Using your credit card overseas

Before you travel, check the fees and exchange rate that apply to your card. When paying, choosing the local currency may help you avoid dynamic currency conversion charges.

This guide explains how to use your credit card abroad, manage repayments and keep your card secure. 

If you have an HSBC credit card or debit card, you can use these while you’re away – in the same way you would at home. Keep in mind – fees may apply when using your card outside the UK.

Your trip abroad might not go to plan if your credit card doesn't work, so make sure it’s not going to expire while you’re away. Even if your card is not due to expire, it’s worth taking another type of payment card with you as a backup. This could be a debit card or another credit card – just in case something happens to your main card.

It’s a good idea to keep your contact details up to date before you travel. This enables your bank to get in touch with you, if and when they need to.  

If you’re an HSBC customer, we’ll look out for any unusual spending on your accounts – just as we do at home. You can update your contact details here.

Going on a gap year, or holiday of a lifetime? Arrange for money to come out of your account automatically so that you don’t miss any credit card or bill payments while you’re away. You can do this by setting up a Direct Debit or standing order.

Explore: Managing your money before, during and after travel

Make a note of your bank’s overseas number to call in an emergency, for example if your credit card is stolen. Make sure you’re set up for online and/or mobile banking so you can log on to your account and keep track of your spending or block or cancel a card immediately if you need to.

Explore: Banking on the go

When shopping or paying for a meal in a restaurant, consider paying in the local currency. If you pay in the local currency, a non-sterling transaction fee may be added to the cost of your purchase. The fee will be a percentage of the value of the transaction.

Some retailers may offer to process your transaction in pound sterling (known as dynamic currency conversion), but you’ll usually be charged a higher exchange rate for this.

Explore: Should you pay in local currency outside the UK?

You can use your credit card abroad to withdraw local currency at cash machines, but you may be charged a non-sterling cash fee, as well as a cash advance fee, on every amount you withdraw.

If you need cash, either get travel money before you go, or use your debit card to withdraw. Keep in mind, you may still be charged an international transaction fee on your debit card.

This table gives a summary of the HSBC fees you may pay when using a credit card outside the UK when paying in a foreign currency or withdrawing cash. 

This table is an example. Fees and exchange rates can vary, and non-HSBC fees may apply, for example individual cash machine fees. 

Explore: Should you use a card or travel money outside the UK?

With the HSBC Global Money Account¹, you can order a debit card and convert currency into one of the 17 supported currencies using the HSBC Global Money Exchange Rate, which includes a currency conversion fee, before you travel.

If you choose to pay in a non-supported currency, or if you have not moved funds into your currency wallet before you travel, it will automatically use the live VISA exchange rates and avoid a dynamic currency conversion charge.

¹_{Global Money is only available in the latest version of the HSBC UK Mobile Banking app. You’ll need to have an eligible HSBC current account. This excludes our Basic Bank Account, Appointee and MyAccount.}

This article was last updated:19/10/2026, 04:22