This article is based on the Credit card comparison Switzerland 2023 and shows the best credit cards that the Swiss market has to offer.

We took a closer look at numerous Swiss credit cards and evaluated them based on various criteria. These include the fees, interest rate, credit limit, available rewards, cashbacks, and other benefits.

We also gave away the award «Best Credit Card Switzerland» for the following user categories:

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The Best Credit Cards In Switzerland

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In short, if you are looking for the best credit card in Switzerland, then you have come to the right place. Based on the Credit Card Comparison Switzerland 2023, our goal is to help you find the exact credit card that best suits your individual needs.

Let’s find the perfect Swiss credit card for you!

Best Credit Card Switzerland: Credit Card Comparison Switzerland 2023

This section summarizes the benefits of the best credit cards in Switzerland. For a closer look, click on «To The Provider» and let the great offers convince you!

Further down, we also go into the importance of good customer service, as well as the security features that a good Swiss credit card offers.

A) Credit Card Description:

What makes the Swisscard Cashback Cards Duo the best credit card Switzerland for students is mainly that they offer savings options and have no annual fee.

When you sign up, you’ll be sent two credit cards for free: One from American Express and one from either Visa or Mastercard. The reason for the duo is that American Express has more customer benefits but is not accepted in some places. Thus, you are well served by the duo.

To show you the costs and benefits of the cards, here is a fictional example.

B) Case study Peter:

Peter applies for the Swisscard Cashback Cards Duo and receives his credit cards after a short while. Thanks to the start bonus, he gets back 5% of the amounts he spends via his American Express in the form of cashback in the first 3 months. After that, the cashback is 1%. For payments with his Visa/Mastercard he gets 0.25% cashback from the beginning.

For payments in foreign currencies, including use abroad, Peter pays a fee of 2.5% for all cards. The exchange rate is always adjusted.

In numbers, it could look like this:

Peter pays 500.- per month with his American Express and 100.- with his Visa/Mastercard. Once, he bought a product worth 50 Euros abroad. His statement after one year looks like this.

At the end of the year, Peter has saved 121.75 CHF thanks to his credit cards. For him, as a student, this is an excellent way to take care of his finances without any hassle.

A) Credit Card Description:

What makes the American Express Platinum the best credit card Switzerland for business people and high earners is, first and foremost, that it comes with an extraordinary level of convenient luxury.

You can find the full list of benefits here if you scroll down to the document «Platinum Card benefits overview». The full list spans 6 pages.

Included are, among other things: Free access to over 1300 VIP lounges in over 148 countries, 100.- SWISS voucher per year, ride credit totaling 200.- per year with SIXT ride, exclusive services in over 1000 hotels worldwide, special conditions and extras for cruises, private jets, and helicopters, access to first-class loyalty programs for various car rental services and luxury hotels, and much more.

To help you understand the costs and benefits of the card, here is a fictional example.

B) Case study James:

James applies for the American Express Platinum and receives his credit card after a short while. Thanks to the start-up bonus, he gets 50% of the annual amount for free in the first year.

During this year, James flies abroad every few weeks for meetings and enjoys preferential treatment at airports, where he is welcomed in the VIP lounges.

He gets generous discounts on stays at the best luxury hotels, such as 10% off meals at the Radisson and 20% off his next stays at the Meliá.

Meanwhile, every time James makes a payment with his American Express Platinum credit card, he earns reward points that he can use to book his next vacation, pay in online stores, or top up his PayPal account.

With every payment, James enjoys a comprehensive insurance program.

A) Credit Card Description:

What makes the Swissbankers Travel Prepaid Mastercard the best credit card Switzerland for travelers and foreign payments is, first and foremost, that it has no foreign currency fee and no annual fee.

This makes it the ideal secondary credit card, as you can simply load it up within seconds of use and stash it somewhere for the rest of the year without paying any fees. So if you already have a credit card with benefits in Switzerland, you can easily just use the Travel Prepaid card when you’re abroad.

To show you the costs and benefits of the card, here is a fictional example.

B) Case study Emily:

Emily applies for the Swissbankers Travel Prepaid Mastercard and receives her credit card after a short time. From now on, she lets all her subscriptions that are based abroad (Spotify, Audible, etc.) run through the new card, thus saving the usual 2.5% fees that most cards charge.

She’s also traveling for six months this year, so she’s using the new card to make insured, no-fee, no-hassle payments. If the card ever runs out of money, it can be topped up again within seconds via the app. Emily finds it too tricky to carry around a lot of money in some countries. That’s why she only ever tops up the card in these regions as much as she thinks is appropriate.

In addition, Emily orders clothes from Germany twice this year, also saving on fees.

In numbers, it could look like this:

Emily pays the equivalent of 1’000.- per month via her Swissbankers Travel Prepaid Mastercard when she’s traveling abroad. In addition, she pays for two clothing orders from Germany worth 250.- each, and monthly subscriptions amounting to 30.-

Her statement after one year looks like this.

At the end of the year, Emily has saved 171.5 CHF thanks to her credit card. For her, the credit card is an excellent way to travel more safely and save money at the same time.

A) Credit card description:

What makes the SWISS Miles & More offer the best credit card Switzerland for miles collectors is the generous starting bonus, the manageable annual fee, and of course the non-cash rewards, flights and upgrades you can exchange your miles for.

Just like the Swisscard Cashback Duo (best credit card for students), the SWISS Miles & More offer is a credit card duo. If you choose SWISS Miles & More, you will get a card from the credit card provider American Express and, optionally, one from Visa or Mastercard.

The duo was introduced because American Express, despite its many customer benefits, is not accepted everywhere. Therefore, with the second card from Visa or Mastercard, you are well taken care of.

SWISS Miles & More has several credit card offers that differ mainly in annual fees, spending limits, and miles earned per 2 francs. Here is a brief overview:

With the Classic offer (annual fee 120 CHF):

• 2’000 miles starting bonus
• Up to 1.5 miles per 2 CHF
• Spending limit: 15’000 CHF

Gold offer (annual fee 220 CHF)

• 5’000 miles starting bonus
• Up to 2 miles per 2 CHF
• Spending limit: 30’000 CHF

Gold offer (annual fee 700 CHF)

• 10’000 miles start bonus
• Up to 2.4 miles per 2 CHF
• Spending limit: 80’000 CHF

The recommended card duo is the Classic offer, as it includes good benefits and the annual fee is still very manageable.

For every 2 CHF you spend on the SWISS Miles & More Classic cards, you earn 1.5 miles with American express, and 0.6 air miles with Visa/Mastercard.

Redeeming miles

You can exchange your Miles & More award miles for non-cash awards, flights, or an upgrade to Business or First Class at any time.

The offers are varied and attractive. You can check the current flight offers, also called «Meilenschnäppchen», here.

To show you the costs and benefits of the card, here is a fictional example.

B) Case study Lea:

Lea orders the SWISS Miles & More Classic credit cards. She pays her bills with it every month and also uses it to buy her lunch, fill up her gas tank, fly to the Maldives, and do her online shopping.

After a year, without noticing it in her everyday life, she has accumulated enough miles to fly on vacation once again.

In numbers, it could look like this:

Lea spent 1’500.- each month with her American Express and 200.- with her Visa/Mastercard. Then there was the flight to the Maldives for 1,000.-, which she also booked via American Express.

Lea has earned 17’345 miles for her spending. She decides to exchange 15’000 miles for a flight to Brussels (round trip) and save the remaining 2’345 miles for later.

A) Credit Card Description:

What makes the Swisscard Cashback Cards Duo the best credit card Switzerland for online purchases and as an everyday card is the same reason they’re attractive to students: They offer great saving opportunities, but have no annual fee.

When you sign up, you’ll be sent two credit cards for free: One from American Express and one from Visa or Mastercard (your choice). The reason for the duo is that American Express has more customer benefits, but is not accepted in some places. Thus, you are well served by the duo.

To show you the costs and benefits of the cards, here is a fictional example.

B) Case study Marc:

Marc applies for the Swisscard Cashback Cards Duo and receives his credit cards after a short while. Thanks to the start bonus, he gets back 5% of the amounts he spends via his American Express card in the first 3 months in the form of cashback (up to 100.-, then 1%). After that, the cashback is 1%. For payments with his Visa/Mastercard he gets 0.25% cashback from the beginning.

For payments in foreign currencies, including use abroad, Marc pays a fee of 2.5% for all cards. The exchange rate is always adjusted.

In numbers, it could look like this:

Marc pays an average of 1’500.- per month with his American Express this year, and 200.- per month with his Visa/Mastercard. Once, he buys a product worth 100 Euros abroad.

His statement after one year looks like this.

At the end of the year, Marc has saved 317.5 CHF thanks to his credit cards. For him, this is a great way to take care of his finances without any hassle.

The «Best Credit Card Switzerland» Award Takes Into Account The Following Factors:

Here we present the most important factors that are taken into account when comparing credit cards in Switzerland:

1. Interest rates and fees

Credit cards are often not free. Therefore, it is important to know the associated costs. Usually, there are annual fees, and if you exceed your credit card limit or don’t pay your bills on time, you may incur additional (usually high) interest.

However, some credit cards offer first-year fee waivers or other perks. Of course, make sure to pay on time anyway.

2. Credit limit and availability

The credit limit is the maximum amount you can spend with your credit card. This can vary by card and provider.

In addition, the availability of the credit card, i.e., the places where it is accepted, can be a decisive criterion. Some credit cards are accepted worldwide, while others are only accepted in certain countries or at certain merchants.

3. Rewards and benefits

Many credit cards offer attractive rewards programs, such as cashback offers, loyalty points, or travel insurance. Depending on your needs and preferences, this can be a deciding factor in choosing the right credit card. After all, you can benefit from spending, right?

4. Customer service

Good customer service is worth its weight in gold. If you have a problem or have questions about your credit card, you certainly want to get help quickly and competently. Therefore, you should find out more about the credit card provider’s customer service and, if possible, consider reviews from other customers.

Of course, we have only chosen providers that have good customer service standards for the «Best Credit Card Switzerland» award.

5. Security features

In the age of the Internet and digitalization, credit card security is an important issue. Look out for features such as fraud protection, emergency replacement cards, and secure online payment options. More details are in the next chapter.

Many credit cards offer additional protection in the form of insurance, for example, against theft or damage to items purchased with the card.

Credit Card Security

A crucial aspect when choosing the best credit card in Switzerland is security. But even with the use itself, there are some precautions to consider. Due to the many possibilities that a credit card offers, it is important to be aware of the risks and take measures to minimize them.

1. General measures

First of all, credit cards from reputable providers such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are usually well secured.

They have several protective walls, such as PIN codes, chips, and sometimes even biometric security systems.

Still, you should never lose sight of your credit card or keep your PIN in an easily accessible place.

2. Online purchases

Online purchases can also pose a risk. Here, it is recommended to shop only on secure websites and never share sensitive card information via email or phone.

Many Swiss credit card providers offer additional security features for online transactions, such as 3D Secure, which requires additional authentication for online payments.

3. In case of loss or theft

Of course, if your credit card is lost or stolen, you should have it blocked immediately. Almost all banks and credit card providers offer a 24-hour hotline where you can have your card blocked around the clock.

4. Credit card statements

Lastly, it’s important to regularly review your credit card statements. This will help you quickly identify unusual or fraudulent activity and take action. Pay particular attention to smaller amounts if you don’t know where they came from. In our experience, fraudsters sometimes disguise themselves behind inconspicuous amounts but deduct them over and over again each month

All in all, security is an aspect you should not neglect when using credit cards! All the Swiss credit cards mentioned above have high standards, of course.

What Is The Purpose Of A Swiss Credit Card?

What exactly do we mean by a credit card? A credit card is a convenient payment tool that allows us to make purchases in stores or online and withdraw cash from ATMs.

The name «credit card» derives from the fact that originally every credit card had credit associated with it, which could be accessed flexibly. In this way, we could purchase goods or services and pay for them later, which gave us some financial flexibility.

Today, the picture has changed somewhat. In Switzerland, for example, almost all bank cards are issued by major credit card companies, whether or not they are actually linked to credit.

In this context, it is useful to define the term «credit card» a little more broadly. Colloquially, a credit card in Switzerland is, of course, still a card used to make purchases on credit, but a credit card can also be defined as any card issued by one of the major credit card companies. Among the best-known are:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• Diners Club

There are other credit card providers, especially in the U.S., but they play a rather minor role in Switzerland, Germany, and the rest of Europe and generally do not issue cards.

How Do The Best Credit Cards In Switzerland (And Worldwide) Work?

Let’s better understand how credit cards work, which are one of the most popular cashless payment methods worldwide. With a credit card, you can not only make cashless payments at countless acceptance points worldwide but also use ATMs.

Although the name seems clear, the mechanisms and variations of how these payment methods work are not always the same. In fact, as we have already explained, not even the term «credit card» itself is always clearly defined. Not every card actually offers credit facilities.

In this context, we would like to discuss four main types of credit cards in Switzerland: Prepaid credit cards, charge cards, credit cards, and debit cards.

Prepaid credit card

A prepaid credit card is a type of credit card that needs to be loaded before use. Here, no credit is granted, but only the deposited balance can be used. As a rule, all virtual credit cards are prepaid cards.

Charge card

The charge card is «loaded» with payments over a longer period of time. This means that the bank advances the amounts spent and collects them in a credit card account. Usually, the entire amount is debited on a set monthly date.

Credit credit card

The credit credit card works similarly, but here the entire amount spent does not have to be repaid on the due date. The unpaid credit is granted over a longer period of time and earns interest. In this way, many banks generate income from credit cards and can often offer them free of charge.

Most credit cards are issued by banks, but use the infrastructure and payment technology of major credit card companies such as Visa, American Express, and Mastercard.

Debit card

The last category we want to discuss is the debit card. Although it is also often issued by large companies like Visa and Mastercard, it works more like a checking card (normal bank account card). So, the paid amounts are not collected and advanced as a credit but debited directly from the account.

This model is especially popular with direct banks, which often issue a free «credit card» for traveling with the account but that works without a credit line and debits the amounts directly from the account.

Such cards are very prevalent in Switzerland, and branch banks frequently offer them along with a bank account.

FAQs About Swiss Credit Cards

Before we conclude, let us answer some frequently asked questions about credit cards. You may find the answers to some questions that have been on your mind for a while.

1. Can I have multiple credit cards at the same time?

Yes, you can. There is no rule that says you can only own one credit card. In fact, in some cases, it may even make sense to have more than one card, especially if each card offers different benefits and rewards.

2. What happens if I lose my credit card?

If you lose your credit card, you should contact your card provider immediately and have the card blocked. Many providers have a 24-hour hotline for such cases. Most credit cards in Switzerland also come with an app where you can block the card with a few clicks. Once the card is blocked, a replacement card is usually sent to you right away.

3. How secure is paying with a credit card on the Internet?

Most credit card providers rely on high security standards to protect online transactions. These include encryption technologies and authentication procedures. You yourself can make your online payments more secure by shopping only on trusted websites and never sharing your credit card information via email or elsewhere.

4. Can I use my credit card abroad?

As a rule, yes. Most credit cards are accepted worldwide. However, be aware that additional fees may often apply when using your card abroad. Check with your card provider in advance about potential foreign currency fees.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards compared to debit cards?

The advantage of credit cards over debit cards is that you have access to a line of credit that you can use flexibly. In addition, many credit cards offer attractive rewards programs. One disadvantage is that there are often fees for using credit cards. In addition, improper use of a credit card can lead to debt.

6. How does the rewards system work with credit cards?

Most credit cards offer a rewards system that gives you points or cash back for your purchases. You can then redeem these rewards for additional purchases, travel, or other services. The exact details depend on the credit card and the provider.

7. Can I overdraw my credit card?

In principle, it is possible to exceed the limit of your credit card, but it is not recommended. If you exceed the limit, you may incur high interest rates and fees. It can also hurt your credit score.

8. What does it mean when a credit card is «no fee»?

A «no fee» credit card means that there is no annual fee for using the card. However, it does not mean that the card is completely free. There may still be fees for certain services, such as cash withdrawals or foreign transactions.

9. How can I reduce my credit card debt?

To reduce your credit card debt, you should try to control your spending and make your monthly payments on time. If you are having trouble paying off your debt, you might also consider contacting a debt management counseling service.

10. What is a secure PIN for my credit card?

A secure PIN for your credit card should be a combination of numbers that is not easy to guess. Avoid obvious combinations like birth dates or consecutive numbers. Change your PIN regularly and never share it with others.

My Experience With Credit Cards In Switzerland

In my personal life, I’ve had one experience with credit cards above all: Good customer service pays off!

To give an embarrassing personal example: In my more naive years, I thought it would be a great idea to order things on all sorts of Internet sites with my Swiss credit card. As you would expect, this behavior put me in the perfect demographic for credit card scammers, and I soon had to deal with various withdrawal attempts, junk mail, and of course, never-arriving goods.

One thing about the best Swiss credit card providers is that they notice almost every fraud attempt! Furthermore, I was given a friendly phone call and guided through the paperwork that is filled out in such a case. I got all my money back from the credit card provider without any hassle. To me, this is customer service at its finest, and I don’t regret for a second choosing a trusted Swiss credit card!

While I only lost smaller amounts in my hero actions, I read of many who lost a fortune. So go for good customer service and fair providers, like the ones listed above.

Final Words On The Best Credit Cards In Switzerland 2023

We have come to the end of our journey through the world of the best credit cards in Switzerland. Hopefully, you were able to take away a lot about the different options, from the basic features to the attractive extras that some cards offer. Read on here if you also want to see the best credit cards in Austria.

But what’s the most important takeaway from all this?

The answer is simple: the «Best Credit Card Switzerland» must be evaluated individually for each category and is also a matter of preference.

The best Swiss credit card for you depends on your individual needs, lifestyle, and financial situation. The variety of credit cards on the Swiss market means that there is a perfect card for everyone.

Before you make your decision, take the time to thoroughly understand your options.

We hope that this article, based on the Credit Card Comparison Switzerland 2023, has helped you find the best Swiss credit card for your needs.

And remember, a credit card is a tool, and like any tool, success depends on how well you use it.

Besides, there are other ways to save money. For example, reduce your spending through small daily habits, and keep being healthy to save on medical expenses.

Also, use direct debit wherever possible to save time and money.

Otherwise, good luck with your selection, and see you next time!