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 have. Plus, some cards will provide perks like trip cancelation insurance or give you access to an airport lounge before you fly.
Top 4 International Credit Cards of 2023
To see more options, check out WalletHub’s complete picks for the best credit cards for international travel.

2023's Best International Credit Cards
Compare CardsCarrie Ann, Member
@carriea_2
International credit cards are necessary for people that travel abroad, even once. I learned this the hard way after my bank put a hold my credit card after making my first purchase abroad. I had to call my issuer and verify that I was in a foreign country. ( A call that cost me $$) Then I had to wait another several hours for the hold to be lifted. In all reality, I spent thousands of dollars to travel abroad and sit, doing nothing because I had no access to my money. When my hold was finally lifted, I learned about all the extra fees associated with using a credit card in a foreign country. If you don't have an international credit card then the value of your dollar can go down as much as 10%. When you have a budget of $1000 spending money, you suddenly lose $100 of it to fees.
Jordan Westphal, Member
@jordanw_4
I don’t think international credit cards provide a lot of savings—at least, most of them don’t. They are necessary because it may not always be easy to withdraw cash from places that do not have your bank, but many cards charge fees for international use. These fees can really pile up if you travel a lot. They can only provide savings if these fees can be waived, or if the card can offer enough incentives to overcome the fees.
People also ask
Matt Ferrell, Member
@MPhoto
I think you can get the most out of international credit cards if you travel frequently, but that doesn't mean it's not also useful to casual travelers. Both are able to use them and enjoy it. There's also usually added/extra security on these types of cards, which is always a plus. Whether you travel frequently or casually, it's a good card to have on you. You just need to choose which type is best, since you wouldn't want to go all out on a card and features if you're just a casual traveler.
Judy Workman, Member
@judyw1
I think it's hard to tell sometimes which international credit card is right for you. You have to do some research on more than one. Try to line up what they offer with what you need and want. Frequent-flier miles through loyalty programs can pay off good if you travel a lot. Credit cards have been around a long time, so carefully pick.
Daniel Newton, Member
@danieln_3
I would say that having an international credit card would only be useful for those who travel frequently. I travel out of the country (somewhat infrequently, but I do travel) and I have an international credit card for this reason. It's extremely useful for me because I can buy things wherever I travel and not have to worry too much about currency converting or anything like that. I cannot see anyone who does not travel frequently needing something like this, though.
Max Lamb, Member
@max.lamb.96
I travel internationally on a frequent basis, and having international credit cards is very valuable to me. It's very convenient as they are widely accepted and make transactions easier. Not to mention, rewards add up very quickly when you travel a lot. I don't know if it would be worth it for someone who does not travel frequently though. I would probably opt for another kind of credit card if I did not travel very often. One sure thing, there are tons of credit cards and with enough research you can find one that is perfect for your needs.
JD, Member
@jds991
I think International credit cards are more important for people that travel internationally on a more frequent basis. I think for a casual traveler, it might not be worth it. I must say that I like the seecurity and features it provides when traveling internationally, but I'm not somone to apply for a credit card just for a one time trip. The only way I would apply for an international credit card as a casual traveler, would be if it offered the same perks for domestic travel.
Xar Kingship, Member
@xar_kingship
International credit cards are very convenient while traveling abroad. They are widely accepted and transactions are relatively easy. I think that international credit cards could also provide an advantage for domestic travelers. Domestic travelers may wish to utilize their cards with international merchants while in the United States. Such transactions are possible with the international credit card. It is important to note that international credit cards usually charge a fee for international transactions, even when the transaction originates within the United States. I think that international credit cards offer additional flexibility to customers whether domestically or internationally.
Donna George, Member
@dgeorge1307
As a traveler abroad, I rely on my international credit card through Bank of America. When outside of the country, I am able to use the card securely. I feel confident that my transactions will not be accessed any type of foreign fees which I believe are ridiculous. Along with this, I am able to access my home account and verify all transactions that I have made.
Leah Chesser, Member
@leah.p.chesser
I believe international credit cards without foreign transaction fees can be important to both people who travel frequently, as well as useful to casual travelers. However, those who travel frequently will obviously earn more rewards, and more quickly than casual travelers. International credit cards are accepted both where you live and in other countries, making them a convenient currency for both frequent and casual travelers.
Nika Turnbull, Member
@nika_turnbull
International credit cards, are extremely important for individuals, whether they travel frequently, or casually. An international credit card can not only be utilized internationally, the credit card can also be utilized in an individual's home country as well. However, it is important to note that the greatest benefits of an international card, is best utilized internationally. More importantly, when obtaining a credit card, and you are a traveler, the international credit card has much more stricter policies in place, therefore, a card holder will feel much more at ease when it comes to fraudulent activity.
Ray Josephson, Member
@ray.josephson.5
International credit cards certainly are similar to other credit cards in that they can be used locally as well as globally. However, I feel as though the benefits will be appreciated more by the world traveler as opposed to the individual who stays close to home. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of credit card options available to someone who intends to spend their money on a local level. For those who travel the globe for leisure or work, the low interest rates around the globe are definitely worth the time and effort of applying for the credit card.
Brandi Alexa, Member
@christina_gee_3979
International credit cards can certainly be useful to anyone, not only those who travel frequently! While a big draw of international credit cards is that they can be used at low interest rates anywhere in the world, they can also be used in your home country. On top of that, security is typically more strict on these cards so they are a good option if you’re concerned about fraud protection.
Benchguy Gallarde, Member
@benchguy2000
For me International credit cards are useful not only for those who traveled frequently but also for us with a few time to travel in any part of the world. The important thing is to choose the best international credit card you apply, select those minimal credit card charges. Many international credit cards had the same charges with our non-international credit cards, so it is better to have an international credit card even if you don't travel regularly. Another advantage of having an international card is, if you have an emergency trip to another country you don’t have to worry because you have already that credit card, It takes days or weeks to open an international credit card. Having a credit card on traveling is much comfortable than nothing. This is based on my personal experience.
Aldric Alfonso, Member
@aldric.alfonso.1
I honestly feel that International credit cards are really only useful for those who travel frequently. For casual travelers, I do not think it is necessary unless they feel that they have an upcoming trip that they feel they will be spending a lot of money on. Other than that, it is better if people try to limit the amount of credit cards they have. It is a good thing to try to simplify one's life and just keep the credit cards they actually use.
Larissa Tyler, Member
@larissa_tyler_9
International credit cards, without foreign transaction fees, are useful for everyone, even if you do not travel overseas very often. Many of these cards have airline miles, cash back bonuses or other perks available for everyday purchases. This means that even if you are not traveling outside of the county, you can still benefit from having a Visa or Master Card that does not have foreign transaction fees because you are earning some sort of reward when you spend. Over time, these perks add up and can actually help pay for your travel. The foreign transaction fees can really add up for even the casual traveler when they do venture outside of the country, so it is a good idea to have one of these cards just in case.
Hillary Lam, Member
@hillary.lam.5
International credit cards are useful for everyone, with the waiving of foreign transaction fees. It's not a deciding factor, but it is a convenience especially if it's with a no-annual fee card. As a casual traveler, I would not choose a card with an annual fee just for a foreign transaction fee waiver, as there are a lot of no-fee cards that offer the same thing. But as a frequent traveler, I would not mind getting an international credit card, as sometimes those offer other benefits and protections besides the fee waiver.
Casi Danielle, Member
@casi.cope
Photo credit cards allow people to express themselves and display their personality or passion for everyone to see. I think they will be popular with consumers, especially those in their 20s and 30s, just because they are something new and unique.I think photo credit cards are a fun idea. I do not want a credit card that looks like one that everyone else has. I can see having some fun with it. Maybe wearing some crazy costume or finding a funny picture online and using it for my card design. I could also see how putting your actual photo would be good for security, but I don’t think I’d be willing to do that in case I lost it. I personally believe that photos on credit cards are very useful for security purposes, and are not necessarily used for aesthetic purposes. Hardly anyone checks the back of a credit card when making real world purchases anymore, no matter where you are or what you are purchasing, much less asks for additional identification. Because of this, it has become all too easy for someone's credit card to become compromised and easily used to make purchases everywhere and anywhere. With the photo on the card, a clerk is more likely than not, going to look at the photo and easily determine whether or not that is the true identification of the customer, thus preventing fraud and security issues.
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