Easy Long Term Visa to Get Abroad
Plan to use a credit card overseas? You'll save money---and headaches---by packing the right plastic. The best credit card for international travel is a chip-enabled Visa or Mastercard that does not charge foreign currency transaction fees.
Going abroad today is easier than ever, especially if you've got the flexibility to make your travel arrangements at the last minute to get some of the great deals that are around with airlines, hotels, and car rentals.
And with the holidays and New Years behind us, I know a lot of us are planning and thinking about the next time we are going to pack up and head out on our next trip.
Whether you're simply crossing the border to Canada or Mexico, or heading to Europe, Asia or elsewhere around the globe, the best credit cards for international travel are accepted nearly everywhere and do not charge foreign currency transaction fees—sometimes called FX fees.
Even better, some offer 24/7 international concierge service. Here are our picks—all require excellent credit:
Overview of the best credit cards for international travel
| Card | Best for |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best for large sign-up bonus |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Best for strong rewards program |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | Best for straightforward rewards with no annual fee |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | Best for small business owners |
Best credit cards for international travel – no foreign transaction fee
In A Nutshell
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card sets the standard for travel rewards by offering an excellent 5x points on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on dining and 2x points on all other travel purchases. And points are worth 25% more when you redeem travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® – That means the killer 60,000 point sign-up bonus is worth $750 towards travel.
Read review
Poor 500-599
Fair 600-699
Good 700-749
Excellent 750-850
What We Like:
-
A monster of an up-front bonus; 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
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5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, plus more.
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Points are worth 25% more when you redeem travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Regular APR
18.24% - 25.24% Variable
Intro APR
Intro APR Purchases N/A , 0 months
Intro APR Balance Transfers N/A , 0 months
Apply Now >>
If you have excellent credit, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the must-have card for any serious traveler and also an excellent choice for anyone heading abroad. It has a $95 annual fee—still well worth it if you'll do a bit of spending on the card. It has no foreign transaction fees, plus chip-enabled for enhanced security and wider acceptance when used at a chip card reader.
Best yet, Sapphire's points-based travel rewards program quickly earns you free travel. You'll earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, & 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
When redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, these points can be traded via 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs. Or, you can get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 10,000 points are worth $125 toward travel. Those points are also worth $100 in cash, if you prefer not to spend your points on travel.
This card also has an award-winning 24/7 dedicated customer service line that can come in handy while you're traveling.
There's also a generous bonus for new cardmembers: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or read our full review
In A Nutshell
Capital One's leading product is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and it shows. A one-time 75,000 mile bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months is flat out AWESOME, and 2X miles per dollar spent is about as good as it gets with a travel rewards credit card.
Read review
Poor 500-599
Fair 600-699
Good 700-749
Excellent 750-850
What We Like:
-
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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2X miles earned for $1 spent on all purchases
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Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- 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
- 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 $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through our Partner Lounge Network
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Regular APR
17.49% - 25.49% (Variable)
Intro APR
Intro APR Purchases N/A , N/A
Intro APR Balance Transfers N/A , N/A
Apply Now >>
For years, the Capital One Venture and VentureOne Rewards Credit Cards have been our go-to recommendation for young travelers looking for a credit card to take abroad that offers no foreign transaction fees and a straightforward rewards program.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 2x miles per dollar spent on all purchases that can be redeemed for any travel at any time. Miles don't expire and there's no limit to how much you can earn. As a new cardmember, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The card's annual fee is: $95.
There's also a no annual fee version, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card that earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent on every purchase.
You can read our full review and comparison of the Venture and VentureOne Rewards Credit Cards, but most people will get far more miles by paying the fee and earning 2x miles per dollar spent. You want to consider a different card if you want a no annual fee card for international travel or simply earning miles.
Learn more about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or read our full review
In A Nutshell
The Citi Premier® Card kicks off with a limited-time 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Point intro offer after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. The everyday rewards program offers 3 points per dollar spent in a variety of categories and has no foreign transaction fees.
Read review
Poor 500-599
Fair 600-699
Good 700-749
Excellent 750-850
What We Like:
-
Limited Time Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. These points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards at thankyou.com
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Three points per dollar spent at Gas Stations, Supermarkets, Restaurants, Hotels and on Air Travel
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No foreign transaction fees
- For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% - 26.24% (Variable)
Intro APR
Intro APR Purchases N/A , 0 months
Intro APR Balance Transfers N/A , 0 months
Apply Now >>
Opening a Citi Premier® Card is an ideal way to offset the expense of a big upcoming trip.
As soon as you cross the $4,000 spending threshold within the first three months, you'll get 80,000 ThankYou® Points credited to your account, redeemable for $800 in gift cards (when redeemed at thankyou.com). Plus, if you book a hotel stay over $500, the card's Annual Hotel Savings Benefit will immediately comp you $100.
Last but certainly not least, this card's greatest draw is its evergreen 3 points per dollar spent on travel, dining, and hotels, but also on essential categories like gas and supermarket spending. Plus, you'll get 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The Citi Premier® Card's chief drawback is its$95 annual fee.
Learn more about the Citi Premier® Card or read our full review
In A Nutshell
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has a litany of benefits including a 20,000 mile one-time bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months, a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (after which the standard rate of 16.49% – 26.49% Variable applies). A balance transfer fee of 3% applies to amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
Read review
Poor 500-599
Fair 600-699
Good 700-749
Excellent 750-850
What We Like:
-
A one-time bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 in the first three months
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1.25 miles earned on every $1 spent
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No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 16.49% - 26.49% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% (Variable)
Intro APR
Intro APR Purchases 0% , for 15 months
Intro APR Balance Transfers 0% intro on balance transfers , for 15 months
Apply Now >>
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card earns rewards at a lower rate than other cards on this list, but it remains a decent choice for someone looking for a travel rewards credit card with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. If you're not a big spender, you might want to opt for a card like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card instead of a card with a large annual fee you'll struggle to justify.
The card's reward structure is simple, unlike some other cards', which might force the user to keep track of quarterly rewards category. You'll also get a healthy sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles when you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of opening the account, which is a $200 value.
Learn more about the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or read our full review
In A Nutshell
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card blows you away with a 100,000 point bonus after you spend $15,000 in the first three months and keeps you coming back with 3 points per dollar spent on travel and select business categories for the first $150,000 spent each account anniversary year.
Read review
Poor 500-599
Fair 600-699
Good 700-749
Excellent 750-850
What We Like:
-
100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in the first three months (Worth $1,250 in travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®)
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3 points earned per $1 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
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No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Regular APR
18.24% - 23.24% Variable
Intro APR
Intro APR Purchases N/A , 0 months
Intro APR Balance Transfers N/A , 0 months
Apply Now >>
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a great option for small business owners with frequent travel expenses. Cardholders earn an impressive 3x points on all travel spending. They also earn 3x points on categories including shipping, internet, cable, phone, and online advertising on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases, as well as 1x points on all other purchases.
In addition to these rewards, the card also comes with a generous welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points when cardholders spend $15,000 in the first three months. This amounts to a value of $1,250 when borrowers redeem points through travel rewards with Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Another perk for business owners who travel frequently is the absence of foreign transaction fees, meaning you won't incur any additional fees when you use your card internationally. While there is a $95 annual fee, in most cases borrowers will earn much more than that in rewards, meaning that the card more than pays for itself.
Learn more about the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Summary: Best credit cards for international travel
| Card | Sign-up and Miles | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 60,000 sign-up bonus points (worth up to $750 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®) after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. | $95 annual fee |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 2x miles per dollar spent on every purchase. | $95 annual fee |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | 20,000 miles (worth $200 in travel) sign-up bonus after spending $500 in three months. | $0 annual fee |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | 100,000 bonus points when you spend $15,000 in the first three months 3x points on all travel spending, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and online advertising on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases, as well as 1x points on all other purchases | $95 annual fee |
FAQs
Most importantly, you want any credit card for international travel to be accepted everywhere you go. That means a Visa or Mastercard. Although American Express cards are accepted in a lot of places, you will find a lot of merchants that do not accept Amex outside of the United States. You'll be able to use your American Express cards almost anywhere in the world at large hotel chains and other international travel providers, but don't expect to use an Amex at a local restaurant or store. And though Discover cards offer great benefits and some of the lowest foreign currency exchange rates, Discover cards are not widely accepted outside the United States, period.
Yes. Although here in the U.S. we're still getting used to credit cards with "chips" (also known as EMV technology), these chip-enabled cards have been standard in Europe and other parts of the world for years. In the unlikely situation that you still have a credit card without a chip, consider picking up another card to carry overseas—or call your credit card issuer and ask if they'll send you a new version of your card. If you try to use a credit card without a chip overseas, the best-case scenario is that it will work, but you'll get a lot of funny looks. Worst case, the merchant won't be able to accept the card.
Many American credit cards charge foreign currency transaction fees of 2% or 3% on every purchase you make that is not in U.S. dollars. This is what you want to avoid. Any time you spend money in another country you're going to pay something for converting U.S. dollars into the local currency. This is true whether you exchange cash at a money changer, withdraw local currency at an ATM, or make purchases with your credit card. Sometimes, you don't even realize it because the bank simply gives you a less favorable exchange rate and pockets the difference. Other times, they charge you a percentage of the money changed in addition to the hidden profit they earn on the exchange rate. Generally, making purchases on your credit card gives you a better exchange rate than using a money-changing service. But if—and only if—the card doesn't charge a transaction fee. But oh do these fees add up! As an example, let's say you live abroad for a while and charge a total of $5,000. On a card with a 3% transaction fee, that's an extra $150. The best cards for international travel do not charge this fee.
Say you're traveling internationally and you lose your card. How easy will it be to get help from your credit card company? All cards have customer service numbers you can call from abroad, but some cater to international travelers with a slightly higher level of service—offering things like guaranteed live operators and concierges that can help you figure out local travel or make dinner reservations. Our number one pick, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, offers such a concierge service that's designed to help with whatever travel needs you may have—wherever you are in the world.
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About the author
David Weliver
Total Articles: 299
David Weliver is the founder of Money Under 30. He's a cited authority on personal finance and the unique money issues he faced during his first two decades as an adult. He lives in Maine with his wife and two children.
Source: https://www.moneyunder30.com/the-best-credit-card-for-international-travel
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