Best Credit Cards for International Travel of September 2025

If your trips take you overseas, it’s essential to have a travel credit card suitable for the occasion. And while there’s no one best credit card for international travel, there are a few key factors to consider when selecting a credit card for traveling abroad.

For example, you’ll want to bring a card that doesn’t add foreign transaction fees and provides some type of rewards on your daily purchases. This way, you’ll save money on the road and earn rewards to fund your next trip.

Let’s look at our picks for the best credit cards from our partners for international travel and what you should look for when searching for your new card.

Quick Overview: Best Credit Cards for International Travel

  Our Choice For Credit Range Annual Fee Highlights

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

4.8
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Travel
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
$95
Incredible rewards redemption value and a welcome bonus worth up to $1,312 in Travel Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Your points are worth up to 75% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel, making this bonus worth up to $1,312.50.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

4.8
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Premium Perks
Excellent
720 – 850*
$795
Luxury travel card with airport lounge access & a bonus worth up to $2,500 in Travel Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Your points are worth up to 100% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel, making this bonus worth up to $2,500.
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.7
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Elevated Travel Rewards
Excellent, Good
670 – 850*
$95
Earn a welcome bonus worth $750 and 2x – 5x rewards Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

4.8
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Premium Travel Rewards & Perks
Excellent
720 – 850*
$395
Very generous bonus and statement credit opportunities plus premium perks.
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Citi Strata Premier® Card

4.9
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Premium Points
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
$95
Earn up to 10x points per dollar plus a bonus worth 60,000 bonus ThankYou® PointsEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
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Rates and Fees | Terms Apply

The Platinum Card® from American Express

4.0
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Premium Perks & Benefits
Good – Excellent
$695
Massive welcome offer opportunity plus several annual statement credits, lounge access and other premium benefits You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

4.7
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Travel
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
$0
Unlimited 1.5 Points per $1 on all purchases, generous intro APR, 25,000 bonus points opportunity worth $250 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Apply Now
More Details
Travel
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
$95
Strong ongoing rewards, elevated travel perks, plus a bonus worth $600Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
Apply Now
More Details
75,000 Bonus Point Offer
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
4.8
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

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Top Feature

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Purchase & Balance Transfer APR

19.99% – 28.24% Variable

CardCritics™ Opinion

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the perfect card for someone who is looking to level-up their travel game. Since it comes with a substantial welcome bonus, you will be well on your way to booking your next

Recommended Credit Score

Good – Excellent (670 – 850*)

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards

1x – 5x Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Card Details From Issuer

  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
  • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
  • 10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
  • Member FDIC
125,000 bonus points
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
4.8
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

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Top Feature

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Purchase & Balance Transfer APR

20.24% – 28.74% Variable

CardCritics™ Opinion

If you want to level up your travel rewards to luxury levels, this card may be the right fit. The ongoing rewards, annual travel credits and incredible miles transfer and redemption options are hard to beat. Add in

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Annual Fee

$795

Rewards

1x – 8x Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.

Card Details From Issuer

  • Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
  • Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
  • Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
  • Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
  • Member FDIC
Solid Bonus & Rewards Plus Travel Perks
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Read Full Review

Top Feature

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Purchase & Balance Transfer APR

19.99% – 29.24% (Variable)

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CardCritics™ Opinion

Capital One has continued to improve their rewards program over the past few years, making the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card a strong contender for those who want to earn travel rewards without worrying about category restrictions

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent, Good (670 – 850*)

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards

2x – 5x Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.

Card Details From Issuer

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Huge Bonus Miles + Premium Travel Perks
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
4.8
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Read Full Review

Top Feature

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

Purchase & Balance Transfer APR

19.99% – 29.24% (Variable)

Read Full Review

CardCritics™ Opinion

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel card that not only offers a significant welcome bonus, but also lucrative bonus earning rates and valuable perks that help offset the steep annual fee. For

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent (720 – 850*)

Annual Fee

$395

Rewards

2X – 10X Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

Card Details From Issuer

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Elevated Travel Rewards Plus A Generous Bonus
Citi Strata Premier® Card
4.9
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Read Full Review

Top Feature

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

Purchase & Balance Transfer APR

20.24% – 28.24% (Variable)

CardCritics™ Opinion

This premium travel card offers a hefty list of travel perks, credits and lucrative ongoing rewards that make the $95 annual fee easy to justify. It offers 3 points per $1 spent a wide range of popular categories

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent/Good (670 – 850*)

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards

1x – 10x 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking. Travel insurance protection: Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (Common Carrier), Trip Delay, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (Car Rental).

Card Details From Issuer

  • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
  • Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Best For Premium Rewards and Perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express
4.0
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Read Full Review

Top Feature

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Purchase APR

See Pay Over Time APR

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CardCritics™ Opinion

A large annual fee on a card often means it comes with valuable perks to make it worthwhile and that is most definitely the case for The Platinum Card® from American Express. You may be eligible for as

Recommended Credit Score

Good – Excellent

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards

1x – 5x 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.

1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Terms apply.

Card Details From Issuer

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
  • A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world’s most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
25,000 Bonus Points Offer Worth $250
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
4.7
CardCritics™ Rating

CardCritics™ uses a 5-star rating system determined by our editorial team. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, bonus offers, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors are then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Read Full Review

Top Feature

25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Purchase & Balance Transfer APR

0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.

Read Full Review

CardCritics™ Opinion

This no annual fee travel rewards card is a popular choice among travelers due to its flexible rewards and lack of foreign transaction fees. If you are looking for a straightforward travel card that comes with no annual

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent/Good (670 – 850*)

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards

1.5x – 3x Points 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.

3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% – 75% more points on every purchase.

Card Details From Issuer

  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% – 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
  • If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Elevated Travel Rewards Plus A Massive Bonus
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Top Feature

Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.

Purchase & Balance Transfer APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Read Full Review

CardCritics™ Opinion

This is a great match for frequent travelers who are seeking strong ongoing rewards, a hefty welcome bonus and a significant list of travel perks and credits. This card does allow you to transfer your points to other

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent/Good (670 – 850*)

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards

1X – 5X Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.

Card Details From Issuer

  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
  • Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
  • $95 annual fee.
  • Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
  • Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
  • Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

When you’re heading abroad, there are a few things to consider when deciding which credit card to put in your wallet. This includes foreign transaction fees, rewards earning and travel perks. Let’s look at all the things you should consider before choosing a travel card.

Foreign Transaction Fees

Many credit cards charge foreign transaction fees, typically ranging between 2% and 3% of your purchase abroad. So if your card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, you’d pay $103 for a $100 purchase in a foreign currency. Thankfully, many travel-focused credit cards do not add these fees, and bringing a card like this with you should be a primary consideration when picking a card for international travel.

Bonus Categories

There’s no way around it: Travel means spending money on food, hotels, and other essentials. Consider what you’ll spend the most on during your trip and find a card that rewards these purchases. For example, if you’re a foodie, you’ll want to pack a card that earns bonus points at restaurants. Likewise, consider opening a card that earns bonus points at hotels if you expect a large hotel bill.

Types of Rewards You Earn

You should also consider the types of rewards you’d like to earn when you spend. If you’re a frequent traveler, you might consider a card that earns transferable points, which can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which you can transfer to World of Hyatt, United MileagePlus and others. Alternatively, consider a co-branded credit card from your preferred airline or hotel chain if you’d like extra benefits with said loyalty program.

Alternatively, cash-back credit cards can be a good pick for those who only travel occasionally and prefer cash savings on their purchases. Many cards offer 2% back on all purchases, which can add up on a long trip abroad.

Foreign Acceptance

American Express and Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted as Mastercard and Visa abroad. Make sure to bring a card commonly accepted in your destination to avoid issues when purchasing.

Travel Benefits

Some more premium credit cards include benefits like airport lounge access and travel protections like trip delay coverage and rental car damage waivers. If any of these benefits are important to you, make sure your card has them before you depart.

Using a credit card abroad might seem like a no-brainer — after all, if you can spend as usual and earn rewards, what’s not to love? That said, there are some pros and cons you should consider before paying with your credit card on an upcoming international adventure.

Pros

  • You can earn rewards for all eligible purchases you make abroad.
  • You have little recourse if your cash is lost or stolen. Alternatively, you can call your bank and have them block your account if your card is lost or stolen.
  • You may receive benefits like lounge access, travel protections and other perks from premium travel credit cards. These can make your travel experience smoother and save money.

Cons

  • You may be charged a foreign transaction fee if you pay with a credit card that charges them. Make sure to check if your card adds these fees before you depart.
  • Some merchants may offer a cash discount that’s unavailable to those paying with a credit or debit card.
  • Some merchants may not accept credit cards, so it’s always a good idea to bring some cash with you, regardless of where you travel.

Depending on your credit card, you might have access to a handful of benefits that can be beneficial when you travel abroad. Higher-end cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum and Capital One Venture X include airport lounge access through Priority Pass and other lounge networks (enrollment required). This can be a great way to save money on food and drink at the airport, plus you can enjoy a quiet place to relax outside of the terminal.

Additionally, the travel rewards you earn with your card can help you save big when booking your trip. However, make sure to use your points wisely. Flexible points credit cards often have a handful of transfer partners, so do your homework before redeeming rewards. For example, you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards®, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou® points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue and book transatlantic flights for under 20,000 points one-way on many dates, plus taxes and fees.

Finally, do your best to avoid fees even if you’re using a card that doesn’t add foreign transaction fees to purchases abroad. International payment terminals may ask you if you’d like to pay in the local currency or U.S. dollars. Selecting the local currency is generally in your best interest as payment terminals may charge you an inflated currency conversion rate. Your bank will process the payment closer to the market currency conversion rate at the time of purchase.

Using a credit card abroad is essentially the same as using it at home, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind to avoid excess fees and confusion. Follow these tips when you use your card abroad.

  • Always pay in the local currency: You may be asked if you’d like to pay in the local currency or U.S. dollars. If this happens, pick the local currency. Otherwise, run the risk of being charged a marked-up currency conversion rate.
  • Tap, don’t insert or swipe: Contactless payments are gaining popularity worldwide. Typically, tapping your card also means you don’t have to sign for a purchase like you would if you inserted your card’s chip into a payment terminal, saving you time.
  • Bring a backup card: You might misplace your card when traveling, or it could be compromised. Bringing an extra card with you ensures you can continue spending if something happens to your primary credit card.
  • Add your card to a mobile wallet: Apple Pay, Google Pay and other mobile wallets make spending at home and abroad easier. If your card is compromised, you can often have your new account number added to your mobile wallet immediately. 

We listed our picks for the best credit cards for spending abroad at the beginning of this article — but there are other great options out there. Here are a few alternate cards to consider for your next trip.

  • American Express® Gold Card: This card earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants around the world, up to $50,000 per year (then 1x). Foodies might consider this card if they’re traveling somewhere where Amex is widely accepted.
  • Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: This is Capital One’s no-annual-fee travel credit card. It earns 1.25 Capital One miles per dollar on most purchases and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for the casual traveler.
  • Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: This no-annual-fee card earns unlimited 3x points in popular categories, including travel, restaurants, gas stations and transit. With no foreign transaction fees and a handful of travel benefits like car rental insurance, it’s another affordable option.
  • Bilt Mastercard®**: While this card is primarily geared to renters, it’s a good option for travel overseas. It earns 2x points on travel and 3x points on dining, and offers a strong range of travel protections — including primary car rental insurance (a rarity on no-annual-fee cards).
  • U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: With no annual or foreign transaction fees, this card has strong earning rates on travel, gas/EV charging, dining and more. It’s a good choice for occasional travelers who want a better airport experience, offering four complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year and up to $100 statement credit every four years toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

The information related to Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Bilt Mastercard®** and U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for these products.

What is the best card to travel internationally with?

The best credit card for your international travels depends on what you’re looking for in a credit card. Broadly, you’ll want a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, offers benefits you can use, and earns bonus rewards in categories where you spend the most. 

Are Discover cards accepted abroad?

Yes, Discover cards are accepted at some merchants abroad. The company also has partnerships with other networks around the world, including Diners Club, Rupay, JCB, UnionPay and others. You can generally use your Discover card when you see these logos.

How many countries is American Express accepted in?

American Express says it’s accepted by over 100 million merchants across more than 200 countries.

How do I know if my credit card charges foreign transaction fees?

Check your cardholder agreement before you travel. It will show you what your foreign transaction fee is if it charges one.

Do I need to call my credit card issuer before I travel?

It depends on the bank. Some banks prefer you notify them of travel to avoid declined transactions on the road. Others — for example, American Express — do not require this.


How Do Our Critics Evaluate the Cards?

All of the credit cards featured on CardCritics™ are assessed using the same criteria. Our critics evaluate fees, interest rates, balance transfer options, introductory bonuses, rewards, additional benefits and the average credit score required for approval.

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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.