Stop Paying to Spend Abroad: The Ultimate NatWest Travel Card Review (2025)

With no annual or foreign transaction fees, is this the best travel companion for your wallet? We break down every detail.

Have you ever come back from a brilliant holiday, only to get a nasty surprise when your credit card statement arrives? Those sneaky non-sterling transaction fees can add up, turning your relaxing getaway into a source of financial frustration. Finding a travel card that doesn’t penalise you for spending your own money abroad can feel like a quest in itself.

If you’re searching for a straightforward solution, the NatWest Travel Reward Credit Card has likely appeared on your radar. It promises simple rewards and, crucially, no foreign transaction fees, all without an annual charge. But what’s the catch?

You’ve landed in the right place. This is the most comprehensive guide you’ll find online. We’re about to get down to brass tacks, dissecting every feature, fee, and reward. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly what this card offers and be able to decide with total confidence if it deserves a place in your travel plans.

What Exactly is the NatWest Travel Reward Card?

The long and the short of it is that the NatWest Travel Reward Credit Card is a no-nonsense card for UK travellers. Issued by NatWest, one of the UK’s biggest high-street banks, it’s designed for people who want simple, easy-to-understand rewards without paying a yearly fee for the privilege. It does what it says on the tin: rewards you for travelling.

This isn’t a premium card for chasing airline status or accessing airport lounges. Instead, its appeal lies in its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. It’s aimed squarely at the savvy holidaymaker or occasional business traveller who wants to earn a little something back on their trips and, most importantly, avoid those pesky fees when paying for hotels, meals, or souvenirs abroad.

Pros and Cons: The Honest Truth

To give you the full picture, we need to look at both the good and the bad. Honesty is crucial when it comes to your money, so here’s our balanced take.

The Pros: What We Like

• No Foreign Transaction Fees on Purchases: This is the card’s headline feature. You can use it to pay in shops, restaurants, and hotels anywhere in the world without NatWest adding a 2-3% fee on top. Over a week-long holiday, this can easily save you £30-£50 compared to using a standard credit or debit card.
• No Annual Fee: It costs you absolutely nothing to keep this card in your wallet. This means any rewards you earn are pure profit, without you having to calculate if you’ve spent enough to justify a yearly charge.
• Straightforward Travel Rewards: You earn a simple 1% back in Rewards on eligible travel spending. This includes everything from flights and trains to hotels and campsites. There are no complicated tiers to worry about; you just get a consistent return on your travel bookings.
• Boosted Earnings with MyRewards: You can earn much higher rates (between 1% and 15%) at specific partner retailers through the MyRewards programme. By activating offers in the NatWest app, you can get extra value from your everyday UK spending too.
• Easy Redemption and Management: Everything is handled through the NatWest mobile app or Online Banking. You can track your Rewards balance and easily redeem them for cash back on your statement, e-gift cards, or even to pay for travel. The current system is simple: 5 Rewards = £5.

The Cons: What’s the Snag?

• Very High Representative APR: Let’s be blunt: the 27.9% APR (variable) is high. This card is absolutely not designed for carrying a balance from month to month. To get any real value from the rewards, you must pay your statement in full, every time.
• Low Rewards on General Spending: While travel earning is okay, the rate for all other non-partner spending is a paltry 0.1%. This card is a specialist tool for travel and partner offers, not a great all-rounder for your weekly shop at Tesco.
• Information Gaps: NatWest isn’t fully transparent about all potential fees on its main product page. Key details like the cost of cash advances or balance transfers are tucked away in the fine print, which isn’t ideal for building customer confidence.
• No Sign-Up Bonus: Unlike some competitors, this card doesn’t offer a lump-sum welcome bonus to entice you. Its value is earned over the long term through fee savings and spending.

The Fine Print: A Deep Dive into Rates and Fees

A smart consumer always reads the small print. Here’s a clear breakdown of the key costs and conditions for the NatWest Travel Reward Card so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Eligibility Criteria: Is This Card For You?

Before you apply, make sure you meet NatWest’s basic criteria. You must:

• Be aged 18 or over.
• Be a permanent UK resident.
• Have a minimum annual income of £10,000.
• Have a good credit history. NatWest will perform a full credit assessment with agencies like TransUnion or Experian to ensure you’ve managed credit responsibly in the past.

If you’re curious about where you stand, it’s worth reading our guide on how your UK credit score is calculated.

How to Apply for the NatWest Travel Reward Card: A Step-by-Step Guide

The application process is done online and is identical to that of other cards in the NatWest group. Here’s a clear walkthrough:

1. Go to the Official Card Page: Start your journey at the official NatWest Travel Reward Card page. This ensures you have the latest information and offers.
   VISIT THE CARD SITE
2. Click to Apply: Find and click the “Apply now for a Travel Reward credit card” button. This will scroll you down to the start of the application flow.
   
3. Confirm Your Customer Status: The first question will be “Do you bank with us already?”. Choose either “I’m an existing NatWest customer” or “I’m new to NatWest” and click “Next”.
4. Complete the Application Form: You will now need to fill in your personal details. Have your address history, employment information, and annual income to hand. NatWest will perform a ‘hard’ credit check at this stage, which will be visible on your credit file.
5. Receive Your Decision: After submitting the form, you’ll usually get a decision within a few minutes. If approved, your card and PIN will be sent to you separately in the post.

How Does It Stack Up? NatWest vs. The Competition

How does this card compare to another popular no-fee travel option? Let’s put it head-to-head with the Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card, which also boasts no foreign transaction fees.

The takeaway is clear: The NatWest card is better if a significant portion of your spending is on travel and with its partner retailers. The Barclaycard is a simpler, though less rewarding, all-rounder, offering a flat cashback rate on everything.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does the 1% on travel spending actually work?

When you pay a merchant that is categorised as a travel company (like an airline, hotel, or train operator), NatWest automatically applies the 1% reward. You don’t need to do anything.

2. Are there any hidden fees when using the card abroad?

For purchases, no. NatWest waives its own fee. However, you should never use this card for cash withdrawals abroad. You’ll be hit with both cash advance fees and immediate interest, which is very expensive.

3. How easy is it to redeem MyRewards?

It’s very straightforward. You can log into your app or online banking, see your Rewards balance, and choose to convert it into a statement credit, gift card, or another option with just a few clicks.

4. Do the MyRewards partner offers apply automatically?

No, and this is a key point. You need to log into the MyRewards section of your app, view the offers available to you, and activate them before you spend with that retailer.

5. Is this card good for general spending in the UK?

Honestly, not really. With a base rate of just 0.1% on non-travel, non-partner spending, you would be better off with a dedicated cashback card for your everyday UK purchases.

The Verdict: Is the NatWest Travel Reward Card Right For You?

Let’s sum it all up. The NatWest Travel Reward Card is a solid and dependable choice, but for a very specific type of person.

This card is an excellent fit for you if:

• You travel overseas at least once or twice a year and want to eliminate foreign transaction fees on your spending.
• You prefer a simple, no-fee card from a major bank you already know and trust.
• You are a disciplined user who will pay the balance in full every month to avoid the high APR.

You should probably look elsewhere if:

• You are a serious travel hacker looking to maximise air miles and get premium perks like lounge access.
• You tend to carry a balance on your credit card – the high interest would wipe out any rewards you earn.
• You rarely travel abroad, as the card’s main benefits would be wasted.

At the end of the day, this card is a reliable workhorse, not a racehorse. If you want a simple, fee-free way to save money on your holidays, it’s one of the strongest contenders on the UK high street.