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Hi all,
Hoping someone can help with my query!
I am currently based in the UK and have the Amex BA card to collect Avios and companion vouchers – very happy with it.
However, me and my family have decided to go travelling starting in September this year, (in Europe initially but likely further afield within 12 months) and so are looking for a credit card that will still provide us with the benefit of earning Avios somehow, but ALSO has the benefit of no (or very low) non-sterling transaction fees. I’ve done some research but not coming up with much in the way of an alternative….!!! The Revolut Platinum card looks great – lots of benefits, but alas it’s a debit rather than credit card.
Does such a credit card exist??
We’d rather not continue to use the amex as we’d rather not pay the additional 3% fee on everything for non-sterling transactions.
Any help / guidance much appreciated!
TIA
DanNo Avios credit cards without FX fees that I’m aware of. The Virgin cards have no fees in most of Europe but not globally.
While some users have had various problems and their customer service sucks, many make use of one of the various Curve card options to front the Avios Barclaycards.
The Amex Gold credit card gives you additional MR reward points while spending abroad to help offset some of the FX fee.
Our cards for foreign spending are Virgin (for Europe) and Curve backed by Virgin or the HH or avios Barclaycards. Haven’t really had any issues with Curve (touch wood!)
I’d recommend keeping Curve locked when not in use, there have been a few instances of fraud and attempts posted here, but it’s generally a useful product.
I’m not sure what the FX restrictions are on the free card, but I use the paid one quite extensively. Always check what the underlying card will allow, though, for example Virgin Money charges fees on ATM withdrawals abroad.I am currently based in the UK and have the Amex BA card to collect Avios and companion vouchers – very happy with it.
Currently based in the UK? Do you have connections to other markets that might offer better credit-card options for Avios earning on foreign spend than in the UK? For instance, I have been using US credit cards for the past few years for my non-GBP spending and there are many more card options and earnings rates are much higher.
I’m not sure what the FX restrictions are on the free card
I could be wrong, but didn’t Curve take away the free FX spending on the free blue card?
I think it was reduced to a measly £250 per month, with no ATM UK or foreign, so yes the free version isn’t a lot of use in that respect now.
Currently based in the UK? Do you have connections to other markets that might offer better credit-card options for Avios earning on foreign spend than in the UK? For instance, I have been using US credit cards for the past few years for my non-GBP spending and there are many more card options and earnings rates are much higher.
I suspect the OP is hoping for Section 75 protection, rather than a credit card for borrowing. Foreign cards aren’t going to help with that unless from a jurisdiction with similar consumer protection legislation to ours.
There are numerous debit card options: Curve, Revolut and Hilton Currensea spring to mind. I’ve used all three, and they all suck to some extent. My Hilton Currensea will be the first to feel the start embrace of scissors shortly before falling into the bin.
OP is looking to earn avios on foreign spend, but without paying FX fees, the options are rather limited.
I’m very happy with my NatWest Travel Rewards VISA CC. No FX fees, 1% on travel and ability to exchange £10 of cashback rewards to 900 Avios if needed.
I’m very happy with my NatWest Travel Rewards VISA CC. No FX fees, 1% on travel and ability to exchange £10 of cashback rewards to 900 Avios if needed.
Same as Curve but on a credit card. Though while Curve is a debit card, it also allows you to get additional rewards on underlying card.
Curve and NatWest Travel is not the same proposition at all. You need a premium plan to get 1% back on curve and excludes gbp/eur. The free plan as mentioned above is terrible now.
NatWest card u get 1% back on accommodation and transport and 0.1% back on all others.
I’m on curve legacy black so quite lucky and mainly use this. So just put down any other credit card as a hold for hotels and checkout pay with curve.
But if I was new to all this today, I would be getting the NatWest travel card for the bigger ticket items + Chase debit for the smaller bits. Take the cashback and purchase avios via ba boost if you really want it. Not worth paying fx fees for avios.
Thanks for all the replies guys – really helpful! And apologies for taking so long to reply.
Didn’t think there were many / if any options, so good to know there is something we can use that we will get some benefit from.
I’ve also been looking at the revolut ultra debit card – and yes you pay £45 per month for it (wowsers), but given we can get 1 point per £1 and convert to avios – seems like a decent deal. Also get lounge access as part of the deal, as well as lots of other perks which come in useful for travelling. Any thoughts on this?
Work out what value you’re going to get for it and do the sums, no one else can do that for you.
You get one Avios per £ with a free Barclaycard and a paid Curve plan for a lot less £45 per month. If the lounge and other benefits are worth the much higher cost fair enough.
Thanks for all the replies guys – really helpful! And apologies for taking so long to reply.
Didn’t think there were many / if any options, so good to know there is something we can use that we will get some benefit from.
I’ve also been looking at the revolut ultra debit card – and yes you pay £45 per month for it (wowsers), but given we can get 1 point per £1 and convert to avios – seems like a decent deal. Also get lounge access as part of the deal, as well as lots of other perks which come in useful for travelling. Any thoughts on this?
If you book the travel through one of their 10/15/20x partners (eg Virgin, Condor, etc) then it’s unbeatable; likewise if you get value from the other parts of the package (FT, VPN and so on). Just for travel spend I don’t think it’s worth it.
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