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- Best Credit Cards for International Travel
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Whether you've caught the travel bug or you go abroad often for work, the best credit cards for international travel will help you save money on fees all while earning valuable rewards and providing travel perks and protections. From big sign-up bonuses and luxury perks to trip insurance and where the card will be worldwide acceptance, here's what you need to know to pick the best credit card for your next international trip.
The Ascent's best credit cards for international travel
- Travel and dining: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Travel and dining: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Restaurants and travel: Citi Premier® Card
- American Airlines frequent flyers: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Premium travel: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- United frequent flyers: United℠ Explorer Card
- No annual fee: Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Great for: Travel and dining
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
With a leading sign-up bonus, the sky’s the limit for this top-rated travel rewards card. Plus, the premium points program for travel and dining make it a no brainer for travel enthusiasts everywhere. Read Full Review
Rewards
2x points on travel and dining, 1x points on all other purchases. 25% more points for travel booked through Chase's portal.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 22.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
60,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Great for: Travel and dining
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
The sign-up bonus, premium rewards for travel & dining, and wide array of valuable travel credits make this a compelling offer that will offset the cost of the annual fee for many. The limited time offer of up to 10x points makes it even more compelling. Read Full Review
Rewards
3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
16.99%-23.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
50,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. From 6/1/20 through 6/30/21, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Earn 3x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services
Great for: Restaurants and travel
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
A solid pick with the recent addition of airlines transfer partners. It's a great fit for earning cash back on a variety of purchases. Read Full Review
Rewards
3x points at restaurants and supermarkets as well as at gas stations, air travel, and hotels, 1x points on all else
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
Welcome Bonus
60,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- NEW! Earn 3 Points at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- NEW! Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 Points are redeemable for $600 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
Great for: American Airlines frequent flyers
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
The rewards program makes this a compelling card to carry with OK earning opportunities beyond just American Airlines purchases. Read Full Review
Rewards
2 miles per $1 for restaurants, gas, and eligible American Airlines purchases
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 24.99%, variable
Welcome Bonus
50,000 miles after spending $2,500 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your cardmembership year and renew your card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Great for: Premium travel
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
The bonus offer, premium travel & dining rewards, and up to $200 in travel-related statement credits make this a compelling offer for travelers who can justify paying an annual fee. Read Full Review
Rewards
2 points per $1 on travel & dining, unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases, 25%-75% more points for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
Annual Fee
$95
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 22.99%, variable
Welcome Bonus
50,000 points after making at least $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
Highlights
- Receive 50,000 online bonus points - a $500 value - after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase
- No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire
- Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center
- Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Credits annually and TSA Pre✓ ®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Low $95 annual fee
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap
Great for: No annual fee
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
No-annual-fee travel cards typically skimp on the sign-up bonus, but this card delivers with its market-leading intro bonus offer, unlimited rewards on purchases, and other wallet-friendly perks. Read Full Review
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, 25%-75% more points for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
25,000 points after making at least $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening
Highlights
- 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
- 0% Introductory APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases. After the intro APR ends, 14.99% - 22.99% Variable APR will apply
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more points on every purchase
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap
Great for: United frequent flyers
United℠ Explorer Card
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
What We Like About The Card
With a big sign up bonus and 2 miles per $1 on restaurants and hotel stays, the miles will accumulate quickly if you're a frequent traveler. Read Full Review
Rewards
2 miles per $1 at restaurants and on hotel stays, eligible food delivery services, and United purchases, 1 mile per $1 on all else
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, $95 after that
Intro APR
Purchases: NA
Balance Transfers: NA
Ongoing APR
16.49% to 23.49%, variable
Welcome Bonus
60,000 miles after spending $3,000 within 3 months, additional 25,000 miles after spending $10,000 within 6 months
Highlights
- 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and on hotel stays.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible delivery services such as GrubHub, Caviar, Seamless and DoorDash
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit.
- 25% back on United inflight purchases.
- Check your first bag for free (a savings of up to $100 per roundtrip) when you use your Card to purchase your ticket.
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
The information related to United℠ Explorer Card has been collected by The Ascent and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Great for: One-card wallet
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
What We Like About The Card
Unlimited 2X miles, TSA Pre✓® credits, and a big, limited time sign-up bonus make this credit card one of the best travel companions on the market. Read Full Review
Rewards
Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases
Annual Fee
$95, annually
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
17.24% - 24.49%, variable
Welcome Bonus
60,000 miles after spending $3,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 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 $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 15+ leading travel loyalty programs
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annually
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is temporarily unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Great for: No annual fee
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
What We Like About The Card
Unlimited 2X miles, TSA Pre✓® credits, and a big, limited time sign-up bonus make this credit card one of the best travel companions on the market. Read Full Review
Rewards
Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases
Annual Fee
$95, annually
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
17.24% - 24.49%, variable
Welcome Bonus
60,000 miles after spending $3,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 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 $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 15+ leading travel loyalty programs
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annually
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is temporarily unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Which credit cards work internationally?
This depends on the credit card network rather than the bank that issued the credit card. American Express cards and Discover cards fall behind the two biggest networks, Visa and Mastercard, in terms of acceptance -- especially outside of the United States. Visa and Mastercard are comparable in terms of acceptance, but Visa is still the most widely issued credit card.
While credit cards are an increasingly popular form of payment around the globe, some credit cards still are more widely accepted than others. It's important to take into consideration where you'll be traveling most frequently -- even the best credit cards for international travel are useless if they aren't accepted in the areas you plan to travel to.
What to look for in a credit card for international travel
The best travel credit cards help you stay on budget while traveling by offering comprehensive benefits and protections. Here are the top features and benefits to look for in the best credit cards for international travel.
- Sign-up bonus: Aim for credit cards with generous sign-up bonuses, but make sure you can meet the minimum spend required to earn the bonus. This will give you a solid boost if you're collecting rewards for an upcoming vacation, as many sign-up bonuses are big enough to cover one (sometimes two) round-trip flights.
- Rewards rate: You also want to pay attention to the rewards rate you'll earn on your regular spending to determine whether or not the credit card brings value past earning the sign-up bonus. Choose credit cards that offer higher rewards rates (think three points per $1 spent on select categories), but also make sure that the bonus spending categories are in line with your spending habits.
- Redemption options: Some travel credit cards let you redeem your points through a travel portal, where you can make a wide variety of travel purchases using points. Sometimes, you can even transfer these points to a number of travel partners, which really increases the flexibility of your redemption options. Others offer statement credits that can be applied to travel-related purchases. Meanwhile, airline-specific credit cards allow you to redeem your miles for flights with that airline. Figure out what your goal in collecting rewards is first, and that will help you decide which redemption options to seek out.
- Point value: Not all rewards points are created equal. One credit card might offer a larger sign-up bonus than another, but that doesn't necessarily mean it offers more value. Some rewards points are valued at $0.005 each while others are valued at $0.02 each. Do some research to figure out the true value of the rewards you'd be earning.
- Foreign transaction fee: It's easy to rack up credit card fees while you're traveling abroad without even noticing it. The biggest one to avoid is the foreign transaction fee. The best credit cards for international travel come with no foreign transaction fee.
- Rental car insurance: Most of the credit cards on this list offer some type of rental car insurance. Having collision damage and theft insurance covered by your card can save you a significant amount of money the next time you rent a car. Some credit cards offer secondary rental car insurance, which if you're traveling in the U.S., only kicks in after your personal insurance is used. If you're traveling internationally, secondary insurance usually becomes primary insurance as your personal insurance doesn't apply at all. Still, primary insurance is ideal. You'll need to pay for the rental car with your credit card in order to be covered.
- Delayed and lost baggage insurance: Having delayed and lost baggage protection covers you in the event that your baggage is ever delayed or lost. It means you can submit a claim for expenses, such as lost items you had to replace.
- Trip cancellation insurance: If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to eligible unforeseen circumstances, your credit card may reimburse you for any non-refundable reservations you've already made, such as flights and hotels. You have to have made the reservation on your credit card. The best credit cards for international travel offer some kind of protection related to trip cancellation.
How to compare cards
When choosing the best credit cards for international travel, you'll want to compare three main features: fees, rewards, and benefits.
Comparing fees: Fees will include the interest rate, annual fee, and foreign transaction fee. The general idea is to keep these fees as minimal as possible. However, if you don't plan on carrying a balance -- and honestly, you probably shouldn't carry a balance on a rewards credit card given that they come with higher interest rates -- the interest rate might not be as pertinent to you.
A low or no annual fee credit card is best if you don't travel often or don't plan to use the card much. However, frequent travelers may find that travel credit cards with steep annual fees are actually more lucrative in the end, given the high-value rewards and premium travel perks they offer.
Comparing rewards: The two most important things to look for when comparing rewards systems across different cards are:
- Cards with bonus spending categories that match your spending habits
- Cards with points or miles that can be easily redeemed for awards you actually want
Past that, you'll want to compare the point value of different cards and do the math to figure out how much the sign-up bonus is worth and how much you'd earn in rewards each month given your monthly spending habits. This will help you break down which credit card would be the most lucrative for you.
Comparing benefits: If you travel often, travel benefits, which include perks like complimentary airport lounge access and elite status as well as protections like rental car insurance and trip cancellation insurance, can easily save you hundreds -- if not thousands -- of dollars each year. Read the fine print in each credit card's benefits guide to figure out which ones offer the best insurance.
Once you've narrowed it down to a few contenders, make a table listing out the features mentioned above and compare them across each card.
Is a card for international travel right for me?
A credit card for international travel might be right for you if:
- You travel internationally at least a couple of times per year
- You don't plan on carrying a balance
- You can handle using a credit card without overspending
If you don't travel much internationally, you might want to consider one of the best credit cards geared toward consumers in general, which might offer more flexible perks and rewards that can apply to your everyday life. If you plan on carrying a balance, you should look into either a low interest credit card or a 0% intro APR credit card to save money on interest.
FAQs
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A foreign transaction fee is a fee that's charged each time a purchase is made in a foreign country. This fee is charged as a percentage of each purchase. Most credit cards with foreign transaction fees charge 3%, which would mean you'd rack up $30 in fees for every $1,000 you spend abroad.
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Look for credit cards with no foreign transaction fee. You'll also want to watch out for dynamic currency conversion, which is when a merchant converts a price in the local currency to your currency, often at an unfavorable exchange rate. If a merchant in a foreign country asks you if you'd prefer to pay in the local currency or in dollars, always pay in local currency.
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Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. American Express is accepted in most places nowadays as well, though there are still some areas and small businesses that don't accept it. Discover is the least widely accepted.
About the Author
Elizabeth is a personal finance writer specializing in credit cards, debt repayment, and small business. Her work has appeared on The Motley Fool, MSN Money, Yahoo! Finance, and Business Insider. She’s an avid credit card points collector and perpetual traveler currently living in Costa Rica.
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