Selecting how to manage your finances while traveling can be one of the less exciting parts of going abroad. Instead of carrying physical cash, using a card is a convenient option. To simplify your search for the right choice, we’ve compiled a list of the top travel money cards available for use in the UK. Among the many options, you’ll need to pick the card that best suits your needs. This list provides a summary of the key benefits of each card, whether it’s a prepaid, debit, or credit card designed for international use. These travel cards can be used both for in-store and online purchases, as well as for withdrawing cash from ATMs. Keep reading to discover the finest travel money cards in the UK.
What is a prepaid travel card, you ask?
Well, it’s like your personal spending buddy when you go on a trip. Prepaid travel cards, often known as travel money cards, are pretty much like debit cards, but with a clever twist. Before you jet off on your vacation, you load them up with money. They’re a handy way to stick to your budget and keep your wallet from bulging.
The great thing is, you can use these prepaid travel cards at lots of places—just like MasterCard or Visa debit or credit cards. Whether you’re shopping at a store, grabbing a meal at a restaurant, or paying at a cash register, your travel money card is up for the task.
Now, here’s why they’re different from regular credit cards:
1.Spending Limit:
With a prepaid card, you can’t spend more than what you’ve put on it. No surprises, no debts piling up. You’re in control, and you can only spend what you’ve loaded onto the card.
2.Choose Your Currency:
Depending on where you’re off to, you get to pick the currency you want on your travel money card. This often means you get a better deal on the exchange rate, which can save you some cash.
So, in simple terms, a prepaid travel card is a clever way to handle your travel money, stay within your budget, and make sure you’re not lugging around a heavy wallet. It’s like your trusty sidekick for a worry-free vacation.
3.Revolut Travel Money Card
The Revolut Travel Money Card is pretty budget-friendly. Here’s why it’s a good pick:
- You won’t be charged for purchases, loading, reloading, or sneaky exchange rate fees.
- It’s easy to spend the money you’ve loaded onto it or switch it back to Australian dollars whenever you want, which makes it one of the best travel money cards around.
- They give you fair exchange rates, and there are no secret extra charges – they use the same rates you’d find on XE or Google.
- But here’s the catch: If you use the free Standard account and withdraw more than $350 from an ATM in a single month, they’ll slap on a 2% fee. Also, watch out for the $10.99 monthly cost if you don’t use the premium account often enough – it can add up fast.
4.Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Here’s the scoop on the Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard:
- Spend £3,000 in your first three months with the card, and you’ll score a bonus of 25,000 Avios points.
- It’s got the highest Avios earning rate of any UK credit card, giving you 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on all your purchases.
- But be careful if you use it abroad because there’s a foreign transaction fee of 2.99%. That fee could outweigh the Avios you earn on those purchases.
- Plus, British Airways sweetens the deal with some hefty cabin upgrade vouchers. If you spend £10,000 on this card in the previous 12 months, you can snag a cabin upgrade voucher every year.
- This card typically comes with a credit limit of £1,200 and has an average APR and purchase rate of 23.9% variable.
5.American Express Business Platinum Card
For small business owners in the UK who love to travel, the American Express Business Platinum Card is a fantastic choice among the best travel money cards.
- Spend £6,000 in your first three months, and you’ll get a generous reward of 40,000 Membership Rewards points.
- You earn one Membership Reward point for every £1 you spend, and if you book through American Express Travel, you get two Membership Rewards points for every £1.
- There are more perks too, like saving £150 on each onefinestay reservation and receiving a free annual digital membership to The Times and The Sunday Times, valued at £312.
- One thing to note is that this card is a charge card, not a credit card. That means you have to pay off the entire balance every month.
- But there’s a catch—it comes with a hefty £595 annual fee.
In Conclusion:
Choosing the right travel money card can be a savvy way to manage your finances while globe-trotting. These cards offer a range of benefits, from earning points to keeping your budget in check. Whether you’re jet-setting for leisure or business, finding the perfect travel money card can turn your travels into a smoother, more rewarding experience. Just remember to weigh the fees against the perks and select the one that suits your needs best. Safe travels!
