Traveling from or within Germany can be more rewarding with the right credit card. Whether you’re a frequent flyer seeking lounge access and insurance perks or a budget traveler looking for no-fee options abroad, Germany offers a variety of travel-focused credit cards. These cards often include benefits like no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, cashback on bookings, miles accumulation, and discounts on rentals or flights. In this guide, we’ll break down the top options from major issuers such as American Express, DKB, Hanseatic Bank, Barclays, TF Bank, and Advanzia. We’ve categorized them into Free (no annual fee), Affordable (under €150/year), and Luxury (over €150/year) based on current offerings as of August 2025.
Note: Card details can change, so always verify with the issuer. This is not financial advice—consider your spending habits and credit score (e.g., SCHUFA in Germany).
Free Travel Credit Cards
These cards have no annual fees and are ideal for expats, students, or occasional travelers who want basic protections without costs. They often shine in no foreign fees and simple cash withdrawals abroad.
TF Mastercard Gold (Issuer: TF Bank)
- Pros: Comprehensive travel insurance, 5% cashback on travel and car rentals, free worldwide cash withdrawals, easy approval for expats.
- Cons: High interest rates on unpaid balances (around 24.79%), limited interest-free period (51 days).
Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold (Issuer: Advanzia Bank)
- Pros: Free worldwide payments and withdrawals, included travel insurance, 5% cashback on travel bookings, 7-week interest-free period.
- Cons: High interest on installments (24.69%), no lounge access.
awa7 Visa (Issuer: Hanseatic Bank)
- Pros: No foreign fees, optional travel insurance from €1.70/month, eco-friendly (plants trees per account), immediate credit line up to €2,500.
- Cons: Cash withdrawals in Germany cost €3.75, insurance not standard.
DKB Visa Credit (Issuer: DKB)
- Pros: Free cash withdrawals worldwide, no foreign fees (if active customer status met), low interest (8.68%), English app.
- Cons: Requires €700 monthly turnover for full benefits, limited rewards.
Hanseatic Bank GenialCard (Issuer: Hanseatic Bank)
- Pros: Free abroad, up to 7% travel discounts, interest-free first 3 months, flexible repayments.
- Cons: Optional insurance extra, high interest (17.29%) if not paid off.
Affordable Travel Credit Cards
With modest fees, these cards provide better rewards and insurance for regular travelers, often including miles or bonuses that offset the cost.
Eurowings Premium (Issuer: Barclays)
- Pros: Earn 1 mile per €2 spent (Miles & More), comprehensive insurance (health, rental car, cancellation), Eurowings perks like priority check-in and free seat reservations, no foreign fees (0.18% Visa markup).
- Cons: Benefits limited to Eurowings flights, no mile extension beyond 36 months, default low repayment (2% balance).
- Annual Fee: €99 (waived first year).
American Express Green Card (Issuer: American Express)
- Pros: Membership Rewards points, travel insurance, free if €9,000+ annual spend, Amex Offers for discounts.
- Cons: 4% cash withdrawal fee, limited acceptance abroad.
- Annual Fee: €60.
Miles & More Gold (Issuer: DKB)
- Pros: Earn miles for flights/upgrades, low interest (8.56%), travel insurance including rental car and shopping protection.
- Cons: 2% cash withdrawal fee, higher fee may not suit low spenders.
- Annual Fee: €138.
Hanseatic Bank GoldCard (Issuer: Hanseatic Bank)
- Pros: Free worldwide withdrawals, comprehensive travel insurance, up to 7% travel discounts, credit line up to €3,500.
- Cons: Monthly fee (€4.90), high interest (25.49%).
- Annual Fee: €58.80.
Luxury Travel Credit Cards
For high-spenders and frequent international travelers, these premium cards offer elite perks like lounge access and high-value credits, though fees are steep.
American Express Gold Card (Issuer: American Express)
- Pros: Higher Membership Rewards (e.g., 1 point per €), dining/travel credits, insurance, Amex Offers.
- Cons: Limited acceptance, high foreign fees on cash (4%).
- Annual Fee: €144.
American Express Platinum Card (Issuer: American Express)
- Pros: Unlimited lounge access (Priority Pass), €200+ travel credits (hotels, rentals), extensive insurance, elite status with partners (e.g., Sixt Platinum).
- Cons: Very high fee, not ideal for low spenders, 2% foreign currency fee.
- Annual Fee: €720.
Barclays Platinum Double (Issuer: Barclays)
- Pros: Extensive insurance (health, cancellation, baggage), lounge access, high rewards on travel, free worldwide withdrawals.
- Cons: Higher fees, complex terms.
- Annual Fee: €200+.
Miles & More Premium (Higher Tier, Issuer: DKB or Similar)
- Pros: Accelerated miles earning, premium insurance, lounge vouchers, status miles potential.
- Cons: Focused on Lufthansa Group, 2% withdrawal fee.
- Annual Fee: €200+.
Detailed Comparison Table
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the key cards mentioned. We’ve focused on travel-relevant features.
| Card Name | Issuer | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fees | Rewards/Cashback | Travel Insurance | Lounge Access | Other Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TF Mastercard Gold | TF Bank | €0 | None | 5% on travel/rentals | Comprehensive | No | Free withdrawals, English app |
| Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold | Advanzia | €0 | None | 5% on travel | Included | No | 7-week interest-free |
| awa7 Visa | Hanseatic Bank | €0 | None | None (optional add-ons) | Optional (€1.70+) | No | Eco perks, quick credit |
| DKB Visa Credit | DKB | €0 | None (active status) | Miles/bonuses | Limited | No | Free withdrawals worldwide |
| Hanseatic GenialCard | Hanseatic Bank | €0 | None | Up to 7% travel discounts | Optional | No | Flexible repayments |
| Eurowings Premium | Barclays | €99 | 0.18% markup | 1 mile/€2 | Health, rental, cancellation | No | Eurowings perks (seats, check-in) |
| Amex Green | Amex | €60 | Varies | Membership Rewards | Included | Limited | Free with high spend |
| Miles & More Gold | DKB | €138 | 2% on withdrawals | Miles for flights | Comprehensive | No | Rental car protection |
| Hanseatic GoldCard | Hanseatic Bank | €58.80 | None | Up to 7% discounts | Comprehensive | No | Higher credit line |
| Amex Gold | Amex | €144 | 2% | Enhanced Rewards | Included | Limited | Dining/travel credits |
| Amex Platinum | Amex | €720 | 2% | High-value Rewards | Extensive | Unlimited | €200+ credits, elite status |
| Barclays Platinum Double | Barclays | €200+ | None | High rewards | Extensive | Yes | Premium services |
| Miles & More Premium | DKB/Similar | €200+ | 2% | Accelerated miles | Premium | Vouchers | Lufthansa focus |
Travel Credit Card Calculator
Travel Credit Card Calculator: Find Your Best Match
Answer these questions to see which card might suit you best based on your travel habits.
Conclusion
Choosing the best travel credit card in Germany depends on your travel frequency and budget. Free options like the TF Mastercard Gold are great for basics, while luxury cards like Amex Platinum unlock premium experiences. Use tools like Verivox for personalized comparisons. Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll add an interactive calculator to help you determine which card pays off based on your spending!