Do you consider yourself an expat looking to maximize your travels and put more money back in your pocket? You’ve come to the right place. We understand that making sense of foreign credit systems and financial exchanges can be daunting, so we’re here to help you find the best credit cards for expats.
With these specialized cards, you can enjoy fantastic rewards and added features such as global acceptance, online account management tools, and insurance coverage – all designed specifically for frequent globe-trotters like yourself. Read on to discover our top picks for the best credit cards available in 2019!
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire is a great option for frequent travelers, offering 3X points on travel and dining and access to over 1,000 airport lounges. You also get 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Redeem your points for flights or hotels and enjoy perks such as no foreign transaction fees and free travel protection. And if you’re a fan of Uber, this card even offers up to $200 in annual Uber credits.
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best credit cards for expats who love to eat out. You can maximize your rewards with 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
You get 35,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Regarding travel benefits, this card offers access to premium features such as an extended warranty, car rental loss and damage insurance, and up to $100 in statement credits for airline fees each year.
Citi® Double Cash Card
The Citi® Double Cash Card is another great option for expats looking to maximize their rewards. With this card, you’ll earn 2% cash back on every purchase – 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay your bill.
You’ll also get 0% introductory APR for the first 18 months (then a variable rate), no annual fee, and access to Citi® Private Pass, which provides exclusive access to concerts, sporting events, dining experiences, and more.
Additionally, this card has no foreign transaction fees, so you can save money when you travel abroad.
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card offers another great option for expats to maximize their rewards. With this card, you’ll get 1.25 miles for every dollar spent and a 20,000-mile bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
You can redeem your miles for travel purchases or cash-back statement credits.
Plus, this card has no annual fee and a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a variable rate). And there’s no foreign transaction fee, so you can save money when traveling abroad.
Barclays Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard®
The Barclays Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard® is a fantastic choice for expats looking to maximize their rewards. With this card, you’ll get up to 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, 25% bonus miles when you redeem travel statement credits, and a 40,000-mile bonus after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
You can access up to $100 in statement credits annually for select airline fees.
This card has no foreign transaction fees, so you can save money when traveling abroad. And it provides superior benefits such as travel insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and access to exclusive events.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is another great option for expats looking to maximize their rewards.
With this card, you’ll earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases and a 20,000-point bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. Plus, you can redeem your points for travel statement credits, cash back, or gift cards.
This card also offers no foreign transaction fees and access to several added benefits such as free FICO® Credit Score, online banking, and mobile deposit. And with the Preferred Rewards program, you can get exclusive rewards such as bonus points and other perks.
Discover it® Miles
The Discover it® Miles is a great choice for expats looking to maximize their rewards. With this card, you’ll get 1.5 miles on every dollar spent and unlimited miles that don't expire. Plus, you get a one-time bonus of 10,000 miles when you spend $500 in the first three months of account opening.
You can redeem your miles as a statement credit to cover any travel purchase or earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter.
And there’s no foreign transaction fee – so you can save money when traveling abroad. This card comes with fraud protection and even works with Apple Pay®!
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the ultimate credit card for expats who want to enjoy all the luxury travel benefits. With this card, you’ll get 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel and access to exclusive events and experiences.
You’ll get up to $200 in statement credits annually for airline fees.
Regarding travel benefits, this card offers access to premium features such as an extended warranty, car rental loss, damage insurance, and up to $100 in statement credits for hotel stays each year.
And there’s no foreign transaction fee – so you can save money when traveling abroad. And with access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, you’ll always have a place to relax between flights.
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
It is an excellent choice for ex-pats who want to enjoy all the luxury travel benefits. With this card, you’ll earn 3X points per dollar spent on eligible travel and mobile wallet purchases and 12X points on hotels booked through U.S. Bank Travel Rewards program.
Plus, you get a 50,000-point bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.
Regarding travel benefits, this card offers up to $325 in statement credits each year for travel-related purchases such as airfare and hotel stays.
Plus, you’ll get free access to Priority Pass Select airport lounges worldwide with no foreign transaction fees, so you can save money when traveling abroad. And with access to U.S. Bank’s exclusive Concierge service, you’ll always have personal assistance at your fingertips.
FAQs
Are there any reward programs for ex-pats?
Yes! Many credit cards offer special rewards programs for ex-pats, such as bonus points, cash back, and more. For example, the Citi® Double Cash Card earns 2% cash back on every purchase, while the Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card offers 1.25 miles per dollar spent and a 20,000-mile bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
How do I find the best credit card for me?
The best credit card depends on your spending habits and travel goals. Consider rewards, fees, benefits, and other features to determine which card best suits your needs. You can also read reviews from customer experiences to help narrow down the options.
What is the best credit card for international travel?
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a great option for international travelers. This card offers 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, access to exclusive events and experiences, and up to $200 in statement credits annually for airline fees.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for ex-pats is an important decision. With careful research and consideration of your needs, you can find a card that rewards you with great benefits and features tailored to your lifestyle. Whether it’s miles, cash back, or travel statement credits, there’s sure to be a card out there that meets your needs and helps you maximize your rewards.
By taking the time to research and compare credit cards for ex-pats, you can save money while enjoying all the benefits of luxury travel. So start looking today, and make the most of your travels!
