Best Credit Card for Travelling to USA 2014

itssophiebear

Hi there.

I have plans to travel to the USA next summer and wish to get a credit card to pay flights and use for purchases in the USA (No need for hotels or anything, as I'm staying with friends). I don't plan on spending more than I have and plan on paying the money back right away- it's just so I have more security with booking flights and purchasing abroad.

I'm 18, in Scotland, and don't have any kind of credit rating yet. I do have my own business and I already have the money to pay back into the credit card for my flights- like I said, I'm not looking to use it when I can't afford to pay things upfront.

I'm hoping for a card that won't charge for purchases in the USA, but I honestly don't know much about credit cards at all and find the whole thing a bit daunting, so hoping someone on here can help!

Thanks,
Sophie.

reclusive46

Since you don't have any credit rating, I would apply for a Vanquis card. Then in about 6 months time you should be eligible for the http://www.capitalone.co.uk/creditcards/classic-extra-credit-card.jsf or the Aqua advance which charges no foreign transaction fees.

Your unlikely to get a credit limit high enough for flights to the USA with no credit rating though.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Welcome to MSE. :wave:
Have a look at the Cheap Travel Money article on the main website.

rabbit_burrow

If you're worried about your credit score, Aqua is worth a look. Their 'advance' card do not charge any exchange fee so you get a 'pure' rate from mastercard (which is pretty much spot on with the xe rates).

Vanquis charge a 2.99% fee on foreign transactions (it doesn't appear as a separate charge, it is taken from the exchange rate so you get a lower rate, the visa exchange rate page has a tool to see the rate)

Whatever card you choose, check the small print - look for their terms on 'foreign transactions' and you will see whether or not they charge a fee.