Does the Simplicity Card Charge Foreign Transaction Fees?

• Written by Angela Mae
  

  Angela Mae

  Investing, credit cards, consumer loans, commercial financing, taxes, retirement, banking, fintech

  Angela Mae is a B2B and B2C writer for top finance brands and platforms. She specializes in investing, taxes, retirement planning, and consumer & commercial financing. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and 10+ years’ experience. Through a combination of extensive journalistic experience, deep-dive research, and expert interviews, she helps brands reach their audience and inspire people to achieve financial freedom.

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• Edited by Jasmin Baron
  

  Jasmin Baron

  Credit Cards, Travel Rewards, Loyalty Programs, Family Travel, Credit Building, Credit Scores

  Jasmin Baron is CardCritics’ senior editor, responsible for editing and writing credit cards, travel rewards, loyalty program, and other credit-related content. She is passionate about personal finance education and enjoys sharing tips and tricks for making the most credit card points and miles with her readers. Her expertise in maximizing credit card travel rewards originated from over two decades of aviation industry experience, including 18 years working as a pilot and college professor/flight instructor in her native Canada. Her work has appeared on sites such as CNN Underscored Money, Business Insider, The Points Guy, and point.me. When she’s not planning her next trip with credit card rewards, you’ll probably find her tinkering around in the kitchen, hanging out with her three kids, or playing with her dog, Benji.

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• Last Updated Sep 30, 2025

Foreign transaction fees (or currency conversion fees) are a common fee credit card companies charge when you make a purchase outside the U.S. in a foreign currency or through a foreign merchant. They’re typically a percentage of the purchase and can add up if you frequently use your card for overseas purchases.

Not all credit cards have a foreign transaction fee, but the Citi Simplicity® Card, an advertising partner, does. Learn more about how using this credit card could save you money abroad, as well as its fees and some alternative travel credit cards.

Does the Simplicity Card Charge a Foreign Transaction Fee?

The Simplicity Card has a 3% foreign transaction fee on all international purchases. However, it doesn’t have late fees, annual fees, or a penalty APR. It also comes with a 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.99% - 28.74% (Variable)

Although the Simplicity Card has a foreign transaction fee, a few Citi credits cards do not. These include the:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
• Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
• Citi AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
• Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
• Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi 
• Citi Strata Premier® Card

Note that even though these credit cards don’t have a currency conversion fee, they may have other fees that the Simplicity Card doesn’t — like high annual fees or APRs. Be sure to compare your options carefully so you can save the most money possible while traveling.

How the Simplicity Card Stands Out in the Market

Many major credit cards incur a foreign transaction fee for international purchases, so the Simplicity Card doesn’t stand alone here. The actual fee varies by credit card, but is typically between 1% and 3% of the total purchase amount (in U.S. dollars).

The advantage of having no foreign transaction fee is that international purchases are cheaper. But even though the Simplicity Card has one, it could still be worth using for travel.

As the name suggests, this credit card is easy to use. It has no annual fee, meaning you won’t have to pay each year just to have it. The 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.99% - 28.74% (Variable). This makes the card a solid option for those who want to do one of the following:

• Transfer debt from a different high-interest credit card knowing they can pay off the balance within the 21-month window (interest-free)
• Make one or multiple major purchases within the first year knowing they can pay off the balance within that introductory APR period

While you’ll still incur the 3% foreign transaction fee on international purchases, the lack of introductory APR is a major money-saver. Depending on what you’re using the card for, and your travel timeline, you could potentially save hundreds or thousands in interest alone (provided you pay off the balance before the 12 months are over).

If the Simplicity Card doesn’t quite fit your needs, another credit card with similar benefits is the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. This card also has a 3% foreign transaction fee, but there’s no annual fee. There’s also a 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases and 21 months on Balance Transfers then 16.99% - 27.74% (Variable).

How to Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees with Your Credit Card

Whether or not you already have the Simplicity Card, it’s worth knowing that there are ways to avoid foreign transaction fees with this — and any other — credit card. Here are some practical tips on using credit cards internationally:

1. Carry Multiple Credit Cards

This will let you swap out your credit cards based on what you need. For example, you could use a no foreign transaction fee card to buy event tickets or a meal at an overseas restaurant. At the same time, you could take advantage of a no introductory APR card (like Simplicity Card) to save on interest charges for things like overseas accommodations or flights.

2. Go Through Domestic Merchants

You can avoid foreign transaction fees by going through U.S.-based merchants. Some U.S. platforms, like Kayak, don’t charge this fee but their partners might. Review the terms and conditions of the site you’re using so you’re prepared. Or stick with domestic vendors.

3. Bring Cash

Having some local currency can save you money on credit card fees. It’s also helpful if you come across a merchant that doesn’t accept your particular credit card.

4. Take Advantage of Other Perks or Benefits

Key perks like no intro APR, travel rewards and welcome bonuses can all save you money as you travel. Some cards also offer travel protection, travel insurance, access to airport lounges, and more, which can more than make up for any fees.

See if your credit card (or cards) offer any of these types of benefits and take advantage of them while abroad.

5. Try to Get the Fee Waived

Some card issuers will waive the foreign transaction fee altogether. You’ll need to contact their customer service team and make the request. Depending on your circumstances, and your history with them, they might be willing to work with you.

Ultimately, it’s important to choose the right travel credit card for you — whatever card that might be. Take your time and compare your options. If you have a card that seems too expensive, consider closing the account or temporarily deactivating it and going with a different one.

The Benefits of Using the Simplicity Card for International Purchases

The Simplicity Card is a no-frills credit card. It doesn’t have many special travel perks, but it does offer the following:

• 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.99% - 28.74% (Variable)
• $0 liability for unauthorized charges
• Identity theft protection
• No late fees or penalty APR fees
• No annual fee
• Damage and theft protection
• Extended warranty (lengthens original warranty by up to 2 more years)
• Flexible payment due dates
• 24/7 customer service (useful when dealing with different time zones)
• Accepted anywhere Mastercard is (domestically and overseas)

The Simplicity Card can also help with budgeting abroad. For one thing, you can set account alerts. This will let you know whenever a payment is due or a transaction goes through. It can also help keep you on track with spending. You can also lock your card from the app if you want to limit spending.

Alternatives to the Simplicity Card for International Travelers

If you’re looking for a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, here are a few alternatives and their pros and cons:

1. Citi Strata Premier® Card

The Citi Strata Premier® Card card lets you earn 10x ThankYou® points per $1 spent when booking attractions, car rentals, and hotels online. You can also earn 3x ThankYou® points on cafes, lounges, restaurants, gas stations, EV charging stations and supermarkets.

All other purchases earn 1x points. 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. The drawback is there’s a $95 annual fee and no introductory APR.

2. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card card features unlimited 3% cash back on entertainment, dining, grocery stores, and streaming services as well as even higher cash back rates on other categories and a 1% base rate.

It also offers travel benefits like travel accident insurance, $0 fraud liability for unauthorized use, and no annual fee. It offers a 0% intro on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then 18.99% - 28.99% (Variable) APR and requires good to excellent credit.

3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card you will earn 5x points for travel purchases made through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on other travel purchases. Plus 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases during the first 3 months. You’ll also earn 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.

This card comes with travel and purchase protection, baggage delay insurance, travel assistance, and other benefits. However, it has a $95 annual fee, 19.99% - 28.24% Variable APR, and up to a $40 late payment fee.

The Best Way to Use the Simplicity Card Abroad

The Simplicity Card comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee. But its introductory APR can be useful for those looking to save money on interest while also traveling. It also has no annual or late fees, which many no-foreign-transaction-fee cards have.

It’s worth checking out the Simplicity Card’s benefits for international and domestic use. This can help you make an informed decision, even if you ultimately go with another credit card.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.