Best Credit Cards for Travel in 2026 — Earn Miles, Skip Fees, Travel Smarter
Reviewed by Thomas & Øyvind — NorwegianSpark
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The miles are the cherry — the infrastructure is the sundae.
We ranked travel cards by total annual value: rewards earned, fees avoided, and insurance/perks monetized. Here's what's worth carrying in 2026.
Best Travel Credit Cards Ranked
| Rank | Card | Earn Rate | FX Fee | Annual Fee | Travel Insurance | Lounge Access | Net Annual Value | |------|------|-----------|--------|-----------|-----------------|---------------|-----------------| | #1 | SAS EuroBonus Amex | 1pt/10kr + 2x travel | 0% | 950 kr | Yes | 2 visits/yr | ~3,460 kr | | #2 | Norwegian Reward | 1% + 3% online | 0% | 0 kr | No | No | ~2,250 kr | | #3 | Nordea Cashback Platinum | 1.5% flat | 0% | 590 kr | Basic | No | ~2,110 kr | | #4 | Komplett MasterCard | 1% flat | 0% | 0 kr | No | No | ~1,800 kr |
*Values based on 15,000 kr/mo total spend including 2 international trips/year. SAS value includes insurance + lounge monetization.*
#1 Best Travel Card Overall — SAS EuroBonus Amex
Earn rate: 1 EuroBonus point per 10 kr, 2x on SAS flights and travel Annual fee: 950 kr FX fee: 0% Travel insurance: Comprehensive (trip cancellation, medical, baggage) Lounge access: 2 complimentary visits per year
For travelers who fly 2+ times per year, the SAS EuroBonus Amex is the clear winner — and it's not close.
The value breakdown on 15,000 kr/mo spend with 2 international trips:
- Points earned: ~20,000 pts/yr
- Point value (average redemption): 20,000 x 0.15 kr = 3,000 kr
- Travel insurance value: ~900 kr
- Lounge access: 2 x 350 kr = 700 kr
- FX fee savings: ~1,050 kr
- Subtotal: 5,650 kr
- Minus annual fee: 4,700 kr net
The Amex caveat: American Express acceptance is good in Scandinavia and Western Europe but weaker in parts of Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and smaller merchants. Carry a Visa or Mastercard backup.
#2 Best No-Fee Travel Card — Norwegian Reward
Earn rate: 1% everywhere, 3% on online purchases Annual fee: 0 kr FX fee: 0%
The best travel card for people who refuse to pay an annual fee — and it's surprisingly competitive. The 3% rate on online purchases covers hotel bookings, flight purchases through airline websites, and most travel-related transactions made online.
What it doesn't have: Travel insurance and lounge access. You'll need to buy insurance separately.
#3 Best All-Around With Travel Utility — Nordea Cashback Platinum
Earn rate: 1.5% flat, 3% groceries Annual fee: 590 kr FX fee: 0%
The Nordea Platinum isn't a "travel card" — but its zero FX fee and 1.5% flat rate make it a strong travel companion. Best used as the second card in a two-card travel setup.
Travel Card Features That Actually Matter
Foreign Transaction Fees
Every card on our list charges 0% FX fees. This is non-negotiable for a travel card.
Travel Insurance
| Coverage | SAS EuroBonus Amex | Typical Standalone Policy | |----------|-------------------|--------------------------| | Trip cancellation | Up to 50,000 kr | 30,000–100,000 kr | | Medical abroad | Up to 2,000,000 kr | 1,000,000–5,000,000 kr | | Baggage delay | 5,000 kr | 3,000–10,000 kr | | Flight delay | 1,000 kr after 4 hrs | 500–2,000 kr | | Annual cost | Included in 950 kr fee | 400–800 kr per trip |
For two or more trips, the card insurance wins decisively.
Lounge Access
Airport lounge access: free coffee, slightly better chairs, Wi-Fi that works, and a quiet place to sit. Worth roughly 300–400 kr per visit. Two visits per year = 600–800 kr in value.
The Travel Card Decision Framework
Fly 3+ times per year, at least some SAS: Get the SAS EuroBonus Amex. The math is overwhelming.
Fly 1–2 times per year: Get the Norwegian Reward (free) and buy standalone insurance per trip.
Travel infrequently but spend abroad: Get any zero-FX-fee card.
Not sure where you fit? Our [Card Matcher](/tools/card-matcher) models your exact travel frequency and spending to show which card delivers the most value.
The Pre-Trip Card Checklist
Before every international trip:
- Confirm your card has 0% foreign transaction fees
- Check your card's travel insurance coverage and activation requirements
- Set up transaction alerts so you catch fraud immediately
- Notify your bank of travel dates
- Add a backup card on a different network (Visa + Mastercard for full coverage)
- Download your bank's mobile app for real-time balance checking abroad
- Confirm your PIN works
The Bottom Line
The best travel credit card saves you money in three ways: zero FX fees on every foreign purchase, bundled insurance that replaces per-trip policies, and rewards that offset the cost of future travel. The SAS EuroBonus Amex leads for frequent flyers. The Norwegian Reward wins for occasional travelers who refuse to pay annual fees.
Pick the card that matches your travel frequency, not your travel aspirations. Then use our [Card Matcher](/tools/card-matcher) to verify the math on your actual spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dedicated travel card worth it if I only travel once a year?
Probably not for a fee card. The SAS Amex's 950 kr fee needs 2+ trips to justify. But a no-fee card with 0% FX fees (Norwegian Reward, Komplett) costs nothing to carry and saves you money on that one trip plus all your international online purchases year-round.
Do I need a Visa and a Mastercard for travel?
In Western Europe, either works almost everywhere. In Southeast Asia, parts of South America, and smaller towns globally, Visa has slightly better acceptance. Carrying one of each is the safest play. Amex is the weakest for global acceptance — carry it as a secondary, not your only card.
Should I get travel insurance separately if my card includes it?
Read the card policy first. If it covers medical expenses up to 2,000,000 kr, trip cancellation, and baggage — you're likely fine for most trips. Consider supplemental insurance only for high-risk destinations, adventure travel, or trips involving expensive prepaid bookings beyond the card's coverage limits.
Can I use my Norwegian credit card everywhere abroad?
Contactless payments work broadly in Europe, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and most tourist destinations. Some countries still prefer chip + PIN over contactless. Keep your PIN memorized. In cash-heavy countries (parts of Southeast Asia, Latin America), carry backup cash for small vendors.
How do I avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion abroad?
Always select the local currency when paying or withdrawing cash. If the terminal or ATM offers to convert to NOK, decline. DCC markups range from 3–7% and completely negate the benefit of your zero-FX-fee card. Say "local currency" before they process, and verify the currency on screen before tapping.