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WalletHub Best Credit Cards For International Travel
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best international credit card.
International credit cards are credit cards that have $0 foreign transaction fees and can be used for traveling in more than 200 countries and territories internationally. According to WalletHub research, using an international credit card abroad can also help you save 7% to 10% on foreign currency conversion. Plus, the best credit cards for international travel have great rewards, travel insurance and other helpful perks ... show more... show more
Best Credit Cards for International Travel (June 2023)
- Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardChase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Travel Benefits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit cardBank of America® Premium Rewards® credit cardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardCapital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- No Annual Fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardCapital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Best Value: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® CardU.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Secured: U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured CardU.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Business: Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature CardWells Fargo Business Elite Signature CardLearn MoreLearn More
FILTER INTERNATIONAL CREDIT CARDS
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- 20,000 miles initial bonus
- Unlimited 1.25 miles per $1 on every purchase
- Miles are redeemable for any travel-related expense on your bill
- 0% intro APRs
- No annual fee
- Balance transfer fee
- Potential for a very high regular APR
- 25,000 points initial bonus ($250 in travel)
- 1.5 points / $1 spent
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- User-friendly travel rewards redemption
- Very high regular APR
- Requires excellent credit
- 75,000-mile initial bonus
- 2 - 10 miles per $1 spent on purchases
- Annual statement credit & bonus opportunities
- Airport lounge access
- $395 annual fee
- Not good for financing
- Requires excellent credit
- 60,000 points - initial bonus
- Up to 6.25% back when redeeming for travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 Annual fee
- 1 point per $1 base earn rate
- $200 initial bonus
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Potential for a very high interest rate
- Balance transfer fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- $200 initial bonus
- High rewards rate
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- High regular APR
- Balance transfer fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- No membership fees
- No foreign fee
- Qualify with limited or no credit history
- Does not require security deposit
- No rewards bonus
- No balance transfers allowed
- 20,000-point initial bonus
- 3 points / $1 spent in bonus categories
- $0 annual fee
- 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases intro offer
- $600 in cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
- 19.99% - 29.99% Variable regular APR
- No balance transfer promotion
- No annual fee
- Available to people with limited credit
- Free credit-score access
- No foreign transaction fee
- No rewards
- High regular APR
- No reduced introductory rates
- No membership fees
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- No balance transfer fee
- High rewards rate
- No intro APR on purchases
Why people trust WalletHub
Unlike other sites that only promote cards they're paid by, WalletHub's editors focus on finding the best cards. WalletHub makes it easy to find the best international credit cards.
Our picks
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best credit card for international travel overall, thanks to great rewards, low fees and helpful secondary benefits. It’s also accepted worldwide.
Why We Like It: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers an initial bonus of 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. In addition, cardholders earn up to 1 - 5 points per $1 on purchases and enjoy perks like baggage insurance and travel emergency assistance.
What We Don’t Like: This card has a high APR and requires booking at least some travel through Chase’s travel portal if you want to get maximum value. It also has an annual fee of $95.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you have good credit or better and will be able to meet the spending requirement for its initial bonus.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is one of the best credit cards for international travel benefits.
Why We Like It: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card has a 0% foreign transaction fee and an initial bonus of 50,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. You also get 1.5 - 2 points per $1 on purchases normally.
What We Don’t Like: The card’s regular APR is pretty high, and it has a $95 annual fee.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for this card if you want to avoid foreign fees and the bonus rewards match up well with your lifestyle. You also need at least excellent credit for approval.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for international travel because of its attractive bonus rewards and benefits.
Why We Like It: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers an initial bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus 2 - 5 miles per $1 on purchases normally. In addition, you can redeem your miles to pay for pretty much any travel-related expense you charge to your card, and you won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like: This card has a $95 annual fee. Carrying a balance from month to month would be expensive, too.
Who Should Get It: Apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card if you have good credit or better and you travel often but don’t want to commit to a single airline or hotel chain.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is the best international credit card with no annual fee because it has a $0 foreign fee and gives good rewards.
Why We Like It: Cardholders earn 1.25 - 5 miles per $1 spent on purchases and don’t have to worry about annual membership fees or fees for making international transactions.
What We Don’t Like: The card’s regular APR is pretty high, so plan to pay the bill in full to avoid interest and maximize your savings.
Who Should Get It: Apply for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card if you have good credit or better and you don’t want to pay an annual fee or commit to a single airline or hotel chain.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card offers the most overall rewards value for international travelers over the course of two years, according to WalletHub’s calculations.
Why We Like It: The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card offers an initial bonus of 50,000 points for spending $4,500 in the first 90 days, plus ongoing rewards of 1 - 5 points per $1 spent. It also has no foreign transaction fee.
What We Don’t Like: There is an annual fee of $400 and a high regular APR.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for this card if you have excellent credit or better and you’ll be able to qualify for its initial bonus.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card is the best secured credit card for international use because it has a $0 foreign fee and gives above-average rewards.
Why We Like It: Cardholders earn 1 - 4 points per $1 on purchases and don’t have to worry about annual membership fees or fees for making international transactions.
What We Don’t Like: You need to place a refundable security deposit of $300 or more. The amount you put down becomes your spending limit.
Who Should Get It: Consider applying for this card if you currently have bad or limited credit.
Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card
The Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card is the best business credit card for international travel because of its attractive bonus rewards and international benefits.
Why We Like It: The Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card offers an initial bonus of $1,000 cash back for spending $25,000 in the first 3 months, plus 1.5% cash back spent on purchases normally.
What We Don’t Like: This card has high membership fees starting the second year your account is open.
Who Should Get It: Apply for the Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card if you’re a business owner who travels abroad or makes purchases from foreign vendors. You also need to have excellent credit or better personally.
In general, the best credit cards for international travel work all around the globe, in hundreds of countries and territories, offering really good rewards without charging international fees (unlike more than 90% of cards). Many also have a feature called chip and PIN for easier use and added security abroad. Plus, the best credit card for international travel can save you as much as 9% on currency conversion alone.
Best International Credit Cards Comparison
| Credit Card | Best For | Annual Fee | International Fee |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Winner | $95 | 0% |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Travel Benefits | $95 | 0% |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Travel Rewards | $95 | 0% |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | No Annual Fee | $0 | 0% |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | Best Value | $400 | 0% |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card | Secured | $0 | 0% |
| Wells Fargo Business Elite Signature Card | Business | $0 intro 1st yr, $125 after | 0% |
How we picked the best international credit cards
To identify the best international credit cards, WalletHub’s editors compare major credit card offers based on how well their rewards, fees and other features suit the needs of international travelers. More specifically, WalletHub analyzes the foreign travel benefits offered by personal credit cards from the top 10 issuers, excluding student and co-branded cards.
In addition to the top 5 cards overall, we selected the best secured card and the best card for business to make sure different types of travelers' needs are met.
We score each card in three categories: Fees (20%); Secondary Benefits (30%); Convenience Services (50%). These categories are comprised of 13 individual metrics, including foreign fees, initial bonuses, emergency assistance, travel insurance, international merchant acceptance, and travel notification requirements.
For more details, view the full methodology from our International Credit Card Study.
Learn more about International credit cards
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Avoiding dynamic currency conversion
Getting one of the best international credit cards won’t do you much good if you fall for a merchant trick known as dynamic currency conversion. They offer to convert the amount of your purchase to U.S. dollars from the native currency as an excuse to apply an unfavorable exchange rate and pocket extra profit. So always pay in the currency in which prices are listed.
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International credit cards for bad credit
The best international credit card for bad credit is the Capital One Platinum Credit Card because it has a $0 foreign transaction fee and a $0 annual fee. It also works wherever Mastercard is accepted. Although there isn’t as much of a selection of international credit cards for people with bad credit as there is for people with higher scores, some good options are indeed available.
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International credit cards on WeChat Pay
Foreign visitors to China can now link an international credit card to WeChat Pay in order to more easily make purchases in the country. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diner’s Club and JCB cards are all compatible, at least in theory. Reports are mixed about whether this new feature actually works as advertised yet.
About the author
John S Kiernan
Sources
WalletHub actively maintains a database of 1,500+ credit card offers, from which we select the best international credit cards for different applicants as well as derive market-wide takeaways and trends. The underlying data is compiled from credit card company websites or provided directly by the credit card issuers. We also leverage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop cardholder profiles, used to estimate cards’ potential savings.
Credit Cards For International Travel FAQ
Comparing international credit cards can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.show more
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What credit cards can be used internationally? Reply
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 1.53% 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.
Notable Credit Cards for International Travel
- Overall: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardCapital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- High Earning Rates: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardChase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & FeesInitial Bonus: Citi Premier® CardCiti Premier® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- No Annual Fee: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardCapital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- 0% Intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardBank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
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.
Should I get an international credit card? Reply
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...
What is the best credit card for travel in Europe? Reply
The best credit card for travel in Europe is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card because it gives 2 - 5 miles per $1 on purchases, with no redemption restrictions, plus an initial bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Capital One Venture also has a $0 foreign transaction fee. The annual fee is $95, and you need good credit or better for approval.
If you’re looking to rely on a popular European airline, the British Airways Credit Card and the Lufthansa Credit Card are both good choices. There are plenty of other cards...
Do I need to let my credit card company know I'm traveling? Reply
You don’t need to let your credit card company know you’re traveling, but it’s always a good idea. To protect you from fraud, credit card issuers look for charges that seem to be out of the ordinary, or “suspicious activity”. So, if they suddenly start seeing charges pop up on your card in a different state or country, they may decline the charge, assuming it’s fraudulent. In order to keep your credit card from being...
Which credit card is best for international payments? Reply
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...
Do I need to get a special European credit card before going to Europe? Reply
No, you don’t need a special European credit card before going to Europe. But you do want a card on a network that’s widely accepted in your destination of choice. Mastercard and Visa are your best options, as they’re both accepted pretty much everywhere in over 200 countries and territories. American Express is accepted in all European countries but may not be accepted by the specific merchant you’re doing business with, particularly if it’s a small operation....
Is using a credit card internationally a good idea? Reply
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 best 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...
Featured Credit Cards
Expert Opinions
To help travelers choose and use international credit cards as wisely as possible, WalletHub posed the following questions to a panel of experts and invited them to share their insights. You can find their bios and responses below.
- What’s the most important thing to look for in a credit card for international travel?
- What’s the biggest credit card mistake that international travelers make?
- Would you ever recommend getting an American Express or Discover credit card for international travel?
- Do you know of any international destinations where a U.S. credit card will not work?
Ph.D., MBA, CHE, Assistant Professor in Management, School of Business and Economics, Indiana University Northwest
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Madonna University, Chair of Undergraduate Programs, School of Business, Assistant Professor of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Merchandising & Retail Management
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Clinical Professor, Associate Director, BHP NYC, Pace University, Lubin School of Business
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Endowed Chair and Director, University of South Carolina - SmartState Center for Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
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Ph.D., Associate Professor, Academic Program Coordinator, Tourism and Events Management, School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management, George Mason University
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Ph.D., CHIA., CAHTA, Associate Professor and Director, Hospitality Management, Coca-Cola/BORSF Endowed Professorship in Hospitality Management, Community Coffee Company, Inc./LEQSF Regents Professorship in Hospitality Management, Department of Management, B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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