Planning Your Next Trip? Consider a Travel Credit Card

Travel credit cards have increasingly become a favourite for many Australian tourists travelling overseas. The lack of, or low cost fees often associated with these cards often make them a winner when tossing up between a real credit card and a travel credit card.

What exactly is a travel credit card anyway?

Good question and when we look at the act of travel, then really any credit card could qualify for this label. However, when we speak of travel credit cards we usually mean MasterCard or VISA Debit Cards.

Opposed to traditional credit cards, these cards are linked directly to your savings or cheque account. When you use them to spend money either overseas, within the country or online, the money is directly debited from your account and you can only use the card if money is in the bank.

What you can do with your travel credit card:

• You can pay worldwide in millions of outlets wherever the Visa or MasterCard logo appears (depending on your card).
• You can buy stuff online.
• You can draw money directly from ATMs.
• You can use it like a debit card re. for EFTPOS purchases.

Since the money is paid in cash – only with plastic it isn’t technically a credit card either.

Travel credit cards for Australian consumers

We are always seeking the best deals on travel credit cards, sifting through credit card offers from all the Australian banks.

ANZ Everyday VISA Debit Card: This card is attractive because of the very low monthly fees. For $6 you can do unlimited transactions through the bank’s ATMs, Internet banking, telephone banking, EFTPOS and at the branch.

This card can be linked to your bank account and you also don’t need to be 18 years of age to get your hands onto one. In our eyes a great solution for travelling teenagers in need for some security, and people who like financial freedom without having to worry about their bank statements when they return home.

Another often overlooked benefit of choosing a travel credit card over a traditional one

These cards are often instantly approved provided your savings or checking account looks healthy enough. They do incur a spending curb as most cards do anyway and it is advisable to read the small print as usual before you “buy”.

You won’t need to worry about your credit rating, hefty interest rates in case you fail to pay up because if the money is not there you simply can’t spend it.

In the end, having a combination of cash, real credit card and a travel credit card is a foolproof way to travel just about anywhere in the world.

If you travel frequently and want to rack up your frequent flyer points, check out our guide to the Frequent Flyer Credit Cards available in Australia

Check out today's featured offers:

Westpac Low Rate	Citibank Clear Platinum	Qantas AMEX Discovery	ANZ Platinum
0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers	2.9% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers	$0 annual fee Up to 10,000 Bonus QFF Points	0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers

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Popular Credit Card Offers

			Interest Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)
	Westpac Low Rate Card - 0% Offer	A credit card with a low rate offer on both balance transfers and purchases, plus a low annual fee.	0% for 6 months (reverts to 13.49% )	0% for 6 months	$45	21.49%
	Citibank Clear Platinum Card	Competitive interest rate on purchases and balance transfers offer.	11.99%	2.9% for 12 months	$99	21.74%
	St George Vertigo	Take advantage of this great offer from St.George with a low rate on purchases and a low balance transfer offer.	13.24%	0.99% for 12 months	$55	21.49%
	ANZ Platinum Credit Card	An introductory interest rate offer on balance transfers and purchases, plus a $0 first year annual fee.	0% for 6 months (reverts to 19.24% )	0% for 6 months	$0 annual fee for the first year( $87 thereafter)	20.99%