International travel requires you to plan ahead and this includes financial planning as well. An important financial tip before you make your travel is choosing the right travel card.
The best credit cards for international travel can save you money on unnecessary fees and let you earn valuable rewards, travel perks, and protection. You can get big sign-up bonuses, luxury perks, earn points or miles that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays, and even bonus rewards for travel-related purchases.
Here are our top 3 U.S. credit cards for international travel with no foreign transaction fees.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an excellent premium travel rewards credit card (card is made up of metal, not plastic) for travelers heading abroad. Its annual fee of $95 is worth it given the big sign-up bonus, rewards on various spending categories, and additional perks it offers to cardholders.
Intro APR Purchases: N/A
Intro Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR: 15.99%-22.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual Fee: $95
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
If you have excellent credit, fly at least a few times a year and enjoy free travel earned through the rewards program, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a must-have credit card for international travel. It does not charge foreign transaction fees, plus it is a chip-enabled Visa for enhanced security and wider acceptance. The card also has an award-winning 24/7 dedicated customer service line which can be super convenient when traveling abroad.
You do have to pay an annual fee of $95 and to get the generous sign-up bonus, you have to spend $4000 in the first three months of getting the card which is quite a lot.
If you don't have a large purchase coming up or you don't want to spend much on your credit card, go for a no annual fee travel credit card.
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a straightforward no-annual fee and no foreign transaction fee travel card that lets you earn cashback on all purchases at a flat rate. The card offers one of the biggest intro-bonus in the no-annual-fee category. Although there are bonus points for travel-related purchases, there are several perks for travelers.
Gold Preferred Rewards: Earn a 25% points bonus
Platinum Preferred Rewards: Earn a 50% bonus
Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards: Earn a 75% bonus
Intro APR Purchases: N/A
Intro Term Purchases: 12 billing cycles
Intro Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR: 14.99%-22.99% (Variable APR on purchases & balance transfers based on your creditworthiness)
Balance Transfer Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
In order to get approved for this card, a FICO score of at least 670 or above is recommended. A higher score is indeed preferable.
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is the best choice for people who travel every now and then and for travelers who want a simple travel card with no annual fee. The card is best suited for Bank of America customers, especially those who are enrolled in one of the Preferred Rewards Programs. There is no other no-annual-fee travel card offering valuable earning rates.
If you are a frequent flyer and travel abroad more than twice a year, go for a card with an annual fee offering more lucrative rewards.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a straightforward travel rewards card with the potential to earn plenty of miles. The miles earned can be used in more than one way. The card carries an annual fee of $95 which is reasonable given its benefits.
Intro APR Purchases: N/A
Intro Term Purchases: N/A
Intro Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR: 17.24%-24.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
Annual Fee: $95
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
If you are likely to put your usual expenses on the card and spend around $10,000 a year, the annual fee of $95 is convenient.
Let's say, you spent $4,750 in a year, which amounts to $395.83 per month, the card is worth the annual fee. At 2 miles per $1 spent, $4,750 earns you 9,500 miles. At a value of &0.01 per mile, 9,500 miles is worth $95 which is the same amount as the annual fee.
If you happen to have a credit score of 700 or above and desire a hassle-free rewards credit card and spend at least above $4,000 a year, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid card for you.