What is the Deserve EDU exchange rate?

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. And 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 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.… 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:

• Best for Cash Back & Low APR – Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students. $200 for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. 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. Introductory purchase APR of 0% for 15 months (14.24% - 24.24% (V), based on creditworthiness, thereafter). 3% foreign transaction fee. $0 annual fee. Accepts students with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history).
• Best for Travel - Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. Online offer of 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. 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. 0% foreign transaction fee. $0 annual fee. Accepts students with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history).
• Best for Bad Credit - Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. $0 foreign transaction fee. $0 annual fee.
• Best for International Students - Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students. No SSN required – students with a passport, a U.S. bank account along with some other documentation are eligible to apply. 1% cash back on all purchases. $0 foreign transaction fee. $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.

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.

Taking the following credit-card precautions will help you save money and avoid unnecessary hassle while using your credit card abroad.

1. Get a no foreign transaction fee credit card. Do this before booking flights, hotels, etc. Foreign transaction fees will be assessed on any purchase made through a foreign merchant, even before you leave the U.S.… read full answer
2. Call your credit card company. Most credit card companies require you to notify them of international travel plans. If you don’t, your account may be suspended due to suspicions of fraud. Capital One and American Express are the only major issuers that automatically detect when you’re traveling.
3. Know your info. Write down your account number as well as your credit card company’s phone number, and keep this information somewhere safe (not in your wallet). If your card gets lost or stolen, you’ll need both to get a replacement.
4. Don’t forget your ID. Some countries may require identification to authorize a U.S. credit card transaction. So don’t forget your passport when you go shopping abroad.

Pay in the local currency. Decline any merchant’s offer to convert prices into U.S. dollars. This could be a trick known as dynamic currency conversion, which merchants often use to assess high exchange rates and line their pockets.

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 … read full answerbest 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 few guidelines to follow, such as using a no foreign transaction fee credit card on the Visa or Mastercard network. And there are several other items you should be aware of, including travel alerts, chips and dynamic currency conversion.

Here are some tips for using a credit card internationally:

• Full protection from unauthorized charges: Credit cards allow you to minimize the amount of cash you carry abroad and provide the opportunity to earn rewards. They also come with $0 fraud liability.
• Avoid foreign transaction fees: Many credit cards come with foreign transaction fees when you buy from internationally-based merchants. These fees are typically 1%-3% of the purchase amount. If you go abroad, you should get a card with no foreign transaction fee.
• Set travel alerts: Many credit card companies ask that you set a “travel alert” before leaving the country. It’s not mandatory. But if you don’t, they might suspect that international purchases are fraud and suspend your spending privileges until you notify them otherwise.
• Wider acceptance and more protection with chip cards: You’ll have a smoother experience using a credit card internationally if it’s a “chip” card. Many unmanned payment terminals abroad will not take cards that have only a magnetic stripe. And merchants may even give you a hard time if your card doesn’t have a chip.
• Refuse Dynamic Currency Conversion: Choose to pay in the local currency. Merchants may offer to let you pay in U.S. dollars, a practice known as Dynamic Currency Conversion. But it’s often an excuse to use an unfair exchange rate (often as much as 7% higher) and overcharge you.
• Avoid cash advances: Credit card cash advances allow you to get cash from your card’s credit line. However, cash advances are subject to hefty fees and interest rates that accrue immediately, with no grace period. So it’s best to avoid them outside of emergency use.

If you’re in the market for a credit card to use internationally, check out our editors' picks for the best credit cards for international travel.