How to Compare Travel Service Credit Cards

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Travel service credit cards are the traveling companion every jetsetter or holidaymaker should be packing into their hand luggage.

While many credit cards offer relatively useful travel accident insurance policies behind the plastic - travel service credit cards pack a lot more punch into their cardholder extras.

These cards are good for...

Pretty much anyone who travels overseas - albeit more regular travelers will benefit most from these cards - once a year holiday goers can still reap the added peace of mind and money-saving benefits of a travel service credit card.

- Carrying a second card...
While some travel service credit cards may boast excellent interest rates alongside their bulging bag of travel services - this is not always the case, and as such, shouldn't mean your pocket has to suffer to enjoy the privileges a travel service credit card could bring.

With this in mind, there is nothing wrong with having one great credit card for your purchases and another great credit card to help when you're traveling.

These cards are unsuitable for...

- A poor credit history
If you know yourself to have a poor credit history you are fairly unlikely to be approved for a travel service credit card.

Rather than knocking points off an already low credit score - look into getting a credit card designed especially for people with a poor credit history. These cards can actually help to strengthen and rebuild a past bad credit record, getting you back on your way to a healthier credit rating. See poor credit history credit cards.

- If you rarely - if ever - travel overseas
It may sound silly - why would you be looking into getting a travel service credit card if you never travel? Even so, it's important to mention if you rarely travel abroad there is no point in finding yourself coughing up an annual fee for features you never make good use of.

Don't feel disheartened though - if you like the sound of free cardholder services perhaps a credit card offering added purchase securities and fraud protection would be more beneficial. Or even a credit card offering cash back rewards you can spend on anything you like!

What to look for...

- The travel services on offer
Obviously the first thing you will want to look at when choosing a travel service credit card is exactly what travel services are on offer.

There are a few different travel services available through credit cards, and although they do tend to fall under slightly different names, they mostly fall under the categories of:

1. Travel insurances
• The travel insurance policies offered on credit cards require you to purchase your trip with the card, the types of cover include:
• Travel accident insurance
• Travel inconvenience insurance - lost luggage and flight delay
• Comprehensive travel insurance
2. Assistance abroad
• Assistance abroad normally offers medical and legal help in emergencies. However, it can also include translation services, sending and receiving messages home and help with lost or stolen documents.
• If offered, assistance abroad is available to any cardholder via a telephone number.
3. Card replacement services
• Card replacement services, where available, offer an emergency card replacement almost anywhere in the world if you lose your credit card.
• Some services also include emergency cash advances in the local currency.
4. Travel perks and extras
• Travel perks and extras are usually only found on very specialist travel credit cards. They can include concierge services, priority check ins and access to VIP airport lounges.
5. Travel discounts
• Some travel service credit cards also offer discounts when you purchase travel through their related travel company.
• Discounts can be offered on flights, hotels, holidays, car hire, airport parking and other travel related services.

- Are there any travel rewards?
While not an actual 'travel service' - some of the credit cards offering great cardholder services when traveling also offer a travel reward scheme.

Travel reward credit cards allow you to earn points or miles on your credit card spending - these points or miles can then be redeemed towards free travel, such as flights, hotel stays, brochure holidays, days out and more.

- How good is the card for everyday spending?
If you're looking for more than just a second credit card to make use of free travel services, it's worth finding out how good the credit card will be for your everyday spending needs.

Check out the interest rates for purchases and cash transactions on the travel service credit card, as well as whether or not the card offers any special offer rates, such as 0% on purchases for an initial period.

What to watch out for...

- Annual fees
Annual fees are sometimes charged by credit card companies just for holding the card account.

While most credit cards do not charge this fee, the cards that do are usually related to travel - either as a travel service credit card or an air miles credit card.

Annual fees can be easily spotted - if the credit card has a markedly higher APR than most other cards it's usually carrying an annual fee in the calculation.

Credit card APR's are an annual representation of the purchase interest rate plus any annual fee.

- Is the card any good for spending abroad?
When looking for a great travel companion for your wallet you'll also probably want to find out how good the travel service credit card is for spending abroad.

Using a credit card abroad can be a rather costly move if you’re not carrying the best card for the job.

Check out how much the travel service credit card charges for foreign transaction fees - it will usually be around 2.75% of each transaction, but there are cards available that offer 0% (free) foreign transaction fees.

Accessing cash is often a much more regular occurrence if your preparing to travel or are overseas.

Cash transactions include more than just ATM withdrawals too; they also cover buying foreign currency or traveler's cheques.

Cash transactions abroad can be subject to foreign transaction fees as well as higher rates of interest and cash handling fees.

Look at the travel service credit card and see how much interest is charged on cash transactions and also how much the handling fee will be.

Don't forget!

- To pay for your trip with the travel service credit card
It can be easy to forget - but if you've taken the time to take out a travel service credit card it's silly not to make the most out of it.

Depending upon the travel services your credit card offers - remember to always pay for your entire trip on the travel service credit card.

This way, you'll be sure to get covered if the card offers any travel insurances.

- Keep a list of important numbers with you
When traveling overseas remember to keep a list of important numbers on hand, as it won't always be practical to pop into the nearest Internet cafe to search out the telephone number you need to call.

If your travel service credit card offers any travel insurances, assistance abroad or card replacement services - note down the relevant telephone numbers before you leave home - so you always have the right number to call if you need to.

- That your travel service credit card is on hand to help you!
Remember that your travel service credit card is there to make use of and help when you need it.

Make good use of the free travel services offered - they can be money-saving as well as headache-saving!

Compare travel service credit cards