If you’re an expat or frequent flyer, you know every pound counts. The good news is there’s a simple solution: use a travel-friendly credit card. These specialist cards charge no foreign transaction fees on overseas spending, letting you pay in local currency at near-perfect exchange rates.
According to a recent study, choosing a card with no foreign fees can save you around 7% compared to using a standard bank card for purchases abroad. Beyond saving money, the best travel credit cards also come with attractive perks – from cashback on your spending to insurance and airport lounge access. And unlike cash or prepaid travel money, credit cards give you purchase protection under UK Section 75 law (for items over £100), which can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong with a booking or purchase overseas. Below we’ve rounded up the top UK credit cards for international travel as of late 2025, focusing on those with low fees and great perks.
Lloyds Bank Ultra Travel Credit Card
The Lloyds Ultra Credit Card is one of the newest and most rewarding travel cards on the market.
It charges no foreign exchange fees worldwide, so you get the same near-perfect rate that Lloyds itself gets.
Uniquely, the card also offers cashback on all spending – you earn 1% cashback on most purchases (UK and abroad) for the first 12 months, then 0.25% thereafter, with no cap. This means your holiday spending actually earns you money back.
There’s no annual fee for the card. It also allows fee-free ATM withdrawals abroad, though note that interest accrues from the withdrawal date until you pay it off (so try to pay off cash withdrawals immediately to minimise interest). As a Visa card, it’s widely accepted globally. Overall, Lloyds Ultra combines zero fees and high cashback, making it a top pick for travellers who will use it frequently. (Representative APR ~24.9% variable.)
Barclaycard Rewards Visa
The Barclaycard Rewards credit card is a long-standing travel favourite, especially for those who want simplicity.
It has no foreign transaction fees on spending worldwide, and it even lets you withdraw cash abroad fee-free.
Unusually, Barclaycard doesn’t charge interest on overseas cash withdrawals as long as you pay the balance in full by your next due date – essentially treating them like normal purchases. This is great if you occasionally need cash in hand during a trip.
The card also gives a small 0.25% cashback on virtually all spending (UK and abroad). While that rebate is modest, it’s a nice perk on top of the savings from avoided fees.
There’s no annual fee or foreign ATM fee. You do need to be over 21 with £20,000+ income and good credit to qualify. If you can get it, Barclaycard Rewards is a solid all-rounder for travel with no usage costs and a bit of cashback. (Rep APR 28.9% var.)
Halifax Clarity Mastercard
The Halifax Clarity Credit Card is a veteran in the travel card arena – a straightforward, no-frills card that still holds up well in 2025.
Its key selling point is no fees whatsoever on foreign currency spending. Whether you’re paying for a meal in Spain or shopping online from the US, you won’t pay any added commission or loading on the exchange rate.
The Clarity card also doesn’t charge a fee for ATM withdrawals abroad. Keep in mind, however, that cash withdrawals will incur interest from the day of withdrawal until paid off (at your standard rate) – there’s no grace period on cash like there is on purchases.
This card doesn’t offer cashback or rewards, but it has no annual fee and is known for reliability and worldwide acceptance. It’s a Mastercard, so it’s taken virtually everywhere.
If you want a simple “use-anywhere” travel credit card with zero fees, Halifax Clarity is a dependable choice that’s been trusted by UK travellers for years. (Rep APR ~19.9%–27.9% var. depending on individual circumstances.)
Virgin Money Travel Credit Card
Virgin Money’s Travel Credit Card is another excellent option for globetrotters seeking fee-free spending. It charges 0% foreign transaction fees on purchases worldwide and also does not add any interest on those purchases as long as you pay the statement off in full each month.
The Virgin card sweetens the deal with a cashback intro offer: you earn 1% cashback on most spending (UK and overseas) for the first three months, then 0.25% thereafter, up to a maximum of £15 cashback per month.
The card’s main caveat is with cash: ATM withdrawals abroad will incur a 5% cash fee and interest (24.9% p.a.) from day one until repaid, so it’s best not to use this card for cash. Stick to purchases to take advantage of its fee-free nature.
Virgin’s Travel card has no annual fee and comes with a representative APR of 24.9% variable. It’s a Visa card, so widely accepted.
For travelers who want no fees and some short-term cashback boost, Virgin Money’s offering is very appealing – just avoid ATMs and pay off your balance each month.
NatWest / RBS Travel Reward Card
The NatWest Travel Reward credit card (also available via Royal Bank of Scotland) is tailored for holiday spending and comes with some unique perks.
Like others here, it has no foreign purchase fees globally – so no 3% surcharge when you pay in local currency. This card stands out by offering 1% cashback on travel-related spending. That includes flights, hotels, train fares, car hire, cruises, travel agents and more – essentially many of the big holiday expenses. For any other purchases, you still get 0.1% cashback as a base. The idea is to reward you a little extra for typical holiday spends.
There is no annual fee for the Travel Reward card.
One thing to note: if you withdraw cash abroad, NatWest charges a 3% fee (min £3) on the withdrawal, and interest (~29.9% p.a.) will apply immediately. So again, avoid using it for cash except in emergencies.
As a Visa, you’ll have no acceptance issues in most countries.
To apply, you should be a UK resident earning at least £10K per year. The representative APR is 27.9% var. NatWest’s Travel Reward card is a great choice if you travel often and spend on transit and accommodation – you’ll earn back a bit on those big purchases, on top of saving money by not paying any foreign fees.
Santander Edge Credit Card
The Santander Edge credit card is a strong option for those looking to save on fees and earn cashback on everyday spending, both abroad and at home. This card has 0% foreign transaction fees on purchases overseas.
It also offers a generous 1% cashback on nearly all spending, whether you’re grocery shopping in the UK or dining out abroad. The cashback is capped at £10 per month, which effectively means it rewards up to £1,000 of spending monthly at 1%.
If you consistently use this card, that’s up to £120 cashback a year. However, the card does have a £4 monthly fee (£48/year), so you’ll want to make sure your cashback earned outweighs that fee for it to be worthwhile (spending at least £400 a month earns £4 cashback to break even).
The Edge card also charges 3% (min £3) on ATM withdrawals abroad plus interest on those cash withdrawals, so like others, try not to use it for cash.
The advantage of Santander Edge is that it’s not only a holiday card – it’s designed for everyday use with high cashback, which can justify its fee if you spend enough.
It’s a Visa card with broad acceptance. For frequent travellers who also want a single card for daily spending rewards, Santander Edge offers a compelling combination of no FX fees and up to 1% back, just mind the monthly fee.
Getting the best card for travel
Using a fee-free credit card abroad can significantly cut the cost of your travels and even earn you rewards or cash back to enjoy on your trip. All the cards discussed above will help you avoid those pesky ~3% fees and give you a better exchange rate than currency booths. The best choice for you depends on the perks you value – whether it’s pure savings (Halifax Clarity), cashback (Lloyds, Barclaycard, Virgin, Santander), or lifestyle rewards (Yonder). Whichever you pick, you’ll be keeping more money in your pocket while you explore the world.
For more tips on managing money as an expat or frequent traveller, check out our guide on managing finances while living abroad.
Caleb Hinton
Caleb is a writer specialising in financial copy. He has a background in copywriting, banking, digital wallets, and SEO – and enjoys writing in his spare time too, as well as language learning, chess and investing.
