for the US. There’s no fee to open a Wise account, and just a small delivery fee for your Wise card, with no minimum balance and no monthly charge. You just pay low Wise fees from 0.43% when you convert currencies, and transparent ATM fees when you exhaust the monthly free transactions available with your account.

No fee to open a Wise account , no minimum balance requirement
9 USD one time fee to get your Wise card
2 withdrawals, to 100 USD value per month for free, then 1.5 USD + 2%
Hold 40+ currencies, convert between them with the mid-market rate
Get local account details to receive USD and 9 other currencies conveniently

Travel debit card Option 2: Revolut

Revolut has a selection of different account tiers, so you can simply pick the account you prefer - from Standard plans with no monthly fee to the 16.99 USD/month Metal plan. All Revolut accounts have linked cards, although exactly what type of card you get depends on your account tier. You can hold around 25 currencies, and convert currencies with the mid-market rate to your plan’s allowance.

No monthly fee if you open a Standard Revolut account, or upgrade for up to 16.99 USD/month
Card delivery fees may apply depending on your account tier
All accounts have some fee free weekday currency conversion with 0.5% fair usage fees after that. Out of hours and exotic currency fees may apply in some cases
Standard plan holders can withdraw 400 USD overseas per month without paying fees
Hold USD and around 25 other currencies

Pros and cons of using debit travel cards in the US

How to choose the best travel debit card for the us.

The best travel debit card for USA really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money. If you’ll be traveling widely it makes sense to look for an account with mid-market currency exchange and a large selection of supported currencies, like Wise . Other providers like Revolut can also be a good pick, particularly if you’ll use your account very frequently and would prefer to pay a monthly fee to unlock lots of no fee transactions and extra perks.

Is there a spending limit with a travel debit card in the US?

Different providers set their own limits for card use. Limits may apply daily, weekly or monthly, and can apply to different types of transactions. You might find you have a limit to the amount of ATM withdrawals you can make per day, for example, or the value of contactless payments - these limits are set for security and can sometimes be managed and changed in the provider’s app.

2. Prepaid Travel Cards for the US

With a prepaid travel card you’ll need to order a card and add funds, to pay merchants and make cash withdrawals. While prepaid travel cards are usually issued on large global networks - and can therefore be used pretty widely - not all cards are accepted globally, so you’ll need to check network coverage in your destination country.

Prepaid travel card option 1: Bluebird American Express prepaid debit card

You can order a Bluebird prepaid debit card for free online. You’ll then be able to top up in cash or from a bank account. You can also add checks or have funds deposited by others - fees apply for some top up methods. While this card doesn’t allow you to hold foreign currencies, you won’t pay a foreign transaction fee to spend your USD balance abroad, which makes it a good choice when you’re away from home.

Get a card for free by ordering online
Top up in a range of ways in USD
No foreign transaction fee when spending overseas
ATM withdrawal fees of 2.5 USD or the equivalent when overseas
American Express cards are not always accepted internationally - check coverage before you travel
No interest to pay

Prepaid travel card option 2: Discover it Secured

Discover it Secured is a credit card, but we’ve included it in our roundup of prepaid cards because it’s a secured card, which means you’ll need to pay an upfront deposit, and can then spend to that deposit level every month. Clear off your bill in full to avoid interest, and you could build a credit score, earn cashback and get no foreign transaction fees when you spend overseas, too.

No annual card fee, although interest charges and late payment fees do apply
No foreign transaction fees for spending overseas
ATM withdrawal fees may apply including a 10 USD cash advance fee
Earn cashback on spending and build credit as you do so
Discover network is not always internationally supported - check your destination before you travel

Pros and cons of using prepaid travel cards in the US

How to choose the best travel prepaid card for the us.

There’s no single best travel prepaid card for the US - it’ll come down to your personal preferenc e. If you’re looking specifically for a prepaid debit card you can use abroad with no foreign transaction fee, try the Bluebird card option. However, if a credit card suits you, the Discover it Secured can be a strong pick thanks to the cash back options available.

Is there a spending limit with a prepaid card in the US?

Different prepaid travel cards set their own limits for spending and withdrawals, which can vary between currencies. You’ll need to check your card’s terms and conditions carefully to make sure you pick a provider which suits your needs.

3. Travel Credit Cards for the US

Travel credit cards typically offer some extra international features compared to regular credit cards, such as low or no foreign transaction fees or extra option to earn rewards when you’re abroad. In general, travel credit cards are safe and convenient but can be more expensive compared to using a debit card option. Before you select the right card for you it’s important to check the fees, rates, eligibility rules and interest rates which apply, so you can make sure it’s a good fit for you.

Travel credit card option 1: Capital One Venture Rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards card can be used in the US conveniently - and has no foreign transaction fees when you spend overseas. There’s also a comparatively low cash advance fee when you use an ATM, at 3 USD or 3% whichever is higher. You’ll need to repay your bill in full every month to avoid fees and interest, but can earn travel rewards and miles on your day to day spending.

No foreign transaction fee
Earn travel rewards on spending
Get extras like lounge access and free travel insurance
International spending uses the network exchange rate
Variable interest rates which apply if you don’t pay off your bill in full

Travel credit card option 2: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a variable interest rate with no foreign transaction fee to pay. However, you’ll need to pay a 95 USD annual card charge to get your card in the first place. Currency conversion uses the network exchange rate - plus there are benefits and rewards available for cardholders.

Variable interest rates and a 95 USD annual fee
Check your eligibility and order a card online easily
Network exchange rates apply

Pros and cons of using credit cards in the US

How to choose the best travel credit card for the us.

The best travel credit card for the US will depend on your personal preferences. If you’re interested in earning rewards and cash back, a travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred could be a good bet as it has no foreign transaction fee and offers rewards on all spending. Whichever card you’re considering you’ll want to weigh up the potential fees you’ll need to pay against the rewards you can earn to make sure it’s worthwhile.

Which cards are accepted in the US?

It’s important to know that you may find that different card networks are more popular in one country than they may be in another. For example, while Visa and Mastercard are pretty widely accepted globally, other popular US card networks, like American Express and Discover cards are less likely to be accepted in some countries and regions. Both networks have some support in the US, but coverage isn’t universal.

If you’re looking for a card specifically to take with you when you travel, it may be worth checking coverage in destinations you visit frequently to help you choose the right network for your needs.

In most cases it’s best to carry more than one means of payment when you travel - for example a credit card and a specialist travel money card which has been issued on a different network - so that you always have a plan B if your preferred payment method isn’t available.

Conclusion: Which travel money card is best for the US?

If you’re living in the US but travel often - or if you shop online with retailers based overseas, you might want to pick a travel money card for foreign currency spending. Travel money cards have different features, and can be picked up via regular banks or online specialists.

You could opt for a low cost travel debit card which comes with a linked account to hold a selection of currencies - like the Wise debit card . Or you might prefer a prepaid travel money card like the Bluebird American Express debit card which can be linked to a fee free account. Finally, another option is to get a travel credit card either to earn cashback and rewards, or to avoid foreign transaction fees.

Use this guide to start your research and pick the right option for your specific needs.

Go to Wise Go to Revolut

FAQs - Best travel cards for the US 2024

1. Which travel card is best to use in the US and abroad?

There’s no single best travel card to use in the US and when you’re headed abroad. Which is right for you will depend on your preferences and the features you want to access. Having a multi-currency account from a provider like Wise or Revolut can be a good bet if you travel widely as you’ll be able to hold and exchange dozens of major currencies for convenience.

2. What is the best way to pay when traveling outside the US?

Spending with your card is convenient when traveling, but you’ll be best off having several different payment methods just in case your first choice isn’t supported. For example, you could choose 2 different debit or credit cards, issued on different networks, and you could also get foreign currency cash in advance so you have some on you for those times when cards aren’t available.

3. Can you withdraw cash with a credit card in the US and overseas?

You can usually make cash withdrawals with a credit card in the US and overseas, at any ATM that supports your card network. You’ll often find that a fee applies, and you may start to accumulate interest on the withdrawn amount immediately. Travel money debit cards from providers like Wise and Revolut can be a lower cost option for cash withdrawals locally and abroad.

4. Can I use a US card abroad?

You can use your US card anywhere you see the card network’s logo displayed. Visa and Mastercard networks are very well supported globally, including in the US, making these good options to look out for when you pick your travel debit card for use overseas as well as in the US.

5. Are prepaid cards safe?

Prepaid cards from reputable providers are safe to use at home and abroad. They aren’t linked to your main bank account which can offer extra peace of mind, and may also make it easier to manage your travel budget. However, you’ll need to check the card features and fees carefully to make sure you're getting the best match for your needs.

6. What are the main fees for travel cards when traveling?

The fees applied for travel cards can vary widely depending on the provider and the card type. With debit cards you may find ATM fees, and costs for converting currencies, although specialist providers like Wise and Revolut have linked multi-currency accounts which can bring down the costs of currency conversion. Credit card fees include cash advance charges, foreign transaction fees and interest.

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The Wise Card: Round-the-World Foreign Currency Options

The prepaid credit card scene in Canada is showing no signs of slowing down, so if you can’t avoid ‘em, review ‘em!

Last week, we reviewed the Wealthsimple Cash Card – a strong new contender on the Canadian scene. But that doesn’t mean that it has no worthy competitors.

Without further ado, we continue our series on prepaid cards with this week’s feature: the Wise Card by the fintech company formerly known as Transferwise.

A Primer on Wise

Wise may have changed its name from Transferwise, but make no mistake: it’s still trying to shake up the financial industry’s system of international cash transfers. Prior to launching the Wise Card, its main market was allowing consumers to make exchanges at more favourable rates than large banking institutions.

I and many of my friends have used Wise’s services before to safely and conveniently transfer money to our US bank accounts that we use to pay off our American credit cards . I’ve always found the service to be fast and effective, though I do wish their customer service was open outside of 8–5 EST.

One of the niftiest features of Wise is its transparency with foreign transfer fees.

The company researches the costs of transfers provided by various competitors and lets you know if their app’s rate is actually the best. I respect this and wish more financial services companies offered it as a feature.

Consumers and investors seem to concur: not only is Wise a multi-billion pound company on its native London Stock Exchange, but it’s also expanded into numerous foreign markets, including the United States and Canada.

Time will tell if this business model is tenable in the long-term. Recall that fellow UK fintech company Revolut, which was also excellent for low-fee international transfers, exited the Canadian market just last year after a failed beta launch.

Wise is modern fintech company that has always done most of its transactions online. As such, their sleekly-designed app comes as no surprise.

Having the app is a prerequisite to getting the company’s prepaid Visa. It doesn’t, however, require any kind of credit check to install – just hit up the app store and you’re good to go.

Unlike Wealthsimple, there’s no direct peer-to-peer transfer network, so you can’t split your dinner bill or request money from your friends. Instead, the app is optimized for making transfers in a wide range of foreign currencies, payable directly to another person’s bank account.

The transfer can then be paid by a suite of options that I wish other prepaid cards offered: bank direct debit, Visa/Mastercard debit, or even credit card.

Note that there are load fees with every method; even though the cheapest direct debit option only costs $0.04, it’s still somewhat grating that it’s there. Moreover, loading via credit card usually has the highest fees and often codes as a cash advance.

You can also opt to pay these transfers from a “Wise Balance,” which is money you store on the app itself. Loading this balance will incur the same fees.

One annoying feature of the app is that it really, really wants your money. If you initiate any kind of transfer, the app will deliberately try to dissuade you from stopping.

Transfers will sit as “incomplete” on your dashboard while the company ruefully hopes you complete them, until you go through a series of screens to actually cancel them. I respect the hustle, Wise, but I assure you I’m certain I wish to cancel my transfer!

Wise Prepaid Visa

Let’s talk about the Wise Prepaid Visa, also known as the Wise Card, which is brand new to the Canadian market. It was launched on November 30, 2021.

How to Apply for the Wise Card

If you want Wise’s prepaid Visa, merely ask and ye shall receive. Log in to your app, or go to the desktop version of the Wise site, and there will be a big tab labelled “Card.”

Tap the “Card” option while in your account, input your personal information and address, and you’ll then be invited to load some money onto your Wise Balance.

You need at least a little bit of cash stored in your account to get the card, but assuming you choose to proceed, you’ll be approved without a hard credit hit. You also get to choose your PIN at the time of application, and it’s available for viewing within the app.

A friendly warning: getting your card can be a bit of a nuisance. The load of my Wise Balance wasn’t properly tracked by their system, so my card was never shipped. I had to use the Wise live chat during business hours to get them to mail one to me.

This card eschews the now-omnipresent vertical design in favour of a traditional horizontal layout, albeit with the numbers on the back. Once I received it, I made a purchase with the chip inserted, entered my PIN, and my card was activated.

You can also get a virtual card for online purchases or to load to a mobile wallet, including while you wait for the physical card to arrive.

Loading the Wise Card

Load fees are the most irritating element of the Wise card. Your card debits from your Wise Balance, or money stored on the app itself, which means you’re obligated to pay some kind of fee almost every time you load the card.

To minimize these fees, you’d need to always use the bank direct debit option. Alternatively, you could have your payroll deposited directly onto your Wise card – but then you can’t really use your employment income for transactions that are debit-only, such as bills like property taxes.

Once the funds hit your account, though, they are then available for any purpose, including Wise’s very competitive foreign exchange and transfer services.

Foreign Exchange & Transfer Fees

Wise permits you to hold over 50 foreign currencies on the card at once. This can be very convenient if you don’t want to handle cash in any country with decent credit card acceptance rates.

If holding these currencies doesn’t appeal to you, you can opt to keep your entire balance in CAD and transfer at Wise’s mid-market rate. There is an additional small conversion fee that is almost always significantly lower than the 2.5% FX fees charged by most credit cards.

If you withdraw cash from a foreign ATM, you won’t be subject to any additional fees from Wise. The only thing you’d be on the hook for would be the ATM’s own service charge of ~$2–3.

As transfers and foreign currencies are the bread and butter of Wise’s daily operations, it doesn’t surprise me that the Wise card leans so heavily on this category.

Its rates are much better than most other products on the market, and its ability to hold so many different tenders is unique within the Canadian market.

Where Is the Wise Card Accepted?

The Wise Card’s acceptance rate is one of the best I’ve seen in the Canadian credit card market. Just take a look at the very short list of where the card doesn’t work:

While I’m sad it won’t work in the DPR of Korea, it will function on pretty much the entire rest of the Asian continent, and indeed Planet Earth, which is very convenient. And the Canadian-issued Wise card is certainly more flexible than its American cousin!

Sadly, there are no rewards available on the Wise card. Whereas Wealthsimple offers a flat 1% cashback on all purchases and Mogo makes the somewhat nebulous promise of planting trees, Wise offers nothing.

I hope this improves in the future, but I’m also doubtful. The Wise card to me seems much more like a foreign exchange card than one built around rewards accrued from organic spending.

Will I Be Getting the Wise Card?

I’ve already received the Wise Card and plan on using it if I need to work with some of the more esoteric currencies out there. I’ll be keeping it in my repertoire only because it fills a hole no other card on the market does right now.

The ability to load and move around over 50 different currencies is of great value in non-pandemic times, when round-the-world trips are more viable.

I also like that I can move cards out of my Wise balance and directly into another bank account, rather than being forced to keep my funds on-platform, as with Wealthsimple.

But, to be frank, this product could be better. The lack of rewards is annoying, but not a dealbreaker. What I really dislike is the lack of transparency around load fees, even if it’s only $0.04 for direct debit.

Other prepaid cards on the Canadian market don’t charge me to load my account. Wise does, and they don’t advertise this to you when encouraging you to apply for the card.

I definitely don’t like having a company pass its costs onto me as the consumer, and I’d say this could deter many individuals who might’ve considered getting the Wise Card from doing so.

I have mixed feelings about the Wise Card.

Its utility is indisputable because no other Canadian credit card allows you to load this many types of foreign currency onto one card. Most other prepaids also don’t let you wire money overseas as easily as Wise.

However, it’s far from perfect. The app feels as if it’s pressuring you to complete load transactions, and as someone used to receiving incentives or rewards for spending, I sorely feel their absence here. Worse yet are the load fees, which feel higher and more prominent than they should be.

I’m hoping that if the Wise Card gains market share, we might see some of these shortcomings alleviated.

Until next time, may your transfers be speedy.

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10 Comments

To add to Derrick M’s comment below, I noticed that it looks like Wise cards issued in Canada cannot be used to withdraw cash locally. I got my Visa debit and am about to travel, but it looks like it won’t serve the sole purpose I got it for… . https://wise.com/help/articles/2935769/how-much-does-it-cost-to-withdraw-cash

**Japan, Singapore and Canada cardholders If you got your debit card in Japan, Singapore or Canada you won’t be able to use it to make ATM withdrawals locally. But you’ll still be able to use your card to make payments locally and around the world, and withdraw from ATMs overseas.

Not exactly free to withdraw via ATM overseas either. At least not more than twice a month:

If your card was issued in Canada: You can take out money for free abroad twice a month — as long as the total amount is under the equivalent of 350 CAD. But after that, we’ll charge you the equivalent of 1.50 CAD per transaction. This is a fixed fee. If you take out over 350 CAD in one month, we’ll charge you 1.75% on top of that.

In terms of the $0.04 fee; that is the fee you will incur when you use say a Visa Debit Card from your bank to transfer the funds. The minimum is $30. Once you have transferred that amount, it will open up account numbers for the most commonly used currency such as Can$, US$, Euro and British pounds; all of them will be provided with all the details like a local bank account (routing number, BIC, IBAN, Sort Code, institute, transit number etc). So once the first transfer is through, what I did was link a Tangerine account using the bank details for Wise like a bank account. In fact, I recouped the cost thanks to 2 x micro transactions that Tangerine deposits. Once that’s setup, technically, transfers to the card is free via bank-to-bank but of course 2-3 days delay in transfer but with no additional fee. You could do similar setups with banks that allow bank-to-bank transfers such as EQ (?; not sure since I do not have an account).

But agreed, it is difficult to see other uses for this other than cash withdraw outside of Canada at local bank. I *think* should be useful for cash withdraws only; similar to that of Stack. Will have to test once international travel is more friendly at least for me.

Am struggling the understand the mechanism: if you convert your CAD to EUR in your Wise account then use your Wise account to pay in EUR, that applies to only your EUR balance in your account?

I use everforex.ca, they have been the cheapest and best for me to buy and transfer money

would never carry such a bright ugly green colour of a card so can’t even be bothered to try the wise card. why would companies go out of their way to exclude people who care about aesthetics which is every youngish person. at least with wealthsimple i get a sleek un-embarrassing card to use in public.

Nobody cares about the color of the card dawg

Transferwise seems to change their rules every other month… I didn’t find them at all reliable and had overall negative experiences with them and it was a pain to get my money back. I’ll stick with the bank to bank transfers.

Maybe I’m missing something, but can someone explain what the value is of ‘holding’ FX on multi-currency cards like this, assuming you’re not a forex trader? I understand if you have foreign-sourced funds and don’t want to convert it to CAD, but if you’re just planning to use the card to travel why not just get a 0% FX card like HSBC or practically any US travel card and be done with it?

There probably isn’t. Value is if you need to withdraw cash abroad.

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What are you looking for?

Wise vs revolut: which is better in 2024 [detailed & unbiased].

‍ One of the top tips I can give you while travelling is to invest in a great travel card - trust me you won’t regret it!

There are plenty to choose from, but this guide is going to dive into the similarities and key differences between Wise and Revolut .

We started using Revolut back in 2016 on our backpacking trip around South America , and we’ve used Wise since early 2019 so we’ve got a few years of experience with both...

To give you a good idea of which travel card is most suited to you, I’m going to go through the pros and cons of each for both personal and business accounts.

So, let’s get stuck in…

Travellerspoint

Great features of Wise for travel

First of all, let’s take a look at Wise and the features that benefit us travellers so much…

Although not travel-specific, Wise is FREE to sign up for and there are no monthly fees
You can hold money in 50+ currencies and convert between them for the real exchange rate
With Wise, you can withdraw up to 200 GBP per month from international ATMs for FREE
You can use the Wise debit card abroad like you would any other debit card
You can freeze your card if it gets lost or stolen
Low transfer fees
Better exchange rate than many other platforms out there
Wise is great for receiving payments in foreign currencies and then offering great exchange rates and low fees to convert to pounds
Available in over 60 countries, and your card will be shipped out for you (for a fee)
Wise offers virtual cards as well as plastic ones

Wise Business

Now, let’s take a look at the benefits of opening a Wise Business account !

Of course, this is tailored specifically towards individuals who are self-employed but if you’re a keen traveller and a digital nomad then it’s likely that you may fall under this bracket.

With a Wise Business account, you’ll have many benefits of business banking but without any hidden charges, monthly fees, or high rates.

So, what are these benefits?

Key Features of a Wise Business account

International invoices can be paid in one click with a real (and live) exchange rate
Charges regarding payments can be up to 19x cheaper than the likes of Paypal
Quick payments - 50% of payments are instant or arrive within the hour
You can easily make batch payments in just one click (up to 1,000 people)
Money can be moved between currencies in seconds, avoiding high conversion fees
Your Wise Business account can be connected with other platforms like Xero

The best part about having a Wise Business account is that they’re very affordable.

For those who are in the EEA or UK, there's one-off set-up fee of £45 (50 euros).

The price of this one-off fee will differ depending on where you're from (and where the business is registered), but typically you'll be paying between £16-£42. With some countries, it does cost more to verify your account so you may be charged a higher fee.

After that, you don't need to worry about any hidden or monthly fees which is a huge bonus, and you'll benefit from low transfer fees and high exchange rates.

Many business owners or freelancers tend to use the likes of PayPal, but as I’ve just mentioned transfers with Wise can save you a lot of money! Trust me, if you’re using PayPal the charges add up over the year…

However, Revolut has some fantastic features too so let’s take a look at them next...

Great features of Revolut for travel

Here’s a quick overview of the features that may convince you to choose Revolut as your next travel card…

Revolut offers the best exchange rate possible
Travel insurance is included with the paid plans (Premium, Metal, and Ultra plans)
A clear account overview of all expenses
Compatible with Google Pay and Apple Pay
Offers an easy sharing bills feature
You’ll be able to receive international payments
Quick currency conversions
Some of the paid plans offer FREE airport lounges and a concierge service
No-fee ATM withdrawals

Additional Revolut features

The opportunity to get involved with cryptocurrency trading
A stock trading market
You can make charitable donations
With Revolut, you can receive cashback on specific purchases

Revolut Paid features

It’s important to note that Revolut has a wide variety of personal plans , and some of these aren’t free. Therefore, there will be several paid features that won’t be accessible on a free account.

Some of these ‘paid features’ include:

Personalised Cards
FREE card delivery
24/7 priority customer support
Daily interest on USD savings
Higher monthly withdrawal limits

Comparing Revolut personal plans

As you can see there are a variety of personal plans to choose from, so to make things easier I’ve dropped a screenshot of the differences below…

For a more in-depth comparison, I’m going to dive into the Plus, Premium, Metal, and Ultra plans.

The Plus Plan - £3.99 per month

Personalised Plus Card
In-app priority customer support
Two accounts for under 18s with full access
Up to £1,000 purchase protection for a year on eligible items
Refund protection that covers you for a full 90 days after purchases
Ticketed events can be reimbursed up to £1000 if you can't make it due to a reason that's beyond your control (Insurance T&Cs apply)
Earn up to 2.39% AER/Gross (variable) paid daily on your savings
International transfers - money can be sent in 29+ currencies

The Premium Plan - £7.99 per month

Unlimited foreign exchange Monday-Friday
Up to £400 free international ATM withdrawals per month, and a 2% fee afterwards
Full purchase protection
Travel Insurance is included with your monthly fee
20% off fees on every international transfer
Earn up to 3% AER/Gross (variable) paid daily on your savings
5 commission-free stock trades every month
Perks Plus - discounts off top brands
Benefit from an additional virtual card to help against fraud
Up to 5% cashback on accommodation
Access to airport lounges at discounted rates

The Metal Plan - £14.99 per month

All the standard benefits plus…

Up to £800 free international ATM withdrawals per month, and a 2% fee afterwards
Earn up to 4% AER/Gross (variable) paid daily on your savings
10 commission-free stock trades every month
40% off fees on every international transfer
Up to 10% cashback on accommodation
Cashback on card payments (up to 0.1% on transactions in Europe and UK, and 1% elsewhere)
Personal Liability Insurance up to £1 million
Five accounts for under 18s with full access

The Ultra Plan - £45 per month (the plan I am on!)

With Ultra you get some extra benefits...

Up to £2000 free international ATM withdrawals per month, and a 2% fee afterwards
Free International Transfers
Earn up to 4.75% AER/Gross (variable) paid daily on your savings
Trip and event cancellation insurance
Perks worth £4,000+ in annual benefits
Unlimited lounge access
Platinum-plated card
Subscriptions for Sleep Cycle, Headspace, NordVPN, and Picsart
Can request a call back when it comes to priority customer support

Revolut Business Accounts

Likewise, Revolut also offers business accounts if you’re self-employed or you’re a business owner.

We’ve used Revolut Business since 2021, as we wanted to make sure that we were losing as little as possible on fees once our business started to scale more!

Unlike Wise, Revolut has a variety of business accounts available and some of them are paid accounts.

Comparing Revolut Business Accounts

As well as the benefits included with personal plans, you’ll also get extra if you’ve got a business and opt for a business plan.

There are four types of Revolut business plans and honestly, which one you should choose will all depend on how big your business is, how much money you’re making, and how many international payments you’ll need to make.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between each business plan…

You can find out some of the other differences between Revolut business accounts through their account pricing plans .

What’s great about purchasing a Revolut Business plan is that they’ve evolved their accounts so that you can now receive domestic USD and EURO payments.

Before this, businesses would pay into my Wise account if the payment was in dollars or euros and then I’d have to exchange the currency over to my GBP account in Revolut Business.

Luckily, the process is now much smoother. Now, I can get paid directly from business to the domestic USD & EURO accounts in Revolut Business. This helps you avoid any intermediary fees, although there is a limit on how much you can exchange for free.

You’ll find a couple of other fantastic reasons to upgrade your Revolut Business plan, but this is generally the key reason to do so and the main differentiator in their pricing structure!

If you need to exchange more than, say £10K a month, you can then upgrade your business plan further but just make sure that it makes financial sense to do so first.

Revolut Pro

This platform have also introduced Revolut Pro, an account which is tailored towards freelancers and those with a side hustle. Although relatively new, it's already a great option as there are some brilliant benefits. These include:

The ability to create, track, and send invoices in seconds
You can accept in-person payments with Revoluts card reader (transaction fees are 1.5%).
You can create a QR code or payment link for customers to pay you (transactions fees are 2.5%)
This account also allows you to receive payments via Apple Pay and digital wallets
You'll earn cashback on payments used with the Revolut Pro card
You can make and receive payments in 36 different currencies at an excellent exchange rate
It's free to open, as you can sign up for standard Revolut account and then set up Revolut Pro through there

What are the key differences between Wise and Revolut?

Now, this is what you’ve all been waiting for…

There are several key differences between Wise and Revolut , so to make this section easier I’m going to split it up into personal accounts and business accounts.

Then later, I’ll dive into the important differences between the companies in more depth…

Comparing Wise personal accounts Vs Revolut personal account

As you can see there are plenty of differences between Wise and Revolut, especially when it comes to personal accounts.

Although Wise and Revolut both offer free plans, Revolut’s paid personal plans offer a lot more flexibility in terms of monthly withdrawals and other features.

However, Wise operates in more countries and you can hold and exchange up to 50 currencies, which is a much higher amount than Revolut.

We’ll dive into a more in-depth comparison of the key differences between the two later on…

Comparing Wise business accounts Vs Revolut business accounts

Although you may not have thought about using Wise or Revolut for a business bank account, both have a lot to offer.

Overall, from a business standpoint, we currently still have both, as there is some nice cohesion there between the two!

However, I’ve definitely started to cut Wise out more and more since the introduction of those domestic USD & EURO accounts with Revolut.

Although that’s the case for me, Wise still stands out greatly in its sheer quantity of different currencies in order to receive payments, which makes its (relatively modest) fees definitely worth the convenience!

Especially as this allows us to cut out PayPal 99% of the time, which is a nightmare when it comes to fees…

Revolut Vs Wise: A breakdown of the key differences…

Both Wise and Revolut have fantastic features, but it’s always important to compare them to see which one comes out on top!

So, let’s take a look at some of the most important features when it comes to travel cards…

1. Withdrawing money from ATMs whilst abroad

Now, this is arguably one of the most important features that a travel card needs to have!

If you’re not careful then withdrawing money from ATMs abroad can cost you a lot in fees, especially in Asian countries such as Thailand.

Both Wise and the Revolut Free accounts allow you to withdraw up to £200 per month at ATMs without fees. However, the paid personal plans with Revolut allow you to withdraw up to £2,000 a month which is a much larger amount (you can withdraw this amount with the Ultra Plan which is what we have).

If you don’t want to pay for this luxury, then you can have a card with both Revolut and Wise, and then this will allow you to withdraw up to £400 without fees.

Due to the monthly limits, Revolut wins this hands down…

2. Foreign currency fees

If you’re planning to receive large foreign payments, then it’s always best to invest in a travel card that will help you save on fees! At the start, we used PayPal and I think we lost around 8-10% of the actual GBP value of our payments which is CRAZY.

After we signed up for Wise in early 2019, we saved so much money due to the great exchange rates and low fees when converting to GBP.

However, after TransferWise was rebranded to Wise in 2022, I’ve found that their fees have increased and they’re not as cheap as they once were!

In fact, we now save more money through Revolut which is the clear winner in this regard !

3. Number of currencies the accounts can hold

Wise is the clear winner when it comes to the number of currencies available!

This is another important factor to think about, especially if you’re a digital nomad or long-term traveller who likes to move around a lot.

Wise allows you to receive and send money abroad from over 50 currencies in total, although some of these transfers can only occur via local transfer.

There’s a full list of currencies on Wise’s website if you’re looking for more information…

Whereas, Revolut allows you to send and receive money from 25+ currencies, which is much lower.

So, if you pick Wise you can hold and exchange over 50 currencies, whilst this is restricted to around 25 with Revolut.

4. Replacing lost cards

One of the best things about using Wise and Revolut is that they both allow you to ‘freeze’ your card if you misplace it or it’s been stolen.

It’s an easy process with both companies as you simply have to head into your account and then go to your ‘manage card’ section.

Both companies will charge you a fee to replace the card of £5. However, if you’re located outside the UK expect to pay a lot more!

Depending on where you live, international delivery can cost upwards of £17.99.

Both Wise and Revolut come out on top for this one so there are no winners…

5. Transfer Fees

Both Wise and Revolut are known for having low transfer fees , especially compared to traditional banks and other platforms such as Paypal.

However, it’s Revolut that takes first place when it comes to fees!

If you’re transferring money to other countries in Europe you won’t encounter any fees, although for international transfers there will be a fee on every transfer - unless you opt for a paid business account.

It’s often a fixed fee which makes it better than Wise’s variable transfer fees , as they are always changing based on market fluctuations.

Wise do have some fixed transfer fees, but even then Revolut offers more bang for your buck. This makes them the best option if you're sending money abroad!

6. Locations where you can open an account

Another key thing to think about when deciding on a travel card is, of course, your location.

Although a company may offer great rates on international money transfers and market exchange rates, it’s useless if it’s not available in your country of origin.

Revolut is only suitable for citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States.

Whereas Wise is available in over 60 countries at the minute. Due to its widespread availability, Wise is the clear winner here, but just make sure your country is included before downloading the app.

These are just a couple of the key differences between Wise and Revolut, so let’s take a look at some of the differences (and similarities) that aren’t travel related…

Other differences between Wise and Revolut that aren’t travel-related

1. User-friendliness

Here’s another key factor to consider when choosing between Wise and Revolut. Whilst abroad, you’re going to want a travel card that’s easy to use!

We’ve been using our standard personal Revolut account since we began travelling in 2016, and throughout the years we’ve watched the app evolve for a better customer experience.

Even though the app has been easy to use from the get-go, today, it’s much more functional. However, Wise is also very easy to use although its app isn’t as popular as the desktop version.

Both of these companies offer a user-friendly experience, although it’s Revolut that has to take the top spot due to the popularity of its app!

2. Customer Support

Customer support is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a travel card!

Wise is known to offer fantastic customer service with an online help centre and a support team that can be contacted via email, Facebook messenger, phone, Twitter, and Whatsapp.

The one thing to be aware of with the Revolut personal plans is that although you’ll have access to customer support, only the paid plans will have access to 24/7 priority customer support.

The Revolut app offers 24-hour customer service anyway so there will always be someone available if you’re encountering any problems, but the response time will often differ depending on your plan - hence ‘priority support’.

Even with this, Revolut is the winner because they have several live chat options and you can easily talk to the customer service team.

3. Reputation

With a rating of 4.4 on the Google Play Store and 4.9 on the Apple Store, the Revolut app has plenty of excellent reviews. The Revolut Business app also has a rating of 4.6 and 4.8 respectively.

In terms of positive reviews, people have commented on the convenience of virtual cards, being able to split bills, and the wide variety of features.

However, people have left negative reviews regarding problems with customer support, and higher rates on weekends.

Wise has a rating of 4.7 on the Google Play Store and 4.5 on the Apple Store. These ratings are similar to Revolut, and there are plenty of positive reviews regarding smooth transfers and an easy-to-use design.

However, negative reviews have been left regarding the increased transaction fees, app malfunctions, and lack of customer support.

There seems to be pros and cons to both, although Revolut has the higher ratings!

4. Additional Features

In terms of additional features, this is another win that goes to Revolut.

Although Wise has plenty to offer in terms of transfers, banking, and helping to avoid fees, you won't find many other features on this platform.

Revolut, however, has plenty of awesome additional features including stocks, shares, and cryptocurrency. I’ve actually had a play around with these, and they’ve got much better since they’ve been rolled out.

Not only that, but Revolut allows you the ability to set budgets, receive cashback when purchasing certain products, and use ‘saving vaults’.

That’s just a few of the additional features that they offer, and more can be found on their website!

Overall verdict: Wise Vs Revolut - which one is better for travel?

As you can see, Revolut seems to take first place in terms of both travel features and other differences such as user-friendliness and customer support.

Although Wise has plenty to offer regarding availability and currencies, it’s Revolut that stands out to me!

If you’re looking to pay for a personal plan, then Revolut has a lot more to offer than Wise in terms of both banking and travel advantages.

Not only will you benefit from better exchange rates, cheaper transfer fees, and a user-friendly app, but some of their plans offer a free concierge service, airport lounge passes, and travel insurance perks.

You won’t find many other travel cards that offer these kinds of perks, and Wise definitely doesn’t offer anything of the sort either.

Revolut also offers a variety of business accounts, and you can choose your plan accordingly based on the features and what's on offer. Whereas Wise just has the free business account so you won’t have access to as many great benefits.

Another fantastic thing about Revolut is that they offer the ‘pay feature’ which we’ve used a few times to receive payments from brands that don’t want to (or know how to) do an international bank transfer.

This is incredibly handy for brands or companies who’d rather pay for something from us using a traditional credit card payment.

We now have the Ultra Plan and although it's the most expensive paid personal plan, it's certainly worth the price in our opinion as it comes with a ton of awesome perks!

However, Wise has proved very useful on a personal level when it comes to direct debits! For example, during our travels in Canada and America, we were able to set up direct debits for gym memberships and other things.

It is also still a key part of our business when it comes to receiving foreign payments. That being said, now that we have a paid Revolut business account, the markup fees they charge are actually less than Wise's newer, slightly higher commission structure.

As you can see, both these companies have a lot to offer but for me, Revolut easily takes first place! They offer a better user experience, and even with the free personal and business accounts, you’ll benefit from a lot more features.

Not only that, but the Revolut exchange rate is just typically better!

For more information, you can check out our in-depth Revolut guide ...

Advice for new users

If you’re planning a trip and you’re not sure which app to download , then I’d recommend going with Revolut .

Whether you stick with their FREE account or you upgrade is totally up to you, but either way, you’ll get access to a ton of awesome features.

However, for the best experience, it may be a good idea to download both Wise and Revolut so you can have a card from each one.

This will allow you to withdraw two lots of money from an ATM so you can avoid fees! Not only that, but you won’t truly know which one will work better for you without trying it yourself…

The future of Wise and Revolut

Although Revolut tips the scale for us, it’s important to state that both of these providers are fantastic in allowing you to handle your finances.

Everyone’s preference is different when it comes to travel cards, and you must make the decision based on what’s best for you rather than just going off our opinion!

At the time of writing, we believe Revolut has more to offer in terms of additional features but this may change in the future…

Companies are always keeping an eye on their competitors, and you might find that to even the playing field, Wise may introduce some more features in the next couple of years.

How to sign up for Wise and Revolut

Signing up for Wise or Revolut is extremely easy! The first step is downloading the app for each one…

Find Wise here
Find Revolut here

From there, you’ll need to enter some basic details like your name, birthday, email address, and home address.

After you’ve signed up you can then request for your card to be sent out to you. Although this will only take a few working days in the UK, you’ll need to allow 2-3 weeks if you live abroad.

Other travel cards to try

This guide is focused on highlighting the differences and similarities between Wise and Revolut, however, there are a couple of other fantastic travel cards out there.

Here are two of the other companies that we’ve tried…

Monzo is one of the stand-out travel cards on the market with fantastic exchange rates, the ability to apply for an overdraft, and the fact that the cards are compatible with Apple and Google Pay.

We always keep both Monzo and Revolut cards on us, and to be honest there’s no real difference between the two if your sole purpose is to spend abroad and draw out money.

Both have £200 limits on ATM withdrawals (although Monzo has a 3% surcharge fee beyond that), so having one of each allows us to withdraw money with both and avoid charges.

If you want to find out more then you can check out our Monzo Vs Revolut review …

2. Starling Bank

With Starling Bank , you'll have access to 24/7 customer support, be covered by the FSCS, and you can sign up digitally in minutes.

That being said, in all honesty, we’ve never been a big fan of Starling Bank compared to our favourites; Monzo and Revolut.

They don’t offer a ton of additional features, and we found the exchange rate to be slightly worse than some of the other travel cards we’ve used.

We got a card with them because they didn't have a cap on free monthly withdrawals, which is a huge bonus but this bank just didn't work for us.

However, some people really love Starling Bank so it's all about preference I guess!

Wise Vs Revolut? Which one takes the top spot for you…

Choosing the perfect travel card isn’t an easy task when you’ve got to consider their money transfer services, currency exchange rates, and other fees.

I hope this guide has given you a detailed comparison of Revolut and Wise (or TransferWise as it was previously known), and what each one has to offer.

Companies are constantly upgrading their features too, so I’d recommend checking the websites yourself to see which travel card is most suited to you!

Here are some other guides that you may find helpful if you’re planning a trip:

The Best Vacation Rental Sites
In-depth SafetyWing Review
Ultimate Travel Packing List

Let us know what you think.

5 million people can't be wrong

Personal Finance

Best travel credit cards for june 2024.

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.

The best travel credit cards unlock a world of free and discounted travel. If you travel a lot, one of these cards could be worth obtaining. Depending on your travel preferences and goals, you may want a card with no annual fee, ultra-luxury premium rewards, or many points per purchase. Here’s a closer look at the best travel rewards cards to help you see the world at a fraction of the cost.

Best Travel Credit Cards: Summary

Best for beginners: card_name, best for premium travel: card_name, best for no annual fee: card_name, best for intro bonus offer: card_name, best for airport lounge access: card_name, best for business: card_name, best for insurance coverage: card_name, best airline credit card: card_name.

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card

Our recommendations for the best travel credit card

The best travel credit card varies depending on your travel preferences. If you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel, you may consider that brand’s card. A general miles or points rewards card could be the best choice for travelers looking to get the maximum value across a wider range of redemption options.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Why we like it:, product details:.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel(SM).
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM), 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(SM). For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 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, 2024.
Member FDIC

The card_name is our pick for the best credit card for general travel rewards for beginners. It does a great job of balancing a robust rewards program with a reasonable annual fee. If you’re new to travel rewards cards or want a top card you can use everywhere without spending more than $100 per year, this card should be on your shortlist.

New users who spend at least $4,000 on the card in the first three months get 60,000 bonus points worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards . For purchases, you’ll earn five points per dollar spent on travel at Chase Ultimate Rewards; three points for dining and eligible delivery services, online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs, and select streaming services; two points for other travel; and one point everywhere else. Points are transferable to airline and hotel partners, including United , Southwest , and Marriott.

The card also provides other perks, including travel and purchase protections. You’ll also get $50 back as a statement credit each year for hotels booked through Chase. While there’s a annual_fees annual fee, it’s easy to see how you’ll get that back and much more every year when using the card regularly.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

One of the newer premium travel cards, card_name , comes with a wide set of travel benefits, including access to Capital One lounges and more than 1,300 additional lounges through Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group. While the card requires a steep annual_fees annual fee, getting that value back and more is easy. Users get a $300 annual statement credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel, a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry , and a $100 statement credit with other premium services when booking certain hotels through Capital One.

The card_name starts new users with 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months, and you’ll earn 10,000 bonus miles annually on your account anniversary. For purchases, you’ll get 10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x everywhere else. Capital One miles are redeemable through Capital One and a list of transfer partners .

Other benefits include premium experiences and museum access through complementary memberships to PRIOR, The Cultivist, and $300 toward a Gravity Hauss membership. If you book a flight when Capital One Travel recommends and the price drops within 10 days, you can get up to $50 credit back.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

If you don’t want to shell out $100 yearly just to have a travel rewards card, the card_name could be a winner. With this card, users earn five miles per dollar spent on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel and an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on other purchases.

New users can earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months. There are no foreign transaction fees, either, and the list of travel insurance and purchase coverage is impressive, considering there’s annual_fees annual fee.

Another advantage is that VentureOne starts new users with a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration . If you want to consolidate and pay off other cards or make a big purchase interest-free, card_name may be the best choice for you.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

card_name is an excellent card for easy-to-understand travel rewards. You earn 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 2x miles per dollar on other purchases. These miles can be redeemed through the Capital One Travel site, used to cover the cost of a recent eligible travel purchase, or transferred to a list of partner travel brands. Redeeming them for cash, events, and gift cards is also possible.

Other benefits include a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, two free Capital One lounge visits per year, and the most important travel and purchase protections anyone would want from a travel card.

There’s a annual_fees annual fee, but it’s easy to get that back and more redeeming Capital One miles for travel.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The card_name is an ultra-luxury credit card unlocking a huge heap of benefits, including express lanes and access to lounges at airports, gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels, and about $1,500 worth of various travel, membership, and purchase credits. On top of that, new users can earn 80,000 membership rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first three months.

The card carries a steep annual_fees annual fee ( Rates & Fees ), but it’s easy to see how you get more than that back in a year if you use its benefits fully. Additional users can get free Amex Gold cards or up to three additional Platinum cards at $175 per year. Additional users beyond that cost $175 each.

Benefits include a hotel credit worth up to $200 for prepaid bookings with American Express Travel for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection, a $189 statement credit annually to cover a Clear membership, a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, up to $20 per month for select entertainment purchases, up to $300 per year in statement credits for Equinox memberships, $12.95 per month in statement credits for a Walmart+ membership, and $50 in statement credits twice per year when shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue. It also includes $15 monthly in Uber Cash ($20 in December) and Uber VIP status. Users also get Gold-level status with the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs .

The rewards are not all that impressive, however. You earn five points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, hotels booked on Amex Travel, and one point for everything else. Points are redeemable through Amex and transferable to a list of airline and hotel partners. The card is worthwhile for frequent travelers when you add up the massive travel benefits.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The is the best business card for travel due to its rewards flexibility, foreign transaction fees, and protective consumer benefits.

You may like the card_name if you run a business, even a side hustle. The card comes with a huge 100,000-point bonus after spending $15,000 in the first three months. That’s worth $1,250 in travel when redeemed through Chase or potentially more when transferring to travel partners.

The card features 3x points per dollar on shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable and phone services purchases, and travel.

The card also comes with a good list of travel and purchase protections, including cell phone insurance when you use the card to pay your monthly bill. And like most premium travel cards, there are no foreign transaction fees. While it has a huge starting bonus and great benefits, it also requires a annual_fees annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

This card's generous benefits and flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points make it an excellent deal for those who can use them. Users get a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership (retail value $469), a $300 annual travel credit that applies to travel purchases each year, 50% more value when redeeming their rewards for travel through Chase, a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership , and a generous suite of travel insurance benefits.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel(SM).
$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(SM) 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(SM). For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 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(TM) Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck(R)

card_name is a premium travel card loaded with valuable benefits. While it requires a large annual_fees annual fee, you get the first $300 back on travel purchases with the card, up to $100 in statement credits every four years for TSA’s trusted traveler programs, and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with access to more than 1,300 lounges.

New users can earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in the first three months. For purchases, you’ll earn 10x points per dollar spent with Chase Dining or when booking hotels or rental cars through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5x for flights booked through Chase, 3x for travel and dining purchases, including restaurant delivery, and 1x everywhere else.

The package of travel and purchase insurance is also quite valuable. The card includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuation insurance. For purchases, it includes purchase protection for new purchases for up to 120 days, return protection, and up to an additional year of warranty coverage.

United℠ Explorer Card

If you’re looking for an airline-specific credit card, the card_name Chase is a standout option. The card comes with a list of benefits rewarding United travelers, with bonus miles, free checked bags, and other benefits. New users can earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 with the card in the first three months.

You’ll earn 2x miles per dollar for purchases with United. The same 2x rate extends to dining, restaurant delivery, and hotels booked directly through the hotel company. It features 1x mile per dollar on all other purchases.

When flying with United, the cardholder and a companion get their first checked bag free, worth up to $140 per roundtrip. The card also includes an opportunity to earn Premier qualifying points, which get you closer to elite United status. Users also get a one-year complimentary DashPass subscription, offering discounts with DoorDash. It includes excellent travel insurance benefits, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and complimentary Visa Signature Concierge service access.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Best hotel credit card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase is a top hotel card. While it has a $95 annual fee, an annual free night award worth up to 35,000 points is easily worth more. When you stack points from the card and Marriott Bonvoy membership, you can earn up to 17x points per dollar on purchases made with Marriott, which has more than 7,000 properties worldwide.

New users can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months after opening a new account. Users get automatic Silver Elite status and credit toward the Gold Elite tier. The card also features a one-year complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership.

Travel insurance benefits are fair and include lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. It also includes purchase protection and Visa Signature Concierge service.

Best travel credit card comparison chart

Our methodology.

To choose the best travel credit cards, our team reviewed dozens of cards from multiple issuers. We looked at the best rewards for regular purchases, the best signup bonuses, and the best travel-related benefits. We also considered annual fees and other common costs that you’re likely to incur. We didn’t, however, consider interest rates, as travel rewards cards are best for users who pay off the card in full monthly to avoid interest charges.

How to maximize your rewards with your travel credit card

If you want to maximize your rewards with travel credit cards, follow these quick tips:

Use your credit card for every purchase: You don’t earn miles or points when you don’t use the card. Use your rewards card for every eligible purchase to earn as much as possible. But be careful not to overspend and get into trouble with high card balances.
Consider multiple rewards cards: Mixing and matching multiple cards can get you the best rewards. For example, picking one card for restaurants, one for groceries , and one for gas could help you earn more.
Research each redemption: Don’t redeem your points without considering the value. When transferring to airline partners, getting values well over one cent per point is possible.

How to choose a travel credit card

Everyone has different travel goals, credit histories, incomes, and spending habits. Here are some additional considerations to guide your choice:

Spending habits: If you always cook at home and never go to restaurants, a restaurant rewards card wouldn’t be practical. Consider your budget and spending habits to find the best card .
Annual fee tolerance: Some people are okay with annual fees, while others will only tolerate them up to a certain point. With some popular cards requiring over $600 per year, you have to ask yourself what you would be willing to pay and which benefits you’ll use regularly.
Desired benefits: If you want airport lounges, status with a certain hotel or airline, or fast lines at the airport, find a card with those benefits.
Brand loyalty: Finally, if you love one airline or hotel—or simply find one most convenient for your travel priorities—its branded card could be a good choice or addition to one of the cards above.

How to compare credit cards

Every issuer offers different benefits and rewards. When comparing travel cards, look at the rewards program to determine if it favors your spending habits. Then look at any costs or fees you expect to pay, such as annual or foreign transaction fees. Next, look at statement credits and other benefits. The card that yields you the biggest net benefits (rewards and benefits minus expected annual fees and other costs) should be your top pick.

Also, consider the card’s credit score and other credit requirements before applying. That information should be available on the issuer’s website or by contacting its customer service desk.

Types of travel credit cards

Our favorite travel credit cards are general miles and points rewards cards. General rewards cards feature points or miles redeemable at a big list of airlines, hotels, and potentially additional travel companies.

Depending on your location and travel preferences, you may also find brand-specific cards helpful. For example, the United MileagePlus Explorer card comes with benefits and rewards miles only for use with United Airlines. Most airlines and hotels offer at least one credit card for loyal customers.

Alternatives to travel credit cards

If you don’t want a travel credit card, cash back credit cards are an excellent choice. Many of them have no annual fee. And, if you’re not into travel, the rewards come in the form of cash or points redeemable for cash.

Most cards with cash back rewards allow you to redeem for statement credits, which lower your credit card balance; direct deposit to a linked bank account; and sometimes for travel, gift cards, Amazon.com purchases, and other redemptions. Merchandise is usually a low-value redemption for your points.

You can also find cards with no rewards, often featuring lower fees and interest rates. A secured credit card may be the right choice for someone with bad credit or no credit.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between points and miles on a travel credit card.

Points and miles on a travel credit card are rewards earned through spending on the card. While they share similarities, there are some major differences between them.

General rewards points tend to offer more flexibility for redemption, as they can be used for various rewards, including flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and even cash back. However, miles are usually restricted to flight redemptions with a specific airline or its partners. Some travel credit cards may allow you to convert miles into points or vice versa, but this typically comes with a conversion rate and may not always offer the best value.

Ultimately, the difference between points and miles on a travel credit card comes down to how they are earned, their redemption options, and their value. Understanding the specific rewards program and choosing a card that aligns with your travel habits and preferences is essential to maximizing your rewards.

How do I know if a travel credit card is right for me?

Determining if a travel credit card is right depends on your spending habits, travel frequency, and personal preferences. First, consider your travel patterns and the type of travel rewards you desire—such as airline miles, hotel points, or more flexible rewards redeemable for various travel expenses. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of perks like lounge access, priority boarding, or free checked bags may find travel credit cards more valuable.

Additionally, assess your spending habits and ability to earn rewards. Travel credit cards often have higher annual fees and interest rates, so ensure that you can offset these costs through rewards, perks, and benefits. The right travel credit card for you should align with your lifestyle, provide valuable rewards, and offer perks that enhance your travel experiences.

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

Advertiser Disclosure

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval, also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers.

Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

Best travel credit cards of June 2024

• Credit card strategy
• Credit card comparisons

Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis on NextAdvisor.com, he joined the CreditCards.com and Bankrate teams as a staff writer to develop product reviews and comprehensive credit card guides focused on cash back, credit scores and card offers.

• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards

Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs, point valuation and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more. Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.

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Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, self-employed humanitarian consultant and collector of credit card points. She shares savvy travel tips that she’s learned firsthand circling the globe for more than 25 years. She’s a backpacker, expect and premium traveler who’s visited more than 130 countries and all seven continents. Her life motto is “See the world, change the world, have fun doing it!” and her mission is to inspire others along the journey.

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Travel credit cards help you earn valuable points and miles on your purchases. For maximum value, some cards earn rewards not only on travel, but also everyday purchases like dining, groceries and gas. You can redeem these rewards for free or discounted flights, hotel stays or to cover other travel-related expenses.

The best travel cards also come with additional features. Even no-annual-fee travel cards are likely to offer perks like sign-up bonuses, intro APR offers and travel insurance. But for top-of-the-line benefits like airport lounge access, elite status and travel credits, expect to pay an annual fee.

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Bankrate's Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

Best starter travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for no annual fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ( See Rates & Fees )
Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
Best for everyday spending: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Best for intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Best for point values: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for practical perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best for pairing: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for hotel bookings: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Best no-annual-fee hotel card: Hilton Honors American Express Card
Best luxury hotel card: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Best for transfer partners: Bilt Mastercard®
Best for gas: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Best for companion tickets: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Best starter airline card: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Best for expedited security screening: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Best for first-year value: Discover it® Miles
Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card
What to know about travel credit cards
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How we assess the best travel credit cards

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Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

Intro offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program , showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.

Rewards rate

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.

Regular APR

5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x 2x on all other travel purchases.
1x 1x on all other purchases.

What we love: This popular card comes loaded with features that can make it easy even for occasional travelers to offset the modest $95 annual fee without eating into hard-earned rewards. Plus, its rewards program is one of the best, giving you some of the most valuable travel redemptions — through both Chase and transfer partners — and Chase card pairing opportunities if you want to build your card portfolio eventually. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Alternatives: If you’re looking for an even simpler travel card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a terrific option. Its flat rewards rate makes it easy to know exactly how much you’ll earn with every purchase and though it can’t match the Sapphire Preferred’s redemption flexibility, it offers more redemption options than the typical travel rewards card.

You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with Chase’s cash back cards in the future.
The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
The sign-up bonus is decent, but the card has previously offered higher, chart-topping bonus points.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 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, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 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, 2024.
Member FDIC

Best for flat-rate rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

2 Miles - 5 Miles

5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: It’s a great option for travelers looking for a straightforward rewards program and flexible redemption options. You'll earn unlimited miles on all eligible spending and can redeem not only for travel bookings, but also as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made in the past 90 days. Learn more: Why expert Jacqueline DeMarco loves the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Chase points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, while Capital One miles are only worth 1 cent each when you redeem for travel. Plus, Chase rewards are more helpful for occasional travelers since you can redeem as cash back at 1-cent-per-point value.

Carries solid perks given its low annual fee, including expedited airport purchase security and hotel experience credits, lost luggage reimbursement and more.
Zero foreign transaction fees make this an excellent choice for international travelers.
You can’t offset the annual fee with annual travel credits or bonuses alone as you can with some rival cards.
The card’s sign-up bonus carries a high spending requirement, so it may be tough to earn if you don’t have large purchases on the horizon.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X 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
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
Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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.

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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

5X 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.
5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

What we love: Luxury travelers and big spenders will appreciate the bevy of travel benefits, including annual statement credits worth around $1,700, elite hotel loyalty status and access to perhaps the most comprehensive airport lounge access available with a credit card. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Platinum Card® from American Express Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a lower cost than many premium travel cards. You can unlock a generous rewards rate on both travel and general purchases, complimentary access to popular airport lounge memberships and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.

Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
The $695 annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t spend much on travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
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 with American Express Travel when you pay with 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.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 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 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), 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 for no annual fee

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

1.25 Miles 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: This card offers some of the same advantages as the Capital One Venture, without the burden of an annual fee. It gives you the chance to earn flat-rate miles on your everyday spending and the option to transfer miles to over 15 loyalty program partners to even cover travel purchases outside Capital One — a unique level of redemption flexibility for a starter travel card. Learn more: Reasons to get the VentureOne Rewards Card Alternatives: A general-purpose flat-rate credit card that offers 2X points or 2 percent cash back on all purchases may bring more value if you don’t travel often and aren’t ready to upgrade to a travel rewards credit card with an annual fee. However, the Discover it® Miles earns a flat-rate 1.5X miles that can also be redeemed for cash back at 1-cent per mile, which is unusual for travel rewards.

The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
Booking hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel nets you an impressive 5X miles.
Unlike several no-annual-fee travel cards, redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your rewards’ value.
Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
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 for foodies

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

What we love: Few credit cards are more rewarding for traveling foodies than the American Express Gold Card. Both the food-related annual credits and the rewards rates at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and on flights booked directly with airlines or via the Amex travel portal are some of the best on the market. In fact, the up to $240 in credits each year alone nearly make up for the annual fee. Learn more: Why the Amex Gold is worth the annual fee Alternatives: If the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee sounds high, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . It carries key travel perks, high travel and dining rewards rates, and a much lower annual fee.

This card features one of the best rewards return rates available on dining, groceries and food deliveries.
There is no preset spending limit, so you can enjoy extended purchasing power, and you also have the option to pay off purchases with Pay Over Time if necessary.
Although the card touts a solid collection of travel perks, it doesn’t include popular premium card perks like airport lounge access or trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
Only eligible airfare earns more than 1X points, while rival cards often earn similar (or higher) reward rates on hotel stays and other travel purchases as well.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$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.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $250.

Best for everyday spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

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

10X Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
3X Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What we love: This card’s high rewards rate in everyday bonus categories makes it an especially good choice for occasional travelers and people looking for a standalone rewards card. Its practical bonus categories mean you can earn rewards quickly, even if you don’t actually spend a ton on travel. Alternatives: As long as you don’t mind buying groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be an even more lucrative everyday rewards card. That’s thanks mostly to its high point redemption value (1.25 cents per point when you use points to book travel with Chase, versus just 1 cent per point when you book with Citi using the Strata Premier).

It’s one of the only travel cards that offers a high rewards rate on groceries, dining and gas, so it should work well whether it’s your standalone card or just one part of your card stack.
Its annual hotel benefit carries enough value to potentially offset the annual fee on its own.
The annual hotel benefit, though generous, isn’t very flexible: You’ll only get the $100 discount if you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through CitiTravel.com.
Based on Bankrate’s latest point and mile valuations, Citi ThankYou rewards carry a lower average redemption value than Chase, Amex and Capital One rewards.
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 for intro APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

What we love: This entry-level travel card keeps things simple for occasional travelers. It offers simple flat-rate rewards and lets you redeem for a broad mix of travel options not typically available on many travel cards, such as cash back toward purchases with travel agencies, zoos, art galleries and more. It’s even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer and can qualify for a rewards boost through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it? Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another great starter travel card, but, unlike many cards in this category, it lets you transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners, potentially for a higher redemption value.

Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
It only offers 1.5X points on purchases, and you can’t transfer points can’t to airline partners for more rewards value, so it may not be as lucrative as competing cards.
The top tiers of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: Rewards-savvy travelers will be hard-pressed to find a card with better rewards potential than the Sapphire Reserve. Points are worth 50 percent more through Chase Travel, and potentially more with the right transfer partner. It’s a stellar partner for Chase’s cash back cards and stacks on even more value with enough perks to recoup the annual fee without relying on hard-earned rewards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. Along with a generous rewards rate on both Capital One Travel and general purchases, the card boasts valuable, practical benefits like competitive airport lounge access , up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.

You can kickstart your rewards bank with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, exhaustive travel protections and stand-out partner perks.
The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on encountering adding multiple authorized users.
You won’t get as many luxury hotel and airport lounge perks with this card as you would with some of its rivals.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 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, 75,000 points are worth $1125 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 for practical perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

2 Miles - 10 Miles

10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

What we love: This is the perfect middleground for travelers who want the practical benefits from luxury travel cards without dealing with bloated features and an annual fee upwards of $500. It offers complimentary lounge access, high-earning bonus rewards categories, anniversary credits and bonus miles, which can easily make the card worth it for frequent travelers. Learn more: Capital One Venture X Benefits Guide Alternatives: If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be better if your luxury travel experience calls for racking up more rewards.

Offers anniversary bonus miles and a chance to earn credits worth hundreds of dollars starting at your first account anniversary.
Comes with complimentary lounge access at over 1,300 lounges for you and two guests per visit.
To earn the anniversary credit, travel must be booked through the Capital One Travel portal. That’s not as flexible as some other cards, which offer credits that cover any travel purchases, regardless of how you book.
Lacks some perks found on other premium travel cards like airline or hotel elite status, which can get you benefits like free checked bags or room upgrades.
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 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
Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Best for pairing

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Enjoy 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 1.5% on all other purchases

5% Enjoy 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% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
1.5% 1.5% on all other purchases

What we love: Not only does it earn 1.5 percent cash back on general spending, but it also has a bonus cash back rate for drugstores and dining at restaurants. And if you pair it with one or two premium Chase travel cards, you could pool your rewards for better travel redemption value. Learn more: Why I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited Alternatives: If you want to take advantage of even more rewarding cash back categories and remain in the Chase family, consider the Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

You can pool rewards with other Chase cards to maximize your earnings.
The additional rewards rate offer can add even more cash back to your pocket for the first year.
The welcome offer isn’t as competitive as other cards’ offers.
Maximizing rewards with this and other Chase cards can get complicated for people who like simple rewards programs.
Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Enjoy 6.5% 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; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% 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!
Enjoy 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 Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Best for hotel bookings

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

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 Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants Earn 1X points on other purchases

5X Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels
4X Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines
3X Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants
1X Earn 1X points on other purchases

What we love: It offers a great rewards rate on hotel bookings and gives you a chance to earn a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. Add in a solid rate on airline purchases, other travel and restaurants and this card carries great value as a standalone mid-tier card for occasional travelers. Alternatives: If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on hotels and airfare, the lower-tier Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is also worth a look. Though it earns also rewards on travel, it boasts a great mix of other practical everyday categories (including gas stations).

You can transfer points to Wells Fargo’s new list of airline and hotel partners, including popular programs like British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges and more, which could boost the redemption value of your rewards.
The $50 annual statement credit offsets more than half the card’s $95 annual fee and should be a cinch to earn if you fly at least once per year.
Wells Fargo only offers one other card that earns travel rewards (the Autograph), and there is some category overlap between the two, so they may not be as lucrative as some competing card stacks.
The card doesn’t carry some popular travel perks available on other mid-tier travel cards, such as credits for expedited airport security screening or rideshares.
Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
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 no-annual-fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

7X Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
5X Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
3X Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

What we love: This card earns rewards in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, so it should be easy to rack up Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on hotel bookings. Since it charges no annual fee and provides a few Hilton Honors benefits like Silver status, it’s also a great fit if you’re new to hotel cards and want a single no-annual-fee option instead of juggling multiple rewards cards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Hilton Honors American Express Card Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be more flexible since it lets you earn and redeem rewards on a much wider variety of travel purchases, including airfare and bookings with several hotel brands, not just Hilton. You can transfer points to the Hilton Honors program as well, but the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card may be better if you prefer upgraded Hilton-specific rewards, loyalty status and other perks.

Comes with automatic Silver Elite status, which includes a free fifth award night when you book at least four consecutive nights with points.
Earns rewards in three of the average person’s biggest spending categories, making it a terrific standalone option for earning Hilton points.
A higher-tier Hilton card would earn more on Hilton bookings and could be more lucrative for frequent guests, even with an annual fee.
You can only redeem points with Hilton and its partners, which limits the rewards value you earn on the everyday categories compared to a general-purpose cards’ rewards.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
No Annual Fee.

Best luxury hotel card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines 2X points on all other eligible purchases

6X Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
3X 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
2X 2X points on all other eligible purchases

What we love: Frequent Marriott guests looking for luxury card-level perks and elite status should be able to justify this premium card. Along with a terrific rewards rate on Marriott bookings and an annual free night award, you could enjoy generous annual credits for restaurant purchases and Marriott property stays, airport lounge access, elite night credits and more. Learn more: Best Marriott credit cards Alternatives: If you’re looking for top-tier travel perks but want the flexibility to earn and redeem rewards for stays at any hotel chain, consider an elite travel card from Chase or Amex, which can come with generous travel benefits, airport lounge access and the ability to transfer points to Marriott. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another lucrative alternative.

Outperforms other Marriott cards with its boosted rewards on travel-related categories and 21X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, thanks to the automatic Platinum Elite status.
It’s one of the only hotel cards that includes complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, top travel protections and credits for expedited airport security screening.
Unlocking some of the card’s best perks — like Five Suite Night Awards — requires a $60,000 annual spend, which may be tough to reach even for frequent Marriott guests.
Unless luxury perks are at the top of your wishlist, the annual fee may not be worth it and a lower-tier hotel card may offer more value overall.
$300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
$100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
$650 Annual Fee.

Best for transfer partners

Bilt Mastercard®

Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.

3x points on dining 2x points on travel 1x points on other purchases Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

1X Points - 3X Points

3X Points 3x points on dining
2X Points 2x points on travel
1X Points 1x points on other purchases
1X Points Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

What we love: Not only is this card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when using it to pay rent, it’s also great for rewards strategists considering the extremely robust travel rewards program. You can earn rewards on travel and dining and your points carry a high value whether you redeem through the Bilt travel portal or one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. Alternatives: If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and transfer partners. If the way you pay rent doesn’t incur credit card payment fees, a flat-rate card may also be worth weighing.

It’s the only card that helps you avoid the fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
Offers a solid collection of travel perks for a no-annual-fee card, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and other high-level travel protections.
You can only use rewards to cover rent, toward a future home down payment or for travel and shopping. Cash back isn’t an option.
There is no sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
$0 Annual Fee.
Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
2x points on travel.
3x points on dining.
1x points on other purchases.
Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.

Best for gas

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases

3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

What we love: The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great option for occasional travelers and households on the go looking to earn rewards while avoiding an annual fee and reduced redemption value for cash rewards. It’s one of a few entry-level travel cards to offer high, year-round bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit and other key travel needs. Learn more: Is the Wells Fargo Autograph worth it? Alternatives: If you’re looking for ways to maximize the value of your rewards, you should consider a travel card that lets you transfer your points to airlines or hotels, like the Bilt Mastercard® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

While some issuers only reward travel purchases made directly with airlines or through issuer portals, this card lets you shop around for the best deal on third-party travel sites and still earn extra rewards.
Carries decent perks such as rental car collision damage waiver coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature® Concierge benefits, like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection (terms apply).
Unlike with traditional travel cards, you cannot transfer your points to airlines or hotels
The travel perks and intro APR are weak compared to competing travel-oriented cards’ offers.
Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
$0 annual fee.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Best for companion tickets

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Earn 85,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2X Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
1X Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

What we love: The annual companion certificate on Main Cabin domestic flights (taxes and fees apply) comes with this card after the first year is valuable enough to justify the annual fee even if you’re just looking for great Delta perks to make travel smoother with a partner. Plus, the companion certificate is easier to obtain than other airline cards’ since it carries no spending requirement that must be met beyond the card’s annual fee. Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower $150 annual fee, lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline (not just Delta) and offers credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

Boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and specialized annual credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
Gets you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is lacking — a general-purpose travel card could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for rewards travel outside Delta.
No longer offers complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access as of this year, although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
$350 Annual Fee.

Best starter airline card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

2X Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2X Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
1X Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

What we love: This card’s anniversary bonus offers enough value to nearly offset the annual fee on its own, so it should be a terrific low-stakes option whether you’re new to airline cards or a regular Southwest flyer looking for a low-maintenance card. Plus, its sign-up bonus value is on par with the value you’ll get with much pricier airline and travel cards. Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits guide Alternatives: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card could offer better value overall, despite its $149 annual fee. It carries an annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points each year on your account anniversary — more than enough value to justify the higher fee.

You’ll automatically earn 3,000 Rapid Rewards points each year after your account anniversary, which could offset much of the card’s already-low annual fee.
Delivers the same hefty sign-up bonus as higher-tier Southwest cards.
Unlike several travel cards, it doesn’t carry rewards categories for popular everyday purchases like gas or dining.
It may not be the best Southwest value for frequent flyers since it poses a 3 percent foreign transaction fee and doesn’t offer perks like upgraded boardings or elite status benefits.
3,000 anniversary points each year.
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Best for savers

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

2X Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases.
1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: If you do your banking with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards status, this card could provide an exclusive 25 percent to 75 percent rewards rate boost. The rewards rates — 2X points on dining and travel, with 1.5X points on all other purchases — could increase to an incredible 3.5X on travel and dining with an unrivaled flat 2.62X points rate. Learn more: Why expert Sara Coleman loves the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card Alternatives: The similarly-priced Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best alternatives thanks to its stellar travel protections, yearly bonus rewards and stronger rewards program. However, flat-rate cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Discover it® Miles card could be lucrative if you don’t think the $95 annual fee is worth it.

The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category thanks to the up to $100 in yearly airline incidental statement credits.
You can smooth out your travel experience with great benefits like credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and comprehensive travel insurance.
Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
This card does not offer a few popular premium travel perks like lounge access.
Low $95 annual fee.
Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
No foreign transaction fees.

Best for first-year value

Discover it® Miles

Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

1.5X Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

What we love: In addition to the exceptionally valuable Discover Match® , this card combines solid flat-rate rewards with consumer-friendly terms, like minimal fees and an equal value for both travel and cash back redemptions. Travelers who value simplicity will appreciate this card’s straightforward rewards and adaptability — even when you aren’t traveling. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Discover it® Miles Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card carries a more straightforward and still easy-to-reach welcome bonus. The VentureOne card also gives you the option of transferring miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, which could increase the redemption value of your rewards.

All miles earned in your first year will be matched at the end of the year, which could make it one of the most valuable first-year offers for no annual fee.
Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back, which gives it a leg up over many travel rewards programs for occasional travelers.
You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
No annual fee
Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
Terms and conditions apply.

Best for fair credit

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.

Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas Earn 1x points on all other purchases

10X Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
5X Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
1X Earn 1x points on all other purchases

What we love: The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a solid option if you want to earn points on travel but have trouble qualifying for mainstream travel cards. Not only is this card accessible with only fair credit, but its rewards program boasts generously high rewards rates in key travel categories. Learn more: Best travel cards for people with bad or fair credit Alternatives: If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *. It’s a unique secured card that lets you build credit while earning rewards in a category of your choice (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
Provides 5X points in travel, dining and gas, plus 10X points on eligible hotel and rental car bookings through Credit One Bank — rare and impressive rates with only fair credit.
Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score , so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
Other travel cards may offer better perks, fewer redemption restrictions and more value, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before committing to the costly annual fee.
Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
Earn 1x points on all other purchases
Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
See Rates & Fees

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.

The information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024

What are travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn points or miles on a variety of purchases (typically travel-related), which are redeemable for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards and more.

The best travel credit cards do more than help you foot the bill for your next flight — travel cards also offer perks to upgrade your entire travel experience. Trip insurance , annual travel credits, concierge services and lounge access are all common benefits. Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards sometimes offer specific discounts and perks for loyalty program members.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Although a well-chosen travel card can pay huge dividends, it might not be the right move for every traveler. Before you apply, take time to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of travel credit cards .

Tips on choosing the best travel credit card for you

The right travel credit card for you will carry features and benefits that give you the best value. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the steps to choosing the best travel card.

How to choose a travel credit card

1. know how you prefer to travel.

Knowing whether your travel expenses lean toward airfare, hotel stays or a mix of other travel will help you decide whether you should get an airline card, hotel card or general-purpose travel card. A co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit if you mostly travel with a certain brand and want exclusive privileges to enhance your experience. A general-purpose travel card is better if you prefer to keep your travel options open.

2. Prioritize redemption value

You may have to pick between simplicity and maximum value when comparing cards and rewards programs. Many travel cards offer a standard point or mile redemption value of 1 cent when you redeem toward travel through the issuer portal, but some cards can get you a higher redemption value when you transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners. However, it's common for many travel reward programs to reduce the redemption value toward non-travel options or limit these redemption options altogether. If you prefer simplicity over maximizing rewards, you may want to consider cards that allow you to redeem points or miles at an equal 1-cent value toward general travel purchase credits, cash back or other non-travel options.

3. Match your card to your spending habits

Take a look at your typical spending and find which travel categories and non-travel categories you spend the most in to help you choose a card that offers a high rewards rate for your regular spending. Just make sure you factor in rewards spending caps.

4. Note what's worth the extra money

High rewards rates and valuable travel perks are the biggest reasons to get a travel card, but many of the best cards carry a high annual fee. You could stick with a no-annual-fee travel card (or at least one with around a $99 fee) if you're mainly focused on earning rewards, but you may have to pay up to $500 or more for luxurious perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and hundreds of dollars in annual travel credits .

5. Look toward your next trip abroad

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you're considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren't as widely accepted as others, you'll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas . For example, merchants may not accept Discover and American Express cards as widely as Visa and Mastercard. If a trip is coming up in the next three to six months, keep an eye out for the big sign-up bonuses travel cards are known for. As a rule of thumb, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus should be.

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

Experts typically divide travel credit cards into two categories: co-branded travel cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards are linked to a particular airline or hotel, while general travel cards offer more flexible reward opportunities. Here’s why and when you might want one or the other.

Co-branded cards
General travel cards

Co-branded travel cards tend to offer higher rewards rates on eligible travel purchases in exchange for limiting your reward redemption options to just one airline or hotel program . These cards may also feature more specific perks associated with the respective hotel or airline, such as free award nights, complimentary airline elite status or priority boarding — which general-purpose travel cards don’t often carry).

However, you won’t be able to use your rewards with a wide variety of different hotels and airlines like general-purpose cards allow. Plus, despite co-branded travel cards’ typically higher rewards rates, many brand-specific rewards tend to be worth less than the potential value of general-purpose cards’ points and miles.

When to get a co-branded travel card : When you often fly or stay with a specific airline or hotel and want to maximize your benefits with that brand.

General travel cards earn rewards on various travel categories and aren’t limited to a particular airline or hotel. Such cards may lack some of the dedicated perks you’ll find on a co-branded travel card, such as in-flight discounts, but make up for it with rewards flexibility and broader perks like general travel credits, expedited security screening and wider airport lounge access.

The top travel cards even let you transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 rate. Redeeming with some airlines and hotels can even make your rewards more valuable than they would be if you redeemed with the card issuer.

When to get a general travel card : When you have no preferred airline or hotel and want the additional flexibility a general travel card offers.

Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always worth it for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to earn rewards toward their next vacation.

If you can save up airline miles, rack up points for free nights at hotels or get discounted travel through your credit card issuer, you’re on your way to significant travel savings. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits.

Frequent travelers

Naturally, the ideal candidate for a travel card is someone who travels a lot or plans to book several flights and hotel stays per year. However, in some cases, you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to reap the benefits of a travel rewards card. A number of cards offer good rewards rates on general purchases.

Travel beginners

If you’re new to travel rewards, a good place to start is with a travel card that makes it easy to earn and redeem points, without requiring you to navigate a complex rewards program or worry about tiered rewards rates or varying point redemption values.

Brand loyalists

If you tend to book travel with the same brands frequently or already belong to an airline or hotel loyalty program, a co-branded travel card can offer terrific value. Airline- and hotel-specific rewards cards often earn a top rate on bookings with the brand as well as exclusive perks like lounge access and automatic elite status.

Business travelers

Some of the most valuable travel credit cards are business cards . Whether you're a freelancer on the go or the CEO of a Fortune 500, the right travel credit card can help you earn high rewards rates on everyday business purchases.

International travelers

If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to help you avoid extra costs on overseas purchases. Plus, if you hate waiting in line at airport security or customs, a lot of travel cards offer statement credits to reimburse you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Luxury travelers

Luxury travel cards often charge a pretty penny but also offer a ton of value via perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. These perks not only make travel more comfortable, but also often carry enough value to offset the card’s cost on their own.

Still unsure if a travel credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

Here’s how a bankrate editor chose his travel card.

With all of this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their pick. Here’s Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh on how he chose his travel card:

When it comes to earning rewards, I’ve always stuck with cash back cards, preferring the simplicity of knowing exactly how much my rewards are worth and the ease of redeeming for statement credits. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to travel a bit more frequently, and I figured a new travel rewards card could be a great tool to help me earn free trips. When choosing the right card for me, a few major points of consideration stood out: Cost: I didn’t feel like I traveled enough to justify a huge annual fee. Simplicity : I wanted to stick with a single, streamlined travel card and not worry about juggling multiple rewards programs or rewards rates. Perks : While I didn’t need anything too fancy, I thought it might be nice to have a perk like TSA Precheck included, since I hate waiting in long airport security lines. To my surprise, the card that stood out most was the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Though it carried an intimidating annual fee of $395 ( See Rates & Fees ), I found this cost was more than worth it once I dug into the details. In fact, its benefits were so valuable, I barely needed to worry about offsetting the cost. Two of its annual perks — a $300 Capital One travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every year on my account anniversary — are valuable enough to offset the fee on their own. This means as long as I take one flight a year, I can basically break even on the card. Any rewards or perks I get beyond that feel like pure upside. It’s a huge bonus, then, that the card also includes practical benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and a credit of up to $100 toward the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. While I’ve never frequented airport lounges, I see these privileges as essentially free considering the value of the annual travel credit and bonus miles. So, I figure, why not take advantage? For me, the Venture X strikes the perfect balance: A flat rewards rate that makes it easy to earn miles on everything I buy; flexible redemption through Capital One or via transfer to airlines and hotels, and practical perks I know I’ll use when I travel. I never imagined I’d have a $395 travel card in my wallet, but for me, it’s at worst a coupon for a flight every year, which can nudge me to take that next trip. — Nouri Zarrugh, Editor, Bankrate

Travel benefits may differ from card to card, but some of the most popular travel cards available often feature a few key perks.

Travel insurance

Travel cards may offer various travel insurances , such as trip delay protection, trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. These benefits aren’t worth anything until you need them, but you’ll be glad you have them when your flight is canceled or your luggage gets lost.

Travel credits

Credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are a popular and common benefit on many travel cards. You can typically use this credit once every four years, which roughly corresponds to how long a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership lasts. Some cards may also provide an annual credit toward Clear Plus — another expedited security membership. Higher-end travel cards often offer annual statement credits toward travel purchases, and many of these credits nearly offset these cards’ annual fees.

In-flight perks

Co-branded airline cards typically offer some airport and in-flight benefits on top of their reward-earning capabilities. These can include discounts on in-flight purchases (usually 25 percent back on refreshments and WiFi), free checked bags, flight seating upgrades or priority boarding.

Free hotel award nights

Co-branded hotel cards may include free hotel award nights annually as part of their benefits. Some cards also add an extra complimentary awards night to your stay if you’ve booked a certain number of consecutive nights. These nights are typically capped at a certain value (sometimes based on the card or your elite status), and may be valuable enough to make up for some cards’ annual fees.

Airport lounge access

One of the most popular (and valuable) travel benefits featured on high-end and luxury travel cards is complimentary access to airport lounges. The lounges you gain access to depend on the card, though co-branded cards will often grant access to the lounge corresponding to the card’s airline. The Amex Platinum card currently offers the best airport lounge access .

If you want to add a credit card to your portfolio for your travel needs, knowing what cards are popular and why people like them can help steer your decision. We regularly stay abreast of these conversations online and noticed two travel cards come up regularly: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express .

These cards shine because they offer some of the best rates on travel purchases and the most comprehensive set of benefits and perks . Despite their annual fees, what you get in return can far outweigh your costs. And the conversation around these two cards isn’t new: Is the effort of maximizing their perks worth it?

What people say about travel credit cards perks

The Sapphire Reserve is often referred to as the gold standard in travel benefits and protections, and the value of its trip insurance is a big part of that. A member of the Rick Steves Forum remarks on the value of the insurance: “It has pretty extensive coverage wherever I travel … my entire trip is covered as long as I charged any portion of the trip to my card.” This feature is unique to the Sapphire Reserve and sets it apart from other premium cards, which require you to charge your entire trip purchase to the card to have active coverage.

But using trip insurance isn’t always a simple process. As a user in the r/CreditCards forum on Reddit cautions: “Credit card travel insurance in general is very specific on what it covers, and people tend to overestimate just how useful the coverage actually is,” they write. “These are named peril policies, so unless you see your exact situation as a covered hazard the policies won't pay out.”

The Platinum Card from American Express gets a lot of buzz for reasons similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The card gives so many benefits, credits and additional perks that it’s often called a coupon book for luxury travel. But for many people, the value comes down to whether they’re willing to do the work to maximize its features. Another r/CreditCards member says they use the card’s Hilton and Marriott status boosters, rental car company loyalty program automatic status features, Centurion lounge access, hotel and airline incidental credits, membership credits and more. Using all these features helps them offset the annual fee.

While some people love maximizing the card’s features to extract as much value as possible, others, like this Redditor, think it’s too much work:

“The only benefit the Platinum card really adds is Centurion but only to the [cardholder] … I believe the Platinum is worth [it] at least the first year for the [sign-up] bonus but then it doesn't get much use after that. Trust me the credits are really annoying to use.” — r/CreditCards user

These two premium cards stand out from the rest because they offer the most comprehensive features available to suit your travel needs and protect you from any issues that arise. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is an exceptional option to protect you from travel issues, but make sure you know the fine print. While the Amex Platinum may not be as ideal for travel protections, the credits offered more than offset its annual fee if you can put in the effort to fully maximize them.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cardholder, your travel card should always work in your favor by offering the features and benefits you’ll actually use and that make your travels more enjoyable. But whether you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize a card’s value is something you’ll need to decide for yourself.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Credit card points and miles are two of the key types of credit card rewards , along with cash back. You’ll earn points and miles by making purchases with your credit card, but you can typically redeem these rewards for travel, gift cards and more — not just statement credits.

Points and miles tend to be more flexible than cash back, but since their value depends on how you redeem them — and, in the case of travel redemptions, where you’re going, when you book, your fare class and more — it may take a bit more effort to make the most of them.

What are your points and miles worth?

Since many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that continually optimize airfare and room prices, it can be hard to know exactly how much your rewards are worth without doing a little math.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a travel hacker to get a sense of this idea. Before you redeem, you can check your reward redemption value by dividing the cost of a plane or hotel booking in cash by its cost in points or miles. This calculation will result in the cash value of your points or miles.

You can also compare this value to Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations to determine if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. Bankrate collected data on hundreds of bookings across dozens of airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs and estimated how much each program’s rewards are worth on average .

Airline rewards values
Hotel rewards values
Credit card program rewards values

The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for a variety of popular airline loyalty programs. You’ll notice how widely the value varies between airlines, with some offering close to 3 cents per point in average redemption value and others struggling to meet a 1-cent-per-point value.

Keep in mind, however, that these values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations, booking periods and more. For example, while Bankrate estimates Delta SkyMiles carry an average redemption value of around 1.2 cents per mile, they could be worth more or less depending on the details of your booking.

*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.

Like airline miles, hotel points fluctuate in value. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated point values for some of the most popular hotel brands.

As you can see, hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often carrying less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio).

*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.

Unlike hotel and airline rewards programs, credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer a consistent redemption value when you use them with the issuer. Though the redemption value of your rewards may vary based on how you redeem, each redemption method should offer a consistent baseline value.

Some credit card rewards programs may also allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which could boost their value considerably. For each major credit card rewards program, we estimate a baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and a Bankrate’s Value, which averages the program’s best-value transfer partners.

*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

When to use rewards vs. cash

To demonstrate when it’s best to use your reward miles versus paying in cash, we set up this example:

We estimate American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.0 cents. If you book a seat in the main cabin on a one-way flight from Boston to Miami, and it costs either $139 or 21,500 miles, your miles are only worth $0.006 ($139 / 21,500 miles = $0.006). Since your miles for this flight are worth less than 1.0 cents, you may want to save your miles and pay cash for this flight.

But if you book a first-class seat on the same flight for $433 or 31,500 miles, your miles are now worth $0.013 ($433 / 31,500 = $0.013). Since 1.3 cents is higher than our latest valuation, you’re coming out ahead if you use your miles to pay for this flight.

Bankrate experts share their advice on using travel credit cards

It’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers from our experts for making the most of your travel card:

Combine cards to maximize rewards

Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. A flat-rate card is often a great starting point to earn the same rate on every purchase you make. As you build out a rewards strategy, you can incorporate a card with bonus categories to earn even more in your highest spending areas.

Expert Insight:

“For a long time, I’ve used a combination of Chase credit cards known as the Chase trifecta for all my family’s spending…. [I] don’t typically use my Sapphire Reserve for everyday spending and bills. Since it only offers 1X points on non-bonus category spending, I use my Freedom Unlimited to make sure I earn a minimum of 1.5 percent cash back on everything I buy.” “I use each card strategically to earn as much in rewards as possible, then I pool them in my Sapphire Reserve account to redeem them for airfare, excursions, hotels and more.” — Holly D. Johnson — Award-winning personal finance writer and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

Save your rewards for the most valuable redemption options. Travel points and miles often lose value toward non-travel options like cash back, so you’ll want to redeem your rewards for travel through the issuer portal for at least 1 cent per point or mile. However, transferring your rewards to the right airline or hotel partner program is usually worth the extra effort since it could net you even more value.

Expert Insight

“When I redeem my points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the most I can get is 1.25 cents apiece, which is pretty good. However, if I transfer them to a partner airline’s loyalty program, I will often get much more. For example, I can transfer my points to United Airlines MileagePlus and use them to pay for flights. When I do, I generally get a value of 2 or more cents per point — in line with Bankrate estimates that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents apiece on average when used with the right transfer partner.” — Margaret Wack — Personal finance expert and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Make the most of your travel perks

Travel benefits are one of the main reasons to get a travel card, and are often key to making up a card’s annual fee. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure you can take full advantage of these offers . For example, one card’s travel credit may apply to any travel purchase, including airfare, while another card’s may only cover costs like baggage fees or in-flight purchases.

“This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual award nights, waived luggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant … Despite putting minimal spending on my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card, I keep renewing it every year. That’s because the card provides automatic Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee. Recurring card benefits like [these] can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: Five benefits you need from a travel credit card

Plan for the sign-up bonus

The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but these bonuses may require a high spend in a short timeframe. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the spending requirement fits with your typical spending habits or whether you need to plan purchases to meet the requirement. Just be sure not to overextend yourself or take on debt you can’t pay back just to earn a bonus — interest and fees can easily eat through any value you’d get.

“Keep in mind that credit card sign-up offers change often. So if you’re interested in a particular card but not blown away by its current offer (there are some for 100,000 points or more that aren’t always worth the trouble), it could be worth your while to wait for a better one.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: 6 ways to get bigger credit card bonuses

Look out for limited-time offers, partner perks and other benefits

Keeping an eye out for limited-time offers like extraordinarily high sign-up bonuses, perks with partner services (like rideshares or delivery services) and other reward-earning opportunities is a great way to squeeze the most value from your travel card. Issuers sometimes provide shopping and travel portals and card-linked reward programs for select purchases (like for pre-paid dining or participating merchant spending), which can help you bank extra rewards.

“Keep an eye on your email inbox and rewards portal for any limited-time promotions your issuer may be offering. Many American Express cards feature Amex Offers, which lets you access perks like statement credits for spending a certain amount on specific hotels and other retailers. Other cards, like the Capital One Venture X, also have occasional promotional offers, such as a credit for 5 percent back on VRBO rentals.” — Lori Zaino — Travel expert and Bankrate contributor: How to maximize credit cards for cheaper accommodations this holiday season

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

Track your favorite stores’ and services’ merchant category codes (MCCs) to fine-tune your spending habits for maximum rewards. If you notice your expenses changing, this practice may also help you notice whether you need to change which rewards cards you carry.

“The first step to optimizing your spending is to take the time to collect the MCCs of stores you frequently shop at. During the process, you might find that some stores in the same chain may have different MCCs, depending on their primary inventory. Even different counters or sections in the same department store may carry different MCCs. You can use this to your advantage if you know one location near you will provide a better cash back rate than the other. These “loopholes” can provide great opportunities to reap cash back on purchases that typically wouldn’t earn rewards.” — Garrett Yarbrough — Writer and credit cards expert at Bankrate: Merchant category codes: How to earn more cash back

Our data: What credit score do you need for the best travel cards?

It’s no secret that your credit score heavily influences which cards you’re likely to get approval for. But how good does your credit need to be to get the best credit cards for travel? We analyzed our data of Bankrate readers who applied for credit cards on our pages in 2023 and compared the approval rates of readers’ different credit tiers.

We found that, on average, 61.9 percent of users with excellent credit were approved for travel cards on our site. Then, an average of 39.5 percent and 19.5 percent of users with good and fair credit, respectively, got approval for travel credit cards they applied to.

If you have fair or bad credit, you still have options for travel credit cards. For example, the Credit One Bank Wander Card caters to people with fair credit — 57 percent of people with fair credit who applied on our site in 2023 were approved for this card , according to our data.

Obviously, the better your credit, the more likely you are to get the card you apply for , but other factors can affect your application. Issuers may also consider your income, recent credit applications, homeownership status and monthly rental or mortgage payment. Keep these other factors in mind with your credit score when you apply for credit cards.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us @Bankrate .

When evaluating the best travel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points.

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best travel cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology — our primary scoring category for travel cards — and details we considered when putting together our list of the best travel cards.

Flexibility 15%
Customer experience 5%

Great rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories.

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.

This includes the following spending by category:

Groceries: $5,700
Dining out: $3,600
Entertainment: $2,400
Gas: $3,100
Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance.

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value.

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth.

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating.

We break down these tiers as follows:

Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits).
Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges.
Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection.
Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs.
Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

And since this list focuses on travel cards, we tend to favor cards that carry travel-centric features like travel insurance, airport lounge access and credits for expedited security screening, instead of more general perks like food delivery credits or shopping discounts.

More information on travel credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards, are travel credit cards worth it.

Travel cards can be well worth it since they often have exclusive travel perks like credits for airfare, hotel stays, expedited airport security services and more, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and airline or hotel privileges. However, many of the best travel credit cards come with annual fees. It’s important to at least offset the cost of these cards by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card.

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card?

It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).

Do travel miles or points expire?

Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).

Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but high value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel.

Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Contributor, Personal Finance

If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.

Article sources

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Global entry: Trusted traveler enrollment program . U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024

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How to Choose the Best Travel Card for Retirement

Jordan Bishop

Credit Cards Expert
Updated on February 24th, 2023

Choosing the best credit card can be a tough decision at any age. This is especially true when considering travel cards for retirement. While the right travel card can help you gain free travel points and enhance your travel experience overall, the wrong can quickly tank your credit and leave you grounded for months or even years.

Retirement is supposed to be a time in life where you can let go of stress and enjoy the fruits of your labor. The best way to ensure that you can do so is by picking a financial strategy that works for your individual situation. With so many travel card options available, here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind while figuring out which offering is right for you.

Table of Contents

Why Do You Need a Travel Card for Retirement?

Carrying cash, especially in unfamiliar surroundings, can be considered risky behavior for anyone—but it can be even riskier later in life. Statistically, scammers and muggers target seniors and tourists more often than younger individuals. Being both, you’d be wise to secure your travel funding via an easily replaceable card rather than a wallet full of cash. This is not only protection for your wallet but you as a person, too. Imagine the danger you would throw yourself by flashing a stack of cash in an unfamiliar place.

Another critical reason to carry a travel rewards credit card is that most will reward you for your spending and repayment habits. This can add up to more perks, which means more fun on your travels. Having a card enables you to do more with your money and stretch your dollars further, which is a top priority when enjoying life on a budget.

Choosing the Best Travel Card for Retirement

There are literally hundreds of travel cards out there to choose from, so don’t be embarrassed if it all feels a little overwhelming at first. Your first instinct may be to blindly select the first card name you recognize and run with it, but that would be a mistake !

There are several tips and tricks you can use to choose the best travel card for your retirement, and I have outlined them below to get you started.

Tip #1: Start by choosing between a Co-Branded and a Travel Card.

Some cardholders struggle with wondering why they need a credit card specifically for travel. Isn’t the co-branded card they already carry good enough? Below, I’ll outline the differences to help you gain a better understanding.

Co-Branded Cards

A co-branded card is a credit card offered through a particular brand that offers great perks when you use it to pay for the brand’s products and services. For example, many of us have Amazon or Walmart Credit Cards that give us access to discounts and other unique benefits when we buy from those companies. While these cards offer numerous benefits, they usually only make sense to carry for travel if all of your traveling needs can be covered by the same brand.

You will only earn points on these cards for purchases made through that brand. So, while having a Delta SkyMiles Reserve card might benefit you in terms of purchasing airfare, you will be losing out on gaining points for things like food, lodging, and experiences along the way.

Travel Cards

Instead of rewarding you for brand loyalty, a travel card will offer you bonuses and rewards on all purchases related to travel, usually focusing on one or more travel purchase categories. If you intend to spend a lot of time driving, look for a travel card that will reward you for gasoline purchases and dining out on the road. Are you a fan of luxury hotels? Then a card that rewards you for a hotel stay—regardless of the hotel brand—is the best fit for your circumstances.

Armed with this information, you now know whether or not your co-branded card will suit your needs as fully as you hope. In most cases, a travel card prevails as the wisest option.

Tip #2: Take Note of Fees and Ways to Minimize them.

Most people are drawn to lower annual fees for obvious reasons. The promise of “no annual fee” is an even greater pull when looking at advertisements for travel cards. You should note that many cards offering no annual fee are just as competitive in terms of perks and benefits as those that do, but individual perks and benefits may vary. This is where you need to look closely at your individual needs concerning what you seek from a travel cardholder agreement.

One area of research often overlooked, particularly in travel cards for retirees, is the cost of foreign transaction fees . These apply anytime your card is used abroad. Most card companies charge a rate of around three to five percent for foreign transactions. However, some cards waive this as part of their annual fee. You may find that paying an annual fee will benefit you more in these circumstances, especially if you intend to spend a great deal of time out of the country.

Think about the time you intend to spend abroad and how much money you plan to spend while you’re there. What benefits you more? No annual fee, but 3% foreign transaction fees, or a $100 annual fee with no foreign transaction fees? This is where you’ll want to dig out your calculator and put your math skills to good use!

Tip #3: Don’t overlook these post-retirement card considerations.

When shopping for any card post-retirement, there are a few things to consider. During the senior years, credit building is not as much a priority as maintaining the credit and budget you already have established. Instead of credit-building possibilities, look at the fine print for these commonly overlooked issues with senior travel cards.

Some Perks Have Age Limits

A typical example of one perk that expires with age is travel medical insurance. Many major travel cards offer travel medical insurance, but what they may not tell you outright is that this perk doesn’t apply to cardholders past retirement age.

Travel medical insurance is something you’ll always want to make sure you have through one means or another. It covers you if you become sick or injured during your trip, even if your private health insurance doesn’t cover the needed care because of being out of range.

For anyone looking to spend a significant amount of time traveling, this is one perk you will need to look at very closely before signing on the dotted line.

Spending Habits Change

Think about it—you aren’t spending your money like you were twenty years ago. You are probably spending fewer nights out clubbing and taking more time to enjoy the peaceful luxuries of travel and life. You might also be on a tighter budget during retirement than when you were still working.

Look for a card that rewards you for the purchases you most commonly make now that you’re retired, and pay careful attention to your budgeting needs while doing so. Find a card with an interest rate and repayment terms that you can handle. Cards with higher cash-back perks for the purchases you already make will stretch your budget further, so don’t overlook those when making a decision.

Do not be pulled in by the same hooks that card companies throw out in hopes of attracting younger people. Instead, consider what really matters at your stage in life. In doing this, you are not only protecting yourself from certain hassles, but you are also protecting your financial future.

Tip #4: Pay Close Attention to Rewards and Bonus Programs

We are all dazzled by big sign-up bonuses and welcome offers, especially when some cards offer up to $2,500 worth of benefits within the first few months of opening an account. While big welcome bonuses have their draw, it’s essential to ensure you can meet all the requirements to get the bonus and make the most of all the rewards a good travel card offers.

Tip #5: Weigh each card’s travel perks against its annual fee

Sometimes, when shopping for a new card, we find ourselves balking at the seemingly high annual fees associated with certain premium card brands. Let’s say you and your spouse fly three times a year on Sunquest Airlines. You pay $100 combined for airport lounge access each time you fly. You also are interested in enrolling in TSA Pre-Check, which renews at $85/year per person, averaging $34 per year for the two of you. This quickly adds to $334 per year in lounge and Pre-Check fees.

However, if you qualify for a GlobeTrotter Card, you pay only $150 in annual fees with airport lounge access and TSA Precheck enrollment included in the card’s perks. Doesn’t it make sense to save $184/year by paying the annual credit card fee instead?

Travel Cards offer a lot of perks like these that are beneficial to cardholders. Perks to look for include:

TSA Precheck or Global Entry Benefits
Hotel Elite Status upgrades
Travel Insurance
Airports Lounge access
Annual hotel credits
Frequent Flier Points
Priority Boarding, Baggage Checking, or other Airline Perks

Remember that the best travel card for retirement is a card that will serve you well through its perks. While interest rates and spending limits are also significant, don’t let them blind you to the other benefits that might be offered through a seemingly more expensive plan elsewhere.

Tip #6: Consider Minimum Spending Requirements

When looking at a travel card, you will want to be wary of any Minimum Spending Requirements before you can receive the sign-up bonus . Many companies use this standard marketing tactic to get new customers, but it can often do more harm than good.

For example, let’s say you are interested in The Platinum Card from American Express, which offers a 100,000 Membership Rewards points welcome bonus after you spend $6,000 in the first six months. This requires you to spend an average of $1,000/month. However, if you only spend close to $800/month on credit card purchases on average, this means that to receive the bonus, you would have to spend an additional $200/month in those first six months—20% more than your average monthly spending.

If you can’t manage the extra spending or run into an emergency that causes you to spend less than normal, you might not receive the bonus at all. This would be a waste of your time and money since the welcome bonus is one of the main perks you probably signed up for. So, always be sure you can meet any minimum spending requirements before signing up for a new card.

The bottom line

In summary, choosing a good travel credit card for retirement travel is crucial because of the safety involved in not carrying cash around. But that’s true of any credit card, not just travel cards. You should also look for a travel card that serves your purposes appropriately. The right travel card for you is one tailored to the frequency you wish to travel, the perks you’d benefit from most along the way, and how much you are willing and able to pay in fees and interest over time.

Take your time when making this decision and use that time to compare perks, rewards, rates, and fine print. Keeping these tips in mind, you should be able to make an informed and educated decision on your financial future and travel endeavors. Bon Voyage!

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Faculty & Staff
University of Wisconsin System

UW-La Crosse Travel

Business Services

Travel updates, switch from travel inc. to fox world travel for individual travel.

May 21, 2024

On July 1, 2024, the UW’s contract with Travel Incorporated will lapse and all individual travel arrangements previously managed by Travel Inc. will move to Fox World Travel. UW is […]

Expense Report Awaiting Approval?

April 18, 2024

Please see the current timeframe of Expense Report approvals on the Reimbursement page. During this peak period for expense report submissions please expect a longer approval time. Expense reports are […]

Travel Incorporated Contract Ending July 1, 2024

February 9, 2024

On July 1, 2024, travel bookings managed by our required contracted vendor, Travel Incorporated, will be transitioned to Fox World Travel. This is a result of leadership’s review and decision, based on feedback from travelers, arrangers, […]

SFS Branding Memo

January 19, 2024

On January 24th, The branding in the SFS module will be updated to reflect the new UW branding.

UW System Travel Open House - August 2021 pdf

UWL Travel Information Session_Fall 2021 pdf

Direct Bill at La Crosse Area Hotels pdf

Direct Bill at La Crosse Area Restaurants pdf

UWL Travel Authorization Guide - Updated March 2022 pdf

Travel Guidance

Getting started.

Top Ten Things to Know Before You Travel

All employees should have a Concur profile. If you do not have a profile, please register for Concur prior to booking travel.
Please visit the UW TravelWIse Concur page for more information about the online booking tool.
Effective with a policy change on July 1, 2020 – UW System employees may be reimbursed for bookings done on Airbnb. *Prior to booking, please review all cancellation policies, and check with your department to ensure compliance with departmental policies. Ultimate approval of reimbursement of Airbnb costs, including any forfeited deposits, is dependent on the University or Departmental policies. Please click here for more information on booking with Airbnb.
Use of any other online brokers or third-party sites such as hotels.com, VRBO, etc. are prohibited and will not be reimbursed by the University.
Prior to reserving conference site lodging, search Concur for the conference site hotel to determine if there is a lower rate available. If so, make your reservation within Concur.
Concur displays available room types and rates directly from hotel suppliers. Room types and rates available are not specific to UW System and may be above what UW policy allows. Travelers must adhere to the location rate maximums and only reserve single/standard rooms.
To find the location rate maximums use the Lodging/Meal and Incidental Calculator .
Please consult the UW System Hotel Directory for a complete list of contracted properties by location.
Receipts are not required for Meals and Incidentals Expenses.
If the trip does not include an overnight stay, the traveler is limited to a $15 tax reportable day trip meal allowance. This meal allowance can be claimed even if a meal was provided.
Hosted Meals must stay within meal maximums (breakfast $20, lunch $21, dinner $35 for in-state meals), require itemized receipts, and an approved Food Expense Approval Form .
Eligible renters are classified as all University-authorized drivers age 18 and over. Authorized drivers 18-20 are restricted to domestic rentals only. Rentals are limited to compact/standard/intermediate vehicle classes unless there are business needs that require larger classes of vehicles. Claims for reimbursement beyond standard/intermediate vehicle classes (i.e. trucks, vans, etc.) for reasons such as transporting extra passengers, carrying cargo or bulky equipment, etc., must be explained on the expense report.
Any person (employee, student, volunteer) who will be driving a vehicle (personally owned or rented) on University business must be authorized to drive. To become an authorized driver, review the Driver Authorization Policy and complete a Vehicle Use Agreement (VUA). Employees and students must complete an electronic VUA by logging into the Wisconsin Department of Administration VUA Sign-up Portal . Volunteers must complete a paper VUA and submit it to Business Services. Drivers with out‐of‐state driver licenses must attach the Notarized Statement of Driving Record form to their VUA.
Drivers are responsible for refueling vehicles prior to return with the same level of fuel that they received at the time of rental. The University will not reimburse vendor refueling or prepay fuel packages. Receipts are required for reimbursement of fuel purchased.
Enterprise, National, and Hertz for domestic rentals include Collision (CWD) and Liability (LDW) in their contract rates. Extra types of insurance are not reimbursable.
On/after 7/1/22: $0.655 per mile
On/after 7/1/22: $0.42 per mile
All purchases over $25 must be substantiated with an itemized receipt.
University purchases are generally exempt from Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax. Travelers are expected to request and receive Wisconsin sales tax exemption for travel related purchases. The University also has sales tax exemption in other states . Travelers should make a reasonable attempt to obtain sales tax exemption according to the tax authority's requirements.
Travelers who requested a cash advance must return any unused cash upon returning to campus after their trip and must complete an e-Reimbursement within 30 days after the trip completion date.
All travel related expenses for a trip must be submitted on one e-Reimbursement within 90 days after the trip completion date or will not be reimbursed by the University.

Helpful Links:

Travel Incorporated Contact Information

Lodging and Per Diem Calculator

UW System Travel Policies

Faculty & Staff

University employees, while on business travel, are expected to exercise good judgment when incurring travel costs. An employee may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses actually incurred in the performance and conduct of UW business. An employee shall not seek reimbursement for goods or services provided free of charge, not personally incurred, reimbursed by another source, or which will be paid or reimbursed from another source. Faculty and staff traveling together pay their own way and complete their own Expense Report (ER).

For UW travel policies, best business practices, and process standards , please refer to UW TravelWIse .

TRAVEL TIPS

Meals and incidentals are reimbursed based on per diem allowances. Per diems are calculated based upon location, first/last day of travel, and provided meals adjustments.
For trip planning and rate determination, M&IE rates can be determined using the Lodging/Meal & Incidental Calculator available in the UW TravelWIse portal .
An itemized receipt
A roster or list of individuals who attended
An approved Food Approval Form
Travel Incorporated is the University's contracted travel provider.
All airline reservations must be made with Travel Incorporated , either with a consultant or within the Concur self-booking tool.
Purchased airfare must be the lowest appropriate fare, which is defined as non-refundable, coach/economy class.
The use of online brokers or search sites, such as Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, etc. are prohibited and will not be reimbursed by the University.
Domestic Lodging Rate Maximums can be determined by using the Lodging & Meal Per Diem Calculator .
All individual non-conference site lodging reservations must be made within the Concur self-booking tool, by contacting Travel Incorporated or by contacting the hotel directly.
Conference site lodging reservations can be made directly with the conference or host site; however, travelers are strongly encouraged to check Concur as often times a lower rate can be obtained. A conference or host site is defined as a lodging facility identified by the sponsor and must be included on the conference brochure, program, or registration information provided.
The use of lodging brokers, like Hotels.com, Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, etc., is prohibited and will not be reimbursed by the University.
Employees can use a University/Prepaid Purchasing Card (PCard) to pay for lodging that is within the per diem allowance or for conference site lodging.
If sharing a room with another employee, one employee may pick up the entire room cost, but both must indicate this on their respective e-Reimbursements.
Employees are expected to use rental vehicles when vehicle transportation is determined to be the most appropriate mode of transportation. Vehicle transportation is generally most appropriate for round trips less than 400 miles.
All out-of-state vehicle reservations must be made through Concur utilizing the Big Ten contract with Enterprise and National. Hertz is also available within Concur when Enterprise and National do not have necessary availability. Utilizing Concur for reservations enables the contract booking ID to automatically apply ensuring that all reservations are under contract and appropriately insured.
All employees and students who are required to drive on University-sponsored business must be authorized to drive in accordance with Risk Management’s Drivers Authorization .
On/after 1/1/21: $0.655 per mile
On/after 1/1/21: $0.42 per mile

Sign Up for TravelWIse Newsletter

Monthly policy/travel updates to your inbox, travel policy, e-reimbursement, policy links, reimbursement.

4/17/2024 During this peak period for expense report submissions please expect a longer approval time. Expense reports are reviewed in the order they are submitted and the Central Audit team will continue to work through them as quickly as possible. In the event you need to request an individual report to be expedited please send an email with those details to the email address shown below. Thank you.

Contact Expense Auditing: [email protected]

Travel Expense Reports (TER) Guidance

Expense system tutorials, receipt requirements for reimbursement, retrieve air invoices, faqs: e-reimbursement – traveler – expense report, new uw system international receipt form, creating an expense report (video), 2024 mileage rate, important fiscal year end expense processing deadlines, sfs availability, sfs - travel and expense guides, upcoming scheduled sfs outages and refreshes, monthly migration to production.

June 18 @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

SFS Weblogic/Java Patching

July 18 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

July 23 @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

SFQA Unavailable

Sftrain unavailable.

See all events

ShopUW+ During SFS Outages

ShopUW+ will be available during SFS outages though Requisition, Purchase Order and Invoice workflow will pause at any SFS integrations. New Requisitions will need to wait for the outage to complete before they can be approved and/or sent to the supplier.

Below is an example of a Workflow Stop during an SFS outage:

The Workflow Stop will go to the next step in workflow when the outage is complete.

General Support Maintenance

Support hours for SFS and WISDM are between 7:45am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. During these times, questions can be directed to UWSA Problem Solvers .

Off-Hours SFS Availability and Processing Impact

Both SFS and WISER are generally available for use outside the supported hours, but users should be aware that many processing activities take place overnight and response times may vary significantly. Additionally, depending on the time entered, transactions entered overnight may not be processed in that evening’s batch or available in WISER the follow day. The timing associated with entering and processing information has significant impacts on the visibility of data in SFS and WISER.

Sunday Morning Maintenance

Please note that Sunday mornings between

5am until noon, Central Time

are reserved for technical system maintenance for both SFS systems and support systems (e.g. WISER). If you are unable to access the system during this time, please try again later in the day.

Calendar View

View upcoming scheduled SFS outages in a calendar.

Show Calendar

DoIT Outages Page

Real time outage information for SFS and other systems.

Click here for the Expense FAQ

The Travel and Expense module is available to institutions using the E-Reimbursement module (e-Re).

Documentation for the Traveler

How To Sign Into The Expense Module pdf How To Create Expense Reports In The Expense Module pdf Getting Started pdf Expense WorkCenter BPG For Traveler pdf How Traveler Can See Where Their TER Is pdf How To Assign An Alternate pdf Expense-Type-Matrix pdf Business Purposes For The Expense Module pdf How To Delete A Returned Or Not Submitted Expense Report pdf How To Choose Per Diem Deductions pdf Per Diem E-Reimbursement pptx How To Determine Mileage Reimbursement Rates In The Expense Module pdf How To Work With My Corporate Card Expenses In The Expense Module pdf How To Use Select Funding Page pptx How To Change Default Funding pdf How To Review Edit Profile Information In The Expense Module Traveler Role pdf Expense File Attachment Issues pdf How To Reduce Or Limit An Expense Reimbursement To A Fixed Budget Amount pdf How To Use The Receipt Split Function In The Expense Module pdf How To Process Expense Reports With Non Contract Airfare Purchases pdf How to Create Travel Authorizations pdf How To LookUp TravelExpenses In WISER pdf How To Work With Cash Advances In The Expense Module pdf How To Pull A Cash Advance Into An Expense Report pdf How To Add Estimated Tax To Relocation Expense Reports pdf Per Diem Calculator Tile pdf How To Copy A Closed Expense Report pdf

Documentation for the Approver

Expense User Guide for Approvers Auditors - TravelWise pdf How To Approve Transactions In The Expense Module pdf Expense WorkCenter BPG For Expense Approver pdf Responsibilities Of Approver-Auditor pdf How To Reassign Workflow In The Expense Module pdf Routing to another approver while you are out pdf 90 Day Alert Bubble Warning Message For Approvers pdf

Documentation for Central Processing Staff

Expense Processing And Pay Cycle Steps pdf
How To Cancel And Reissue Or Void An Expense Payment pdf
How To Find An Employee Or Non Employee ID In The Expense Module pdf

Non-Employee Set Up

How To Setup A Non-Employee Profile In E-Reimbursement pdf

Security Role Request

Security Expense Roles xlsx

Cash Advance Reconciliation

Advance Reconciliation pdf
Cash Advance Procedure - Actual Amount is Less than Cash Advance pdf
Cash-Advances-when-Travel-is-Not-Taken pdf
How To Turn On Cash Advances For Certain Travelers pdf
Queries In SFS To Track Cash Advances pdf

Miscellaneous Central Processing Notes

Approver Buttons Are Gone pdf
Approver Table Changes pdf
Assigning User Defaults pdf
Finding A Specific TER Or TA For Someone Else pdf
How To Assign An Alternate For Someone Else pdf
How To Find An Expense Report Payment Reference Number pdf
Reassigning T00000 Stuck Items pdf
What Has Been Waiting for Approval for a Length of Time pdf
Where is an Expense Report, Travel Authorization or Cash Advance for Approval? pdf

Training Videos for Travel and Expense

E-Reimbursement Login

Lodging & Meal Per Diem Calculator

Central Audit Processing Status

As of : june 5, 2024.

Total TER in Approval Queue : 1, 773 (Excluding UW Madison)

% of reports :

Under 5 days – 25% Over 5 days – 23% Over 10 days – 31% Over 15 days – 21%

Questions : [email protected]

Updated: 06/05/2024

Policy Updates

No posts to display.

Dedicated Team Business Hours: 8 am CST-5 pm CST Monday-Friday, excluding Holiday After Hours Emergency Support : 5:30 pm-7 am CST Monday – Friday & 24/7 – including Weekend and Holiday Coverage Direct phone: (920) 933-4180 Consultant Team Email: [email protected]

Type of Travel

Fox is the contracted agency for all group block airfare. Group Blocks are 10 or more travelers traveling on one flight to and from the same origin and destination, on the same dates. Typical uses include study abroad trips.

Reservation Process

To begin the process of booking a group block, please fill out the group block form. A dedicated Fox World Travel group agent will be in contact with you shortly to begin the group block sourcing and contract process.

Group Block Form

Group Block Procedures and Terms

Prior to making travel arrangements.

Prior to purchasing airfare or making other travel arrangements, travelers must obtain approval for business travel from the traveler’s designated approving authority. Pre-trip approval requirements vary by institution and often by division/department. It is traveler’s responsibility to follow all internal travel approval procedures prior to making trip reservations.

Out of state trips will most often include airfare as the mode of transportation. If the traveler is unsure of the most economical transportation choice, please review Determining the Appropriate Mode of Transportation prior to making arrangements. Only the most economical option will be paid or reimbursed by the University.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR GROUP TRAVEL

Travel disruption, particularly with airlines is more prevalent than ever before. Therefore, UW System highly recommends a faculty member or other administrative staff person serve as a group leader accompanying student groups when possible for enhanced duty of care and to serve as the group's financial officer in cases of travel disruption or other types of situations that can occur.
Fox World Travel is the contract travel management company partner of the University of Wisconsin System and as such, the University is exempt from Department of Administration (DOA) procurement policy, which requires multiple bids/quotes for group travel arrangements when using Fox World Travel. Do not send Fox any requests for proposals or bid/quote documents as they will be returned.
Each airline carrier will only provide one price quote for group air and will not allow multiple quotes for the same group.
Individual ticket prices found in Concur or through any other web source apply to the purchase of a single ticket. This price cannot be used as a comparative for group block or group air ticket purchasing.
Airlines control fares and availability and these will change multiple times per day.
To obtain optimal pricing and availability it is best to book group airfare as far in advance as possible - last minutes fare savings and reductions are rarely available due to airline restructuring and consolidations. Groups should reserve airfare as soon as they have dates.
Be mindful of airline supply and demand - peak travel times will significantly impact fare pricing and availability.
It is strongly encouraged to use Fox World Travel for other group arrangements, such as out-of-state or international group lodging and/or ground transportation to have the necessary support for University sponsored reservations and access to UW System and Partnership Program discounts.

GROUP BLOCK PURCHASING PROCESS

Group arrangements require the use of the UW Group Reservation Request Form .

With potentially thousands of flight options with differing price points and availability, it is important for UW group travel coordinators to be clear and concise about their group's needs, including the flexibility threshold of what the group will do to get the lowest fare and/or best schedule (i.e. alternative dates, airports, etc.).

The UW group travel coordinator is responsible for providing the following information on the UW Group Reservation Request :

Dates of travel
If group requires departmental approval for ticket dates, pricing, etc. explain parameters and any flexibility for deviations from stated parameters.
Departure and destination airports
Number of travelers
Indicate whether price or schedule is the deciding factor in choosing flights (Fox is committed to obtaining the lowest possible price for university air arrangements, your group's schedule preferences may limit the ability to obtain the lowest available fare for your group).
Other services required, such as air charter, hotel or ground transportation
Method of payment

After submitting the University Group Reservation Request form you'll receive a confirmation email with the submission of your request and an assigned confirmation number.

Note: Depending on the number of options that are required to be quoted, the complexity of the request and the air carrier's response time, it may take 48-72 hours to obtain quotes.

SERVICE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS AND PROCESSING TIME

Below is an outline of the steps which will take place after the UW Group Travel Coordinator submits the UW Group Reservation Request to Fox World Travel:

After submitting the University Group Reservation Request form, you will receive a confirmation email with the submission of your request and an assigned confirmation number
Upon receipt of the University Group Reservation Request Form, the UW agent team will respond within one business day to confirm the request and to discuss any open questions.
The UW agent team will then reach out to the appropriate air carrier(s) to receive the quotes. Air carrier response times vary depending on the carrier and typically range between 48-72 hours. Longer response times are more typical with smaller international carriers; however, Fox will provide a status update to the group travel coordinator to confirm space and pricing.
Upon receipt of options from the carrier, the UW agent team will review for accuracy (dates, times, number of seats, etc.) and then expeditiously send the appropriate quotes to the group contact.

Please be assured Fox's main goal is to return the quotes as soon as possible with an appropriate balance for accuracy combined with the need to rely on the carriers for prompt response.

Note: Any deviations from the initial request will require a new request form .

UW GROUP TRAVEL COORDINATOR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Each group must have a primary travel coordinator (and backup). The group travel coordinator and backup will be the sole group contacts with the UW agent team at Fox World Travel regarding their group arrangements.

In order to expeditiously and effectively procure and pay for group travel the UW group travel coordinators are responsible for the following on behalf of their group:

Providing all details of the group’s intended trip, including specific or preferred travel dates; budget and preferred routing, where applicable.
Providing payment information on behalf of travelers, except when individual credit cards are being used.
When a services confirmation is provided by Fox, reviewing and understanding the requirements, noting and adhering to any applicable deadlines.
Ensuring that a UW authorized purchasing agent signs all letters of agreement or contracts when necessary, and the approved documents are sent to Fox World Travel in accordance with deadlines provided.
Meeting all provided deadlines for check payment and ensuring that checks are processed, mailed and received for suppliers well in advance of due dates.
Coordinating with their institution’s Purchasing Card Administrator to raise purchasing card transaction limits to cover anticipated group costs well in advance of ticketing deadlines and until transactions are posted.
full legal name as it appears on their photo ID (passport for international travel)
date of birth
group emergency contact name/phone number
individual traveler emergency contact name/phone number
In the case of international travel, passport number, expiration date and country of issue

All information must be provided in the formatted Excel spreadsheet as required by the University to serve as official documentation of the request and to insure accuracy.

Fox Group Block Name List Template xlsx

Note: In cases where Fox World Travel has not been provided the required information or received payment in accordance with the supplier required dates and deadlines, Fox will be unable to hold your group’s pricing and available space which will result in loss of held space and/or will increase the cost of the fare and impact available capacity.

GROUP HOTEL, GROUND TRANSPORTATION AND CHARTER AIR SOURCING

The UW group travel coordinator is encouraged to share as much information as possible regarding their group's needs in order for the UW agent team at Fox World Travel to obtain the most customized and accurate quotes possible. A charge card must be provided to Fox World Travel for reservation guarantee purposes.

For hotel, ground transportation and charter air needs, Fox World Travel commits to the following service level expectations. Exceptions may apply due to service provider availability limitations.

Cancellation Penalties, Sourcing and Minimum Commitment Fees

Hotel blocks, ground transportation and charter air contracts cancelled after the execution of the contract will be charged for any cancellation penalty in the contract, as well as the minimum. Group travel coordinators are responsible for the payment of any penalties associated with contract cancellation penalties. NOTE: Service, Sourcing and Minimum Commitment (groups sourced but not utilized) Fees paid to Fox World Travel are billed to the group leader.

REQUIRED CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

When sourcing of hotel, ground transportation or charter air, contracts must be reviewed and signed by staff within your institution's purchasing office prior to quotes being provided by Fox World Travel. In addition, most hotel, ground transportation and charter air suppliers will require the UW institution's purchasing office to sign a contract outlining the services to be provided and their terms. University group travel coordinators should plan for additional time for contract or agreement review and signing. Additionally, group travel coordinators as well as other administrative staff are reminded that they do not have the authority to sign these contracts and agreements.

PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS

All payments must be made by University Purchasing or Corporate travel cards. It is the responsibility of the card holder to ensure credit limits have been raised well in advance of ticketing dates and to ensure the higher limit is in place until transactions have posted to the card. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the loss of held space and/or increase in fare. These additional fees will be the responsibility of the University's arranging department.

The UW group travel coordinator must provide all necessary charge card information to the UW team agent at the time of arrangements. Required payment information includes: card holder name and billing address, charge card number, expiration date, and security code. This information must be shared by phone and will be securely encrypted for transmission to the airline and/or depending on UW department preference, securely stored in a group travel profile for future use by the UW group travel coordinator. For UW group travel coordinators that have charge card information stored in Concur, Fox World Travel is unable to utilize Concur payment information so the group travel coordinator will have to provide the information listed above to UW team agent.

Note: Do not pass charge card information through email or fax. The most secure way is to CALL in the information and provide verbally. Once received by Fox, it will be securely stored.

In cases where airline reservations must be paid with two or more forms of payment (i.e. split between University and personal card, etc.), the minimum amount to be charged is $25.00 .

In the case of group block space, split payment is not an option, as all travelers have to be booked using the same form of payment.
Due to carrier limitations, split form of payments are not available when purchasing tickets on instant purchase or ticket-less carriers (i.e. Southwest, Frontier) or on some international carriers (i.e. British Air).
Many International carriers will not allow split payment

By setting up a default charge card payment method, Fox World Travel is authorized by the University to charge any additional costs beyond the original airline ticket to the default card unless the group travel coordinator makes alternative payment arrangements at the time of original ticket issuance.

I n the cases where an air carrier requires payment by check , the group travel coordinator will be advised by Fox World Travel. The group travel coordinator will have the option of sending a university issued check, paying by ACH fund transfer or using a charge card. All check payments must be received by Fox World Travel by the given due date to guarantee your space.

Note: A 3% convenience fee will apply for all payments requiring a check, but made via charge card. The convenience fee covers the costs that Fox incurs to issue a check on the University's behalf.

International

Additional information regarding International travel such as passports, travel visas, immunization requirements, foreign currency, and insurances may be found on UW TravelWIse International booking page.

International - MEAL AND LODGING MAXIMUMS

Faculty-Led Program Training

Daily meal and incidental expense per diems for all foreign locations (including all related taxes and tips) can be found using the Lodging/Meal and Incidental Calculator . If the location of travel is not listed, the 'Other' rate will apply.

Any meals provided by international hosts, conferences, or others cannot be claimed for reimbursement and should be noted as such within your e-Reimbursement Meals & Incidentals Per Diem expenses.

For foreign travel, the incidental portion of the per diem varies by location. The incidental portion includes the following expenses:

Fees and tips given to services staff - such as restaurant wait staff, porters, baggage handlers, hotel housekeeping or other service staff, valet, train, etc.
Transportation between places of lodging or business to obtain meals when not obtainable within the immediate vicinity
Phone calls
Laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
Bottled water

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT RESERVATIONS & FLY AMERICA RULE/OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT

Make your reservations through our contract with Travel Incorporated and take full advantage of expert international reservation services.

Before you purchase tickets for international travel, be aware that the Fly America Act/Open Skies Agreement requires that Americans (University travelers) who fly internationally using funds from the federal government (federal funds = grants) utilize a U.S. flag carrier, with few exceptions.

Exceptions:

When there is no nonstop or direct service offered by a U.S. carrier
When travel solely outside the U.S. increases the number of aircraft changes en route to more than two
When the passenger’s travel time is extended by at least 6 hours
When the connecting time is 4 hours or more at an overseas interchange point

Additional information on the Fly America Act and Open Skies Agreement can be found here and at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) .

Interview candidates

Potential candidates, although not state employees, are welcomed to campus for the purpose of interviewing for a potential position with UW-La Crosse. Candidates are subject to same UW travel policies, best business practices, and process standards as employees. Listed below are some guidelines when inviting potential candidates to campus for interviewing purposes.

Guidelines - Interview Candidate & Employee/Host

Interview Candidate

How to Arrange and Pay for Interview Candidate Travel pdf

All travel reservations must be booked via Concur or Travel Incorporated.
Departments may wish to set up an Administrative Group for Interview Candidate Travel

How to Set-Up and Pay a Non-Employee

Interview candidates are considered non-employees
Once completed, the employee contact can enter an e-Reimbursement on behalf of the non-employee/interview candidate
Non-employee full legal name and mailing address
University funding string
Date of first purchase for which reimbursement will be requested

Employee/Host

How to Create an e-Reimbursement for Hosted Meals with Interview Candidates

The employee serving as host for the meal coordinates and renders payment on behalf of interview candidate and others attending the meal
Meal expenses are limited to Hosted Meal Rates
The purchase of alcoholic beverages with University administered funds is prohibited

Students & non-employees

Travel arrangements for UWL students and non-employees can be coordinated through either a department Travel Coordinator. Student and non-employee travel arrangements are subject to the same UW travel policies, best business practices, and process standards as University employees.

Driving Personal Vehicle

Students who are required to drive on University-sponsored business must be authorized to drive in accordance with UWSA Policy 615-Vehicle Use and Driver Authorization and follow university guidelines prior to using personal vehicles, rental vehicles, or fleet services.

Note: In addition to receiving driver authorization, successful completion and certification of Van Training is required prior to renting 12-15 passenger vans. Certification is required to be presented when renting a 12-15 passenger van.

Business mileage will be reimbursed at the IRS-authorized mileage rate in effect on the date of travel using the most direct route.

Standard Rate

$0.655 per mile

How to Set Up and Pay a Non-Employee

EMPLOYEE RELOCATION

The purpose of the Employee Relocation Expense Policy is to provide guidance to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (University) regarding reimbursement for relocation expenses incurred by new personnel. This policy provides further clarification of the University of Wisconsin System Administrative Policy 240: Relocation (Household Moves) and Temporary or Indefinite Work Assignments.

Who This Policy Applies To

All employees

Policy Detail

The following policy information is effective as of January 1st, 2023. Appointment letters issued prior to this date will be treated under the rules of the previous policy which differentiated direct costs from indirect costs.

Taxable Reimbursement

In accordance with IRS regulations, effective January 1, 2018, the reimbursement or payment of any relocation costs under this policy are considered taxable income and subject to applicable income and employment taxes.

Eligibility

Reimbursement of relocation expenses for new employees, including Faculty and IAS, Academic Staff, and University Staff, may be authorized and funded through the hiring department. The reimbursement of expenses may be offered up to the maximum amounts allowed for relocation costs as defined by the employee’s appointment letter. Reimbursement is not allowed for employees appointed as University Staff Temporary (formerly limited term employees (LTEs) or project positions. To be eligible for reimbursement, an employee relocation generally needs to be within 50 miles of the city of La Crosse for a position with on-campus employment. The relocation must be completed no later than one year from the effective date of the appointment or the end of probation, whichever is later.

Reimbursement Amounts

Reimbursement amounts for relocation will be specified in the appointment letter.

Faculty and IAS, Academic Staff, and University Staff positions:

The former residence must be at least 50 miles from the university.
A stipend of up to $4,000 may be provided for relocation costs.

Positions titled Director or above:

A stipend of up to $6,000 may be provided for relocation costs.

Relocation Costs

Payment of a stipend directly to the employee is allowed to cover relocation costs. A stipend may not be paid more than 30 days before the employee’s start date. Receipts are not required for reimbursement (employees are advised to retain all receipts for personal tax filing purposes), but a fully executed appointment letter is required as an attachment with the reimbursement request.

Relocation Using Commercial Carriers

UW System Financial Administration has contracts established with SIRVA Van Lines (Piepho Moving and Storage) and UniGroup Van Lines (United Van Lines) for the relocation of household goods that university employees may use.

Travel Authorization

Travel authorization.

How to Create Travel Authorizations in the Expense Module

Travel Authorizations may be used to obtain departmental pre-trip approval, according to current policies. Travel Authorization requests include estimated expenses such as airfare, lodging, meals, etc. For Meals and Incidentals, use the Lodging/Meal and Incidental Calculator for estimates. In the Travel Authorization, use expense type "Travel Miscellaneous" and enter the description "Meals & Incidentals." Then, enter the amount from the calculator.

Travel FAQs

Meal & incidental expense per diem allowance, what is a meal & incidental expense (m&ie) per diem allowance and how do i qualify to receive this.

Individual University business travelers are eligible to receive a meal & incidental expense (M&IE) per diem allowance whenever travel requires an overnight stay. The M&IE per diem allowance covers individual, out-of-pocket meals and incidental expenses.

What does the M&IE per diem allowance include?

The M&IE per diem allowance includes all meals as well as incidental expenses defined as:

Fees and tips given to restaurant wait staff, bell hops, porters, baggage handlers, hotel housekeeping, valet, service staff on trains or ships.
Transportation between places of lodging or business and places where meals are taken.
Laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing of clothing
Mailing and other expenses associated with filing expense reports
Bottled water (for international travel needs)

What if I’m only gone a portion of the day, do I get an M&IE per diem allowance?

Day trip travel without an overnight stay does not qualify for the M&IE per diem allowance. If your day travel requires you to spend money for a meal(s), the approving authority may authorize a $15 day trip meal allowance. This allowance is tax reportable to you.

Do I need to provide receipts for my M&IE per diem allowance?

The M&IE per diem allowance does not require receipts for payment. Do not submit receipts to the University for M&IE per diem. The I.R.S. does recommend that all business travelers retain receipts for any business travel expenses incurred for personal tax filing purposes.

Can I authorize less that the M&IE per diem allowance for the location?

No. The reimbursement plan has been designed to fairly compensate all travelers. While the rate maximums apply to all, the supervisor or approving authority may limit a travelers overall trip budget .

I give my students meal money and have them sign a sheet, do I now pay them a M&IE per diem?

No. A M&IE per diem allowance is only allowed for individual travelers that incur meal and incidentals expenses as a result of over-night travel, pay out-of-pocket and file for their own reimbursement. If a student traveler does the above, they would file for their own M&IE per diem reimbursement. If you continue to provide this for the student, they cannot.

When a University group leader provides money to students (or members of a team) for purchase of their own meal the expense limits fall under the same limit structure as Headquarter City and UW Sponsored Events. The amount of meal money given should be reasonable and in keeping to the type of student activity/travel and meals being provided.

All meal expenses must be supported by itemized receipts. In cases where meal money is given to students to purchase a meal on their own, the standard signature form, signed by the student to acknowledge the receipt of meal money, will be used in lieu of the restaurant receipt.

The maximum rates, including gratuity and tax, by location and meal expense type are:

What if I’m hosting a meal for a guest, job interview candidate, student, or recruit?

An individual traveler’s personal meal & incidental expense (M&IE) per diem allowance cannot be used to pay for items related to University Sponsored Events or any other related business entertainment activity that includes meals, food or beverages whether the expense is incurred in travel status or at the headquarter location.

Meal limits, receipt requirements and other documentation for hosting expenses is part of the UW Headquarter City & Sponsored Events policy . Please review the requirements.

Do we pay a M&IE per diem allowance to student or non-employees traveling for the University?

Yes, the M&IE per diem allowance is applicable to all individuals that travel for University purposes.

Headquarter city & UW sponsored events

I have a small food and beverage budget for a conference that i’m arranging do i have to use the new rate maximums.

No. When making food and beverage arrangements you do not have to spend the maximum amount per meal. Let the food and beverage staff know what your budget is and request food and beverage options that align with your budget. If you are accustomed to using a hotel’s “state rate menu” to stay within your budget, you can continue to request that.

If I take two students out for a meal how do I get reimbursed for this cost?

These type of meal expenditures are considered “hosted meals”. Meal maximums and policy requirements for hosting a meal are the same as what is contained within the Headquarter City and UW Sponsored Events Policy .

All hosted meal expenses must be supported by a business purpose, itemized receipts and a list of attendees. The meal purchase(s) should be reasonable, need not be at the maximum amount, and in keeping with the type of student activity/travel and meals being provided.

The maximum rates, including gratuity and tax, by location and meal expense type are:

I prefer to drive rather than fly, can I get paid mileage?

The university will pay for the most economical form of transportation to reach your business destination and return. That will often be by air for out of state business. If you elect to travel by car, that’s a personal choice and your reimbursement will be limited to the lowest cost. You will have to provide a cost comparison which includes airfare and all related air expenses (airport parking, taxi from airport to hotel and back, and mileage from home to airport and return), and car mileage and related costs (including additional work hours for travel time) for the travel to the destination and return. This cost comparison, including the additional work hours for travel time, must be discussed and approved by your supervisor prior to travel.

Note : The comparisons will need to be attached to your expense report to support the elective to drive vs. fly and expedite your reimbursement.

For more information see the process guidelines: Determining the Appropriate Mode of Transportation and 1201 Purchase & Payment of Business Air Travel

I need to drive my vehicle for business because I will be transporting equipment needed at my destination, how do I determine what I will be reimbursed?

There are a number of things to consider in this situation, for instance, can you pay to ship the equipment and travel by the lowest cost transportation option? Is it less costly to drive your personal vehicle and carry the equipment with you? Can you rent a car for less than the mileage cost for driving your own vehicle? The university will pay for the most economical form of transportation to reach your business destination and return, including the need to transport the equipment.

You will need to prepare a comparison of the various possible methods of transportation that will meet the need in determining lowest cost. You should then discuss options and cost with your supervisor as the approving authority has responsibility for determining the most appropriate mode of transportation.

For more information see the procedure: Determining the Appropriate Mode of Transportation

UW System Travel FAQs

General Booking

What is concur.

Concur is an online booking tool that University of Wisconsin System employees can use to book university-sponsored individual air, car or hotel reservations. Our contracted travel agency, Travel Incorporated, licenses Concur for University Travelers to use. Travelers can manage their itinerary, view changes, and research pricing by using Concur.

How Do I Register for a Concur Profile?

To register for Concur, users can log into Concur via the SSO link (https://services.travelinc.com/ui/eprofile/cf/sso/adv/uwisc/index_concur.cfm). New users will be directed to the Concur registration page. Registrations are reviewed and approved within 48 hours.

Concur Lodging Rates: What's the difference between StateRates and Government State Rate?

Please review this file: Can I Book A State Rate In Concur (1) docx

Can I book personal travel In Concur?

Concur cannot be used for personal travel reservations, unless purchasing business travel combined with personal travel. Cost comparisons must be obtained when booking air travel.

Where can I find additional resources on Concur?

Travel incorporated concur support desk.

View All Concur Video Demos and Guides on the Travel Inc. Hub

Navigational issues, or other Concur technical questions.

Phone: (877) 811-9898, #3

Forgot Password?

Submit a request to Concur for a password reset . Your username is your current institutional email address.

New User Registration

Concur registration for new users . Registration is limited to employees. The use of a university e-mail address is required for user name.

Additional Support Homepage Tip Sheet (PDF) How to find the lowest fares in Concur

Contact your institution’s travel manager for additional support questions.

Personalized SAP Concur Open Updates

Personalized up-to-the-minute service availability and performance information

OPI-5858869 : US2 : Expense | Travel | Invoice | Analysis/Intelligence : Root Cause Analysis

22 May 2024 | 10:02 am

In the US2 Data Center expense report submissions, invoice submissions, and accessing, running, or viewing Analysis/Intelligence reports through the SAP Concur website and SAP Concur mobile app were below expected level. Users may have experienced errors or latency when performing various tasks. The root cause of the incident has been identified as a combination of anomalous volume of internal service authentication requests primarily caused by a firmware defect in internal traffic management devices in the environment, and a regular service maintenance activity by our cloud service provider, which resulted in restart loops of the authentication services leading to intermittent failure. Corrective Actions: A firmware update was applied to the impacted traffic management devices to resolve the anomalous authentication request issue. Additionally, several initiatives have been initiated as a result of learnings from this incident: - Monitoring and detection: additional service metrics have been identified within the authentication services which are now exposed to service teams for better analysis of service activity and anomalies. - Alerting and notification have been implemented / strengthened to increased awareness and reaction speed at the early stages of service degradation. - A collaboration with our cloud provider has been initiated with the goal to further fortify services against anomalous load conditions.

OPI-5858869 : US2 : Expense | Travel | Invoice | Analysis/Intelligence : Issue Resolved

1 May 2024 | 4:24 pm

In the US2 Data Center, expense report submissions, invoice submissions, accessing, running or viewing Analysis/Intelligence reports, and completing travel searches through the SAP Concur website and SAP Concur mobile app were below expected level. Users may have experienced latency or errors when attempting to complete tasks. The Incident Response Team (IRT) made a routing configuration change on a networking service tier to restore service. We have verified that service performance is stable and will now resolve the incident. An investigation into the root cause of this incident will be conducted , and a root cause analysis report provided when that investigation is complete.

How do guests and student travelers book their travel?

UW Travel Arrangers can establish an Administrative Group code so students and guests can contact Travel Inc to book on their own.
Guests and students can work through University employees who have active profiles in Concur to book airfare, lodging and vehicle rentals.

Can I use the university’s contracted travel agencies to book my companion/family travel?

Yes, the university’s contracted travel agencies can assist with companion/family travel. However, please keep in mind their primary responsibility is to service university sponsored/business-related travel. The consultants do not specialize in vacation travel. If your request exceeds their capacity, you will be referred to a vacation/leisure consultant. Also, keep in mind, service fees will apply to personal travel/companions.

What do I do when our guests book out of policy?

It is the responsibility of the hosting department to ensure that all guests of the University are aware of UW Travel Policies. Guests should be provided a copy of the University’s Visitor Travel Guide prior to scheduling travel. If the guest books outside of policy, please reach out to your campus travel manager to inquire about obtaining an approved Travel Policy Exception.

What insurance am I covered by when I travel?

There are several different types of insurance available to UW Employees. Please reach out to your Human Resources Representative for more information.

Insurance that is specific to travel –

Vehicle coverage through the Big Ten contract (Enterprise and National) and State of Wisconsin contract (Hertz)
CISI – medical insurance required for students who are traveling internationally. UW-Stout and UW-Madison employees are required to register for CISI insurance when traveling abroad. Contact your campus travel manager for more information.

* The University does not pay for or reimburse trip insurance .

Are we required to book group travel through an Agent?

We have created a Group Travel Resource page to identify the different needs of groups. Most likely, you will have to work with an agent, as agents are best to assist your group needs. Information on groups can be found in Group Travel under Planning in TravelWIse.

Can I book airfare on my own (via Expedia, Orbitz, etc. or on the airline website)?

No. Because of our commitment to duty of care and our relationship with vendors, UW will still require the use of our contracted travel agency partners for all airfare purchases.

Can I use UW contracted airline discounts for personal travel?

No, UW air contract cannot be used for travel that is 100% personal in nature. However, when combining personal travel with business travel, UW air contracts can be used.

Am I able to combine personal and business travel and book through UW contracted travel agencies? If so, what are the requirements?

Yes, travelers can combine personal and business travel and book individual tickets through Travel Incorporated. When a traveler elects to combine personal travel days with business travel, cost comparisons must also be obtained to ensure that the University is paying for the business trip dates only. A cost comparison must be provided to show the cost of the lowest appropriate airfare for the business travel dates only and another with the added personal dates. The lower of the two comparisons will be paid or reimbursed by the University.

Valid Cost Comparisons : Concur or agents from one of the university’s contracted travel agencies must be used for cost comparisons. Because of pricing and availability fluctuations, accurate cost comparisons must be done immediately, in succession, to be valid.

Since I’m able to book my companion/family with contracted travel agencies will my family receive UW contracted airline discounts?

No, companions/family members are not eligible to receive UW contracted airline discounts.

Now that we have multiple travel agencies, can I shop around between them for the best fare for my group?

No. All agencies have access to the same airline/car/hotel information in their GDS system and through airline group desks. If you get a quote from one agency, they may hold space with the carrier and tie up inventory that the other agency would then not have access to. This is highly discouraged and not an efficient use of time or resources.

What if I start with Fox (10 or more originally) but number drops to 8?

If you have spent time with Fox, beyond intake, continue working with Fox

What if the group is 12 people but only 6 are traveling together (on the same flight), the rest will be meeting us at destination?

Work with Travel Incorporated as the ‘group’ portion is less than 10.

What if I don’t know what type of a group I need to book?

The travel agencies will help you determine what type of group you need. As a general rule, if you have 10 or more travelers, who will all be traveling together on the same flight, non-NCAA travel - you will work with Fox World Travel. If you have a group of 10 or more who will all be booking individually (i.e. traveling on different flights or paying with different credit cards), book with Travel Incorporated.

Are we required to use certain car vendors?

National/Enterprise and Hertz are the contracted suppliers for UW.

Am I able to use the Enterprise/National car contracts for personal use?

Personal use may be added in conjunction with a business trip, either at the beginning of the end of your reservation. . Please note additional coverage such as CDW or LDW are not included when reserving a strictly personal rental. The coverage can be added for additional fees.

View the Personal Use Contracts page for more information.

I am booking several vehicles. Can I book directly with the vehicle rental agency?

Users are highly encouraged to book all vehicle rentals through Concur or our contracted travel agency partners as contract details are built into the booking channels. However, booking directly with a vehicle rental agency is allowed. When booking outside of Concur/contracted travel agencies, it is the responsibility of the traveler/arranger to make sure the contracted vendors are being used (Enterprise/National and Hertz).

Enterprise doesn't have any vehicles available. What do I do now?

Verify hours of operation at the Enterprise location you are renting from. It is possible that the location is closed at the time you are entering into Concur.

Note: pick-up and/or drop-off hours may need to be modified to accommodate the location hours of operation.

If you have determined that Enterprise does not have any cars available, explore other options. Look into renting from National or Hertz, and if none of our preferred partners have availability you may want to condenser driving your personal vehicle or work with our travel agency to use another vendor.

Contact your campus travel manager for assistance in determining the best alternative.

The Enterprise location I need to rent from is not open Saturday afternoon or Sunday. Do I have to pay for the extra day(s)?

Note: Most Airport locations are open on weekends.

Can I book my hotel directly with the property?

Yes. While we highly recommend using Concur or our contracted travel agencies, policy does allow you to contact the hotel directly (either by phone or on the hotel website) to book your lodging reservation.

Can I book my hotel on hotels.com or booking.com, etc.?

No. Third party booking websites are prohibited under the travel policy

Can I book Airbnb?

Third Party bookings are still restricted (such as Expedia and Orbitz).

Please visit our Airbnb page for more information.

How do I book my conference hotel?

Conference lodging should be booked using the link provided with your conference registration or by contacting the conference hotel directly.

Note: Users are highly encouraged to search Concur for the conference hotel(s) as often rates found within Concur are less costly than the conference rate.

Do I have to book a hotel that is considered a UW ‘preferred’ property?

We highly encourage you to use UW preferred properties whenever possible. Booking with a preferred property allows the UW System to act as a liaison in the event there is an issue with your stay, and to ensure rates are below the maximum. However, bookings with non-preferred properties will still be reimbursed.

What if I can’t find a hotel under the UW maximum rate?

If you are unable to find lodging within a reasonable distance from your location, you are required to provide documentation (i.e. screenshots from Concur) that a lower rate was not available.

Contact Information

Interim UW-La Crosse Travel Manager: Becky Kopidlansky

[email protected]

Training Recordings

Travel Training

April 2, 2024

UWL 4-2-24 Travel Training pdf

UW-LaCrosse Travel training recording 4-2-24

E-Reimbursement Training

April 4, 2024

UWL EReimbursement Training 4-4-24 pdf

UW-La Crosse Expense training recording 4-4-24

———————————–

Travel & Concur Training

January 9, 2024

UW LaCrosse Travel & Concur Training Jan 2024 pdf

UW-La Crosse Travel & Concur Training recording

January 11, 2024

UW LaCrosse E-Reimb Training Jan 2024 pdf

UW-La Crosse Expense Training Jan 2024 recording

Upcoming Trainings

Keep in mind we are switching from Travel Inc to Fox World Travel July 1, 2024. Please sign up for agency transition webinars presented by the whole Travel team to learn more. Details found at Wisconsin.edu/Trave l.

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

Travel Advisories |
Contact Us |
MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Get a Passport

Renew or Replace a Passport

Get My Passport Fast

Prepare to Apply

Passport Help

Legal Matters

Get a Passport Homepage

Share this page:

Apply for your First Adult Passport

Apply for a Child Under 16

Apply as a 16 or 17 Year Old

Get My Application Status

Get a Passport Card

Respond to a Letter or Email

Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply with their child, you will need to show us more documents.
You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82.
Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years.

Steps to Apply

1. fill out form ds-11 and print it.

Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your child's form on a desktop or laptop computer and then print it. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF .

Tips to complete your child's form :

Do not sign your child's form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent or employee.
You can apply for a passport book , a passport card , or both documents.
You may ask for a larger passport book with more visa pages, at no extra cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.

2. Get Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (and a photocopy)

Your evidence must be an original or replacement copy. The document must have the official seal or stamp of the office which issued it. You must submit one of the following documents for your child:

Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
Lists applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
Lists the parent(s)' full names
Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
Has the registrar's signature
Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state which issued it
Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Certificate of Citizenship
Please note you must also provide a document, such as a birth certificate, that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.

If you cannot submit one of these documents, go to our Citizenship Evidence page for more information.

Paper only : You cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document.

Returning your child's document : We will return your child's document in a separate mailing up to 8 weeks after you receive the new passport.

Tips for making a photocopy :

Black and white (no color)
Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
Use a single side of the paper

If you do not submit a photocopy, you must submit a second copy of your citizenship evidence. We will keep this copy for our records.

3. Show Your Relationship to Your Child

You must submit a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Examples include:

U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
Foreign birth certificate
Adoption decree
Divorce or custody decree
A court order

Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show both U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the document showing your relationship to your child lists your full name.

If your name is different than the one on the document showing your relationship to your child, submit proof of your legal name change.

4. Get a Photo ID (and a photocopy)

Both parents or guardians must bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it. If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID.

You must show at least one of these photo IDs:

Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
U.S. military or military dependent ID
Current (valid) foreign passport
Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo
In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo
Temporary driver's license with photo

If you do not have one of these photo IDs, go to our Identification page for more information.

5. Show More Documents (if both parents or guardians cannot apply)

Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

Important : Submit Form DS-3053 and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

6. Provide a Photo

You must provide one photo with your child's application. Go to our Passport Photo page for photo requirements and to see examples of photos.

Do not attach or staple your child's photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.
Some passport acceptance facilities
A company which offers photo services
Home. Ask your friend or family member to take your child's photo. Print it on glossy or matte photo quality paper.

7. Calculate Fees

When applying using Form DS-11, you will pay two separate fees - an application fee and an execution (acceptance) fee. You will pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State, and the execution (acceptance) fee to the facility which takes your application.

Add $60 to your application fee if you want expedited service .
Add $19.53 to your application fee if you want us to ship your completed passport in 1-2 days after we issue it.

Child Applicants :

For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, go to our Passport Fees page.

*How to fill out your check and pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State. Please note you must pay a separate execution (acceptance) fee.

Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State if they are applying at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.

8. Find Location to Apply

In the United States:

Traveling in more than 3 weeks? Go to a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment.
Traveling in less than 3 weeks? Make an appointment to apply at a passport agency or center.

In another country:

Contact your U.S. embassy or consulate .

9. Track Your Application Status

You can subscribe to email updates about your application status, and learn more about each status update .

It may take 2 weeks from the day you apply until your child's application status is “In Process.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you send my child's passport and supporting documents.

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

New passport book
New passport card
Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at 1-877-487-2778 to report that you have not received your documents.

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document.

Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

Delivering application to us : Pay for Priority Mail Express for faster shipping. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
Returning the passport to you : Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport 1-2 days after we send it. Include this fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid.

You may receive your passport and supporting documents in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

What countries require Form DS-3053 "Statement of Consent" to be notarized at an embassy or consulate?

In certain countries, a DS-3053 must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate and cannot be notarized by a local notary public. Currently, these countries include:

Special Passport Fairs

Find a Special Passport Fair near you!

We're holding special passport fairs all across the United States to help you get your passport more easily. New events are added to our site every week.

Most events are for first-time applicants and children, (who use Form DS-11). If you can use Form DS-82, you can renew by mail at your convenience!

Processing Times

Routine: 6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel. Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it.
Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel: See our Get my Passport Fast page.

How to Apply for your Child's Passport

Watch this video to learn how to apply in person for your child's U.S. passport!

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

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Apply for a Child's U.S. Passport
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