Best Overall
Best International Credit Card
4.1WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.1
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.9
Market Comparison
4.0
fees: 3.3
rewards: 4.0
cost: 4.0
Other Features: 5.0
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best credit card for international travel overall because of its great rewards, low fees and helpful secondary benefits, such as trip and luggage insurance. It’s also accepted worldwide.
More specifically, Chase Sapphire Preferred offers an initial bonus of 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That elite sign-up incentive could help you pay for some priceless travel moments. In addition, cardholders earn up to 1 - 5 points per $1 spent on purchases and enjoy perks like baggage insurance and travel emergency assistance. Those benefits could save you from some costly headaches while out of town.
You can learn more about why Chase Sapphire Preferred is such a good option from our latest International Credit Card Study.
What We Don’t Like: This card has a high APR, so you’ll want to pay the bill in full monthly to avoid expensive interest charges. You also need to be prepared to book at least some travel through Chase’s travel portal if you want to get maximum value. In addition, the card has an annual fee of $95, though it’s a good deal if you take advantage of the bonus rewards.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you have good credit or better and you will be able to meet the spending requirement for its initial bonus.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- 60,000 points - initial bonus
- Up to 6.25% back when redeeming for travel
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $95 Annual fee
- 1 point per $1 base earn rate
Rewards Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 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, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- 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.
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
- More Details & Reviews About Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Pros, Cons & Details
Travel Rewards
Best International Credit Card for Travel Perks
3.7WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.7
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.4
User Reviews
3.3
Market Comparison
3.6
fees: 1.3
rewards: 4.4
cost: 4.0
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$550
Rewards Rate
1 - 10 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$550
Rewards Rate
1 - 10 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a great travel credit card because it offers valuable rewards, especially when you redeem for travel, along with other perks that can make travel more comfortable and less costly. For starters, you can get an initial bonus of 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Cardholders also earn a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, a total of 10 points per $1 spent on prepaid restaurant reservations or takeout orders made through Chase, a total of 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased through Chase, 3 points per $1 spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
In addition, Sapphire Reserve doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees but offers travel benefits such as trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursem*nt and airport lounge access to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
What We Don’t Like: Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual fee and requires excellent credit.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for Chase Sapphire Reserve® if you are a big spender who wants elite travel rewards and benefits.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- Initial Bonus: 60,000 points
- $300 Annual Travel Credit
- Up To 15% Back On Hotels and Car Rentals
Cons
- High Annual Fee
- High APR
Rewards Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursem*nt for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
- More Details & Reviews About Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Pros, Cons & Details
Best International Credit Card for Excellent Credit
3.8WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.8
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.6
User Reviews
3.7
Market Comparison
3.7
fees: 3.8
rewards: 3.8
cost: 3.9
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
50,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
50,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has a 0% foreign transaction fee and an initial bonus of 50,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 120 days. You also get 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 4 points per $1 spent on travel, 4 points per $1 at gas stations, 2 points per $1 at grocery stores, 2 points per $1 on dining, grocery delivery and streaming services, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. That is an elite collection of bonus rewards categories.
What We Don’t Like: The card’s APR is pretty high, and it has a $95 annual fee starting the second year your account is open.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for this card if you have excellent credit and the bonus rewards suit your spending habits.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- High rewards rate
- 50,000 points initial rewards bonus
- No membership fees first year
- No foreign fee
Cons
- Membership fees in the second year
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Requires excellent credit
Rewards Details
- Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. That's a $500 value redeemable towards travel and more.
- 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
- 4X on travel
- 4X at gas stations and EV charging stations through September 8, 2024, after that 4X on your first $1,000 each quarter (wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters excluded)
- 2X on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded effective September 9, 2024).
- Receive up to $100 in statement credits for reimbursem*nt toward your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® application fee once every four years.
- 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
- Points never expire as long as your account is active.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- Protection and assistance when traveling with Trip Cancelation/Interruption, Trip Delay Reimbursem*nt and SmartDelay.
- Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership gives you 4 free visits to over 1,300 airport VIP lounges and experiences worldwide.
- More Details & Reviews About U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Pros, Cons & Details
Best International Credit Card for Big Spenders
3.6WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.6
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Market Comparison
3.6
fees: 2.1
rewards: 4.1
cost: 4.0
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
22.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$400
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
50,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
22.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$400
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
50,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card offers an initial bonus of 50,000 points for spending $4,500 in the first 90 days, plus ongoing rewards of 1 - 5 points per $1 spent. It also has no foreign transaction fee.
What We Don’t Like: You need to spend a lot to get your money’s worth, considering the $400 annual fee. You’ll also need to pay your bill in full each month to prevent expensive interest charges from eating into your savings from rewards.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for this card if you have excellent credit and you’ll be able to qualify for its initial bonus and annual travel credits.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- High rewards rate
- 50,000 points initial rewards bonus
- No foreign fee
Cons
- High membership fees
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Requires excellent credit
Rewards Details
- Earn 50,000 bonus points (worth $750 on travel) by spending $4,500 in the first 90 days.
- Get reimbursed up to $325 Annual Statement Credits for eligible net travel purchases and toward any merchant classified as a restaurant, fast-food restaurant or bar.
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
- Earn 3 points for every $1 on eligible net travel purchases and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ and Samsung Pay, and 1 point for every $1 in qualifying Net Purchases.
- Use your mobile device to instantly redeem points for almost any purchase with Real-time Rewards.
- Complimentary 12-month Priority Pass™ Select membership with 8 free visits to more than 1,300 VIP lounges worldwide.
- Up to $100 statement credit to reimburse your TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry application fee once every four years.
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- Elevated service levels 24/7 with dedicated service advisors and Visa Infinite Concierge.
- Peace of mind 24/7 with fraud monitoring, ID Theft Protection, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation Coverage and more.
- More Details & Reviews About U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Pros, Cons & Details
Rewards Bonus
Best International Credit Card for Travel Rewards
3.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.9
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.8
Market Comparison
3.7
fees: 3.3
rewards: 4.0
cost: 3.8
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
2 - 5 miles / $1
Bonus Offer
75,000 miles
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
2 - 5 miles / $1
Bonus Offer
75,000 miles
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers an initial bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus 2 - 5 miles per $1 on purchases normally. In addition, you can redeem your miles to pay for pretty much any travel-related expense you charge to your card, and you won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like: This card has a $95 annual fee. Carrying a balance from month to month would be expensive, too.
Who Should Get It: Apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card if you have good credit or better and you travel often but don’t want to commit to a single airline or hotel chain.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- 75,000 miles initial bonus
- Unlimited 2 miles per $1 on every purchase
- Redeem for any-travel related expense
- $0 foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Terrible cash back redemption rate
- Not built for financing
Rewards Details
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Pros, Cons & Details
Best International Credit Card for an Initial Bonus
3.6WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.6
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.8
User Reviews
3.8
Market Comparison
3.4
fees: 3.3
rewards: 3.5
cost: 3.6
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
20.24% - 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 2 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
20.24% - 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 2 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card has a 0% foreign transaction fee and an initial bonus of 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 90 days. You also get 1.5 - 2 points per $1 spent on purchases normally. Those are the ingredients for some big-time savings on international travel.
What We Don’t Like: The card’s regular APR is pretty high, and it has a $95 annual fee.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for this card if you want to avoid foreign fees and the bonus rewards match up well with your lifestyle. You also need at least excellent credit for approval.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- 60,000 bonus points offer
- 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining
- Extra points for Bank of America Preferred Rewards® clients
- $0 foreign fee
- Up to $200 in air travel credits
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Very high regular APR
- Requires excellent credit
Rewards Details
- Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 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 for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
- 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 Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Low $95 annual fee.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
- More Details & Reviews About Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Pros, Cons & Details
Best Airline & Hotel Credit Cards
Best Hotel Credit Card for International Travel
4.5WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.5
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Hotel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.8
Market Comparison
4.4
fees: 3.3
rewards: 4.5
cost: 5.0
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 10 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 10 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® is the best hotel credit card for international travelers because it will help you earn free nights without charging you foreign transaction fees. The card offers an initial bonus of 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Cardholders also earn 1 - 10 points per $1 spent on purchases. Plus, the card has $0 foreign fee.
What We Don’t Like: The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® has a $95 annual fee and a high regular APR.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® if you have good credit and you frequently stay at Choice Hotels. Choice has locations in 40 countries.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- High rewards rate
- 60,000 points initial rewards bonus
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Membership fees
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Requires good/excellent credit
Rewards Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - enough to redeem for up to 7 rewards nights at select Choice Hotels® properties.
- Earn 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties.
- Earn 5X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
- Receive 20 Elite night credits qualifying for at least Platinum level status each calendar year.
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- $95 annual fee.
- Up to $800 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- No Foreign Currency Conversion Fee.
- More Details & Reviews About Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
Pros, Cons & Details
Best Airline Credit Card for International Travel
4.3WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.3
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Airline Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.5
User Reviews
3.0
Market Comparison
4.4
fees: 2.9
rewards: 4.8
cost: 5.0
Other Features: 0.0
Transfer intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards Rate
1 - 6 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Transfer intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards Rate
1 - 6 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The JetBlue Plus Card is the best U.S. airline credit card for international travel. It offers an initial bonus of 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee, plus ongoing rewards of 1 - 6 points per $1 spent. It also has no foreign transaction fee.
What We Don’t Like: There is an annual fee of $99 and a high regular APR.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the JetBlue Plus Card if you have excellent credit and you frequently fly with JetBlue.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- High rewards rate
- 60,000 points initial rewards bonus
- No foreign fee
Cons
- Membership fees
- No intro APR on purchases
- Balance transfer fee
- Requires excellent credit
Rewards Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and payment of annual fee.
- Receive 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary.
- Earn 6 points per $1 spent on JetBlue purchases; 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants and qualifying grocery stores and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Terms apply.
- Redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue operated flights, along with no blackout dates and points awarded into your account don’t expire.
- Receive 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases including co*cktails and food. Plus, get 10% of your points back every time you redeem for and travel on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight.
- Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 companions on the same reservation when you use this card to purchase tickets.
- Enjoy an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with this card.
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- 0% Introductory APR on balance transfers that post to your account within 45 days of account opening.
- $0 Fraud Liability protection: You're completely protected against unauthorized use of your card.
- Enjoy Mosaic benefits for one year after spending $50,000 or more on purchases each calendar year with your card.
- More Details & Reviews About JetBlue Plus Card
Pros, Cons & Details
Best International Airline Credit Card
4.0WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.0
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Airline Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Market Comparison
4.0
fees: 3.8
rewards: 3.8
cost: 4.4
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$89
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 3 miles / $1
Bonus Offer
70,000 miles
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$89
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 3 miles / $1
Bonus Offer
70,000 miles
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Air France KLM Credit Card is the best international airline credit card because it offers great rewards at a reasonable price. You can earn 70,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days, plus ongoing rewards of 1.5 - 3 miles per $1 spent. There is no foreign transaction fee.
What We Don’t Like: There is an annual fee of $89 and a high regular APR.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the Air France KLM Credit Card if you have good credit or better and you frequently fly with Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and SkyTeam member airlines such as Delta and Virgin Atlantic.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- High rewards rate
- 70,000 miles initial rewards bonus
- No foreign fee
Cons
- Membership fees
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Requires good/excellent credit
Rewards Details
- Limited-Time online offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus miles plus 40 XP after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
- Receive 5,000 Miles every year on your account anniversary after you spend $50 or more on purchases within the anniversary year.
- Earn 3 Miles per $1 spent directly on Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airlines purchases and 1.5 Miles per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Redeem Miles toward flights or seat upgrades with any SkyTeam member airline to over 1,000 destinations worldwide. You can also redeem for hotel stays, car rentals, and more.
- Receive 60 XP (Experience Points) upon approval, plus 20 XP every year and an additional 40 XP on the account anniversary when you have a total spend of at least $15,000 in purchases.
Interest Rate Breakdown
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Additional Info
- $0 Liability Guarantee for fraudulent transactions.
- Choose from several types of customer email or text alerts and let your phone tell you when payments are due and paid.
- Online and Mobile Banking to pay your credit card bill online, transfer funds, check available credit and more.
- Add your card to your mobile device and enjoy the convenience to shop and pay in-store or in-app using Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay.
- More Details & Reviews About Air France KLM Credit Card
Pros, Cons & Details
No Annual Fee
Best International Credit Card With No Annual Fee
3.6WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.6
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.4
User Reviews
3.6
Market Comparison
3.5
fees: 5.0
rewards: 3.3
cost: 3.4
Other Features: 0.0
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months from account opening
Regular APR
20.24% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 3 points / $1
Bonus Offer
20,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months from account opening
Regular APR
20.24% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 3 points / $1
Bonus Offer
20,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best international credit card with no annual fee because it has a $0 foreign fee and gives good rewards. Cardholders earn 3 points per $1 spent on restaurant, travel, gas, transit, streaming services and phone plans, as well as 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.
What We Don’t Like: The card’s regular APR is pretty high, so plan to pay the bill in full monthly to avoid interest and maximize your savings.
Who Should Get It: Apply for the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card if you have good credit and you don’t want to pay an annual fee or commit to a single airline or hotel chain.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- 20,000-point initial bonus
- 3 points / $1 spent in bonus categories
- $0 annual fee
- 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases intro offer
- $600 in cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
Cons
- 20.24% - 29.99% Variable regular APR
- No balance transfer promotion
Rewards Details
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- More Details & Reviews About Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Below-Average Credit
BEST INTERNATIONAL CREDIT CARD FOR LIMITED/AVERAGE CREDIT
4.8WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.8
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Improve Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.2
Market Comparison
4.9
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 4.9
Other Features: 4.5
Regular APR
18.24% - 32.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 1.5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair, Limited History
Regular APR
18.24% - 32.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 1.5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair, Limited History
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card offers 1 - 1.5% cash back on purchases, has no annual fee or international transaction fees, and accepts people with limited credit.
What We Don’t Like: The Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card offers bonus rewards only after 12 months of on-time payments. Like most other credit cards these days, it also has a high APR.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card if you are new to credit but want to save money on international transactions.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- No membership fees
- No foreign fee
- Qualify with limited or no credit history
- Does not require security deposit
Cons
- No rewards bonus
- No balance transfers allowed
Rewards Details
- Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away
- 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- No fees whatsoever. No late fee, foreign transaction fee, annual fee, or any-other-kind-of-fee, fee.
- Variable APRs range from 18.24% - 32.24%
- $300 - $10,000 credit limits
- No credit score? No problem. If eligible, we'll create your Cash Score instead.
- See if you're pre-approved within minutes without impacting your credit score.
- Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Petal card members.
- Petal reports to all 3 major credit bureaus.
- No deposits required
- Card issued by WebBank
- More Details & Reviews About Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Bad Credit
BEST INTERNATIONAL CREDIT CARD FOR BAD CREDIT
4.4WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.4
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Rebuild Damaged Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.7
Market Comparison
4.4
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 4.5
Other Features: 3.0
One-Time Fees
$0
Regular APR
28.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5 points / $1
Accepted Credit
Bad
One-Time Fees
$0
Regular APR
28.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5 points / $1
Accepted Credit
Bad
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card is the best international credit card for bad credit thanks to its favorable fees and rewards. This card won’t charge you foreign transaction fees or annual fees, and it will give you 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.
What We Don’t Like: You have to put down a deposit of $200, which will act as your credit limit.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card if you have bad credit and you want to avoid foreign fees when traveling or shopping internationally.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- No membership fees
- No foreign fee
- Qualify with bad credit
Cons
- High regular APR
- Requires security deposit
Rewards Details
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points.
- 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 and dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants – including takeout.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- A minimum refundable security deposit of $200 (maximum of $5,000) is required to open this account.
- Your maximum credit limit will be determined by the amount of the security deposit you provide, your income and your ability to pay the credit line established.
- Your account will periodically be reviewed and, based on your overall credit history (including your account and overall relationship with the issuer, and other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned. Not all customers will qualify.
- Security Benefits: $0 Liability Guarantee, Overdraft Protection and Paperless Statement Option.
- Add your card to your mobile device and enjoy the convenience to shop and pay in-store or in-app using Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay.
- More Details & Reviews About Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Students
Best International Credit Card for Students
4.5WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.5
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Build Credit by Paying in Full Each Month (Students)"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.3
User Reviews
4.1
Market Comparison
4.6
fees: 5.0
rewards: 3.8
cost: 4.9
Other Features: 5.0
Purchase intro APR
0% for 6 months
Transfer intro APR
10.99% for 6 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 2% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Fair, Limited History
Purchase intro APR
0% for 6 months
Transfer intro APR
10.99% for 6 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 2% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Fair, Limited History
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The Discover it® Student Chrome offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 spent each quarter combined), and 1% back on all other purchases. You will also get an introductory APR of 0% for 6 months on purchases. Perhaps even more importantly, you won’t have to pay annual membership fees or fees for making international transactions.
What We Don’t Like: The Discover it® Student Chrome has a regular APR of 18.24% - 27.24% Variable after the introductory promotion ends, which means carrying a balance from billing period to billing period could quickly cut into your savings from rewards. In addition, Discover cards may not be widely accepted in your favorite international destinations.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the Discover it® Student Chrome if you’re a student who is studying abroad or just seeing the world while on break. Just make sure that Discover is accepted where you travel.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- No membership fees
- Intro APR on purchases
- High rewards rate
- Bonus categories
Cons
- Spending caps on rewards
- No initial rewards bonus
- Balance transfer fee
Rewards Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- More Details & Reviews About Discover it® Student Chrome
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Business
Best International Business Credit Card
3.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.9
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Business - Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.6
Market Comparison
3.8
fees: 4.2
rewards: 3.7
cost: 4.0
Other Features: 0.0
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
60,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why We Like It: The U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® is the best business credit card for international travel because of its attractive bonus rewards and international benefits. It offers an initial bonus of 60,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 180 days, plus 1 - 5 points per $1 spent on purchases normally. It also gets you airport lounge access, and you won’t have to pay foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like: This card has high membership fees starting the second year your
account is open.
Who Should Get It: Apply for the U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® if you’re a business owner who travels abroad or makes purchases from foreign vendors. You also need to have good credit or better personally.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- High rewards rate
- 60,000 points initial rewards bonus
- No membership fees first year
- No foreign fee
Cons
- Membership fees in the second year
- Spending caps on rewards
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
Rewards Details
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect™ World Elite Mastercard®, the business travel card that's 5X more rewarding.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points, worth $600 if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend.
- Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers.
- Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn a $25 statement credit on every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare trips.
- Points transfer between business and consumer U.S. Bank Altitude products (excluding Reserve).
- Airport lounge access - Priority Pass™ Digital annual membership with access to more than 1,300 VIP lounges worldwide, plus four complimentary visits per membership year.
- Terms and conditions apply
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter.
- Divide large purchases into fixed monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- More Details & Reviews About U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®
Pros, Cons & Details
WalletHub's Research
- Our picks for the best credit cards for international travel
- How we picked the best international credit cards
- Sources
- Beginner’s guide to international credit cards
- About the author
- User questions & answers
- Expert opinions
Our Picks for the Best Credit Cards for International Travel
In general, the best credit cards for international travel work all around the globe, in hundreds of countries and territories, offering really good rewards without charging international fees (unlike more than 90% of cards). Many also have a feature calledchip and PINfor easier use and added security abroad. Plus, the best credit card for international travel can save you as much as8%on currency conversion alone.
Fortunately, there are lots ofgreat international credit cardsavailable right now. Below, you can see how WalletHub’s editors’ picks compare in some key categories.
Best Credit Cards for International Travel Compared
| Credit Card | Best For | Annual Fee |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Overall | $95 |
| Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card | Limited/Average Credit | $0 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card | Excellent Credit | $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after |
| U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® | Business | $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see Rates & Fees) | Travel Rewards | $95 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Initial Bonus | $95 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | Best Value | $400 |
How We Picked the Best International Credit Cards
To identify the best international credit cards, WalletHub’s editors compare major credit card offers based on how well their rewards, fees and otherWalletHub Rating components suit the needs of international travelers. More specifically, WalletHub analyzes the foreign travel benefits offered by personal credit cards from the top 10 issuers, excluding student and co-branded cards.
In addition to the top cards overall, we select the best secured card and the best card for business to make sure different types of travelers' needs are met.
How Two-Year Cost Is Calculated
Two-year cost is used to approximate the monetary value of cards for better comparison and is calculated by combining annual and monthly membership fees over two years, adding any one-time fees or other fees (like balance transfer fees), adding any interest costs, and subtracting rewards. Negative amounts indicate savings. When fees or other terms are presented as a range, we use the midpoint for scoring purposes. Rewards bonuses and credits have been taken into account for two-year cost calculations. However, bonuses applicable to only a very small portion of cardholders are not considered. For example, credits and bonuses awarded for spending or redeeming rewards through a company portal with non-co-branded cards have not been taken into account. Similarly, bonuses and credits related to spending with specific merchants using a non-co-branded card have not been taken into account (for example, if Card A offers credits with DoorDash, this feature would not be factored into calculations because it is hard to assess how many cardholders would use the benefit or exactly how much value they'd get from it).
Cardholder Spending Profiles
Given that different users have different goals and are likely to use their credit cards differently, we identified spending profiles that are representative of different users’ financial priorities and behaviors. For each cardholder type, we have assumed a specific amount of monthly spending by purchase type (e.g., groceries, gas, etc.), as well as an average balance, balance transfer amount, amount spent on large purchases and average monthly payment. Spending assumptions are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for consumers and PEX data for businesses.
For more details, view the full methodology from our International Credit Card Study.
Sources
WalletHub actively maintains a database of 1,500+ credit card offers, from which we select the best international credit cards for different applicants as well as derive market-wide takeaways and trends. The underlying data is compiled from credit card company websites or provided directly by the credit card issuers. We also leverage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop cardholder profiles, used to estimate cards’ potential savings.
Beginner’s Guide to International Credit Cards
Is a Credit Card or a Debit Card Better for International Travel?
A credit card is better for international travel than a debit card because credit cards offer far superior rewards and better fraud protections. The right travel rewards credit card can save you $500 to $1,000+ on a single international trip, whereas debit cards with rewards are quite rare. Plus, when someone makes fraudulent purchases with your debit card, you lose money and have to get it back. With a credit card, you have the opportunity to notice and dispute the fraud before paying the bill.
Although a credit card is a better choice as your main payment method internationally, you should still bring a debit card with you when you travel abroad. You won’t be able to pay for everything with a card, so an inexpensive way to access cash will come in handy.
Learn more about using credit and debit cards for international travel.
Pros andConsof International Credit Cards
| Pros | Cons |
| No foreign transaction fees | Annual fees |
| Travel rewards | High interest rates |
| Widespread acceptance | Rewards may expire |
| Low currency conversion rates | Points/miles could be devalued |
| Chip-and-PIN | Redemption roadblocks in some cases |
| Travel insurance | Higher annual fees |
| Airport lounge access |
The biggest advantages of international credit cards are convenience and savings. International credit cards work in more than 200 countries and territories, and they automatically provide low currency conversion rates that save you about 7% compared to exchanging hard currency. The lack offoreign transaction fees saves you another 3%, and rewards can add at least another 1% - 2% more.
International credit cards do have some flaws, though. For example, most won’t have a low interest rate, even as an introductory promotion. As a result, you need to pay your full statement balance monthly to maximize your savings. International cards often have high annual fees, and some have fine print that could make the rewards not quite as rewarding, but they will still save you money if you use them responsibly.
Bear in mind that not all international credit cards have all of the advantages or disadvantages described above, but they are common. Learn more about the pros and cons of international travel credit cards.
Types of International Travel Credit Cards
The two main types of international credit cards are Visa and Mastercard, as they are accepted pretty much everywhere in the world that takes credit cards. Cards on other networks are accepted internationally, too, but fewer merchants take them.
There are also chip-and-PIN cards and chip-and-signature cards. Both types of credit cards are accepted internationally, though chip-and-PIN is most compatible with international payment systems.
In addition, you’ll find credit cards affiliated with major international hotels and airlines, as well as credit cards with general-purpose travel rewards and even some with cash back or no rewards at all. Some of these cards won’t charge annual fees, and others will make you pay extra for standout perks. There are pretty much as many types of international credit cards as there are types of credit cards in general.
Learn more about the types of credit cards that work internationally.
International Credit Cards for Bad Credit
The best international credit card for bad credit is theBank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card because it has a $0 foreign transaction fee,a $0 annual fee, and good rewards. It also works wherever Visa is accepted. Although there isn’t as much of a selection of international credit cards for people with bad credit as there is for people with higher scores, some good options are indeed available.
International Credit Cards on WeChat Pay
Foreign visitors to China can now link an international credit card to WeChat Pay in order to more easily make purchases in the country. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diner’s Club and JCB cards are all compatible, at least in theory. Reports are mixed about whether this new feature actually works as advertised yet.
Top Cards for Lounge Access While Traveling Internationally
Overall:Chase Sapphire Reserve®Chase Sapphire Reserve®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyBiggest Lounge Network:The Platinum Card® from American ExpressThe Platinum Card® from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & FeesGenerous Guest Policy:Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Airline Rewards:Lufthansa Credit CardLufthansa Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Hotel Rewards:Hilton Honors Aspire Credit CardHilton Honors Aspire Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyBusiness Travel:The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressThe Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Learn more about the best credit cards for lounge access.
How to Choose an International Travel Credit Card
To choose the best international credit card for your needs, first start by excluding any credit cards that charge foreign transaction fees. You might also want to eliminate cards that are not on the Visa or Mastercard network, since other networks’ acceptance isn’t as reliable internationally. Next, compare the cards’ rewards to determine which offers suit your spending habits the best and estimate how much you’re likely to earn with each. Finally, subtract any annual fees from your estimated rewards and select the card that figures to save you the most overall.
Learn more about who should get an international credit card and how to pick the best travel credit card.
How to Use a Credit Card Internationally
- Make sure you have a Visa or a Mastercard.
VisaandMastercardare the most widely accepted types of credit cards and automatically provide inexpensive currency conversion, so bringing one is a wise move, whether you make it your main payment method or just have it as a backup. Credit cards on other networks may not work everywhere you go.
- Take the opportunity to earn lots of rewards.
The best travel credit cards can provide enough rewards to pay for your whole trip, or at least subsidize the expense significantly. For example, putting an international trip on a new card is a great way to meet the spending requirement for an initial bonus. That can easily get you more than $700.
- Avoid foreign transaction fees.
Only using credit cards without foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad is essential. Otherwise, you’ll spend around 3% more than necessary, which could add up to quite a lot on a big trip.
- Stick to manned checkout stations.
Unmanned payment terminals, like you might find in a parking garage or train station, may not accept your credit card unless you have a chip-and-PIN card. On the other hand, any major U.S. credit card should work abroad if you can interact with a person.
- Pay in the local currency.
It can be difficult to tell the true cost of things when you’re abroad and dealing with a foreign currency, and merchants have been known to offer a quick conversion to dollars. This might seem like a kind gesture, but it’s often a ploy to use a high exchange rate and pocket some extra money courtesy of an unsuspecting tourist. This is calleddynami currency conversion.
- Don’t use the ATM.
Unless it’s a real emergency, avoid using your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM while abroad. Doing so is known as acash advanceand will be very expensive. You’ll have to deal with an ATM-owner surcharge, plus a high credit card fee and APR. Instead, you should bring adebit card with no foreign feesin order to withdraw cash when you need it.
- Know what benefits you’re entitled to.
International credit cards often come with secondary benefits such as travel accident insurance, lost/delayed baggage insurance, emergency medical services and more. Knowing what’s available to you before you leave for your trip will make any issues that come up a lot easier to handle. On that note, your credit card’s guide to benefits includes some important contact information that you may need. Writing that information down somewhere could come in handy, especially if you don’t have reliable internet access.
Learn more about when and how to use a credit card internationally.
About the author
John S Kiernan
John Kiernan has covered the credit card industry for more than 15 years as a writer and editor for WalletHub. His work has been featured by major media outlets such as The Washington Post, Fox News and The New York Times and has been cited by industry regulators such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Credit Cards For International Travel FAQ
Finding the best credit card can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.
Most Popular
18
Upvotes
What credit cards can be used internationally?
Reply
18
Cameron DiGiovanni, Writer
@cdigiovanni20
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards can be used internationally, though Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted abroad. The best type of credit card for international use is a Visa or Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fees. You'll save around 3% on each purchase, compared to a card with a foreign transaction fee.
Credit cardswithout foreign transaction feesare also crucial when traveling internationally. You'll save an average of 1.56% on each purchase, compared to a card with a foreign transaction fee. As a result, Visa and Mastercard credit cards with no foreign fees are the best credit cards to use internationally.
Best Credit Cards for International Travel
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Winner
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Travel Benefits
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Travel Rewards
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : No Annual Fee
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card : Best Value
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card : Secured
- U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® : Business
When purchasing from international merchants, remember to also watch out fordynamic currency conversion. By avoiding foreign transaction fees and dynamic currency conversion, you could saveup to 10%when using a credit card abroad.
Be aware that chip-and-PIN cards will beslightly more usefulwhen traveling abroad than chip-and-signature cards. Unmanned kiosks, for example, may require a PIN from a chip-and-PIN card. That said, you'll get around fine if you have any low-fee card on the Visa or Mastercard network and some of the local currency as backup.
2
16
Upvotes
Should I get an international credit card?
Reply
16
Ryan P Page, Staff Writer
@ryan_page
Yes, you should get an international credit card if you frequently travel overseas for vacation or work. A good international credit card will work domestically and abroad, and it will help you avoid foreign transaction fees for purchases made outside of the United States.
The best international credit cards will also allow you to earn valuable rewards on your purchases, which can be used to pay for future trips or to pay down any travel expenses you...
5
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16
Upvotes
Is using a credit card internationally a good idea?
Reply
16
WalletHub
@WalletHub
Yes, using a credit card internationally is the best way to go about paying for things when you're abroad. It's safer because you don't have to carry as much cash, and all major credit card companies offer $0 fraud liability guarantees. Using a credit card internationally also gets you the best currency exchange rates, and it's a great opportunity to earn rewards.
Using a credit card internationally isn't the same as using a credit card domestically, though. There are a...
7
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16
Upvotes
Do I need to let my credit card company know I'm traveling?
Reply
16
1
WalletHub
@WalletHub
You don't need to let your credit card company know you're traveling, but it's always a good idea. To protect you from fraud, credit card issuers look for charges that seem to be out of the ordinary, or “suspicious activity”. So, if they suddenly start seeing charges pop up on your card in a different state or country, they may decline the charge, assuming it's fraudulent. In order to keep your credit card from being...
6
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1
Upvote
Which credit card is best for international payments?
Reply
1
Milvionne Chery Copeland, Writer
@milvionne_copeland
The best credit card for international payments is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card because it has no foreign transaction fee and it rewards users with 1 - 5 points per $1 spent, including on payments to merchants based abroad. You can also get 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The card has a $95 annual fee.
In general, a credit card with no foreign transaction fee can save you a lot of money if you are making international payments to merchants located outside the U.S. That's true whether you're also...
17
Upvotes
Do I need to get a special European credit card before going to Europe?
Reply
17
1
Lawrence, Wallethub Credit Card Analyst
@lawrence50
No, you don't need a special European credit card before going to Europe. However, you should have a card on a network that's widely accepted in your destination of choice.
Mastercard and Visa are your best options, as they're both accepted pretty much everywhere in over 200 countries and territories. American Express is accepted in all European countries but may not be accepted by the specific merchant you're doing business with, particularly if it's a small...
7
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Upvotes
What is the best credit card for travel in Europe?
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Adam McCann, Financial Writer
@adam_mcan
The best credit card for travel in Europe is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card because it gives 1 - 5 points per $1 spent on purchases, plus an initial bonus of 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, worth $750 in travel. Chase Sapphire Preferred also has a $0 foreign transaction fee. The annual fee is $95, and you need good credit or better for approval.
If you're looking to rely on a popular European airline, the British Airways Credit Card and the Lufthansa Credit Card are both good choices. There are plenty of other...
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16
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How do you calculate exchange rates?
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WalletHub
@WalletHub
You can calculate anexchange rateby dividing the amount of the currency you start with by the amount of the foreign currency you'll get back. For example, if you have $100 and you get€80 back, your exchange rate would be 100 divided by 80, or 1.25 Euros per dollar.
Most of the time, someone else will calculate the exchange for you. Credit cards automatically handle currency conversion when you make a purchase from...
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Are there any fees for international credit card use?
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John S Kiernan, Managing Editor
@John
Yes, there can be fees for international credit card use. But they're avoidable if you make the right moves, starting with picking the right credit card. Foreign transaction fees are the main concern, as many credit cards charge them. But there are plenty of no foreign fee cards for you to consider.
Fees to consider when using your card internationally:
- Foreign transaction fees: Many credit cards come with foreign transaction fees when you buy from internationally-based merchants....
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What is the best credit card for study abroad?
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Joyce Brown, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst
@j.brown
The best credit card for study abroad is the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see Rates & Fees) because it has a $0 foreign transaction fee, a $0 annual fee, and good rewards. You'll earn 1 - 8% cash back spent normally, plus an initial bonus of $50 for spending $100 in the first 3 months. You can get approved with limited credit, too.
If you're going to spend most of your time in a foreign country in the near future, you definitely want a card that won't charge you extra on international purchases. But there are actually several options that may work well, depending on your individual needs and wants.
Best Credit Cards for Study Abroad in 2024
All of these cards are strong contenders to be the best credit card for study abroad. That's especially true considering they offer a lot more than rewards and low fees. You'll also receive perks like travel insurance to give you even more peace of mind when...
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