What is the best credit card for study abroad?

The best international credit card for students is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. It belongs to the Visa network so you can use it extensively outside of the United States, whether you’re traveling or studying abroad. It also features a 0% foreign transaction fee, which means you will not be charged extra for purchases made in another country. Its travel-oriented rewards also make it an attractive international credit card for students. It offers 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Plus, you earn 1.5 - 3 points per $1 on purchases.… read full answer

The card’s global acceptance should be taken into account. Not all credit cards are accepted everywhere, and cards from some networks are accepted in more countries than others. Mastercard is in the lead, with over 210 countries and territories, followed closely by Visa (over 200) and Discover (200). American Express cards can be used in over 160 countries and territories.

Best international credit cards for students:

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students credit card has an online offer of 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Plus, you can earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. The card also comes with a 0% foreign transaction fee and a $0 annual fee. It accepts students with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history).

The Bank of America Cash Rewards for Students credit card offers $200 for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Plus, you can earn 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 spent on these categories combined per quarter), and 1% on all other purchases. The card also offers an introductory purchase APR of 0% for 18 months (18.24% - 28.24% (V), based on creditworthiness, thereafter). It has a 3% foreign transaction fee. The card’s annual fee is $0. It accepts students with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history).

The Capital One Platinum Secured credit card has a $0 foreign transaction fee. The card’s annual fee is also $0.

The Deserve EDU credit card has no SSN requirement. So, students with a passport, a U.S. bank account along with some other documentation are eligible to apply. The card offers 1% cash back on all purchases. Plus, it has a $0 foreign transaction fee and a $0 annual fee.

It’s also important to note the difference between international credit cards for students and credit cards for international students. They’re basically the same in terms of functionality, but cards for international students aren’t just for U.S. citizens or people with a Social Security number.

What You Should Know Before Applying for a Student Credit Card

Student credit card issuers do have different requirements. Some cards may require an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Others may accept just a student ID and/or a passport.

If you are a student who has managed to build good credit or better, you’ll have access to more than just student credit cards. So, make sure to check out our editors’ picks for the best credit cards for international travel. If, on the other hand, you have bad credit and need help rebuilding it, the best secured credit cards will help you do just that.

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards can be used internationally. However, Visa and Mastercard credit cards are more widely accepted abroad.

Credit cards without foreign transaction fees are also crucial when traveling internationally. You’ll save an average of 1.52% 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.… read full answer

Notable Credit Cards for International Travel

When purchasing from international merchants, remember to also watch out for dynamic currency conversion. By avoiding foreign transaction fees and dynamic currency conversion, you could save up to 10% when using a credit card abroad.

Be aware that chip-and-PIN cards will be slightly more useful when 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.

The best credit card with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee is the X1 Credit Card. It offers ongoing rewards of 2 points per $1 spent on all purchases (which becomes 3 points per $1 when you spend $1,000 per month) on purchases. This card requires excellent credit for approval, and its points are worth 1 cent each.

Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees and No Foreign Transaction Fees… read full answer

The cards listed above require good credit or excellent credit for approval. If you are new to credit, you should consider getting the Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card. This card is available to people with limited credit history, and it has a $0 annual fee and a 0% foreign fee. Plus, it offers 1 - 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases.