Traveling abroad can be expensive, but it's even worse when you have a credit card that charges you foreign transaction fees. These fees can be 3% or more of each purchase and add up quickly, especially when you're paying for big-ticket items like hotel rooms or rental cars.
Thankfully, there are credit cards geared toward travelers that don't charge foreign transaction fees and have wide acceptance overseas. And anyone who travels abroad — even if only occasionally — can save money with these cards.
To help you find the best option for you, CNBC Select chose our favorite credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and broke them down into specific categories. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best cards with no foreign transaction fees.)
Best credit cards without foreign transaction fees
- Best overall: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Runner-up: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for cash back: Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
- Best for dining: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
- Best for luxury travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for hotels: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles
- Best for small businesses: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best overall
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
$0at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years
Cons
- No introductory APR
- There’s a $95 annual fee
Who's this for? Anyone who wants a card that's just as rewarding on the road as when you're home should consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card because it earns at least 2X miles on all purchases worldwide.
Is it worth it? The Capital One Venture card has several perks that can make the $95 annual fee worth paying, including two airport lounge visits per year and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100 (every four years). The miles this card earns are also incredibly useful and highly versatile. (see rates and fees)
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Runner-up
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's secure site
Rewards
$50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 3X points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesaleclubs), 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See our methodology, terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review.
Pros
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
- Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursem*nt
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory 0% APR
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel credit card that's loaded with under-the-radar perks. And it earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are some of the best travel rewards you can collect.
Is it worth it? The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card comes with a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, which already offsets more than half of its $95 annual fee. It also providesprimary rental car insurance, which is normally a pricey add-on, as well as other valuable perks like trip delay protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and more.
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Best for cash back
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
Information about the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the cards prior to publication.
Rewards
2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000)
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Balance transfer fee
3%
Regular APR
17.49% to 27.49% variable
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
N/A
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- 2.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $250 in cash back rewards per billing cycle)
- No annual fee
- Simple cash-back rewards
Cons
- No welcome bonus
- No special financing offers
Who's this for? The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card is ideal for those who prefer to earn cash back and don't want to pay an annual fee.
Is it worth it? The appeal of the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Card is simple. It earns a stellar 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000). And with no annual fee, you can keep this card long-term without worrying about your overall value being dinged.
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Best for dining
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Rewards
4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 4% on eligible streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Unlimited 4% cash back on entertainment purchases
- Ability to redeem rewards at any amount, unlike some other cards with $25 minimums
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers
Who's this for? Foodies, sports fans, movie buffs and adventure seekers will all find a common reason to like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*: unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and streaming purchases.
Is it worth it? The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card* offers very competitive rewards rates for several popular spending categories. You only need to spend $2,375 a year in a combination of the card's 4% cash-back categories to earn enough rewards to cover its $95 annual fee. Plus, the card offers money-saving benefits with Uber.
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Best for luxury travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase’s secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
See our methodology, terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every four years
- Priority Pass™ Select lounge access at 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide
- Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
- Complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership
Cons
- High annual fee, but it can be offset by taking advantage of all the card’s perks
- No introductory APR
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,469
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $3,346
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is designed for frequent travelers who want to maximize their earnings while enjoying luxury perks.
Is it worth it? The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a higher annual fee, but also offers elevated benefits to justify it, such as an annual travel credit of up to $300, airport lounge access, top-tier travel and purchase protections and a fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS. Plus, with the Sapphire Reserve, your rewards are worth 50% more when redeemed through the Chase travel portal.
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Best for hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$395
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable APR
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
$0
Credit needed
Excellent
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Large welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Cons
- High annual fee
- No introductory 0% APR period
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is great for those who want to earn a strong return on their hotel stays booked through Capital One Travel and potentially get elite-like benefits.
Is it worth it? The Capital One Venture X's $395 annual fee (see rates and fees) can be more than offset each year thanks to the card's $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth at least $100 in travel). Cardholders also enjoy various travel protections, airport lounge access, flexible rewards and useful hotel benefits on stays booked through Capital One's Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection.
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Best for no annual fee
Discover it® Miles
On Discover's secure site
Rewards
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases
Regular APR
17.24% to 28.24% Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good / Excellent
*See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Read our Discover it® Miles review.
Pros
- Miles program
- Generous welcome bonus
- No blackout dates
- No limit to the amount of miles you can earn and miles never expire
Cons
- No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
- Travel spending does not receive additional rewards
- No airport lounge access
Who's this for? The Discover it® Miles card is perfect if you don't want to navigate bonus spending categories or complicated benefits.
Is it worth it? With an excellent rewards rate on all purchases and no annual fee to pay, you can continue benefiting from this card year after year. The miles you earn with this card are worth one cent each for travel or as cash back and the best part is, Discover will match every mile that you earn in the first 12 months. That means you've got a year where you're effectively earning 3X miles on every purchase.
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Best for small businesses
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
On Chase's secure site
Rewards
Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines), 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.24% - 26.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Free employee cards
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Generous welcome bonus worth up to $1,000
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers
Who's this for? The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is geared toward small business owners who want to maximize their travel rewards. It earns a competitive 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,00 in combined purchases each year (then 1X points) in a wide range of spending categories.
Is it worth it? The Ink Business Preferred offers many different travel and purchase protections that make its moderate annual fee worth paying. Eligible purchases are covered by cell phone protection, rental car insurance and trip delay reimbursem*nt. Plus, the card earns transferrable Ultimate Rewards points, which are some of the easiest to use and most valuable travel points you can earn.
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More on our top credit cards without foreign transaction fees
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is versatile yet straightforward. It's a top pick for credit cards without foreign transaction fees because it checks every box for what you need in a travel card and more.
Rewards
- 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95 (see rates and fees)
Notable perks
Cardholders receive two airport lounge visits per year to Capital One Lounges or 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges, Hertz Five Star status and a credit of up to $100 to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership every four years. Eligible purchases made with the card also qualify for travel accident insurance**, rental car insurance (secondary)** and extended warranty protection**.
The Capital One miles earned with this card can be used to offset eligible travel purchases at a rate of one cent per mile or transferred to various airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value. For example, you can transfer Capital One miles to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles at a 1:1 rate and book round-trip domestic award flights on United for only 15,000 miles.
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**Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is ideal for maximizers and beginners alike. It earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points and is loaded with travel and purchase protection benefits, all for a modest annual fee.
Rewards
- 5X points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 5X points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases through March 2025
- 3X points per dollar spent on dining
- 3X points per dollar spent on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
- 3X points per dollar spent on select streaming services
- 2X points per dollar spent on all other travel purchases
- 1X points per dollar spent on all other purchases
- 10% anniversary points boost
- $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers cardholders up to $50 in annual credit for hotel bookings made through the Chase travel portal and a 10% anniversary bonus on the points they earn. Cardholders can also take advantage of manytravel and shopping protections, such as purchase protection, extended warranty protection, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance and more.
Chase also has several temporary benefits that can help card members save money, including one year of complimentary DashPass membership (when activated by Dec. 31, 2024) and six months of free Instacart+ membership (activate by July 31, 2024), plus a $15 quarterly Instacart credit through July 2024. The Sapphire Preferred also grants cardholders $10 in monthly GoPuff credit through December 31, 2023.
The Chase points that you earn with this card can be redeemed for cash back, used topay for travelthrough the Chase Travel portal (with a 25% bonus) or transferred to 14 airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest and Hyatt.
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Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
The value of the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card is easy to recognize and anyone who likes earning cash-back rewards would be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding cash-back card for everyday purchases.
Rewards
- 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases
- 1.5% cash back for purchases over $10,000
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
As a Visa Signature card, this card offers purchase security, travel accident insurance, rental car collision coverage, extended warranty protection and identity theft protection.
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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card* is a top choice for earning cash back on dining, entertainment and streaming purchases.
Rewards
- 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 4% back on dining, entertainment, and on eligible streaming services
- 3% back at grocery stores
- 1% back on all other purchases
- 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases through Nov. 14, 2024
Welcome bonus
Earn a $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
In addition to having no foreign transaction fees, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card* offers extended warranty coverage and travel accident insurance. Cardholders have access to exclusive events and experiences through Capital One Entertainment and Capital One Dining.
You can also save on food delivery and rideshares with a monthly Uber One membership fee credit through Nov. 14, 2024. The subscription normally costs $9.99 per month and provides benefits like a $0 delivery fee on eligible Uber Eats orders, 10% off eligible Uber Eats orders and 5% off Uber rides.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®
If you want a premium credit card that's packed with travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® fits the bill. Its travel insurance perks can add peace of mind to any adventure and the card's airport lounge access allows you to relax in style while you're jet-setting across the globe.
Rewards
- 10X total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®*
- 10X points on Lyft purchases through March 2025
- 5X total points on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®*
- 3X points on other travel*
- 3X points on dining
- 1X points on all other purchases
*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$550
Notable perks
Chase Sapphire Reserve card members get up to $300 in annual travel credits, which covers more than half of the card's annual fee. And its other benefits can add up to even more value, including an up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit (every four years) and two years of complimentary Lift Pink membership (worth $199 a year) when you sign up by Dec. 31, 2024.
When traveling, cardholders have access to the new Sapphire Lounges and can enroll to receive a complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge membership. Further, cardholders can benefit from top-tier purchase and travel coverages, including purchase protection, extended warranty protection, return protection, primary rental car collision coverage, trip delay protection, trip interruption/cancellation insurance, baggage delay protection, travel accident insurance, emergency medical and dental insurance and more.
Chase has also partnered with a number of companies to provide even more value to cardholders. Sapphire Reserve card members can receive 12 months of Instacart+ membership and up to $15 in statement credit for Instacart purchases each month. In addition, you can also take advantage of statement credit for other delivery services. Cardholders are eligible for up to $10 back each month for Go Puff purchases and up to $5 in monthly credit with DoorDash. And you can activate a complimentary DashPass membership (minimum of one year free) through Dec. 31, 2024.
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card that earns rewards you can use for just about any travel expense. Plus, it has a straightforward points-earning structure so you'll be able to maximize your returns with minimal effort.
Rewards
- 10X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked throughCapital One Travel
- 5X miles per dollar on flights booked throughCapital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$395 (see rates and fees)
Notable perks
Every year, Capital One Venture X cardholders get up to $300 back on bookings made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth $100 in travel). There are also benefits to make your visit to the airport a bit less stressful, such as a credit to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership.
You can also access a range of elite-like benefits at select hotels when you book through Capital One's Premier Collection. Benefits include a $100 experience credit, daily breakfast for two people, free Wi-Fi, early check-in/late check-out (when available) and upgrades (when available). There's also the Lifestyle Collection, which offers special perks at a broader range of hotels.
When you pay for your rental car with your Venture X card, you'll receive rental car collision coverage. And cardholders qualify for ***Hertz Presidents Circle status, which comes with benefits such as complimentary upgrades.
***Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
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Discover it® Miles
Discover it® Miles is a no-frills no annual fee card with no foreign transaction fees that earns miles that can be redeemed for cash back.
Rewards
- 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase
Welcome bonus
Discover will match the miles you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or limits on how much you can earn through the match.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Discover it® Miles has an introductory 0% APR offer for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 17.24% to 28.24% variable APR (3% intro balance transfer fee, 5% balance transfer fee on future transfers, see terms). This can be useful if you need extra time to pay off your trip abroad.
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Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a top pick for small business owners due to its useful benefits, valuable rewards for business purchases and generous welcome bonus.
Rewards
- 5X points per dollar on Lyft purchases through March 2025
- 3X points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines)
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
Ink Business Preferred cardholders can add employee cards for free and also take advantage of various travel and purchase protections, including:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Cell phone protection
- Primary rental car collision coverage
- Trip delay protection
- Trip interruption/cancellation
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage coverage
- Travel accident insurance
Points can be redeemed toward travel through theChase travel portalat a rate of 1.25 cents per point, which is a 25% increase in value compared to using the points for cash back. Points can also be transferred to numerous hotel and airline partners, unlocking all sorts of redemption possibilities.
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FAQs
Which banks do not charge foreign transaction fees?
The fees a bank charges vary depending on what card you have. So regardless of what card issuer you're applying for a credit card with, it's important to review the fees that are assessed to that specific card, including possible foreign transaction fees. Discover is one of the few issuers that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on any of its credit cards.
How do I get foreign transaction fees waived?
If you are charged a foreign transaction fee, you could call your card issuer and ask for a fee waiver. However, you might have limited success with this strategy, it's better to review your card's fees beforehand and to use a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees whenever possible.
Does Amex charge foreign transaction fees?
Some American Express cards have foreign transaction fees, but many do not. There are no foreign transaction fees with cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees), the American Express® Green Card (see rates and fees) and the American Express® Gold Card (see rates and fees).
Does Chase charge foreign transaction fees?
Whether there is a foreign transaction fee varies depending on which Chase card you have. For example, the best Chase travel credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, have no foreign transaction fees, while many of the no annual fee Chase cards do charge foreign transaction fees.
Bottom line
When you're traveling out of the country it's important to use a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which are typically 3% or more. The good news is, there is no shortage of travel credit cards without this fee. So you'll be able to earn valuable cash back or travel rewards while using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card abroad.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel credit cardreview is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit cards.While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. Seeour methodologyfor more information on how we choose the best credit cards.
Our methodology
To determine which cards will put the most money back in your pocket, CNBC Select evaluated the most popular rewards credit cards with no foreign transaction fees offered by major banks, financial companies and credit unions that allow anyone to join. We compared each card on a range of features, including travel rewards (points and miles), annual fee, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, one-time perks, annual perks, redemption rates, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available.
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* Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One
**For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, clickhere.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, clickhere.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Green Card, clickhere.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of credit cards and personal finance, I'm well-versed in the intricacies of choosing the right financial tools to optimize savings and benefits. My depth of knowledge extends to the nuances of various credit card offerings, including those tailored for international travelers seeking to minimize foreign transaction fees. Let's delve into the key concepts and information presented in the article.
Key Concepts:
-
Foreign Transaction Fees:
- Foreign transaction fees can significantly increase the cost of international travel.
- These fees are often a percentage of each purchase, commonly around 3%.
- They can accumulate rapidly, especially with substantial expenses like hotel rooms and rental cars.
-
Credit Cards for Travelers:
- Certain credit cards are designed for travelers, offering benefits like no foreign transaction fees.
- These cards enhance the overall travel experience by providing perks, rewards, and protection.
-
Categories of Credit Cards Without Foreign Transaction Fees:
- The article categorizes credit cards based on specific criteria, catering to diverse preferences.
- Categories include "Best overall," "Runner-up," "Best for cash back," "Best for dining," "Best for luxury travel," "Best for hotels," "Best for no annual fee," and "Best for small businesses."
-
Selected Credit Cards and Their Features:
-
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card:
- Earning structure: 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Welcome bonus: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual fee: $95.
- Notable perks: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, airport lounge visits, and versatile miles.
-
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
- Earning structure: Bonus points on travel, dining, and other categories.
- Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual fee: $95.
- Notable perks: Points worth 25% more for travel, various travel protections, and an annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit.
-
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card:
- Earning structure: 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of eligible purchases.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Notable perks: Simple cash-back rewards with no annual fee.
-
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card:
- Earning structure: 4% cash back on dining and entertainment.
- Welcome bonus: $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
- Annual fee: $95.
- Notable perks: Competitive rewards rates for popular spending categories.
-
Chase Sapphire Reserve®:
- Earning structure: 10X points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual fee: $550.
- Notable perks: $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, airport lounge access, and elevated travel benefits.
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card:
- Earning structure: 10X miles on hotels and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
- Welcome bonus: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual fee: $395.
- Notable perks: $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, airport lounge access, and hotel benefits.
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Discover it® Miles:
- Earning structure: 1.5X miles on every dollar of every purchase.
- Welcome bonus: Discover matches all miles earned in the first year.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Notable perks: Generous welcome bonus and no annual fee.
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Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:
- Earning structure: 3X points in select categories.
- Welcome bonus: 100k bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual fee: $95.
- Notable perks: Travel and purchase protections, 1:1 point transfer, and a generous welcome bonus for small businesses.
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Expert Analysis:
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Choosing the Right Card:
- The best card depends on individual preferences, spending patterns, and travel habits.
- Consider factors such as rewards structure, welcome bonuses, annual fees, and additional perks.
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Maximizing Benefits:
- Look beyond foreign transaction fees and assess the overall value of each card.
- Consider perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, and insurance coverage.
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Tailored Recommendations:
- Recommendations are tailored for specific needs, such as cash back, dining, luxury travel, and small businesses.
- The expertise lies in aligning card features with the unique requirements of different travelers.
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Consideration of Fees and Rewards:
- The expert analysis emphasizes the importance of weighing annual fees against the potential rewards and benefits.
- Each card's worth is evaluated in the context of its fee structure and the value it provides.
In conclusion, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking credit cards that optimize their travel experiences by eliminating foreign transaction fees and offering valuable perks. The recommendations showcase a nuanced understanding of the credit card landscape, ensuring readers can make informed decisions based on their specific preferences and financial goals.
