I don't have a credit card because I've never needed one, but I know I should get one soon and start building credit. It's never really been a priority, though.

I'm planning a large trip to multiple countries in May/June. Should I get a credit card that's allied with a airline?

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catamaranpilot t1_iyexekw wrote on November 30, 2022 at 9:54 PM

Get two cards with 0 foreign transaction fees. If one is lost or stolen you will have a back-up.

A lot of people love them but I never saw the need for an airline card for the occassional traveler.

Main-Inflation4945 t1_iyf6gpe wrote on November 30, 2022 at 10:58 PM

I'd recommend getting a debit card with no foreign transaction fees (Schwab offers one) in addition to a credit card. The debit card eliminates the need for currency exchange as you can simply get it directly from an ATM with no fees.

pdawg43 t1_iyfaoza wrote on November 30, 2022 at 11:29 PM

Most travel cards come with no FTFs.

Omniwar t1_iyezzbq wrote on November 30, 2022 at 10:12 PM

If your credit is actually zero I think it's unlikely you'll be approved for a co-branded airline card from a major bank or have high enough of a credit limit to purchase international flight tickets on. That said, it's a great idea to use a credit card for the trip since many offer 0% foreign transaction fee and another layer of purchase protection.

I personally prefer straight cash back cards instead of airline cards since it doesn't lock you in to a particular company and it's easier to get rewards when you want it, but it's ultimately up to you.

MikeWPhilly t1_iyex5zy wrote on November 30, 2022 at 9:53 PM

You definitely want a credit card overseas for emergencies and other use cases. Does it need to be with an airline? Nope. What is a good credit card depends on your spending habits and how much you spend. I prefer the platinum but it’s ease of use and I put a fortune through my cards for the points.

Nerdwallet and some of those sites can help point you towards some cards based off categories but everybody’s “best” card is going to vary due to spending habits, and volume of spend.

kpat77 t1_iyexbcr wrote on November 30, 2022 at 9:54 PM

The Points Guy Best Credit Cards as of Nov 2022

Read through above as decide what works best for your situation.

TheFilthyMick t1_iyf9ypv wrote on November 30, 2022 at 11:24 PM

Personally, I won't take a trip without a travel credit card. I have two, but never really use the one associated with an airline. The best reason to use a travel credit card is the protection that many of them offer. For instance, you may get coverage for trip interruptions, rental car accidents, sickness related medical costs, loss of luggage, refunds for bad hotel rooms, replacement for damaged, stolen or lost items while traveling. The usual requirement is that you use the card to pay for the travel and accommodations. Most of them also have a points system that can be later redeemed for travel discounts or even full flights, as well as any number of other retail outlets. I often use my points as Amazon dollars. That said, these cards usually also carry an annual fee and require good or better credit for approval.