When traveling abroad, what you pack in your wallet matters as much as what you pack in your luggage.
The approach to both should be the same: Keep it simple and practical. You’ll want at least one credit card that charges no foreign transaction fees, one that earns bonus points on travel, another that offers travel insurance and rental car coverage, and a fourth that gets me hotel elite status benefits.
Regardless of where your next trip takes you, this guide will run through nine credit cards for international travel that will serve you well on your travels abroad.
A card with no foreign transaction fees
When traveling internationally, you should have at least one card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. You’re bound to make purchases abroad, so why pay an (up to) 3% fee every time you swipe your card? In many cases, these fees will negate the rewards you’ll earn, defeating the purpose of using a credit card for international travel to begin with.
Nowadays, most travel rewards credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, but a few everyday cards do not. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are popular no-annual-fee cards that charge a 3% transaction fee when you use them abroad. Double-check your favorite rewards cards and ensure they do not impose foreign transaction fees. Here are some of our favorite card picks in this category:
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card and the Capital One Savor has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
A card that earns bonus points on travel
If you’re going to travel anywhere, you’ll need a travel rewards card that earns a sufficient number of points. After all, you’ll spend a lot on hotel charges, restaurants, transportation and more. A travel rewards card can help you get as many as 10 points per dollar on these purchases.
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While it’s easy to go for the card with the highest travel bonus, you’ll want to consider a few other factors. Namely, you’ll want a card that protects your travel purchases.
A card that offers travel protection
When you’re traveling abroad, a lot can happen. Your travel plans may unexpectedly change, and if you don’t have travel insurance, you could be in a tough spot. Luckily, you don’t need to purchase travel protection coverage every time you travel if you have the right credit card for international travel.
Be sure to bring along a card that offers travel protection, including trip cancellation/interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Remember that coverage may be restricted, depending on where you live or your travel destination.
Related: When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections
A card that offers primary rental car coverage
Rental car coverage is crucial, especially when you’re traveling abroad. The last thing you want is to get into a fender bender and get hit with a higher insurance premium. You can buy primary coverage at the rental counter or get it for free using a card that offers primary rental car coverage, such as:
A card that offers airport lounge access
Traveling abroad means spending quite a bit of time at the airport. You need to arrive several hours before departure and will probably have a few hours to spare. An airport lounge is a great place to pass the time and grab a snack before a flight.
Luckily, many premium credit cards offer lounge access, although you can also score day passes with a card like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Enrollment required for select benefits.
So what’s the best card for international lounge access? That depends on various factors, but The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the most comprehensive network. You not only get Priority Pass Select membership, but you can also visit lounges within the exclusive Centurion lounge network. Just note that this card won’t give you access to Priority Pass restaurants.
A card that offers hotel elite status benefits
Having hotel elite status abroad is incredibly valuable. You’ll not only earn more points on your hotel stays, but you’ll also save money via perks such as free breakfast and club lounge access. As an elite member, you’ll also qualify for room upgrades, which can be great in places where hotel rooms tend to be smaller (looking at you, Europe). With the right hotel credit card, you can get top-tier status outright or spend your way there.
A card that offers Global Entry fee credits
Forget long customs lines when you return to the U.S. Rather than spending an hour in line, you can skip over to the Global Entry kiosk and get through in a matter of minutes.
If you want a smooth experience (and no lines) when returning from your trip abroad, the $100 Global Entry application fee (including TSA PreCheck) is well worth it. Better yet, get yourself a credit card that offers a Global Entry fee credit and put that $100 toward its annual fee. You’ll get a nice welcome bonus and your Global Entry application fee covered. These credits get renewed up to every five years in time for your renewal application.
Related: 14 things you should know about Global Entry before your next trip
A card that offers travel credits
Things can get expensive when traveling abroad, but you might be covered if you carry a premium credit card in your wallet. Many of these cards offer annual travel credits that are either airline/hotel specific, or you can use them for virtually anything.
If you have one of these cards in your wallet, you’ll want to pack it for your trip abroad to put that annual credit to use and lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
A debit card that waives international ATM fees
Credit cards aren’t as widely accepted abroad as in the U.S. It’s not just off-the-beaten-path destinations where you’ll need to carry cash – I’ve encountered merchants in fairly large European cities that did not accept credit cards. You might find yourself short on cash, so a trip to the ATM will be necessary.
That’s why bringing a debit card that charges no international ATM fees when you use it abroad is so important. The Charles Schwab debit card is a great option because it carries no fees whatsoever and reimburses all international ATM fees. You can even use the card for purchases since it charges no foreign transaction fees.
- Capital One debit card – Requires a Capital One 360 checking account
- Charles Schwab debit card – Requires opening a Schwab Bank High Yield Investor checking account
- Fidelity Visa Gold Check Card – Requires a Fidelity Cash Management Account
- SoFi Money debit card – Requires a SoFi Money account
The information for the Capital One debit, Charles Schwab, Fidelity Visa Gold Check and SoFi Money debit cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: 5 cards I take with me on every trip abroad
FAQs
Which cards are best for travel abroad?
The best credit cards for international travel are the most widely accepted and offer robust rewards, travel protection and benefits. While there is no single perfect card that fits everyone’s travel needs, the Chase Sapphire Reserve checks off the most boxes. As a Visa card, it’s also more widely accepted than Amex cards — but with a $550 annual fee.
For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great pick. It has a $95 annual fee and offers (secondary) rental car coverage and a Global Entry application fee credit every four years. Not only can you offset most of your travel expenses by charging them to this card and redeeming your Capital One miles for 1 cent per mile, but you can also transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners.
Do I need a card with a chip-and-pin?
Chip-and-pin credit cards are popular throughout Europe, so you may want one in your wallet if you travel abroad. The good news is that many popular reward credit cards are already chip-and-pin enabled, so you may not have to go through the hassle of finding another card to apply for. Many merchants now offer contactless pay (services like Apple Pay).
What are foreign transaction fees?
Some credit cards impose foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. These fees are usually around 3%. We’re all about saving on travel, so avoiding another 3% charge on top of all your travel spending would be ideal. Get yourself a rewards card without foreign transaction fees, and you won’t have to worry about this added expense.
Do I need to let my card issuer know if I’m traveling abroad?
You don’t have to let your card issuer know you’re traveling abroad, but it’s a good idea to do so. That way, you minimize the risk of your purchases being declined abroad. Some banks allow you to submit travel notices online, while others require you to call and speak to a representative. Provide a list of countries you plan on visiting, and your account will be notated. Abnormal transactions may still get flagged, but this way, you reduce the chances of your purchases being declined.
Bottom line
Now is a great time to plan your next trip by saving up transferable rewards and making sure you have the right credit cards for international travel in your wallet. You’ll save money, earn more points and enjoy a better travel experience. Whichever card combination you pick, make sure it covers all the criteria outlined above.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire card, 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.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Stella Shon.
