If you catch the travel bug, it is important that you have the funds to keep up, which is where international credit cards come in. You need the right travel credit card to support those trips because foreign transaction fees and higher APRs can put a serious dent in your wallet and a damper on your trip. There are lots of options for international credit cards, but many are not legitimate or offer sparse rewards that are hardly worth the trouble. We regularly survey of the best credit cards for international travel based on a series of discriminating factors to bring you the right international credit cards. This is what we found. Pros:
No foreign transaction feeGenerous intro offerSeveral bonus perks
Cons:
Lounge access requires membershipAnnual fee applies
Pros:
Generous dining rewardsSeveral travel perksPoints on flights
Cons:
No foreign transaction feeNo lounge access
Bank of America will even kick things off with 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, you revert to a competitive variable APR of 17.74% to 27.74%. You will also receive 25,000 bonus points when you spend just $1,000 within 90 days - a reasonable amount for modest spenders. Those part of the Preferred Rewards program can even earn up to 75% more on purchases, making for a generous bonus that can quickly add up. Pros:
No annual or transaction feeExtended intro APRLower starting APR
Cons:
No lounge accessVariable rewards
Read more: The Best Bank of America Credit Cards As you make payments, your credit score improves, and Capital One will monitor that for you with automatic credit lines. On top of that, you can earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases. There is no annual or transaction fee, but the APR is quite high, given that it is a card meant for those with poor credit. To get started, you can complete the pre-approval period without impacting your credit to see if the Quicksilver Secured Rewards card is right for you. Pros:
Accepts bad creditNo expiration for rewardsHelps with credit-building
Cons:
Deposit requiredNo bonus offer
However, there are a ton of other benefits that you receive with this card. There is a $200 hotel statement credit through American Express Travel (requires a minimum 2 night stay) and up to $200 in Uber Cash, plus $20 each month toward your digital entertainment, whether it is Hulu, Disney+, and Peacock. You also receive a $155 credit for Walmart+, $300 toward your Equinox membership, and up to $100 toward your shopping adventures at Saks Fifth Avenue. It is a generous addition to an already handsome offer for your future travel. Pros:
Generous intro offerLounge accessBonus credits
Cons:
Steep annual feeDifficult to redeem some benefits
Read more: American Express Platinum Card review To help you find the right international travel credit card, these are our expert suggestions.
APR: The amount of interest you pay is important to review because it can seriously put a damper on your international travel if you have a high APR that you cannot reasonably afford.Fees: Every credit card has some sort of fee, and it is important to budget for these expenses, as well. Some cards have no annual fee, while others, like American Express, may charge several hundred dollars. There also may be a foreign transaction fee that can apply when using your card during your international travels.Perks: The best credit card for international travel is one that comes with plenty of extra perks, in addition to an attractive APR. From airport lounge access to dining and travel perks, each card features different benefits that make your travel that much easier.
When shopping for international credit cards, these factors can help you find the right card for you.
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: An excellent option for business ownersChase Sapphire Reserve: When you want luxury international travel rewardsCiti Premier® Card: A great choice for travel pointsDeserve EDU Mastercard for Students: A card made for studentsUnited Explorer Card: A card for frequent flyers
For other travel credit cards, consider our picks for the best travel card for beginners, the best airline credit card, and the best rewards credit card of 2022.
