Why do you need a credit card to travel?

Although it might not be strictly necessary to carry a credit card when traveling, you might want to do so for several reasons. Many rewards cards waive foreign transaction fees and provide better exchange rates on purchases you make abroad.



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Many travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn bonus points or miles on travel purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, trains, taxis, rideshares and more.

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Yes, using a credit card internationally is the best way to go about paying for things when you're abroad. It's safer because you don't have to carry as much cash, and all major credit card companies offer $0 fraud liability guarantees.

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European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

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Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
  • Bilt World Elite Mastercard®: Best Travel Credit Card With No Annual Fee.
  • Credit One Bank Wander® Card: Best Travel Credit Card for Fair Credit.
  • Citi Premier® Card: Best for Citi Customers.
  • American Express® Gold Card: Best Travel Rewards Earning for Foodies.


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Many premium travel rewards credit cards offer complimentary, unlimited access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide. Priority Pass is one of the most popular airport lounge memberships, and it's the most common lounge membership you'll see featured as a credit card benefit.

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The official currency of Italy is the euro, but the country is still somewhat of a cash-based economy. You won't always pay in cash, as there are shops and merchants in Italy that are well-equipped to accept card payments — Visa and Mastercard are more common than American Express.

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It's always wise to carry a small amount of cash for smaller cafes and restaurants, some public transport options, and taxis who may not accept credit card payments. We once visited the same restaurant 5 years in a row, only to discover each time that their card machine was out of order!

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Advantages of using cash If your spending discipline breaks down when you use credit cards, cash may be a better choice while you let loose on vacation. No foreign transaction fees: Many credit cards charge an extra fee of up to 3% on purchases made outside the country, although you can find cards that don't.

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Every time you purchase an airline ticket with your credit card, you could earn valuable bonus points or miles toward your next award trip. And you can't forget about the perks that make your flights go smoother and protect you when things go wrong, such as airport lounge access and trip delay reimbursement.

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