Joyce Brown, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst
@j.brown
The best credit card for study abroad is the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see details, 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 may be able to 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 2025
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 you set out for your new home for the semester.
Popular Student Credit Cards in October 2025 from Our Partners
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Lily CC, Member
@lily_camp
I used Capital One Savor for Students - it was perfect for studying abroad: no foreign fees, 3% back on dining (hello, cheap eats!), and Mastercard acceptance is pretty solid overseas. Plus, their pre-approval tool is clutch if you're not sure about your chances. Just avoid Amex - some places won’t take it.
Erick Kuckian, Member
@erick_kuc1
It really depends on where you're going. Generally, you can't go wrong with anything in the Visa/Mastercard network. As far as a specific credit card, something like Journey by Cap 1 is good, because they'll give you a good credit limit. You could also just become an AU for one of your parent's cards, if they have good credit.
Percy Rossman, Member
@percy_rossman
The best credit cards for students studying in a foreign country should have low fees and no foreign transaction fees. I think some of the best are: Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card, which earns you 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, and doesn’t have an annual fee; the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One, which earns 1% cash back on all purchases, and the Discover it Chrome for Students, also with cash back rewards.
People also ask
What's the best international credit card for students?
The best international credit card for students is the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see details, rates & fees). It belongs to the Mastercard network so you can use it pretty much anywhere internationally, whether you’re traveling or studying abroad, and it features a $0 foreign transaction fee.
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see details, rates & fees) offers $50 for spending $100 in the first 3 months. Plus, you earn 1 - 8% cash back on purchases made with this card. You can quickly rack up savings with those rewards, and you don’t even need much credit experience to qualify for an...
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Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards can be used internationally, though Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards worldwide. 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.
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The best credit card with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee is the Regions Prestige Visa® Signature Credit Card because it rewards you with 1 - 3 points per $1 spent on purchases. You can also earn 10,000 points after spending $500 or 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days....
read full answer by Lisa Cahill, Credit Cards ModeratorDid we answer your question?
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