Best Credit Cards for International Travel in November 2024 (Updated Monthly)

The {name} is our pick for the overall best card for international travel because of its flexibility and versatility. The Ultimate Rewards points that you earn can be transferred to a Chase's airline and hotel partners for great redemption values, or you can use them to book travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal. The {name} also comes with {fee.foreignExchange.text} foreign transaction fees, which means that you can safely use it abroad without paying extra fees.

If you’re seeking a travel credit card you can use abroad without racking up foreign transaction fees or paying an annual fee, the {name} is a good way to go. While it has a lower welcome bonus and lower earning rates than some other cards, it can be a good choice if you're looking to lower the amount that you pay in fees. The {name} also comes with an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.

If you're a frequent traveler looking for luxury perks, you will want to consider {name}. This premium luxury card offers the most robust airport lounge membership program of all travel cards on the market today. The American Express Global Lounge Collection comes with Priority Pass™ Select membership, exclusive access to ultra-swanky Amex Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Club access each time you fly with Delta. Other travel benefits include a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, automatic "]Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required) and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status (enrollment required).

The {name} is a great option if you're looking to earn airline miles. It comes with {fee.foreignExchange.text} foreign transaction fees and an annual fee of {fee.annual.text}. You'll also get perks when flying United, including free checked bags for the cardholder and one companion, priority boarding and 25% back when buying food, beverages and Wi-Fi on United flights. The {name} has an outstanding welcome offer and also comes with {fee.foreignExchange.text} foreign transaction fees.

For a simple travel card with rewards that are easy to redeem as they are to earn, the {name} is hard to beat. You earn {rewardsRateDesc}. One of the best features of the {name} is the flexibility of the rewards you earn. You can redeem them as a statement credit for any type of travel or transfer them to Capital One's airline and hotel partners.

The {name} is one of the most flexible and valuable business credit cards around. The card's generous sign-up bonus and earning rate on business purchases can help add to the rewards pile fast. Like other Chase cards, it offers primary car rental protection and trip cancellation/interruption insurance when traveling for business. In addition to having {fee.foreignExchange.text} foreign transaction fees, that makes the {name} a great option for international travel.

The {name} is our top pick for hotels due to its earning rate on paid Marriott hotel stays, generous welcome offer and annual travel perks. While a {fee.annual.text} annual fee applies, cardholders get up to a $300 annual dining credit (up to $25 per month), a free night award after card renewal each year (up to 85,000 points) and a $100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit. Other perks like a - Free or Discounted Membership"]Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment required), a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership (enrollment required) and no foreign transaction fees round out this card.

The {name} is the best international travel card for students due to its lack of foreign transaction fees and lack of annual fee. Cardholders also earn an unlimited {rewardsRateDesc}, which can be redeemed for statement credits to cover nearly any type of travel purchase. Its flexible rewards may be important for students who want to keep their options open as they figure out their travel style. Even better, the {name} comes with no foreign transaction fees and {fee.annual.text} annual fee.

The {name} is the best option for international travel when you have bad credit. The {name} is marketed to those with fair credit, so it will be easier to be approved for this card than other cards. You'll need to put down a minimum security deposit of at least $200 which will become your credit limit. It doesn't charge an annual fee or any foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also earn {rewardsRateDesc}.

The {name} is an attractive option if you have a lot of dining purchases. The {name} {rewardsRateDesc} This makes it a great option to use while dining abroad, since it also comes with no foreign transaction fees. There is a {fee.annual.text} annual fee, but you can wipe out a large part of the fee if you take advantage of benefits such as up to $120 in credits toward select dining purchases ($10 monthly, enrollment required).

If you're in the market for points that can easily be transferred to partners, consider the {name}. Capital One has 17 hotel and airline transfer partners, allowing you to maximize your points no matter where you're going. You'll earn {rewardsRateDesc}. With no foreign transaction fees, the {name} is a great card to take when traveling abroad. The {name} comes with a {fee.annual.text} annual fee, but also gives 10,000 Venture miles on your anniversary and an annual $300 travel credit that applies to most travel purchases.

Whenever you use a debit or credit card outside of the U.S., your issuer will charge you a fee of around 3% of each purchase. While it may not seem like a huge deal, the charges will certainly add up. Finding a credit card with no foreign transaction fees is a must when considering an international credit card.

If you're visiting major tourist destinations, resorts, hotels and museums, you should have no problem paying with your credit card there. However, some destinations may not accept certain networks — or credit cards at all. It's important to research the common types of currency accepted in your given destination to make the right credit card choice.

Many credit cards will come with the added benefit of complimentary travel protection benefits, such as trip cancellation or interruption insurance. In the event of an emergency while on your trip, you can contact your credit card company and receive reimbursement for any nonrefundable expense — potentially saving you hundreds of dollars.

You'll want to apply for a credit card that will reward you appropriately for your spending habits. For example, frequent diners will want a card that will offer bonus points or miles for restaurants and takeout. Meanwhile, frequent travelers will want to be rewarded for flight and hotel purchases. Many travel credit cards offer hybrid reward categories, offering points for both everyday and travel purchases.

Many travel rewards cards incentivize you to apply by offering a large sign-up bonus that can be redeemed for free travel. This can heavily reduce the cost of your trip — especially if you plan on flying internationally.

If you're particularly loyal to one airline, it would be advantageous to open a credit card affiliated with an airline to receive perks, such as free checked bags or priority boarding. Hotel cards can only offer free award stays as well as complimentary elite status. Finally, a general travel rewards card can offer flexibility to transfer your points to either airline or hotel programs.

Owning a travel credit card can open a wide variety of benefits handy for your next international trip, such as Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application reimbursement or lounge access. You'll want to think about how much you're willing to spend on annual fees each year and what travel perks are important to you.

Some countries (such as France and Germany) require both an EMV chip and a PIN in order to use a credit card in an unattended terminal. While most credit cards issued within the U.S. include an EMV chip, cards with PINs are rare. However, some issuers (such as Bank of America) allow you to add a PIN to your travel credit card. You should check with your issuer to see if they offer this option.

This will help you maximize your international credit card use and ensure you rack up as many travel rewards points and miles as possible, which you can put towards your next trip, or flight upgrades and free hotel nights. Paying for your expenses with a credit card can also give you additional security or peace of mind if your card has a $0 fraud liability benefit. Plus, if you use a card with no foreign transaction fees and pay in the local currency, you will likely get a reasonable conversion rate.

International credit cards are notorious for charging high interest rates. Be sure to avoid carrying a balance on your card so you never have to pay more than you should. Carrying a balance on your card can also be damaging to your credit score, so you'll want to watch out for that as well. Put yourself in a position where you have the financial ability and discipline to pay your credit card statement in full, each and every month.

Many premium travel credit cards come with benefits that can make your trip more affordable and comfortable. Check to see if your card offers these benefits and learn how to take advantage of them ahead of your next international trip.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are three different programs that allow you to minimize the time that you spend in airport security lines. If you are a frequent traveler, it can be a good idea to sign up for one or more of these programs. Even if you save a few minutes on each trip, that can add up over tens or hundreds of trips.

Each of these three programs helps you save time with airport security in different ways. For international travel, Global Entry will likely be the most helpful. Having a Global Entry account allows you to skip much of the immigration line when entering the United States. And because Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck, you'll also save time while traveling domestically. Many credit cards offer a statement credit to reimburse your application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four or five years.