Best travel credit card guide: What to consider and how to stay protected abroad

10 September 2025

Travelling abroad should be about exploring new destinations and making memories, not worrying about money. Using the right credit card can help you spend smart, stay safe, and enjoy your trip with peace of mind. This guide offers key travel credit card tips and how to spend safely abroad.

What to look for in a credit card

Picking the right credit card before your trip is crucial for convenience, security, and financial flexibility. The right choice can save you time, money, and avoid unnecessary hassles.

Global Acceptance

Make sure the card is widely recognised internationally. Credit cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo are the most accepted, allowing you to pay in shops, restaurants and hotels worldwide without worrying about local restrictions. This gives you a freedom to travel confidently without the hassle of carrying excess cash.

Safety Features

Advanced security features, such as chip technology and contactless payments, protect your card against fraud. Contactless payments are fast, convenient, and reduce the risk of skimming compared to traditional swiping methods.

Flexible Funds

A card that allows you to pay later or split payments over time provides financial flexibility. It’s perfect for larger purchases like flight tickets, accommodation, or shopping without affecting your budget immediately. Flexible repayment options also give you more control over how you manage your travel costs, helping you spread out spending across several months if needed. Just remember to keep track of your repayments to avoid unnecessary interest charges.

With the Flex Credit Card, you can enjoy 0% interest on purchases for 9 months.

Managing your card with an app

A robust mobile app can be a game-changer. Make sure your credit card comes with an app and that you’ve downloaded before you travel. A good credit card app allows you to track your spending in real time, set up transaction alerts, and instantly freeze or unfreeze your card it it’s misplaced. Many also integrate with your digital wallet, like Apple Pay or Google Pay, so you can pay instantly and securely with your mobile or smartwatch. Features like these make it easier to stay in control of your money and protect your card no matter where you are in the world.

Credit cards travel benefits

Credit cards often come with additional benefits that can make your trips more rewarding. Benefits such as reward points, travel insurance, or fee-free money transfers can enhance your travel experience. These perks not only save you money but also make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Credit card safety tips while travelling

Even the best credit card can’t protect you if you don’t use it wisely. Following these credit card safety tips abroad will help safeguard your finances and keep your travel stress-free.

  • Carry a backup card or cash

Never rely on just one card. A secondary card or some local cash ensures you can cover emergencies like medical costs or unexpected travel delays. If you’re also considering whether to bring foreign currency or a prepaid card, check out our best travel money tips guide.

  • Note down emergency contacts

Keep a list of customer service numbers for your card issuer. Having this information handy can save valuable time if your card is lost or stolen.

  • Enable transaction alerts

Turn on instant alerts for every transaction. You’ll receive notifications immediately for any unusual activity, allowing you to freeze your card instantly. Checking your account daily or every few days helps you detect unauthorised transactions early.

  • Know your credit limit

Be aware of your available credit and stick to it. Exceeding your limit can cause declined transactions and potential fees.

  • Stick to secure connections

Avoid public Wi-Fi when accessing banking apps or making online payments. Use a secure, private connection to protect your data from hackers.

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Meet your travel companion: The An Post Money Flex Credit Card

After covering the essentials of what to consider in a credit card for travelling, it helps to have one that brings all those features together in one place. Our Flex Credit Card is more than a payment tool, it’s a flexible, secure, and globally accepted companion for your travels. With features designed specifically for international travel, it makes spending smart and staying safe easy.

  • 0% interest on purchases for 9 months*
Enjoy your trip now and pay later without interest. This is ideal for booking flights, hotels, or shopping abroad without worrying about immediate payments.
  • Money transfer offer
Stuck in an emergency? Move from €100 up to 95% of your available credit limit from your credit card to your current account at a low interest of 5.9% for 2 years. This is helpful for accessing cash quickly abroad without extra charges**.
  • Accepted worldwide
Shop, dine, and pay anywhere you see the Mastercard sign. Global acceptance ensures you’re never stuck without a payment option.
  • Add up to three extra cardholders at no extra cost
Perfect for family trips, allowing multiple users to benefit from the same credit card features and flexibility.
  • Convenient Credit Card app
Track your spending, approve purchases and pay securely with Apple or Goole Pay with the An Post Money Credit Card app. By following these travel credit card tips and using the Flex Credit Card, you can spend smart, stay protected, and focus on enjoying every moment of your trip. Plan ahead and make your travels truly worry-free!

 

Interested in the Flex Credit Card?

0% interest on purchases for 9 months**
5.9% interest on money transfers for 24 months**

Apply for Flex Credit Card

Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your credit agreement your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit, a hire-purchase agreement, a consumer-hire agreement or a BNPL agreement in the future.

*Information correct as of 1st September 2025, source CCPC.ie. Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. You’ll need to pay your minimum monthly repayment on time each month and stay within your credit limit to keep your promotional rates. Standard variable rate 16.8% nominal, 22.9% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) will apply once the introductory period ends. Representative example: 22.9% APR assumes €1,500 credit limit drawn down in one transaction and repaid over 12 months in equal monthly instalments, and Government stamp duty of €30. Total amount repayable €1,666.50, cost of credit is €166.50. 

** The account should be up to date and not restricted. You’ll need to pay your minimum monthly repayment on time each month and stay within your credit limit to keep your promotional rates. Money transfers are available to the main cardholder only and subject to credit approval.

The An Post Money Flex Credit Card is issued by Bankinter S.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. An Post acts as a credit intermediary on behalf of Bankinter S.A., who provide loan and credit card services and facilities. An Post trading as An Post Money is authorised as a credit intermediary by the CCPC. Bankinter S.A., trading as Avant Money, is authorised by the Banco de España in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules.