Best Credit Cards for International Travel [2024]: Our 5 Top Picks

The best cards for international trips offer standout rewards programs and valuable perks for all travelers. As a full-time digital nomad, I spend about 11 months of the year outside the U.S. As such, I’ve been able to utilize various credit cards to earn valuable points, miles, and statement credits, all without paying any foreign transaction fees.

Every traveler has different goals, so there isn’t a hard and fast rule of which cards will be the best. Instead, look for cards that match your spending habits, offer access to transfer partners you typically fly with or stay at, and have statement credits you’re likely to use. It’s recommended to have a Visa or Mastercard, as these are accepted almost anywhere in the world where a credit card is accepted. Here’s everything you need to know about these five cards.

Best credit cards for international travel

• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Comparing the best credit cards for international travel

Card	Excellent for	Rewards rate	Annual fee
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	High earnings with no annual fee	Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases	$0
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card 4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Bonus earning categories	10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com; 3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations; and 1X points on all other purchases	$95
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Access to transfer partners	2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25	$95
Chase Sapphire Reserve® 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Travel insurance	5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases	$550
The Platinum Card® from American Express 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Lounge access	5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases	$695

Wells Fargo Autograph

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a solid option for any traveler looking to earn valuable rewards without paying a hefty annual fee. The earning potential is perfect for almost any international trip and offers bonus categories where travelers will likely concentrate their spending. It also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening from account opening (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). If you want to prepay for your next trip and pay it off over time, this could be a great way to do it.

The only drawback is that Wells Fargo is new to the world of transfer partners, so its current roster is limited. You may want to redeem your points for a statement credit to your account or for travel through the portal. Hopefully, Wells Fargo will add more partners in the future so you can maximize your rewards. Still, this is a fantastic option for anyone on a budget.

If you want to earn even more on travel, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card. In exchange for a $95 annual fee, you’ll earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases. You’ll also earn a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. This is a card I have my eye on and will likely apply for in 2025.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph Card Review to learn more.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

I love my Citi Strata Premier℠ Card and feel it is an underrated card. The earning potential is fantastic for a card with such a low annual fee. Plus, cardholders can earn $100 off a single hotel stay that's $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through CitiTravel.com. This benefit alone is enough to outweigh the annual fee. This is one of the only Mastercards I have in my wallet. I always feel better having various cards in my wallet when traveling internationally, just in case something happens.

You also receive trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost or damaged baggage protection, trip delay reimbursement, and car rental coverage when you use your card to pay while traveling. These benefits can help you rest easier, knowing you’re covered if something happens while you’re on the road.

Read our Citi Strata Premier Card review to learn more.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is perfect for anyone who values simplicity. There are no bonus earning categories, rotating categories, or spending limits to worry about. You earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, so when you pull out your card at the gas station, online, at a restaurant, or a museum, you’re getting the same miles per dollar. You also earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

You’ll also receive an application fee credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which is relatively uncommon for cards at this price point.

If you are willing to pay more, you could opt for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which provides a comparable rewards structure but several other benefits, like a $300 annual travel credit, 10,000-anniversary bonus miles, and airport lounge access, in exchange for a $395 annual fee.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review to learn more.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is an immensely popular travel rewards card for good reason. The $300 annual travel credit is one of the easiest to use on the market. Points earned can be transferred to over a dozen hotel and airline partners, or redeemed through Chase Travel at a rate of 1.5 cents per point, 50% higher than most competitors.

You’ll also get complimentary airport lounge access, an application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck, and special upgrades and discounts on select rental cars.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers some of the most comprehensive travel and purchase protections, including primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, emergency medical and dental coverage, and emergency evacuation and transportation insurance.

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review to learn more.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The The Platinum Card^® from American Express is a top-of-the-line rewards card that provides cardholders with a slew of travel benefits, including up to $200 annually in Uber Cash (terms apply), complimentary access to several airport lounge networks, elite status with select hotel and car-rental programs, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications, up to $100 annually in Saks Fifth Avenue shopping credits, a $155 Walmart+ credit, $200 airline fee credit, $200 hotel credit, $240 digital entertainment credit, and more. Some programs and benefits require enrollment.

The benefits seem almost endless, but you’ll need to know how to use them. They aren’t always the easiest to redeem, so it takes some effort to utilize them fully. This card gives access to the most airport lounges worldwide and ensures you will travel in style whenever you take an international trip.

Read our American Express Platinum Card review to learn more.

How to choose the best credit card for international travel

When selecting the best credit card for international travel, there are a few factors you should consider:

• Foreign transaction fees: Cards that charge foreign transaction fees often charge around 3% of each transaction. This can quickly add up, so make sure the card you take on your trip abroad doesn’t charge any fees.
• Earning potential: The bonus earning categories should align with your everyday spending but should also give bonus points on your trip purchases. Evaluate your spending habits to see which cards fit best.
• Annual fee: There are plenty of valuable no-annual-fee cards on the market, and there are also cards with $695+ annual fees. Consider how much you’re willing to spend for which benefit.
• Travel benefits: Having a card that gives travel insurance, airport lounge access, travel statement credits, elite status, or other travel-related benefits can help elevate your international travel experience.
• Type of rewards: A general travel rewards card that earns a transferable point currency will offer the most flexibility. However, if you’re very loyal to one hotel or airline, getting a co-branded card could also be a wise choice.

FAQs

Bottom line

The most important consideration when determining which card to use while abroad is whether it charges foreign transaction fees. If it does, you absolutely need a different card. If not, consider whether it offers travel insurance, bonus points on travel purchases, and any other travel-related benefits. Analyze your spending habits, travel, and financial goals before applying for a new card.

Earn Valuable Travel Points Even Faster

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards Rate

10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com; 3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations; and 1X points on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Exceptional rewards on travel booked through Citi Travel
• Offers opportunities to transfer points to travel partners at a 1:1 ratio
• Elevated rewards on everyday spending, like grocery shopping

Drawbacks

• Requires good-to-excellent credit to qualify
• You get the most rewards only by booking travel through Citi’s portal

Card Details

• For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases