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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, offering top-notch value, robust travel coverage and plenty of perks.
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? There are, in fact, many credit cards with no foreign transaction fees — so you can pick the right one for you based on your travel style, financial goals and desired card features.
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Rewards: 2x-5x points
Verdict: Great for regular to frequent travelers who don’t mind paying a modest annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a winner because it comes with a $0 foreign transaction fee, as well as offering valuable rewards, loads of flexibility and a full slate of travel coverage and perks. Its 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.
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Rewards: 1.5%-5% cash back
Verdict: Great for frugal travelers seeking a credit card with no international fees
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the best cash back credit cards because it has no foreign transaction fee. This 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, putting it within reach of travelers on a budget. The card also stands out for its simple earnings structure — it’s got no bonus categories to track. Instead, you get 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.
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.Rewards: 5x points
Verdict: Best for frequent travelers who like to travel in style and will use the many travel credits and perks offered by the card
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. And while it comes with a very high annual fee — $695 — the card also offers annual credits worth over $1,500 that can help cancel it out.
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.Rewards: 1x-4x points
Verdict: Generous earnings on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases.
The American Express® Gold Card is a great international card for foodies, home cooks and travelers who love to dine out frequently, and there are 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).
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Rewards: 2-5 miles
Verdict: Great for cardholders who travel at least a few times a year and don’t mind paying a nominal annual fee in exchange for solid value.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with no foreign transaction fees, along with a straightforward rewards-earning structure, a solid welcome offer and an array of travel perks. For example, cardholders qualify for a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. And 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.
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.Intro purchase APR: 0% intro on purchases for 15 months.
Then, a 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR applies.
Verdict: A good option to finance your next vacation
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 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR — this could make a great option for financing your next trip at 0%.
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Rewards: 1-3 points
Verdict: Great business travel benefits for a modest annual fee.
The 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, which can provide an extra layer of protection when you 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.Rewards: 1x-3x points
Verdict: A great no annual fee travel credit card.
For those who want a good $0 annual fee travel card with no foreign transaction fees, it’s hard to beat the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card. Aside from its large sign-up bonus, the card also offers 3X points on a wide variety of categories, including restaurants, travel and gas. Plus, redemption is simple: You can redeem points for travel or statement credits for a value of 1 cent per point.
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.Rewards: 1.5x points
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 — and all with a $0 annual fee.
The card is very similar to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, but it’s 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 also building credit history.
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Can help establish or rebuild credit
Verdict: An affordable option for building credit
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 a $0 annual fee to boot. You can even see if you’re preapproved on the Capital One website, with no impact to your credit score.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Foreign Exchange Fee | Annual Fee | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Best for travel
|
$0 | $95 | 20.99% - 27.99% Variable |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best for cashback
|
None | $0 | 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable) |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Best for luxury travel
|
None | $695 | See Pay Over Time APR | |
|
American Express® Gold Card
|
Best for dining
|
None | $325 | See Pay Over Time APR | |
|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best for simplicity
|
None | $95 | 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable) |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card*
|
Best for intro APR
|
None | $0 | 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) | |
|
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Best for business credit card
|
$0 | $95 | 20.74% - 25.74% Variable |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card*
|
Best for no annual fee
|
None | $0 | 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR | |
|
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students*
Review Coming Soon
|
Best for students
|
None | $0 | 18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR | Review Coming Soon |
|
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best for poor credit
|
None | $0 | 29.99% (Variable) |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
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:
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:
Some travel credit cards don’t 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’ll 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.
Of all cards we surveyed, 3% is the most common foreign transaction fee charged.
This 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 | Up to 2.70% |
| Bank of America | 3% |
| Barclays | 3% |
| Capital One | 0% |
| Chase | 3% |
| Citibank | 3% |
| U.S. Bank | Up to 3% |
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 doesn’t 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)
All Cards, including:
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.
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 Visa Signature® Card from PenFed Credit Union, which is known for stellar customer service.
Here are other factors to take into account when choosing the best no foreign transaction fee credit card for you:
A rewards card can help you score points, miles or cash back for a free vacation. Consider these factors when choosing a rewards card:
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.
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 they 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.
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. And 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.
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.
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.
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.) As the United States is using a chip and signature infrastructure, 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.
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% |
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:
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.
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, but the Chase Freedom cards do have international transaction fees. However, there are some banks that have no foreign transaction fees on any of their 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 doesn’t 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 does have foreign transaction fees. The Citi Double Cash® Card charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, 3%. However, there are other Citi cards with no foreign transaction fees.
Discover doesn’t 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. But 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.
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 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.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, American Express® Green Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, Hawaiian Airlines® Business MasterCard®, AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, JetBlue Business Card, British Airways Visa Signature® Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, World of Hyatt Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card and PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® 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.
