Which credit card to use abroad

What "good for travel" actually means

A travel-friendly card has four features: a true interbank exchange rate (no markup), no foreign transaction fee, free ATM withdrawals (or a generous monthly cap) and worldwide acceptance on Visa or Mastercard.

Compare account fees, currency markups, withdrawal caps, ATM fees and weekend or plan-specific conditions. Charges vary by issuer, country and subscription; read the current tariff.

Always carry two cards

A second card on a separate account (and ideally a different network: one Visa + one Mastercard) is your backup if the first is lost, blocked by fraud detection or simply rejected by a merchant.

Keep the backup in a different bag or pocket. The first 30 minutes of a lost wallet are much calmer when you have a working card.

Withdraw cash strategically

Cash is still required in many countries for taxis, markets and small restaurants. Withdraw a larger amount once a week instead of small amounts every day - most ATM operators charge a fixed fee per withdrawal, regardless of the amount.

Compare the offered currency conversion with your issuer’s rate and fees. Paying in local currency often avoids the merchant or ATM conversion markup, but check the displayed terms before accepting.

Check payment protections and deposit requirements

Chargeback rights and legal protections depend on the country, network, issuer and transaction; they may also apply to debit cards. Ask your issuer about eligibility and deadlines. Some rental companies require a credit card for the deposit: confirm this before booking.