John Miller, Credit Cards Moderator
@john_miller
Yes, a foreign transaction fee can be refunded if you return an item that you bought from abroad. Just keep in mind that this isn’t guaranteed, and you may need to contact your credit card issuer to request the refund if it doesn’t happen automatically. However, if you’re simply hoping to have the fee waived without returning anything, that’s probably not going to happen.
If you want to avoid the hassle of foreign transaction fees altogether, your best bet is to use a credit card that doesn’t charge them in the first place. That way, you can spend abroad without getting hit with extra charges every time you swipe.
Some of the Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Rates & Fees Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Ongoing Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Ongoing Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Ongoing Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Big Spenders: Chase Sapphire Reserve®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Big Spenders: Chase Sapphire Reserve®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Big Spenders: Chase Sapphire Reserve®Learn MoreLearn More
- Airline Rewards: JetBlue Plus CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Airline Rewards: JetBlue Plus CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Airline Rewards: JetBlue Plus CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Overall:
- Ongoing Travel Rewards:
- Big Spenders:
- Airline Rewards:
To explore more options, check out the rest of our picks for the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.
People also ask
Do foreign transaction fees apply to online purchases?
Yes, foreign transaction fees do apply to online purchases whenever the merchant is based outside the U.S. That goes both for debit cards and credit cards with foreign transaction fees. For example, if you buy something online from a merchant in the U.K. and pay with a card that has a foreign transaction fee, that fee will apply. Foreign transaction fees on credit cards can add as much as 2-4% onto each international purchase you...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyHow do I avoid foreign transaction fees?
The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to use a debit or credit card that waives foreign fees when you're traveling abroad or making online purchases from international retailers. About 25% of credit card offers don't have foreign transaction fees, so there’s no reason to pay the extra charge.
How to avoid foreign transaction fees
- Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fee
- Understand that foreign fees can...
How much are foreign transaction fees?
Foreign transaction fees cost 1-3% of each purchase, withdrawal, or other card transaction that gets processed outside of the U.S. Foreign transaction fees apply to the U.S. dollar value of international transactions, and the average fee is 1.58% in 2026, according to WalletHub’s Credit Card Landscape Report.
While even a 3% fee might not seem that expensive, the charges can quickly add up. For example, if you make $5,000 in purchases abroad or through non-U.S. retailers using...
read full answer by Chip Lupo, Credit Card WriterDid we answer your question?
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