Does American Express Have Foreign Transaction Fees? What You Need To Know
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Written by
Joseph Hostetler
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Edited by
Emily Gadd, CCC™
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron, CCC™
Some American Express cards charge foreign transaction fees and others don’t. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about American Express foreign transaction fees and the cards you should use to avoid them.
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What Are Foreign Transaction Fees?
A foreign transaction fee is what some credit cards charge you to make purchases outside of the U.S. They typically range from 1% and 3% of your transaction amount.
Even if you make your purchase stateside, you may still find a surprise foreign transaction fee on your statement. That’s because the fee is charged according to the location where the payment is processed. All to say, if you find yourself beguiled by antique nesting dolls from a merchant in Moscow, you may pay foreign transaction fees if the website processes your card in Russia.
Credit card issuers charge these fees to offset the fees they incur when processing payments. However, these fees can be avoided.
American Express Cards Without Foreign Transaction Fees
American Express (a CardCritics™ partner) offers many cards with no foreign transaction fees, including several popular travel credit cards.
Amex Platinum Card
The premium travel perks add up quickly with the American Express Platinum Card®, an advertising partner, including airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and incredible statement credits for Uber rides, airline incidentals, hotel stays and more. The card comes with a $895 annual fee. Enrollment may be required for certain Amex Platinum benefits.
Amex Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card, an advertising partner, also offers substantial benefits, including annual statement credit opportunities tied to dining, Uber and hotel stays. You’ll also get one of the best return rates on the market for everyday spending on dining and at U.S. supermarkets. The card comes with a $325 annual fee.
Amex Green Card
The American Express® Green Card** offers up to $209 in statement credits per year toward a CLEAR® Plus membership to help you speed through domestic airport security checkpoints. It also earns points quickly for travel and transit purchases. You’ll be charged a $150 annual fee.
The Amex Platinum, Amex Gold and Amex Green also earn valuable American Express Membership Rewards® points, which you can transfer to Amex’s airline and hotel partners for significant savings on travel. Think Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, Air Canada Aeroplan and more.
Delta Reserve Card
If you’re a Delta loyalist who enjoys airport lounges, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, an advertising partner, comes with Delta Sky Club lounge access, plus other benefits including an annual companion certificate and statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. However, it comes with a $650 annual fee.
Delta Platinum Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, an advertising partner, is for Delta frequent flyers who can make good use of its benefits, including an annual companion certificate. It also gives the cardholder free checked bags and priority boarding on Delta flights, and a credit toward the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The annual fee is $350.
Delta Gold Card
Occasional Delta flyers will appreciate the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, an advertising partner, for its manageable annual fee and elite-like benefits such as a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights. It charges a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Delta Blue Card
If you like flying Delta, but you’re not ready to commit to an airline credit card with an annual fee, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Although this card offers few benefits, it can help you earn Delta miles faster.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium hotel credit card that gives cardholders automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, among other benefits. This can help Marriott enthusiasts earn points faster and receive perks such as late check-out and room upgrades. Dining credits and free night certificates add to this card’s brilliance. The annual fee is $650.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card
If you prefer to stay at Marriott brand hotels but don’t need premium perks, the $250-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card could fit the bill. Cardholders receive decent benefits, including automatic Gold Elite status.
Hilton Honors Card
If you’re a casual Hilton fan, the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great starter card. You’ll automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver status and earn bonus Hilton points in useful categories.
Hilton Surpass Card
For a $150 annual fee, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card cardholders receive automatic Gold elite status, elevated earning rates and a free night reward if they spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Hilton Aspire Card
Although the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a $550 annual fee, it comes packed with perks. Cardholders receive automatic Diamond Elite status, an annual free night reward and over $800 in credits each year.
American Express Cards With Foreign Transaction Fees
Yes, American Express offers a generous list of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees — but it also issues a few cards that do charge foreign transaction fees. If you’re planning to travel internationally, it’s important to know which cards you shouldn’t bring.
The most popular American Express credit cards that charge foreign transaction fees include:
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (an advertising partner)
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (an advertising partner)
- American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
All of these cards charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, so you shouldn’t use them abroad if you can help it.
How To Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees While Traveling
Here are a few practical things you can do to avoid unnecessary currency fees while traveling abroad:
1. Use an American Express Card That Has No Foreign Transaction Fees
American Express-branded cards like the Amex Platinum and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards are all safe bets to avoid foreign exchange fees.
2. Use Another Credit or Debit Card That Waives Foreign Transaction Fees
Other banks issue credit cards that waive foreign transaction fees, too. You can even find debit cards that eat this fee.
3. Book Your Travel on U.S. Websites
Most of the time, you can avoid foreign transaction fees when booking airfare, hotel stays or rental cars from within the U.S. But even if you’re already in another country, you should be able to circumvent the fees by making reservations online via the U.S. version of whichever online travel agency you’re using.
The information related to the American Express® Green Card**, Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express 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 this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amex Foreign Transaction Fees
Does the Amex Gold charge foreign transaction fees?
The Amex Gold Card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
Which American Express cards are best for international travel?
The best American Express cards for international travel are the Amex Platinum and the American Express® Green Card**. Both cards earn bonus points on common travel purchases and come with perks that enhance your travel experience.
Are foreign transaction fees refunded for business cards?
Some American Express business cards, such as The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, do not charge foreign transaction fees. But others, like the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, charge a 2.7% fee.
How can I avoid foreign transaction fees altogether?
To avoid foreign transaction fees altogether, you should stick to a credit card that doesn’t charge them — like the Amex Gold or Amex Platinum.
Does Amex automatically convert foreign currencies?
American Express converts foreign currencies automatically. When you pay with your card in a foreign country in the local currency, the purchase will appear on your statement in U.S. dollars.
