Did you know that using a credit card abroad can cost you up to 3% of your purchase? This fact shows why picking the right card for your travels is crucial. Whether you travel often or just now and then, a card with no foreign fees and travel protection can save you money and ease your mind.
We’re going to look at the top 5 credit cards for traveling abroad. These cards offer no foreign transaction fees, are widely accepted, and come with great travel perks. By the end, you’ll know which card is best for your next trip.
- The typical foreign transaction fee can be as high as 3% of the purchase amount, making a no-fee card essential for international travelers.
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted globally, while American Express has less worldwide acceptance.
- Premium travel credit cards can have annual fees of $500 or more, while standard fees are around $100.
- Sign-up bonuses for travel credit cards often include tens of thousands of points, contingent on hitting a certain spending threshold.
- Rewards rates on travel credit cards vary, with some offering bonus points in specific categories like travel, restaurants, or gas stations.
Why Consider a Credit Card for International Use
Traveling abroad means you need a credit card that works well with your expenses. Look for cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees and are accepted almost everywhere. These cards can save you money and offer important travel protections.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Foreign transaction fees can be 1% to 3% of each purchase abroad. These fees can add up fast, taking money from your travel budget. Choosing a card with no foreign transaction fees helps you keep more money for what you really want.
Widespread Global Acceptance
You want a credit card that’s accepted everywhere you go. EMV chip technology and global acceptance networks like Visa and Mastercard make sure your card is accepted in even the most remote places. This gives you peace of mind and makes traveling easier.
Valuable Travel Protections
Premium travel credit cards come with many travel-focused benefits and fraud protection features. These include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, rental car coverage, and mobile wallet compatibility. These perks can save you time, money, and stress when things don’t go as planned.
Choosing the right credit card for international use can boost your spending power, cut down on fees, and give you more security and convenience on your travels.
Best for Dining: American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is perfect for those who love dining out. It offers great rewards on restaurant buys. You can earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide. This makes it a great way to get more rewards on your restaurant purchases.
It also gives you up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in Uber Cash each year. These benefits add even more value for your food and dining costs.
Earn 4X Points at Restaurants Worldwide
The Amex Gold Card is known for its 4X points for every dollar you spend at restaurants worldwide. This is up to $50,000 in purchases each year. So, you can quickly earn rewards on your dining adventures, whether at home or abroad.
Annual Dining and Uber Credits
- Up to $120 in annual dining credits ($10 per month) for purchases at select restaurants and food delivery services
- Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.
These dining credits and Uber perks can help cover the card’s $325 annual fee. This makes the American Express® Gold Card a great choice for food lovers and frequent diners.
“The Amex Gold Card is a must-have for anyone who loves dining out and wants to maximize their rewards on restaurant purchases.” – Sarah T., Frequent Traveler
Best for Travel Protections: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a top choice for travel insurance. It offers many travel protections to help you on your trips abroad.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance Coverage
This card has many travel insurance benefits. They can help you with unexpected problems on your trips. These include:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance that can pay back pre-paid travel costs if your trip is canceled or cut short for reasons like illness or bad weather.
- Trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per ticket if your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours, covering things like meals and lodging.
- Baggage delay insurance that can pay you back for essential items if your checked baggage is delayed by more than 6 hours.
- Lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per passenger if your checked or carry-on bags are lost or damaged forever.
- Primary rental car collision damage waiver that can cover damage and theft to your rental car, without needing to claim with your own insurance first.
Flexible Rewards Redemption Options
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also has flexible ways to use your rewards. You can get a 25% boost in value when booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Or, you can transfer your points to airline and hotel partners for even more value.
This card is great for international travelers. It offers strong travel insurance and flexible rewards. It’s the best choice for financial protection and flexibility on your trips.
Best No Annual Fee Card: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Looking for a credit card with great value and no annual fee? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a top pick. It rewards you with no annual fee points on many everyday purchases. This makes it perfect for your travels abroad.
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card stands out with its rewards earning system. You’ll get 3X points on dining, travel, gas stations, transit, and streaming services. Plus, you’ll earn 1X point on all other purchases. This means your daily spending adds up to rewards.
New cardholders get a special welcome bonus. Spend $1,000 in the first 3 months and earn 20,000 bonus points. That’s worth $200 in cash, a great way to start earning with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.
The card also offers Cellphone protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, and Visa Signature® Concierge service. These benefits add convenience and peace of mind when you travel.
With its no annual fee, great rewards earning, and welcome bonus, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a smart choice. It’s perfect for those who want to spend wisely and earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It’s a valuable addition to your wallet for everyday expenses and travel.
Credit Cards for International Use
Planning your next trip abroad? Make sure you have a credit card that meets your travel needs. Look for no foreign transaction fees and wide global acceptance.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Foreign transaction fees can add up fast, often around 3% per purchase. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card don’t have these fees. This means you can spend more on your trip.
Wide Global Acceptance
It’s also key to consider global acceptance. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but American Express and Discover might not be as common, especially in remote areas. Having a card from a widely accepted network can give you peace of mind.
When picking a credit card for travel, focus on these two things. They ensure a smooth and budget-friendly trip. You can enjoy dining out, booking hotels, or shopping without hassle.
Best for Luxury Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
If you’re a high-end traveler, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card is perfect for you. It comes with top-notch benefits for luxury travel. This card is designed for those who love to travel in style.
Premium Travel Credits and Benefits
The $300 annual travel credit is a big perk of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It helps lower the card’s annual fee to $250. Plus, you get complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. This gives you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide for a better travel experience.
Elevated Rewards on Travel Purchases
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® rewards you well for your luxury travel expenses. You earn 10X total points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel. Plus, you get 5X points on air travel booked through Chase, and 3X points on other travel and dining purchases. These rewards add up fast, letting you earn points to use for travel credits, gift cards, and more.
Planning a luxury getaway or just want to earn more rewards on your travels? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a top choice for those who love to travel in style.
Best for Entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
If you travel internationally and enjoy dining out and entertainment, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great pick. It offers bonus cash back rewards on various categories. This makes it perfect for those who love to explore local dining and entertainment.
Bonus Cash Back on Dining and Entertainment
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card gives you 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. This includes dining out, bars, and tickets for events like concerts and movies. Plus, you get 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases until November 14, 2024. This is great for those who use rideshare services while traveling.
This card has no annual fee and offers simple cash back rewards. It’s ideal for international travelers who want to earn more on their entertainment and dining expenses.
| Key Features | Rewards Rates |
|---|---|
| No Annual Fee | 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (until Nov. 14, 2024) 3% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases 1.5% cash back on all other purchases |
| Welcome Bonus: $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | Dining and entertainment categories include restaurants, bars, and ticket purchases at various venues Grocery store category excludes superstores like Walmart and Target |
| 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months | No foreign transaction fees Price drop protection and other travel benefits |
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a top choice for international travelers. It offers strong entertainment and dining cash back rewards. It’s perfect for those who want to earn more on their spending in these areas.
Best for Earning Rewards: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
If you want to earn more rewards on your spending, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great pick. It gives you lots of bonus points on many types of purchases. This makes it a top choice for earning rewards.
Earn Points on Travel, Dining, and More
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card lets you earn up to 10x points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through the Citi Travel portal. You’ll also get 3x points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations. All other spending gets you 1 point per dollar.
There’s also a limited-time offer of 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. This can be used for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards.
| Rewards Earning | Point Value |
|---|---|
| 10x per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com | Up to 10 points per $1 spent |
| 3x per $1 at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations | 3 points per $1 spent |
| 1x per $1 on all other purchases | 1 point per $1 spent |
You can use the points from the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card for travel, gift cards, cash back, and more. Plus, you can transfer points to nearly 20 travel partners. This includes airlines and hotels, making it easy to use your points on travel purchases and dining.
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a top choice for rewards earning on both international trips and everyday spending. It has a great sign-up bonus and flexible ways to use your points.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Card
Choosing a credit card for international use means looking at annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and rewards. Premium cards with higher fees offer more perks. But, no-annual-fee cards can also give you rewards and protections for buying things abroad. Think about how you spend and your travel plans to pick the best card for you.
Annual Fees and Sign-Up Bonuses
Travel credit cards have fees from $0 to $695 or more. But, think about the benefits you get for the fee. The Platinum Card® from American Express has a $695 fee but offers over $1,000 in benefits.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card gives a 60,000 bonus points welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This can help offset the $95 annual fee.
Rewards Earning and Redemption
Credit cards have different ways to earn rewards, like tiered rates or unlimited cash back. The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card gives 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 5X miles on travel purchases.
Redeeming rewards points and miles can be more valuable for travel than cash back.
Travel Protections and Perks
Many travel credit cards come with great benefits like travel protections and perks. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers travel insurance coverage. The Platinum Card® from American Express gives you a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership. These benefits can make your international trips better.
Think about these factors to find a credit card that fits your spending, travel needs, and financial goals. This way, you can have a rewarding and safe international journey.
Tips for Using Credit Cards Abroad
Traveling with credit cards can be easy with a few tips. First, tell your card company you’re going abroad. This stops your card from being flagged for fraud when you use it in new places.
Choose cards with contactless payment and mobile wallet options if you can. These make paying safer and easier, as they’re used a lot around the world. Also, keep a spare card for places where your main card won’t work.
- Notify your card issuer of your travel plans to avoid account freezes
- Use credit cards with contactless and mobile wallet capabilities for added security and convenience
- Carry a backup card in case your primary card is not accepted
Watch out for exchange rates when you’re spending money with your card. Pick a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees to save money. This way, you pay less and get more value for your money.
| Feature | Importance |
|---|---|
| No Foreign Transaction Fees | Helps avoid unnecessary charges when using your credit card internationally |
| Contactless Payments | Enhances security and convenience for transactions abroad |
| Mobile Wallet Integration | Provides an additional layer of security and easy access to your card while traveling |
Follow these tips for a worry-free and budget-friendly trip with your credit card. Have a great time traveling knowing your money is safe and easy to use.
Conclusion
Choosing the right credit card for your travels can greatly improve your experience abroad. It helps you get more value from your purchases and makes your trip smoother. Look at foreign transaction fees, global acceptance, travel perks, and rewards to find the best card for you.
When picking a credit card for international use, remember to avoid foreign transaction fees. Make sure the card is widely accepted around the world. Also, use travel benefits and perks to your advantage. There are many cards out there that focus on dining, travel, or entertainment, helping you save and enjoy your spending abroad.
Think about how you spend and what you like when traveling. This will help you pick a credit card that meets your needs. With the right card, you’ll save money, earn rewards, and stay secure. This way, you’ll be ready for all the exciting things that await you on your travels.
FAQ
What are the key features to look for in a credit card for international travel?
When picking a credit card for international use, look for no foreign transaction fees. Also, check for global acceptance through Visa or Mastercard. Don’t forget travel protections like trip insurance and lost luggage coverage. And, consider rewards for travel and everyday spending.
What are the benefits of using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees?
Using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees saves you money abroad. These fees can add an extra 3% or more to your purchases. This way, you get to keep more of your rewards and spending power while traveling.
How do I ensure my credit card will be accepted worldwide?
To make sure your credit card is accepted globally, choose cards linked to big payment networks like Visa or Mastercard. These cards are widely accepted, even in less touristy places.
What kind of travel protections do premium credit cards offer?
Premium travel credit cards often come with great travel protections. You’ll find trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage coverage, and rental car insurance. These benefits help you travel with more peace of mind and financial safety.
How can I maximize rewards when using a credit card for international travel?
To get the most out of rewards with your credit card for international travel, pick cards that offer extra points on travel, dining, and common expenses. Also, look for cards that let you transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
What should I do to ensure my credit card is secure when traveling abroad?
Notify your card issuer of your travel plans to keep your card safe abroad. Use contactless payments and mobile wallets for extra security. Always carry a backup card and watch out for local currency exchange rates.
