The best bank cards for travel in the UK 2023

To avoid unnecessary hassles, always be well prepared for your travels and business trips: get a good bank card that offers you everything you need, especially when it comes to insurance. But how do you choose the right card? In this buying guide, we will present you the best bank cards for travel to help you in your choice.

Ultim card from Boursorama 1
9/10

Best value for money

Ultim card from Boursorama

The best bank card in 2021

With a free premium Visa Ultim card, Boursorama Banque offers a welcome bonus of €80 to new customers for opening an online account.

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With or without income condition according to the chosen debit, the offer of Boursorama Banque which is the Ultim card allows to benefit from a bank account with a free premium visa card. This Ultim offer is accessible to all, without having to justify a level of income, savings in the bank or regular payments to be made on the account. Boursorama also offers its Ultim card in deferred debit provided that you can prove a minimum monthly income of €1,500 and that since December 2020.

When this card is associated with a Boursorama Bank account, it becomes a balance control visa. This means that it works both in offline mode in tolls and parking lots, and in online mode with payment terminals at merchants. However, the Visa Ultim card, whether immediate or deferred debit, will only be free of charge if at least one monthly payment is made. If this condition is not met, an inactivity fee of €9 per month will be applied.

Fortuneo Fosfo card 2
8/10

Best value for money

Fortuneo Fosfo card

The best bank card for travel in 2021

The Fosfo card allows you to make free withdrawals and purchases, both in the UK and worldwide. It is the perfect card for travel.

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The online bank is offering a €30 welcome bonus for opening a Fortuneo current account with reduced fees and a free Fosfo Mastercard, accessible to everyone and with no income requirements. To benefit from this offer, you must specify the code "FTN0321" in the online opening form, then make at least 5 card payments by June 20, 2021. Thereafter, this card is free by making at least one payment per month.

To clarify, the Fosfo card is a Mastercard card with balance control and immediate debit, which allows you to track your transactions in real time from the online interface on the internet or on the app. The card is therefore free of charge, provided that the cardholder makes at least one payment per month. Otherwise, a monthly inactivity fee of €3 will be charged. You can enjoy your trip with this card. Finally, to activate the account, an initial payment of at least €300 is required.

ING Cards 3
7/10

Best premium value for money

ING Cards

The best bank card for travel in 2021

With a free Gold or Mastercard bank card, ING, the online bank with one million customers in the UK, offers a current account that is accessible to everyone.

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ING offers a large number of free banking services, the most common of which are the provision of a bank card, cash withdrawals at ATMs, sending a checkbook at home, transfers and direct debits, intervention fees. The online bank applies to the current account to practice reduced fees compared to traditional institutions. And all this is just to pass on the savings to its customers due to the lack of physical network.

For its very competitive rates, ING has won a Trophy of the bank, rates 2021 for the premium profile. It is therefore the bank with the best services to satisfy its customers. In terms of remote management, ING bank offers its "ING" application on iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows. The interface is similar to that of the customer area on computer, whether for consulting accounts or requesting a transfer. So you can follow your transaction from anywhere you want.

Hello Bank 4
8/10

Best of excellent choices

Hello Bank

The best bank card for travel in 2021

Hello bank's current account is a complete online banking offer, which allows its customers to take advantage of the BNP Paribas network abroad. The offer of Hello bank is very special, useful for traveling around the world.

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Buying guide • November 2023

Best bank card to travel

Any specific needs?

The best bank card in 2021

The best bank card for travel in 2021

The best bank card for travel in 2021

The best bank card for travel in 2021

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best bank cards for travel

TOP OF THE TOP NOT EXPENSIVE EXCELLENT choice
Ultim card from Boursorama 5
9/10
Fortuneo Fosfo card 6
8/10
ING Cards 7
7/10
Hello Bank 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Ultim card from Boursorama
Fortuneo Fosfo card
ING Cards
Hello Bank
With a free premium Visa Ultim card, Boursorama Banque offers a welcome bonus of €80 to new customers for opening an online account.
The Fosfo card allows you to make free withdrawals and purchases, both in the UK and worldwide. It is the perfect card for travel.
With a free Gold or Mastercard bank card, ING, the online bank with one million customers in the UK, offers a current account that is accessible to everyone.
Hello bank's current account is a complete online banking offer, which allows its customers to take advantage of the BNP Paribas network abroad. The offer of Hello bank is very special, useful for traveling around the world.
Guarantee
Allows you to benefit from a bank account with a free visa card
free with at least one payment per month.
Offers many banking services
A €80 time-limited bonus for all first-time subscribers
Advantage
Accessible to all
Accessible to all and with no income requirement
Has an app on iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows
Free, with reduced fees abroad, and comes with a balance-controlled Visa card
Specificity
With a welcome bonus for first opening
30 € welcome bonus for first opening
Best service proven by acquiring Premium Profile Trophy
Compatible with Apple Pay and Paylib, and provides i access to mobile payments

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Buying guide - bank card to travel

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How to choose your bank card to travel

It is important to choose the right bank card for travel, because it can avoid problems when traveling. To do so, you must take into account the following criteria to make the right choice.

#1 - The type of card

There are several types of bank cards, and banks are not the only organizations to offer such as :

  • The credit card is a payment card offered in the consumer sector. The purpose of this card is to obtain a credit reserve based on the revolving credit system. But it presents a risk of overindebtedness due to a rather high interest rate.
  • The reloadable bank card, which is a still recent means of payment and withdrawal, intended primarily for people in a situation where they are not allowed to bank or who wish to remain anonymous. It works on the same model as telephone top-ups and does not require the opening of a bank account beforehand.
  • The withdrawal card is mainly intended for young people aged 18 to 25. But also for people at risk, because it only allows limited withdrawals.
  • The payment card, which is the best known and most widely used bank card. Also known as the "blue card", it allows you to make payments and cash withdrawals.
  • The payment card with systematic authorization which works on the principle of a classic payment card, but the difference is that during a transaction, the chip of the card transmits a systematic request to the holder's bank, in order to control the balance of the bank account and covers transaction. It is intended for people who have difficulties to respect a budget.

#2 - Bank card rates

Theprice is an important criterion for choosing a bank card. One thing to know before choosing a bank card is that cards are expensive. They are generally between 40 and 50 € for a classic card and between 130 and 140 € for a top of the range card. It is charged between 70 and 90 € with a classic card, if it is associated with a banking pack. And between 170 and 180 € for a top-of-the-range card. The fact of choosing well allows you to make significant savings. But with online banks, its banks offer a free bank card.

#3 - The range of bank cards

Thereare several ranges of bank cards such as classic bank cards that allow you to withdraw money, make payments, use contactless or pay on the internet. These cards can be used abroad. But there are also the top of the range cards (Gold, Premier) which have certain advantages like higher spending and withdrawal limits. They also come with a lot of insurance and assistance that is particularly useful for travel.

#4 - The type of debit

Itis vital to consider the debit when choosing your card. First, there is deferred debit, the withdrawals will only be made at the end of the month or the beginning of the next month all at the same time. And if you are going to choose the deferred debit, it is important to keep track of your payments so that you do not spend more than you have. Then there's immediate debit, which results in expenses being taken out quickly.

#5 - The insurance

Allbank cards come with a guarantee and assistance. It is even possible to add some by subscribing to an insurance means of payment. And it's the top of the line bank cards such as prime visas or Gold Mastercard that are more useful than the classic cards because they are a better bank card for travel. And it is these cards that are associated with guarantees that can be useful during a trip in the UK, in Europe or in the rest of the world. To benefit from the assistance provided by these cards, all you need to do is to be the holder of a valid bank card. And for the insurance, it is necessary to have paid totally or partially the trip as the air ticket, rental, etc..

Where to find a bank card for travel?

Whether it's Classic or Gold, to find your ideal bank card, opt for a card from online banks. Because they have introduced the concept of free bank card. So you can have your bank card to travel for free without any additional fees or charges. This means that you don't have to pay €130 or €140 per year to get a top of the range card.

Classic bank card or Visa bank card

Bank card for classic travel

The classic bank cards allow you to pay easily and securely your purchase on the internet. It also avoids having to carry cash on you, but also constitutes a very wide acceptance by merchants. But cash withdrawals are likely to have fees. Moreover, the acceptance of these cards is very limited at merchants. They are not designed for travel.

Classic Visa Card

With the classic visa card, you benefit from a comfortable payment and withdrawal capacity in your country and abroad. They are therefore ideal for travel as they give you access to the entire Visa network worldwide and your card is accepted by millions of merchants. But you have to use them with caution because they are likely to be at the mercy of hackers on the net because all your activities are done online. You risk losing your money.

Verdict

When it comes to online shopping, opt for the classic cards because they are more secure. When it comes to travel, opt for visa cards because they make your life easier when you travel and they are also very practical.

Tips

Take into account your purchasing habits

When choosing a bank card for travel, it is important to choose the card that best suits your lifestyle and purchasing habits. Because a good bank card is what exactly meets your needs. If you spend a lot, it is better to choose a high-end bank card with a higher spending limit.

Ask yourself about your ability to manage your account

Youshould pay for your purchases in deferred payment, because it seems a very interesting solution to not be overdrawn too early in the month. But for that, you must be sure to have enough money at the time of the debit at the end of the month to avoid being overdrawn. But the immediate debit option is the most reasonable solution, but it depends on you.

Consider your travels abroad when choosing your card

Tochoose one without taking into account your travels, whether in the UK or abroad, is not very wise. Opt for international bank cards, as they are very useful and convenient in case of frequent trips abroad. And in addition, an international bank card holder benefits from many more insurance services.

Compare and read the insurance and assistance conditions of the cards

Theseservices vary depending on the type of card. And before choosing your bank card; it is very important to know the different insurance and assistance services offered, because some of them could be useless since insurance such as housing or car already covers you. To know everything about it, don't forget to read carefully the general conditions of the insurances and assistances.

Watch out for the amount of the ceilings before choosing your bank card for travel

Banks set a maximum amount not to exceed per month depending on your financial and living situation whether it is for withdrawals, payments or overdrafts. And the limit limits set by the banks can be changed temporarily with some payment cards that offer this service. So, read the terms and conditions of sale of bank cards very carefully before making your choice.

FAQ

What is the best bank card to travel with?

The best bank card for travel depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to learn more.

How to avoid payment fees abroad?

Toavoid these fees, it's in your best interest to sign up for a free bank card abroad. To do this, however, you'll need to sign up with an online bank or neo bank, as few traditional banks offer this type of free bank card.

Does the Visa card work abroad?

Visa and Mastercard bank cards allow you to withdraw money abroad, so yes. But withdrawals in the euro zone are subject to the same pricing conditions as withdrawals in the UK, so they are free for most bank cards.

How to withdraw money without a bank card?

You'rewondering if this is possible? The answer is yes, in general you can make a withdrawal without a bank card in a branch belonging to the same network as yours. But this procedure is only possible upon presentation of your checkbook and a valid ID. In this case, you just have to write a check to the branch where you are going.

How to activate your bank card abroad?

Toactivate your bank card, you must make a withdrawal from an ATM in the UK or abroad. You can also pay for a purchase at a merchant in the UK, by entering your secret code. But this method does not work with online payments.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. 15 Best Travel Credit Cards of March 2021, Nerdwallet.com
  2. Boursorama Bank - The bank we want to recommend., Boursorama
  3. Fosfo Mastercard, Fortuneo.fr
  4. The Simple and 100% Online Current Account, ING
  5. devenir-client-hello, Hellobank
  6. 4 Tips for Using Credit Cards Overseas, Investipedia.com
  7. Travel credit cards: the best credit cards to use abroad - MSE, Moneysavingexpert.com
  8. Travel money cards with the lowest fees | CHOICE, Choice.com
  9. How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card in 2021 (+ My Top Cards), Nomadicmatt.com
  10. The best debit card for international travel, Sfgate.com
  11. What's the best bank card for going abroad? You need to take ..., reassurez-moi.fr
  12. Best bank card for international travel: the ..., tourdumonde5continents.com
  13. What is the best bank card for travel - 01 ..., instinct-voyageur.fr
  14. Bank card for travel - Routard.com, moneyvox.fr
  15. Comparative no-fee bank cards abroad, 01banque-en-ligne.fr
  16. What bank card for travel without fees ..., routard.com
  17. Bank card for travel: how to choose it, tourdumondiste.com
  18. What bank card to choose for travel abroad, confidencesdevoyages.com
  19. Bank for travel: what bank card for travel abroad, capitaine-banque.com
  20. What bank card for travel without fees . - The Backpack, maglobetrotteuse.com
  21. Banking card to travel without fees : Ultim from Boursorama, voyageway.com
  22. Which bank card to travel abroad ..., lesacados.com
  23. Which bank card to travel in Europe without fees from ..., decouvrirensemble.com
  24. Which is the best card to travel with, connectbanque.com
  25. Best bank card to travel to the United States, voyages.ideoz.fr
  26. Banking card to travel - Travel Blog - Lovers of the World, capitaine-banque.com
  27. N26 : the best bank card to travel to the United States, mon-guide-bancaire.com
  28. Here's the best bank card to travel with, amoureux-du-monde.com
  29. Cash Passport : the prepaid bank card to travel ..., passionamerique.com
  30. Best bank card to travel to Algeria, prendrelavion.com
  31. Revolut bank card to travel : Mastercard ..., instinct-voyageur.fr
  32. Guide : bank card without fees abroad for ..., mon-guide-bancaire.com
  33. Which online bank to travel with ? Tips and ranking, voyagesvikings.fr
  34. , connectbanque.com
  35. , selectra.info
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Ultim card from Boursorama 9
Ultim card from Boursorama
Fortuneo Fosfo card 10
Fortuneo Fosfo card
ING Cards 11
ING Cards
Hello Bank 12
Hello Bank

Lecteurs

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