Credit Cards with no Foreign Transaction Fee for those who Travel

When travelling abroad, one more hassle is added to the language barrier, dealing with unusual situations, and cultural differences: local currencies. In the past, travelers used to stop by a local foreign exchange office just after the airport gate and exchanged some of their money to local currency, being ripped off by fees and unfavorable exchange rates in the process.

Today it has been proven many times that the most cost effective way to exchange money while travelling is by just by using your credit card for all foreign purchases. The exchange rate that your card will offer you is determined by VISA or MasterCard payment systems and is much better than any local exchange offices will ever offer you.

The only big bump on the road is a foreign transaction fee (commonly around 3%) that most U.S. credit cards charge for every foreign purchase. Luckily, there is a good choice of cards that do not charge any FX fee. Have a look at our list of our best credit cards for international travel:

intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 16.49-23.49 5% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1x 2x 5x points per dollar +80,000 pt intro bonus
  • 5x points on Marriott or Ritz-Carlton purchases
  • 2x points on airlines, rental cars and restaurants purchases
  • 1x on everything else
  • 80,000 points intro bonus

 

fair credit required

$85 annual fee, waived for the first year

80,000 sign up bonus

5x points on Marriott

2x points on airlines, rental cars, dining out

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intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 16.49-23.49% 5% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1-2 miles/$1 +60,000 sign-up bonus
  • 2x points on Southwest purchases and on Southwest Hotel and car rental programs partners purchases
  • get 60,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
  • +6,000 miles every account anniversary

 

good credit required

$99 annual fee

2x on Southwest purchases

60,000 miles bonus

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intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.49 - 23.49% (V)
intro BT APR 16.49-23.49% 5% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1x-2x miles per dollar +30,000 bonus miles
  • earn 2x miles on United purchases
  • 1x regular rate on all other purchases
  • get 30,000 miles bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months 
good credit required

$95 annual fee, waived for the first year

first checked bag free

30,000 miles intro bonus

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intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR16.24 - 25.24% (V)
intro BT APR 16.24-25.24% 3% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1-2 miles/$1 +30,000 bonus miles
  • get 30,000 miles bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
  • get $50 statement credit if you make Delta purchase in the first 3 months
  • 2x miles on Delta purchases
  • 1 mile for $1 on other purchases
excellent required

Gold: $95 annual fee, waived for the first year

Platinum: $195 fee

Reserve: $450 fee

Delta benefits

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intro purchase APR no intro offerregular APR15.74 - 15.74% (V)
intro BT APR 15.74 3% BT fee $5 min
rewards 1-2-3 points per $1 + 50.000 points
  • get 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
  • 3x points on air travel and hotels
  • 2x points for dining and entertainment

 

excellent required

$450 annual fee

50,000 intro bonus

lounge passes, global entry and more 

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In short, all Capital One credit cards do not charge any international transaction fee, along with some travel credit cards from Bank of America, Chase, Barclay’s, and Citi. You cannot go wrong with any of these offers. Just pick the one that caters better your needs.

Consider cards’ sign-up bonuses, regular rewards rate, annual fee, and credit level needed to apply.

It is advised that you do not use AmEx or Discover cards, despite that some of the AmEx cards don’t charge you an FX fee. These cards are not as widely accepted abroad as VISA or MasterCard and chances are you can stack somewhere without the ability to pay with your plastic.

It is also good to know that many VISA and Master Card credit cards offer you these essential travel benefits:

  • Cover rental cars collision damage
  • Medical evacuation expenses
  • And other useful travel perks (call the bank or read your card terms and conditions – usually it depends on your card status level)

 

Yet another good piece of advice is to call a bank in advance to inform them what locations are you travelling – it can prevent triggering an unusual transaction flag and the blocking of your card when you need it most.



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