The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best international travel credit card for most globetrotters, thanks to its attractive welcome bonus, reasonable annual fee and strong slate of travel perks and protections.
The best credit cards for international travel will usually come with travel perks like trip insurance or lounge access, help you avoid costly foreign transaction fees and allow you to rack up rewards on expenses like flights, meals and hotel stays.
Our picks range from no-annual-fee cards to high-priced cards with luxury perks, so you can decide what’s right for your situation.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: $0
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our pick for overall best card for international travel because of its flexibility and versatility. The Ultimate Rewards points you earn with the card can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, or you can use your points to book trips directly through the Chase Travel℠ portal. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is also one of the best no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards, so you can use it abroad without worry about extra fees.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
If you want a no-annual-fee travel credit card you can use abroad without racking up foreign transaction fees, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a good way to go. While it has a lower welcome bonus and lower earning rate than some other cards, it can be a good choice if you’re looking to lower the amount you pay in fees. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card also comes with an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (a balance transfer fee applies).
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
If you’re a frequent traveler looking for luxury perks, you’ll want to consider The Platinum Card® from American Express, our pick for best international travel credit card for lounge access. This premium card offers the most robust airport lounge membership program of any travel card on the market today. The American Express Global Lounge Collection comes with Priority Pass™ Select membership*, exclusive access to ultra-swanky Amex Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Club access each time you fly with Delta. Other travel benefits include a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership*, as well as automatic Hilton Honors Gold status* and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status*.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is our choice for best airline card for international travel due to its array of luxe travel perks. The card offers some of the best benefits on the market, including generous dining and hotel statement credits, an annual companion pass after your cardmember anniversary and complimentary airport lounge access to Delta Sky Club, Escape and ritzy Amex Centurion lounges. You should know that the annual fee also is one of the highest on the market, so this card is best for frequent travelers who will get enough value from the perks to make that cost worthwhile.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
For a simple travel card with rewards that are as easy to redeem as they are to earn, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is hard to beat. You earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. And one of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card‘s best features is the flexibility of the rewards you earn — you can redeem them as a statement credit for any type of travel or transfer them to any of Capital One’s airline and hotel partners.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: $0
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the most flexible and valuable business credit cards for travel. This card’s generous sign-up bonus and high earning rate on travel and business purchases can help you pile up rewards quickly. Like other Chase cards, it offers primary car rental protection and trip cancellation/interruption insurance when you use your card. These protections, along with $0 foreign transaction fees, make the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card a great option for international business travel.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is our top pick for hotels due to its welcome offer, earning rate on paid Marriott hotel stays and excellent travel perks. Although a $650 annual fee applies, cardholders get: up to $300 a year back as a dining credit (up to $25 per month), a free night award after card renewal each year (up to 85,000 points) and a $100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit. Additional perks include a Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment required), a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership (enrollment required) and no foreign transaction fees.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is the best international travel card for students due to its lack of foreign transaction fees and $0 annual fee. It has a simple rewards structure: Cardholders earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. This card may work well for students who want to keep their options open as they figure out their travel style.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is the best option for international travel among credit cards for bad credit. It doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. This card is marketed to those with limited / poor credit, while travel credit cards generally target consumers with good to excellent credit. You’ll need to put down a security deposit of at least $200, which means your credit limit starts at $200.
You can earn a solid flat rate of cash back on everyday purchases, with a bonus earning rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
The American Express® Gold Card is an attractive option if you spend the most on dining and groceries. The American Express® Gold Card lets you earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 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. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply This makes it a great option to use while dining abroad, since you earn extra rewards and won’t pay foreign transaction fees.
There is a $325 annual fee, but you can wipe out a large part of the fee if you take advantage of benefits, such as up to $120 in credits toward select dining purchases ($10 monthly, enrollment required).
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Foreign transaction fee: None
If you’re in the market for points that can easily be transferred to partners, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Capital One has more than 15 hotel and airline transfer partners, allowing you to maximize your points no matter where you’re going. You’ll earn 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. And with no foreign transaction fees, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great card to have in your wallet when traveling abroad.
The card charges a $395 annual fee, but it’s more than worth it if you’ll take advantage of the card perks. It awards you 10,000 Venture miles (equal to $100 towards travel) on your account anniversary and gives you an annual $300 travel credit that applies to bookings made with Capital One Travel.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Foreign Exchange Fee | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card*
|
$0 | $95 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | ||
|
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card*
|
None | $0 | Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel | ||
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express*
|
None | $695 | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | ||
|
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card*
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
None | $650 | Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. |
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
|
|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card*
|
None | $95 | 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | ||
|
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card*
|
$0 | $95 | Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | ||
|
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card*
|
None | $650 | Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. | ||
|
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students*
Review Coming Soon
|
None | $0 | 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 | Review Coming Soon | |
|
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card*
|
None | $0 | N/A | ||
|
American Express® Gold Card*
|
None | $325 | Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | ||
|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*
|
None | $395 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel |
Airline credit cards are usually co-branded between a specific airline and a credit card issuer. They usually earn miles of one particular airline, and they typically come with airline-specific benefits such as priority boarding, free checked bags or help qualifying for airline elite status. They’re best for people who typically travel with one particular airline.
Hotel credit cards are usually co-branded between a credit card issuer and a particular hotel chain. These cards usually earn hotel points that can be used for stays and also offer hotel-specific benefits such as complimentary night certificates, elite status or bonus rewards earning rates. They’re best for hotel brand loyalists.
General travel cards are great for international travel due to their flexibility and perks. These cards may earn flexible, transferable points such as Chase Ultimate Rewards points or Amex Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to airline and hotel transfer partners to maximize their value. General travel credit cards also typically come with travel perks and insurance, and usually don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Business travel credit cards allow cardholders to maximize earnings, enjoy travel perks and take advantage of travel protections while traveling for business. Some of these cards are general business credit cards that offer travel perks, such as airport lounge access or travel credits, while others are co-branded airline or hotel credit cards with brand-specific perks such as free checked bags or complimentary elite status.
The best credit card for international travel for you will depend on your travel style and needs, but you’ll want to consider the following factors when shopping for an international travel credit card.
Whenever you use a debit or credit card outside of the U.S., your issuer may charge you a fee of about 3% of each purchase. While it may not seem like a huge deal, the charges can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars — or more. So look for a credit card without foreign transaction fees if you’re planning a trip abroad.
One of the most frustrating experiences you can encounter during international travel: having your card declined. While Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted around the world, you might have a harder time paying with American Express or Discover. You’ll want to make sure the card you’re interested in is usually accepted in your planned travel destination(s).
Some travel credit cards offer robust travel coverage that can give you peace of mind and protection on your next trip, while other cards have minimal coverage or none at all. The best credit cards for travel insurance typically include a full slate of travel protection such as: trip cancellation and delay insurance, travel accident insurance, lost or delayed luggage coverage and car rental insurance that works abroad.
Travel Tip:
Always check with your card issuer to make sure the countries where you plan to rent a car are included in your coverage.
The rewards earning rate is an important consideration when choosing a credit card for international travel. Look for a credit card that has higher earning rates on airline purchases, general travel and dining so you can maximize your trip earnings. If you travel infrequently, you might want to look for a card that also has a more generous earning rate on everyday purchases.
Important:
If a card only has high earning rates for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal, make sure you’ll actually use the travel portal before getting the card.
Many of the best credit card sign-up bonuses happen to be offered on cards that work well for international travel. In some cases, the bonus may be worth $1,000 when used for travel, which could be enough to cover plane tickets or a hotel for your next trip. With some cards, you may even get an increased redemption rate if you use the card issuer’s travel portal, stretching your sign-up bonus even further.
The best credit cards for international travel tend to offer rewards redemption flexibility. Having redemption options allows you to maximize the value of the rewards you earn, especially when redeeming your points or miles for free travel. Many issuers offer a travel portal where you can book hotels, rental cars, vacation packages and more. But the best cards also let you transfer your rewards to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 (or more advantageous) ratio.
Many of the best international travel cards offer travel perks to make your trips a little nicer. Premium travel cards, which tend to charge higher annual fees, may offer airport lounge access, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits and other travel credits to offset the cost of your trips. Even cards with lower annual fees may offer perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding or complimentary elite status.
While contactless credit card payments are becoming more popular in Europe, some transactions, such buying tickets at an unattended terminal at a train station in France or Germany, may still require a card with both an EMV chip and a PIN. While most credit cards issued within the U.S. include an EMV chip, credit cards with PINs are rare. However, some issuers (such as Bank of America) allow you to add a PIN to your travel credit card. You should check with your issuer to see if they offer this option.
Another factor you should consider is whether you want airport lounge access, which can significantly improve your travel experience by giving you a quiet place to unwind, recharge and refuel with complimentary food and beverages. Many premium credit cards come with lounge membership or passes.
Getting the best credit card for international travel is a step in the right direction, but you also need to know how to use it. Here are a few tips and tricks — and pitfalls to avoid — when using your credit card internationally.
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is when you pay in your own currency, rather than the local currency, while traveling internationally. When you use a credit card abroad, you may get a choice on whether to use DCC when paying. While it might seem like a good idea, since you’ll see the final cost in your own currency, you should generally avoid DCC due to less favorable exchange rates.
An example to illustrate how dynamic currency conversion works:
Say you’re traveling in France and you decide to buy a shirt that costs €100, at a time when the conversion rate is €1 to $1.07 (USD). That means the shirt would be worth $107. If you’re given the option to pay in USD and you accept, the merchant may charge $109 to your card — which means you’d be paying extra for no reason. It’s usually better to pay in the local currency, with a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
This will help you rack up plenty of travel rewards points or miles, especially if you’re getting bonus points for everyday categories. You can use your rewards to get flight upgrades, free hotel nights or other perks on your next trip.
Paying for your expenses with a credit card can also give you additional security because credit cards typically come with a $0 fraud liability benefit.
Many premium travel credit cards come with benefits that can make your trip more affordable and comfortable. Check to see if your card offers these benefits and learn how to take advantage of them ahead of your next international trip.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are two very popular trusted traveler programs. These programs can make your travel much nicer and less stressful by shortening your wait times, helping you avoid crowds and allowing you to skip some security steps. Many cards offer credits that cover the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
If you’re looking at Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck, Global Entry is the clear winner for international travel and includes TSA PreCheck benefits. Global Entry gives you expedited re-entry into the United States when you return from an international trip, while TSA PreCheck helps you speed through security for domestic travel.
Most U.S. credit cards can be used internationally, though acceptance varies by country and merchant. Visa and Mastercard are more accepted worldwide than American Express and Discover.
Many travel credit cards offer some kind of travel insurance, but the coverage varies greatly from card to card. Some cards offer only very basic coverage, such as travel accident insurance. Other cards offer a robust slate of coverage that may include: trip cancellation and delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage and car rental insurance. Some premium cards even offer emergency evacuation and transportation, which could help you get home if you got sick or injured on a trip abroad.
It’s a good idea to let your credit card company know about any international travel to make sure your purchases aren’t flagged as fraudulent. You can typically let your card issuer know about your travel plans through your online account or by calling the number on the back of your card.
Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted around the world in over 200 countries, but Visa generally offers significantly better travel benefits and insurance than Mastercard. Benefits do vary by card so it’s important to read the fine print on any card you’re considering for international travel.
To make choosing the right card easier, we’ve looked at credit cards reviewed on LendingTree as well as cards on major issuer sites to compile a list of the best rewards credit cards for international travel.
Our recommendations are based on the additional value you can earn with the cards — including the rewards value, cost of ownership and value of benefits such as travel and purchase protections, lounge membership and airline companion passes. No cards on this page charge foreign transaction fees. Our choices are not influenced by our advertisers. Learn more about our credit card methodology.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be 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 the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
