Traveling internationally is an enriching experience that allows you to explore new cultures, try unique cuisines, and broaden your horizons. However, one crucial aspect of international travel that often gets overlooked is how you manage your finances while abroad. Travel credit cards are essential tools that help travelers save money, earn rewards, and benefit from various travel-related perks such as no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access, and travel insurance. When selecting the best travel credit cards for international trips, it’s essential to consider several factors such as rewards rates, fees, and travel protections. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the most notable options, their benefits, and how to choose the best card for your needs.
Understanding Travel Credit Cards for International Trips
Before jumping into the specifics of the best travel credit cards for international trips, let’s first understand what makes a travel credit card ideal for global travel. At their core, the best travel credit cards offer perks tailored for travelers, such as earning points or miles for every purchase, offering rewards in the form of travel credits, and providing access to exclusive travel benefits. More importantly, when traveling internationally, the following features are crucial:
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Many credit cards charge foreign transaction fees that can add up to 3% of your purchase when you use your card overseas. The best travel credit cards for international trips typically waive these fees.
- Rewards on Travel and Dining: You want a credit card that rewards you for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and dining. Cards that offer higher rewards on these categories make them a great choice for frequent travelers.
- Airport Lounge Access: Travelers can enjoy relaxation and comfort while waiting for their flights by accessing luxury airport lounges. Some cards offer free lounge access or discounted memberships as part of their benefits.
- Travel Insurance and Protection: Travel credit cards with built-in insurance coverage can save you money in case of trip cancellations, lost luggage, or emergency medical situations abroad.
- Global Acceptance: Since you're traveling internationally, you’ll want to ensure your card is widely accepted and can be used at most international merchants.
Top Travel Credit Cards for International Trips
Several travel credit cards offer incredible value for international travelers. Whether you’re looking for cashback, points, or miles, here’s a breakdown of some of the best options available today.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel credit cards among frequent travelers, especially for those who love earning valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This card offers a solid rewards rate for travel and dining purchases, making it ideal for international travel.
Key Benefits:
- Earn 2X points on travel and dining and 1X point on all other purchases.
- Sign-up bonus of 60,000 points (after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months).
- Points are transferable to leading airline and hotel partners, such as United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Marriott, and Hyatt.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Travel insurance protections including trip cancellation, trip delay, and lost luggage coverage.
Why It's Great for International Travel: The no foreign transaction fees combined with its excellent rewards on travel and dining make it a strong contender for any international trip. Additionally, the ability to transfer points to travel partners gives you more flexibility in booking flights and hotels.
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is another fantastic option for travelers who want to earn high rewards on dining while enjoying a range of premium travel benefits. Its versatility makes it perfect for international trips, especially for foodies and those who travel frequently for work.
Key Benefits:
- Earn 3X points on dining (including takeout and delivery), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1X point on all other purchases.
- $120 annual dining credit at select restaurants (enrollment required).
- Access to Amex Offers, which provide discounts and deals on travel-related purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Various travel protections, such as baggage insurance and car rental loss/damage coverage.
Why It's Great for International Travel: The American Express® Gold Card stands out with its generous points on dining and travel purchases. If you're traveling internationally and love to dine out, this card ensures that you maximize your rewards potential. The lack of foreign transaction fees is also a major advantage.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
For those seeking a premium card that offers a wide range of luxury benefits, the Platinum Card® from American Express is a top contender. It is ideal for frequent travelers who want access to exclusive airport lounges, concierge services, and enhanced travel protection.
Key Benefits:
- Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year).
- Access to 1,200+ airport lounges worldwide with the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
- $200 annual airline fee credit (for incidental fees like baggage and in-flight refreshments).
- 24/7 concierge service and exclusive hotel and resort benefits.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Why It's Great for International Travel: The Platinum Card® is perfect for high-end travelers who want the best of everything. It offers unmatched airport lounge access, which is crucial for long international layovers. The 5X points on flights also make it a great choice for booking airfare, while the annual airline fee credit helps offset some of the card’s cost.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a versatile travel card that allows you to earn miles for every purchase. The simplicity of this card, coupled with its generous rewards structure, makes it an excellent option for international travelers who want to accumulate miles without complicating things.
Key Benefits:
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase.
- Sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles (after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months).
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit up to $100.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Flexible redemption options: Use your miles for any travel-related purchase, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Why It's Great for International Travel: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers an easy-to-understand rewards structure, making it perfect for travelers who want to earn miles without tracking specific spending categories. With no foreign transaction fees and a generous sign-up bonus, it is an excellent option for international trips.
Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier® Card is another great choice for travelers who want to earn high rewards on travel purchases. With a focus on travel-related spending, it’s ideal for those who want to rack up points for flights, hotels, and dining both at home and abroad.
Key Benefits:
- Earn 3X points on travel, including gas stations, 2X points on dining and entertainment, and 1X point on all other purchases.
- Sign-up bonus of 60,000 points (after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months).
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Points can be transferred to a wide range of airline partners, providing flexibility in how you use your points.
Why It's Great for International Travel: The Citi Premier® Card offers a solid rewards rate for travel purchases, making it ideal for frequent travelers. The card’s flexibility with point transfers to airlines also makes it a strong option for international trips.
Comparison of Best Travel Credit Cards for International Trips
| Card Name | Rewards Rate | Sign-up Bonus | Foreign Transaction Fees | Notable Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 2X points on travel & dining | 60,000 points | None | Transfer points to travel partners |
| American Express® Gold Card | 3X points on dining, 3X on flights | None | None | Annual dining credit, travel insurance |
| Platinum Card® from American Express | 5X points on flights | None | None | Lounge access, concierge services |
| Capital One Venture Rewards | 2X miles on all purchases | 75,000 miles | None | Global Entry fee credit, flexible miles |
| Citi Premier® Card | 3X points on travel, 2X on dining | 60,000 points | None | Transfer points to airlines, travel perks |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes a travel credit card ideal for international trips?
An ideal travel credit card for international trips should have no foreign transaction fees, rewards on travel-related purchases, and additional perks like airport lounge access or travel insurance. The best cards offer flexible redemption options and partner networks for easy booking of flights and accommodations.
2. Do I need a travel credit card if I'm traveling abroad for a short time?
Even for short trips, a travel credit card can be incredibly beneficial. It helps avoid foreign transaction fees, provides emergency assistance, and can earn you rewards that you can redeem for future travel. The added travel protections (such as trip interruption insurance) also give you peace of mind.
3. Are there any drawbacks to using travel credit cards internationally?
The biggest drawback is the annual fee that comes with premium travel cards, though this is often offset by the perks they offer. Additionally, some cards may have restrictions on the number of reward points you can transfer or use for travel. It's important to review these details to ensure the card suits your travel habits.