Best travel credit cards for overseas use in Australia (2025)

Picking the best credit card for travelling overseas can help you spend easily, cut out some of the fees you’ll often find with spending in a foreign currency and also offer great lifestyle and travel benefits like miles, lounge access, and insurance.

This guide looks at some of the best credit cards to use overseas in Australia, plus we have a quick introduction to Wise for a debit card alternative which makes international spending seamless and cheap.

What’s a travel credit card?

A travel credit card works much like any other credit card, but it’s been optimised for overseas travel. This might mean you earn travel perks like air miles, or you get benefits like airport lounge access for example. Many of the best credit cards for overseas travel also waive international transaction fees, to keep the costs of spending in a foreign currency down.

If avoiding extra costs when you spend overseas is the most important thing for you, then you can check out best credit cards with no international fees. Or if you want to maximise the rewards you can get like racking up airline miles, you could look out for best credit cards for airline miles. This guide looks at great options for both types to help you choose the best travel credit card for your needs.

What to consider when choosing a credit card for overseas travel?

When choosing the best credit card for travelling overseas, you’ll want to look out for the costs and benefits available, to make sure it aligns with your travel goals. For example:

• Look at the annual and monthly fees, and check you’ll get enough benefit to make these worthwhile - if not, a debit card for travel like Wise - with no monthly or annual fee - may be a better option.
• Check the foreign transaction fees to understand what spending overseas will really cost you - foreign transaction fees can add about 3% to your overall bill where they apply
• Review the cash advance fees which apply when you get money from an ATM - credit card ATM use can cost around 3.5% of the withdrawn amount, and you may also pay interest at a higher rate
• Consider the travel benefits offered like travel insurance, lounge access, and airline miles to make sure these are things you’ll actually use

As part of this guide we will be including a debit card alternative, Wise as it’s a smart way to manage overseas spending if you don’t want to worry about interest or ongoing fees. More on that later.

Best travel credit cards in Australia - Overview

Here’s a side by side comparison of some top providers for best international credit cards for overseas travel, featuring the most popular travel credit cards in Australia. We’ve also added Wise as a great debit alternative to compare. The Wise card isn’t a credit card, but as an international debit card made for travel, it can make managing your money overseas simple, and cut out any of the costs of spending in a foreign currency.

*Details correct at time of research - 18th March 2025

Latitude 28 Degrees Card

The Latitude 28 Degrees Card is one of the best travel credit cards for Australians going overseas, offering no foreign transaction fees and handy travel perks.

Overview:

• Monthly fees of 8 AUD, payable after 12 months
• No foreign transaction fee
• 120 AUD of rewards annually, with bonus offers also available
• Free data roaming and lounge pass if your flight is delayed
• Applications are subject to credit checking

Fees:

• 8 AUD monthly fee
• 3.5% or 4 AUD cash advance fee, whichever is greater
• 45 AUD late fee
• Payment handling fees may apply

NAB Rewards Signature Credit Card

The NAB Rewards Signature Credit Card is a top choice for earning travel rewards points with no international fees, plus you also get some complimentary travel insurance.

Overview:

• Ways to waive monthly fees available
• No foreign transaction fee to pay
• No cash advance fee, although interest does apply
• Some complimentary travel insurance and phone insurance
• Free lounge pass if your flight is delayed
• NAB points you can trade for travel rewards and air miles

Fees:

• 35 AUD/month, with ways to waive if you spend 5,000 AUD or more in a statement period

Commbank Ultimate Awards credit card

The Commbank Ultimate Awards credit card is ideal for frequent flyers wanting Qantas Points and no foreign transaction fees, with complimentary travel insurance and lounge perks included.

Overview:

• 35 AUD/month fee which can be waived if you spend 4,000 AUD in a statement period
• No foreign transaction fee
• Applications subject to credit checks
• Qantas points or CommBank rewards available as you spend
• 2x airport lounge access and some complimentary travel insurance

Fees:

• 35 AUD/month with ways to waive available
• 3% or 4 AUD cash advance fee, whichever is greater
• 20 AUD late payment fee

American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card is best for luxury travellers seeking premium perks and rewards, though it comes with a high annual fee and foreign transaction charges.

Overview:

• Charge card which must be repaid in full every month
• Applications subject to credit checking
• 1,450 AUD annual fee applies, which can’t be waived
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• Lots of travel rewards and lifestyle benefits are offered

Fees:

• 1,450 AUD annual fee
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• $2.50 or 2% of the cash advance amount (whichever is greater)
• Late fee of 20 AUD or 3%, whichever is greater

Wise (debit card alternative)

The Wise debit card is ideal for frequent travellers looking for no foreign transaction fees, low, transparent pricing, and the ability to hold and spend in multiple currencies.

Overview:

• Debit card - making budgeting simple and avoiding credit checks
• 40+ supported currencies, with mid market exchange rate for conversion
• Free to spend a currency you hold in your account
• Some ATM withdrawals monthly for free, before Wise fees begin
• No ongoing fees or interest to pay

Fees:

• Conversion and sending fees from 0.65%
• 10 AUD card order fee
• Up to 2 ATM withdrawals per month, to 350 AUD in value, fee free. - 1.50 AUD + 1.75% after that

Summary - Which is the best travel credit card to use overseas in Australia?

Different travel credit cards have been designed with different customers in mind. This means that there isn’t really just one best credit card for international travel in Australia, it all depends on how you like to spend.

If avoiding foreign transaction fees is the most important thing for you, you might like a travel credit card like the Latitude 28 Degrees Card or the NAB Rewards Signature Card. If you want to earn Qantas points and rewards, take a look at the Commbank Ultimate Awards Card which offers this as an opt in choice, and can help you quickly build up your rewards for future flights, making it one of the best credit card for travelling overseas. Finally, Amex cards in Australia do have a foreign transaction fee, but the Platinum charge card we picked out has the advantage of no interest, as long as you repay your bill correctly with every statement.

Finally, as well as a travel credit card to use overseas, why not bring along Wise as a debit card alternative which lets you top up your account in advance in AUD and convert to the currency you need, to spend for free with no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing when you travel.

🚀 Get your Wise card today