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Check out the Top 5 credit cards for shopping abroad on the right of the page, and read our indepth article on the best ways to shopping and travelling abroad with your credit card.
Credit cards are a safe and easy way to pay for goods and services whether you're shopping on the Internet or face-to-face over the counter. But what about when you are shopping abroad?
Our guide to shopping abroad with your credit card aims to answer all your questions and tell you the best ways to shop while you're abroad!
Will my credit card be accepted abroad?
Nowadays, most large retailers and companies accept a variety of payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted worldwide at thousands of locations displaying their signs.
To find a cash machine that accepts your card you can use the following ATM locator services:
Visa: http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/eur/jsp/SearchPage.jsp
MasterCard: http://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/cobrand/index.jsp?lang=en
American Express: http://maps.americanexpress.com/expresscash/PrxInput.aspx
Can my credit card help cut the cost of travelling?
Yes it can! Many credit cards offer a range of ways that allow you to get something back from your spending and help cut the cost of travelling.
Some credit cards allow you to earn free travel rewards just by using the card to make purchases. Travel rewards can include flights, brochure holidays, hotels, car hire and airport parking. You can choose to earn rewards through an air miles scheme or by earning points with a particular travel company.
Find out about and compare travel credit cards offering travel rewards and air miles. And, if you don't want to be tied down to just travel rewards you could get a cash back credit card and save the money you earn towards your next holiday away.
How can carrying the right credit card actually help you while travelling abroad?
Travelling abroad can be anything from relaxation, an important business connection or a life changing experience, but choosing the right credit card to carry whilst abroad can really mean the difference between getting free help when you need it and being stuck when the worst happens on your trip.
Some credit cards offer free insurance for use when you are travelling abroad. If you choose the right credit card, when you pay for your trip with it you will receive insurance policies that can include travel accident insurance, lost luggage insurance and travel inconvenience insurance covering flight delays and cancellations.
Some credit cards also offer emergency card replacement services, so you can get another card quickly if your credit card is lost or stolen anywhere in the world.
Certain credit cards even offer emergency help if the worse does happen whilst travelling abroad, from advice and sending messages to arranging and paying for medical and / or legal help and small loans.
To find out which credit cards offer the best help whilst you are travelling abroad, please see our travel services page.
How much does it cost to use a credit / debit card abroad?
Most credit cards do charge a fee for paying for goods or services in a foreign currency, whilst abroad and over the Internet (when the transaction is processed from a different country).
The standard rate for foreign transaction fees is 2.75%, however, some credit cards charge a reduced fee or no fee at all. You can compare the best credit card for use abroad, including foreign transaction fees by following this link.
Remember that some banks and building societies are also adding a foreign transaction fee to their debit cards too, if you are unsure whether you debit card will charge you this fee you can find out by reading the terms and conditions. If you find terms and conditions hard to read (it's not easy!), your bank's website may display the fees and charges in a 'summary box'.
What is the best way of withdrawing cash abroad or buying foreign currency or traveller's cheques?
We always recommend using a debit card for withdrawing cash whether you're doing it in the UK or abroad. This is because debit cards do not charge you any interest or fees for withdrawing cash, whereas credit cards usually charge a much higher rate for withdrawing cash at an ATM machine or getting 'cash back' at your supermarket, they also charge a handling fee and there is no interest free period on cash withdrawals.
It is important to remember that purchasing foreign currency cash or even traveller's cheques is also considered 'withdrawing cash'. So try and use your debit card for these services too.
If you have to use a credit card for withdrawing cash or buying foreign currency or traveller's cheques there are credit cards available that offer lower interest rates on cash withdrawals, or the same rate as for purchases. You can find out which credit cards offer the lowest rates by following this link.
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