Looking at international travel in 2022: What are my best credit card options?

By Ava Crawford · · 2 min read
Fact Checked
Advertiser disclosure
open suitcase as someone packs for a holiday after australian borders open post covid leaving room to shop using their travel credit card

Aussies are well-known globetrotters. But since March 2020, Australians haven’t been able to satisfy their wanderlust due to the government’s total travel ban.

Thankfully, signs are pointing towards the possibility of international travel reopening soon.

So, to prepare yourself for a long-awaited trip abroad, you might want to consider finding a travel-friendly credit card.

So what is the best credit card to travel with

It really depends on what you’re looking to get out of your card and how you’re going to spend while you travel.

You could be looking for a credit card with no foreign exchange rate or one that will let you earn points for flying and spending. It’s about doing your research and finding the best credit card for you to travel with.

No foreign exchange fee credit cards

If you want to take a shopping holiday but skip the foreign exchange fees, it would be best to find a credit card without this additional charge.

The majority of credit cards in the Mozo database have some foreign exchange fee, ranging between 1.50% to 3.65%. This means that with each overseas transaction, you are charged that percentage additionally on top. Although the percentage is small, the charges can stack up throughout an entire trip.

That said, there are credit cards with a 0% foreign exchange margin available, meaning that there is no fee when you spend abroad. If you’re looking for no foreign exchange fee when you travel, there are over 25 credit cards in the Mozo database, such as the ANZ Travel Adventures Card, Coles Rewards Mastercard and the Latitude 28 Degrees Global Platinum Mastercard. Another example is the humm90 Mastercard, which we have provided more information about below:

No foreign exchange fee

humm90 Mastercard
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • 110 days interest free
  • 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 36 months (conditions apply)
Find out more

The humm90 Mastercard credit card could be a good choice for keen globetrotters as it has no foreign transaction fees on overseas or international online purchases. You can enjoy 110 days interest-free on your buys, but you’ll be wise to stay on top of repayments to avoid the 23.99% p.a. purchase rate and $35 late payment fee. There is also a $99 annual fee to pay additionally. Also, if you’re looking to transfer an existing credit card debt, those who successfully apply before October 10 2021, are eligible for a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 36 months. But be sure to take advantage of that interest-free window, as the balance transfer rate reverts to the cash advance rate of 25.99% p.a. after the three years.

Travel rewards credit cards

If you’re more rewards-minded, then you might want to go with a card that has a good rewards program. Currently, the Mozo database has over 100 rewards credit cards to choose from - with over 80 of them offering points that can be used for international flights.

Given that Australia’s borders aren’t open yet, now could be an opportune time to start saving some bonus points to use towards your future holiday.

After you apply for a bonus points credit card, the points are made available after a period indicated by the credit card provider, not upfront, so it’s better to get an early start. Plus, some of these premium cards might also come with extra non-points benefits, such as complimentary travel insurance attached to them too, so it's worth keeping an eye out for that.

Check out some top rewards credit cards with extra non-points benefits:

Rewards credit cards with extra non-points benefits

NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
  • 1 point per $1 spent, up to $5,000 spend per month (terms and conditions apply)
  • 110,000 bonus points (terms and conditions apply)
  • Access to NAB's 24/7 Platinum concierge service

The NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card allows you to earn approximately 1 point per dollar on Visa, up to $5,000 per month, then 0.5 points per dollar on Visa, up to $20,000 per month (T&Cs apply). Plus, if you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases in the first 60 days and keep your card open for over 12 months, you could be eligible to get an extra 110,000 Qantas Points (T&Cs apply). Cardholders also gain Concierge access, international travel insurance, transit accident insurance and interstate flight inconvenience insurance. Although these perks come at a price; the card has a 19.99% p.a. purchase interest rate, a $395 annual fee and a $15 late fee. Travellers will also want to keep in mind that the NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card does have a 3% foreign exchange fee.

NAB Rewards Platinum Card
  • Use points to book flights on any airline
  • 60,000 bonus points (terms and conditions apply)
  • Points are uncapped and don’t expire
Find out more

The NAB Rewards Platinum card delivers 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on everyday purchases in the first 60 days of having the card (T&Cs apply). You can earn 1 point for every $1 on regular spending (T&Cs apply). An option to consider for travellers, cardholders gain Concierge access, international travel insurance, transit accident insurance and interstate flight inconvenience insurance, but travellers should note that it does carry a 3% foreign exchange fee. The card has a 19.99% p.a. purchase interest rate and a $250 annual fee, as well as a $15 late payment fee. The NAB Rewards Platinum card also offers a 0% p.a. balance transfer rate (2.00% balance transfer fee) for the first 6 months, but be aware it then reverts to a high 21.74% p.a. rate.

Check out these offers below to start comparing travel credit card options. You can head to our credit card hub for guides, comparisons and credit card news!

Compare travel credit cards - last updated 2 July 2022

Search promoted rewards credit cards below or do a full Mozo database search . Advertiser disclosure
  • Qantas Ultimate Card
    Rewards program
    Annual fee
    Bonus points
    Earn rate per $1
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
    $450
    100,000
    1.25 points uncapped

    Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 23 August 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal). T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.

    Go to site
    Details
  • Apply By 31 Dec 2022
    Altitude Platinum
    Rewards program
    Annual fee
    Bonus points
    Earn rate per $1
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
    $200 $99 in the first year
    70,000
    0.5 points up to $100,000/year

    Earn up to 75,000 bonus Qantas Points ($4k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 1% BT fee applies. $49 First Year Annual fee and Rewards fee. New cards only. T&C's and exclusions apply.

    Find out more
    Details
  • Apply By 13 Jul 2022
    American Express Card
    Rewards program
    Annual fee
    Bonus points
    Earn rate per $1
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
    $99
    No current offer
    0.5 points uncapped

    Enjoy $200 back when you apply online by 13 July 2022, are approved and spend $1,500 outside David Jones on your new Card within the first 3 months. Available to new David Jones American Express Card Members only.

    Go to site
    Details
  • Qantas Premium Card
    Rewards program
    Annual fee
    Bonus points
    Earn rate per $1
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
    $249
    30,000
    1 point uncapped

    Receive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021^.

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    Details
  • Qantas Rewards Premium Card
    Rewards program
    Annual fee
    Bonus points
    Earn rate per $1
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
    $250
    65,000
    0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
    0.33 points up to $6,000/month

    65,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $2,500 within 60 days (T&Cs apply).

    Go to site
    Details

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards

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