Traveling is expensive enough without your credit card tacking on extra charges. Whether you’re sipping espresso in Rome or grabbing tacos in Tulum, a credit card with no foreign transaction fees can help you maximize the fun and minimize the fees. Explore our picks for the 8 best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.
Many of the cards below require good credit or better for approval. Need help boosting your score? Check out MoneyLion’s Credit Builder Plus membership, designed to help boost your credit or other credit building offers through our MoneyLion marketplace:
5 Best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
We’ve selected our picks for some of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees based on the following criteria:
Best for elevated rewards and a mid-range annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Best for premium rewards and a high annual fee: American Express Gold Card
Best for basic travel perks: Bank of America Travel Rewards
Best for premium travel perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Best for a 0% intro APR period: Discover it Cash Back
1. Best for elevated rewards and a mid-range annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
Source: chase.com
Looking to get a little more than basic rewards, but only pay a modest annual fee? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is a solid choice that has no foreign transaction fees and plenty of extras for just $95 per year.
This card earns 3x points on dining (delivery and takeout included), online grocery stores, and select streaming services. You’ll also earn 2x on travel purchases and 1x on all other purchases. You can redeem your points for 25% more value when booking travel through Chase. For example, 60,000 points (a $600 value) are worth $750 when booked through Chase’s travel portal.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also offers perks like complimentary access to DashPass for a minimum of one year (an annual value of $120) and protections like trip delay/cancellation insurance, auto rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance, and baggage insurance.
Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent) | Purchases intro APR: N/A |
|---|---|
Intro bonus: Earn 60,000 points when you spend $5,000 within 3 months | Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher |
Annual fee: $95 | Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%, whichever is higher |
Regular APR: 19.99% to 28.24% |
2. Best for premium rewards and a high annual fee: American Express Gold Card
Source: americanexpress.com
When it comes to cards with no foreign transaction fees, it’s hard to beat the American Express Gold® Card, as long as you don’t mind a steep annual fee.
For $325 annually, the Amex Gold Card offers 4x points at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x points), 4x on groceries (up to $25,000), 3x on flights, and 1x on all other purchases. This card also offers $524 in annual statement credits, which can help offset the annual fee if you use them all. These credits include:
$120 credit for Uber Cash
$120 credit for for eligible dining purchases
$100 credit towards The Hotel Collection when booked through AmexTravel.com
$100 credit for Resy
$84 credit for Dunkin’
Plus, you’ll enjoy all the perks of being an Amex cardholder, which include car rental insurance, a 24/7 global assist hotline when traveling, baggage insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent) | Purchases intro APR: N/A |
|---|---|
Intro bonus: Earn 100,000 points when you spend $6,000 within 6 months | Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5%, whichever is higher |
Annual fee: $325 | Balance transfer fee: N/A |
Regular APR: 20.24% to 29.24% |
3. Best for basic travel perks: Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
Source: bankofamerica.com
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards is a great option if you’re looking for a card that offers simple travel rewards with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
This card offers 1.5 points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed to pay for flights, hotels, baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases. It also has a 0% APR for 15 months on both new purchases and balance transfers, making it an effective option to pay for a large purchase (like a vacation) interest-free.
Bank of America Preferred Rewards members get even more bang for their buck, earning 25%-75% more points on every purchase (between 1.87 to 2.62 points for every $1 spent).
Credit score needed: 630-850 (good to excellent) | Purchases intro APR: 0% for 15 months |
|---|---|
Intro bonus: Earn 25,000 points when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days | Cash advance fee: 4% |
Annual fee: None | Balance transfer fee: 3% for 60 days, then 4% |
Regular APR: 18.24% to 28.24% |
4. Best for premium travel perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
Source: chase.com
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card is a premium travel card that offers a range of benefits, including lounge access, a $300 travel credit, and no foreign transaction fees.
This card offers 3x points on dining (including delivery and takeout), plus 3x points on travel purchases after you spend $300 on travel purchases. You also get 50% more value when you redeem your points through Chase. For example, 60,000 points (worth $600) would be worth $900 toward travel when booked through Chase’s portal.
Looking for a card that offers plenty of extras? This card’s got you covered and offers:
A $300 travel credit
Free Global Entry, TSA Pre Check, or Nexus (up to $120 every four years)
Complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges for you and up to 2 guests
Tip delay/cancellation insurance
Auto rental insurance
Travel and emergency assistance
Baggage insurance
Travel medical insurance
Credit score needed: 720-850 (excellent) | Purchases intro APR: N/A |
|---|---|
Intro bonus: Earn 60,000 points when you spend $5,000 within 3 months | Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher |
Annual fee: $550 | Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%, whichever is higher |
Regular APR: 20.24% to 28.74% |
5. Best for a 0% intro APR period: Discover it Cash Back Credit Card
Source: discover.com
Looking to leverage a long 0% intro APR period to fund a trip or large purchase? The Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card is a great option that offers a lengthy low-interest balance transfer period, generous rewards, and no foreign transaction fees.
This card offers a competitive 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers and 6 months on new purchases. Plus, it offers an impressive 5% cash back in rotating categories on up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, and 1% on all other purchases. You’ll have to manually activate your 5x spending category every 3 months, but the high rewards are worth the extra work.
Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent) | Purchases intro APR: 0% for 15 months |
|---|---|
Intro bonus: Discover matches your cash back for the first year with no limit. Earn $50 cash back, receive $50. | Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher |
Annual fee: None | Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the transfer (whichever is higher) for the first 60 days. After that, $5 or 5% of the transfer. |
Regular APR: 18.99% to 28.49% |
Pros and cons of credit cards with no foreign transaction fee
Want to learn more about credit cards without foreign transaction fees? Here’s what you need to know…
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ You’ll save money when traveling: Foreign transaction fees are usually between 1% to 3%, which can add up if you spend a lot of time overseas. | ❎ May have higher interest rates or annual fees: Some no-foreign-fee cards have higher APRs or annual fees, which can offset money you save in transaction fees. |
✅ You’ll enjoy global convenience and security: Credit cards are often safer than carrying large amounts of cash, as they can be canceled easily and may offer fraud protection or travel support. | ❎ Limited acceptance in some countries: Credit cards are not accepted everywhere, especially in rural areas or cash-heavy economies. |
✅ You can build credit while traveling: Paying off travel expenses in a timely manner can help you continue to boost your credit score while traveling. | ❎ Currency conversion rates can still vary: While you skip the fee, your card issuer’s exchange rate might not be as favorable as those from currency exchange services or local banks. |
How to choose the best credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Here are some of the factors to keep in mind when exploring cards with no foreign transaction fees:
Check the card network: Not every credit card works around the world, especially if you’re going off the beaten path. Before you sign up for a new card, double-check that your card’s network is commonly accepted in places where you plan on traveling.
Focus on travel cards: Start your search by exploring travel credit cards, which are the most likely to forgo foreign transaction fees. Since these cards are built for international spending, you’ll sometimes get perks like trip insurance, airport lounge access, and hotel upgrades.
Compare reward structures: Some cards give bonus points on travel, dining, or international purchases, while others just offer a flat rate across all spending. Be sure to choose a card with a rewards structure that aligns with your spending habits.
Consider sign-up bonuses: Many travel cards offer generous bonuses if you meet a minimum spend within the first few months. While these perks can add serious value upfront, be sure the card still makes sense for your lifestyle after the bonus is gone.
Evaluate annual fees vs benefits: Compare the value of travel credits, lounge access, and other rewards to see if the benefits are worth the card’s annual fee, if it charges one.
Need help boosting your score? Here are 11 tips and tricks to get approved for a credit card.
Keeping Foreign Transaction Fees Off Your Travel Tab
Traveling is already plenty expensive between flights, hotels, and excursions – the last thing you need is to get charged an extra 3% every time you swipe. Signing up for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to avoid small transaction fees while you’re overseas. Trust us, even a seemingly small 3% fee can add up quickly.
We hope that you’ve found this article valuable in learning about the 8 best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees – thanks for reading!
FAQs
What are foreign transaction fees?
Foreign transaction fees are surcharges charged by some credit card companies for transactions made in overseas currencies, ranging from 1% to 3%. If you travel internationally often, these charges can quietly add up and eat into your budget. However, many credit cards waive these fees.
How do I know if my credit card has international fees?
You can determine this by checking your card’s terms and conditions, usually in a section called “Fees” or “Rates & Fees.” You can also log in to your credit card account online or call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask directly. Most cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees proudly advertise it, so if you don’t see it mentioned, there’s a good chance those fees apply.
How do I avoid credit card foreign transaction fees?
You can avoid credit card foreign transaction fees by exploring cards with no foreign transaction fees. Many cards will waive these fees while still offering rewards and other benefits with no annual fee. You can also avoid foreign transaction fees by using cash when you travel abroad.
What is dynamic currency conversion?
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is when a foreign merchant offers to charge your credit card in your home currency instead of the local one. It might sound convenient, but it usually comes with worse exchange rates and extra fees.
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