Credit CardsUnited, American and Amex all just made status and lounges harder to keep
United's 1K bar rises to 32,000 PQP for 2027, Admirals Club jumps to $1,400, and Amex Centurion cut guests to one. What changed, and what to check.
Credit cards, compared honestly
Travel credit cards, judged on the numbers
Travel credit cards compared on the numbers that decide them — annual fees, foreign transaction fees, points, lounges and the insurance that actually pays out — with every figure dated.
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- Oct 17
Start here · the complete guide
Travel credit cards in 2026, the complete guide to choosing one
Find the right card
Start with what you need
Pick the situation that sounds like you; each one goes straight to the list or guide that answers it.
- Best overallRanked by the kind of traveller you are
- No foreign feesCards that cost nothing extra abroad
- Travelling abroadNo fees, wide acceptance, real cover
- No annual feeFree cards that still pay rewards
- Lounge accessAnd the catch on each card
- Travel insuranceWhat card cover will and won’t pay
- GroceriesFor every kind of shopper
- 0% APRHow long the zero really lasts
Newest first
Latest from the cards desk
Credit CardsCard news· Oct 9, 2026
Australian credit card rewards got cut, here's what each bank changed
After the RBA's 0.3% interchange cap, banks cut points, raised fees and trimmed card travel insurance. A dated tracker…
Guides· Oct 2, 2026
Which cards get you into a Kathmandu airport lounge, and which lounge to pick
Kathmandu has two Priority Pass lounges, both after immigration. The cards that get you in, the hours, and the lounge…
Comparisons· Sep 29, 2026
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs Brilliant, and what $555 more a year really buys
Both give a yearly free night. The $650 Brilliant adds Platinum Elite, a bigger night and a monthly dining credit; the…
Card news
Latest card news
Rule changes, fee changes and offers that move the numbers.
Comparisons
Card vs card
Two cards, one decision. Fees, earning, perks and protection side by side, and who should pick the other one.
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Credit CardsBest cards
The best cards for the job
Ranked for a specific traveller, with the trade-off each pick asks you to accept.
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Credit CardsGuides
How cards actually work abroad
Points, lounges, insurance, foreign fees and the small print that decides whether a card earns its fee.
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Credit CardsOur method
How we compare cards
- Every figure is dated. Fees, bonuses and earning rates are checked against the issuer’s own terms on the date shown. Offers change often, so check before you apply.
- No issuer pays for placement. No card issuer pays us to rank, feature or recommend a card on these pages.
- We name the trade-off. Every comparison says what the winning card costs you and who should pick the other one.
- AI is disclosed. Our infographics and thumbnails are made with AI from figures we have verified, and are labelled as such. General information, not financial advice.
Money on the road
Taking the card to Nepal?
Above the last ATM the trail runs on cash. Our local guides will tell you exactly how much to carry for your route.