Review: The Virgin Money Travel Credit Card
Links on Head for Points may support the site by paying a commission. See here for all partner links.
UPDATE – APRIL 2025: This article is now out of date, but don’t worry. We produce a monthly directory of the top UK travel credit card offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Credit Cards’ menu above. Thank you.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
Keep up to date with the latest UK credit card bonuses by signing up for our free daily or weekly newsletters.
This is my review of the Virgin Money Travel Mastercard credit card.
All miles and points credit cards charge a 3% foreign exchange fee. Even if your card offers bonus points for spending outside the UK – the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold offers double points, for example – they are still not worth 3%.
EDIT: This card was withdrawn in Spring 2020 and is no longer available
Of course, if you are travelling on business and your employer is paying you back then you might prefer a credit card with a good bonus for foreign spend even with a 3% fee. This article looks at the best credit card bonuses for foreign spend.
It makes sense to carry a separate credit card without FX fees to use when travelling. In this article we take a look at the FREE Virgin Money Travel Mastercard credit card.
Key link: Virgin Money Travel Mastercard application form
Key facts: No annual fee, 0% interest on purchases for 12 months, 0% interest on balance transfers for 12 months (2% fee), 0% interest on money transfers for 12 months (4% fee)
The representative APR is 21.9% variable.
About the card
The Virgin Money Travel Credit Card – issued by Virgin Money – is issued as a Mastercard which means it is widely accepted globally.
The key benefit is that there are no foreign exchange fees on overseas purchases. You will, however, pay a 3% fee on any cash withdrawals you make on the card, either in the UK or abroad, so it is not completely free of charge when used overseas.
Any other benefits?
Yes, this card is not a one-trick pony. Additional card benefits include:
- Unlimited free access to Virgin Money lounges across the UK
- Free global wi-fi access via Boingo
- 0% interest for 12 months on balance transfers
- 0% interest on purchases for 12 months
- 0% interest for 12 months on money transfers
The lounge benefit is an interesting one if you live in the rights part of Britain. I often used the one on Piccadilly to work and it was a pleasant place to hang out – here is our review of the old Virgin Money London lounge. This lounge is now closed and has relocated to Haymarket, just around the corner.
Is there an annual fee?
No
Is this a good card to use when travelling?
Yes.
The Virgin Money Travel Credit Card charges no foreign exchange fees and you pay 0% interest on purchases for the first 12 months of card membership.
Conclusion
The Virgin Money Travel Mastercard credit card is a good choice for an FX fee-free credit card to use abroad. It is a simple package with no annual fee and the ability to pick your own card design from a number of interesting options.
And depending on where you live, you’ll be able to pop into a Virgin Money lounge every time you go shopping to get a free cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.
The application form for the Virgin Money Travel Mastercard credit card can be found here.
PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.
Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2025 update
If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.
In 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard
18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Earning miles and points from small business cards
If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:
American Express Business Platinum
50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Capital on Tap Pro Visa
10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review
Capital on Tap Visa
NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review
British Airways American Express Accelerating Business
30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review
