Why one of my most-used cards when traveling abroad may surprise you
I'm always thinking about earning and redeeming points and miles and constantly asking myself, what's the best card to use?
Points and miles have helped me substantially fund my travels over the years, as I've traveled to nearly 90 countries.
Throughout my travels, there's one card I seem to use more frequently than expected. In fact, it's not a credit card — shocking, I know. It's actually a debit card.
The Schwab Bank Visa® Platinum Debit Card is my go-to card when traveling domestically and abroad for one sole reason: fee-free ATM withdrawals worldwide.
I travel to many destinations where cash is king. Not having to pay hefty ATM withdrawal fees offers me peace of mind, knowing that when I land, I can go straight through customs, immediately head to the ATM and then get started exploring.
Let's look at why the Schwab Platinum Debit Card will always have a slot in my wallet when traveling abroad.
The information for the Schwab Bank Visa Platinum Debit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
What is the Schwab Platinum Debit Card?
The Schwab Platinum Debit Card is the debit card attached to the Investor checking account from Charles Schwab Bank.
The Schwab Platinum Debit Card will always have a place in my wallet, but not to make purchases. I only carry this card in the event I need to take money out of the ATM because Charles Schwab will reimburse unlimited ATM withdrawal fees worldwide at the end of each month.
Even better, there are no fees to open an account and no monthly maintenance fees.
For instance, on my most recent international trip, I went to Serbia, which is a very cash-heavy country. I couldn't even leave the airport without having the local currency, as I needed to pay for a taxi.
Whether I was paying for public transit or buying sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls) from a food vendor, I needed cash on multiple occasions. I took out cash at least 10 times on this trip, and without the Schwab Platinum Debit Card, I would have spent close to $100 on fees.
And I can't lie—I do like to indulge in the occasional gambling at casinos. Often, when I go into a casino, I don't have any cash, so I have to go to the ATM to withdraw some. On this trip, I walked into a casino and saw a $20 ATM withdrawal fee that almost induced a mini-panic attack, but then I remembered my Schwab Platinum Debit card would reimburse me.
Pro tip: When withdrawing money or even paying for purchases abroad, always select the local currency and decline the dynamic currency conversion, as you will end up paying a conversion fee that won't be reimbursed.
Related: Credit vs. debit cards: Which is the smarter choice?
How the Schwab Platinum Debit Card fits into my overarching points and miles strategy abroad
Since I don't use the Schwab Platinum Debit Card for purchases, my credit cards are still the focal point for me to earn rewards when abroad. With most of my credit card rewards, I generally earn and burn them, so I always need to be spending on my cards to replace them.
My credit card lineup when traveling abroad
Four other cards — three travel rewards cards and one cash-back card — anchor my credit card strategy when traveling abroad:
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- The American Express® Gold Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Apple Card
Each card plays a pivotal role in my strategy, but the Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold get the lion's share of my use. None of these cards has a foreign transaction fee (for rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here; for rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here), so I will happy swipe them abroad. Plus, I diversify my rewards by earning different transferable rewards.
The information for the Apple Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Sapphire Preferred is my go-to card for hotel and all general travel purchases, as it earns 2 points per dollar spent on all travel.
I generally rely on my Amex Gold Card for dining purchases, but Amex isn't widely accepted in many countries (and even in some major cities abroad), so I turn to my Sapphire Preferred as my secondary dining card since it earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining.
Because my Sapphire is a Visa, it tends to see the most use abroad.
The card earns very valuable Ultimate Rewards points, which I transfer to one of Chase's 11 airline and three hotel partners. My go-to partners for transferring points are United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt. On the same trip to Serbia, I transferred 6,500 points to Hyatt for a brief overnight stay before my flight at the Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport, where the cash price was slightly over $200 for the night.
Lastly, I make sure to use the Sapphire Preferred's annual $50 hotel credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel℠.
I always try to use this credit at a hotel not attached to a loyalty program since I would not get any hotel loyalty perks. Additionally, I like to save the credit for when I need an airport hotel or am in a city for just a night.
I view this credit as effectively a $50 discount on a one-night stay, and in the past years, I have even found a few hotels that cost under $50 per night (albeit these were in cheaper countries to visit), so it turned into a free night for me. It's important to note that you will not earn any points on the first $50 spent on hotel purchases on Chase Travel.
Related: Why I love my Chase Sapphire Preferred card — and will always keep it in my wallet
Amex Gold
I consider myself a foodie, and there is no better card for foodies than the Amex Gold. The $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) is worth all the points I can earn throughout the year on different bonus categories.
It's my go-to dining card as it earns 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Additionally, a lesser-known benefit of the Amex Gold is that it also earns 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly, so this card has become my default card for making airline purchases.
This card earns very valuable Membership Rewards points, which I can transfer to one of Amex's 17 airline and three hotel partners. My go-tos are Air Canada Aeroplan, Iberia Club and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
It's important to note that I fluctuate between using the Sapphire Preferred and the Amex Gold depending on which rewards currency I am short on. For example, on my most recent trip, I used a good chunk of my Chase points balance to fund the trip, so I needed to replenish my account. I used the Sapphire Preferred for all my purchases, despite the fact that I could have earned more points by using other cards.
Related: How to maximize Amex Gold credits when traveling abroad
Amex Business Platinum
My Amex Business Platinum Card doesn't see much use on a day-to-day basis when I'm traveling abroad. In fact, I only really use this card now for the statement credits and travel perks provided.
The main purpose of this card is to provide me with airport lounge access, allowing me access to the Global Lounge Collection. The card comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, which allows me to enter the majority of lounges I visit internationally (enrollment required).
These Priority Pass lounges abroad tend to be nicer than most domestic lounges, depending on the region of the world you're traveling in. This card has also granted me entry into some Centurion Lounges internationally, including locations in Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).
Related: The 10 best Priority Pass lounges around the world
Apple Card
In what might be a surprise to many, the Apple Card plays a role in my international travel card lineup. If I have any nonbonus category spending, I may use my Apple Card with Apple Pay to earn 2% back on all purchases. Typically, I would use this card abroad at places like pharmacies or souvenir stores. However, this is usually the last card I will use when abroad; sometimes, I even settle for the 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases my Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold offers.
One benefit of using the Apple Card is that the cash back earned, known as Daily Cash, is available to use immediately instead of at the end of the billing cycle.
Related: 4 reasons to get the Apple Card
Bottom line
The Schwab Platinum Debit Card is a must-have for any traveler. Whether you're a beginner with credit cards or have 10-plus cards, like some of our staffers, this should be the next addition to your wallet, and the best part is that no hard inquiry is required.
When traveling, you never know when you'll need some cash. The Schwab Platinum Debit Card isn't a replacement for any credit cards, but it is a great card to consider if you travel often to places where cash is the main form of currency. Having this card can ensure you can withdraw cash from an ATM fee-free.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click (see here)
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click (see here).
Related: 9 types of cards you should pack for your next trip abroad
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees