Get the best credit cards for Thailand – travel comfort guaranteed!

Get the best credit cards for Thailand – travel comfort guaranteed!

Thailand, a popular travel destination with stunning beaches, diverse culture and delicious cuisine, attracts millions of tourists annually. For many travelers, the question arises: Which credit card is the best choice for a stay in this exotic country? [Reisetopia] reports that a well-chosen credit card is crucial to avoiding unpleasant money worries while on vacation.

Credit cards play an important role in Thailand, especially when booking at more expensive hotels and renting vehicles. Deposits often require a real credit card, forcing travelers to choose the right card. Budget travelers also have the option of using international debit cards with a multi-currency feature. The following criteria should be taken into account when choosing a credit card: no or low foreign currency fees, a multi-currency function and no fees for payments and withdrawals abroad.

Recommended credit cards

High fees for standard cards from German banks can put a strain on your travel budget. Fortunately, free credit cards are available, although few offer fee-free use abroad. Recommended free credit cards for Thailand include:

• Hanseatic Bank GenialCard: 0 Euro Jahresgebühr, gebührenfreies Bezahlen und Abheben weltweit.
• TF Bank Mastercard Gold: Kostenlose Zahlungen in Fremdwährungen und Reiseversicherungen inklusive.
• Barclays Visa: Gebührenfreie Zahlungen und Abhebungen weltweit, zinsfreier Kreditrahmen.
• Deutschland-Kreditkarte Classic: 0 € Jahresgebühr, 0 € Gebühren beim Bezahlen und Geldabheben weltweit.
• awa7 – Die Grüne VISA: 0 € Jahresgebühr, keine Gebühren im Ausland.
• DKB Visa Debitkarte: Kostenlose Bargeldabhebungen und Zahlungen weltweit für Aktivkunden.
• Barclays Platinum Double: Kostenlose Bargeldabhebungen und Zahlungen weltweit, inklusive Versicherungen.

Useful tips for using credit cards in Thailand

The use of credit cards in Thailand is widespread; Contactless payments with smartphones are common. However, it is advisable to always have some cash on hand for local markets and smaller restaurants. Additionally, ATMs can charge additional fees, so withdrawing cash can be expensive. Travelers should also make sure to select the “Without Conversion” option when withdrawing cash to avoid currency losses.

Experiences with credit cards in Thailand are mostly positive. However, it is important to secure your credit card digitally and have the bank's emergency number to hand. Cash is often preferred in rural areas and from smaller providers, while debit cards (EC cards) are rarely accepted. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are the most common credit cards.

When applying for a credit card, a number of requirements must be met: These include minimum age, residence in Germany, regular income and a positive SCHUFA report. The credit card is often approved and sent within a few hours of application. It is recommended to apply for the credit card 2-3 weeks before the start of your trip in order to be prepared for the trip in time. It may also be advisable to carry several credit cards so that you have a backup method of payment in case of an emergency.

In summary, a combination of fee-free credit card, cash and digital payment methods is ideal for traveling to Thailand to ensure financial flexibility and security. [Reise-Kroeten] particularly emphasizes that careful selection of credit cards and following the recommended tips can make your stay in Thailand much easier.