Erin Yurday
Author
ClearScore is a broker, not a lender.
According to our analysis of the market, the following cards stand out for certain purposes. The right card for you will depend on your individual situation and needs.
Why trust our picks? Our analysis is based on a review of more than 100 UK credit cards from 25 providers, assessed across fees, APRs, rewards, introductory offers and other key features. Latest rolling analysis conducted between January and March 2026. See our full methodology here.
Always make sure you can afford repayments.
If you don't want to rack up fees for using your credit card while you're on holiday, it's important to have a card that doesn't charge for non-sterling transactions while abroad. With so many available in the market, there are many to choose from.
All of the cards discussed in this article are "no fee" for purchases made abroad in a foreign currency. But only some are "no fee" on cash withdrawals. Here's a quick summary of the fees you'll pay to use these UK travel cards for purchases and cash advances when you're abroad, as well as the cash advance interest rate (this is critical because interest charges start accruing right away):
Best No FX Fee Credit Cards in the UK | FX Fee on Purchases | Fee on Foreign ATM Withdrawals | Cash APR (variable) |
Halifax Clarity | n/a | n/a | 23.9% |
Chase UK Credit Card | n/a | n/a | 24.90% |
Santander All In One | n/a | 3% (min £3) | 29.9% |
Barclaycard Rewards | n/a | 2.99% (£2.99) + FX fee | 28.9% |
Below is our choice of some of the best travel credit cards for use abroad, chosen after considering fees on ATM withdrawals, fees on non-sterling transactions, interest rates on cash withdrawals (which are often higher than the purchase APR) and other perks, when available. The best card for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your individual situation, the lenders and the features you care most about.
The Halifax Clarity Credit Card is another solid card to use abroad as it won't charge a fee on foreign transactions, whether that's a charge at a retailer or an ATM withdrawal, plus there's no additional "cash" fee. While ATM withdrawals won't incur a fee, however, interest will start accumulating from day 1 - there is no grace period on cash withdrawals on the Clarity card. That said, at least the interest rate on cash withdrawals is lower than average, at 23.9% variable APR. Since interest charges on cash transactions start accruing immediately, it's best to pay back any ATM withdrawals as soon as possible if you must take out cash with this card (even before your next due date).
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 23.9% variable.
No fees on non-sterling ATM withdrawals or transactions abroad
Lower-than-average variable 23.9% interest rate on cash withdrawals
23.9% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
No annual fee
The Chase UK Credit Card also charges no foreign exchange fees on purchases made abroad, meaning you pay the Mastercard exchange rate with nothing added on top — handy for holidays or overseas online shopping. It also comes with no annual fee and offers 0% interest on purchases for up to 15 months, so it can double as a way to spread the cost of a big trip (or other purchase). Bear in mind it doesn't earn cashback (unlike the Chase debit card), and you'll need an existing Chase current account to apply. For travellers who are already Chase customers, it can be a convenient option — though those without a Chase account may find it's not worth having to open a new current account as well.
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 24.9% variable.
No fees on non-sterling ATM withdrawals or transactions abroad
Lower-than-average variable 24.90% interest rate on cash withdrawals
24.90% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
No annual fee
Only available to existing Chase UK customers
The Santander All in One Credit Card is a decent choice for people to use abroad because it doesn't charge FX fees on purchases. But it does charge a fee on foreign currency ATM withdrawals. Plus the interest rate on cash withdrawals is higher, making it less desirable than the Zero in this respect. This card gives 0.5% cashback on purchases, but charges £3 a month.
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) with a £3 monthly fee, the representative APR is 29.8% variable.
No fees on non-sterling transactions abroad
3% (min £3) fee on cash transactions (at home and abroad)
29.9% variable interest rate on cash withdrawals
23.9% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
£3/month fee
The Barclayard Rewards Credit Card is another good choice for people to use when travelling because it doesn't charge FX fees on purchases. Plus cardholders get 0.25% back on purchases. While this is less than the best rewards cards, it is at least something for a travel card. And now there is NO FEE to get a cash advance from an ATM when you're on holiday. Bonus! (But note, interest DOES start accruing immediately from the cash withdrawal date, except not if the statement is paid in full by the due date...)
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 28.9% variable.
No fees on non-sterling transactions abroad
No fees on cash transactions (at home and abroad)
28.9% variable interest rate on cash withdrawals
28.9% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
No annual fee
To compare the best UK travel cards, we calculated the cost of withdrawing £500 worth of cash in a foreign currency at an ATM abroad. Some cards charge a withdrawal fee and you'll also pay interest charges. The chart below shows the estimated charges you'd incur on these cards, assuming the balance is paid back in 30 days and before the next statement due date.
Below is a summary of some of the UK's travel cards across different categories. This list is by no means exhaustive. There may be a card with better features that we do not mention below.
Best For... | Card | Quick Overview |
Overall | Halifax Clarity | No fees on non-sterling transactions or ATM withdrawals; 23.9% variable interest on foreign cash withdrawals |
Overall | Santander All In One | No fees on non-sterling transactions but a 3% (min £3) fee on foreign cash withdrawals; 29.9% variable interest on foreign cash withdrawals |
Overall | Barclaycard Rewards | No fees on non-sterling transactions but a 2.99% (£2.99) + FX fee on foreign cash withdrawals; 28.9% variable interest on foreign cash withdrawals |
All of the travel cards listed on this page are "no fee" for non-sterling transactions abroad. This means you won't incur any extra fees for using your card to pay for a candle-lit dinner for two in Florence or a new swimsuit in the Canary Islands. One area in which the travel cards tend to differ is in their treatment of cash withdrawals. Be on the lookout for two types of charges relating to taking local cash out of an ATM:
The fee charged for withdrawing cash - this usually ranges from "no fee" to a 3% fee (£3 minimum)
The interest charged on cash withdrawals - be aware of the interest rate, which is often higher than your purchase rate
If there is a grace period (i.e., when you pay your balance off in full and on time, no interest is charged on cash withdrawals)
Choosing the best travel credit card for you will depend on your individual situation and spending habits. When deciding which card to choose, pay attention to the purchases and cash APR. Cash advances in particular tend to be expensive for three reasons:
Cash handling fee
Higher interest rate
Interest starts accruing immediately from transaction date
In the UK, the Halifax Clarity, Santander All In One, Barclaycard Rewards and Virgin Travel card are some of the best credit cards for foreign transactions because they don't charge foreign transaction fees.
Most credit cards in the UK charge 2.99% of each non-sterling transaction. There's usually no minimum charge for each international transaction. Here is a list of cards that don't charge a foreign transaction fee in the UK.
ClearScore is a broker, not a lender.
According to our analysis of the market, the following cards stand out for certain purposes. The right card for you will depend on your individual situation and needs.
Why trust our picks? Our analysis is based on a review of more than 100 UK credit cards from 25 providers, assessed across fees, APRs, rewards, introductory offers and other key features. Latest rolling analysis conducted between January and March 2026. See our full methodology here.
Always make sure you can afford repayments.
If you don't want to rack up fees for using your credit card while you're on holiday, it's important to have a card that doesn't charge for non-sterling transactions while abroad. With so many available in the market, there are many to choose from.
All of the cards discussed in this article are "no fee" for purchases made abroad in a foreign currency. But only some are "no fee" on cash withdrawals. Here's a quick summary of the fees you'll pay to use these UK travel cards for purchases and cash advances when you're abroad, as well as the cash advance interest rate (this is critical because interest charges start accruing right away):
Best No FX Fee Credit Cards in the UK | FX Fee on Purchases | Fee on Foreign ATM Withdrawals | Cash APR (variable) |
Halifax Clarity | n/a | n/a | 23.9% |
Chase UK Credit Card | n/a | n/a | 24.90% |
Santander All In One | n/a | 3% (min £3) | 29.9% |
Barclaycard Rewards | n/a | 2.99% (£2.99) + FX fee | 28.9% |
Below is our choice of some of the best travel credit cards for use abroad, chosen after considering fees on ATM withdrawals, fees on non-sterling transactions, interest rates on cash withdrawals (which are often higher than the purchase APR) and other perks, when available. The best card for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your individual situation, the lenders and the features you care most about.
The Halifax Clarity Credit Card is another solid card to use abroad as it won't charge a fee on foreign transactions, whether that's a charge at a retailer or an ATM withdrawal, plus there's no additional "cash" fee. While ATM withdrawals won't incur a fee, however, interest will start accumulating from day 1 - there is no grace period on cash withdrawals on the Clarity card. That said, at least the interest rate on cash withdrawals is lower than average, at 23.9% variable APR. Since interest charges on cash transactions start accruing immediately, it's best to pay back any ATM withdrawals as soon as possible if you must take out cash with this card (even before your next due date).
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 23.9% variable.
No fees on non-sterling ATM withdrawals or transactions abroad
Lower-than-average variable 23.9% interest rate on cash withdrawals
23.9% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
No annual fee
The Chase UK Credit Card also charges no foreign exchange fees on purchases made abroad, meaning you pay the Mastercard exchange rate with nothing added on top — handy for holidays or overseas online shopping. It also comes with no annual fee and offers 0% interest on purchases for up to 15 months, so it can double as a way to spread the cost of a big trip (or other purchase). Bear in mind it doesn't earn cashback (unlike the Chase debit card), and you'll need an existing Chase current account to apply. For travellers who are already Chase customers, it can be a convenient option — though those without a Chase account may find it's not worth having to open a new current account as well.
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 24.9% variable.
No fees on non-sterling ATM withdrawals or transactions abroad
Lower-than-average variable 24.90% interest rate on cash withdrawals
24.90% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
No annual fee
Only available to existing Chase UK customers
The Santander All in One Credit Card is a decent choice for people to use abroad because it doesn't charge FX fees on purchases. But it does charge a fee on foreign currency ATM withdrawals. Plus the interest rate on cash withdrawals is higher, making it less desirable than the Zero in this respect. This card gives 0.5% cashback on purchases, but charges £3 a month.
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) with a £3 monthly fee, the representative APR is 29.8% variable.
No fees on non-sterling transactions abroad
3% (min £3) fee on cash transactions (at home and abroad)
29.9% variable interest rate on cash withdrawals
23.9% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
£3/month fee
The Barclayard Rewards Credit Card is another good choice for people to use when travelling because it doesn't charge FX fees on purchases. Plus cardholders get 0.25% back on purchases. While this is less than the best rewards cards, it is at least something for a travel card. And now there is NO FEE to get a cash advance from an ATM when you're on holiday. Bonus! (But note, interest DOES start accruing immediately from the cash withdrawal date, except not if the statement is paid in full by the due date...)
Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 28.9% variable.
No fees on non-sterling transactions abroad
No fees on cash transactions (at home and abroad)
28.9% variable interest rate on cash withdrawals
28.9% variable purchase APR
Eligibility checker
No annual fee
To compare the best UK travel cards, we calculated the cost of withdrawing £500 worth of cash in a foreign currency at an ATM abroad. Some cards charge a withdrawal fee and you'll also pay interest charges. The chart below shows the estimated charges you'd incur on these cards, assuming the balance is paid back in 30 days and before the next statement due date.
Below is a summary of some of the UK's travel cards across different categories. This list is by no means exhaustive. There may be a card with better features that we do not mention below.
Best For... | Card | Quick Overview |
Overall | Halifax Clarity | No fees on non-sterling transactions or ATM withdrawals; 23.9% variable interest on foreign cash withdrawals |
Overall | Santander All In One | No fees on non-sterling transactions but a 3% (min £3) fee on foreign cash withdrawals; 29.9% variable interest on foreign cash withdrawals |
Overall | Barclaycard Rewards | No fees on non-sterling transactions but a 2.99% (£2.99) + FX fee on foreign cash withdrawals; 28.9% variable interest on foreign cash withdrawals |
All of the travel cards listed on this page are "no fee" for non-sterling transactions abroad. This means you won't incur any extra fees for using your card to pay for a candle-lit dinner for two in Florence or a new swimsuit in the Canary Islands. One area in which the travel cards tend to differ is in their treatment of cash withdrawals. Be on the lookout for two types of charges relating to taking local cash out of an ATM:
The fee charged for withdrawing cash - this usually ranges from "no fee" to a 3% fee (£3 minimum)
The interest charged on cash withdrawals - be aware of the interest rate, which is often higher than your purchase rate
If there is a grace period (i.e., when you pay your balance off in full and on time, no interest is charged on cash withdrawals)
Choosing the best travel credit card for you will depend on your individual situation and spending habits. When deciding which card to choose, pay attention to the purchases and cash APR. Cash advances in particular tend to be expensive for three reasons:
Cash handling fee
Higher interest rate
Interest starts accruing immediately from transaction date
In the UK, the Halifax Clarity, Santander All In One, Barclaycard Rewards and Virgin Travel card are some of the best credit cards for foreign transactions because they don't charge foreign transaction fees.
Most credit cards in the UK charge 2.99% of each non-sterling transaction. There's usually no minimum charge for each international transaction. Here is a list of cards that don't charge a foreign transaction fee in the UK.