travel money cards for vietnam

Travel money guide: Vietnam

Everything you need to know about using cash and cards in vietnam.

In this guide

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

These are your options for spending money in vietnam, compare travel credit cards, buying vietnamese dong in the us, a guide to the vietnamese dong banknotes, how much should i budget to travel in vietnam.

Travel money type

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Top picks of 2024

The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Because the dong is tied to the US dollar, you can use your money at most hotels and big shops. To make things easier, prices are often quoted in US Dollars in tourist areas. But beware — you’ll pay twice as much if you pay with your US dollars, so exchange your money before you arrive in Vietnam.

Credit cards, debit cards and cash are all accepted, but cash is by far the most accepted form of payment. Outside of major tourist areas, cash should be your primary go-to during your trip.

Our picks for traveling to Vietnam

40+ currencies supported

4.85% APY on USD balances
$0 monthly fees
Up to $100 free ATMs withdrawals worldwide
Hold and convert 40+ currencies

Up to $300 cash bonus

0.50% APY on checking balance
Up to 4.60% APY on savings
$0 account or overdraft fees
Get a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more

Free ATM transactions

$50 waivable monthly fee
0% foreign transaction fee
Securely move money domestically and globally
5 monthly out-of-network ATM reimbursements
Free international HSBC ATM transactions

Credit cards can be used for big ticket purchases in Vietnam. For example, in Hanoi mid- to high-end hotels, restaurants and retailers will take Visa and Mastercard — you’ll struggle to find merchants who take American Express credit cards and prepaid travel cards. Everywhere else you’ll need to pay with cash.

If you bring your debit card, you can expect to pay between $1 and $2, on top on any fees your bank charges. Find a debit card that allows you to withdraw from any ATM without charging a fee. You should never use ATMs to withdraw money from your credit cards — they immediately charge high fees and interest on your withdrawal.

Vietnam is a popular destination for experiencing the rich culture and natural beauty for rock-bottom prices. Plan to bring a number of payment options on your Vietnamese vacation for peace of mind.

Credit cards are good for bigger purchases, and you can earn travel rewards, but cash is what you’ll need the most. Only carry the cash you need, keeping the rest on your debit or prepaid cash card.

Trying to decide how to pay for your vacation to Vietnam? Compare these travel money options and see what works best for you.

Using a credit card

Travel credit cards give you the most purchasing power on expensive items like hotels and flights when traveling in Vietnam. However, you’ll find credit cards less useful outside of major hubs or tourist areas.

Find yourself a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees to cut back on extra expenses, such as the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card . Carrying a credit card gives you the added benefit of travel insurance and discounts, depending on your provider (Terms apply, see rates & fees ).

Some travel cards that offer travel perks and waive fees may charge an annual fee, so make sure the fee is worth it before you bring it along on your travels. If you’re ever in a jam, credit cards also offer cash advances, though we don’t recommend it. You’ll pay high fees and interest rates apply the moment you get your money.

Tip: It’s worth researching credit cards that offer travel benefits and rewards for things you’ll buy anyways like flights and hotel stays.
Use for big ticket purchases
Protected by PIN and chip
Accepted worldwide
May come with benefits like travel insurance
Interest-free days when you pay your account in full
Emergency card replacement
Fees and interest for cash withdrawal

Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.

Credit cards

Debit card being swiped in a POS station

Using a debit card

A travel debit card could be a good travel money choice to take to Vietnam. You’ll have access to cash each time you come across an ATM, without carrying lots of cash on you all at once. Because you’re spending your own money, you avoid interest charges.

A debit card that reimburses or waives international ATM fees, like one from Betterment Checking , is an ideal debit card to have on hand to cut down on extra costs.

Tip: A debit card can be used to shop over the counter, online and for ATM withdrawals in Vietnam.
Use at stores and hotels, online and ATMs
Spending your own money means avoiding interest charges
International ATM and currency conversion fees
No access to cash advances

person at laptop with credit card and phone

Using a prepaid travel card

Travel cards can lock in conversion rates once you load USD. Use it for purchases without worrying about rates each time you spend — debit and credit cards often charge 3% for each transaction.

Where you save in the conversion rates you may pay in fees. You’ll pay fees each time you load the card, ATM withdrawals and sometimes even an inactivity fee.

Tip: Banks that provide travel cards make money by applying a higher margin to the exchange rate. Get a better rate using a debit card or credit card.
Lock in exchange rate when you convert USD to VND
Emergency card replacement and backup cards.
Reloadable online
Come with lots of fees for loading and reloading, inactivity and ATM withdrawals.
Businesses won’t accept prepaid cards

Paying with cash in Vietnam

In Vietnam cash is king , so be sure you have access to plenty of it. Make sure you don’t get any damaged or ripped banknotes — merchants in Vietnam won’t accept them. Dongs are delicate, so carefully place money in your wallet rather than in the bottom of your bag or pockets.

Tip: Exchange your money at banks or other licensed exchange stores — Vietcombank doesn’t charge a commission. There’s a black market for exchanging money in Vietnam that charges a lower exchange rate and — most importantly, it’s illegal.
Payment flexibility
Convenience
More difficult to manage expenses
High risk of theft

While you’ll get a better rate if you wait to get Vietnamese dong in Vietnam, you can purchase dong in the US from your bank or a foreign exchange provider like Travelex. If you’re flying into Vietnam directly, and you want to get a visa on arrival (VOA), be ready with cash to pay the fee when you pass through customs. Here are some popular ways to exchange your US currency into dong.

Wise (TransferWise)

Refreshing in: 60s | Thu, Jun 13, 05:08PM GMT

The Vietnamese dong is the major currency used in Vietnam. The dong comes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 and 200,000, each a different color. Be sure to pay the right amount when you make your purchases, and always count your change. Familiarize yourself with what the currency looks like and how it works will avoid confusion when handling your money.

The main banks in Vietnam are:

Vietcombank
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV)
Military Bank
Techcombank
Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB)
Maritime Bank

Using an ATM

Mastercard and Visa cards can be used to make cash withdrawals from a majority of ATMs in Vietnam. The maximum withdrawal limit varies depending on the machine.

Machines from American banks often have a higher daily withdrawal limit compared to Vietnamese banks. But Vietnamese banks often charge a lower withdrawal fee. You can sidestep some fees, such as international ATM fees, by using a debit card from a bank that reimburses such fees, such as Betterment Checking .

Tip: Keep yourself and your money safe when using an ATM. Block your PIN from cameras and onlookers. And be sure to use ATMs in busy areas or inside a business.

ATMs in Vietnam

Your money will go along way in Vietnam. Accommodation, food and tourist activities cost a fraction of the price of what they cost in the US. If you want a travel on a backpacker’s budget, $40 or less a day will do.

For a more comfortable trip, you can budget $60 to $100 per day. If you have expensive taste, it’s easy to find a five star experience with prices to match at a budget of $200 a day. All prices are in US dollars.

Case study: Dean’s trip to Vietnam

We interviewed Dean, a finder.com user who traveled to Vietnam, and asked him about his experience using travel money. He spent two months in Southeast Asia, including a month adventure in Vietnam. He flew from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh, finished his trip in Hanoi and took a bus to Laos. He was there for the Tet Festival in December — which Dean said is a must-have.

Do you have any other travel money tips?

Dean says make sure you do the following:

Tell your credit card and debit card provider about your travel plans in Southeast Asia.
You’ll be carrying cash on you so use caution and make sure it’s out of reach from thieves and pickpockets.

Kyle Morgan

Kyle Morgan is SEO manager at Forbes Advisor and a former editor and content strategist at Finder. He has written for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He holds a BA in journalism and media from Rutgers University. See full profile

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5 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Vietnam can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Vietnamese Dong. You'll be able to easily top up your card in USD before you leave the US, to convert seamlessly to VND for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks of the best travel cards available for anyone from the US heading to Vietnam, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

5 best travel money cards for Vietnam:

Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Vietnam with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from the US:

Each of the international travel cards we’ve picked out have their own features and fees, which may mean they suit different customer needs. Keep reading to learn more about the features, advantages and disadvantages of each - plus a look at how to order the travel card of your choice before you head off to Vietnam.

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Vietnam. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in USD easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Vietnam or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

In either case you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you spend in VND, plus some free ATM withdrawals every month - perfect if you’re looking for easy ways to arrange your travel cash.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
Spend seamlessly in VND when you travel
Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
Manage your account and card from your phone
9 USD delivery fee for your first card
ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
Physical cards may take 14 - 21 days to arrive

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise travel card in the US:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 9 USD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 14 - 21 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Vietnam, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
Hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave the US and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

Chime travel card

Use your Chime account and card to spend in Vietnam with no foreign transaction fee. You’ll just need to load a balance in USD and then the money is converted to VND instantly with the Visa rate whenever you spend or make a withdrawal. There’s a fee to make an ATM withdrawal out of network, which sits at 2.5 USD, but there are very few other costs to worry about. Plus you can get lots of extra services from Chime if you need them, such as ways to save.

Chime features

Chime travel card pros and cons.

No Chime foreign transaction fees
No ongoing charges for your account
Lots of extra products and services if you need them
Easy ways to manage your money online and in app
Virtual cards available
You'll need to inform Chime you're traveling to use your card abroad
Low ATM limits
Cards take 7 - 10 days to arrive by mail

How to apply for a Chime card

Here’s how to apply for a Chime account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Chime website or download the app

Click Get started and add your personal details

Add a balance

Your card will be delivered in the mail and you can use your virtual card instantly

Monzo travel card

Monzo cards can be ordered easily in the US and used for spending in Vietnam and globally. Monzo accounts are designed for holding USD only - but you can spend in VND and pretty much any other currency easily, with no foreign transaction fee. Your funds are just converted using the network exchange rate whenever you pay or make a withdrawal.

Monzo doesn’t usually apply ATM fees, but it’s worth knowing that the operator of the specific ATM you pick may have their own costs you’ll need to check out.

Monzo features

Monzo travel card pros and cons.

Good selection of services available
No foreign transaction fee to pay
No Monzo ATM fee to pay
Manage your card from your phone conveniently
Deposits are FDIC protected
You can't hold a foreign currency balance
ATM operators might apply their own fees

How to apply for a Monzo card

Here’s how to apply for a Monzo account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Monzo website or download the app

Click Get Sign up and add your personal details

Check and confirm your mailing address and your card will be delivered in the mail

Netspend travel card

Netspend has a selection of prepaid debit cards you can use for spending securely in Vietnam. While these cards don’t usually let you hold a balance in VND, they’re popular with travelers as they’re not linked to your regular checking account. That increases security overseas - plus, Netspend offers virtual cards you can use to hide your physical card details from retailers if you want to.

The options with Netspend vary a lot depending on the card you pick. Usually you can top up digitally or in cash in USD and then spend overseas with a fixed foreign transaction fee applying every time you spend in a foreign currency. You’ll be able to view the terms and conditions of your specific card - including the fees - online, by entering the code you’ll find when your card is sent to you.

Netspend features

Netspend travel card pros and cons.

Large selection of different card options depending on your needs
Some cards have no overseas ATM fees
Prepaid card which is secure to use overseas
Manage your account in app
Change from one card plan to another if you need to
You may pay a monthly fee for your card
Some cards have foreign transaction fees for all overseas use, which can be around 4%
Selection of fees apply depending on the card you pick

How to apply for a Netspend card

Here’s how to apply for a Netspend account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Netspend website

Click Apply now

Complete the details, following the onscreen prompts

Get verified

Your card will arrive by mail - add a balance and activate it to get started

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Although there are lots of different travel money cards on the market, all of which are unique, one similarity you'll spot is that the features and fees have always been optimised 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 for common international transactions like ATM withdrawals.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your United States Dollar everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

Travel debit cards
Travel prepaid cards
Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Vietnam or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel credit cards are different and may suit different customer needs. As with any other credit card, you may need to pay an annual fee or interest and penalties depending on how you manage your account - but you could also earn extra rewards when spending in a foreign currency, or travel benefits like free insurance for example. Generally using a travel credit card can be more expensive compared to a debit or prepaid card - but it does let you spread out the costs of your travel across several months if you'd like to and don't mind paying interest to do so.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Let's take a look at the advantages of using a prepaid travel money card for travellers going to Vietnam. While each travel card is a little different, you'll usually find some or all of the following benefits:

Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday USD account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Vietnam

We've picked out 5 great travel cards available in the US - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Vietnam include:

What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in VND can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

Ultimately the right card for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

What makes a good travel card for Vietnam

The best travel debit card for Vietnam really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Overall, it pays to look for a card which lets you minimise fees and access favourable exchange rates - ideally the mid-market rate. While currency exchange rates do change all the time, the mid-market rate is a good benchmark to use as it’s the one available to banks when trading on wholesale markets. Getting this rate, with transparent conversion fees, makes it easier to compare costs and see exactly what you’re paying when you spend in VND.

Other features and benefits to look out for include low ATM withdrawal fees, complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or emergency cash if your card is stolen. It’s also important to look into the security features of any travel card you might pick for Vietnam. Look for a card which uses 2 factor authentication when accessing the account app, which allows you to set instant transaction notifications, and which has easy ways to freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card with your phone.

When you’re planning your trip to Vietnam, bear in mind that cash is still a primary payment method, and many merchants and public service providers won’t accept a card. You’ll want a travel card which allows low cost cash withdrawals so you’ve always got some VND in your pocket - and you can also keep hold of your card as a convenient back up in case of emergency too. Choose a card with no ongoing fees and no inactivity costs, so you can use it for your next trip abroad to get the most possible use out of it.

Ways to pay in Vietnam

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

In Vietnam cash is a very popular payment method. While you may find cards are accepted in major hotels and chain stores or very busy tourist areas, many merchants prefer cash. Make sure you’ve always got some VND in cash in your wallet by making ATM withdrawals with your travel card whenever you need to.

Which countries use VND?

You’ll find that VND can only be used in Vietnam. If you don’t travel to Vietnam frequently it’s worth thinking carefully about how much to exchange so you’re not left with extra foreign currency after your trip. Or pick a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut which lets you leave your money in USD and convert at the point of payment with no penalty.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Vietnam

You’re sure to have a great time in Vietnam - but whenever you’re travelling abroad it's worth putting in a little advance thought to make sure everything is organised and your trip goes smoothly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Double check the latest entry requirements and visas - rules can change abruptly, so even if you’re been to Vietnam before it’s worth looking up the most recent entry requirements so you don’t have any hassle on the border

2. Cash is a widespread payment method - so you’ll need some VND in your pocket when you travel to Vietnam. You can sort out your travel money by visiting an exchange office here in the US, or you can wait until you arrive and make an ATM withdrawal in VND at the airport when you land. Bear in mind that currency exchange at exchange offices at the airport, either in the US or in Vietnam can be expensive - so if you’re carrying USD in cash and need to exchange it, head into a town centre to do so.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave the US so you have peace of mind. It’s also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don’t offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Vietnam

Ultimately the best travel card for your trip to Vietnam will depend on how you like to manage your money. Use this guide to get some insights into the most popular options out there, and to decide which may suit your specific needs.

FAQ - best travel cards for Vietnam

When you use a travel money card you may find there’s an ATM withdrawal fee from your card issuer, and there may also be a cost applied by the ATM operator. Some of our travel cards - like the Wise and Revolut card options - have some no fee ATM withdrawals every month, which can help keep down costs.

Travel money cards may be debit, prepaid or credit cards. Which is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Debit and prepaid cards are usually pretty cheap and secure to spend with, while credit cards may have higher fees but often come with extra perks like free travel insurance and extra reward points.

There’s no single best prepaid card for international use. Look out for one which supports a large range of currencies, with good exchange rates and low fees. This guide can help you compare some popular options, including Wise, Revolut and Monzo.

Yes, you can use your local debit card when you’re overseas. However, it’s common to find extra fees apply when spending in foreign currencies with a regular debit card. These can include foreign transaction fees and international ATM charges.

Usually having a selection of ways to pay - including a travel card, your credit or debit card, and some cash - is the best bet. That means that no matter what happens, you have an alternative payment method you can use conveniently.

Yes. Most travel debit cards have options to make ATM withdrawals. Check the fees that apply as card charges do vary a lot. Some cards have local and international fees on all withdrawals, while others like Wise and Revolut, let you make some no fee withdrawals monthly before a fee kicks in.

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Vietnam.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their USD / VND rate to calculate how much Vietnamese Dong you would receive when exchanging / spending $4,000 USD. The card provider offering the most VND is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

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Currency and payments in Vietnam

All photography by Christian Berg

With a wealth of affordable cuisine, hotels, and things to do, Vietnam is an excellent destination if you’re looking for value for money. Prepare for your first time in Vietnam by getting to know the local currency and payment systems, so you can enjoy your holiday here even more. Here’s a quick guide to money matters for travellers in Vietnam.

Vietnamese currency.

The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnam đồng, symbolised by ₫ or VND. Vietnamese notes are a mix of small paper bills (no coins are used), and larger polymer bills, in values from 10,000 VND to 500,000 VND. If you’re confused by all the zeros, mentally remove three zeros to get a simpler number. To quickly convert from VND to USD, just remove three zeros and divide by 23.

TIP: The 20,000 VND bill and the 500,000 VND bill come in similar shades of blue -- double check before you pay.

Cash withdrawal and exchange

Upon arriving in Vietnam, you’ll want to have some cash in the local currency. You can find ATMs accepting international cards just outside the arrival gates at all major airports. ATMs are a common sight in Vietnamese cities, and you should have no trouble locating one in most destinations. International cards such as Visa are accepted at more than 20,000 ATMs nationwide. If you need help finding the nearest ATM, just ask your hotel. Withdrawal limits per transaction range between 2 million VND (just under 100 dollars) and 3 million VND with local bank ATMs; and between 5 million VND to 10 million VND with international bank ATMs.

You can also find currency exchange vendors inside Vietnam’s international airports just before the exit gates. Once you’re in your destination, you can usually exchange currency at your hotel, in tourist hotspots and at local banks.

TIP: It’s a good idea to withdraw some extra cash before travelling to remote destinations in Vietnam, especially if you want to buy crafts or textiles directly from local artisans.

Card payments in Vietnam

While cash is used for small purchases and street vendors in Vietnam, most establishments accept payments from major credit card providers such as Visa. Hotels, tour operators, boutiques, restaurants, grocery stores, and spas all generally accept international debit and credit cards. Conversion rates and swiping fees will be set by your card provider. With few exceptions, your larger travel expenses in Vietnam can be covered by card, on the spot or online in advance, reducing the need to carry and convert large sums of cash on the road.

Local prices

Wondering how much money to prepare for your trip in Vietnam? If you’re on a budget, eating street food and staying in homestays is a great way to go, and will still give you an enriching experience of Vietnam. If you’ve got a little more to spend, Vietnam’s mid-range hotels and local restaurants offer wonderful value and heartfelt service. And if you’re here to indulge, our five-star properties and private tours offer superb quality and unforgettable moments. See the list below for some average prices:

Sidewalk coffee - 25,000 VND (1 USD) Street food meal with ice tea - 45,000 VND (2 USD) Cappuccino in a cafe - 55,000 VND (2.50 USD) Three-course restaurant meal - 450,000 (20 USD)/person Inner city taxi - 35,000 to 100,000 VND (1.50 to 4 USD) 60-minute foot massage at local spa - 350,000 VND (15 USD) Budget hostel - 300,000 VND (13 USD)/night Mid-range hotel - 700,000 VND (30 USD)/night Half-day group tour - 1 million VND (43 USD) Luxury hotel - 3.5 million VND (150 USD)/night

Safety and security

Vietnam is generally very safe for travellers, but use common sense to keep an eye on your money and avoid drawing attention to valuables while out in public. Use the hotel safe in your room to store cash, cards and valuable items when going out. Keep wallets and purses close to your person and take extra care when in crowded places. Cards with safety technology such as Visa’s 3D security system can help protect against loss or fraud, and lessen worries around the safety of your money.

TIP: Many businesses and taxi services in Vietnam now accept Visa contactless payments , done by tapping your card directly on a terminal. These payments add peace of mind and reduce health risks, as your card never leaves your hand.

Tipping etiquette

There’s no set rule about tipping in Vietnam as it’s not a normal part of Vietnamese culture. However tipping is increasingly common in some situations, such as in beauty salons and for private tour guides. Tipping in restaurants and cafes is not expected but always appreciated. When deciding how much to tip, considering that the cost for a local meal here is about 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND can help you decide the value of your tip to its recipient.

In casual shopping hubs and markets, bargaining is a common practice. If you’re shopping in an area that receives many tourists, you can usually get a price reduction through some gentle negotiation. Browse and inquire with a few shops or vendors to get a general idea of the price before you settle.

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2 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Vietnam can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Vietnamese Dong. You'll be able to easily top up your card in AUD before you leave Australia, to convert seamlessly to VND for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks the best travel cards available for anyone from Australia heading to Vietnam, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

2 best travel money cards for Vietnam:

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Vietnam. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in AUD easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Vietnam or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
Spend seamlessly in VND when you travel
Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
Manage your account and card from your phone
10 AUD delivery fee for your first card
ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
Physical cards may take 7 - 14 days to arrive (you can use your virtual card right away)

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise travel card in Australia:

Open the Wise app or desktop site
Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account
Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card
Pay the one time 10 AUD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 7 - 14 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Vietnam, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange around 30 currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
Hold and exchange 30+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave Australia and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your Australian Dollar everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

Travel debit cards
Travel prepaid cards
Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Vietnam or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel debit and prepaid cards are usually linked to an online account, and may come from specialist digital providers - like the Wise card. These cards are usually flexible and cheap to use. You'll be able to manage your account and card through an app, although you can also often add money in person by visiting a branch - we've picked out the Westpac travel card and the Travelex travel card as popular prepaid cards with a branch network in Australia, for example.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday AUD account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Vietnam

We've picked out 2 great travel cards available in Australia - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Vietnam include:

What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in VND can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

Ultimately the right card for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a low cost card with the mid-market rate, which you can use in 150+ countries, the Wise card may be a good fit. If you'd prefer to pay a monthly fee to get higher no-fee transaction limits, take a look at Wise. And if you need to get a card in a hurry, check out a travel card from a provider with a physical branch network, like the Westpac card or the Travelex travel money card.

What makes a good travel card for Vietnam

The best travel debit card for Vietnam really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Overall, it pays to look for a card which lets you minimise fees and access favourable exchange rates - ideally the mid-market rate. While currency exchange rates do change all the time, the mid-market rate is a good benchmark to use as it's the one available to banks when trading on wholesale markets. Getting this rate, with transparent conversion fees, makes it easier to compare costs and see exactly what you're paying when you spend in VND.

Other features and benefits to look out for include low ATM withdrawal fees, complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or emergency cash if your card is stolen. It's also important to look into the security features of any travel card you might pick for Vietnam. Look for a card which uses 2 factor authentication when accessing the account app, which allows you to set instant transaction notifications, and which has easy ways to freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card with your phone.

For Vietnam in particular, choosing a card which offers contactless payments and which is compatible with mobile wallets like Apple Pay could be a good plan. Card payments are extremely popular in Vietnam - so having a card which lets you tap and pay easily can speed things up and make it more convenient during your trip.

Ways to pay in Vietnam

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

In Vietnam, both card payments and cash payments are common. You'll be able to make Chip and PIN or contactless payments or use your favourite mobile wallet like Apple Pay to tap and pay on the go, but it's still worth having a little cash on you just in case - and for the odd situations where cash is more convenient, such as when tipping or buying a small item in a market.

Which countries use VND?

You'll find that VND can only be used in Vietnam. If you don't travel to Vietnam frequently it's worth thinking carefully about how much to exchange so you're not left with extra foreign currency after your trip.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Vietnam

You're sure to have a great time in Vietnam - but whenever you're travelling abroad it's worth putting in a little advance thought to make sure everything is organised and your trip goes smoothly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Double check the latest entry requirements and visas - rules can change abruptly, so even if you're been to Vietnam before it's worth looking up the most recent entry requirements so you don't have any hassle on the border

2. Plan your currency exchange and payment methods - you can change AUD to VND before you travel to Vietnam if you'd like to, but as card payments are common, and ATMs widely available, you can actually leave it until you arrive to get everything sorted as long as you have a travel money card. Top up your travel money card in AUD and either exchange to VND in advance or at the point of payment, and make ATM withdrawals whenever you need cash. Bear in mind that currency exchange at the airport will be expensive - so hold on until you reach Vietnam to make an ATM withdrawal in VND if you can.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave Australia so you have peace of mind. It's also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don't offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Vietnam

FAQ - best travel cards for Vietnam

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Vietnam.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their AUD / VND rate to calculate how much Vietnamese Dong you would receive when exchanging / spending $6,000 AUD. The card provider offering the most VND is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

Send international money transfer

More travel card guides.

What's the Best Currency to Take to Vietnam in 2024?

Byron Mühlberg

Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

Are you travelling to Vietnam and wondering which currency you should take there? Vietnam uses the Vietnamese đồng, meaning that, except in tourist establishments, airports, or hotels, you normally won't be able to use major currencies like the US dollar or British pound to pay your way.

To pay while you're in Vietnam, you'll either need to buy Vietnamese đồng banknotes before or during your trip, use your credit card, or use a low-cost multi-currency debit card like Revolut 's or Wise 's travel cards.

In a rush? Here are our recommendations for how to pay in Vietnam if you're...

from the UK: Revolut 's debit Mastercard
from the USA: Chime 's VISA debit card
from Canada: KOHO 's debit Mastercard
from the EU, Australia, or Singapore: Revolut
wanting local banknotes: ChangeGroup

In this short guide, we'll discuss what's the best currency to take to Vietnam, how you should pay when you're there, and what your cheapest options are to avoid paying hefty exchange rate charges.

Key Facts About Currency in Vietnam

Best currency to take to vietnam.

01. Currency in Vietnam scroll down
02. Best currency to take to Vietnam scroll down
03. How to pay in Vietnam scroll down
04. FAQ about currency in Vietnam scroll down

Overview of Currency in Vietnam

As we saw earlier, the currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese đồng .

As the official legal tender in Vietnam, it's the sole currency recognized by the Vietnamese government, and you can use it to settle all financial obligations in the country, from paying for your hotel stay, to the entrance fee at the Temple Of Literature, to a bite to eat in Ho Chi Minh City.

Because it's the local currency and because you won't have any trouble buying goods with it, the best country to have on hand and spend while visiting Vietnam is, unsurprisingly, the Vietnamese đồng.

However, if you're taking another currency along with you, the US dollar is a safe bet, as it's highly exchangeable at banks and currency exchange offices in Vietnam, even if it's neither official nor used ubiquitously across the country.

You can check out the prevalence of a few of the most popular tourist currencies in Vietnam below:

Although US dollars aren't offically accepted in Vietnam, you can often use them anyway. Airports, hotels, or shops and restaurants in major tourist areas always let you pay in dollars, but even non-touristy establishments sometimes quote prices in both đồng and dollars. If you're from the USA, we recommend using Chime 's debit card, which charges no foreign exchange fees, to make low-cost card payments while travelling in Vietnam. However, out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees and over-the-counter advance fees may apply.

You cannot use British pounds to pay while visiting Vietnam. However, you can withdraw đồng from a local Vietnamese ATM or exchange your pounds for US dollars or đồng at a local bank or currency exchange office. If you're from the UK, we recommend using Revolut 's travel debit card, which has market-low currency exchange charges.

You cannot use euros to pay while visiting Vietnam. However, you can withdraw đồng from a local Vietnamese ATM or exchange your euros for US dollars or đồng at a local bank or currency exchange office. If you're from the European Union or EEA, we recommend using Revolut 's debit card, which charges no foreign exchange fees, to make low-cost card payments while travelling in Vietnam.

Although Vietnamese đồng is the best currency to use and the US dollar can be helpful at times too, exchanging currencies in the form of cash almost invariably leads to poor exchange rates for tourists (we've seen as high as 20% commissions, although the average is between 5% and 15% of the amount exchanged).

For this reason, it's generally a better idea to use your credit or debit card to pay at local points of sale wherever possible or (if cash is urgently needed) to withdraw some money from a local ATM. This will let your card provider handle the conversion, which is usually, although not always, a better deal than bringing foreign currency into Vietnam and exchanging it there. However, as we'll see below, a conversion-friendly debit card is the best choice of all!

ChangeGroup

ChangeGroup is a viable option If you need physical Vietnamese đồng in cash in hand before your flight abroad to Vietnam. When it comes to popular currency pairs like GBP to EUR , ChangeGroup maintains a low FX markup of approximately 2.2%.

For less common currency pairs like GBP to Turkish lira, however, their rates may be comparable to those offered by traditional services, hovering around 15%. This is why we tend to recommend Revolut and Wise for less common currencies.

FX Margin : 2.2% - 28.7%, varies by currency pair
Home Delivery: For a fee
Cash Pick Up : Free
Guaranteed Buyback: For a fee
Availability: UK, USA, Australia, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland

How to Pay in Vietnam

When it comes to paying your way in Vietnam, you'll have the following three options broadly speaking:

Method 1: Cash

As we mentioned earlier, cash is an important medium of exchange in Vietnam. Pretty much all shops, restaurants, and commercial establishments around the country will accept Vietnamese đồng banknotes, and we recommend having some on hand when you travel. Foreign cash can be purchased before your trip from your bank in your home country, or during your trip at a local Vietnamese bank or currency exchange office or (most affordably) from an ATM.

Note that in Vietnam, currency exchange offices normally go by the name tiệm đổi tiền , so if you want to exchange your home currency for Vietnamese đồng, be on the lookout for signage with this name.

Cash prevalence in Vietnam: Very prevalent
Cost to exchange: 5% - 15% on average

Method 2: Credit Card

Although cash is king in Vietnam, credit and debit cards issued by major global providers like VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted too. If your card is issued by American Express, Diner's Club, or another card company, there's a good chance they'll also be accepted in Vietnam, but we recommend checking with your bank or card provider directly to make sure that Vietnamese đồng currency conversion is indeed supported, and that card machines and ATMs in Vietnam commonly support cards of this type.

Card prevalence in Vietnam: Prevalent
Cost to exchange: 2% - 5% on average

Method 3: Travel Debit Card

Just like credit cards, prepaid debit cards (which are also normally issued by VISA or Mastercard) provide an excellent way to pay while visiting Vietnam, the main difference being that you normally pay lower fees and exchange rates . Depending on where you live, you'll probably have options from your bank or a third-party provider to use a commission-free debit card or a multi-currency card which can help you dodge high Vietnamese đồng conversion costs, including DCCs .

According to our analysis of dozens of providers, the top two options for travelling to Vietnam, in general, are the following:

Revolut is an excellent option for paying in Vietnam. Its all-in-one mobile finance app and debit card offer competitive exchange rates to the Vietnamese đồng and low fees. What's more, you can easily manage everything through your money through Revolut's user-friendly app.

Trust & Credibility 8.9
Service & Quality 7.9
Fees & Exchange Rates 8.3
Customer Satisfaction 9.4
Monthly fee: $0
Card type: Mastercard debit
Card payment cost in Vietnamese đồng: 0.5% - 1.5%
Cash withdrawal fee: 0% - 2%
Vietnamese đồng balance: No
Vietnamese đồng bank details: No

Wise Account

The Wise Account is another great option for paying in Vietnamese đồng. It gives you the lowest possible currency exchange rates with complete transparency and no hidden fees. It also allows you to hold and manage over 50 currencies in one account and provides fast and secure cross-border money transfers at a fraction of the cost of traditional banks.

Trust & Credibility 9.3
Service & Quality 8.9
Fees & Exchange Rates 7.6
Customer Satisfaction 9.6
Card type: VISA debit
Vietnamese đồng balance: Yes

Wise and Revolut are excellent options that are available in many countries around the world. However, depending on where you live, you might have access to better deals still. We go over a few of them below:

United Kingdom

Revolut : Best spending and budgeting app.
Wise : Best for multiple foreign currency balances.

United States

Chime ®: Best all around; no fees for non-USD transactions.
Revolut : Best all-around spending app.
Wise : Best for foreign currency spending and holidays.
KOHO : No foreign transactions fees on Extra or Everything plan.
Wise : Best for foreign currency spending and holidays.

European Union

Revolut : Excellent for spending abroad.
N26 : Best full bank account with low fees (even abroad)
bunq : Best credit card (also a fully-licensed bank).

FAQ About Currency in Vietnam

The best currency to take to Vietnam is the local currency, the Vietnamese đồng. US dollars are also highly exchangeable at local banks and currency exchange offices. However, instead of converting physical banknotes, the cheapest way to pay in Vietnam is to use a multi-currency travel debit card like Revolut or Wise .

Generally, we don't recommend exchanging currency before travelling to Vietnam. Although having some Vietnamese đồng cash on hand can be helpful, we recommend drawing some from an ATM once you've arrived in Vietnam using a prepaid multi-currency card like Revolut to avoid the hidden currency exchange fees.

It depends on the country you're visiting and the expenses you will have. Credit cards are widely accepted in many countries, including Vietnam, and can offer benefits such as rewards points and fraud protection. However, some places may only accept cash, especially in more rural areas. It's a good idea to have both cash and credit cards on hand and to research the best way to access your money while travelling.

The best way to avoid currency exchange fees when travelling to Vietnam is to pay using a multi-currency travel debit card like Revolut or Wise . This way, you can make low-cost conversions to the Vietnamese đồng every time you tap your card or withdraw cash. Other excellent debit cards that don't charge conversion fees include Revolut in the UK and Chime in the US.

Take a Look at These Related Guides

The Best Prepaid VISA Cards For International Use

Travelling to Another Country Too?

Take a look at the best currencies to take to other countries:

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Exchanging Money in Vietnam: The Ultimate Guide

Exchanging currency in Vietnam can be confusing. After all, the exchange rate is around 24,600 Vietnamese Dong to a single US dollar. That conversion figure is already pretty staggering, and it’s rising all the time.

Those traveling to Vietnam really have no choice but to exchange money, though, because every part of Vietnam is still a cash-based economy. Only large businesses like hotels and grocery stores take cards, and it’s best to carry some cash around with you at all times.

Because cash is so important in Vietnam but obtaining and managing it can be tough, we’ve put together this guide. In it, we’ll look at how you can exchange your foreign currency for Vietnamese Dong in a safe, organized way and go over some other things you should know about Vietnam currency before your trip.

Vietnamese dong overview (with denominations table).

To the comic delight of many travelers, the official currency of Vietnam is known as the Vietnamese Dong, abbreviated as VND. The currency comes in nine denominations, each of them a bill of a different denomination. Since the denominations are all in thousands, the zeros are denoted by the letter “k” in everyday use — for example, a 10,000 VND bill would usually be referred to as a 10k.

The lower bills (1k-5k) are made from cotton paper and the newer bills of larger denomination (10k-500k) are made from polymer. The polymer bills are waterproof, so you can dry your money if it falls in water or goes through the wash and it will be good as new! If your paper notes go through the washer, RIP.

The table below shows the nine denominations, along with the USD value of each one (as of March 2024), and the color of that denomination’s bill.

Vietnamese Dong Exchange Rate by Country

When you’re exchanging currency, you’ll obviously want to make sure you get a good rate. To do so, we recommend comparing the official exchange rate shown for your currency in the table below to the exchange rate at the money exchange location you go to in order to make sure the figures are similar.

Where to Exchange Money in Vietnam

We’ll look at our top picks for specific money exchange locations below, but first let’s talk about the different types of places to exchange money in Vietnam.

Airport Exchange Booths

Vietnam is home to many international airports — the major ones are Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang International Airport in, you guessed it, Da Nang. Both the arrival and departure terminals of each one are packed with currency exchanges, so you can exchange your home currency for VND as soon as you arrive or exchange your VND for your home currency right before you leave.

Airport currency booths are convenient and work quickly but generally offer worse rates than any exchange you’ll find in the city center. If possible, you should refrain from exchanging any money at the airport. If you must, though, just exchange a little bit and exchange the bulk of your money at an exchange with a more favorable rate.

Travel Agencies

Travel agencies usually have the same pros and cons as the airport when it comes to exchanging to and from Vietnamese currency. That is, they’re convenient and are always staffed with fluent English-speakers. They’re also quick and convenient. On the other hand, they usually offer pretty poor exchange rates in comparison to the next two options.

Vietnamese cities are full of big banks, from 100% domestic banks like Sacombank, Techombank, and SBV (State Bank of Vietnam) to banks that will be familiar to tourists like Citibank and HSBC. You’ll probably never be more than a few blocks from a bank branch if you’re in a big city, so they’re very convenient. And each of them offers currency exchange.

The main upside of exchanging money at a bank is that it is secure. You don’t run any risk of being scammed or receiving counterfeit bills.

Unfortunately, there are several downsides to exchanging money at a bank. The first is the hassle it may present. You’ll have to go to the bank during opening hours, wait for your turn to see a teller, present your passport, and wait for the bank to process the exchange before receiving your money. The exchange rate at banks is better than at the airport, although not as good as at most gold shops.

Gold and Jewelry Shops

The city centers of large Vietnamese cities are littered with gold and jewelry shops, and almost all of them serve as Vietnam currency exchange booths as well.

These shops often offer the best exchange rate since they have less overhead. They are also quicker and less of a hassle than exchanging at banks, which makes them the top choice for most travelers.

That being said, exchanging money in Vietnam at jewelry shops is not 100% safe like it is at banks. The shops are supposed to be licensed in order to offer currency exchange, but some are not; some unreputable ones have been known to distribute counterfeit money or even perpetrate scams by short-changing tourists. These situations are extremely rare, but they do exist and travelers should stay safe by only going to jewelry shops that look legit; well-kept shops with lots of customers are usually the best bet. Also, you should avoid risk and go with a bank instead if you are exchanging a huge amount of cash ($5000 and up) at one time.

Where to Exchange Money in Hanoi

Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport is packed with booths at which to exchange money, and its city center is full of banks and travel agents to do the same thing. The table below lists just a few of the best gold shops and banks to exchange to or from your country’s currency in Hanoi at good rates.

Where to Exchange Money in Ho Chi Hinh City

Tan Son Nhat International Airport has a lot of currency exchange booths, but you’ll find a better rate at money exchange locations near the city center. Some of the best places to exchange cash are specified in the table below.

Where to Exchange Money in Da Nang

Da Nang International Airport and the city center both have lots of opportunities to exchange currency. The table below highlights some of the best locations to check out for exchanging money in Da Nang.

Where to Exchange Money in Hoi An

You’ll probably be flying into Da Nang’s airport if you’re going to Hoi An and you can exchange your money there, but you’ll get a better rate if you wait and exchange the bulk of your cash at one of the locations in the table below.

Using ATMs in Vietnam

ATMs are widely available in large towns or cities in Vietnam, and withdrawing money from them is a great alternative to money exchange because they’ll dispense Vietnamese Dong even if your bank balance is normally displayed in your home country’s currency. Most Vietnamese ATMs take all Visa cards and Mastercard.

Be aware, though, that the foreign transaction fees at Vietnamese ATMs can be high. They don’t charge the exorbitant fees that ATMs in some countries do, but be prepared to pay around 100k extra at most ATMs just to use your non-Vietnamese bank card. There are a few foreign banks (e.g. Charles Schwab Bank in the US) that refund all ATM fees including foreign transaction fees, but most banks do not. Also know that most Vietnamese ATMs only allow you to take out 2 million or 3 million VND per transaction and you’ll have to pay the transaction fee for each time you withdraw money.

There are generally very few, if any, ATMs in small towns or villages in Vietnam. Even if there are a few, they may be out of order. So we recommend you take care of all your currency needs before traveling out of a big city.

Pro Tip: When an ATM asks if you want to accept a conversion as you withdraw money, decline the conversion! The “conversion” is just a way to shave money off the amount dispensed.

Pro Tip 2: Remember to phone your bank and put a travel notice on your account so your transactions are not blocked when you are withdrawing money at a Vietnamese ATM.

Using Credit or Debit Card in Vietnam

Most large establishments in Vietnam accept Visa and Mastercard. You can generally use a card at:

Indoor Restaurants and Cafes (as a rule of thumb, if a restaurant or cafe has AC, they usually accept cards)
Supermarkets
Convenience Stores (e.g. Circle K, Family Mart, Mini Stop, GS25, 7-11, etc.)

You can also use your card for almost all online payments.

You never know for sure which businesses will accept cards or which businesses’ card readers will be broken. For that reason, you should always carry at least a little bit of Vietnamese Dong with you at all times.

Tips for Avoiding Scams

To avoid scams when exchanging money, you should keep a few tips in mind.

Use your own calculator — When calculating how much Vietnam currency to give you during a cash exchange, the agent will enter in the amount of currency you hand over in a calculator and multiply by that currency’s exchange rate. They’ll then show you the result so you know how much VND you’re entitled to. Some unscrupulous exchanges trick tourists by using calculators modified to show a lower total, though. So you should do your own currency conversion by using the calculator on your phone, just in case.
Go to crowded money exchanges — As we mentioned before, a crowded exchange is generally a reputable exchange. So, unless you’re going to one of the exchanges in one of the tables from the previous sections, you should make sure to stick to exchanges that already have at least a few customers in them.
Use ATMs sparingly — Vietnamese ATMs charge foreign transaction fees or currency exchange rates when you use a foreign credit or debit card. What’s more, you may have to make a few withdrawals to take out the amount of money you need, since the ATMs in Vietnam only dispense a maximum of 100 USD or so most of the time. For that reason, you shouldn’t use an ATM to withdraw all the money you use on your Vietnam trip.
Don’t use taxis — For whatever reason, Vietnamese taxis are an absolute hotbed for scams, even in 2024. We’d highly recommend you instead use a ride-hailing app like Grab, Gojek, Be, or Xanh SM. You can even electronically connect your credit card to the apps, though you’ll have to set that up beforehand and many tourists report issues with setting up electronic payment from within Vietnam.

Wrapping Up

Vietnam’s economy is about as capitalist as they come, and having cash money in Vietnam is virtually guaranteed to make your vacation there run smoothly. That’s why it’s essential you understand the Vietnamese Dong, know how and where to exchange your home currency for it, and know where you can use it. We hope this guide gave you all the info you need to call yourself a true Dongmaster.

For other resources you can use to do your research before your Vietnam vacation, check out:

Vietnam visa overview
A guide on flights to Vietnam

Related FAQs

As of March 2024, $1 is equal to 24,642 Vietnamese Dong.

Yes, $100 goes a long way in Vietnam. $100 is more than enough to pay for dinner, drinks, and a show for an entire family of 4 in most places.

Vietnamese Dong, abbreviated as VND, is the only currency widely accepted in most places in Vietnam.

Yes. Vietnam is not a tipping culture so tips are generally not expected, but a tip of 100 to 200 thousand Vietnamese Dong is always appreciated for above-and-beyond service.

You can find local street food meals for as little as 25 or 30 thousand Vietnamese Dong. Restaurant meals generally range from 70 to 200 thousand VND.

Written by Dustin Kemp

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Money in Vietnam: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange

This is for all travelers to Vietnam who want to know how to handle money and payments in the country of the Dong.

I will tell you all about withdrawing from an ATM, exchanging currency, and paying by card.

Do you want to know which ATMs don’t charge an access fee? TPbank and VPbank!

Do you wonder if you can use Revolut and Wise in Vietnam? Yes, no problems at all!

This is the full guide to money in Vietnam for tourists!

Currency in Vietnam

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese đồng with code VND.

First things first – don’t laugh at the name! It’s the name for the copper material of the coins in Vietnam’s ancient past . In modern times it just means money, plain and simple, really nothing phallic about it.

It’s one of those currencies with a lot of zeroes. Rampant inflation after 1985 resulted in one of the weakest currencies (unit for unit) in the world to this day. And the proliferation of the joke that everybody is a millionaire in Vietnam.

2 banknotes of 500.000 Vietnamese dong each

There are no coins in Vietnam anymore.

The banknote denominations are 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, 100.000, 200.000, and 500.000.

All banknotes 10.000 and over are now made of polymer making them very durable ( unlike money in Laos where you also have to carry lots around and they get ruined pretty quickly being of cotton ).

The biggest banknote of 500.000 VND (~21$) means you don’t have to carry a thick lump of money like with the Indonesian Rupiah .

Can you use your card in Vietnam?

Yes, you can use your foreign card to pay for some things in Vietnam.

Foreign card payments are not that common though. It’s only true in cities and popular tourist hotspots. Bigger hotels, bigger supermarkets, and most tour operators will accept payment by card.

However, most will charge a 2% to 4% commission.

Smaller supermarkets, traditional open-air markets, family-run guesthouses, etc. of course, only accept cash. Imagine going to a floating market on the Mekong Delta and trying to pay by card, ain’t happening mate!

3 debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) from Monese, Revolut and Curve

All kinds of cards are accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and American Express.

ATMs in Vietnam

ATMs are everywhere in the cities of Vietnam. You won’t have to walk more than a few meters to find an ATM.

In more remote locations like Ha Giang region in the far north or rural villages around Sapa finding an ATM may prove to be an impossible task.

Visas and Mastercards will always be accepted by ATMs. For Maestro and AMEX you may have to try a few ATMs before you find one that accepts your card.

The maximum withdrawal amount on ATMs is between 2 and 5 million VND. The maximum is at TPbank at 5 million.

Withdrawal Fees

Here comes the tricky part – avoiding those pesky ATM withdrawal fees. I’m not talking about the fees you get charged by your bank – those you can avoid by using a FinTech solution like Revolut, Curve, or Monese .

Most ATMs in Vietnam charge a withdrawal fee between 20.000 and 50.000 VND (0.8-2$).

ATMs without withdrawal fees

Only TPbank and VPbank ATMs offer free withdrawals in Vietnam.

Although most ATMs will tell you if there’s an access fee, some in Vietnam don’t. You will only realize you paid a 50.000 VND fee when you check your bank statement. Urghh!

The best ATMs in Vietnam for foreigners are TPbank and VPbank because you can withdraw money without a fee. Guaranteed, tried and tested! Feel free to send me an angry message if they charge you a withdrawal fee!

And yes, I did try most of the other different banks, including Agribank, Vietinbank, Vietcombank, BIDV, Shinhan Bank, HSBC, and more that I don’t remember the names of. They all charge an access fee.

Some travelers report that Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) also doesn’t charge a fee. I haven’t tried it myself. If you have, let me know in the comments below.

You can find TPbank ATMs on Google Maps. They’re not the most common but there are at least 1-2 in every city ( and more in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City ).

TPbank is easily recognizable by its vivid purple colors.

VPbank on the other hand has its branding in green and red.

Exchanging Money in Vietnam

You don’t have to exchange money in Vietnam if you have a card with low fees like Revolut. It will probably turn out to be more expensive to exchange cash than to withdraw from an ATM due to the exchange rate margins.

But I understand if you carry cash when traveling and exchange it for the local currency. It’s normal and safe. So here’s how to be prepared about exchanging money in Vietnam.

What currency to bring

As with almost anywhere in the world, the US dollar is the best foreign currency to carry to Vietnam.

You will have no issues exchanging these currencies too:

British Pound;
Japanese Yen;
Chinese Yuan;
Swiss Franc;
Australian Dollar;
New Zealand Dollar;
Canadian Dollar;
Singaporean Dollar;
Malaysian Ringgit;

If your currency is not on the list it’s better to change your money to something more widely accepted.

I once tried to exchange 20 euros in Vietinbank where they told me they only change US dollars. But the bank next door, Agribank gladly accepted the euros and exchanged them in a few minutes.

The Gold Shops in popular tourist hotspots accept all sorts of currency and are unlikely to turn you around.

Where to Exchange Money

Vietnam is a popular travel destination and exchanging money is common, widespread, and standard.

You can exchange at:

Banks ( Takes a few minutes. Bring your passport! )
Exchange bureaus in a city ( Best rates )
Gold and Jewelry stores ( Most double down as exchange bureaus, thus their rates are good )
Airports ( worst rates )
Hotels ( just okay )
Tour Agencies ( bad rates considering there’s usually a bureau or a gold shop nearby )
Dodgy guy at the market ( you’re setting yourself up to be scammed )

Tips for Changing Money in Vietnam

Most of these are common sense and not any different from other countries. Here are my top tips:

Higher denominations = higher rates. For USD, 50 and 100 yield a slightly better rate.
Damaged banknotes = lower rates + fee ( if accepted at all );
Don’t accept foreign banknotes with ANY damage ( if changing Dong back to USD for example );

Pro Tips and Common Scams

Scams are one of the reasons I don’t like Vietnam . I don’t get scammed easily but even so, it takes energy and mental fortitude to avoid all the ways in which you can overpay unfairly.

I’ve compiled some smart tips from my travels to Vietnam and fellow travelers’ confessions to give you a heads-up.

Polymer STICKS when even a little wet. Count your banknotes slowly and twice!
Never take any banknotes with tears or holes.
Check banknotes against light ( use your smartphone flashlight in the dark ) to confirm they are not forgeries. Fake banknotes are rare in Vietnam but they do exist.
Be careful with the so-called “Spirit Money”. These are fake banknotes made of poor-quality paper, for burning and Buddhist ceremonies. They vaguely resemble real USD or VND banknotes but fail to close up scrutiny easily. Nonetheless, in the dark, some not-so-kind individuals may try their luck with you.
Mentally ignore the last 3 zeroes to make calculations easier. 50.000 is just 50k, 20.000 is 20k.
Know the multiple of your currency. Say you use US dollars and 10.000 VND is 0.4$. Your multiple is 4. If something costs 40.000 VND, ignore the zeroes, multiply by 4 and you have 16, i.e. 1.6$; Quick maths: 230k VND? -> 2.3*4 =9.2 USD.
10k, 50k, and 200k are in a similar shade. Be careful!
20k and 500k are also in a similar shade. Be very careful with these two!
The most common scam is when you pay with 500k, the payee then secretly switches it to 20k and pretends he only received 20k. Taxi drivers are known to do this. They start being aggressive, it can get ugly quickly. Change 500k notes to smaller ones at reputable establishments!

How much cash to bring to Vietnam?

This depends on your way of traveling and your budget. Using your card in Vietnam is pretty easy so there’s no need to go overboard with physical cash.

My advice is to have at least 200$ just in case something goes wrong with your bank cards and you need emergency cash until you sort it out.

When I went to Vietnam I had exactly that much stashed away but since I exclusively used my Revolut and Curve cards , I’ve only ever changed 20 euros once.

On the other hand, if you’re wondering how much money you need to travel to Vietnam, you can check out my backpacker’s budget report for Vietnam .

Example prices

These are actual price ranges from 2024. Inflation isn’t very high right now, so they should remain stable. ( Note: 10.000 = 10k, all prices in VND )

Coffee with milk: 10 – 25k;
Pho soup: 35 – 50k;
Banh Mi sandwich: 6 – 25k;
Passionfruit cooler: 15 – 25k;
Can of beer (supermarket): 8 – 20k;
Can of beer (street bar): 15 – 40k;
Museums: 20 – 50k;
Public bus ticket in HCMC or Hanoi: 6 – 10k;
1-hour full-body massage: 200-400k;
Budget hostel : 30 – 220k ( usually breakfast included );
Mid-range hotels – 300 – 800k;
Half-day group tour – 500k – 1 million;
Overland bus travel – ~50k per hour of travel

See my budget report for Vietnam for more details.

Bargaining is an inseparable part of shopping in Vietnam.

In the eyes of locals, any foreigner is rich. Thus, the first price you will hear will be at least x3 what the locals pay.

It’s not uncommon to get a price 10 times higher than the actual!

As a foreigner, you will never get the locals’ price. But if you bargain playfully and politely, you can easily get at least a 50% discount most of the time.

Always assume you are getting the “tourist price” and ask for discounts. When I say always, I mean it – you can bargain for bus tickets, food, clothes, a coconut on the street, etc. You will be overcharged if you don’t bargain.

Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam.

It’s not expected and it’s not common. Vietnamese people rarely tip.

And considering that you’re paying the tourist price already, one could assume that the tip is automatically included.

If you encounter genuinely friendly staff, exceptional service, and are overall happy with the way you were treated/pampered, do tip. It will bring smiles and good fortunes your way!

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s answer some of your most burning questions about money in Vietnam.

What is the ATM withdrawal limit in Vietnam?

The maximum withdrawal limit is 5 million VND (~195$) at TPbank ATMs.

TPbank doesn’t charge a withdrawal fee, so you can withdraw twice, thrice, or more in a row. There is no daily limit but you may have one set by your bank.

Can you use US dollars in Vietnam?

You can use US dollars to pay for SOME things in Vietnam.

For example, tours are usually advertised in dollars and payable in dollars too.

For most daily transactions though, only Vietnamese Dong is accepted.

Can you use Revolut in Vietnam?

Yes, Revolut cards work in Vietnam. Both VISA and Mastercard work. You can withdraw from ATMs and pay on POS terminals with your Revolut card.

Similar fintech apps like Wise, Monese, Curve, N26, and Starling also work there.

If you are going to other Southeast Asian countries, you may want to read my money guides for them too:

Tourist Guide to Money in Laos
Tourist Guide to Money in Cambodia
Tourist Guide to Money in Thailand
Tourist Guide to Money in Malaysia
Tourist Guide to Money in Timor Leste
Tourist Guide to Money in Indonesia

Thanks for this recap! What kind of shopping apply to bargaining? Can this be applied to transportation or even fooding?

Transportation – only for unmetered taxis, private transfers and when they’re trying to make you pay for luggage. Otherwise the prices are set and there’s no haggling. Food – mostly no, but sometimes yes. Just use your judgement – if the price is too high, especially if you aren’t in an overly touristy place, ask for a discount 🙂 In Vietnam, almost everything is subject to bargaining. But then again, don’t push it too far.

Currently in Tam Coc. Plenty of businesses have hand held atm machines or there is BIDV booth. All charge 4%! There is another outside Hidden Charm hotel that is not working. My advice, bring plenty of dong or try Ninh Binh.

Good advice, Anne! There is a TPbank ATM in Ninh Binh for sure, it charges 0 for withdrawals.

2 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Vietnam can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Vietnamese dong. You'll be able to easily top up your card in GBP before you leave the UK, to convert seamlessly to VND for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks of the best travel cards available for anyone from the UK heading to Vietnam, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

2 best travel money cards for Vietnam:

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Vietnam. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in GBP easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Vietnam or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

With the Wise money card you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you spend in VND, plus some free ATM withdrawals every month - perfect if you’re looking for easy ways to arrange your travel cash.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
Spend seamlessly in VND when you travel
Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
Manage your account and card from your phone
7 GBP delivery fee for your first card
ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
Physical cards may take 2 - 6 days to arrive (you can use your virtual card right away)

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise travel card in the UK:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 7 GBP fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 2 - 6 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Vietnam, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 30+ currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
Hold and exchange 30+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave the UK and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your British Pound everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

Travel debit cards
Travel prepaid cards
Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Vietnam or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel debit and prepaid cards are usually linked to an online account, and may come from specialist digital providers - like the Wise card. These cards are usually flexible and cheap to use. You'll be able to manage your account and card through an app, although you can also often add money in person by visiting a branch - we've picked out the Post Office and the Travelex travel card as popular prepaid cards with a branch network in the UK, for example.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday GBP account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Vietnam

We've picked out 2 great travel cards available in the UK - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Vietnam include:

What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in VND can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

What makes a good travel card for Vietnam

The best travel debit card for Vietnam really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Ways to pay in Vietnam

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

Which countries use VND?

You’ll find that VND can only be used in Vietnam. If you don’t travel to Vietnam frequently it’s worth thinking carefully about how much to exchange so you’re not left with extra foreign currency after your trip. Or pick a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut which lets you leave your money in GBP and convert at the point of payment with no penalty.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Vietnam

2. Cash is a widespread payment method - so you’ll need some VND in your pocket when you travel to Vietnam. You can sort out your travel money by visiting an exchange office here in the UK, or you can wait until you arrive and make an ATM withdrawal in VND at the airport when you land. Bear in mind that currency exchange at exchange offices at the airport, either in the UK or in Vietnam can be expensive - so if you’re carrying GBP in cash and need to exchange it, head into a town centre to do so.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave the UK so you have peace of mind. It’s also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don’t offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Vietnam

FAQ - best travel cards for Vietnam

When you use a travel money card you may find there’s an ATM withdrawal fee from your card issuer, and there may also be a cost applied by the ATM operator. Some of our travel cards - like Wise - have some no fee ATM withdrawals every month, which can help keep down costs.

Yes. Most travel debit cards have options to make ATM withdrawals. Check the fees that apply as card charges do vary a lot. Some cards have local and international fees on all withdrawals, while others let you make some no fee withdrawals monthly before a fee kicks in.

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Vietnam.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their GBP / VND rate to calculate how much Vietnamese dong you would receive when exchanging / spending £3,000 GBP. The card provider offering the most VND is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

Send international money transfer

More travel card guides.

Money Suggestions for Travelers in Vietnam

How to Change, Spend, and Save Money

Tourists visiting Vietnam love to joke about walking away from the moneychangers as “instant millionaires.”

The Vietnamese dong (VND), Vietnam’s official currency, come in polymerized and cotton notes with multiple zeroes: VND 10,000 is the smallest polymer bill you'll find on the street these days, however, there are still cotton 1000, 2000, and 5,000 bills in circulation. The highest banknote that you'll find is the VND 500,000 bill.

At the present exchange rate (between 20,000-21,000 VND per US dollar), changing a fifty-buck note gets you 1.172 million dong. Ka- ching .

Getting a grip on all those zeroes can be challenging for the first-time visitor to Vietnam. With a little time and practice, buying and spending Vietnamese dong becomes second nature to the Vietnam visitor.

Currency Converter: USD to VND - XE.com

Where to Change Your Money

Major currencies can be exchanged practically anywhere in Vietnam, but not all exchange facilities are created equal. Banks and airport moneychangers can change your money at a high cost relative to a jewelry shop in Hanoi's Old Quarter , so it pays to ask around before trading dollars for dong.

Banks. The government-run Vietcombank can exchange dong for US dollars, Euros, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Thai Baht, and Singapore dollars . Banks in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will let you change foreign currencies and most travelers' checks. You'll be charged a commission rate of between 0.5 to 2 percent for the latter.

Always bring new notes; any damaged or dirty notes will be charged an additional two percent of the note's face value.

Hotels. Your mileage may vary with hotels: larger hotels can offer rates competitive with banks', but smaller hotels (like those in the Old Quarter of Hanoi or those near some of Vietnam's top beaches ) may tack on an additional fee for the service.

Gold and jewelry shops. The rates in these mom and pop establishments can be surprisingly fair, with no fees (unlike those in hotels and airport bureaux de change). Shops in Hanoi's Old Quarter—particularly Hang Bo and Ha Trung streets—offer better deals, as do gold and jewelry shops in Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyen An Ninh Street (near Ben Thanh Market).

Finding and Using ATMs

You're certain to find an ATM to withdraw from in any of Vietnam's major cities, but smaller towns have also begun to bring their A-game. That's not guaranteed, though, so it still makes more sense to withdraw in the cities before making your way out to the boondocks of, say, Mai Chau .

Are ATMs better than changing dollars at the airport? It really depends who you ask.

If you're spending more than a few days in Vietnam , changing all your money to Vietnam dong increases the risk of theft: one robbery and you'll be broke till the end of your trip.

Some will say that the peace of mind that comes with just withdrawing every couple of days from an ATM is worth the withdrawal fees charged.

Fees and charges vary: ATMs near backpacker districts like Pham Ngu Lao in Saigon reportedly charge an extortionate rate of three percent on top of your usual bank charges. More reasonable fees may hover down to about 1-1.5 percent per transaction.

Banks allow a maximum withdrawal of between VND two million to VND ten million, dispensing 50k- and 100k-dong notes. As millions of dong can add up to a thick wad of cash, be careful when withdrawing large amounts from an ATM.

Using Credit Cards

Cash rules in Vietnam, though credit cards are accepted in many restaurants, hotels, and shops in Vietnam's big cities. Visa, Master Card, JBC and American Express are the most common credit cards honored in Vietnam.

You can use ATMs to get cash advances on your credit cards; in a pinch, you can visit Vietcombank to get an advance over the counter.

For credit card transactions, you may be charged an addition 3-4 percent per transaction.

Can US Dollars Be Used?

Not very often. Shops that used to accept payment in dollars are now obliged to ask for payment in the local currency only. You're better off exchanging your money at banks or other authorized currency exchange centers .

Besides, paying in Vietnamese dong gets you better value than paying in dollars. Better to spend day-to-day using VND, while keeping a stash of dollars around for emergency purposes only.

Do You Need to Tip in Vietnam?

Not really. Major hotels and restaurants in Vietnam add a 5% service charge to bills, so you can choose not to tip at these places. Elsewhere, small tips are always a good thing. Waiters, hired drivers, and guides should be tipped.

Follow the guidelines below for calculating tips:

Restaurants and bars: Many restaurants don't require tipping, as a 10% service charge is already tacked onto your bill.
Porters: A tip with American coins will be greatly appreciated.
Hotel Services: Government-run hotels will add a 10% service charge on your bill.
Taxi: Tips aren't necessary, but a small gratuity will be greatly appreciated.

When to Haggle

There’s one golden rule to shopping in Vietnam: bargain, and bargain hard .

“Fixed prices” at most tourist shops aren’t really fixed at all; the listed prices are about 300% higher than the last price you can pay if you dicker long enough. Bargaining is an exacting discipline, and quite exasperating for the novice traveler who’s not used to the grueling back and forth.

And Vietnamese sellers aren't exactly the most cheerful bargainers. In areas with high tourist traffic, sellers sometimes refuse any attempts at bargaining down, knowing that there will always be another tourist willing to pay the prices they quote.

So, in Ho Chi Minh City, sellers at Ben Thanh Market (high tourist traffic) will gouge you hard, while their counterparts at Russian Market (low to middling tourist traffic) will give you some leeway.

It all boils down to: you're a tourist, pay tourist prices. The only effective way of avoiding the “foreigner tax” is to get a Vietnamese friend to haggle on your behalf.

How Much to Budget Per Day

Your $100 can go a long way in Vietnam . Budget travelers can expect to spend up to $25 a day on food and lodging. Middle-budget spenders can enjoy good restaurant food, hire cabs, and stay comfortably in good hotels for about $35-65 a day.

To keep costs down, eat street food for every meal; it's not just good money sense, it's an experience you shouldn't miss when in Vietnam. Street food in Hanoi is exquisite , worthy of Presidents and international TV hosts , at a surprisingly low cost.

Domestic air travel has become significantly cheaper, with the advent of VietJetAir ( Vietnam's only budget airline ) competing with full-service airlines like Vietnam Airlines and the “Reunification Express” train service .

More Vietnam Money Tips

Don't mistake one bill for another. As if the multiple zeroes aren't confusing enough, some VND denominations can look very similar to the untrained eye. Many tourists have overpaid with VND 100,000 bills, mistaking them for the similarly greenish VND 10,000.

Warning: polymer notes stick. The 2003-issue Vietnam dong are made of long-lasting polymer, not paper: and these plastic notes can stick together, presenting another risk you'll overpay for your goods. Flick or peel your notes carefully when paying for a purchase.

Avoid paying in high-denomination bills. Very few vendors will willingly change your VND 500,000, so make sure you're carrying smaller bills when going shopping.

Don’t change your currencies on the black market . The legal exchange rate beats black market rates any time; claims of better rates are probably just the lead-up to a scam.

Pay the proper respect, literally. When visiting a pagoda , leave a small donation just before you leave.

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Currency information

Welcome to vietnam.

Good Morning, Vietnam! Succulent noodle soups to slurp, rolling rice fields to find, and a winding history to uncover. There’s no limit to what you can do here, with caves to kayak and motorbikes to cruise – the Vietnam world is your oyster. And did we mention the incredible food? Pass the rice paper rolls!

3.5/5 stars – You shouldn’t have any problem finding an ATM, as they will be in airports, banks and attached to bars, restaurants and stores. Try find ones with low or no withdrawal fees.

Not the norm, but tip for excellent service with cash.

Phone and Internet access

Pre-paid mobiles are super cheap and hotspots are everywhere

Your daily expenses won’t add up to too much, leaving you more dong for activities and shopping.

Coffee: AU$2.30 (regular cappuccino) Water: AU$0.40 (330mL bottle) Beer: AU$1.15 (500mL domestic beer) Food: AU$1.50 (bowl of Pho) Taxi: AU$10 (Airport – District 1) Big Mac: AU$3.45 (what a deal!)

Daily budget

Budget: Around AU$80/day (2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks, a cyclo ride and the Cu Chi Tunnels tour) Moderate: Around AU$150/day (2x restaurant meals, supermarket snacks and a bike tour in De Lat) Luxury: Around AU$200/day (2x restaurant meals, supermarket snacks and kayaking on Halong Bay)

Safety rating

4 stars - Vietnam is pretty safe for a traveller, but you’ll need to keep your eye out for scammers. Be careful on those roads though – the driving isn’t quite as ordered as it is back home.

Travel Money Trivia

Token Snacks Before coins were introduced in 2003, banknotes were exchanged for tokens to use vending machines. Cash capacity If arriving or departing with more than VND 15,000,000 or US$5,000, you’ll need to declare it Cashew crazy Vietnam produces and exports the largest amount of cashew nuts in the world. Separate beginnings The dong first came to North Vietnam in 1946, but not until 1975 in South Vietnam The ol’ switch-aroo The cotton banknotes were replaced by polymer notes in 2003, to reduce printing costs.

Let's talk money

To see, do and eat to your heart’s content, don’t skimp on the dong. The US dollar can be accepted in Vietnam, though you’re more likely to be overcharged. If you’re planning on purchasing plenty of street food and market goods, come well stocked with cash.

Coins aren’t often accepted in retail
Pick trusted, well-known taxi companies
Be alert when paying with card
Market shopping is a bargain
Feel free to haggle at shops
Keep costs low by eating street food – whole meals cost just $1!

Son Doong Cave Discover the largest cave in the world, first explored only in 2009. Quad biking in Mui Nei Rolling sand dunes to zoom across on your own quad bike? Yes please! Halong Bay Cruise or kayak across the stunning seascape that is Halong Bay. Son Doong Cave Discover the largest cave in the world, first explored only in 2009. Cu Chi Tunnels The huge network of underground tunnels that were used during the Vietnam War are a must-see. Vietnamese cooking class Learn how to make authentic Vietnamese dishes to bring a piece of this stunning culture home

Why Travel Money

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Institutional
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Help & support

Travel Money Card

Lock in exchange rates and load up to 13 currencies on one account to easily access your money while you’re travelling.

Features & benefits

$0 card issue fee.

Order a Travel Money Card for free in branch or online (search 'Travel Money Card' in the CommBank app or log into NetBank ).

Lock in exchange rates

Load up to 13 currencies on one card before your trip, so you know how much you have to spend, no matter how the Australian Dollar moves.

Spend anywhere in the world

Shop online, in-store, or over the phone wherever Visa is accepted, plus get access to Visa ® travel offers .

Easily manage your travel budget

Manage your holiday money and track your spending via the CommBank app or NetBank.

Your purchases, covered

Lost or stolen personal belongings? We may be able to cover the cost to repair or replace them up to 90 days after purchase. 2

Extra card security

Lost, misplaced or stolen card? Lock it and report it in the CommBank app or NetBank.

Currency converter

Exchange rates

Load up to 13 currencies on one account

Lock in exchange rates and load up to 13 currencies easily on one account – wherever you are in the world – through NetBank or the CommBank app:

United States Dollars (USD)
Euros (EUR)
Great British pounds (GBP)
Australian Dollars (AUD)
Japanese Yen (JPY)
New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
Canadian Dollars (CAD)
Singapore Dollars (SGD)
Thai Baht (THB)
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Chinese Renminbi (CNY)
Emirati Dirham (AED)

No load or reload fees

You can load up to 13 currencies on your Travel Money Card with no load or reload fees. The exchange rate is the CommBank Retail Foreign Exchange Rate at the time of the conversion.

When you’re ready to pay for something, we will always try to complete the transaction for the country you are in. Make sure you have enough of the correct currency for the country you’re in on your card to avoid additional fees. If you don’t have enough of the local currency, we’ll use the next available currency instead, so long as there’s enough of it loaded on your card.

If you load multiple currencies on your Travel Money Card, you can change the order (the next available currency) anytime online.

Rates & fees

See all fees and charges

Who can apply

To get your Travel Money Card, you’ll need to:

Be at least 14 years old;
Be registered to use NetBank, or register online New to CommBank? Sign up to NetBank at your nearest branch ;
Provide a valid email address; and
Have an Australian residential address

How to apply

Before your trip.

Order a Travel Money Card in the CommBank app (search 'Travel Money Card'), NetBank , or at your nearest branch .
Load at least AUD 50 or the foreign currency equivalent to get started
Once you’ve got your card, activate and set your PIN online in NetBank, or under Cards in the CommBank app
Lock-in the exchange rate by loading currency on your card in NetBank or the CommBank app

How it works

During your trip.

The local currency will be automatically applied when you pay for something, as long as it’s loaded on your card and you have sufficient funds
Reload in real time , fee-free if your balance gets low
Stick to daily transaction limits
The maximum value of purchases per day is unlimited, however no more than your available balance
The maximum amount you can withdraw from ATMs per day is AUD 2,500 or the foreign currency equivalent. Keep in mind most ATM operators have a limit on how much you can withdraw from an ATM per transaction
The maximum amount for over-the-counter withdrawals per day is AUD 2,500 or the foreign currency equivalent.

When you’re home

Got leftover currency? Exchange it for another currency or back into your CommBank account from NetBank or the CommBank app
Top up your Travel Money Card (it’s valid for 4 years) in preparation for your next trip
Donate your foreign (and local) currency to any CommBank or Bankwest branch and every cent will go to UNICEF
How to manage your Travel Money Card

You’ve got your new card – here’s how to get the most out of it.

Find detailed info on getting started, loading and reloading currencies, setting a currency order, checking your balance and tracking your spend. Plus, info on Purchase Security Insurance Cover and access to Visa ® travel offers .

Manage your Travel Money Card

Need foreign cash? Have it ready before you travel

If you’re a CommBank customer, you can buy or sell up to 9 foreign currencies at selected CommBank branches in exchange for Australian Dollars.

You can also order foreign cash in over 30 currencies online – even if you’re not a CommBank customer.

Discover Foreign Cash

Planning an overseas trip?

Discover travel tips to help make the most of your European summer holiday.

See travel tips

Emergency support & tools

What to do if you’ve lost your card or it’s stolen.

If you’ve lost your Travel Money Card, or you think it might’ve been stolen, we can have an emergency replacement card sent to you anywhere in the world.

You may also be eligible for an Emergency Cash Advance, giving you access to cash within 24-48 hours (often on the same day).

Call us in an emergency on:

1300 660 700 within Australia
+61 2 9999 3283 from overseas (reverse charges accepted).

When calling from overseas using your mobile, standard roaming charges may apply. To avoid roaming charges, call the international operator in the country you’re in from a landline and give them our reverse charges number +61 2 9999 3283.

Tools & calculators

Saving calculator
Budget planner
Managing multiple currencies on your Travel Money Card
Travelling overseas: 10-step money checklist
Beginners guide to exchange rates
Online banking while overseas
Planning an overseas holiday

We can help

Your questions answered

Get in touch

Visit your nearest branch

Things you should know

1 The cash withdrawal fee will not apply to cash withdrawals made in Australia.

2 For more information relating to the complimentary Purchase Security Insurance refer to Travel Money Card Complimentary Insurance Information Booklet (PDF) .

As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should before acting on this advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. The Product Disclosure Statement and Conditions of Use (PDF) issued by Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 for Travel Money Card should be considered before making any decision about this product. View our Financial Services Guide (PDF) .

To raise a dispute related to your Travel Money Card please complete this form for transactions (PDF) or this form for ATM disputes (PDF) .

Any withdrawal or balance enquiry fee will come from the currency for which you are using your card. If this currency is not loaded on your card, the fee will be taken from the first (or sole) currency loaded on your card. Any SMS balance alert fee will come from the first (or sole) currency loaded on your card.

The target market for this product will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available here .

Best credit cards for international travel in 2024

Dec 29, 2023 • 15 min read

Your next great adventure is never far away when you're maximizing points and benefits with the best cards; Mattertal, Switzerland © mbbirdy / Getty

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy .

Advertiser Disclosure: This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Card has been collected independently by Lonely Planet. This card is not available through Lonely Planet.

When traveling abroad, the right credit card can be as crucial as your passport. The best credit card can help you not only earn more rewards, but it can also provide valuable protections and benefits. A credit card can save you money on foreign transaction fees and protect your purchases from fraudulent activity and theft.

Some credit cards can make your travels more comfortable with valuable perks like lounge access, elite status benefits and travel insurance.

For international travel, you’ll want a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and offers bonus points on travel along with travel insurance. We’ve taken the guesswork out of this task for you by rounding up the best credit cards for international travel:

How to get started with travel points and airline miles

The best credit cards for international travel in 2024:

Best overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for luxury travel perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express *
Best for travel insurance: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for tours and activities: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for dining around the world: American Express® Gold Card *
Best for no annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The best credit cards for airline miles

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best overall for international travel in 2024

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent card for international travel because it checks all the boxes regarding benefits you’ll need when traveling abroad. The card provides vital travel protections and earns valuable rewards at a reasonable $95 annual fee. Cardholders earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal and 2 on all other travel purchases. The card also comes with valuable travel insurance, which is vital when traveling abroad.

Cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees, which hover around 3% for purchases abroad on standard credit cards. Whether paying your hotel bill or doing extra shopping, the waived fee can add substantial savings.

Sapphire Preferred cardholders get up to $10,000 per person in trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage (in the U.S. and abroad), up to $100 per day in baggage delay insurance (maximum of five days) and up to $500 in trip delay reimbursement per ticket. These protections can be beneficial in case of travel delays or emergencies. While you may consider buying supplemental travel insurance for certain trips, these credit card protections provide excellent baseline coverage.

Welcome bonus: 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℠.

Rewards: Earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel℠ hotel credit); 3X points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out; 3X points on online grocery purchases; 3X points on select streaming services; 2X points on all other travel; 1X on other purchases.

Travel benefits: Annual $50 Chase Travel℠ hotel credit, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, travel and emergency assistance services.

Credit score required: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $95. See rates and fees .

Generous category bonuses.
Excellent rewards program with a great selection of airline and hotel transfer partners.
$50 annual travel credit.
Extensive travel protections, including primary rental car insurance abroad.
The card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule (meaning you won’t be approved if you’ve opened five credit cards at any bank in the last 24 months).
The $50 annual hotel credit is limited to Chase Travel℠ bookings (and does not earn bonus points).

How to use points and miles to save money on travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for travel perks

No other credit card can compete with The Platinum Card® from American Express regarding travel perks. The card offers over $1,500 in annual statement credits for airline fees, hotel bookings and trusted-traveler programs like CLEAR® Plus and Global Entry . Global Entry is particularly useful for international trips, as it expedites the passport control process.

Cardholders can upgrade to Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status without ever stepping foot in a hotel lobby. These higher status levels can provide added perks like room upgrades and complimentary breakfast, enhancing your hotel experience.

The Platinum Card 's travel protections can provide added peace of mind with trip delay coverage and cancellation/interruption insurance.*

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after $8,000 spent within six months of account opening.

Rewards: Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year); 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel; 1X point on everything else.

Travel benefits: Annual airline fee credit up to $200; annual hotel booking credit up to $200 (Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay); annual Uber Cash up to $200; $20 monthly digital entertainment credit for select streaming services; $155 Walmart+ Credit; $300 annual Equinox statement credit; $50 Saks credit issued semi-annually; $189 CLEAR Plus credit; Hilton and Marriott Gold elite status; elite status with Avis, Hertz and National rental car; trip delay insurance; trip cancellation & interruption insurance.

Credit score required: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $695. See rates and fees .

Wide range of travel credits that offset the annual fee (if you use them).
Earns valuable Membership Rewards points.
Exceptional travel protections.
High annual fee.
Category bonuses are limited to Amex Travel and direct bookings.
The current welcome bonus isn’t the highest to date, and the card is subject to the Amex once-per-lifetime rule.

Best travel credit cards for foodies

Earn 10x rewards on hotel stays with Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is essential when traveling abroad – things always go wrong, and you don’t want to incur added expenses on top of your trip. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides exceptional travel insurance. Depending on your travel habits, you may not even need to buy a policy. Simply charge your travel expenses to the card, and you’ll be covered in case of trip delays, lost luggage and rental car accidents. The card provides emergency medical services and transportation up to $100,000 and trip cancellation/interruption coverage up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. In case of trip delays of six hours or longer, each passenger will be reimbursed up to $500 per ticket for meals and lodging.

If you arrive at your destination and discover your luggage is missing, you’ll get up to $3,000 per passenger to buy essentials. This policy also applies to damaged luggage, including carry-ons.

The Sapphire Reserve ’s auto rental collision damage waiver is one of the best in class. It applies to rentals made abroad and covers up to $75,000 in case of theft or collision damage.

Welcome bonus: 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℠.

Rewards: 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.

Travel benefits: Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, including airfare, hotels and rental cars; get 50% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠; Priority Pass Select membership; application fee credit towards Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS every four years; travel protections including cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and emergency evacuation and transportation.

Credit score: Excellent.

Annual fee: $550 (plus $75 per authorized user). See rates and fees .

Comprehensive travel insurance when you use the Sapphire Card for booking.
Application fee credits for Global Entry, TSA Precheck and NEXUS.
Priority Pass Select membership for access to over 1300 airline lounges worldwide.
The $300 annual travel credit partially offsets the high annual fee.
Approval is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule (ie, you might not qualify for the card if you've signed up for 5 or more credit cards in the last 24 months).
$75 authorized user fee.

10 amazing hotels around the world you can book with points

The overwater bungalows at Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

Capital One Venture Card: Best for international tours and activities

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best card for tours and activities because it offers unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, making it easy to earn rewards quickly. Plus, the miles can be redeemed for any travel-related expense, so you can use them to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more.

Additionally, cardholders get six months of complimentary membership to The Cultivist. This subscription platform typically costs $40 per month and provides free admission to over 60 museums, including the New York Met, Paris Louvre and The Art Institute of Chicago. You can bring up to three guests for free, making the Venture Card a terrific credit card for tours and activities.

With its simple reward structure and no-hassle redemption process, the Capital One Venture Card is an ideal choice for travelers looking to save money on their next tour or activity.

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.

Rewards: 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2X miles on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, Hertz Five Star status, rental car insurance and travel accident insurance, Capital One Dining access; complimentary six-month membership to The Cultivist.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $95.

$100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees every four years.
Generous lounge benefit for a $95 annual fee card.
Simple rewards structure with multiple international airline transfer partners.
Limited lounge network compared to other credit cards.

Should you book travel with cash or points?

American Express Gold Card: Best for dining around the world

Dining is one of the most significant expenses when you’re traveling abroad. The American Express Gold Card is the best card to pack in your wallet, earning 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants. The card also earns 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel so that you can maximize every dollar spent on vacation.

The Amex Gold Card also offers up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash and another $10 towards Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Granted, you may not find many Cheesecake Factories abroad, but it’s a nice bonus that could come in handy during domestic travels. The card qualifies for Amex Offers, a rotating list of discounts at popular retailers, restaurants and hotels. You can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of dining deals through this portal.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 within the first six months of account opening.

Rewards: Earn 4X points at restaurants; 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases and then 1x after); 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel; 1X points on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Receive up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash (valid for rides or Uber Eats orders); up to $10 in monthly dining credit at Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations; secondary rental car coverage*; baggage insurance plan; Global Assist hotline; access to experience credits and travel perks through The Hotel Collection.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $250. See rates and fees .

High earnings on popular travel spending categories.
Up to $240 in annual dining credits.
Amex Offers provides additional savings on travel.
Includes valuable travel protections.
The current welcome bonus isn’t the highest to date.
The card is subject to American Express’s once-per-lifetime rule.

American Express Gold Card review: a 'gold' standard with impressive benefits

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for no annual fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a great option for international travel if you want a card that earns generous rewards and minimal fees. The card waives foreign transaction fees, which is unusual for a card with no annual fee. It also offers generous bonuses on popular travel spending categories like dining, gas, transit, airfare, hotels, rental cars and cruises. With a 0% intro APR for 12 months, this is an excellent choice if you need to finance some purchases in the short term.

Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months.

Rewards: Earn 3X points on travel, gas, restaurant, transit and popular streaming services; 1X points on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Secondary rental car insurance in the US., primary rental car coverage abroad, travel and emergency services assistance, emergency cash disbursement and card replacement, cell phone protection (up to $600 per year).

Annual fee: $0.

High earning potential in board travel spending categories.
One of the few credit cards offering cell phone protection.
Primary rental car coverage abroad and secondary in the U.S.
Low welcome bonus.
Points are not transferable to airline or hotel loyalty programs.
No travel protections outside of rental car insurance.

How to travel to Bali with points and miles

Consider upgrading your travel experience with the right credit card

Who should get a credit card for international travel?

Anyone who frequently travels internationally should consider getting a credit card for international travel. There are added costs and hassles associated with traveling abroad that these credit cards can eliminate. With the right credit card, you’ll earn bonus points in popular spending categories restricted abroad.

You don’t have to be a frequent traveler to benefit from these cards either. They can provide peace of mind by serving as a backup form of payment if your debit or cash is lost or stolen while abroad. In fact, the right credit card can serve you well even when you’re just going about your daily routine.

Below are some of the features and benefits you should look for when choosing a credit card for international travel:

Traveling to Europe using points and miles

How to choose the best credit card for international travel

When it comes to international travel, selecting the right credit card is essential. The right credit card can save you money on fees and travel expenses and provide you with a range of benefits to make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Here are some tips for choosing the best credit card for international travel:

No foreign transaction fees: Many credit cards charge a fee of up to 3% when you use them abroad. Look for a card that doesn’t charge these fees so you can save money when making purchases in other countries.

Bonus points on travel: Many cards offer rewards in popular spending categories like travel, dining, groceries and gas. These points can then be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays or other travel perks. Some credit cards limit bonus points on dining and grocery spending to U.S. supermarkets and restaurants only. You’ll want a card in your wallet that offers bonus points in the U.S. and abroad since these expenses add up during travels.

Trusted traveler programs: Navigating airports can be a stressful experience both in the U.S. and abroad. Trusted traveler programs like TSA Precheck , Global Entry and NEXUS can eliminate the hassle (and long lines). When choosing a credit card for international travel, consider one that offers an application fee credit for trusted traveler programs. These credits can offset high annual fees and make your next trip abroad much more pleasant.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: A guide to picking the best one for you

Unlock benefits like seat upgrades with the best international travel cards

International credit cards FAQ

Which cards are best for international travel.

The best international travel cards are those with no foreign transaction fees, offer travel protections and earn bonus rewards on travel purchases. Some of the top cards for international travel include the Chase Sapphire Preferred , Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express .

The best credit cards for airport lounge access

What’s the advantage of using a credit card when traveling internationally?

The main advantage of using a credit card when traveling abroad is its convenience and security. Credit cards offer a secure way to make purchases without carrying large amounts of cash. Some credit cards also earn rewards on travel purchases, offer travel insurance and waive foreign exchange fees.

The best credit cards with no international fees

Is American Express or Visa better for international travel?

It depends on the country you are traveling to and which cards are accepted in that country. Generally, Visa is accepted more widely than American Express, so it may be the better option for international travel.

The best travel credit cards

* 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.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

This article was first published Aug 2, 2023 and updated Dec 29, 2023.

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2 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Vietnam can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in New Zealand dollar. You'll be able to easily top up your card in NZD before you leave New Zealand, to convert seamlessly to VND for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through the best travel cards available for anyone from New Zealand heading to Vietnam, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

Medley of travel cards available in New Zealand.

2 best travel money cards for Vietnam:

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Vietnam. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in NZD easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Vietnam or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
Spend seamlessly in VND when you travel
Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
Manage your account and card from your phone
14 NZD delivery fee for your first card
ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
Physical cards may take 7 - 10 days to arrive (you can use your virtual card right away)

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise travel card in New Zealand:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 14 NZD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 7 - 10 days

Revolut travel card

Revolut has recently launched in New Zealand, initially with the Standard plan only - with a view to rolling out additional plan options overtime. If you choose a Revolut Standard plan there are no monthly fees - the higher tier options typically have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Vietnam, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 5 currencies, and get extras based on your account tier, like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
Hold and exchange 5 currencies, and spend in 150 countries
Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave New Zealand and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your New Zealand dollar everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

Travel debit cards
Travel prepaid cards
Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Vietnam or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday NZD account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Vietnam

We've picked out 2 great travel cards available in New Zealand - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Vietnam include:

What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in VND can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

What makes a good travel card for Vietnam

The best travel debit card for Vietnam really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Ways to pay in Vietnam

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

Which countries use VND?

You’ll find that VND can only be used in Vietnam. If you don’t travel to Vietnam frequently it’s worth thinking carefully about how much to exchange so you’re not left with extra foreign currency after your trip. Or pick a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut which lets you leave your money in NZD and convert at the point of payment with no penalty.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Vietnam

2. Cash is a widespread payment method - so you’ll need some VND in your pocket when you travel to Vietnam. You can sort out your travel money by visiting an exchange office here in New Zealand, or you can wait until you arrive and make an ATM withdrawal in VND at the airport when you land. Bear in mind that currency exchange at exchange offices at the airport, either in New Zealand or in Vietnam can be expensive - so if you’re carrying NZD in cash and need to exchange it, head into a town centre to do so.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave New Zealand so you have peace of mind. It’s also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don’t offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Vietnam

FAQ - best travel cards for Vietnam

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Vietnam.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their NZD / VND rate to calculate how much New Zealand dollar you would receive when exchanging / spending $6,000 NZD. The card provider offering the most VND is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

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Best no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards of June 2024

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Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best travel card for beginners
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for expanded travel rewards categories
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best overall
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate cash back
Discover it® Cash Back : Best for bonus category variety
Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for luxury perks
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate travel rewards
The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for lounge access
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for budget luxury travel
Discover it® Miles : Best for first-year value
American Express® Gold Card : Best for travel rewards on dining
Discover it® Student Cash Back : Best for students

Additional Options:

American Express® Green Card: Best for everyday travel
What to know about foreign transaction fees
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Best travel card for beginners

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 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

60,000 bonus points

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

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

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 travel credit card operates on all cylinders, touting an excellent rewards rate on travel and dining and a lucrative sign-up bonus. You can also enjoy 25 percent more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel℠. Learn more: Chase Sapphire Preferred card benefits guide Alternatives: Travelers looking for luxury perks such as airport lounge access or free checked bags may prefer the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card .

The easy value boost by simply redeeming rewards for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal is a stellar feature.
You’ll get travel perks like trip cancellation/interruption insurance and baggage delay insurance.
No intro APR offers means you won’t save on interest if you have to carry a balance.
There’s a steep spending requirement to earn the card’s sign-up bonus.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC

Best for expanded travel rewards categories

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.

25,000 points

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.

19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

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: What makes this card stand out is that you can redeem for more than just flights, hotels or rental cars. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card lets you redeem points for statement credits for purchases at campgrounds, zoos, art galleries, aquariums and more. Learn more: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card benefits guide Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card is a solid alternative if you don’t mind a modest annual fee in exchange for competitive rewards rates on everyday purchases.

Qualifying for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program makes this card one of the most lucrative flat-rate travel cards available.
You could benefit from a temporary break on interest charges thanks to this card’s intro APR offer.
You won’t get some of the most coveted travel benefits like trip cancellation insurance or complimentary lounge access.
The minimum amount of points you need to redeem is high compared to other cards.
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 occasional travelers

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

20,000 miles

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

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

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

What we love: This card is great for low-hassle travel rewards with its flat earning rate and easy redemption of miles for any recent, travel-related purchases, including flights with any airline. Learn more: Is the Capital One VentureOne worth it? Alternatives: While this card is great for someone who doesn’t want to worry about offsetting the cost of an annual fee, travel rewards maximizers who travel often are likely better off with a more premium card, such as the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card .

Occasional travelers can earn miles on everyday purchases.
You could potentially increase the value of your miles by transferring them to Capital One’s travel partners.
Many travel cards with annual fees come with more valuable benefits.
Capital One’s transfer partners currently don’t include any major U.S. airlines.
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
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
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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 flat-rate cash back

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.

5% Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
1.5% Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day

What we love: This cash-back card combines consumer-friendly terms with a decent rewards program. We particularly like it for first-time rewards credit cardholders. Learn more: Why I love the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card Alternatives: If you want to maximize cash back earnings in multiple categories or have a higher rewards rate, we suggest the Discover it® Cash Back credit card .

You won’t need a minimum amount of rewards to redeem cash back.
The welcome offer is fairly attainable compared to other cash back cards.
You could earn more rewards with other flat-rate or bonus category cash back cards.
The ongoing variable APR is higher compared to competing cards.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
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 bonus category variety

Discover it® Cash Back

Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.

Cashback Match

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

5% Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1% Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

What we love: This classic card from Discover pairs forgiving terms (like no penalty APR for missed payments) with a generous rotating category cash back rewards program, making it a rare cash back credit card that skips foreign transaction fees. Its end-of-first-year Cashback Match also sweetens the deal. Learn more: Is the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card worth it? Alternatives: Discover’s rotating rewards program requires quarterly activation and tracking categories, so the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card may be a better match if you’re looking for a more low-maintenance rewards strategy.

The card is cost-effective since there’s no annual fee and Discover will waive your first late payment fee (up to $41 after that).
Rotating bonus categories tend to include popular everyday categories.
The card’s value decreases after the first year when the Cashback Match is no longer on the table.
Maximizing rewards takes some legwork; you have to enroll and spend in bonus categories each quarter to earn the best cash back rates.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
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.
Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
No annual fee.
Terms and conditions apply.

Best for luxury perks

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

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: This popular luxury travel credit card from Chase comes fully loaded, featuring generous base rewards, a sweet sign-up bonus, ancillary perks (including airport lounge access and certain travel protections) and a high-value travel credit that’ll go a long way toward offsetting the steep $550 annual fee. Learn more: Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits guide Alternatives: If you only travel occasionally, aren’t comfortable with a hefty annual fee or you’re not sure you’d get $550 of value out of this card each year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a better choice.

The annual travel credit is one of the easiest credits on the market to redeem.
You’ll get a 50 percent boost when you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel℠.
The card’s ongoing APR is high and the card has no intro APR offers to shield you from interest charges.
The card’s lounge access pales a bit in comparison to comparable luxury credit cards.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best for flat-rate travel 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

Earn 75,000 miles

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

2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: A primary draw for this travel card is a generous 2X miles on all purchases, allowing you to earn toward travel without making a lot of travel purchases. Learn more: Why I love the Capital One Venture Rewards card Alternatives: If you exclusively fly one airline or stay at one hotel chain, you’re probably better off with a co-branded card — and you can also consider this card’s low-cost alternative, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card .

It comes with many flexible redemption options, not limited to travel.
You could potentially increase the value of your miles by transferring them to select Capital One travel partners.
There’s a steep spending requirement to achieve this card’s current sign-up bonus.
Miles are worth 1 cent or less unless you use select airline transfer programs, which can limit your overall earning potential.
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
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Best for lounge access

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 80,000 points

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.

See Pay Over Time APR

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: This card’s lounge access privileges make it a perfect fit for frequent flyers who want to travel in maximum comfort. The card also comes with plenty of perks, including statement credits for expedited security screening, airline incidentals, hotels and Uber. Learn more: The Platinum Card from American Express benefits guide Alternatives: While this card’s benefits are nice, they’re also expensive and you may only use a handful of its benefits. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great alternative thanks to its lower annual fee and solid travel perks.

This card offers a long list of airline and hotel transfer partners, so you should have little trouble using your points for travel worldwide.
Includes access to Priority Pass Select lounges, Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (if you’re traveling on Delta) and more.
It’s not a great fit if you want to earn travel rewards on everyday spending, due to its low rewards rates on non-travel purchases.
Several of the card’s perks are unrelated to travel and may only appeal to a small audience, making the annual fee harder to justify.
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 budget luxury travel

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

75,000 miles

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: If you’re looking for some middle ground in the realm of luxury travel cards, this one has a lot to offer. With about half of the annual fees on other luxury travel cards, you still get some of the best travel protections, lounge access opportunities and annual credits. Bonus: the credits you earn will put a nice dent in the annual fee. Learn more: Capital One Venture X benefits guide Alternatives: If you want a card that rewards your personal travel habits, such as booking with your favorite airlines or hotels, cards with brand-specific perks could be a better alternative. Co-branded credit cards, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card , help you earn rewards with the hotels and airlines you prefer.

You’ll get $300 in annual credits for Capital One Travel bookings.
Enjoy complimentary Priority Pass Select membership to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
While it has a lower annual fee than other premier travel cards, it could still be steep for some.
You must book through the Capital One Travel portal to earn the highest rewards rates.
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 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.

Discover 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: This budget-friendly travel credit card combines a decent return on purchases, a generous first-year welcome offer and consumer-friendly terms. Occasional travelers should consider applying. Learn more: Why I love the Discover it® Miles Credit Card Alternatives: If you’re looking for travel perks or the ability to transfer miles to airline or hotel loyalty programs, cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card may be better suited for your needs.

Miles don’t lose value when you redeem for cash back.
Discover forgives your first late payment (up to $41 late fee after that; missed payments can hurt your credit score).
The card has no ancillary travel benefits or perks.
The card’s value drops significantly after the first year’s miles match welcome bonus.
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 is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.

Best for travel rewards on dining

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.

60,000 Membership Rewards® Points

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: International travelers who always remember to pack their appetites will find the American Express Gold Card a rich source of travel rewards, without foreign transaction fees. The generous rewards and annual credits should go a long way toward offsetting the card's $250 annual fee. Learn more: Is the Amex Gold worth the annual fee? Alternatives: For travelers who want premium travel perks like airport lounge access, you’d be better off with the Chase Sapphire Reserve , as it comes with some of the highest rewards for travel and dining compared to other luxury travel cards.

This card offers best-in-class base rewards on food purchases.
Features travel and shopping protections, including trip delay insurance, baggage insurance and extended warranty coverage.
Earning the full value of some of this card’s credits requires careful attention to the terms and conditions.
The steep annual fee will price this card out of many non-frequent flyers’ budgets.
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 students

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.

18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

What we love: A top choice for students, the Discover it® Student Cash Back credit card touts a generous rewards program and consumer-friendly terms, including no annual fee. Consider applying if you don’t mind managing rotating cash back bonus categories. Learn more: Is the Discover it® Student Cash Back credit card worth it? Alternatives: If you don't want to activate the card's rotating bonus categories each quarter, the Discover it® Student Chrome has a more simplified rewards program.

It's a lucrative rewards credit card available to students.
This card doesn’t charge an annual fee, perfect for first-time cardholders.
Rotating cash back categories might be confusing or tedious to credit card newbies.
While it has an intro offer on new purchases, it’s much shorter than what you’d find on plenty of other cards.
No credit score required to apply.
No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.

Best for everyday travel

American Express® Green Card

*The information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 40,000 points

Rewards Rate

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.

3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.

What we love: This travel card comes with solid perks at a relatively low cost, allowing you to get a taste of luxury travel even if you only take a few flights per year. It also offers one of the most generous rewards rates out there on transit, making it a great pick for commuters. Learn more: Why the American Express Green card is great for flexible spending Alternatives: Though the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card carries a higher annual fee, it offers more than enough value to make it worth the cost. It may be a better value than the Amex Green overall thanks to its wider-reaching lounge access privileges, annual travel credit and ongoing anniversary bonus.

City dwellers and people who frequently use public transit can get plenty of rewards with this card.
You’ll get an annual statement credit for CLEAR membership.
Unless you use the Pay Over Time feature, you'll be required to pay your balance in full each month.
It has lackluster lounge access compared to other premier travel cards.

Compare Bankrate’s top no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

What is a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card?

A no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card is exactly that — a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on purchases you make outside the U.S. No-foreign-transaction-fee cards are often associated with travel rewards cards . However, some issuers may also offer cash back, balance transfer, credit-building, student and business cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

What you should know about foreign transaction fees

When you use a credit card overseas to buy something in the local currency, your credit card issuer has to convert the money you’ve spent into U.S. dollars. It may seem like any other transaction, but the credit card issuer covers various costs associated with international purchases, such as transferring money through a foreign bank. Many issuers offset these costs by charging a foreign transaction fee for purchases made abroad. However, Capital One and Discover don’t charge foreign transaction fees on any of their credit cards.

Depending on the issuer and card, a foreign transaction fee typically ranges from 1 percent to 3 percent, but it can go as high as 5 percent. Here's a quick look at how the fee structure breaks down among several major credit card issuers:

Unless you pay with a credit card that waives this fee, you’ll likely pay a foreign transaction fee for:

Hotel bookings

While it largely depends on the location of the hotel and the specific travel provider, your credit card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee when you book a stay in another country.

Online purchases

If you purchase something from a seller based outside the U.S. and your transaction is processed abroad, your issuer could charge a foreign transaction fee — even if you’re shopping from the comfort of home.

Debit, charge or gift card purchases

Unfortunately, you can't avoid foreign transaction fees simply by using a different type of card. Credit cards, debit cards, charge cards and even prepaid gift cards commonly charge foreign transaction fees.

Foreign transaction fees typically appear on your credit card statement at the end of your billing cycle and you pay them when you pay your credit card balance.

When traveling abroad or shopping with international vendors, be cautious of other travel-related credit card fees that can reduce your purchasing power, including cash advance fees, ATM fees and conversion fees.

Pros and cons of no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards

If you travel overseas or make purchases in foreign currencies, it's worth understanding why a card with no foreign transaction fee might benefit you.

Save on purchases abroad. The average foreign transaction fee rate is a costly 3 percent, which can also erode — or completely offset — some cards’ rewards rates.

Better exchange rates. A credit card can help you save on converting currency at local ATMs, banks or airports. For example, Visa and Mastercard typically charge 1 percent to convert currency to U.S. dollars, saving you the added costs of a merchant’s dynamic currency conversion rate (DCC).

More secure than cash or debit cards. Lost or stolen cash cannot be recovered, and there’s a chance that you’ll be liable for unauthorized charges if your debit card is stolen. Credit cards can be replaced overnight and have more protections against fraud and identity theft.

Expense tracking. You won't have to keep track of different payment methods or currency exchange fees if you charge everything to your credit card without foreign transaction fees.

Most options are travel cards. No-foreign-transaction-fee cards are less likely to carry cash back bonus categories tailored to everyday spending than travel rewards and perks.

Some card networks aren’t widely accepted abroad. Cards from American Express or Discover might not be as widely accepted by merchants internationally as Mastercard and Visa cards.

More likely to charge an annual fee. Since cards with no foreign transaction fees tend to be travel cards, annual fees are more common, and can run high depending on the rates, categories and redemption options you’re interested in.

Expensive if you need cash. Although these cards save you money on foreign transactions and other travel-related fees, the cash advance fees and APR are likely far more expensive than debit cards’ ATM fees if you’re in a pinch and need foreign cash.

As you search for a card to use for your upcoming international trip, it’s important to fully understand foreign transaction fees, what to consider when choosing a no-foreign-transaction fee card and how you can best use this type of card.

How to choose a card with no foreign transaction fees

Pick a card that fits your needs.

For some people, a card with no foreign transaction fees can result in hundreds of dollars in savings. People who travel abroad frequently, students studying abroad and some online shoppers may benefit most from picking a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. If you’re hoping to earn rewards on these purchases, avoiding a foreign transaction fee is even more important since the common 3 percent rate could outweigh any rewards you’d earn from your purchases.

Look for a rewards card that offers cash back, points, or miles in categories that match your spending habits.

Look for perks that serve your travel interests

While choosing a travel credit card , compare the full range of benefits that each one offers. Along with rewards and no foreign transaction fees, top-tier travel credit cards usually carry benefits like annual travel credits , trip cancellation insurance, expedited airport security screening and airport lounge access . You may need to pay a higher annual fee to get all the perks you want, so pick the card that offers the best cost-to-benefit balance for you.

Compare rates and fees

Common credit card fees include annual fees, late fees, balance transfer fees, cash advance fees and returned payment fees. An annual fee is the most challenging to avoid, as you can dodge most other costs through responsible card use.

Annual fees are most common among mid-tier and premium travel credit cards, even if these cards skip foreign transaction fees. Weigh whether you can offset an annual fee with reward earnings and added benefits, as you may find that some cards with annual fees are worth it when they offer rewards.

Consider the card network

Although you shouldn’t have much of a problem with credit card acceptance, Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted more widely internationally than cards on the American Express and Discover networks .

Still unsure if a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Tips for maximizing a no-foreign-transaction fee card

When using your credit card internationally, follow these tips to ensure you’re making the most of your no-foreign-transaction-fee card and not racking up unnecessary fees .

Have a mix of credit cards

Every credit card may not work in every country depending on the card network, so it may be handy to have at least two no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards from different networks — especially if one is an American Express or Discover card. Carrying multiple credit cards could also help you earn rewards on a wider variety of purchases and make it easier to adapt your travel plans for different hotel or airline brands if needed.

Take advantage of your rewards and perks

Having no foreign transaction fees is a valuable card feature, but making the most of your cards’ rewards and perks can help you save even more on your travel. Rideshare partner perks, travel insurance , waived airline baggage fees and travel statement credits are all popular benefits that are worthwhile as well.

Avoid cash advances

Withdrawing cash from an ATM using your credit card could cost you up to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn and incur high interest charges. Try to avoid needing a cash advance by keeping some cash or a debit card on hand for emergencies.

Have a chip-and-PIN credit card

Opt for a credit card that features both a chip and a PIN: a small metallic computer chip and a four-digit identification number to verify your card once it’s inserted. This card security method is more common internationally than the typical “chip and signature” method in the U.S., and it can save you from the hefty fees of a foreign ATM cash withdrawal.

What people say about no-foreign-transaction-fee cards

MyFICO users and Reddit users across r/CreditCards, r/personalfinance, r/Travel and other related subreddits often recommend an array of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees when discussing the best options for travelers heading overseas. Here’s what a few of them had to say about some of their favorite no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards:

“I have the AMEX Gold and it has no foreign/international fees! It's a great credit card if you're looking to use it for points and travel... it's definitely the card I reach for the most.” — Reddit User

“[The] chase sapphire preferred is a solid option for no foreign transaction fees[,] especially if you have any [of] the chase freedom cards. [It] does have an annual fee but 3x points on dining is good when traveling outside the country.” — Reddit User

“Capital One SavorOne* has been an amazing card for me. 3% back in dining, groceries, entertainment, and streaming services! It covers so many categories despite not having an annual fee or foreign transaction fees!” — Reddit User

“Bank of America's Travel Rewards card is pretty good with no foreign transaction fee. I've used it frequently in Canada and the spot rate is way better than any exchange agent.” — myFICO User

Overall, Reddit users generally agree that many no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards are the best option when traveling overseas. They provide the convenience and cost savings that travelers are looking for, along with the ability to earn rewards or points along the way.

* See Rates & Fees for Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

How this Bankrate expert chose their no-foreign-transaction fee card

Here’s how Bankrate writer and credit card reviewer Seychelle Thomas chose her card with no foreign transaction fees:

“Initially, I chose the Capital One Quicksilver* for its flat-rate rewards and how gracious it was towards my credit score at the time (which wasn't the best). No foreign transaction fees was more of a hidden benefit for me that became useful after building my credit and starting to travel. My Quicksilver card proved useful on a trip to Iceland in 2017 because it didn't charge foreign transaction fees and automatically converted prices from Icelandic Króna to USD for me. It also came in handy on a trip to the Dominican Republic a few years later. Having account notifications set gave me some peace of mind in making sure my card stayed safe — and that I stayed on budget. After realizing travel rewards became more valuable to me than cash back, I swapped over to the Capital One VentureOne*. It also meant I could keep enjoying benefits I had with my Quicksilver card, like no foreign transaction fees and elevated rewards on Capital One Travel hotel and rental car bookings. I've already earned about 11,000 miles and tested out the card on a trip to El Salvador last year. I plan to use the card again during an upcoming trip to Mexico so I can keep earning travel rewards without paying an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.” — Seychelle Thomas Writer, Credit Cards

*( See Rates & Fees for the Capital One Quicksilver); ( See Rates & Fees for the Capital One VentureOne)

When evaluating the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fee, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest.

We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts that carry no foreign transaction fee. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Solid rewards value

Since many cardholders looking for a card with no foreign transaction fee are eager to earn rewards, a key criteria for a card’s inclusion in our list is whether it offers impressive rewards value. This includes a 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 calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories, as well as how closely those categories match the average person’s spending habits. In other words: Does the card earn 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 $22,500.

Some of the major spending categories that contribute towards the annual spend include:

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 cards in its primary category.

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 fees and APR

Naturally, all of the cards on this list do not charge foreign transaction fees.

We also rate all cards based on how their ongoing average APR compares to the average APR you’ll find other cards in their primary category. However, the impact of an especially high or low APR on a card’s overall score depends on its primary category.

For rewards-earning cards, this factor has only a minor 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. That said, rewards-earning cards may get a solid boost in score and be more worthy of inclusion in our list if they also offer an intro APR on balance transfers or new purchases, since such offers aren’t always present on these cards.

More important to these cards’ scores and their inclusion in our list is how their annual fees influence their 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.

Interest rates and intro APR offers play a much larger role in a card’s score and whether it’s included in our list when the card is designed specifically for users looking to save on interest charges, such as dedicated balance transfer or low-interest cards.

Other fees considered include cash advance and late payment fees, along with penalty APRs.

Flexibility and perks

Along with rewards value and cost, we consider other factors that could give cards great long-term value, like flexible rewards redemption and especially unique and valuable perks.

We rate rewards-earning cards based on the restrictions they impose on earning and redeeming rewards and consider this when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.

These restrictions could include only allowing users to earn a high rewards rate on a small amount of spending or requiring users to meet a certain earning threshold before they can redeem rewards. We also examine whether 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 airline and hotel partners.

We also evaluate each card’s perks based on their value, usefulness and uniqueness. Cards that offer top-tier benefits like airport lounge access or travel credits are likely to stand out, but we also aim to highlight cards that offer valuable under-the-radar perks, like cellphone protection or one-off credits for everyday expenses like dining and streaming services.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Frequently asked questions about no foreign transaction fee credit cards

Which banks charge no foreign transaction fees.

Capital One 360
Charles Schwab Bank

Which travel rewards card is best for international transactions?

The best overall card for international transactions will vary depending on your specific travel needs, but Bankrate has rated cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Platinum card from American Express and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards card as some of the best travel rewards cards with no foreign transaction fee.

How do you determine if your existing credit card charges a foreign transaction fee?

How do i calculate a foreign transaction fee.

If you’re curious to know how much you’ll pay for a foreign transaction fee, multiply the purchase price by the fee percentage. Then add the result to the purchase price. For example, let’s say your nephew’s favorite soccer team is Manchester United F.C., so you buy him a jersey from an online retailer based in England using a credit card that charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee. If this purchase costs $100, the fee would be $3, bringing your total cost to $103 ($100 x 3 percent = $3, $100 + $3 = $103).

How do I calculate currency conversion?

To understand what you're being charged overseas versus what you'd be paying in your home currency, just divide the base amount (base currency) by the final amount (foreign currency) to determine the exchange rate.

You may be able to see exactly what the currency conversion and its cost would be if your card network has an online currency converter, such as Visa’s exchange calculator and Mastercard’s currency converter calculator . Or you can use Bankrate’s Currency Converter calculator .

Can you avoid foreign transaction fees without using a credit card?

If you're looking for an alternative to credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, here are some great options:

Prepaid debit card: Use them to make purchases wherever you go even online or over the phone — no matter where in the world you are.

Local currency: Before you travel, stop by your local bank and exchange your dollars for your destination’s local currency. Your bank will likely charge lower exchange fees than you’ll find at the airport (or none at all).

Traveler's check: When obtained through an eligible bank, you can use a traveler’s check almost anywhere in the world. The paper document is cashed in exchange for local currency once you’re abroad. They are also safer than carrying cash, since you can replace them if they are stolen or lost. However, some banks no longer offer traveler's checks, so you may have to jump through more hoops to get them.

Ask the experts: Is it worth it to get a credit card with no foreign transaction fee for a one-time overseas trip?

Erica Sandberg

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Contributor, Credit Cards

Absolutely! Foreign transaction fees can be expensive. Unless you have a credit card that does not charge them, be prepared to be charged an extra 3 percent on your transactions. For example, if you take a trip to France and spend $5,000 on your card, an additional $150 may be added to that amount. Your money could have gone to a lovely meal at a special café instead. The good news is that there are many credit cards available that do not charge foreign transaction fees. If you know that you will be traveling internationally, apply for one before you go.

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Depending on how much you plan to spend on your trip, and assuming you don’t already have a card with no foreign transaction fees, it may be worth it to shop for a card that will help you avoid the 3 percent typical fee. Be aware that most recommended cards will require good to excellent credit in order to be approved. You may want to consider zero-fee cards which also have other perks or rewards you will use in the future.

Contributor, Personal Finance

There are so many card options out there these days that there is absolutely no reason to use any of your vacation money to pay foreign transaction fees on your credit card. Even if you only take a big international trip just once a year, you’ll always be better off using a card with no foreign transaction fees. If you don’t already have one in your wallet, I’d recommend a Visa over American Express or MasterCard for ease of international acceptance. You can even find one like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card that has no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

“ What is Dynamic Currency Conversion? ” Visa. Accessed on April 29, 2024.

Lowry, C. “ Everything you need to know about traveler's checks. ” Western Union. Accessed on April 29, 2024.

“ Consumer Expenditures 2022 ." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on April 29, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

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Credit cards

Best travel credit cards of June 2024

Robin Saks Frankel

Grace Pilling

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 12:58 p.m. UTC June 5, 2024

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The best credit cards for travel set themselves apart from other credit cards by offering an array of benefits that make it easier and more rewarding to explore the world. These travel credit card offerings provide generous rewards and perks tailored to the needs of those on the go.

We analyzed all of the available options in this category, from issuers both large and small, to curate a list of the very best travel credit cards of 2024. Here are our selections.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s take

Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
Generous travel and purchase protections.
High annual fee and spending requirements.
Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
Annual statement credits have limited use.

Card details

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 travel credit cards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best credit card for travel.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best hotel card.
Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best cobranded airline card.
The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for airport lounge access.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card *: Best for simple redemption process.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for high value with a low annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for increased redemption value.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card *: Best for high rewards on all types of travel.
American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best for high rewards on travel and dining.
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® : Best travel credit card for renters.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Why trust our credit card experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

85+ cards analyzed.
20+ data points analyzed.
5-step fact-checking process.

Best credit card for travel

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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.

High reward potential.
Wide selection of statement credits.
No foreign transaction fees.
No hotel or airline-specific benefits.
Requires excellent credit.
High annual fee.
Annual fee: $395.
Rewards: 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
Welcome bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
APR: 19.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers .
Other perks and benefits: No foreign transaction fees, 10,000 mile card ownership anniversary bonus, $300 annual credit reimbursement for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel, $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application reimbursement credit, airport lounge access benefits, cellphone protection benefit, transfer miles to travel and hotel partners, Hertz President’s Circle Status.

Best hotel card

Ihg one rewards premier credit card.

The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent at IHG hotels.
Free night after your account anniversary each year.
Redeem three nights, get a fourth consecutive night free.
$99 annual fee.
Value per point may be low compared to competing hotel chains.
Potentially high APR.
Annual fee: $99.
Rewards: Earn 10 points per $1 at IHG Hotels and Resorts, another 10 points per $1 as an IHG One Rewards member, 6 points per $1 from IHG with Platinum Elite Status (a benefit of this card), 5 points per $1 on travel, dining and gas stations and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies .
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Perks and benefits: Free night after your account anniversary, redeem three award nights and get a fourth consecutive night free, automatic Platinum Elite status, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, credit of up to $100 to reimburse Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.

Best cobranded airline card

Aeroplan® credit card.

The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 70,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Ability to spend your way to elite status is rare for a card at the $95 price point.
Generous rewards on everyday spending categories.
Discounts on award tickets.
Aeroplan charges high redemption rates on some award tickets compared to other Star Alliance carrier rates.
The annual fee may be hard to justify for those who don’t regularly fly Aeroplan to take advantage of the airline-specific perks.
Annual fee: $95.
Rewards: 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
APR: 21.74% to 28.74% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
Foreign transaction fees: $0.
Perks and benefits: Aeroplan 25K status through the rest of the calendar year and next. Maintain status with $15,000 spent in a calendar year. Existing status holders can upgrade to 35K status with $50,000 in spending per calendar year, first checked bag free for cardmember and up to eight travel companions, $100 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS application fee credit every four years, preferred pricing on award flights, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, secondary auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection.

Best for airport lounge access

Best for simple redemption process, capital one venture rewards credit card.

The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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.

Decent value for the annual fee.
Worthwhile collection of perks and travel protections.
$95 annual fee.
No low introductory APR period.
Rewards: 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per $1 on other purchases.
Other perks and benefits: No foreign transaction fees, up to $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee, auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance, extended warranty benefit, transfer miles to eligible loyalty programs.

Best for high value with a low annual fee

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
$50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
Valuable travel protections.
Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership® Rewards and Citi ThankYou®.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC

Best for increased redemption value

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Up to $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass Select lounge access.
Redeem points for 50% more value to book travel through Chase Travel℠.
Transfer points 1:1 to partners such as United Airlines and World of Hyatt.
Not ideal if you aren’t interested in transferring points.
May not qualify if you’ve applied for 5 or more credit cards in the last 24 months.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best for high rewards on all types of travel

Wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card.

The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

60,000 bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months

Rewards: 5 points per $1 on hotels, 4 points per $1 on airlines, 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
APR: 21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies for 120 days from account opening. After that, a fee of up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5, applies.
Foreign transaction fee: None.

Best for high rewards on travel and dining

American express® green card.

The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Lower annual fee than some comparable cards.
Credits for CLEAR® Plus membership and airport lounges.
Fewer perks than more premium travel cards.
Complex rewards structure.
Some reward redemptions are a poor value.
Annual fee: $150.
Rewards: 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Welcome bonus: 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
APR: See terms for Pay Over Time eligibility and program details.
Perks and benefits: Up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit, up to $189 CLEAR® Plus statement credit and additional travel protections.

Best travel credit card for renters

Bilt World Elite Mastercard®

Earns rewards on rent payments.
No transaction fee for paying rent by credit card.
No annual fee or Foreign Currency Conversion Fee.
You must make five transactions per billing period to earn rewards.
No welcome bonus or intro APR period.
Restrictive definition of what counts as a travel purchase.
$0 annual fee
Earn 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotels, car rental agencies, and cruise lines), 1x points on rent payments without a transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year) and 1x points on other purchases
Earn double points on the first of the month (i.e. 6X points on dining, 4X on travel and 2X on other purchases; except rent)
Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period
Cellular Telephone Protection
Purchase Security (theft and damage protection)
Concierge Service
Lyft Credits
No Foreign Currency Conversion Fee
Rewards & benefits terms
Select ‘Apply Now’ to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions.

Compare the best credit cards for travel

Why it’s the best

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers great value with its lineup of travel credits, including a $300 annual credit reimbursement for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel — Capital One’s online travel agency. If fully maximized it can negate much of the card’s $395 annual fee. Plus, the card earns a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus each year. For a premium card, the Venture X is priced well below its peers.

Comes with airport lounge access.
Miles earned on the card can be transferred to multiple travel partners.
Elite rental status with Hertz¹.
The travel credit is only for bookings made through Capital One.
Redeeming your earnings for cash is a poor value.
There’s a sizable annual fee.

Card details:

Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. earns rewards at a rapid pace, thanks to the automatic Platinum elite status granted to cardholders. The status, combined with the rewards earned from using the card at eligible IHG stays can earn you up to a whopping 26 points per dollar, fast-tracking you to free nights faster than you can say “InterContinental Hotels Group.”

Ultra-high rewards rate, especially on IHG spending.
Card offers a free anniversary night.
Robust travel protections and coverages.
The free anniversary night is capped at 40,000 points.
Points are relatively low value.
Travel coverage does not include auto rental insurance.

The Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is one of just a small handful of airline credit cards to include elite status as a cardholder perk. The card also allows you to pay yourself back on eligible travel purchases at a rate of 1.25 cents per point, and Aeroplan miles can be used on more than 45 partner airlines, making it a must-have in the wallets of frequent globetrotters.

Offers elite status for the remainder of the year and the full calendar year.
Discounted pricing on reward flights.
Free checked bag for you and up to 8 companions.
Elite status isn’t an ongoing perk.
Aeroplan doesn’t have U.S.-only flights.
There’s an annual fee.
Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee: $0.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) offers the most widespread lounge access benefits of any card on the market. While the high price point may be prohibitive for some, consider that the card offers more than a $1,000 value in potential statement credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Expansive airport lounge access.
Up to $200 in Uber Cash annually, up to $200 airline incidental fee statement credit per calendar year (applicable to one qualifying airline of your choice) and an up to $240 digital entertainment statement credit. Enrollment required.
Hotel and rental car elite status with several brands.
Sky-high annual fee.
Statement credits can be hard to fully maximize.
Rewards rate is mediocre outside of flights and travel booked through Amex.
Annual fee: $695.
Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is an easy-to-use travel rewards card with a soft-on-the-wallet price. You can use your miles to book travel through Capital One, redeem them to cover a past travel purchase or transfer them to Capital One’s 15+ travel loyalty partners.

It’s easy to understand both earning the rewards and how to use them.
Application fee reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (up to $100).
Get Hertz Five Star rental card elite status¹.
No lounge access.
The highest rewards rate is for bookings through Capital One Travel.
Other cards may offer even higher rewards in areas where you spend the most.
Rewards: Earn 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per $1 on other purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers generous rewards on travel and dining and a straightforward redemption program. It’s an excellent choice for both frequent and aspiring travelers looking to maximize their everyday spending. Plus, rewards on this card are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠. You’d be hard-pressed to find another travel card that packs more punch in an affordable package.

Annual bonus point award equal to 10% of total purchases made in the past year.
Can transfer points 1:1 to Chase’s travel loyalty partners.
Extensive travel and purchase protections including primary auto rental coverage.
Lacks airport lounge access and hotel elite status.
Rewards are worth less than a penny per point when not used for travel redemptions.
Hotel bookings made through Chase aren’t eligible for elite loyalty benefits.
Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® ‘s $550 annual fee can be offset by a slew of benefits. Plus, the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned on this card can be redeemed at a 50% increase in value when used to book travel through Chase Travel. So for example, 100,000 points on this card can be redeemed for $1,500 worth of travel booked through the issuer , helping you stretch the value of your rewards even further.

Up to $300 annual travel credit good for a wide variety of travel expenses.
Access to airport lounges via Chase Sapphire Lounges and the Priority Pass Select network (enrollment required).
1:1 points transfer to a long list of airline and hotel loyalty program partners.
The annual fee may be hard to swallow for some, even with the potential credits.
You’ll need excellent credit to be approved for the card.
Low rewards rate on everyday expenses like groceries and gas.
Annual fee: $550, plus $75 per authorized user.
Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers fantastic rewards across all things travel, without having to pledge loyalty to a specific brand or book through the issuer. That makes it a unicorn among other travel cards that are either cobranded or require booking through the bank’s travel site.

Ultra-high rewards on hotels with any brand and high rewards on airfare and other travel.
Rewards can be pooled with other Wells Fargo cards.
Robust travel protections cover your trip, baggage and cellphone protection.
Limited number of travel transfer partners.
Lacks lounge access and other elite perks like hotel or rental car status.
Lackluster rewards on everyday spending categories like groceries and gas.
Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on hotels, 4 points per $1 on airlines, 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) may come with an annual fee slightly above its entry-level travel card peers, but its high rewards on travel and dining, plus the annual statement credits, can far outweigh that carrying cost.

Earns generous rewards on a wide array of travel spending, plus dining too.
Annual CLEAR ® Plus and LoungeBuddy credits are worth more than the annual fee. Enrollment required.
Valuable travel insurances and protections.
The LoungeBuddy credit may not be enough for frequent flyers.
The annual fee is higher than competing travel cards.
Redeeming your rewards for cash-back offers poor value for your points.
Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is one-of-a-kind because you can earn rewards on paying rent without any additional transaction fees. Add in more than a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners, a long list of travel protections and other perks and this no-annual-fee card is one of the best travel cards on the market. You can even save up your Bilt Rewards toward a future down payment on a home.

Points are worth 25% more on travel booked through Bilt.
You can spend your way to elite status tiers, unlocking different benefits at each level.
The issuer offers bonus rewards and other benefits on the first of every month.
You have to use your card at least five times each statement period to earn rewards.
No welcome offer for new cardholders.
It’s best for renters as mortgage statements can’t be paid with the card.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1 point per $1 on rent payments without a transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each year), 2 points per $1 on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), 3 points per $1 on dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. At least five transactions must be made per statement period to earn these rewards.
Welcome bonus: None.
Foreign currency conversion fee: None.

Methodology

Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered included:

Estimated annual earnings: 33%.
Flexibility of rewards earned on the card: 10%.
Booking flexibility with the card: 10%.
Hotel earnings: 8%.
Airline earnings: 8%.
Annual fee: 5%.
Free checked bag perk: 3%.
Lounge access: 3%.
Annual credits: 2%.
Potential credits: 2%.
Global Entry application fee reimbursement: 2%.
TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement: 2%.
CLEAR Plus application fee reimbursement: 2%.
Trip delay coverage: 2%.
Trip cancellation coverage: 2%.
Baggage delay coverage: 2%.
Hotel elite status: 2%.
Number of travel companions eligible for primary cardholder’s checked bag perk: 1%.
Flight companion certificate with card ownership: 1%.

What is a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is a card that earns points or miles on your spending and usually offers the best redemption values when those rewards are used for travel.

Generally, there are two types of travel rewards cards:

Cobranded cards: These earn a specific currency tied to an airline or hotel brand, like Delta SkyMiles or Hilton Honors points.
Flexible cards: These earn “flexible” rewards, like American Express Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou points, that can be used to book travel across several hotels and airlines.

Co-branded cards typically earn higher rewards for purchases made within the brand and general travel cards tend to earn rewards that can be redeemed for more types of travel.

How do travel credit cards work?

With a travel credit card, you’ll earn points or miles as you spend. When you’ve accumulated enough rewards, you can redeem them for flights, hotels and other travel expenses. Redemption options will vary depending on your card. Some issuers offer boosted redemption rates for booking through their travel portal, while others allow you to transfer points directly to airline and hotel partners or apply them as a statement credit to cover travel charges made with the card.

Many travel credit cards also come with perks for travelers, like a free checked bag for your flight, a free annual hotel night or a credit towards the application fee for a trusted traveler program like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

“Travel rewards cards are a great way to leverage personal and business card use and turn it into free airline tickets and hotel rooms. Be sure to choose a card that has rewards that are applicable to your preferred airline and hotel brands”, said John Ulzheimer, president of The Ulzheimer Group and nationally recognized credit expert.

Benefits of travel credit cards

Travel rewards credit cards offer a range of benefits to frequent and occasional travelers alike:

Earn rewards for everyday spending. Use your travel credit card to pay for purchases you’d be making anyway and earn rewards you can use for travel.
Lower the out-of-pocket cost of travel. Whether you use your points to pay for airfare, nights at a hotel or for a rental car, redeeming your earnings for travel can significantly reduce the cost of a trip.
Receive free nights, checked bags and other perks. Many cobranded credit cards come with a free night perk or waive the fees for checking luggage, both of which can save you money and may be worth more than the cost of the card itself.
Enjoy new travel experiences. Stories abound of people who have used their credit card rewards to take over-the-top luxury trips. Even if an overwater villa in the Maldives is not your thing, having enough points for a free flight or hotel may be enough incentive to nudge you towards taking a trip to a new city or to see family and friends in far-flung places.

What is Priority Pass and how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know about this airport lounge network

Who should get a travel credit card?

Most people can benefit from a travel credit card. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or are just looking for an occasional getaway, there’s likely a travel rewards card out there that can help you maximize your savings.

Consider how you like to travel and what you’re looking to achieve with a new travel card. Points and miles programs can be complex, and some travel credit cards require time and energy to get the most value. Other credit cards offer straightforward redemption as statement credits to offset a variety of travel spending you do directly with airlines, hotels and other travel services. Take time to plan how you would get the most out of a prospective rewards program and its transfer partners, or whether you’d be better off with a simpler approach.

Before you shell out a high annual fee for a perk-laden card, consider if the benefits it comes with are ones you’d actually use. In many cases, taking full advantage of statement credits, anniversary bonuses and other perks like free nights can more than offset the annual fee .

If you rarely travel and are considering saving up over a long period of time for a trip, keep in mind that rewards don’t earn interest. In fact, rewards often lose value over time and may even expire . It’s a general best practice not to sit on your rewards for too long.

Types of travel credit cards

Travel credit cards often provide a wide range of benefits, from travel and purchase protections to airfare and hotel redemptions.

Understanding the different types of travel rewards cards is the first step to finding the right card for you. There are several major types of travel credit cards:

Airline-specific cards

The best airline credit cards offer exclusive discounts and rewards when you use them with a specific airline. Many also offer free companion tickets or priority boarding benefits. Examples of cobranded airline cards include:

Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
JetBlue Plus Card * The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Hotel-specific cards

These cards may give you access to exclusive discounts at certain hotel chains and resorts, as well as rewards to be redeemed for free nights or upgrades. Hotel loyalty status is a common benefit among the best hotel credit cards . Examples of cobranded hotel cards include:

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card * The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (terms apply)

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Flexible points cards

These cards allow you to earn points for every dollar spent that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals and other travel bookings. Major issuers often offer boosted earning or redemption rates when using their online travel booking portals. These cards may also allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel partners, providing the most flexibility when it comes to redemptions. Examples include:

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Flexible rewards vs. airline or hotel credit cards

For those who travel often but don’t have a particular brand loyalty, the best travel card is likely one that earns flexible rewards on every purchase. Flexible rewards are not tied to a specific airline or hotel loyalty program but rather to a card issuer’s travel agency redemption program. Chase Ultimate Rewards® and American Express Membership Rewards® are two examples, but Capital One offers Miles , Citi offers ThankYou® Points and other major issuers have similar reward programs.

Airline- and hotel-specific cards offer rewards tied to a loyalty program with the airline or hotel, and typically offer better value with that carrier or brand, but not as much flexibility with redemption options. Only apply for a card like this if you’re sure the brand is the one you want.

If you only take an occasional trip, then a more flexible reward card may be a better choice.

Cash-back cards offer simpler reward redemptions and the rewards earned can still be used toward future trips or redeemed for gift cards or other rewards if travel remains a priority.

How to compare and choose the best travel rewards card

When it comes to choosing the right card for your needs, there are several factors to consider:

What type of rewards do you want to earn? General points that can be used for travel expenses with different airlines and hotels are more flexible, but if you’re loyal to a particular travel brand you can earn their specific currency and enjoy elevated status and other perks.
Does the card come with a good welcome bonus? Many cards offer a generous welcome bonus (sometimes called a sign-up bonus) when you spend a certain amount on purchases in the first few months of receiving the card. This can be an easy way to get an infusion of rewards when you first open your account — but when calculating a card’s value, remember the welcome bonus is a one-time deal.
Are you willing to pay the annual fee? Some cards have no annual fee, while others come with a hefty price tag but offer more generous rewards or benefits. Make sure you understand all the fees before making a decision so that you don’t end up paying for benefits you won’t actually use.
Does it come with any additional benefits that offer value? Card perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access or exclusive discounts and offers can help make your travel smoother and your card more cost effective.

Wondering how two top travel cards compare to each other? We break down the differences between the Capital One Venture X vs. the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Evaluating reward potential

“Something to keep in mind when it comes to earning travel rewards is that your mileage may vary. Often the best value redemptions will come when used for less-traveled destinations or off-peak travel times. And your rewards redemptions don’t have to be luxurious to be meaningful. Some of my most cherished memories have come from when I’ve used rewards to visit family and friends where the location was not the focus,” – Robin Saks Frankel, USA TODAY Blueprint lead editor credit cards

We evaluate the reward potential of travel rewards credit cards based on what we’d expect a household in the 50th percentile of wage earners to spend each year on a credit card. We gather these figures from government sources and other publicly available data.

In a year, we expect a household might spend about $25,087 of this on a credit card. Of this credit card spending, we’d expect about $2,941 to be spent on overall travel — which breaks down as $1,188 spent on airfare, $868 spent on hotels and $885 spent on all other travel. For frequent travelers carrying high-annual-fee travel rewards cards — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , which charges an annual fee of $395 — we expect about twice this much spending in the travel categories.

The Capital One Venture X earns 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.

Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in annual expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card. Here’s how our sample household would fare with the Capital One Venture X Card:

The cardholder in this example earns a grand total of 85,350 miles annually, which is worth $853.50 if used to book travel through Capital One or when eligible travel is booked elsewhere and you redeem your miles to cover the purchase.

The right travel card can net you lucrative rewards. But make sure to select a card based on your spending and travel habits — the best card for travel will differ from person to person.

Tips for maximizing your travel credit card

There are several ways to get the most out of your travel credit card:

Pay your bill on time every month and aim to pay it in full. If you carry a balance, the accumulated interest fees will likely be more than the value of any rewards earned on the card.
Try to earn the card’s welcome bonus. Top travel cards offer outsized welcome bonuses for new cardholders who can meet a minimum spending requirement. Earning that bonus can give a nice boost to your rewards balance.
Be aware of the perks your card offers. Many travel cards offer discounts or statement credits for travel-related spending, like a discount within a hotel collection, cellphone insurance or elite status within a brand. Knowing what your card comes with means you can fully maximize those benefits.
Don’t sit on your rewards for too long. Unlike money in the bank, travel rewards do not earn interest and may actually be worth less over time. The value of your rewards is often tied to the cash price of travel and travel only tends to get more expensive year-over-year.

How to travel for cheaper with travel cards in 2024

New year, new travel possibilities. What’s more, it’s entirely possible to travel for cheaper by maximizing your credit card strategy with the right travel cards in hand. There are droves of rewards cards to choose from, so it can be hard to choose the right one for you.

Travel credit cards earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, rental cars and more, helping you subsidize the cost of your trip expenses. Beyond earning rewards, some cards even come with airport lounge access or credits to offset your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

For many travelers, a one-punch solution is the best fit. We’re talking about general travel credit cards , which earn rewards through a bank like American Express, Capital One, Chase, or Citi and don’t tie you to a specific airline or hotel program. Instead, the cardholder has the choice to redeem their earnings how they please toward any travel purchase.

Best places to travel with rewards in 2024

While a European summer vacation never goes out of style, traveling during the shoulder season is the true winner. With fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations and pleasant weather, a fall trip to Portugal this year should be on your list.

If you’ve got travel rewards cards from American Express, Bilt, Capital One, Chase or Citi, you can transfer your points or miles over to the Air Canada Aeroplan program. You can book a business class flight from Miami (MIA) to Lisbon (LIS) in October 2024 for just 70,000 miles one way.

There’s so much to love about Costa Rica, from its lush jungles to the natural wildlife. Plus, this Central American country is quite accessible from many states in the U.S. With two main international airports — Liberia (LIR) and San José (SJO) — the toughest decision you’ll need to make is which part of Costa Rica to visit.

Many major U.S. airlines fly to Costa Rica, so redeeming your rewards for a flight shouldn’t be too difficult depending on where your loyalty lies. For example, United Airlines offers a flight from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Liberia (LIR) with a layover in Houston (IAH). You’ll pay just 20,000 MileagePlus miles one-way — even during the peak winter season.

One of the best ways to fly the whole family to Hawaii is by setting your sights on the British Airways Avios program. Earning points is a breeze: You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards® , Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Citi ThankYou® Points or Capital One Miles to this program at a simple 1:1 ratio.

Because British Airways is part of the Oneworld airline alliance, you can redeem your Avios for partner airlines like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Both of these carriers offer plenty of routes to the Aloha State.

Nonstop routes are priced favorably for just 17,500 Avios plus $18.10 in taxes and fees for a one way flight from the West Coast. Depending on when you’re traveling, you may also be able to find multiple award seats per flight. This is great news for big families.

Alternatives to travel credit cards

Instead of earning points or miles, you might consider a cash-back credit card to get a percentage back on all your purchases. Cash-back cards are generally more straightforward than travel rewards programs — after all, a dollar is a dollar — and often come with no annual fees.

If you’re not ready to commit to a travel rewards program or simply don’t travel enough to reap the full benefits of a travel credit card, a cash-back credit card is a great way to still earn rewards on spending.

When it comes to choosing a cash-rewards card , you can keep it simple with a straightforward flat-rate card such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card , which earns 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Or you can pick a card with higher rewards rates in your biggest spending categories. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or for eligible items at Amazon.com checkout. The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Additional reporting by Stella Shon

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

There’s no one “best” card that’s right for everyone. The best travel card for you will depend on a combination of factors including how often you travel, how you travel, your tolerance for annual fees and what you’re looking for in a travel card.

Generally speaking, the best travel credit cards earn bonus category rewards on airfare, hotels, car rentals and even dining. These cards typically also offer bonus points or miles when you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account. Some will also offer perks such as travel protections, elite status with an airline or hotel loyalty program , priority boarding and airport lounge access.

The exact credit score needed for a travel rewards credit card will vary depending on the issuer and the specific card. Generally, you will need at least a good credit score, typically from 670 to 739 on the FICO Score scale — to be approved for most travel rewards cards. However, some of the more premium cards may require an excellent credit score, typically defined as a FICO Score of 740 or higher.

The most rewarding travel rewards cards, including most of the cards on this list, are not likely to offer approval to anyone without a good or better credit score. Some issuers also have rules in place preventing you from applying for a credit card, travel or otherwise, if you’ve applied for a certain number of cards within a certain period of time.

The best type of card for you will depend on your spending habits and your financial goals. If you’re a loyal frequent flyer with an airline, an airline rewards card might make the most sense. If you spend plentifully at a specific hotel brand, you may be better suited to a hotel credit card.

If you’re not sure, or you have a wider variety of needs, a card with flexible point currencies — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — may be a better bet.

Finally, If you’re looking for a simple way to get cash back on everyday purchases, then a cash-back credit card may be the way to go. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences — and in some cases, you might have a pattern of spending that justifies having both in your wallet.

The exact value of a point or mile earned on a travel credit card will depend on the type of point or mile and how you redeem it. In most cases, you should look to get at least a penny per point of value. Points values vary because many airline and hotel pricing structures are dynamic and will change based on demand. The points values tend to be somewhat fixed however and this can lead to redemption values worth more – or less – than 1 cent each. Transferring rewards to airline programs when allowed and redeeming for business and first-class seating can often yield greater values per point.

Yes, travel credit cards with annual fees are worth it if you make the most of what the card has to offer. While travel credit cards with annual fees aren’t necessarily worth it for everyone, they certainly can be if you know you’ll get more value from the rewards and benefits than you’ll pay to hold the card each year. Generally speaking, the higher the annual fee, the better the perks.

If you’re earning flexible rewards such as American Express Membership Rewards® Points or Chase Ultimate Rewards®, these generally don’t expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

However, points or miles earned on cobranded cards are a mixed bag. Some points don’t expire for the life of your account, while others will expire if there’s no account activity within the last 12 to 24 months. Read your card’s terms and conditions to see the expiration policy for your rewards.

There’s no difference between points and miles on a credit card, they’re simply two different ways to describe rewards. Airline cards tend to use the term “miles” (probably because it evokes the spirit of the miles you fly), while hotel and general rewards cards tend to use the term “points.” However, the two terms serve the same purpose: they’re a way of measuring both the rewards you earn on a particular credit card and the number of rewards it will take for a particular redemption.

There’s no one “best” card for international travel since there’s no one “best” way to travel. The best credit card for international travel for you will be the one where the rewards rates best align with your spending patterns. You’ll also have to decide if a card that comes with robust benefits is worth paying the annual fee versus a card with less bountiful benefits but a lower annual fee.

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please visit this page .

²Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

*The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card, American Express® Green Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, JetBlue Plus Card, United℠ Explorer Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Citi Prestige® Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card†, Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Citi® Double Cash Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Best Rewards Credit Cards of June 2024

Best rewards credit card overall : Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best rewards credit card for beginners : Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best rewards card for luxury benefits : The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best rewards credit card for affordable airport lounge benefits : Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
Best rewards credit card for cash rewards : Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best rewards credit card for travel and dining spend : Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best rewards credit card for dining and groceries : American Express® Gold Card

Introduction to Rewards Credit Cards

Many of the best rewards credit cards provide you with valuable points, miles, or cash back on your purchases. If you qualify and can pay your statement balance in full each month to avoid incurring interest, opening a rewards credit card is a great way to maximize your spending and work toward an award flight or hotel stay, or put some cash back in your pocket.

Compare the Top Rewards Credit Cards

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

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC

Capital One Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Earn 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.

19.99% - 29.99% variable

Earn 75,000 miles

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No bonus categories to keep track of
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other credit cards offer higher rewards in certain categories of spending

If you want an easy, no-fuss travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great fit. For a moderate annual fee, it offers plenty of value, useful benefits, and a substantial welcome bonus.

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

American Express The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.

See Pay Over Time APR

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.

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.

Capital One Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2 miles on all other purchases.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Premium perks including airport lounge access and credits for certain purchases
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High annual fee
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual travel credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers, with top-notch benefits and a wide range of built-in protections. It comes with a generous welcome bonus and credits that can help offset the annual fee — which is much lower than similar premium cards.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights 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

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If you've opened a Wells Fargo card in the past six months, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Foreign transaction fees

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases without rotating categories or earning caps and with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and intro APR offer, which puts it high on our list of the best zero-interest credit cards.

Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
$0 annual fee.
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Earn 5x 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 & 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel insurance
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very high annual fee

If you're new to rewards credit cards you may want to start elsewhere, but if you know you want to earn Chase points and you spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding options.

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

American Express American Express® Gold Card

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. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great rewards for dining and for shopping at US supermarkets
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Underwhelming welcome bonus

Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.

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 Rewards Credit Card Reviews

The best credit cards for rewards will offer you more than 1% back on any purchase, whether that comes in the form of travel rewards or cash back. You'll also get benefits such as purchase protection or travel insurance, and bonus categories for quickly earning rewards. The best cards even offer luxurious privileges such as airport lounge access and elite status with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies.

These are the very best rewards credit cards of 2024, as chosen by our team of credit card experts at Business Insider.

Best Travel Rewards Card Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

It's hard to recommend the Chase Sapphire Reserve® as the best travel card overall now that it comes with a hefty $550 annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, on the other hand, has broader appeal with many similar features, all for a significantly lower $95 annual fee.

The Sapphire Preferred Card earns 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (2x points on all other travel purchases) and 3x points on dining instead of the Reserve's 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ (after earning the $300 travel credit) and 3x points on other travel and dining.

Points are worth 1.25 cents apiece on travel booked through Chase, and you can transfer them to airline and hotel partner loyalty programs. You don't receive an annual travel credit, but you'll still have car rental primary coverage, as well as trip delay coverage and purchase protection. And each year on your account anniversary, you'll receive a points bonus equal to 10% of all purchases made in the previous year.

If you don't think you'll be able to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve®'s benefits, such as airport lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be a better choice for you. If you eventually decide that the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth it, you can ask to upgrade your card.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred card review here.

Best Travel Rewards Card for Beginners: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you're new to credit card travel rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is an excellent starting point. It offers a generous welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening (worth $1,275 based on Business Insider's valuation of Capital One miles ).

What makes this card so appealing is its straightforward earning structure and its flexibility in redeeming rewards. Cardholders earn 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel Portal and 2x miles on all other purchases.

On the redemption side, you can keep it simple by using your Capital One miles to offset travel purchases made with your card at a rate of 1 cent per mile — no fussing with award charts or availability. Alternatively, you can transfer your miles to Capital One's airline and hotel partners to book award travel and potentially get even more value.

You'll also get an impressive range of perks, including up to $100 in credit toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, car rental insurance, travel accident insurance, purchase assurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and more.***

Read our Capital One Venture card review here.

Best Travel Rewards Card for Luxury Benefits: The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express has a high $695 annual fee, but offers a long list of benefits to match. The Amex Platinum Card is also one of the best options for paying for flights because you'll earn 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare purchased directly with airlines and with American Express Travel (starting January 1, 2021, earn 5x points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).

Like Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can use Amex Membership Rewards points to purchase travel, gift cards, or products directly from the issuer, or transfer points to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. The best value comes from that latter use. If you redeem points by using them to book flights through Amex, you'll get a value of 1 cent per point.

The Platinum Card® from American Express gives you access to the same Priority Pass airport lounges (enrollment required) as the Sapphire Reserve, plus Delta Sky Clubs when you fly Delta, as well as the proprietary American Express Centurion Lounges.

Amex Platinum Card members also get exclusive access to major events and experiences, including once-in-a-lifetime "By Invitation Only" events.

Of course, $695 is a lot to shell out each year. Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits ** and up to $200 in annual Uber Cash credits (including Uber Eats)** certainly help offset that cost, but the airline credit can be difficult to use if you aren't checking bags or buying drinks on flights.

Read our American Express Platinum card review here.

Best Value Premium Travel Rewards Card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One's travel rewards program has become very competitive, with expanded card benefits, new transfer partners , and occasional transfer bonuses. The transfer value has improved as well, with most partners offering a 1:1 transfer ratio, and Capital One miles are easy to earn and redeem.

Along with earning 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, and 2x miles on all other purchases, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with top-notch benefits.

Cardholders receive $300 per year in credits toward travel booked through Capital One, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access (even for authorized users), a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth $100 in travel), and Visa Infinite travel and purchase benefits.

You can redeem miles at a fixed rate toward a statement credit to cover travel purchases with Capital One. For example, if you buy a $500 plane ticket, you can apply 50,000 miles to cancel that charge. Or, for potentially even more value, you can transfer miles to over a dozen Capital One airline and hotel partners.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card review here.

Best Flat-Rate Cash Rewards Card: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

All the other top picks in this guide earn credit card rewards that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, and they're especially valuable when you redeem for travel. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a cash-back card, on the other hand — this option may be a better option if you prefer the ultimate in flexible rewards or don't know for sure that you'll be traveling.

Cardholders earn 2% cash rewards on purchases, and there's a solid welcome bonus offer of $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. On top of that, the card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR).

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great choice if you want a card that earns a high rate of cash rewards without having to worry about keeping track of bonus categories. You'll earn a flat 2% cash back on what you buy.

If you want to get maximum value out of your spending, a rewards card will get you a higher return. For instance, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 2x miles on non-bonus purchases, but 2x miles isn't equal to 2% cash back. Our points and miles valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.7 cents each, because you can redeem them for travel through a variety of airline and hotel programs. Travel redemptions will usually get you more than 1 cent per mile or point in value. But if cash back is the most useful to you, this probably doesn't matter.

See our guide to the best cash-back credit cards for more top picks.

Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash card review here.

Best Premium Rewards Card for Travel and Dining: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

With 5x points on air travel and 10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel (after earning the $300 travel credit), 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® makes it easy to maximize your everyday spending, and it comes with a slew of perks. It used to be our top travel rewards card pick, but now that it has a $550 annual fee, it's harder to recommend to everyone.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve's annual fee is offset by a travel credit of up to $300 each year, good for things like taxis, subway fares, parking, tolls, and flights. This effectively decreases the annual fee to $250, so you'll have to decide whether the card's other benefits are worth it for you.

You now get a complimentary two-year Lyft Pink All Access membership, $5 per month in DoorDash in-app credit (along with complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership through December 2024), and up to $15 per month in Instacart credits (activation required by July 31, 2024). If you use these services frequently you may be able to justify the higher annual fee — but that's not the case for everyone.

Check out our guide to the best travel credit cards for more options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review here.

Best Travel Rewards on Dining and Groceries: American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card earns a massive 4x points at restaurants and on up to $25,000 per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets (and 1x points after that), 3x points on flights booked directly through the airline, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Based on the fact that you can easily redeem Membership Rewards points for more than 1 cent of value each when you transfer them to airline and hotel partners, this is one of the highest-earning available cards for everything food-related.

The American Express® Gold Card offers up to $120 in dining credits per year (after enrollment), broken into chunks of $10 each month. Credits are good for purchases through food delivery services Seamless and GrubHub, and at Milk Bar, Goldbelly, Wine.com, The Cheesecake Factory, or participating Shake Shack locations. Cardholders also receive $120 per year in Uber Cash (this is only applicable to U.S. Eats orders and Rides, and the card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit).

These credits can offset most of the card's $250 annual fee even before factoring in the value of the rewards you'll earn.

Read our Amex Gold card review here.

Choosing the Best Rewards Credit Card

Rewards credit cards give you something back for every dollar you spend — whether that's points or miles for travel, or cash back that you can use to lower your monthly bill or to treat yourself to a splurge.

But if you currently carry a balance on your credit card, prioritize paying off that debt as soon as possible before getting a new card, since any rewards you could earn will be wiped out by high interest rates from your existing card debt.

On top of that, many cards offer high welcome bonuses to new cardholders who meet a spending requirement in the first few months after opening a card. Some cards also include benefits like travel and purchase protection.

Rewards Credit Card Bonus Categories

This guide can help you find your best reward credit card if you already know what you want. But what if you're not sure which type of credit card best suits your spending habits?

If you're looking to maximize rewards on your everyday spending, look no further than the following credit cards. We'll break it down by spending category — from dining to gas to groceries.

Dining is a spend category most people will want to maximize since the average American spends $3,030 each year on dining out, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Luckily, lots of cards offer generous rewards for dining.

The Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants) offers the highest return on dining spending, with 5x points on these purchases. You may notice that some cards, like the Hilton cards below, offer more than 5x points — but keep in mind that the points multiplier is only half of the equation.

You also need to know how much each point is worth. We recommend using Business Insider's points and miles valuations to get a sense of how many cents you'll get in value with different loyalty currencies. These valuations are based on all the different ways you can use a given type of points or miles, from redeeming them as statement credits to transferring them to a travel partner to book a flight.

Below, we'll rank the best dining credit cards in order of highest to lowest return based on how many rewards you earn per dollar spent, and the value of those rewards based on our estimations.

Bilt Mastercard® : 3 points per dollar spent on dining; 6x points per dollar on Bilt Rent Day , which falls on the first of every month (points worth 5% return on dining most days, 9.9% on Bilt Rent Days) (must make at least five purchases per billing cycle to earn rewards on this card)
American Express® Gold Card : 4 points per dollar at restaurants (points worth 1.8 cents apiece; 7.2% return on spending)
Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : 3 points per dollar spent on dining (points worth 1.8 cents apiece; 5.4% return on spending)
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card† : 4% cash back on dining (4% return on spending)

Based on the numbers, the Citi Prestige is the most rewarding card for dining purchases on most days, but it's not taking applications anymore. And the Bilt Mastercard is a great option if you strategically dine out on the first of each month to take advantage of 6x dining returns.

The American Express® Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are better options for you if you prefer to earn Amex or Chase points.

You can transfer Citi ThankYou points to over a dozen airline transfer partners including Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, and Virgin Atlantic. But Amex and Chase's loyalty programs partner with airlines and hotels that are arguably more useful for many U.S.-based travelers, such as British Airways, Delta, and Marriott with Amex and Hyatt, United, and Southwest with Chase. In fact, Business Insider values Citi points (1.6 cents per point) a bit lower than Amex points and Chase points (1.8 cents each)

Gas and EV Charging

If you have a car, gas is a big spending category — and it's one that many cash-back credit cards pay out big rewards on.

American Express® Business Gold Card : 4 points per dollar spent at the two categories where you spend the most each month, including U.S. gas stations, on up to $150,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar (7.2% return on spending)
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card : 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants, supermarkets, air travel, hotels, and gas stations (4.8% return on spending)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card : 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at U.S. gas stations (3% return on spending)

Again, not all points are created equal, and whether 6 Hilton points are equivalent (or higher than) 4% cash back or 4 Membership Rewards points depends on how you redeem your rewards. Most people will be best off going with the American Express® Business Gold Card for gas rewards.

Thanks to a vast list of hotel and airline transfer partners, you can redeem Membership Rewards points for some incredible travel experiences. If you have a business-class trip to Europe in mind, Membership Rewards transfer partner All Nippon Airways (ANA) offers one of the best deals out there at 88,000 miles round-trip.

However, if you're saving up your Hilton points for a high-end resort in the Maldives, it could be worth channeling gas spending toward the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

Groceries

American Express® Gold Card : 4x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per year (then 1x point; 1.8%-7.2% return on spending)
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express : 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year (then 1%; 1%-6% return on spending)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card : 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets (3% return on spending)
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express : 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per calendar year (then 1%; 1%-3% return on spending)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs) (5.4% return on spending)

With 4x points on the first $25,000 spent each year at U.S. supermarkets, the American Express® Gold Card offers the most generous payout on grocery spending. Considering the average U.S. household spends $4,445 on groceries per year, these limits shouldn't be problematic for most consumers.

Earning 6% cash back on the first $6,000 spent, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a good option if you prefer cash back to rewards points. When maxed out, the 6% back equates to $360 cash back, which is enough for most people to book at least a couple of hotel nights or a round-trip transcontinental flight.

Flights and Other Travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express : 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel on up to $500,000 in spending a year, 5 Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel (9% return on spending)
Chase Sapphire Reserve® : 5x points on air travel (9% return on spending) and 10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (after earning the $300 travel credit) (18% return on spending) and 3x points on other travel purchases (5.4% return on spending)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : 5 points per dollar on all travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal (9% return on spending)
American Express® Gold Card : 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com (5.4% return on spending)

If you're looking for lots of rewards for flights, The Platinum Card® from American Express is a great choice. The card earns 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines and through Amex Travel. Prepaid hotel bookings made with American Express also earn 5 points (starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). One reason I'd recommend this card over the Citi Prestige is that the Amex Platinum now offers trip delay insurance, while Citi has done away with these on its cards.

While the American Express Platinum is a great option, not everyone will get enough value out of the 5x bonus categories to justify $695 annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a great alternative. While it earns a lower 3 points per dollar spent (outside of the Chase Travel Portal, where it earns 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on air travel), this bonus applies to all travel purchases, not just flights. Plus, the card's annual fee is partially offset by the $300 travel credit.

Unlike American Express, Chase doesn't restrict its travel credit to a specific airline. The credit automatically applies to any purchases coded as travel. That's why the Chase Sapphire Reserve is such a popular card for earning and redeeming travel rewards.

Other Spending

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : 1.5% cash back on most things, bonus cash back on eligible travel and drugstore purchases, can be combined with Chase Ultimate Rewards cards to boost your value
Discover it® Miles : 1.5 miles per dollar spent, and Discover will match the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year (3% return on spending)
Discover it® Cash Back : 1% cash back, with 5% in rotating quarterly categories on the first $1,500 in purchases each quarter you activate; then 1% cash back (1-5% return on spending) (from April 1 to June 30, 2024, earn 5% cash back at gas stations & electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores, and public transit on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%)

Lots of cash-back credit cards offer at least 1.5% cash back on everything, which is a great benchmark to keep in mind on purchases that aren't eligible for bonus points. The Discover it® Miles is a great option for those looking for a no-annual-fee card with accelerated earning power. Cardholders earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent, which is equivalent to 1.5% cash back. Discover will match all the rewards you earn at the end of your first year and can be redeemed for statement credits toward travel purchases or transferred to your bank account.

For those looking to maximize long-term earnings, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another great option. It earns 1.5% cash back on most things, with bonus cash back on eligible travel and drugstore purchases. If you have a Chase travel credit card like the Sapphire Preferred Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can convert your Freedom Unlimited rewards to fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points. Essentially, you could earn 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on everything outside of the bonus travel and drugstore categories, which equals a very solid return on every dollar you spend.

If you want the flexibility of earning occasional category bonuses, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Discover it® Cash Back are worth considering. Both cards earn 1% cash back along with 5% on select category bonuses. Bonus categories rotate every quarter and cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 worth of spending when they activate the bonus each quarter. Be sure to check the cash-back bonus calendar for Discover and Chase quarterly bonus categories for a better idea of where you can expect to earn more points (for Discover it® Cash Back, you can earn 5% cash back at gas stations & electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores and public transit from April 1 to June 30, 2024 on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

For a more straightforward option, the Citi® Double Cash Card is solid. Cardholders earn 1% cash back on purchases and another 1% when they pay them off. Because you can convert your cash back to ThankYou points, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a great way to earn 2 ThankYou points on every dollar spent.

Best Rewards Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

The Chase Ultimate Rewards loyalty program is incredibly flexible and easy for most people to use. A number of credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, including our recommendation for the best rewards credit card overall: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a simple credit card that earns 2% cash rewards on purchases.

The best rewards credit card is absolutely worth keeping in your wallet. The right card for you will reward you on everyday purchases, either in the form of cash back or travel rewards. Many credit cards do not charge an annual fee, so you won't have any additional costs to consider.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is Business Insider's top choice for best rewards credit card overall. This card offers great rewards and benefits with a low $95 annual fee. Best yet, this card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points , which are extremely valuable for their flexible redemption opportunities.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards with Rewards

The best rewards credit card for you should offer benefits you can use, that are worth the annual fee to you (if there is one). Look for perks such as statement credits that cover travel purchases, and travel protection benefits such as trip delay and trip cancellation insurance.

Some strong criteria to consider when evaluating your next rewards credit card can include the following questions:

Does this card earn bonus points or miles where I spend the most?
Can those points or miles be applied to rewards I'd actually want, such as airlines I typically fly or hotels I want to book?
Is it easy to redeem my rewards, or will I get lost in a maze of draconian rules, restrictions, and blackout dates?

With these guidelines in mind, our editorial team of experts purposely left out many rewards credit cards currently available to new applicants in order to narrow down our list to the very best options.

We define "very best options" as those that offer concrete value through benefits like annual statement credits and airport lounge access and through rewards such as bonus points on your everyday spending.

This list doesn't include any of our best airline credit cards or best hotel credit cards . If you're specifically interested in travel rewards rather than cash back, check out our full list of the best travel rewards credit cards .

Read Business Insider's guide to how we rate and review credit cards for more information on our methodology.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

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Which American Express Platinum Card Is Best?

Six distinctive cards offer tailored perks for customers.

Which Platinum Card Is Best?

An extreme close up of an American express card.

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Platinum cards from American Express all offer similar benefits and earning power for cardholders.

Some of the links on this site contain offers from our partners .

Key Takeaways

American Express Platinum Cards offer luxury travel benefits for a premium price.
Multiple cards are available to match your spending habits and needs.
It is possible to offset one card's hefty annual fee with credits based on your assets.

The American Express Platinum Card has been the go-to luxury rewards card for a generation of travelers. It includes premium benefits, annual credits, elite status and numerous other features that travelers enjoy. However, many people don't realize that there are actually six distinct versions of the luxury card:

The Platinum Card ® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Common Benefits of American Express Platinum Cards

Platinum cards have similar benefits and earning power for customers, which provides a common experience for cardholders and a unique advantage over competing cards from other issuers. All six Platinum cards have the following features in common:

No foreign transaction fees
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement
Cellphone protection
Premium car rental privileges

Kyle Stewart of Scott & Thomas, a boutique luxury travel agency that designs personalized travel itineraries, warns those thinking about adding a Platinum card to their wallet. American Express "has elevated annual fees from $450 before the pandemic to $695 while changing benefits along the way," says Stewart. "Cardholders new to the product should carefully consider the total value of the card before applying."

A Look at Each American Express Platinum Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

This card is advertised widely on the American Express website, marketing materials and credit card reviews. The Platinum Card from American Express is also one of the easiest to apply for and doesn't require a relationship with any specific financial institution. It's best suited for consumers who want the easiest path to apply and manage their account once it is open.

Annual fee: $695
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $8,000 within the first six months.
Earn five points per dollar on flights booked directly or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year) or hotels booked through American Express Travel.
Earn one point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection
CLEAR Plus membership
Airline annual fee credits of up to $200
Hotel annual fee credits of up to $200
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold elite status
American Express luxury hotel benefits
Annual spending credits with Walmart+, Equinox, Uber and more
Travel and purchase protections.

Note: Enrollment is required for select benefits. ( See Rates & Fees )

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express features the largest welcome bonus of any Platinum Card.

Welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 points after you spend $20,000 within the first three months.
Earn five points per dollar on flights or hotels booked directly through American Express Travel.
Earn 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more, and on eligible purchases with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, shipping providers, electronic goods retailers, and software and cloud system providers. This is capped at $2 million per year.
Unique features: It offers over $1,000 in annual credits to merchants like Dell, Indeed, Adobe and wireless telephone providers.
Travel and purchase protections

The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab

Schwab is a popular investing platform, and the company partnered with American Express to customize a Platinum card with exclusive benefits for its clients. Rewards can be redeemed for deposits into an eligible brokerage account.

The information for the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.

Unique features: Annual appreciation bonus up to $1,000, depending on the size of your Schwab holdings. Schwab customers can redeem Membership Rewards for deposits into an eligible Schwab brokerage account.

The Platinum Card From American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is another investment firm that offers a version of the Platinum card for its clients, and several unique features make its card one of the best available if you can qualify. Cardholders can redeem rewards for deposits into their Morgan Stanley brokerage account.

The information for the The Platinum Card From American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.

Annual fee: $695
Welcome bonus: Earn 125,000 points after you spend $8,000 within the first six months.
Earn one point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Qualify for a $695 annual engagement bonus if you hold a Platinum CashPlus account with Morgan Stanley.
Add one additional Platinum card for no annual fee.
Annual spending credits with Walmart+, Uber and more

Stewart recommends the Morgan Stanley Platinum for retirees receiving Social Security, a pension or other recurring retirement income. In order to receive the annual $695 credit, you must have a Platinum CashPlus account with a $25,000 balance or $5,000 in monthly deposits. However, "Social Security benefits of any amount also qualify."

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

This card earns Delta SkyMiles instead of Membership Rewards points. Additionally, its benefits center around Delta Air Lines flights rather than being a general travel card.

Annual fee: $350
Welcome bonus: Earn 85,000 miles after you spend $4,000 within the first six months.
Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta and hotel purchases.
Earn 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
Earn 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each year and earn $1 MQD toward elite status for every $20 spent.
Receive a Companion Certificate each year after card renewal.
Up to $150 in DeltaStays credit
Earn a 15% discount on Delta flights when you use miles to book travel.
Pay nothing for your first checked bag.
Receive 20% back on in-flight Delta purchases.
Up to $120 in Resy statement credits each year
Up to $120 in ride-hailing statement credits each year

Note: Enrollment is required for select benefits. (See Rates & Fees)

AMEX Platinum SkyMiles Business Credit Card Art

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card

Like its consumer card, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card earns miles instead of points – and rewards business expenses.

Welcome bonus: Earn 95,000 miles after you spend $8,000 within the first six months.
Earn 1.5 miles per dollar on transit, with U.S. shipping providers and on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. This is capped at $100,000 of combined eligible purchases per year.
Receive $2,500 MQD each year and earn $1 MQD toward elite status for every $20 spent.

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Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

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Best Vietnam SIM Card for Tourists: Guide to Price & Usage Tips

May 28, 2024

Best Vietnam SIM Card for Tourists: Guide to Price & Usage Tips

Trending Vietnam SIM Card for Travel

Country Vietnam
Package Option 7GB/day
Number of Days 7 Days
Price $5.26
Package Option 6GB/day
Number of Days 15 Days
Price $6.31
Number of Days 30 Days
Price $9.68
Instant confirmation
4G high-speed connectivity
Pick up your Vietnam SIM Card at Da Nang International Airport / Da Nang Hotel Delivery
No restriction for linking Facebook, LINE, WeChat, and WhatsApp

What is a Vietnam SIM Card?

A Vietnam SIM card is a subscriber identity module (SIM) card specifically designed for use in Vietnam, which provides users with a local Vietnamese phone number and allows them to access cellular networks for voice calls, text messaging, and mobile data services within Vietnam.

Travelers to Vietnam often purchase a local SIM card upon arrival to avoid high roaming charges from their home carriers. Using a Vietnam SIM card is generally more cost-effective for making local calls and using data services. It also enables users to stay connected with local contacts and access internet services without relying on Wi-Fi.

Here is the overview of Vietnam SIM Card for travel:

Which is more Suitable for you? Vietnam SIM Card vs. eSIM vs. Pocket WiFi

In Vietnam, visitors have three primary ways to access the internet: through a SIM card, an eSIM, or a Pocket WiFi device. The Vietnam SIM card is a conventional and economical method to accessing mobile services and offers rapid internet connectivity via local networks.

Vietnam eSIMs also provide a convenient solution that does away with the need to exchange physical SIM cards or carry a separate router. These eSIMs are protected against loss or damage and are increasingly favored for their immediate usability upon arrival in Vietnam.

Lastly, Pocket WiFi is a mobile device that allows you to have WiFi on the move, making it ideal for travelers, particularly those in groups, as it can support connections from multiple devices.

For further details on the differences between Vietnam SIM cards, eSIMs, and Pocket WiFi, refer to the table provided.

Where to Pick up Vietnam SIM Card

Da Nang International Airport Pick-up

Travelers can conveniently pick up Vietnam SIM Card at the Da Nang International Airport upon arrival.

Da Nang Hotel Delivery

For Hotels/ Resorts located in Da Nang City Centre, visitors will enjoy free delivery before your arrival time or on your request. For addresses outside Da Nang City Centre, there is extra for the delivery.

Why Choose Vietnam SIM Card

1. Because Vietnam SIM Cards are very Ecomonical

Trip.com offers cost-effective plans to cater to different needs of visitors to Vietnam. With 7GB/day data plan for 7 days, it only costs $5.26. Check the following table for more info about Vietnam Travel SIM Cards:

2. Because Vietnam SIM Cards have Great Reviews

Vietnam SIM Cards have been favored by lots of customers for the singanal quality, high-speed connectivity, and convenience. Here are customer reviews when using Vietnam SIM Cards:

It’s very easy process, picking up location is where the grab location, will definitely do again if go back DaNang again!

Very simple - arranged during booking for the SIM card to be delivered to the hotel. It was ready when we arrived to check in. No issues during setup and it's worked great since I started using it. Would definitely book again.

Fantastic service. Our flight was delayed so the office was closed when we arrived, they dropped the sims at our hotel the next day at no extra charge. Easy to set up-great price, great signal and service. Highly recommend

3. Because Vietnam SIM Cards Offer 24/7 Customer Service

Trip.com customer support is available 24/7 to solve any challenges that may arise. The team is proficient in multiple languages including English, Korean, and Cantonese, making it accessible to a diverse range of travelers. Whether you have questions about SIM cards or any other travel-related concerns, Trip.com is always prepared to help!

How to Use Vietnam SIM Cards

It's very easy to use Vietnam SIM cards, here is the step-to-step guide for how to use the SIM cards when travelling to Vietnam:

3 Advantages of Using Vietnam SIM Cards

1. Cost-Effective

Using a local SIM card in Vietnam is usually much cheaper than using international roaming services. You can make local calls, send text messages, and use data at local rates, which can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you're staying for a long period.

2. High-Speed Internet

Vietnam SIM cards offer high-speed 4G internet, which is essential for navigating around, checking emails, using social media, and staying connected with family and friends back home.

3. Easy to Purchase and Top Up

Vietnam SIM cards are readily available at airports, convenience stores, and mobile shops. It's also easy to top up your credit at any local store or online. This means you can stay connected throughout your trip without any hassle.

3 Disadvantages of Using Vietnam SIM Cards

1. Compatibility Issues

Your phone may not be compatible with the Vietnamese network frequencies, especially if it is locked to a carrier from your home country. This means you might need to unlock your phone before you can use a Vietnamese SIM card.

2. Keeping Your Original Number:

When you switch to a Vietnamese SIM card, you won't be able to use your regular phone number. This can be a disadvantage if you need to be reachable on your original number for work or personal reasons.

3. Limited Network Coverage

While the network coverage in urban areas is good, in rural or remote areas it can be quite poor. This can be a disadvantage if you are traveling to such areas and need reliable mobile service.

3 Tips for how to Choose Vietnam SIM Cards

1. Consider Your Needs

Before purchasing a SIM card, consider what you need it for. If you're going to be making a lot of local calls, choose a SIM card with a good rate for local calls. If you're going to be using a lot of data, choose a SIM card with a good data package.

2. Research Providers

There are several mobile network providers in Vietnam such as Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. Each provider offers different plans and rates. Research each provider to see which one offers the best deal for your needs.

3. Check Compatibility

Not all phones are compatible with all SIM cards. Before purchasing a SIM card, make sure it is compatible with your phone. If you're unsure, ask the seller or contact your phone's manufacturer.

FAQs about Vietnam SIM Cards for Tourists

1. Where can tourists buy SIM cards in Vietnam?

Tourists can easily purchase SIM cards in Vietnam at the airport, mobile phone stores, and sometimes at convenience stores or from street vendors.

2. What do I need to buy a SIM card in Vietnam?

You will typically need to show your passport as a form of identification. Some vendors may also require you to fill out a registration form.

3. Which mobile operators offer SIM cards for tourists?

The main mobile operators in Vietnam are Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. They all offer tourist SIM cards with various data and call packages.

4. Can I use my current phone with a Vietnam SIM card?

Yes, as long as your phone is unlocked and compatible with the GSM network used in Vietnam. Most modern smartphones are compatible, but it's a good idea to check with your current provider before you travel.

5. Will my Vietnam SIM card work in other Southeast Asian countries?

Some mobile operators offer plans that include roaming services in other Southeast Asian countries, but these are usually more expensive. It's often cheaper to buy a local SIM card in each country you visit.

✨ If you are curious about the Vietnam eSIM, check out the following article:

If You're travelling to Vietnam, Use Vietnam SIM Cards Right Away

To make your visit to Vietnam more enjoyable, it's crucial to have internet access. Choosing a Vietnam SIM card with fast data can greatly improve your experience.

For an affordable and hassle-free trip, think about buying a Vietnam SIM card via Trip.com! Trip.com provides 24/7 customer service to address any issues regarding redemption and setup. Consider using it to travel to Vietnam!

Vietnam SIM Card

1. Trending Vietnam SIM Card for Travel
2. What is a Vietnam SIM Card?
3. Which is more Suitable for you? Vietnam SIM Card vs. eSIM vs. Pocket WiFi
4. Where to Pick up Vietnam SIM Card
5. Why Choose Vietnam SIM Card
6. How to Use Vietnam SIM Cards
7. 3 Advantages of Using Vietnam SIM Cards
8. 3 Disadvantages of Using Vietnam SIM Cards
9. 3 Tips for how to Choose Vietnam SIM Cards
10. FAQs about Vietnam SIM Cards for Tourists
11. If You're travelling to Vietnam, Use Vietnam SIM Cards Right Away

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COMMENTS

Travel money Vietnam: How to pay & how much to bring
If you want a travel on a backpacker's budget, $40 or less a day will do. For a more comfortable trip, you can budget $60 to $100 per day. If you have expensive taste, it's easy to find a five star experience with prices to match at a budget of $200 a day. All prices are in US dollars. Hanoi.
5 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam
5 best travel money cards for Vietnam: Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Vietnam with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from the US:
Best travel money card for Vietnam dong
It's also more practical, as lots of places don't accept card (particularly in small towns). Best travel money card for Vietnam dong. Unfortunately, prepaid currency cards rarely offer VND as a loadable currency. If you want to use a card, opt for a multi-currency card, like the Caxton FX, WeSwap or Revolut, to access the best deals.
4 Best Ways to Take Travel Money to Vietnam in 2024
In this guide we'll walk through 4 of the most practical and popular ways to take money to Vietnam, including our top picks for providers to look at, pros and cons. Here are the common ways to pay overseas that we'll investigate: Prepaid Travel Card. Travel Debit Card. Travel credit card.
Currency and payments in Vietnam
Vietnamese currency. The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnam đồng, symbolised by ₫ or VND. Vietnamese notes are a mix of small paper bills (no coins are used), and larger polymer bills, in values from 10,000 VND to 500,000 VND. If you're confused by all the zeros, mentally remove three zeros to get a simpler number.
2 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam
Wise travel card. Delivered in Australia Visa/Mastercard debit card Virtual card available Mid-market exchange rate. Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Vietnam. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in AUD easily from your bank or ...
Get your Vietnamese Dong Currency Card
Free. Sending money abroad or sticking to a budget with built-in tools, no matter your needs, get more from your money with our Standard account. Plus. £3.99/month. Enjoy extra perks like priority in-app support and everyday spending protection, for less than the price of a coffee. All this and more, with Plus. Premium.
Best Currency to Take to Vietnam
Card prevalence in Vietnam: Prevalent; Cost to exchange: 2% - 5% on average; Method 3: Travel Debit Card. Just like credit cards, prepaid debit cards (which are also normally issued by VISA or Mastercard) provide an excellent way to pay while visiting Vietnam, the main difference being that you normally pay lower fees and exchange rates.
Exchanging Money in Vietnam: The Ultimate Guide
As of March 2024, $1 is equal to 24,642 Vietnamese Dong. Yes, $100 goes a long way in Vietnam. $100 is more than enough to pay for dinner, drinks, and a show for an entire family of 4 in most places. Vietnamese Dong, abbreviated as VND, is the only currency widely accepted in most places in Vietnam. Yes.
Money in Vietnam: A Tourist Guide to ATMs, Cards and Exchange
Withdrawal Fees. Here comes the tricky part - avoiding those pesky ATM withdrawal fees. I'm not talking about the fees you get charged by your bank - those you can avoid by using a FinTech solution like Revolut, Curve, or Monese. Most ATMs in Vietnam charge a withdrawal fee between 20.000 and 50.000 VND (0.8-2$).
3 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam
3 best travel money cards for Vietnam: Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Vietnam with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from the UK:
Money Suggestions for Travelers in Vietnam
How Much to Budget Per Day. Your $100 can go a long way in Vietnam. Budget travelers can expect to spend up to $25 a day on food and lodging. Middle-budget spenders can enjoy good restaurant food, hire cabs, and stay comfortably in good hotels for about $35-65 a day. To keep costs down, eat street food for every meal; it's not just good money ...
Get your Vietnamese Dong Currency Card
Where is the multi-currency Vietnamese Dong card available? Order your debit card in the Revolut app and get it sent to you. Then spend in Vietnamese Dong like a local when you travel to Vietnam. You can order your multi-currency card from 30+ other countries. Check availability via the Revolut app. Start spending abroad.
Vietnam Travel Money Guide
Our FX experts created a guide for all things travel money including tipping, card access, ATM availability and much, much more! Quick Contact . Call us. instant response. 1300 426 997 . Visit us. for a face-to-face chat ... Vietnam produces and exports the largest amount of cashew nuts in the world. Separate beginnings
Travel money card
Answer 1 of 6: Hi there, travelling from Australia to Vietnam & would be grateful for advice on what type of travel money card to use, both debit & visa for backup. Also should we purchase a SIM card at there or use our own. TIA. Vietnam. Vietnam Tourism Vietnam Hotels
Best way to take travel money to Vietnam.
Inaddition you need Vietnam dong to pay for taxi transfer from airport and you can easily change money at airports. Just change enough for about 1million because the rate at bank is better. Credit card (visa, mastercard) is widely accepted, but cash may save you the fee. Reliable ATMs can be found in big cities.
Travel Money Card
When you open a new Travel Money Card account online via NetBank or in branch. $0. Initial load/reload fee. When you initially load/reload funds onto your Travel Money Card or transfer funds from your Travel Money Card to an eligible CommBank account via NetBank or the CommBank app. The rate applicable is the CommBank Retail Foreign Exchange ...
14 Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024
No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits. General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options.
Best credit cards for international travel 2024
The card provides vital travel protections and earns valuable rewards at a reasonable $95 annual fee. Cardholders earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal and 2 on all other travel purchases. The card also comes with valuable travel insurance, which is vital when traveling abroad.
2 Best Travel Cards for Vietnam
2 best travel money cards for Vietnam: Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Vietnam with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from New Zealand:
Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees
The best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees are good for more than just travel. Shoppers and business owners can also save on overseas purchases with one of our top-rated cards.
Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024
The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers great value with its lineup of travel credits, including a $300 annual credit reimbursement for travel ...
International travel documents for children
Money and credit; Travel; Voting and elections; ... If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents: If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. ...
Choosing the Right Rewards Credit Card: a Comprehensive Guide
Product Details 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
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Travelers can save money by purchasing discounted airline gift cards, getting high-quality luggage for less, and booking discounted hotels through Costco Travel. Check out our pick for the best ...
Getting Social Security benefits if you are living outside the U.S
Get, replace, or correct a Social Security card SSDI and SSI benefits for people with disabilities Social Security retirement calculators Report the death of a Social Security beneficiary Social Security benefits abroad State social service agencies Government death benefits
How I saved more than $2,600 in 2 trips with my credit card's travel
Credit card travel insurance has given me thousands of dollars in value over the years - including about $2,600 during just two trips. You'll find coverage on some of the top travel credit ...
Which American Express Platinum Card Is Best?
Annual fee: $695 Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $8,000 within the first six months. Rewards: Earn five points per dollar on flights booked directly or through American Express ...
Best Vietnam SIM Card for Tourists: Guide to Price & Usage Tips
A Vietnam SIM card is a subscriber identity module (SIM) card specifically designed for use in Vietnam, which provides users with a local Vietnamese phone number and allows them to access cellular networks for voice calls, text messaging, and mobile data services within Vietnam.. Travelers to Vietnam often purchase a local SIM card upon arrival to avoid high roaming charges from their home ...
The Best Cash Back Credit Cards for June 2024
A family with a $3,000-a-month credit card budget, who spent half that total—$1,500—on food, would earn $720 a year in cash back with this card, the same as they would with Buy Side's Best ...