What is the best credit/debit card for traveling?

Answer

Hi Matt,

There's lots of information out there on different kinds of credit cards and how they can be used for travel, and just about everyone has their own opinion on which card is the best. This will also depend on what you'd like to use your card for: are you hoping to accumulate or use travel points, or are you more concerned with not getting slapped with tons of fees for using your card abroad?

Airline cards (most airlines have one, so take a look at the airlines you fly with the most) or general travel rewards cards can be a great way to finance your travels, if you're smart about using them and accumulating points that can be used toward paying for flights, hotel rooms, car rentals and other travel expenses.

Foreign transaction fees are the bane of many a frequent traveler's existence, but they're not a given with every card. Most Discover and Capital One cards don't have foreign transaction fees, and other banks will sometimes waive fees for certain cards. If you already have a card with a certain bank or credit union, it's worth giving them a call to see if there's a possibility of waiving foreign transaction fees, even if it's only for part of your time abroad, since those charges can add up fast.

Nerdwallet is a great resource for this kind of information. Here's a breakdown they did of some of the best card options for travelers: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-card/