Credit cards are often essential when traveling – whether for payments abroad, booking rental cars or covering unexpected expenses. But not every card is suitable: many incur high fees or offer little to no insurance coverage. In this guide, we show you the best travel credit cards that truly stand out – free, secure and with real benefits.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Aktion: 30 Euro Bonus
- 0 Euro Jahresgebühr
- Weltweit gebührenfrei bezahlen
- Reiserücktrittkostenversicherung inkl.
- Auslandskrankenversicherung inkl.
Barclays Visa
- Deal: 40 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 euros can be paid out immediately
C24 Mastercard
- Promotion: 75 Euro Bonus
- Free Mastercard debit card
- Free payments possible worldwide
- Free bank account included
It’s also about matching your individual needs, so you’re perfectly equipped while traveling. In our reisetopia credit card comparison, we present the best travel credit cards – with real advantages and no hidden costs.
👉 The cards presented here are the best travel credit cards in Germany, available to anyone with a permanent residence in the country.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- What is a travel credit card?
- In which countries do you need a travel credit card?
- Are there free travel credit cards?
- Which is the best premium travel credit card?
- Which types of travel credit cards exist?
- The best travel credit card 2025: Our experience
- Who should get a travel credit card?
- Our conclusion: the best travel credit card
What is a travel credit card?
As the name suggests, travel credit cards are a special type of credit card. They are designed primarily for use abroad to best meet the needs of travelers.
The benefits vary significantly depending on the card and provider. Some travel credit cards also come with an annual fee. That’s why you should compare the different options and conditions to find the one that suits you best.
Quick summary:
🏧 Free worldwide payments & withdrawals: Good travel credit cards waive foreign transaction and cash withdrawal fees.
✈️ Travel insurance included: Many cards come with perks like international health, baggage or trip cancellation insurance.
🏨 Ideal for rental cars & hotels: Credit cards are often required for bookings and deposits abroad.
🍾 Travel perks: Airport lounge access, bonus programs, travel credits and discounts are also possible benefits of travel credit cards.
In which countries do you need a travel credit card?
Travel credit cards are especially useful when visiting countries outside the Eurozone or when you need a reliable card for a round-the-world trip.
In countries with different currencies, banks often charge high foreign transaction fees. Even within Europe, there are several countries where having a travel credit card is a real advantage.
European countries where a travel credit card makes sense:
- England
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
- Hungary
- Bulgaria
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Romania
- Croatia
Outside Europe, a travel credit card is even more essential. In popular destinations like Thailand, Australia, the USA, Canada or Japan, credit cards are widely accepted, so you should definitely carry one.
💡 Note: Although travel credit cards are designed for frequent travelers, acceptance is not always guaranteed everywhere. It’s wise to carry some local currency cash as a backup.
Are there free travel credit cards?
For many, the first instinct when applying for a new travel credit card is to go to their regular bank. After all, that’s usually the go-to place for financial matters. However, cards from your local bank can be relatively expensive, as they rarely offer truly competitive products.
Hidden fees combined with high annual card costs are common. Whether at Sparkasse, Commerzbank, Postbank or Deutsche Bank, even products marketed as “Travel Cards” often fall short compared to other options.
⚠️ Important: Even if a card is advertised as a “free credit card”, certain costs may apply – for example, when using installment payments. Always check the card’s exact conditions beforehand.
What many don’t know: a good travel credit card doesn’t have to charge an annual fee at all. The German market offers plenty of free travel credit cards that are perfectly suited for traveling.
If saving money is a priority, no-annual-fee cards can be an excellent choice. Cards with interest-free grace periods also add flexibility.
🏆 Among free travel credit cards, the Hanseatic Bank GenialCard clearly stands out as the reisetopia test winner. Issued by a reputable German bank, it permanently waives the annual fee, offers worldwide acceptance and provides reliable service.
We’ve tested the GenialCard extensively on trips worldwide – from hotel bookings to cash withdrawals – and it has proven completely dependable in every situation.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 euro annual fee
- Free payments worldwide*
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide**
- Repayment in small and flexible installments
If you want more than just free global payments and withdrawals – like extended benefits – a premium travel credit card may be right for you. These often come with a more comprehensive insurance package and extras such as hotel or rental car status.
Another perk of many premium travel credit cards is lounge access. The most famous program is Priority Pass, giving access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide. Instead of waiting at the gate, you can enjoy a drink or a meal in comfort – a luxury we wouldn’t want to travel without, especially during long layovers or delays.
💫 The American Express Platinum Card is the perfect companion for those who want more than just a credit card. It comes with worldwide lounge access, extensive travel insurance, 200 euros annual travel credit and exclusive perks at many hotel chains and rental companies.
Whether with SIXT Ride credits to the airport or hotel status benefits at Hilton, Marriott & Co. – your journeys will become smoother, more comfortable, and more stylish. Best of all, every euro spent earns valuable Membership Rewards® points that can be redeemed flexibly for business class flights and other rewards.
American Express Platinum Card
- 200 Euro travel credit per year for flights, hotels and more
- 200 Euro SIXT Ride credit per year
- Up to 200 Euro discount & Priority benefits for Condor flight bookings
- Exclusive metal credit card
- Collect valuable points with each turnover
- Free platinum partner card with all benefits included
- Best insurance package in Germany
- Free lounge access with a guest at 1.550 lounges worldwide
- Upgrades, breakfast and more status benefits in hotels
Differences between free and premium travel credit cards:
| Free Travel Credit Card | Premium Travel Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | 0 euros | 100–720 euros |
| Additional card | Sometimes available | Usually included |
| Worldwide payments | ✅ | ✅ |
| Foreign transaction | Usually 0% | Often 1–2% |
| Free cash withdrawal | ✅ | ✅ |
| Travel insurance | Limited/optional | Included |
| Lounge access | ❌ | ✅ |
| Travel credits & additional benefits | ❌ | ✅ |
| Bonus/reward program | ❌ | ✅ |
Figures are based on typical market offers; actual benefits vary by provider.
Which types of travel credit cards exist?
As already mentioned, there are both free travel credit cards and premium options. Beyond that, however, the cards can also be divided into further categories. An overview of the main types of travel credit cards can help you find the one that best suits your needs.
Travel credit cards with no foreign currency fees
When abroad, the biggest cost factor isn’t always the annual fee but the foreign currency fee, a percentage surcharge applied when paying in non-euro currencies. This fee typically ranges from 1–3% of the transaction.
For example, if you spend 10,000 euros in foreign currencies over a year, you could end up paying as much as 300 euros in unnecessary fees. Fortunately, plenty of cards waive this fee entirely.
🗺️ Recommended option: The Barclays Visa, which allows worldwide fee-free payments and offers a free two-month credit period – especially useful for expensive trips.
Barclays Visa Credit card
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
Travel credit cards with free cash withdrawals
Another key factor is the cost of withdrawing cash abroad. Many cards charge up to 3% plus at least 5 euros per withdrawal. Combine this with foreign currency fees and ATM operator charges and withdrawing 100 euros could easily cost 10 euros or more.
🏧 Recommended option: The awa7 credit card from Hanseatic Bank. Similar to the GenialCard, it allows free withdrawals abroad and also supports environmental projects with its proceeds.
awa7 Visa Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide without fees*
- Withdraw cash abroad without fees**
- Repayment in small, flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 Euro instant payout
- Recommended by Stiftung Warentest (06/2025)
Travel credit cards with insurance
Many cards include travel insurance packages, sparing you from taking out separate policies.
Common coverages include:
- ✈️ Trip cancellation & interruption insurance
- 🌍 International health insurance
- 🚗 Rental car insurance (e.g., collision or liability)
- 🏥 Accident insurance
Some models also include additional benefits, though these are relatively rare. Most cards offer one or more of the insurances mentioned, so you should take a close look at what you truly need and which benefits are less important for you.
The best way to decide whether a travel credit card with insurance is worthwhile is to look at your previous spending habits on insurance.
Check whether a credit card might actually save you money. Trip cancellation insurance alone often costs as much as a good premium credit card.
⚠️ Note: Without travel health insurance, you could face five-figure costs – even without anything particularly serious happening. Even a simple hospital visit can be extremely expensive. The same applies to international health insurance, which every frequent traveler should really have.
🌍 Recommended option: The Revolut Metal card, which includes comprehensive insurance, accident coverage, and rental car protection – a strong all-rounder for many destinations.
Revolut Metal
- Discounted lounge access
- Exclusive metal VISA debit card
- Free transfers in 36 currencies
- Free top-ups with credit cards
- Free cash withdrawals
- Comprehensive insurance included
- Earn 1 Rev Point for every 2 euros spent
Travel reward cards
Another key feature of a travel credit card is the ability to earn miles or points on every purchase. These can be redeemed for flights in business or first class, hotel stays, or a wide range of other rewards. Used strategically, the value of these points can easily add up to hundreds or even thousands of euros per year, making such a card especially attractive for frequent travelers.
In addition, some providers of travel reward cards offer generous welcome bonuses, giving you an immediate head start in the world of miles and points collecting. This makes a travel reward card not only a convenient payment method but also a powerful tool to unlock exclusive travel experiences.
✈️ Recommended option: The Eurowings Premium Credit Card, which lets you collect Miles & More points, plus additional valuable travel perks.
Eurowings Premium credit card
- Free credit card in the first year
- Free cash withdrawals and payments abroad
- Benefits with Eurowings (e.g., Fast Lane, seat reservation)
- Umfangreiche Versicherungen
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- Earn Miles & More miles
The best travel credit card 2025: Our experience
So, which card is the best? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on your personal travel style and needs. That’s why we at reisetopia test multiple cards extensively and compare their strengths in real-world use.
Our pick of the best travel credit cards available right now:
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Aktion: 30 Euro Bonus
- 0 Euro Jahresgebühr
- Weltweit gebührenfrei bezahlen
- Reiserücktrittkostenversicherung inkl.
- Auslandskrankenversicherung inkl.
Barclays Visa
- Deal: 40 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 euros can be paid out immediately
C24 Mastercard
- Promotion: 75 Euro Bonus
- Free Mastercard debit card
- Free payments possible worldwide
- Free bank account included
How do we decide on our recommendations?
At reisetopia, we regularly use different cards, thoroughly test new financial products, and update our evaluations several times a year.
Our expertise allows us to analyze fees, benefits, customer service and community feedback to provide independent, value-driven recommendations.
In order to find the best financial products for you, we have been conducting independent and comprehensive comparisons for years. To do this, we test offers according to fixed criteria such as fees, services, and customer service, and compare the results transparently. This way, you can be sure to make a well-informed decision.
Have our reisetopia financial tips helped you? Then please rate us on Trustpilot!
Who should get a travel credit card?
A travel credit card is worthwhile for anyone traveling abroad – privately or for business. Especially outside the eurozone (e.g., USA, UK, Thailand, Australia, Switzerland, Canada), the right card can save you significant amount of money thanks to free payments, free withdrawals and fair exchange rates.
Travel Credit Cards are ideal for:
- 🌍 Adventurers exploring new countries
- 💼 Business travelers on frequent international trips
- ✨ Luxury travelers who value extras like insurance and lounge access
- 🎓 Students and young travelers who need a safe, flexible option on a budget
Our conclusion: the best travel credit card
A travel credit card is tailored to the needs of travelers, offering advantages like free foreign payments, fee-free withdrawals, and added insurance benefits.
To find the best card for your trips, compare providers’ conditions, fees, and perks carefully. With the right choice, you’ll not only benefit on vacation but also in everyday life – or even for work & travel.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Free withdrawals abroad*
- Free payments worldwide**
- Repayment in small, flexible installments
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
- Aktion: 30 Euro Bonus
- 0 Euro Jahresgebühr
- Weltweit gebührenfrei bezahlen
- Reiserücktrittkostenversicherung inkl.
- Auslandskrankenversicherung inkl.
Barclays Visa
- Deal: 40 Euro bonus
- Free credit card
- Free cash withdrawals worldwide
- Free payments worldwide
- Free loan up to 2 months
awa7 Credit Card
- 0 Euro annual fee
- Pay worldwide free of charge*
- Withdraw cash abroad free of charge**
- Repayment in small and flexible rates
- Up to 2,000 euros can be paid out immediately
C24 Mastercard
- Promotion: 75 Euro Bonus
- Free Mastercard debit card
- Free payments possible worldwide
- Free bank account included
