Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of 2023
Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of 2023
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best $0-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, offering top-notch value, robust travel coverage and plenty of perks.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Citi is an advertising partner.
Top no-foreign-transaction-fee cards of 2023
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express® Gold Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
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You jet off to Paris, Tokyo or Zanzibar on a dream vacation and pay for everything with your credit card. When you get home, you log in to your account and spot a slew of surprise fees that add up to more than the fancy dinner you splurged on during your trip.
Many travelers find themselves in this unfortunate situation after using a credit card with foreign transaction fees on a trip abroad. But is there a credit card with no foreign transaction fee? In fact, there are many credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, so you can pick the right card for you based on your travel style, financial goals and desired card features.
Compare the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards of 2023
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| Annual Fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 
| One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 660 - 850 | $0 | Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure Website |
The Platinum Card® from American Express 
| Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 660 - 850 | $695 See Rates & Fees. | Apply Now
See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply. On American Express' Secure Website |
American Express® Gold Card 
| 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. | 660 - 850 | $250 See Rates & Fees. | Apply Now
See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply. On American Express' Secure Website |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 
| 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 | 660 - 850 | $95 | Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure Website |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card 
| Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 660 - 850 | $0 | Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure Website |
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card 
| Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value | 660 - 850 | $0 | Apply Now
See Rates & Fees. On Wells Fargo's Secure Website |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students 
| 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases | 660 - 850 | $0 | Not available on ValuePenguin |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card 
| No bonus | 0 - 600 | $0 | Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure Website |
View more cards
Best travel card with no foreign transaction fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a winner because it comes with $0 foreign transaction fees and offers valuable rewards, loads of flexibility, and a full slate of travel coverage and perks. Its $95 annual fee makes it more affordable than many premium travel credit cards, and its rich rewards-earning structure with multiple bonus categories lets users rack up valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points with ease.
Best cashback card with no foreign transaction fee
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
$0
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
660 - 850
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74%-29.74% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the best cashback credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. The card is perfect for travelers who prefer cash back to points or miles and still want to be able to use their favorite card on trips abroad.
The value of the welcome bonus isn't the highest on the market, but the minimum spending required to earn it is also low — only $500, which puts it within reach of travelers on a budget. The card also stands out for its simple earnings structure with no bonus categories to track. You get an unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), and you can redeem your rewards in any amount any time.
Best no foreign transaction fee card for luxury travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
660 - 850
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a fully-loaded card perfect for luxury travelers who want all the benefits that make travel more comfortable and convenient. In addition to no foreign transaction fees, this card has a generous welcome offer, a lucrative rewards rate and the best airport lounge benefit among all travel cards. While it comes with a very high annual fee, the card also offers annual credits worth up to $1,500 that can help cancel out that fee.
Best no foreign transaction fee card for dining
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
660 - 850
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
For rates and fees of American Express® Gold Card, please click here
The American Express® Gold Card is a great international card for foodies, home cooks and travelers who love to dine out frequently, as well as a top card with no foreign transaction fees. The card offers a top-tier rewards earnings structure for food, including U.S. supermarket purchases and restaurants worldwide. Cardholders also get up to $120 ($10 monthly) toward U.S. Uber rides and eats when they add the card to the Uber app, and up to $120 ($10 monthly) in credits toward select dining purchases (enrollment required).
Best no foreign transaction fee credit card for simplicity
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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
$95
20.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
660 - 850
- 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 the 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
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with no foreign transaction fees as well as a straightforward rewards-earning structure, a solid welcome bonus and an array of travel perks. For example, cardholders qualify for a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership as well as two free visits to Capital One airport lounges each year. When it comes to flexibility, cardholders can use their miles for travel through Capital One or point transfers with more than 15 airline and hotel transfer partners.
Best no foreign transaction fee credit card with an intro APR
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
$0
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
660 - 850
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
On top of no foreign transaction fees, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card boasts a juicy rewards earnings structure focused on food and entertainment. It also features an APR of 0% intro on purchases for 15 months, followed by an APR of 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable) — this could make a great option for financing your next trip at 0%.
Best business credit card with no foreign transaction fee
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Chase Business Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a good choice for small business owners who travel internationally. The card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which can be used for gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, travel through Chase, or even 1:1 transfers to the brand's airline and hotel partners. This business credit card also comes with decent travel and purchase coverage that can provide an extra layer of protection when you travel.
Best credit card with no foreign transaction fee and no annual fee
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
$0
19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR
660 - 850
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR thereafter
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions.
Best credit card for students with no foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
$0
See Terms
660 - 850
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is one of the best credit cards for students with no foreign transaction fee, due to its generous rewards rate and sign-up bonus with $0 annual fee. The card is very similar to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, but aimed toward students who have thin or no credit files and are building credit. An intro APR for purchases and eligible balance transfers makes this offer even more attractive for students who are trying to keep costs down while building credit history.
Best no foreign transaction fee card for poor credit
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
No bonus
$0
29.99% (Variable)
0 - 600
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Building your credit? Using the Capital One Platinum Secured card responsibly could help
- Put down a refundable security deposit starting at $49 to get a $200 initial credit line
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking to access your account from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a good choice for cardholders who are building or rebuilding credit and want a card with no foreign transaction fees. This card lets you get started building credit with a minimum security deposit as low as $49, and there's $0 annual fee to boot. You can even see if you're pre-approved on the Capital One website with no impact to your credit score.
What is a foreign transaction fee?
A foreign transaction fee is a charge of 1% to 3% of the cost that some credit cards tack on to purchases made outside of the United States. Many credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee on any purchase that is either:
- Charged in a foreign currency
- Made from a merchant located outside the United States, or
- Routed through a foreign bank
A foreign transaction fee usually is reflected on your statement as a single fee for each transaction. But it's actually split into two parts:
- A network or currency conversion fee charged by the card network, such as Visa or Mastercard (typically 1%)
- An issuing bank fee charged by the issuing bank, such as Citi or Chase (typically 2%)
Some travel credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, meaning they don't charge you a fee and may even cover that 1% fee charged by the networks so you pay zero foreign transaction fees. If you're planning any international trips, it's a good idea to have a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees in your wallet.
Currency conversion vs. foreign transaction fees
What is currency conversion, and is it different from a foreign transaction fee? A currency conversion happens when a bank or merchant converts the total of your purchase from local currency to U.S. dollars. The cost to have your card company make the conversion is generally included as part of the foreign transaction fee (see above) charged by the card network.
When you're traveling outside the United States, a merchant may ask if you want your purchase charged in U.S. dollars. This seems like a helpful offer, but you should generally say no. This process, known as dynamic currency conversion, usually comes with a bad exchange rate, which will probably cost you more than letting your credit card company make the conversion. Worse, if you say yes, you might still pay a foreign transaction fee if your card charges these fees.
How much are foreign transaction fees?
Of all cards we surveyed, 3% is the most common foreign transaction fee charged.
That means that when you make purchases with your card outside the United States using a card that charges a foreign transaction fee, you could add 3% to the cost of your trip.
Let's say you spend 10 days in Europe and spend $5,000 on hotel stays, restaurants, tours and incidentals like bottled water and snacks during your trip. If your card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase, that will add $150 to the cost of your trip.
Here's a chart of typical foreign transaction fees on popular credit cards:
Issuer | Typical foreign transaction fee |
|---|---|
| American Express | 2.70% |
| Bank of America | 3% |
| Barclays | 3% |
How to avoid foreign transaction fees
With a little planning ahead, it's easy to avoid foreign transaction fees by choosing the right credit card. Make sure to read the fine print to verify that the card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
Try to shop around and apply for a no-foreign-transaction-fee card a few months before you travel. Then make sure to use only that card while you're out of the country.
If you really want to avoid these pesky fees, it's a good idea to have a backup card of a different type just in case your card gets lost or stolen or isn't accepted at a certain merchant. For example, if your main card is a Visa it might also be a good idea to have a Mastercard that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. Check to see which card networks are most commonly accepted where you're traveling.
No foreign transaction fee credit cards (samples)
American Express
Bank of America
Barclays
Capital One
Chase
Citibank
U.S. Bank
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (See rates and fees)*
- American Express® Gold Card (See rates and fees)*
- American Express® Green Card*
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (See rates and fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See rates and fees)
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (See rates and fees)
American Express
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (See rates and fees)*
- American Express® Gold Card (See rates and fees)*
- American Express® Green Card*
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (See rates and fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See rates and fees)
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (See rates and fees)
Bank of America
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
Barclays
- Hawaiian Airlines® Business MasterCard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver World Elite Mastercard®
- JetBlue Business Card
Capital One
Chase
- Chase Business Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- United℠ Explorer Card
- United Club℠ Infinite Card
- British Airways Visa Signature® Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
- World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Citibank
U.S. Bank
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
*Unlike most credit cards, the The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card and American Express® Green Card allow you to carry a balance for some purchases, but not all.
How to choose the best no foreign transaction fee credit card
The best credit cards for international travel all have one thing in common: no foreign transaction fees. But simply not charging foreign transaction fees is not reason enough to pick a card. There are enough credit cards that don't charge international fees that you can make your pick based on your financial goals, the types of travel you enjoy and the benefits you seek.
Here are other factors to take into account when choosing the best no foreign transaction fee credit card for you:
Rewards
A rewards card can help you score points, miles or cash back for a free vacation. Consider these factors when choosing a rewards card:
- Types of rewards: First ask yourself this question: do you prefer airline miles, cash back or flexible travel points?
- Types of bonus categories: Look for a card that will allow you to maximize your rewards based on your own spending habits — for example, one that has bonus categories in areas where you spend a lot — and will allow you to redeem the rewards in a way that maximizes their value. (Hint: it's best to choose a card that lets you transfer your points to travel partners.)
The rewards structure will determine how much you can earn and how quickly you can rack up enough cash, points or miles to pay for your next trip.
Annual fee
Many travel cards charge an annual fee, but you can find no-annual-fee cards that also don't charge foreign transaction fees. There's usually a tradeoff: Cards with no annual fee tend to have fewer benefits but may be ideal for infrequent travelers. Cards with annual fees tend to be loaded with more benefits, so frequent travelers may find they get much more value from the perks than what they pay to hold the card each year.
Acceptance
It's important to think about where you plan to travel and which cards are accepted there. Depending on the part of the world, you could find that your Amex, Mastercard or Visa isn't accepted at most businesses. If you don't have a backup, this could force you to pull out a different card that charges a foreign transaction fee, costing you hundreds of dollars. So consider acceptance and get a backup no foreign transaction fee card if possible.
Travel insurance
The right card with travel insurance could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars by offering coverage for common travel debacles like trips canceled at the last minute because you got sick or bags that get lost or delayed, forcing you to go out and buy new clothes and toiletries for your trip. Getting a card that includes at least basic travel coverage may be worthwhile for all travelers.
Other travel perks
Does the card offer free checked bags, priority boarding and other travel benefits? This may make your trip a little more comfortable and save you a considerable amount of money on baggage fees. Think about which travel perks you'll use, and try to get a card that offers these benefits. As an alternative, you could buy your plane tickets on a card that offers these perks and then use a different foreign-transaction-fee-free card when you reach your destination.
Chip and Pin cards
Depending on where you plan to travel, you may want to look for a card that uses chip-and-PIN technology. Some countries use chip-and-PIN infrastructure, meaning that you may be required to enter a PIN at the point of sale for some purchases, like you would with a debit card, rather than signing a receipt. (Some merchants may still ask you to sign a receipt instead.) The United States is using a chip and signature infrastructure, so check your travel destination to make sure your chosen U.S. card will work.
So, now you're ready to choose an international credit card. Start by checking out our list of credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees. If you don't see one that suits you, check out some cards from other banks.
For example, one U.S. bank credit card with no foreign transaction fees is the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card.
If you're more of a credit union person, you can also find credit union credit cards with no foreign transaction fee. For example, you may want to consider the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express Card from PenFed Credit Union, which is known for stellar customer service.
Do credit cards offer good exchange rates?
Credit cards generally offer favorable exchange rates, as you can see in the chart below. It's much better to allow your credit card to convert your purchase to U.S. dollars rather than taking up an offer from a merchant who might offer a much worse exchange rate.
Company | EUR-to-USD exchange rate* | Markup |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party website | 1.173 | N/A |
| Mastercard | 1.175 | 0.17% |
| Visa | 1.175 | 0.17% |
Tips for using a credit card for foreign travel
Want to know how to use a credit card abroad without getting blindsided by sneaky international fees? Here are five tips for using credit cards abroad:
- Check acceptance. Before shopping for a no foreign transaction fee credit card, think about where you plan to travel and research what kinds of cards are most widely accepted in that part of the world. A card with no foreign transaction fees won't do you much good if you can't use it to make purchases at your destination.
- Shop around for the best travel card. Pick the best card for you based on your style of travel, financial goals, rewards earning goals and desired card features. Browse the best credit card offers with no foreign transaction fee to find the right match for you. Taking time to find the right card can save you money and give you peace of mind on your trips.
- Consider getting a backup card just in case. It may be a good idea to have a backup card that also doesn't charge these fees in case a merchant at your destination doesn't accept a certain type of card. This can also be helpful if your main card gets lost or stolen.
- Say no to retailers who offer to charge you in U.S. dollars. Known as dynamic currency conversion, this practice almost always results in unfavorable exchange rates that cost you more than if you make the purchase in the local currency.
- Get a debit card that refunds ATM fees. If you want to avoid international bank fees, think beyond your credit card to your debit card. Get a debit card that doesn't charge fees to use other banks' ATMs and will refund you any ATM fees charged by foreign banks. Consider opening a high yield investor checking account with Schwab, our pick for the best bank for international ATM use.
Follow these tips for using a credit card for foreign travel, and you should be able to avoid getting hit with surprise international fees after your next trip abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Our top pick for the best credit card for international transactions is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card charges $0 foreign transaction fees, has a generous rewards-earning structure and offers a full slate of travel insurance coverage. It does charge an annual fee, but the welcome bonus and benefits more than make up for the cost.
Most banks charge foreign transaction fees on at least some of their credit cards. Chase is a good example: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card charges $0 foreign transaction fees while the Chase Freedom cards do have international transaction fees. The Chase Freedom foreign transaction fee is 3%. However, there are some banks that have no foreign transaction fees on any credit cards, such as Capital One and Discover.
American Express charges foreign transaction fee of up to 2.7% on some of its cards. Amex does offer cards with no foreign transaction fees, including the The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card and American Express® Green Card.
Capital One does not charge foreign transaction fees on any of its cards. If you want to make a purchase abroad without paying a foreign transaction fee and you have a Capital One card in your wallet, you're in luck.
Yes, the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer does have foreign transaction fees. Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency. The fee is 3% of the purchase amount total after conversion to U.S. dollars. But there are other Citi cards with no foreign transaction fees.
Discover does not charge any foreign transaction fees. That means no Discover it cards have foreign transaction fees, including the cash back and student cards. You may want to use this Discover international acceptance checker to check to see if the card is accepted at your destination. And if you use a Discover card as your primary card, you may want to carry a Visa or Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fees as a backup.
Banks charge processing fees and other fees in order to make money from merchants and cardholders. Foreign transaction fees and other fees such as annual fees, late fees and over-limit fees allow the bank to make a profit. As a customer, it's smart to look at your own card use patterns and check the fees that a card issuer charges before you open and use a card.
Foreign transaction fees are tax-deductible in some cases. Talk to your accountant or tax preparer, but generally, foreign transaction fees are tax-deductible when they're charged as part of a business expense.
Some debit cards charge a foreign transaction fee. Check the fine print on your debit card agreement to see if yours charges a foreign transaction fee for purchases. Many banks also charge international ATM fees for cash withdrawals in a foreign country.
Methodology
To make choosing the right card easier, we've looked at credit cards reviewed on ValuePenguin, as well as cards on major issuer sites, to compile a list of the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards available right now. Our recommendations are based on the additional value you can earn with these cards. We primarily considered rewards value, the cost of ownership and the value of benefits like travel and purchase protections, lounge membership and airline companion passes.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here
For rates and fees of American Express® Gold Card, please click here
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here
For rates and fees of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please click here
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, United℠ Explorer Card, United Club℠ Infinite Card, British Airways Visa Signature® Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, World of Hyatt Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been independently collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
The information related to Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card, Hawaiian Airlines® Business MasterCard®, AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver World Elite Mastercard®, JetBlue Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, British Airways Visa Signature® Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, Expedia® Rewards Voyager Card from Citi, PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express Card, CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, American Express® Green Card, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, Hawaiian Airlines® Business MasterCard®, Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus, Expedia® Rewards Voyager Card from Citi, CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card and PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express Card has been independently collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply to American Express credit card offers. See americanexpress.com for more information.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
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How We Calculate Rewards: ValuePenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points, miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees. These estimates here are ValuePenguin's alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer.
Example of how we calculate the rewards rates: When redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred points are worth $0.0125 each. The card awards 2 points on travel and dining and 1 point on everything else. Therefore, we say the card has a 2.5% rewards rate on dining and travel (2 x $0.0125) and a 1.25% rewards rate on everything else (1 x $0.0125).