This card gives you a way to save on overseas travel costs with 0% foreign transaction fees and overseas travel insurance, with the option of upgraded cover through Cover-More.
Right now, it also offers 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for 24 months, with a 3% balance transfer fee. This could help you save on interest for up to two years as you pay off a trip.
The 12.99% interest rate that applies after the introductory period is also competitive. And if you're approved, you can get a digital card straight after activating your account.
Top pick for 0% foreign transaction fees
Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard - Rewards Offer
0% international transaction or currency conversion fees on purchases
Shop and be rewarded with the Latitude Rewards Program
Complimentary E-commerce and Purchase Protection
Free global data roaming with Flexiroam
Complimentary Flight Delay Pass
Purchase interest rate of 27.99% p.a.
Charges a payment handling fee of $1.95 for BPAY payments and $3.95 for payment at Australia Post. You can avoid the fee by using Latitude Service Centre or via direct debit.
Why we like it
0% international transaction fees on purchases while you travel overseas or shop online.
Free additional users – there’s no cost to add an additional cardholder.
Free data roaming with Flexiroam, which gives you a choice of SIMs and 3GB of free data for 15 days each calendar year to use in over 150 countries.
Free lounge access when your flight is delayed with the Flight Delay Pass at select airport lounges.
Relatively high ongoing annual fee of $160 p.a. and purchase rate of 19.99% p.a.
Earn rate per $1 spent is low compared to other Qantas cards
Why we like it
The Finder Score for travel credit cards scores all the eligible cards in Finder's database. Cards are ranked on 6 features:
Foreign exchange fees: Cards with 0% fees score the highest. This is the most important factor in the travel credit card category.
Travel insurance: Cards score higher if they offer complimentary travel insurance.
Overseas ATM fee: the lower the fee the higher the score.
Purchase rate: The lower the rate the higher the score.
First-year fee. $0 annual fee in the first year of the card scores the highest.
Ongoing annual fee: A $0 ongoing annual scores the highest.
We weigh up these 6 factors and score the cards. The higher the score, the better the card for the average travel card customer. We update these scores every month.
Keep in mind: Our top picks may not always be best for you. Based on your situation, you may find certain features to be more or less important, so compare your options before you apply.
Can I use my everyday credit card overseas?
Yes, you can use any credit card when you travel overseas. Just like in Australia, the business will need to accept card payments, but that's common in a lot of popular travel destinations.
Keep in mind that many credit cards and debit cards charge a 2-3% foreign transaction fee when you make payments in another country. So before you go overseas with your everyday card, check its foreign currency fee to make sure it's affordable.
Compare more credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fees
If you're trying to save money, the best credit card to use overseas is likely one with 0% foreign transaction fees. If you want a card that can help you earn points and get you there for free, you can compare frequent flyer credit cards.
We currently don't have a partnership for that product, but we have other similar offers to choose from (how we picked these
):
Types of travel credit cards
There are 4 main types of credit cards that offer features and benefits for travellers:
0% foreign fees These credit cards don't charge an international currency conversion fee and can save you around 2-3% compared to some other credit and debit cards.
Complimentary travel insurance Credit cards with complimentary overseas travel insurance typically offer cover for medical emergencies, travel delays and lost or stolen luggage. Some offer cancellation cover and many cover COVID-related claims.
Frequent flyer A frequent flyer credit card offers you points for your everyday spending, which you can redeem for flights and other rewards.
Lounge passes or travel credit Some premium credit cards offer airport lounge passes you can use before your flight. And a few cards offer flight or travel credit for overseas or domestic bookings.
Pros and cons of using a credit card overseas
Pros
Global acceptance. Australian credit cards can be used in most hotels, restaurants, stores, travel agencies and entertainment venues around the world.
Travel perks. Credit cards designed for overseas use often come with travel-related benefits like 0% foreign transaction fees, frequent flyer rewards programs, complimentary insurance or airport lounge passes.
Security and emergencies. A credit card can come in handy if you need to cover unexpected costs when you're travelling overseas. If your card is lost or stolen, you can report it and get the account locked. Credit card zero liability policies also mean any fraudulent transactions will be refunded.
Cons
Fees. Depending on the card, you may be charged a foreign transaction fee or surcharge for using a credit card overseas. This typically costs 2–3% (or more) of the transaction. Credit card annual fees can also add to your account costs and range from $0 to over $700. Cards with more perks like rewards and lounge passes tend to have higher annual fees than more basic ones.
Limitations. You'll need to meet eligibility requirements (such as income and credit score criteria) to be approved for a credit card.
Risk of debt. While a credit card is handy and offers some peace of mind, it can also lead to overspending, interest charges and ongoing debt.
How to compare travel credit cards
Look at all the fees. A 0% foreign transaction fee will save you most when using a credit card overseas. Some cards charge up to 3%. But there's also fees for making overseas ATM withdrawals, and standard fees like the annual fee.
Travel insurance. Check if the credit card offers complimentary travel insurance. While you can get a standalone policy, being covered by your card is convenient.
Other travel perks. Some credit cards offer flights or yearly travel credit, concierge services to help with travel bookings. You might also be able to get complimentary lounge passes that offer a one-off access to an airport lounge.
Points and rewards. It's possible to get a travel credit card that also lets you earn frequent flyer points, rewards points or some form of cashback.
Do I need a travel credit card?
A credit card is not your only option to spend money overseas.
Cash. Depending where you travel, carrying some local cash is wise. It's not particularly secure if you lose it, and in some countries you may have an easier time with plastic.
Pre-loaded travel card. A pre-loaded travel card or travel money card is a great alternative to a credit card. You can load it up with a foreign currency and spend it overseas without getting charged foreign transaction fees. Wise and Revolut are 2 popular options.
Debit card. You can often use a debit card overseas just like a credit card. And like a credit card, you'll likely get charged a foreign transaction fee.
"Last time I went overseas I didn't use a credit card once I landed. I used a Wise multi-currency card, which I was able to pre-load in the local currency for a small fee and a pretty competitive rate. Then I just used that card as if it was a local debit card. It was quick to top up mid-journey as well. But I did book flights, hotels and a hire car in advance using a credit card that earns frequent flyer points."
Planning your next trip? Check out our selection of frequent flyer credit cards and see if you can get a few thousand bonus Qantas or Velocity Points when you book your trip.
Frequently asked questions
There isn't much difference between Visa and Mastercard credit cards when you're overseas: both operate in over 200 countries and offer fraud protection.
American Express is accepted in over 130 countries and also offers fraud protection that's similar to Visa and Mastercard. So, with a few exceptions (think Cuba, North Korea, etc.), you'll pretty much be able to use any credit card when you travel.
While some travellers add money to their credit card accounts to avoid interest charges when they're away, it's not possible on all cards. You should talk to your credit card provider or check your credit card product disclosure statement (PDS) for details on how this type of balance is treated – it's usually referred to as a "positive balance".
When used wisely, a travel credit card offers a way to make secure payments when you're overseas and gives you access to other benefits such as 0% foreign transaction fees and complimentary insurance. Some hotels and car rental companies also prefer credit cards for security deposits and payments. But there are potential costs to getting a credit card, including the annual fee and interest payments if you don't pay it off in full, so weigh up your options carefully.
Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted credit cards worldwide, providing seamless transactions abroad. Most card providers and merchants charge international fees and/or currency conversion fees, which can add 3-4% to the cost of each transaction.
"I always travel with my CBA Gold card. It has no foreign transaction fees and also has travel insurance included. The other benefit to using credit cards when you travel is that any fraud happens, it is dealt with swiftly by the bank."
Find out which brands ranked highly at 2024 Finder Awards for travel credit cards.
The Bankwest Zero Platinum won this year's Finder Award again as it offers no foreign transaction fees, no annual fee and comprehensive overseas travel insurance. Its 14.99% interest rate on purchases scored highly and helped establish it as a card that travellers can use save on a range of costs.
The Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card rated highly with its 0% foreign transaction fees, ongoing $0 annual fee and complimentary travel insurance. In addition to the 19.99% purchase rate and $5 overseas ATM withdrawal fee during the analysis period, it provides worldwide Mastercard acceptance.
The NAB StraightUp Card is a no-interest credit card that charges a flat, monthly fee when you use the card. If there's no balance and no spending in a statement period, the monthly fee is waived, making it a low-cost alternative to traditional credit cards and buy now pay later services. The card also offers 0% foreign transaction fees and is a finalist for the second year in a row.
Every year the Finder Credit Card Awards celebrate Australia's top credit cards, with expert analysis of rates, fees and offers based on 12 months' worth of data. Because credit card offers change regularly, these cards might not currently have the most competitive deals but you can use them as a benchmark for current offers.
Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio
Amy's expertise
Amy has written 565 Finder guides across topics including:
Student credit cards can help you manage your money and build credit history for future loans. Learn more and compare student credit cards available in Australia here.
While most people tend to get a credit card from the same bank where they hold a transaction account, it is possible to get a card from another bank to take advantage of a better deal.
If you are renting a car and want to be covered in the case of accidents, then this insurance is for you. Check first your insurance policy and find out which coverage extends to your rental vehicle.
Hi, Could i ask you to update this International credit card information?
Latitude 28Degrees is changing to an $8 monthly fee as of September/October 2024.
They have sent me the info.
Finder
SarahSeptember 9, 2024Finder
Thanks Stephen, we had made a note to update this on the date of the change coming into effect (Sept 17) but we have updated in advance for full transparency.
TFJ100June 26, 2023
A quick note that the Bendigo Ready Credit Card also has a good travel insurance option where you don’t need to pay the whole cost of your travel on the card to activate the travel insurance, just a portion. So, if you have already bought your overseas tickets, and don’t want to pay extra for travel insurance, you might still be able to claim using this card – read the PDS to see the rules. It is also one of the only cards that still has rental car excess reduction on it – so I book all my rental cars through this card
SaijaMarch 25, 2023
Which cards are best for 2 card holders (husband & wife)?
Finder
AmyMarch 27, 2023Finder
Hi Saija,
Most credit cards in Australia allow you to share your account with someone by getting an additional card for them that’s linked to your account. A few credit cards also offer joint accounts, where both people share legal responsibility for the credit card account. You can learn more and compare different options in Finder’s guide to joint credit cards. I hope that helps.
Finder
JeniAugust 31, 2019Finder
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
As of this writing, there are some credit cards offering travel insurance for over 65. NAB covers up to 90 years old while Virgin Money, HSBC, and Citi did not include the traveler’s age limit so long that there’s no pre-existing medical condition.
It is recommended that you contact your chosen provider on this matter for further clarification. Once you have decided which credit card to apply with, please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the card, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the card before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
BebeJuly 3, 2015
If I have a 28 degrees Mastercard, does it mean when I withdraw cash from an overseas ATM that there will not be a withdrawal fee?
Thanks for your help in clarifying my query.
Finder
JonathanJuly 6, 2015Finder
Hi Bebe, thanks for your inquiry!
The 28 Degrees MasterCard provides no international transaction fees on purchases, which only covers currency conversion rate charges. Overseas ATM withdrawals may still incur a charge, depending on the local ATM’s withdrawal policies and fees.
Cheers,
Jonathan
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Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Finder is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stand by our editorial principles.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
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Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Hi, Could i ask you to update this International credit card information?
Latitude 28Degrees is changing to an $8 monthly fee as of September/October 2024.
They have sent me the info.
Thanks Stephen, we had made a note to update this on the date of the change coming into effect (Sept 17) but we have updated in advance for full transparency.
A quick note that the Bendigo Ready Credit Card also has a good travel insurance option where you don’t need to pay the whole cost of your travel on the card to activate the travel insurance, just a portion. So, if you have already bought your overseas tickets, and don’t want to pay extra for travel insurance, you might still be able to claim using this card – read the PDS to see the rules. It is also one of the only cards that still has rental car excess reduction on it – so I book all my rental cars through this card
Which cards are best for 2 card holders (husband & wife)?
Hi Saija,
Most credit cards in Australia allow you to share your account with someone by getting an additional card for them that’s linked to your account. A few credit cards also offer joint accounts, where both people share legal responsibility for the credit card account. You can learn more and compare different options in Finder’s guide to joint credit cards. I hope that helps.
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
As of this writing, there are some credit cards offering travel insurance for over 65. NAB covers up to 90 years old while Virgin Money, HSBC, and Citi did not include the traveler’s age limit so long that there’s no pre-existing medical condition.
It is recommended that you contact your chosen provider on this matter for further clarification. Once you have decided which credit card to apply with, please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the card, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the card before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
If I have a 28 degrees Mastercard, does it mean when I withdraw cash from an overseas ATM that there will not be a withdrawal fee?
Thanks for your help in clarifying my query.
Hi Bebe, thanks for your inquiry!
The 28 Degrees MasterCard provides no international transaction fees on purchases, which only covers currency conversion rate charges. Overseas ATM withdrawals may still incur a charge, depending on the local ATM’s withdrawal policies and fees.
Cheers,
Jonathan