TCS Travel Mastercard Gold
TCS
Overall Rating
Annual fee
CHF 100
Network
Mastercard
Rewards Type
cashback
Welcome bonus
5 % cash
Also good for
Our Take on TCS Travel Mastercard Gold
2% cashback at travel merchants (SWISS, SBB, Airbnb) plus 1% everywhere else. The TCS upgrade.
The TCS Travel Mastercard Gold doubles the cashback at travel merchants while maintaining all the fuel and parking benefits. At CHF 100 annually, it's built for TCS members who spend heavily on travel. The catch: despite "Travel" in the name, no travel insurance is included.
Is CHF 100 Worth It?
For heavy travel spenders, often yes. 2% cashback at SWISS, Edelweiss, SBB, Mobility, Airbnb (versus 1% on free card). CHF 5,000 annual travel spending = CHF 100 back. That alone covers the fee. Plus 1% on all other spending (versus 0% on free card).
Combined with continued fuel discounts, parking cashback, and EV charging discounts, active TCS members extract significant value. The math works if you spend CHF 5,000+ at travel merchants annually.
What Actually Stands Out
The 2% travel cashback is competitive. Most cards offer 0.5-1% generally. This doubles the return on flights, trains, accommodation, and car rentals. The 1% on everything else means every purchase earns something.
All TCS mobility benefits continue: 5% EV charging discount, 20% parking cashback, fuel discounts, 10% rental car discount. Apple Pay, Google Pay work. Up to 3 additional cards at CHF 50.
What Most Reviews Miss
No travel insurance despite the name. This is unusual for a card targeting travelers. No medical coverage, no trip cancellation. If you need protection, you need separate insurance or a different card. The TCS Travel Gold is purely a cashback card.
The 1.5% FX fee is decent but not exceptional. For pure foreign spending optimization, cards like Cornèrcard (1.2%) beat this.
The Bottom Line
Enhanced cashback for TCS members who spend heavily on travel. The 2% rate at travel merchants is competitive. The lack of insurance is the main disappointment. Compare alternatives in our best travel credit cards in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: Worth upgrading from free TCS card if you spend CHF 5,000+ at travel merchants annually. Separate insurance needed.
PROS
- Low foreign exchange fee of 1.5%
- 5 welcome bonus points
- Apple Pay compatible
- Contactless payments for convenient transactions
- 2% cashback at select merchants (SWISS, Edelweiss, SBB, Mobility, Airbnb)
- Up to 5 centimes savings per liter at over 900 filling stations
- 5% discount at over 382,000 charging points with TCS eCharge app
CONS
- No travel insurance
- No medical coverage
- No airport lounge access
- No concierge service
Card Details
At a Glance
Annual fee
CHF 100
Rewards rate
1% cashback
FX Fee
1.5%
Welcome bonus
5 % cash
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
First year annual fee
CHF 100
Annual fee (after first year)
CHF 100
Foreign exchange fee
1.5%
Cash Withdrawal (Domestic)
3.75% (min CHF 10)
Cash Withdrawal (International)
1.5%
Late Payment Fee
CHF 30
Additional Cards
CHF 50/card/year • Up to 3 cards
Rewards Program
Rewards Program
Rewards type
cashback
Base rewards rate
1 %
Welcome bonus
5 % cash
Earn 1% cashback on all purchases
Insurance & Protection
Insurance & Protection
Travel insurance coverage
No travel insurance
Medical insurance coverage
No medical coverage
Purchase protection
No purchase protection
Card Features
Card Features
Card Network
Mastercard
Card Type
Gold
Currency
CHF
Minimum income requirement
No income requirement
Monthly spending limit
CHF 20'000
Airport lounge access
Concierge service
Key Features
- 2% cashback at select merchants (SWISS, Edelweiss, SBB, Mobility, Airbnb)
- Up to 5 centimes savings per liter at over 900 filling stations
- 5% discount at over 382,000 charging points with TCS eCharge app
- 20% cashback
- Customizable card design for CHF 30
Calculate If This Card Is Worth It for You
= CHF 30'000/year
You Pay
CHF 100
per year
You Get Back
CHF 305
estimated value
Bottom Line
+CHF 205
in your pocket
Annual calculation:
CHF 30'000/yr × 1%
Move the slider to see how your spending affects the card's value. Miles: 1.5 ct, points: 1 ct.
Rating by Category
Compare to Other Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the international ATM withdrawal fee really 1.50%?
- Yes, 1.50%, with no minimum CHF charge. That's a fraction of the 5-7% most Swiss credit cards demand, and it's the cheapest cash-abroad pricing you'll find. A CHF 200 withdrawal in Bangkok costs CHF 3 in card fees.
- Where do I earn 2% cashback?
- At SWISS, Edelweiss, SBB, Mobility, and Airbnb (1% base + 1% bonus). Plus 10% off TCS rental cars and 5% off TCS eCharge. If you actually travel within Switzerland, the math beats most general cashback cards.
- Is TCS membership still required at the Gold tier?
- Yes, and the supplementary structure changes: max 3 supps at CHF 50 each, not free like on the Member version. Same household requirement applies.
- What's the value of TCS Park & Pay's 20% cashback?
- 20% back on parking purchased through the TCS app, across most paid lots in Switzerland. If you're a regular city parker (Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne), this alone can recover the annual fee. If you walk to work, it's irrelevant.
How We Rated This Card
Wondering why TCS Travel Mastercard Gold got its score? We rate Cashback cards using a weighted formula. Here's what counts:
Same formula for every card in this category. No exceptions.
See our full rating methodologyReady to Apply?
Apply for the TCS Travel Mastercard Gold today and start enjoying its benefits.