Which credit card is best for the trip mainly depends on whether you prioritize discounts, insurance, convenience or low fees. Many premium cards have benefits in several of these categories so one need not exclude the other.
There are a large number of comparison sites online that compare the best credit cards for travel. Very often, bonus programs and fees are the focus. But there are far more benefits than that to access. In addition, it is seldom that the fees should be prioritized if it is only a matter of a shorter (1-2 weeks) trip abroad.
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- Discounts before and during the trip
- Bonus program (0.5 – 2%)
- Cashback (2 – 10%)
< li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'>Discount (10 – 20%)
- Basic range of travel insurance
- Wider range of travel insurance
- Lounge access
- FastTrack
- Concierge Service
Which of the following do you prioritize? That should determine which credit card you choose!
Discounts before and during the trip
Credit cards can give discounts on, for example, plane tickets, hotel stays, experiences and rental cars. This via three different routes.
Bonus program (0.5 – 2%)
Collect points on all purchases throughout the year. Exchange the points for benefits when the holiday is to be booked. One of the most popular point programs is EuroBonus.
Cashback (2 – 10 %)
Get cashback on purchases made in selected e-stores. This may apply, for example, to airlines, hotel chains and shops that sell travel accessories.
Discount (10 – 20%)
Get automatic discount when you pay with the credit card at partners.
The highest percentage discount is thus reached at partners. The advantage of cashback is that there are cards that give it in over 200 stores. The advantage of bonuses is that this can be accumulated on almost all card purchases, but the level is quite low.
Comprehensive travel insurance
When paying for the trip, with or without a discount, it should always be done with the credit card. All, with very few exceptions, credit cards in Sweden have travel insurance with cancellation protection. But for the insurance to be activated, the trip must have been paid for with the card.
The big difference between the cards is how comprehensive the insurance is. In other words, on what occasions it is possible to receive compensation and the level of compensation. It is possible, somewhat simplified, to divide the card's insurance into a basic range and a larger range.
Basic range of travel insurances
The basic range includes, for example, cancellation protection, compensation for delayed luggage and flights, excess insurance on rental cars, excess insurance on your own car and home insurance, accident insurance and delayed public transport.
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Larger range of travel insurances
On premium cards (often with an annual fee of more than SEK 1,000), a completely different level of protection is available during the trip. For example, there are cards that give you a certain amount in compensation for each night that must be spent in hospital. In addition, a relative can have your trip paid for to keep you company during the hospital stay.
Other premium services may include 24/7 access to a digital doctor, roadside assistance and legal assistance.
Amenities during the journey
Do you want to have a nicer, calmer and more comfortable trip? Choose a credit card that also makes the travel time itself part of the experience. Above all, it is with the more expensive and better credit cards that these benefits can be accessed:
Lounge access
Access airport lounges while waiting for your flight to depart. A calm and relaxing environment where both food, drink and newspapers are usually included. It's a big contrast to the stress in other parts of the airport.
With the best credit cards, these visits are free and can be made without limitation in number per year. There are also “budget” options that give you access, for a fee, up to, say, 4 times per year.
FastTrack
With FastTrack, you can go through a special entrance at the security checkpoint. An entrance that usually only has a queue of 1-3 minutes. Easier, smoother and more comfortable. However, only the most expensive premium cards have this benefit.
Concierge Service
Concierge Service not only makes the journey more comfortable but also safer. It's a service that means you can call customer service, usually around the clock, and get help with anything that can be arranged remotely.
They can, for example, book a hotel, check departure times, notify relatives, buy gifts or contact the embassy. A digital help that is always close to you.
Low fees
Is it a longer stay abroad? Are you going to study abroad? Will you buy too much during the trip? Then your best option may be a card with no fees, or at least with low fees, during your stay abroad.
However, there are no credit cards that have neither a currency surcharge nor a withdrawal fee – you have to choose what you want to avoid or have with two cards. An alternative is to sign a debit card as there are several that do not have these two fees.
Carrying two cards with you on the trip is also a general recommendation. With a single card, it becomes unnecessarily complicated if it breaks, the bank has IT problems or if it is stolen.
The best credit card for the trip is…
The best credit card for the trip is the card that gives you the most benefits that you will use. There is no ultimate answer to the question as it is the same as asking “which car is best?”. It all depends on what is being compared.
Read through the major categories of benefits above and compare the credit cards based on these. Then don't forget to check other important things to compare before finally signing a card.
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