Traveling abroad is an exciting prospect, often entailing the opportunity to explore new cultures, experience different ways of life, and gain unique perspectives. But while international travel can be a wonderful experience, it also comes with financial considerations, such as managing currency exchange rates and finding the best credit cards for your needs.
Choosing the right card is important to get shopping and dining discounts abroad while avoiding added fees like foreign transaction fees or high annual purchases.
In this blog post–"Best Credit Cards for International Travel,"–we will look at some of the top cards that offer great benefits without charging extra fees when used overseas. We'll also discuss features you should consider when selecting a card so that you can ensure smooth transactions on your upcoming journey!
Best General Purpose International Travel Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular cards for international travel. It offers a great rewards system and no foreign transaction fees, making it attractive to globetrotters. The card also comes with 2x points per dollar has spent on all dining and travel purchases, plus 1 point per dollar elsewhere. Plus, you can earn bonus points when you use the card for certain purchases.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- 2x points per dollar have been spent on dining and travel purchases
- Bonus points for certain purchases
Cons
- Annual fee of $95
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is another great option for international travel. You can earn miles on every purchase with no foreign transaction fees. Plus, the card has a generous welcome bonus of 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 2 miles on all purchases
- Welcome bonus of 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months
Cons
- Annual fee of $95
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a great option for younger travelers. The card offers no foreign transaction fees and an introductory bonus of 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. You can also earn 1.5 points per dollar has spent on all purchases.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent
- Welcome bonus of 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
Cons
- No rewards for travel purchases
Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees and allows you to earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. No minimum cash back is required to redeem so you can redeem anytime. The card also has a $39 annual fee.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- No minimum cash back required to redeem
Cons
- Annual fee of $39
Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees and allows you to earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. No minimum cash back is required to redeem so you can redeem anytime. The card also has a $39 annual fee.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- No minimum cash back required to redeem
Cons
- Annual fee of $39
Discover it® Miles Credit Card
The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great option for international travel. The card has no annual or foreign transaction fees, so you can earn miles on every purchase without worrying about added costs. Plus, the card offers an introductory bonus of double miles in your first year (up to 10,000 miles).
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- Introductory bonus of double miles in your first year (up to 10,000 miles)
Cons
- Low rewards rate at 1.5x miles per dollar have spent on all purchases
Citi® Double Cash Card
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a great option for those who want to earn cash back without paying extra fees. The card charges no foreign transaction fees and offers an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, plus another 1% when you pay those purchases off.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 1% cash back on all purchases, plus another 1% when you pay them off
- No annual fee
Cons
- Low rewards rate at 1% cash back per dollar has spent on all purchases
Citi Rewards℠ Card
The Citi Rewards℠ Card is a great option for those who travel internationally but want to earn rewards. The card has no foreign transaction fees and offers extra points at supermarkets and gas stations, up to $6,000 in yearly purchases. Plus, the card has an introductory bonus of 15,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn extra points at supermarkets and gas stations up to $6,000 per year
- Introductory bonus of 15,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months
Cons
- Low rewards rate at 2x points per dollar has spent on all purchases up to $6,000 per year
12 U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is a great option for those who want to earn rewards on their international travel purchases. The card has no foreign transaction fees and offers unlimited 2x points per dollar has spent on eligible travel and dining purchases. Plus, the card has a welcome bonus of 25,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 2x points per dollar has spent on eligible travel and dining purchases.
- Welcome bonus of 25,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
Cons
- Annual fee of $95
Things to Consider When Choosing an International Credit Card
When choosing a credit card for international travel, consider a few things. First, look for cards with no foreign and low annual transaction fees. Secondly, find one with a generous rewards program to maximize your cash back or miles earned. Finally, check if the card offers special benefits like dining discounts or welcome bonuses. Here are some additional points to consider as I continue to inform readers professionally and engagingly:
Payment network: For use abroad, choose a card that operates on a major payment network like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. These networks are widely accepted around the world. Some cards may operate on more than one network, providing maximum acceptance.
FAQs
Can I use my credit card overseas?
You can use your credit card overseas on a major payment network like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. However, you should check with your issuer to make sure that the card does not have any foreign transaction fees associated with it.
How do I earn rewards on international purchases?
You can earn rewards on international purchases with a credit card by using one that offers generous cash back or points for every purchase you make. Look for cards with no foreign transaction fees and bonus points for certain purchases, such as dining or travel.
What features should I look for when selecting an international travel credit card?
When selecting a card for international travel, look for features like no foreign transaction fees, low annual fees, a generous rewards program, and special benefits like dining discounts or welcome bonuses. Read the fine print so you know what you're getting into.
Conclusion
When selecting a credit card for international travel, weigh the pros and cons of each option. Consider factors such as no foreign transaction fees, low annual fees, generous rewards programs, and special benefits like dining discounts or welcome bonuses. You can find the best card for your upcoming journey by researching and considering these features!
