UK Travel Credit Card Comparison
Every UK credit card that charges no foreign transaction fee on purchases, in one table — with cash fees, APRs, card fees and rewards, and what each would actually cost you on a fortnight in Thailand.
and fees
in Thailand
unbiased guide
Our top picks
No foreign fee, no annual fee — clear the balance in full.
Most UK credit cards add a "non-sterling transaction fee" of about 2.75% to 2.99% to every payment you make in Thailand. A small number don't. This page puts every UK credit card that charges no foreign transaction fee on purchases side by side, so you can compare them on the things that matter for a trip to Thailand: what they charge on spending, what they charge on cash, how much interest they charge, whether there's a card fee, and what you get back.
Below the main table you'll find what each card would actually cost on a typical fortnight, a short verdict on each, and which card suits which kind of traveller. For the full story — Section 75, hotel deposits, how to use a credit card safely in Thailand — read our guide to the best UK credit cards for Thailand travel.
Every figure was checked against the issuer's own information, or the most recent independent comparison where noted, on 11–12 October 2026.
The short answer
Barclaycard Rewards is the most complete travel card: no foreign fee on purchases or cash withdrawals, no annual fee, Visa, and a little cashback. Lloyds Bank Ultra has the same no-fee terms with a much lower representative APR and 1% cashback in its first year. NatWest Travel Reward pays 1% back on flights, hotels and car hire, but charges for cash.
Whichever you choose, use it for hotels, flights, tours and bigger purchases — where Section 75 protects you — and pay it off in full each month. For cash, use a fee-free debit card: credit card cash withdrawals attract interest from the day you take them out.
UK travel credit cards compared
Every UK credit card with no foreign transaction fee on purchases, plus a typical standard card for comparison. Representative APRs as published; the rate you're offered depends on your circumstances. Scroll sideways on a phone.
| Card | Foreign fee | Cash withdrawal abroad | Rep. APR | Card fee | Rewards | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barclaycard Rewards (Visa) | 0% | No fee (interest from day one) | 28.9% | £0 | 0.25% cashback | See card |
| Lloyds Bank Ultra (Visa) | 0% | No fee (interest from day one) | 14.9% | £0 | 1% year one, then 0.25% | See card |
| NatWest Travel Reward (Visa) | 0% | 3% plus interest | 27.9% | £0 | 1% on travel, 0.1% other | See card |
| Santander All in One | 0% | 3% (min £3) plus interest | 29.8% (incl. fee) | £3 a month | 0.5% at home, max £10/month | See card |
| Zopa Credit Card (Visa) | 0% | £3 per withdrawal plus interest | 34.8% | £0 | None | See card |
| Bip Credit Card (Mastercard) | 0% | Not available (no physical card) | 34.9% | £0 | None | See card |
| Halifax Clarity | 0% | No fee (interest from day one) | Closed to new applicants | £0 | None | |
| Typical standard card (e.g. American Express) | 2.99% | 3% or £3 plus interest | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Checked 11–12 October 2026 from issuer pages, Which? (1 October 2026), Wise (August 2026) and Finder (October 2026). Lloyds APR as listed by Which?. Halifax Clarity is closed to new applications as Halifax customers move to Lloyds. Credit is subject to status.
What each card costs on a real trip
A typical fortnight: £1,500 spent by card on hotels, restaurants and tours, and one £300 cash withdrawal from a Thai ATM. Fees only — every card also charges interest on cash from the day you withdraw, roughly £4 to £9 for a month on £300 at these rates.
| Card | Fees on £1,500 spending | Fees on £300 cash | Total card fees | Plus | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barclaycard Rewards | £0 | £0 | £0 | Cash interest; ฿220 Thai ATM fee | See card |
| Lloyds Bank Ultra | £0 | £0 | £0 | Cash interest (lowest APR); ฿220 ATM fee | See card |
| Zopa Credit Card | £0 | £3 | £3 | Cash interest; ฿220 ATM fee | See card |
| NatWest Travel Reward | £0 | £9 | £9 | Cash interest; ฿220 ATM fee | See card |
| Santander All in One | £0 | £9 | £12 (incl. £3 monthly fee) | Cash interest; ฿220 ATM fee | See card |
| Bip Credit Card | £0 | Not possible | £0 | Need another card for cash | See card |
| Typical standard card | £44.85 | £17.97 | £62.82 | Cash interest; ฿220 ATM fee |
Standard card assumes a 2.99% non-sterling fee on all transactions plus a 3% cash fee. Interest estimate: one month at each card's representative APR on £300. Avoid it by using a fee-free debit card for cash.
Each card in brief
The essentials on every card, with our verdict for Thailand.
1.Barclaycard Rewards
Best all-rounderNo foreign transaction fee on purchases or cash withdrawals abroad, no annual fee and 0.25% cashback. The most complete travel credit card for Thailand.
Representative 28.9% APR (variable), assumed credit limit £1,200.- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Cash abroad
- No fee (interest)
- Rewards
- 0.25% cashback
- Network
- Visa
Why it works in Thailand
- No fees on spending or cash abroad
- Visa — accepted everywhere cards are
- Section 75 and purchase protection
Watch out for
- 28.9% APR if you carry a balance
- Interest on cash from day one
2.Lloyds Bank Ultra
Lowest APRNo fees on spending or cash abroad and a far lower representative APR than its rivals, with 1% cashback on all spending in the first year.
Representative 14.9% APR (variable), as listed by Which? on 1 October 2026. Check Lloyds for the current rate.- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Cash abroad
- No fee (interest)
- Rewards
- 1% year one, then 0.25%
- Network
- Visa
Why it works in Thailand
- Lowest APR of the travel cards
- 1% cashback for 12 months
- Replaces Halifax Clarity
Watch out for
- Cashback paid annually, with conditions
- Drops to 0.25% after year one
3.NatWest Travel Reward
Best for bookingsNo foreign fee on purchases and 1% back on flights, hotels and car hire — handy for booking the trip itself. Cash abroad costs 3% plus interest.
Representative 27.9% APR (variable), assumed credit limit £1,200. The rate offered may be up to 29.9%.- Foreign fee
- 0% purchases
- Cash abroad
- 3% plus interest
- Rewards
- 1% travel, 0.1% other
- Network
- Visa
Why it works in Thailand
- 1% back on travel bookings
- Uncapped rewards
- No annual fee
Watch out for
- Fee and interest on cash
- Only 0.1% on everyday spending
4.Santander All in One
Best with a balance transferNo foreign fee and a long 0% balance transfer, but a £3 monthly fee and no cashback on foreign currency spending.
Representative 29.8% APR (variable), including the £3 monthly fee, assumed credit limit £1,200.- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Cash abroad
- 3% (min £3) plus interest
- Rewards
- 0.5% at home, max £10/month
- Card fee
- £3 a month
Why it works in Thailand
- 0% balance transfers
- No foreign fee
- Visa or Mastercard
Watch out for
- £36 a year in fees
- No cashback on spending abroad
5.Zopa Credit Card
Best appNo fee on spending abroad, an excellent app and a soft eligibility check — but a high APR and £3 per cash withdrawal.
Representative 34.8% APR (variable), assumed credit limit £1,200. Rates from 29.8%.- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Cash abroad
- £3 plus interest
- Rewards
- None
- Network
- Visa
Why it works in Thailand
- Instant alerts and card freeze
- No annual fee
- Soft eligibility check
Watch out for
- High APR
- No rewards
6.Bip Credit Card
App-onlyA card-free credit card used through Apple Pay or Google Pay, with no foreign fee and Mastercard rates — but no physical card and no cash withdrawals.
Representative 34.9% APR (variable), assumed credit limit £1,200.- Foreign fee
- 0%
- Cash abroad
- Not available
- Rewards
- None
- Network
- Mastercard
Why it works in Thailand
- Nothing to lose or skim
- Mastercard rate
- No annual fee
Watch out for
- Phone payments only — many Thai businesses need a card
- Very high APR
Which card suits which traveller
Two-week holiday
Barclaycard Rewards for hotels, tours and bigger purchases, paid off in full when the statement arrives, plus a fee-free debit card such as Chase for cash.
Might carry a balance
Lloyds Bank Ultra — its much lower APR makes the biggest difference if you don't clear the card every month.
Booking flights and hotels
NatWest Travel Reward pays 1% back on travel bookings. Use another card for cash.
Long stay or winter in Thailand
A fee-free credit card for deposits and emergencies, a fee-free debit card for cash — and, if you're staying for months, a multicurrency account or a Thai bank account.
Check whether you're likely to be accepted before you apply: most issuers offer an eligibility check that doesn't affect your credit score. You'll need to be a UK resident with a UK address — these cards are designed for people who live in the UK.
Don't use a credit card for cash in Thailand
Even on cards with no cash fee, withdrawing cash on a credit card is a cash advance: interest is charged from the day you take it out, with no interest-free period, even if you clear the balance in full. Some cards add a fee of 3% or £3 on top, and the Thai ATM still charges its ฿220.
The cheaper approach is two cards: a fee-free credit card for card payments, and a fee-free debit card — such as Chase or Starling — for cash. Our UK travel debit card comparison compares the debit cards side by side.
How we compared the cards
We included every UK credit card we could find that charges no foreign transaction fee on purchases and was open to new applicants in October 2026, and listed Halifax Clarity because many readers still hold it. We compared them on the costs that matter in Thailand — foreign fee, cash fee, representative APR and card fee — and on rewards, network and practical features.
Fees are taken from each issuer's own pages where available, cross-checked against Which? (1 October 2026), Wise (August 2026) and Finder (October 2026). Representative APRs are what at least 51% of accepted applicants receive; your rate may be higher. We review this page at least every six months and whenever an issuer changes its terms.
Living in Thailand rather than visiting? These cards are designed for UK residents, and some issuers restrict accounts if you move abroad. Our guide to travel card eligibility for UK residents explains the options.
Our verdict
Barclaycard Rewards is the best all-round UK credit card for Thailand — no foreign fee on purchases or cash, no annual fee, Visa. Lloyds Bank Ultra matches it on fees with a much lower APR, and NatWest Travel Reward earns the most on travel bookings.
Use the credit card for hotels, flights and tours, clear it in full each month, and take cash on a fee-free debit card instead. A standard card would add around £60 to a typical fortnight.
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Which UK credit cards have no foreign transaction fee?
In October 2026: Barclaycard Rewards, Lloyds Bank Ultra, NatWest Travel Reward, Santander All in One, Zopa and Bip. Halifax Clarity also has no foreign fee but is closed to new applicants.
What is the best credit card to use in Thailand?
Barclaycard Rewards is the best all-rounder, with no foreign fee on purchases or cash withdrawals and no annual fee. Lloyds Bank Ultra has the same fee terms with a lower APR.
Which travel credit card has the lowest APR?
Lloyds Bank Ultra, at a representative 14.9% APR variable as listed by Which? on 1 October 2026 — about half the rate of most rivals.
Can I still get a Halifax Clarity card?
No. Halifax is no longer taking new applications as its customers move to Lloyds. Lloyds Bank Ultra is the closest replacement.
Do no-foreign-fee credit cards charge for cash abroad?
Some do. Barclaycard Rewards and Lloyds Ultra charge no cash fee, NatWest and Santander charge 3%, and Zopa charges £3. All charge interest on cash from the day you withdraw.
Is American Express good for Thailand?
Amex cards typically add a 2.99% non-sterling fee, and acceptance in Thailand is patchier than Visa or Mastercard. A fee-free Visa or Mastercard is a better choice.
Does Bip work in Thailand?
Only where you can pay by phone. Bip has no physical card and no cash withdrawals, so you'd need another card for the many Thai businesses that take only card or cash.
Should I use a credit card or debit card in Thailand?
Both. A fee-free credit card for hotels, bookings and bigger purchases, for Section 75 protection, and a fee-free debit card for cash.
What does a standard credit card cost in Thailand?
Typically 2.99% on every payment and withdrawal, plus a cash fee of around 3%. On £1,500 of spending and £300 of cash, that's about £63 in fees before interest.
Do I need to be a UK resident to get these cards?
Yes. They're designed for UK residents with a UK address, and some issuers review accounts if you move abroad permanently.
Will applying affect my credit score?
A full application leaves a hard search on your file. Use the issuer's eligibility checker first — it uses a soft search that doesn't affect your score.
How often is this comparison updated?
We checked every figure on 11–12 October 2026 and review the page at least every six months, or sooner when an issuer changes its terms.
British expat and long-term Thailand resident with more than 30 years of experience in international finance. Lawrence writes the Just Landed in Thailand finance guides for people moving, travelling and retiring here.
Sources and how we checked
Card terms from each issuer's published information and independent comparisons: Which? (travel credit cards, 1 October 2026), Wise (UK credit cards with no foreign transaction fee, August 2026), Finder (Halifax Clarity, October 2026; Bip; Amex abroad). Representative APRs as published; your rate may differ. Trip-cost figures are illustrative. We review this page at least every six months.
- Which? — Best travel credit cards (1 October 2026)
- Wise — UK credit cards with no foreign transaction fee (August 2026)
- Barclaycard — Barclaycard Rewards
- NatWest — Travel Reward Credit Card
- Santander — All in One Credit Card
- Zopa — Credit card
- Finder — Halifax Clarity Card review (October 2026)
- Finder — Bip cardless credit review
- Finder — Using Amex abroad
- Moneyfacts — Lloyds launches Ultra credit card
More Compare Travel Money guides
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Multicurrency Travel Account Comparison
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UK Card Foreign-Fee Comparison
What every major UK bank charges you abroad.
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Thai ATM Fee Reference
Every Thai bank ATM: fees and withdrawal limits.
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Important: This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. Fees, limits and eligibility change; we checked every figure on the date shown, but always confirm the current terms with the provider before you apply or travel. Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means JLIT may earn a commission if you open an account. This never changes the price you pay or the order of our recommendations.
