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A foreign transaction fee is a common charge that your credit card issuer adds to your bill for purchases made outside of the U.S. Usually around 3% of the purchase price, foreign transaction fees can apply to travel purchases when you are physically outside of the United States, as well as online purchases with foreign merchants.
The good news is that there are plenty of credit cards that waive foreign transaction fees. Some credit card issuers, like Capital One and Discover, have no foreign transaction fees on any of their cards.
Keep reading to learn more about how foreign transaction fees work and how to avoid them. Below you’ll find the top offers from our partners, followed by a full list of editor picks.
A foreign transaction fee is a common charge that your credit card issuer adds to your bill for purchases made outside of the U.S. Usually around 3% of the purchase price, foreign transaction fees can apply to travel purchases when you are physically outside of the United States, as well as online purchases with foreign merchants.
The good news is that there are plenty of credit cards that waive foreign transaction fees. Some credit card issuers, like Capital One and Discover, have no foreign transaction fees on any of their cards.
Keep reading to learn more about how foreign transaction fees work and how to avoid them. Below you’ll find the top offers from our partners, followed by a full list of editor picks.
Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees for 2024
Our rating:4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
75,000 miles
75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x
1x on all other purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
$300 Chase Travel℠ Credit + 60,000 bonus points
Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
At A Glance
Intro offer
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25 Miles
1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
20,000 miles
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.7
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
$200
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.6
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 27.74% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
5x
Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
3x
Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
1x
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$550
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% variable
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 80,000 points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$695
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.
Our rating:5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles
5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
75,000 miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Discover Match®
Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 27.74% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3X
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2X
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1X
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 points + earn up to $100 back
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.
Haven’t found the right card yet?
Check out these other card categories — we think they’re just what you’re looking for:
*All information about the American Express® Green Card, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, the Chase Freedom Flex and the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Comparing the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
Editor’s picks: No foreign transaction fee credit card details
Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best features: The Venture Rewards’ sign-up bonus is straightforward and plentiful: earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. It does come with a $95 annual fee (See rates and Fees), but this card also offers high rewards in bonus travel categories and 2X miles on all other purchases, plus convenient features like a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and easily transferable miles.
Biggest drawbacks: The Venture’s list of airline partners in the U.S. is limited.
Alternative: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a rewards program that isn’t as simple or flexible, but it will likely provide more value if you are willing to book your travel through Chase Travel.
Bottom line: Big spenders who regularly go abroad will find a lot to love about the versatile Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card beyond the sign-up bonus.
Best for sign-up bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Best features: This top Chase credit card has everything you need in a travel rewards credit card. Cardmembers get a generous base rewards program of 5X points on travel purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal, 3X points on dining and 2X points on other travel purchases (1X points on general purchases). There’s also a lucrative sign-up bonus and of course, no foreign transaction fees.
Biggest drawbacks: The spend required to earn the bonus may be out of reach for someone on a tight budget. Plus, you’ll need to redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠ to get the best value.
Alternative: The Sapphire Preferred offers the biggest bang for your buck when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠, but the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card will be the better option for travelers who like flexibility and want to keep things simple when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards.
Bottom line: If you’re on the hunt for one of the best travel credit cards and you don’t mind paying a modest annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred allows you to accrue Ultimate Rewards points quickly.
Best for flexible travel: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Best features: The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card makes travel rewards even more accessible by allowing you to redeem your points as a statement credit for any travel or dining purchase made on the card within the last 12 months. Plus, you can earn 25,000 welcome bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of card membership. On top of all that, there’s no foreign transaction fee.
Biggest drawbacks: The rate for cash redemptions is disappointingly low at 0.6 cents per point.
Alternative: If you like to travel, you could get more value by upgrading to a card with a modest annual fee. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a more robust rewards program and a bigger sign-up bonus. It costs $95 (See rates and Fees), but that fee is easily offset through strategic spending. (Read more about how you can easily offset this annual fee in our review.)
Bottom line: With an easily attainable welcome bonus and flexible flat-rate rewards program, this is a great card for travelers who can’t be bothered to keep track of spend categories. Bank of America customers can earn even more through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Best for no annual fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Best features: The VentureOne offers travelers a 1.25X miles rate on all purchases, plus no annual fee (See rates and Fees) . Miles don’t expire for the life of the account, and there’s no limit to how much you can earn with this card. To welcome new cardholders, Capital One awards 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in the first three months (a $200 value towards travel).
Biggest drawbacks: Travelers may feel a tad underwhelmed by the list of airline partners, which so far excludes any major domestic carriers.
Alternative: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is also a no-annual-fee credit card that won’t charge foreign transaction fees. But it edges out the VentureOne Rewards with its unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
Bottom line: Anyone with good or excellent credit (a score of 670 or higher) who is on the hunt for a rewards card with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee (See rates and Fees) will want to take a look at the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
Best for streamlined rewards: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best features: The Quicksilver is an easy-to-understand rewards card: It gets unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and has a sign-up bonus of $200 for spending $500 in the first three months. As an added welcome, this flat-rate card offers a 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 15 months (19.99% to 29.99% variable rate thereafter) (See rates and Fees)– a perfect window to purchase a trip to be paid off in increments while temporarily avoiding interest. In addition, this card charges no annual fee.
Biggest drawbacks: Its flexible rewards and intro offer make this an easy-to-use card, but there are more valuable rewards out there for experienced cardholders.
Alternative: Thanks to a flat cash rewards rate of 2%, you might get more value on your everyday expenses with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. But you’ll miss out on paying no foreign transaction fees as the Active Cash card comes with a 3% fee for foreign currency conversion.
Bottom line: Travelers with good or excellent credit (a score of 670 or higher) who prefer an uncomplicated rewards program will be pleased with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, which charges no foreign transaction fee.
Best for rotating bonus categories: Discover it® Cash Back
Best features: One of a select few offering its level of rewards, the Discover it Cash Back offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spend each quarter on rotating categories such as restaurants, wholesale clubs and even online retailers (activation required). After hitting the $1,500 threshold in a quarter, the rewards rate drops to 1% (the same as all other purchases).
Biggest drawbacks: Due to limited international availability, travelers should research whether Discover is accepted where they’re traveling.
Alternative: The Chase Freedom Flex® also has 5% cash back in rotating categories. But it also has fixed rewards rates in numerous bonus categories, including 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Travel℠ and 3% on dining and on drugstore purchases. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee if you plan to use it for overseas spending.
Bottom line: The Discover it® Cash Back is a versatile cash back card that is a good match for travelers willing to be strategic in their spending. But if you think you’ll have difficulty keeping up with rotating categories, you might be better served by a flat-rate credit card.
Best features: Unlike most, this card features an annual travel credit of $300 for cardholders to spend anywhere in the world. And when purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal, you can earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals as well as 5X points on air travel. You can even earn 3X points on other travel and dining purchases and 1X points elsewhere. (The 10X, 5X and 3X travel rewards rate only applies after you earn your $300 travel credit.) And here’s the kicker: Points are unlimited, don’t expire and receive a 50% boost on travel rewards when redeeming through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Biggest drawbacks: This is a well-rounded card, but it comes with a high annual fee of $550. And despite the versatile redemption options (including travel, cash, and gift cards), there is a lower rewards value when you redeem for cash, gift cards or merchandise than when you redeem for travel booked through Chase.
Alternative: Depending on your spending habits and the level of premium features you’re looking for, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could be a better fit. It has a smaller annual fee and still packs a punch when it comes to luxury perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. Learn more about the Capital One Venture X vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Bottom line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is for jetsetters who spend enough on dining and travel to justify the high annual fee.
Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best features: With the Platinum Card in your wallet, you’ll enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, which Amex states has over 1,300 airport lounges in 140 countries. The high-end card also offers flexibility while traveling, with 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This option also features unlimited points that won’t expire, a welcome offer of 80,000 points after a $8,000 spend within the first six months and no credit card foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees).
Biggest drawbacks: The Platinum Card does not come cheap – bringing along a $695 annual fee. If your spending habits align with the impressive list of credits and perks that are worth over $1,000, you’ll have no trouble making up that fee. But that immense value starts to drop if you aren’t interested in things like memberships at Walmart or Equinox gyms.
Bottom line: Those willing to shell out the $695 annual fee will certainly get their money’s worth in top-notch travel perks including lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status and a number of handy travel related statement credits. If you’re constantly on the go, these benefits can be enormously useful.
Best for annual credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best features: Compared to other premier travel rewards credit cards, the Venture X’s modest annual fee and unlimited miles on all purchases, along with all the other bonuses and perks, make it an instant challenger for the best credit card of its class.
Biggest drawbacks: The $395 annual fee (See rates and Fees) and $4,000 spend requirement within three months of account opening to earn the 75,000 bonus miles should be considered carefully before applying for the Venture X.
Alternative: With an annual fee of $695, The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t cheap, but some travelers looking for luxury may prefer the convenience of Amex’s Membership Rewards program, as well as the opportunity to earn the Platinum Card’s welcome offer.
Bottom line: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great option for anyone who travels often, uses their credit card regularly, and will take advantage of as many of the Venture X’s perks as possible. This includes the yearly bonus and travel credit, cellphone protection, and free lounge access.
Best features: The lack of annual fees, foreign transaction fees and miles limits, plus the flexible redemption options make for a powerhouse travel card for beginners.
Biggest drawbacks: While this may not be a total dealbreaker for budget travelers and new cardholders, miles can’t be transferred to airline loyalty programs
Alternative: If you spend a lot on travel and dining, consider upgrading to a travel card with a modest annual fee ($95). The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card costs $95 a year, but compared to a basic travel card, it can help you to maximize the amount of rewards you earn while also providing enhanced benefits like an annual hotel credit, trip cancellation and trip-interruption insurance and a complimentary DashPass subscription (when you activate by December 31, 2027).
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a travel credit card but don’t want to get locked into confusing points offers or an annual fee, the Discover it Miles may just have what you’re looking for.
Best for restaurants worldwide: American Express® Gold Card
Best features: If you’re a foodie, this card’s generous rewards rates at both restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets should make it easy to earn travel rewards on the purchases you make every day. Add in the value of its annual dining credits and Uber Cash and you can easily justify this card’s $325 annual fee.
Biggest drawbacks: The annual fee likely won’t be worth it unless you take advantage of its dining credits and redeem points for travel. If you’re looking for a lower-maintenance card, a no-annual-fee rewards card is probably a better option.
Alternatives: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great no-annual-fee option (See rates and Fees) for foodies and cash back fans. You’ll earn rewards on dining, grocery stores, entertainment and more and can redeem for cash back or travel without worrying about point values.
Bottom line: This card is a great value if you want to earn travel rewards and benefit travelers who spend a good bit at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and prefer to redeem rewards on travel versus cash back.
Best for starter travel perks: American Express® Green Card
Best features: It comes with credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus — two practical benefits that offer a ton of value, even if you only travel occasionally. It also carries one of the most generous rewards rates out there on transit purchases.
Biggest drawbacks: Amex cards are less likely to be accepted abroad, so it could be risky to rely on this as your only card for international travel. Its perks will also fall short if you’re looking for unlimited lounge access worldwide — Loungebuddy isn’t available at all airports and the credits included with the card will only cover a few lounge visits.
Alternative: Believe it or not, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could be an even better deal, despite its high annual fee of $395 (See rates and Fees). That’s because the Venture X comes with unlimited Priority Pass and Capital One lounge access for cardholders, an annual travel credit and anniversary bonus miles — enough value to easily offset the fee.
Bottom line: Thanks to its practical, high-value perks, this card should be worth it even if you only take a few flights per year.
Foreign transaction fees are charges that credit card issuers and payment networks place on purchases made in a foreign currency or on purchases that involve a foreign bank. A foreign transaction can be a purchase processed through a foreign bank (such as when you buy something from a non-U.S. retailer website) or when you travel overseas, including when you use an ATM. Note that there can actually be multiple fees at a foreign ATM, including a flat-rate international ATM surcharge as well as an ATM access fee.
Usually, a credit card foreign transaction fee is around 3% of the purchase price. Of that 3%, your card issuer typically charges 2% for processing the transaction and the remaining 1% is for converting the transaction from one currency to another. To put this in perspective, a $100 purchase would cost you an additional $3 in foreign transaction fees.
Which credit cards work internationally?
You won’t have trouble using your credit card at home. In the U. S., the four major credit card networks – Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover – have an acceptance rate of 99% or higher among merchants who accept credit cards. But it’s a different story overseas.
According to their respective websites, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted in over 200 countries and territories around the world. But Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted at over 70 million merchant locations compared to Discover’s network of over 50 million merchants. And while American Express has made great strides to increase its international presence beyond 160 countries, it still doesn’t match the power of Visa or Mastercard.
But that doesn’t mean your Discover or American Express card won’t provide tremendous value when traveling abroad or making purchases with a foreign bank. It’s just a good idea to have a backup plan, which should include carrying a Visa or Mastercard, as well as your debit card for cash withdrawals and that rare occasion when a merchant doesn’t accept any credit card.
How to avoid foreign transaction fees
The easiest way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to use a credit card that doesn’t charge for overseas purchases. Why? Typically, in terms of convenience and security, credit cards are the best payment method.
When you use a credit card with no foreign transaction fee, you don’t just avoid an unnecessary fee that eats into your budget. You’ll have an easier time disputing credit card charges than you will debit card purchases or items paid for with cash. Your credit card may also come with built-in protections like extended warranty and purchase protection.
In addition to being safer to use, credit cards are also accessible, meaning anyone can avoid foreign transaction fees. There are credit cards that charge no foreign transaction fee for every credit score range. Take a look at the following cards that charge no foreign transaction fee, no annual fee, and offer a number of valuable consumer protections:
Best no foreign transaction fee credit cards for limited or no credit
Pros and cons of a no foreign transaction fee credit card
Pros of a no foreign transaction fee credit card
You can rack up rewards. Some credit cards with no foreign transaction fees offer cash back rewards on popular spending categories in addition to travel cards offering points and miles.
You’ll have access to travel perks. Along with base rewards and no foreign transaction fees, premium travel credit cards typically offer trip cancellation insurance, supplemental auto insurance, free checked bags, airport lounge access and other notable amenities.
You’ll get a fair exchange rate. When you get your statement after buying something with a credit card in a foreign country, you’ll see that the charge has been converted to U.S. dollars. Your payment network will take care of the conversion, and you can usually be confident that you’re getting a fair exchange rate.
Cons of a no foreign transaction fee credit card
You may need to pay an annual fee. Annual fees are common among mid-tier and premium travel credit cards, which often don’t charge foreign transaction fees. When evaluating whether to get a card that carries an annual fee, it’s important to determine whether that fee can be offset or recouped with reward earnings, added perks, or if you can shoulder the added cost.
Your payment network may not have coverage. While Visa and Mastercard payment networks seem to be everywhere, some regions don’t accept certain credit card networks. When it’s time to travel, take credit cards from at least two different networks and always have cash on hand.
How to choose a no foreign transaction fee credit card
Who should get a no foreign transaction fee credit card
The frequent international traveler. If you travel abroad somewhat regularly, credit card charges for foreign currency transactions can have a significant impact on your personal finances.
The international online shopper. You don’t necessarily have to travel in order to rack up foreign transaction fees. For someone who routinely shops at international online shops, those fees can really sting, especially once you factor in foreign shipping expenses.
Who should skip a no foreign transaction fee credit card
The balance carrier. Some cards in this category have APRs that are usually on the higher end of average, which can mean a lot when it comes to carrying a balance on the card and what purchases you make abroad. Make sure to be aware of what you’ll be charged if you can’t pay your bills off in full each month.
How to make the most of a no foreign transaction fee credit card
Contact your bank before you travel. Make sure to notify your bank before you travel, as banks will often freeze an account on suspicion of fraud if they detect unusual activity, such as a purchase being made thousands of miles from the cardholder’s address.
Come prepared with multiple cards. Whether you’re traveling domestically or abroad, your ability to use a credit card at a merchant depends on whether the merchant accepts that card’s payment network. If you’re planning to travel internationally and your primary card is American Express or Discover, it’s best to bring along a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
Know how your rewards programs define “travel.” It’s important to pay attention to the specifics to get the most from your rewards credit card. Many rewards cards offer bonus points on smaller travel purchases, but issuers have their own definitions of travel. Some issuers put expenses such as rideshares and parking fees in the travel category, while others don’t.
Foreign transaction fees by card issuer
Below are the standard credit card foreign transaction fees for top issuers. Some issuers, like Capital One and Discover, elect not to charge a foreign transaction fee on any of their credit cards. Of course, even different cards from the same brand can vary in their fees.
Do I need a chip-and-PIN card for foreign transactions?
It’s a good idea for overseas travelers to have a chip-and-PIN card, but not necessarily a requirement.
Until a few years ago, U.S.-issued cards were swiped using magnetic stripe technology. Now, like Europe, our credit cards have an EMV chip. What happens after you insert the chip differs depending on where you are. While U.S. merchants will usually ask for your signature, European merchants may ask for a four-digit PIN.
The PIN provides an added layer of security and may be required at some overseas vendors — for example, at European train kiosks. Nowadays, however, most merchants can bypass the pin portion of the transaction if you don’t have one.
How we picked the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
Rewards: rates, type, ease of redemption: There are a variety of people who can benefit from avoiding credit card foreign transaction fees, from small business owners to travel enthusiasts. We chose credit cards with high rewards rates in spending categories to match, like business rewards and travel benefits.
Travel perks: One reason you may be hoping to avoid foreign transaction fees is that you have international travel plans. Some of the travel perks you’ll find among our top credit cards with no foreign transaction fee include free checked bags, rental car insurance, airport lounge access and TSA PreCheck credits.
Sign-up bonus/welcome offer value: Many of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees also come with lucrative sign-up bonuses or welcome offers. We compared the value of cash back, airline mile and point bonuses to ensure you’re getting the most overall value from these picks.
Number of no foreign transaction fee cards we analyzed: 938
All criteria used: Rates and fees, rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonuses, point values, redemption options, redemption flexibility, credit needed, travel benefits, transfer partners, international customer service, security, ease of application.
More information on credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Foreign transaction fees vary but are typically around 3% of any purchase made using an electronic form of payment outside of the United States or with a merchant that processes the transaction in a foreign currency.
When you make an overseas purchase, you may have to pay foreign transaction fees. This can happen when you travel abroad or make online purchases with vendors that are outside the U.S. If you’re using a credit card that charges foreign transaction fees, these charges will show up on your credit card statement at the end of your billing cycle. Just like any other statement, you’ll have at least 21 days before payment is due.
Yes, it’s possible to get charged a foreign transaction fee on your online purchases. You’ll typically get hit with this surcharge whenever you make online purchases:
With an online retailer located outside the United States.
When the transaction processes in a foreign currency.
When the payment is processed by a foreign bank.
Yes. Just like a credit card, you’re likely to get charged a foreign transaction fee when you make international purchases using debit cards, charge cards and gift cards. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to avoid these unnecessary fees.
Don’t use gift cards for international purchases, as these usually charge foreign transaction fees.
Check with your bank to see if your account has no debit card foreign transaction or ATM fees.
Use a credit card or charge card that comes with no foreign transaction fees. The best cards with no foreign transaction fees have additional benefits like built-in protections that make credit cards safer to use than debit cards.
Even when paying a merchant in U.S. dollars, you could be charged a foreign transaction fee when making purchases abroad or if the transaction is processed through a foreign bank.
About the Author
Tracy Stewart
Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.
About the Editor
Jeanine Skowronski
Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.
About the Reviewer
Sally Herigstad
Sally Herigstad is a certified public accountant, author and speaker who writes about personal finance for CreditCards.com. She also writes regularly for MSN Money, Interest.com, Bankrate and RedPlum.com, and has been a guest on Martha Stewart radio and other programs.
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