Find the Right Card for Life in Switzerland
3 verified Swiss card providers compared — credit cards with cashback, prepaid travel cards and premium Amex benefits. No hidden fees. No surprises.
Compare Cards Side by Side
American Express
Two premium cards — earn Membership Rewards points and enjoy airport lounge access worldwide.
- Gold Card: 30,000 welcome Membership Rewards points — 1st year free (CHF 300/yr after)
- Platinum Card: 45,000 welcome points — save CHF 425 in year 1 (CHF 850/yr after)
- Priority Pass access to 1,200+ airport VIP lounges worldwide — free entry on Platinum
- Comprehensive insurance package included on both cards
- Platinum: personal Concierge service 24/7 and free travel agency booking
- Mobile Payment supported on both cards
Terms & conditions apply. See provider website for current offers and eligibility.
Cashback Cards
A dual card (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) with real cashback — no annual fee, no points to redeem.
- No annual fee on either card
- 5% welcome cashback for the first 3 months on your Amex (up to CHF 100 total)
- 1% cashback on all American Express purchases, unlimited
- 0.2% cashback on World Mastercard or Visa purchases
- Pay with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Swatch Pay
- Cashback credited directly to your account — no vouchers, no points to manage
Cashback rates and welcome offer subject to terms. Check provider website for current conditions.
Swiss Bankers
The Travel Prepaid Mastercard — no annual fee, no credit check, accepted at 70M+ merchants worldwide.
- No annual card fee and no credit check required
- Accepted at 70+ million Mastercard acceptance points worldwide
- Load in CHF, EUR or USD — ideal for frequent travellers
- Save on hotel bookings via the Swiss Bankers app
- Order and manage the card free via the Swiss Bankers App — reload, view transactions, get a replacement card
- No credit risk — you spend only what you have loaded
Usage fees may apply. Order free via the Swiss Bankers App. See provider website for full details.
Quick Feature Comparison
| Feature | American Express | Cashback Cards | Swiss Bankers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card type | Credit card (Gold & Platinum) | Credit card (Amex + MC/Visa dual) | Prepaid Mastercard |
| Annual fee | CHF 300 Gold / CHF 850 Platinum 1st year free / discounted |
✓ No annual fee | ✓ No annual fee |
| Welcome bonus | 30,000 pts (Gold) / 45,000 pts (Platinum) | 5% cashback for 3 months (up to CHF 100) | — |
| Ongoing rewards | Membership Rewards points on all spend | 1% (Amex) / 0.2% (MC/Visa) cashback | None — prepaid |
| Airport lounges | ✓ 1,200+ lounges (Priority Pass) Free entry on Platinum |
— | — |
| Insurance included | ✓ Comprehensive package | — | — |
| Credit check needed | Yes | Yes | ✓ No credit check |
| Multi-currency | CHF billing | CHF billing | ✓ CHF, EUR, USD |
| Best for | Frequent travellers & premium lifestyle | Everyday cashback, no-fee simplicity | New arrivals, travellers, no-credit-check |
3 Things to Know About Cards in Switzerland
Just Arrived? Start Prepaid
New to Switzerland and no bank account yet? Swiss Bankers Prepaid Mastercard is your fastest option — no credit check, no Swiss bank account required. Available immediately, accepted worldwide. Upgrade to a credit card once you’re settled.
Swiss Credit Card Rules
Swiss law requires credit card applicants to have a Swiss residence permit and a Swiss bank account. Income verification is standard. If you have these, a cashback or rewards card is an easy win — you earn back on everyday spending you’d do anyway.
Watch Foreign Transaction Fees
Many Swiss credit cards charge a foreign currency surcharge of 1.5–2.5% on non-CHF purchases. If you travel or shop from abroad frequently, look carefully at the FX fee — a good travel card can save you hundreds of francs per year.
Common Questions About Swiss Cards
Which credit card is best for expats in Switzerland?
It depends on your situation. Just arrived with no Swiss bank account yet? Swiss Bankers Travel Card requires no credit check and no bank account — order it free via their app. Once you’re settled, Cashback Cards offers a no-annual-fee dual card (Amex + Mastercard) with 1% cashback. If you travel frequently and want premium perks, American Express Platinum includes 1,200+ airport lounges and a concierge service.
Does Cashback Cards have an annual fee?
No — Cashback Cards (by Swisscard) has no annual fee on either the American Express or the World Mastercard/Visa. You earn 5% cashback for the first 3 months on the Amex card (up to CHF 100 total), then 1% on Amex and 0.2% on the Mastercard/Visa unlimited going forward.
Can I use Swiss Bankers Travel Card abroad?
Yes — it’s a Mastercard accepted at 70+ million merchants worldwide. You can load it in CHF, EUR or USD, which makes it very practical for travel. There’s no credit risk since you only spend what you’ve loaded onto the card.
What’s the difference between American Express Gold and Platinum in Switzerland?
Both include Priority Pass lounge access and an insurance package. The key differences: Platinum gives you free lounge entry (Gold charges per visit), a personal Concierge 24/7, and a personal travel agency service. Platinum costs CHF 850/yr (save CHF 425 in year 1) vs CHF 300/yr for Gold (1st year free). Platinum also gives 45,000 welcome points vs 30,000 for Gold.