Finding the ideal credit card for international travel involves multiple considerations. A suitable travel card should offer many benefits like no foreign transaction fees, airline and hotel loyalty rewards programs and important travel protection features.
Consider amenities that will add enjoyment to your trip, like free checked baggage and lounge access.
No foreign transaction fees
If you’re traveling frequently or exploring another country for the first time, a credit card with no foreign transaction fees can be extremely helpful. These charges, levied by credit card companies based on where merchants originate from, can quickly add up and make your trip more costly than necessary.
There are a range of great cards with no foreign transaction fees that could save you money when traveling internationally, including an annual membership for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry at no cost and credits towards baggage fees.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is an ideal solution for travelers who require no foreign transaction fees and a wide variety of travel benefits. This card features a generous sign-up bonus as well as earning unlimited 1.25 miles on every purchase – miles that can later be redeemed against flights and hotel stays with no blackout dates!
Bonus points on travel
If you’re planning an international trip, credit cards that offer bonus points on travel can be an ideal way to pay. Widely accepted and offering valuable rewards like hotel elite status benefits or lounge access, bonus travel cards also eliminate foreign transaction fees which could save 3% or more off each purchase.
Selecting the ideal travel card for your needs is essential as each card offers unique redemption values for its rewards. For instance, airline credit cards may provide higher values when redeeming miles for flights while co-branded hotel cards may offer lower values when redeeming rooms.
Another key consideration when searching for the perfect travel credit card is comprehensive travel protections. These features can help keep you prepared in case of flight delays or lost luggage; such features could include trip cancellation and interruption coverage as well as baggage insurance; some cards even provide credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry programs.
Chip-and-pin
If you frequently travel overseas, credit cards with chip-and-pin technology should be given serious consideration. This feature offers superior protection compared to traditional magnetic stripe cards which can easily be skimmed or copied; to complete transactions using such cards, simply enter your PIN into the card reader before verifying it with it.
The best international travel credit cards provide an impressive array of benefits, from bonus points and travel protections to cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage insurance, and much more. All this can save you both money and stress during your journey abroad.
Some travel credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, provide premium perks like airport lounge access and airline fee waivers but come with high annual fees. As an alternative, consider lower-fee alternatives, like Capital One Venture Rewards Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card which both earn miles at 1.25 miles per dollar spent, have no foreign transaction fees, and are accepted worldwide.
Travel protections
Credit cards with travel protections can make your next journey less of an ordeal when unexpected events arise. Some cards provide services such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance and emergency evacuation coverage – these benefits may offset the costs of purchasing standalone travel policies.
As coverages vary depending on which card is chosen, it’s essential that you read through its fine print carefully. Some cards require that you pay with that card in order to qualify for coverage; other may have specific rules regarding which purchases qualify for reimbursement.
Finding the ideal credit card can help you avoid unexpected fees and earn rewards while traveling abroad. Experian CreditMatch makes finding personalized card offers fast, free, and doesn’t affect your credit score – apply now to find your ideal card!
