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The best credit cards for traveling abroad 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 for which card will be the best for traveling overseas. 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.
How we rate products
To develop our list of the best credit cards for international travel, we evaluated travel rewards cards according to a set of criteria we consider critical to the consumer, including foreign transaction fees, earning potential, travel benefits, and access to transfer partners. We did not evaluate all products in the category; we used editorial judgment to determine which products were best for different users and situations.
Compare the best credit cards for international travel
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Rewards Rate | Foreign Transaction Fee | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 award winner
Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Card
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Apply Now
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card 4.4
|
20,000
Bonus Points
|
1X - 3X
Points
|
None |
$0
|
|
2025 award winner
Best Travel Card for Everyday Spending
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Apply Now
Citi Strata Premier® Card 4.9
|
60,000
Points
|
1X - 10X
Points
|
None |
$95
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Simple Travel Rewards
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Apply Now
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 4.7
|
75,000 Miles
|
2X - 5X
Miles
|
None |
$95
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Lounge Access
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Apply Now
Chase Sapphire Reserve® 5.0
|
125,000 bonus points
|
1X - 8X
Points
|
None |
$795
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Luxury Travel
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Learn How to Apply
American Express Platinum Card® 4.9
|
175,000
Points
|
1X - 5X
points
|
None |
$895
|
Wells Fargo Autograph
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- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
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 (then 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% 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 can 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.
- $0 annual fee
- High earning potential
- Intro APR period for purchases
- Limited redemption opportunities
- No travel perks like checked bags or lounge access
Read our Wells Fargo Autograph Card Review to learn more.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
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- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 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
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.
- Annual hotel benefit
- Lucrative bonus categories
- Great transfer partners
- Spending requirement on hotel benefit
- Low non-bonus category earnings
Read our Citi Strata Premier Card review to learn more.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is perfect for anyone who values simplicity. 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 for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000-anniversary bonus miles, and airport lounge access, in exchange for a $395 annual fee.
- Easy-to-use rewards program
- Access to transfer partners
- Bonus rewards through Capital One Travel
- Fee credit for Trusted Traveler Program enrollment
- No opportunities to earn bonus rewards other than booking through Capital One Travel
- Limited domestic transfer partners
Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review to learn more.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is an immensely popular travel rewards card for good reason. The up to $300 annual travel credit is one of the easiest to use on the market. Points earned could be transferred to over a dozen hotel and airline partners, or redeemed through Chase Travel for select hotels and flights at a rate of up to 2x, which is 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.
- Comprehensive travel coverage
- Lounge access
- $300 annual travel credit
- High annual fee
- Requires excellent credit
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review to learn more.
American Express Platinum Card®
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- Enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits)
- Gain access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide (enrollment required)
- Elevate your hotel stays with elite status perks (enrollment required)
- Earn valuable Membership Rewards points on flights and hotels
- Protect your trips with top-notch travel insurance
The American Express Platinum Card® 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, up to $120 in annual Uber One Credit, 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 (up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax; Plus Ups not eligible), $200 airline fee credit, up to $600 hotel credit ($300 in credits semi-annually), up to $300 in digital entertainment credits, 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.
- Loads of statement credits
- Lucrative welcome offer
- Elite status with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required)
- Airport lounge access
- Mediocre earning potential
- Hefty annual fee
- Some statement credits are difficult to use
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
Is using a credit card while traveling internationally a good idea?
Using a credit card while traveling internationally is typically a good idea. Many travel credit cards offer helpful benefits, such as no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, and airport lounge access. In addition, credit cards are often more convenient and safer than carrying around large amounts of cash.
What's the best student card for international travel?
If you're planning on studying abroad, having a student credit card that earns rewards without charging foreign transaction fees is a must. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students and Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card are both solid options.
Is Visa or Mastercard better for international travel?
Both Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted worldwide, and one network isn't generally better than the other.
Bottom line
The most important consideration when choosing a credit card for traveling 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.
Check out our list of credit cards without foreign transaction fees for some more options.
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Current Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 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