Using a credit card as a payment method when traveling can be convenient. But as you pack your bags for your next adventure, you'll want to consider the best credit card to bring. This is especially important if you're traveling outside the United States.
Bringing the wrong card could result in you being charged foreign transaction fees when swiping your card for foreign currency transactions. Here's how to avoid this sneaky credit card fee when traveling internationally.
Foreign transaction fees can make your trip more costly
Some credit cards, especially many of the top picks on our best travel rewards credit cards list, don't charge foreign transaction fees. However, some rewards credit cards do, so you need to stay alert to this fee.
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What is a foreign transaction fee? It's a fee that's charged when you swipe your card for foreign transactions. This fee is typically around 3% per transaction, though it can vary by credit card and issuer. This extra cost can add up fast.
Here's an example: If you bring a credit card with a 3% foreign transaction fee and spend $1,500 on international purchases while traveling in Paris, you'll pay an additional $45 in fees.
You should consider this fee when deciding which credit card to bring on your next trip abroad. Luckily, you can avoid this fee completely. There are many top-rated no foreign transaction fee credit cards. By bringing a credit card without foreign transaction fees, you can avoid extra fees and stick to your vacation budget throughout your trip.
These travel cards are ideal for international travel
Are you planning an upcoming international trip and want to bring a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees? Here's one card to consider.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular rewards card among frequent travelers. It has no foreign transaction fees. Chase also offers a generous welcome bonus to eligible new cardholders, worth over $900 for travel when booking on Chase Travel.
Ratings Methodology
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
OnChase'sSecure Website.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our 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.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. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our 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.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. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Score:Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
OnChase'sSecure Website.
Credit ScoreFalling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APRN/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% Variable
RewardsEnjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual FeeN/A
$95
Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
75,000 bonus points
The enormous welcome bonus (worth over $900), bonus points for travel and dining, and $50 annual hotel credit alone make this card well worth the $95 annual fee. What really stands out are the rare travel protections such as trip delay reimbursem*nt, lost luggage reimbursem*nt, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. It’s one of the only low annual fee cards we’ve seen offer those protections.
- Big sign-up bonus
- Travel rewards
- Dining rewards
- Flexible travel points
- Consumer and travel protections
- Annual fee
- Limited-time perks
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
This travel credit card earns rewards in several ways: Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. And cardholders earn a 10% bonus at each card anniversary.
As you can see, there's a lot to love about this card. But if it's not a good fit for you, here are a few other cards with no foreign transaction fees:
- Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Pay attention to credit card fees
Review all fees before adding a new credit card to your wallet. Credit card fees can impact your finances. The good news is many fees, like foreign transaction fees, can be avoided.
Looking for a new card? Check out our list of the best cash back credit cards for inspiration.
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