No matter if it is your first international trip or an experienced one, credit cards can make your journey less bumpy. Look for cards without foreign transaction fees that offer rewards on spending categories as well as robust travel protections like rental car coverage and lost luggage insurance to help make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Credit cards that don’t charge international transaction fees (FTFs) are ideal for travelers who spend frequently abroad, as these fees usually amount to around 3% of each purchase abroad and add up quickly.
Many travel credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, provide no foreign transaction fees and valuable travel protections at a competitive annual fee of $95 or less. Furthermore, this card offers up to a $100 annual credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees, as well as $200 toward Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings through Amex.
Other travel credit cards, like Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (terms apply) and United Gateway(sm) Card, feature no foreign transaction fees as well as a generous welcome bonus of up to 25,000 miles when spending $500 within 90 days – these bonus miles can then be redeemed against airfare, hotel stays and other travel expenses.
Bonus Points on Travel
If you plan to spend significant sums abroad, make sure that your credit card offers maximum benefit. Some travel cards provide enhanced rewards in specific categories like dining and grocery spending, as well as helping cover international flights and hotels expenses.
Many cards offer substantial sign-up bonuses that could cover the costs associated with round-trip flights, while some even come equipped with built-in protections against lost or stolen purchases, like insurance coverage.
If you’re an avid traveler, NerdWallet recommends considering a premium card with luxurious benefits, like airport lounge access and elite status benefits. Some even provide credits toward trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and NEXUS. NerdWallet evaluates credit cards based on fees, rewards earnings rates and features, including how well they meet the needs of business, student and personal travelers – our ratings take this into account to find only those cards which meet them effectively on the market.
Travel Protections
Credit cards offer great benefits that can make traveling easier, such as lounge access, elite status benefits and travel insurance coverage – some may even cover the annual fee associated with your card!
While these cards offer convenience by eliminating foreign transaction and cash withdrawal fees, as well as fraud protection features that standard cards don’t provide, they also come equipped with fraud prevention features designed specifically to assist travelers. Travel-centric cards such as these can make spending overseas much simpler. This feature can especially benefit frequent travellers.
As a rule of thumb, it’s advisable to notify your card issuer in advance that you will be traveling abroad so they won’t flag your transactions as suspicious – either through calling them directly or by logging in online to your account. Notifying them also ensures you won’t miss any important transaction alerts while away – saving both time and money on future international trips! Taking these few simple steps may prevent costly charges while saving money!
International Acceptance
Finding a credit card that works around the world and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees can make travel more affordable and convenient. Make sure it comes equipped with other valuable features, like no annual fee or chip and PIN security for added peace of mind.
There are plenty of cards that work internationally and provide all of the benefits necessary for travel, like these top picks:
Who Should Get an International Credit Card? Anyone who travels frequently abroad should consider applying for an international credit card, which can help cut costs and hassles when traveling, including high interest rates. Plus, these cards often offer bonuses on popular spending categories not available back home as well as providing a backup form of payment in case your debit or cash gets lost or stolen – just remember to always settle your balance fully to avoid costly interest charges!
