What's the best Star Alliance credit card?

The best airline credit card for international travel is the United Explorer Credit Card. This card offers good rewards, a 0% foreign transaction fee, and a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of applying for Global Entry.

United is also part of the Star Alliance, one of the world’s largest airline networks. Plus, the United Explorer Credit Card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Other perks include a free checked bag for you and one companion, priority boarding, and travel benefits such as rental car insurance and lost luggage protection.... read full answer

6 of the Best Airline Credit Cards for International Travel

Initial bonus: 50,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing rewards: 2 miles per $1 spent with United, restaurants, hotels and eligible delivery services, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Other travel perks: Free checked bags for you and one companion, priority boarding, travel insurance, and up to $100 for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus application fee.

Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Annual fee: $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after

Initial bonus: 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing rewards: 2 miles per $1 spent with United, gas stations, local transit and commuting, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Other travel perks: Receive 25% back as a statement credit on United inflight purchases and get a one-year complimentary DashPass membership.

Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Annual fee: $0

Initial bonus: 50,000 miles for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing rewards: 2 miles per $1 spent with American Airlines, as well as 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases

Other travel perks: Admirals Club membership and free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions.

Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Annual fee: $450

Initial bonus: 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing rewards: 3 Avios per $1 spent with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and LEVEL, 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotels, and 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases

Other travel perks: A companion ticket every calendar year after making $30,000 in purchases on your card and a one-year complimentary DashPass membership. Cardholders also get statement credits for booking certain British Airways flights and 10% off British Airways flights starting in the U.S., when booking through the website provided in the welcome materials.

Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Annual fee: $95

Initial bonus: 70,000 miles and a companion fare ticket for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days

Ongoing rewards: 3 miles per $1 spent directly with Alaska Airlines, 2 miles per $1 spent on gas, cable, streaming services and local transit, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Other travel perks: One companion ticket every year after your account anniversary, free checked bags for you and up to 6 companions, and 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your Alaska Airlines Credit Card.

Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Annual fee: $95

Initial bonus: 60,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days plus 10,000 miles after a purchase is made on an employee card

Ongoing rewards: 6 points per $1 spent on JetBlue purchases, 2 points at restaurants and office supply stores, and 1 point on all other purchases

Other travel perks: Up to 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary, free checked bags for you and up to 3 companions, and a statement credit after purchasing a vacation package with JetBlue. Cardholders also get 10% back every time they redeem for and travel on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight, plus 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases on all JetBlue flights.

Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Annual fee: $99

Things to Look for in an Airline Credit Card for International Travel

• Welcome bonus: Look for generous initial bonuses, but make sure you can meet the spending requirement without the need to overspend. A big initial bonus is a good way to collect rewards for your next international trip, or an international trip could help you meet the spending requirement.
• High rewards rate: Apply for a card that offers high earning rates on travel purchases, among other categories that are in line with your spending habits.
• Suitable redemption options: Redemption options vary by card. Some cards allow you to redeem your rewards through a travel portal, while others lets you transfer them to a number of travel partners. Make sure to figure out which redemption options work best for you.
• Competitive rewards value: You should also consider how much your rewards are worth when you redeem them. Airline credit cards typically offer the most value when you redeem miles/points for travel purchases – particularly flights on affiliated airlines.
• No foreign transaction fee: A no foreign transaction fee credit card is essential when traveling internationally. This way, you can use your card abroad without the fear of racking up fees. Plus, these cards also get you the best exchange rate.
• Travel insurance: Some useful benefits include rental car insurance, delayed and lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancelation insurance.

Airline credit cards for international travel are particularly valuable for people who routinely fly with one airline and can take advantage of all the perks these cards offer.

Infrequent travelers and people with no allegiance to a specific airline may benefit more from a travel rewards card that isn’t tied to a single airline. Many of the best credit cards for international travel offer rewards you can redeem for any travel expense.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best travel card on the market. The reward points aren’t restricted to a specific airline, offering 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value. You can check out this review for the Chase Sapphire Preferred here.