Cameron DiGiovanni, Writer
@cdigiovanni20
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards can be used internationally, though Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted abroad. 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.
Credit cards without foreign transaction fees are also crucial when traveling internationally. You’ll save an average of 1.54% 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.
Best Credit Cards for International Travel
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Winner
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Travel Benefits
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Travel Rewards
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : No Annual Fee
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card : Best Value
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card : Secured
- U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® : Business
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.
People also ask
What credit cards can be used internationally?
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards can be used internationally, though Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted abroad. 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.
Credit cards without foreign transaction fees are also crucial when traveling internationally. You’ll save an average of 1.54% on each...
read full answerWhich credit card is best for international payments?
The best credit card for international payments is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card because it has no foreign transaction fee and it rewards users with 1 - 5 points per $1 spent, including on payments to merchants based abroad. You can also get 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The card has a $95 annual fee.
In general, a credit card with no foreign transaction fee can save you a lot of money if you are making international payments to merchants located outside the U.S. That’s true whether you’re also...
read full answerHow 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...
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