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Does the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Have Foreign Transaction Fees?

Nobody likes to pay foreign transaction fees when they’re traveling abroad.

Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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When you travel abroad, you have a few options to pay for your purchases. Some retailers allow you to pay in your currency, or you can exchange cash at a currency exchange kiosk. However, paying with a credit card is often the most convenient option, provided it’s a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Some credit card issuers will charge a foreign transaction fee when you make a purchase abroad. Although it’s a small amount, typically ranging from 1-3% of the purchase price, these fees can add up quickly, and there’s no reason to pay them. That’s because many great credit cards don’t have foreign transaction fees, including the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.

In this article

Capital One Quicksilver foreign transaction fees

The Capital One Quicksilver does not charge foreign transaction fees.

That makes this a great card to use when traveling, and it comes with additional benefits such as travel accident insurance, concierge service, travel assistance services, Capital One entertainment membership, CreditWise access, extended warranty protection, and access to Capital One Shopping to help you save while shopping online.

Who the Capital One Quicksilver is right for

The Capital One Quicksilver card is a great choice for someone with a good to excellent credit score who is just getting started with travel rewards. That’s because there’s a $0 annual fee to offset, and the cash back rewards are straightforward, flexible, and never expire. 

You don’t have to worry about rotating categories - you’ll get 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) in addition to an early spend cash bonus. Cardholders can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. 

These perks make this Capital One credit card one of the more valuable cashback credit cards for someone who also likes to travel. Rewards can be cashed out in the form of cash, checks, gift cards, statement credits, or used on Paypal and Amazon. 

Tip
Capital One cash back is one of the few rewards currencies that maintains the same value across redemption options.

With this card, there’s also a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then the regular APR of 19.99% - 29.99% (variable)), which makes it an excellent choice for someone who wants to finance a large purchase, such as a vacation abroad. 

Just make sure you can pay off the total balance by the end of the introductory period, or you’ll be charged the variable interest rate, which is based on your creditworthiness and other factors. Also, keep in mind that a balance transfer fee applies.

FAQs

Does Capital One Quicksilver have foreign transaction fees?

No. You won't pay a transaction fee when making purchases outside of the United States with the Capital One Quicksilver.

Is Capital One a good credit card for international travel?

The Capital One Quicksilver Credit Card offers some great travel-related benefits such as travel accident insurance, concierge service, travel assistance services, extended warranty protection, and no foreign transaction fees. 

However, it has limited travel perks when compared with a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which offers two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges, as well as up to a $120 credit toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Learn more in our comparison of the Capital One Venture vs. Quicksilver.

What credit score do I need for a Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card?

To qualify for the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card, your credit score will likely need to be in the good-to-excellent range. A good FICO credit score is typically in the 670-739 range.

Note: Numerical credit scores are provided as guidelines only and are not a guarantee of approval.

Other cards to consider

If the Capital One Quicksilver doesn't sound right for you, consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter, but offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. If you find your everyday expenses align with this card’s bonus categories, you might be able to earn more cash back compared to the Capital One Quicksilver.

For more information, check out our American Express Blue Cash Preferred credit card review.

With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can earn 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, plus 5% total cash back on qualifying Lyft rides. However, it does come with a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars, so you may want to make your international purchases with a different card. 

Check out our Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Capital One Quicksilver comparison to see these two side-by-side.

Bottom line

If you’re planning a trip abroad and don’t have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, consider giving the Capital One Quicksilver card a spot in your wallet. It’s easy to earn the welcome bonus, and you can put that money toward covering your recent travel purchases. 

What’s more, you’ll continue to earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), which can help you save up for your next globetrotting experience. If you don’t think this card is the right one for you, then check out our list of the best cashback credit cards for other options. Either way, enjoy your travels!

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

Author Details

Lindsay Frankel

Lindsay Frankel is a Denver-based freelance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel, budgeting/saving, and shopping. She has been featured in several finance publications, including LendingTree. When she's not writing, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors, playing music, or cuddling with her rescue pup.