Best Prepaid Credit Card For Travel To Europe
If you're planning a trip to Europe, you'll need to make sure you have a way to access your money while you're on the go. While you could bring cash with you, carrying large amounts of cash around can be risky. One alternative is to use a prepaid credit card for your travel needs.
Prepaid credit cards work differently from traditional credit cards. With a prepaid card, you load money onto the card in advance, and then use it to make purchases or withdraw cash from ATMs just like you would with a regular credit card. The main difference is that you can only spend the amount of money that you've loaded onto the card, so you won't be able to go over your budget.
Why use a prepaid credit card for travel to Europe?
Using a prepaid credit card for your European travels can be beneficial for several reasons:
- You can avoid foreign transaction fees. Many credit cards charge a fee for purchases made outside of the US. With a prepaid card, you won't have to worry about these fees.
- You can control your spending. By loading a specific amount of money onto the card, you can limit your spending and stick to your budget.
- You can keep your money secure. Carrying large sums of cash can be risky, but with a prepaid card, you can keep your money in a safe and secure place.
What to look for in a prepaid credit card for travel to Europe?
When choosing a prepaid credit card for your European travels, there are several features you should look for:
- No foreign transaction fees. As mentioned above, you'll want to look for a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
- Low fees. Some prepaid cards charge fees for things like ATM withdrawals, balance inquiries, and inactivity. Look for a card with low or no fees.
- Accepted in Europe. Not all prepaid cards are accepted in Europe, so make sure you choose a card that can be used in the countries you'll be visiting.
- Chip and PIN technology. Many European merchants require chip and PIN technology for credit card transactions, so look for a card that has this feature.
- Reloadable. Choose a card that can be easily reloaded so you can add more money as needed.
- Emergency replacement. Look for a card that offers emergency replacement in case your card is lost or stolen.
Our top picks for prepaid credit cards for travel to Europe
After researching and comparing various prepaid credit cards, we've come up with a list of our top picks for travel to Europe:
1. TravelMoney Card by American Express
The TravelMoney card by American Express offers no foreign transaction fees, chip and PIN technology, and the ability to withdraw cash from ATMs. The card can be loaded with up to $9,999 and can be reloaded online, over the phone or in person at participating merchants. However, there is a $4.95 fee for each reload.
2. Travelex Money Card
The Travelex Money Card offers no foreign transaction fees, chip and PIN technology, and can be used at over 35 million merchants worldwide. The card can be loaded with up to $7,500 and can be reloaded online, over the phone or in person at participating merchants. However, there is a $3.95 fee for each reload.
3. Chase Liquid Prepaid Card
The Chase Liquid Prepaid Card offers no foreign transaction fees, chip and PIN technology, as well as free withdrawals from Chase ATMs. The card can be loaded with up to $10,000 and can be reloaded at any Chase branch or participating merchant. However, there is a $4.95 monthly fee.
Conclusion
Using a prepaid credit card for your European travels can be a convenient and secure way to access your money while on the go. When choosing a card, make sure to look for one with no foreign transaction fees, low fees, and chip and PIN technology. Our top picks include the TravelMoney Card by American Express, Travelex Money Card, and Chase Liquid Prepaid Card.