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Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of [date:custom:Y]

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Updated

[data-lightrail id="92"]The {name} is the best {fee.foreignExchange.text}-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, offering top-notch value, robust travel coverage and plenty of perks.[/data-lightrail]

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Citi is an advertising partner.

The information for [data-lightrail id="1302"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1828"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="1190"]{name}[/data-lightrail] has been collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Top no-foreign-transaction-fee cards of [date:custom:Y]

[visual-toc-creditcards ids="92,625,54,1304,1112,2268" links="#Chase,#CapitalOne,#AmexPlatinum,#AmexGold,#ChaseBusiness,#autograph"]Winner | Cash back | Luxury travel | Dining | Business | No annual fee[/visual-toc-creditcards]

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You jet off to Paris, Tokyo or Zanzibar on a dream vacation and pay for everything with your credit card. When you get home, you log in to your account and spot a slew of surprise fees that add up to more than the fancy dinner you splurged on during your trip.

Many travelers find themselves in this unfortunate situation after using a credit card with foreign transaction fees on a trip abroad. But is there a credit card with no foreign transaction fee? In fact, there are many credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, so you can pick the right card for you based on your travel style, financial goals and desired card features.

Compare the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards of [date:custom:Y]

[table-creditcard-roundup ids="92,625,54,1304,88,1165,1112,2268,1342,98" links="#Chase,#CapitalOne,#AmexPlatinum,#AmexGold,#CapitalOneVenture,#CapitalOneSavorOne,#ChaseBusiness,#autograph,#AmericaTravelStudents,#CapitalOneSecured" max_default_rows="30"]Winner|Cash back|Luxury|Dining|Simplicity|Intro APR|Business|No annual fee|Student|Poor credit[/table-creditcard-roundup]

Best travel card with no foreign transaction fee

[affiliate-lightrail id="92" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Best overall" signupbonus="true" /]
Earns transferable points [data-lightrail id="92"]
  • Excellent welcome bonus — Earn a bonus worth $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, or possibly more through a transfer partner.
  • Valuable rewards earnings — Earn {rewardsRateDesc} and one point per $1 on everything else.
  • Travel insurance coverage — A slate of coverage including trip cancellation and delay, baggage delay and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
  • Hotel stay credit — Get up to $50 a year in hotel credit for stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Annual fee — The card has a {fee.annual.text} annual fee.
  • Lacks premium travel perks — No lounge access or Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.

The {name} is a winner because it comes with {fee.foreignExchange.text} foreign transaction fees and offers valuable rewards, loads of flexibility, and a full slate of travel coverage and perks. Its {fee.annual.text} annual fee makes it more affordable than many premium travel credit cards, and its rich rewards-earning structure with multiple bonus categories lets users rack up valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points with ease.

[/data-lightrail]


Best cashback card with no foreign transaction fee

[affiliate-lightrail id="625" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Cash back" signupbonus="true" /] [data-lightrail id="625"]
  • Generous sign-up bonus with low minimum spend
  • Intro APR offer — {purchaseIntroRate} and {balanceTransferIntroRate} (then a {purchaseGoToRate} APR applies)
  • No annual fee — The card has a {fee.annual.text} annual fee, which is nice for budget travelers.
  • Extended warranty — Automatically doubles the original manufacturer's/store's warranty on eligible purchases.
  • Lacks robust travel insurance — No trip cancellation or delay insurance and no lost or delayed baggage coverage.
  • Few travel perks — No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit and few other travel benefits.

The {name} is one of the best cashback credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. The card is perfect for travelers who prefer cash back to points or miles and still want to be able to use their favorite card on trips abroad.

The value of the welcome bonus isn't the highest on the market, but the minimum spending required to earn it is also low — only $500, which puts it within reach of travelers on a budget. The card also stands out for its simple earnings structure with no bonus categories to track. You get an unlimited {rewardsRateDesc}, and you can redeem your rewards in any amount any time.

[/data-lightrail]


Best no foreign transaction fee card for luxury travel

[affiliate-lightrail id="54" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Luxury" signupbonus="true" /]
Earns transferable points [data-lightrail id="54"]
For rates and fees of {name}, please click [data-lightrail id="54"][link url="{bankTermsURL}" nofollow="true"]]here[[/link][/data-lightrail]
  • Extremely generous welcome offer and time to earn it
  • Annual credits more than make up for the annual fee — Get up to a $200 airline fee credit (enrollment required), a $200 hotel credit for prepaid stays booked with Amex Travel, up to a $240 digital entertainment credit (enrollment required) and more.
  • Speed through airport security — Get up to a $189 a year credit for CLEAR membership, plus a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, to get through airport security more quickly and easily (enrollment required).
  • High points earnings on flights and hotels — Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly with Amex Travel.
  • Hotel elite status — Get both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status (enrollment required).
  • Extremely high annual fee — With an annual fee of {fee.annual.text}, only frequent travelers will get their money's worth from the card on an ongoing basis.
  • Low points earnings on most purchases — A disappointing earnings rate of 1 point per $1 on all purchases except flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.
  • Terms apply

{name} is a fully-loaded card perfect for luxury travelers who want all the benefits that make travel more comfortable and convenient. In addition to no foreign transaction fees, this card has a generous welcome offer, a lucrative rewards rate and the best airport lounge benefit among all travel cards. While it comes with a very high annual fee, the card also offers annual credits worth up to $1,500 that can help cancel out that fee.

[/data-lightrail]


Best no foreign transaction fee card for dining

[affiliate-lightrail id="1304" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Dining" signupbonus="true" /]
Earns transferable points [data-lightrail id="1304"]
For rates and fees of {name}, please click [data-lightrail id="1304"][link url="{bankTermsURL}" nofollow="true"]]here[[/link][/data-lightrail]
  • High rewards for dining — Earn 4 points per $1 spent on dining out, food delivery and U.S. supermarkets.
  • Dining credits — Get up to $120 a year in $10 monthly credits at select restaurants when you enroll and pay with your card.
  • Uber credits — Get up to $120 a year in Uber Cash (up to $10 monthly) to offset the cost of U.S. Uber rides or U.S. Uber Eats once you add the card to the Uber app.
  • High annual fee — An annual fee of {fee.annual.text} may put the card out of reach for less frequent travelers or lower spenders.
  • Limit on grocery bonus earnings — A $25,000 annual limit on the 4X earnings in the U.S. supermarket category may curb your earning ability if you stockpile food or have a big family.

The {name} is a great international card for foodies, home cooks and travelers who love to dine out frequently, as well as a top card with no foreign transaction fees. The card offers a top-tier rewards earnings structure for food, including U.S. supermarket purchases and restaurants worldwide. Cardholders also get up to $120 ($10 monthly) toward U.S. Uber rides and eats when they add the card to the Uber app, and up to $120 ($10 monthly) in credits toward select dining purchases (enrollment required).

[/data-lightrail]


Best no foreign transaction fee credit card for simplicity

[affiliate-lightrail id="88" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Simple travel card" signupbonus="true" /] [data-lightrail id="88"]
  • Nice welcome bonus
  • Airport lounge visits — Get two free visits to Capital One airport lounge each year.
  • Global entry or TSA Precheck credit — Get a credit toward your membership in one of these programs every four years so you can get through airport security faster.
  • Auto rental insurance — Use your card to rent an eligible vehicle and you may be covered for physical damage and theft of the vehicle.
  • Warranty manager service — Provides you with valuable features to help manage, use and even extend warranties of items purchased with your card.
  • Annual fee — The card charges a {fee.annual.text} annual fee.
  • Limited bonus categories — The bonus categories require you to book your travel through Capital One Travel to earn extra miles.
  • Lacks comprehensive coverage — Doesn't offer a full array of travel or purchase coverage.

The {name} comes with no foreign transaction fees as well as a straightforward rewards-earning structure, a solid welcome bonus and an array of travel perks. For example, cardholders qualify for a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership as well as two free visits to Capital One airport lounges each year. When it comes to flexibility, cardholders can use their miles for travel through Capital One or point transfers with more than 15 airline and hotel transfer partners.

[/data-lightrail]


Best no foreign transaction fee credit card with an intro APR

[affiliate-lightrail id="1165" view="benefits_box" featured_title="0% intro APR" signupbonus="true" /] [data-lightrail id="1165"]
  • Intro APR offer — Get {purchaseIntroRate} and {balanceTransferIntroRate} (followed by a {purchaseGoToRate} APR)
  • Good earnings bonus on food — The card offers a high 3% cash back rate on dining out and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
  • No annual fee — The card charges a {fee.annual.text} annual fee.
  • Travel accident insurance — Offers basic travel accident coverage.
  • Price Protection — If you find a lower price on a new item within 120 days of purchase you may be reimbursed for the difference.
  • Limited travel insurance — Does not offer trip cancellation or delay coverage or lost or delayed bag coverage.
  • Bonus category exclusions — The supermarket bonus category excludes purchases made at Target and Walmart, which may cost cardholders who do their grocery shopping at these stores.

On top of no foreign transaction fees, the {name} boasts a juicy rewards earnings structure focused on food and entertainment. It also features an APR of {purchaseIntroRate}, followed by an APR of {purchaseGoToRate} — this could make a great option for financing your next trip at 0%.

[/data-lightrail]


Best business credit card with no foreign transaction fee

[affiliate-lightrail id="1112" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Business" signupbonus="true" /]
Earns transferable points [data-lightrail id="1112"]
  • Generous sign-up bonus
  • High rewards earning potential — {rewardsRateDesc}
  • Good travel coverage — Auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation and delay coverage.
  • Purchase coverage — Get purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on items you buy for your business.
  • Annual fee — Has an annual fee of {fee.annual.text}.
  • High minimum spending requirement — Small businesses without a lot of expenses may have a hard time meeting the spending requirement for the welcome bonus.
  • Roadside coverage for a fee — Roadside coverage presented as a benefit, but the fine print states the service is not free.

The Chase Business {name} is a good choice for small business owners who travel internationally. The card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which can be used for gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, travel through Chase, or even 1:1 transfers to the brand's airline and hotel partners. This business credit card also comes with decent travel and purchase coverage that can provide an extra layer of protection when you travel.

[/data-lightrail]


Best credit card with no foreign transaction fee and no annual fee

[affiliate-lightrail id="2268" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Best overall" signupbonus="true" /] [data-lightrail id="2268"]
  • No annual fee — The {fee.annual.text} annual fee makes the card ideal for budget and less frequent travelers.
  • Large welcome offer — The offer is worth a $200 cash redemption value
  • Massive point earning power — {rewardsRateDesc}
  • No other travel perks — No Global Entry or TSA Precheck credits or other travel benefits.
  • Low value points — The points you earn are worth around 1 cent and can't be transferred to maximize value.
For those who want a good no-annual-fee travel card with no foreign transaction fees, it's hard to beat the {name}. Aside from a large sign-up bonus, the card offers 3X points on a wide variety of categories, including restaurants, travel and gas. And redemption is simple — you can redeem points for travel or statement credits for a value of 1 cent per point.

[/data-lightrail]


Best credit card for students with no foreign transaction fees

[affiliate-lightrail id="1342" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Students" signupbonus="true" /] [data-lightrail id="1342"]
  • Good way to build credit — The card offers a good way for students who travel to build credit without having to pay foreign transaction fees.
  • 0% intro APR — Get {purchaseIntroRate} (followed by a {purchaseGoToRate})
  • Earn rewards — Get rewarded for your spending with {rewardsRateDesc}.
  • No travel coverage or perks — The card doesn't supply even basic travel insurance, so you may end up having to buy a policy if you travel or study abroad.
  • Points not worth much — The points you earn may not be worth as much as those on more flexible travel cards.

The {name} is one of the best credit cards for students with no foreign transaction fee, due to its generous rewards rate and sign-up bonus with {fee.annual.text} annual fee. The card is very similar to the [data-lightrail id="130"]{name}[/data-lightrail], but aimed toward students who have thin or no credit files and are building credit. An intro APR for purchases and eligible balance transfers makes this offer even more attractive for students who are trying to keep costs down while building credit history.

[/data-lightrail]


Best no foreign transaction fee card for poor credit

[affiliate-lightrail id="98" view="benefits_box" featured_title="Poor credit" signupbonus="true" /] [data-lightrail id="98"]
  • No annual fee — The {fee.annual.text} annual fee is ideal for cardholders trying to build or rebuild credit.
  • Credit line reviews — Capital One will automatically review your credit limit and may raise your limit.
  • Upgrade option — After you use the card responsibly, Capital One may offer you an upgrade to a non-secured card.
  • No welcome bonus — The card lacks a sign-up bonus.
  • No rewards — You won't earn points or miles for your spending.
  • Requires a deposit — The card requires you to put down a security deposit of up to $200.
  • Low starting credit limit — The initial credit limit of $200 may prevent you from making any big purchases on the card.

The {name} is a good choice for cardholders who are building or rebuilding credit and want a card with no foreign transaction fees. This card lets you get started building credit with a minimum security deposit as low as $49, and there's {fee.annual.text} annual fee to boot. You can even see if you're pre-approved on the Capital One website with no impact to your credit score.

[/data-lightrail]

What is a foreign transaction fee?

A foreign transaction fee is a charge of 1% to 3% of the cost that some credit cards tack on to purchases made outside of the United States. Many credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee on any purchase that is either:

  • Charged in a foreign currency
  • Made from a merchant located outside the United States, or
  • Routed through a foreign bank

A foreign transaction fee usually is reflected on your statement as a single fee for each transaction. But it's actually split into two parts:

  • A network or currency conversion fee charged by the card network, such as Visa or Mastercard (typically 1%)
  • An issuing bank fee charged by the issuing bank, such as Citi or Chase (typically 2%)

Some travel credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, meaning they don't charge you a fee and may even cover that 1% fee charged by the networks so you pay zero foreign transaction fees. If you're planning any international trips, it's a good idea to have a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees in your wallet.

Currency conversion vs. foreign transaction fees

What is currency conversion, and is it different from a foreign transaction fee? A currency conversion happens when a bank or merchant converts the total of your purchase from local currency to U.S. dollars. The cost to have your card company make the conversion is generally included as part of the foreign transaction fee (see above) charged by the card network.

When you're traveling outside the United States, a merchant may ask if you want your purchase charged in U.S. dollars. This seems like a helpful offer, but you should generally say no. This process, known as dynamic currency conversion, usually comes with a bad exchange rate, which will probably cost you more than letting your credit card company make the conversion. Worse, if you say yes, you might still pay a foreign transaction fee if your card charges these fees.

How much are foreign transaction fees?

Of all cards we surveyed, 3% is the most common foreign transaction fee charged.

That means that when you make purchases with your card outside the United States using a card that charges a foreign transaction fee, you could add 3% to the cost of your trip.

Let's say you spend 10 days in Europe and spend $5,000 on hotel stays, restaurants, tours and incidentals like bottled water and snacks during your trip. If your card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase, that will add $150 to the cost of your trip.

Here's a chart of typical foreign transaction fees on popular credit cards:

Issuer
Typical foreign transaction fee
American Express2.70%
Bank of America3%
Barclays3%
Show All Rows

How to avoid foreign transaction fees

With a little planning ahead, it's easy to avoid foreign transaction fees by choosing the right credit card. Make sure to read the fine print to verify that the card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Try to shop around and apply for a no-foreign-transaction-fee card a few months before you travel. Then make sure to use only that card while you're out of the country.

If you really want to avoid these pesky fees, it's a good idea to have a backup card of a different type just in case your card gets lost or stolen or isn't accepted at a certain merchant. For example, if your main card is a Visa it might also be a good idea to have a Mastercard that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. Check to see which card networks are most commonly accepted where you're traveling.

No foreign transaction fee credit cards (samples)

American Express

Bank of America

Barclays

Capital One

Chase

Citibank

U.S. Bank

American Express

Bank of America

Barclays

Capital One

Chase

Citibank

U.S. Bank

  • [data-lightrail id="1526"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
  • [data-lightrail id="1260"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
*Unlike most credit cards, the [data-lightrail id="54"]{name}[/data-lightrail][/link], [data-lightrail id="1304"]{name}[/data-lightrail][/link] and [data-lightrail id="1190"]{name}[/data-lightrail][/link] allow you to carry a balance for some purchases, but not all.

How to choose the best no foreign transaction fee credit card

The best credit cards for international travel all have one thing in common: no foreign transaction fees. But simply not charging foreign transaction fees is not reason enough to pick a card. There are enough credit cards that don't charge international fees that you can make your pick based on your financial goals, the types of travel you enjoy and the benefits you seek.

Here are other factors to take into account when choosing the best no foreign transaction fee credit card for you:

Rewards

A rewards card can help you score points, miles or cash back for a free vacation. Consider these factors when choosing a rewards card:

  1. Types of rewards: First ask yourself this question: do you prefer "]airline miles, cash back or "]flexible travel points?
  2. Types of bonus categories: Look for a card that will allow you to maximize your rewards based on your own spending habits — for example, one that has bonus categories in areas where you spend a lot — and will allow you to redeem the rewards in a way that maximizes their value. (Hint: it's best to choose a card that lets you transfer your points to travel partners.)

The rewards structure will determine how much you can earn and how quickly you can rack up enough cash, points or miles to pay for your next trip.

Annual fee

Many travel cards charge an annual fee, but you can find "]no-annual-fee cards that also don't charge foreign transaction fees. There's usually a tradeoff: Cards with no annual fee tend to have fewer benefits but may be ideal for infrequent travelers. Cards with annual fees tend to be loaded with more benefits, so frequent travelers may find they get much more value from the perks than what they pay to hold the card each year.

Acceptance

It's important to think about where you plan to travel and which cards are accepted there. Depending on the part of the world, you could find that your Amex, Mastercard or Visa isn't accepted at most businesses. If you don't have a backup, this could force you to pull out a different card that charges a foreign transaction fee, costing you hundreds of dollars. So consider acceptance and get a backup no foreign transaction fee card if possible.

Travel insurance

The right card with travel insurance could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars by offering coverage for common travel debacles like trips canceled at the last minute because you got sick or bags that get lost or delayed, forcing you to go out and buy new clothes and toiletries for your trip. Getting a card that includes at least basic travel coverage may be worthwhile for all travelers.

Other travel perks

Does the card offer free checked bags, priority boarding and other travel benefits? This may make your trip a little more comfortable and save you a considerable amount of money on baggage fees. Think about which travel perks you'll use, and try to get a card that offers these benefits. As an alternative, you could buy your plane tickets on a card that offers these perks and then use a different foreign-transaction-fee-free card when you reach your destination.

Chip and Pin cards

Depending on where you plan to travel, you may want to look for a card that uses chip-and-PIN technology. Some countries use chip-and-PIN infrastructure, meaning that you may be required to enter a PIN at the point of sale for some purchases, like you would with a debit card, rather than signing a receipt. (Some merchants may still ask you to sign a receipt instead.) The United States is using a chip and signature infrastructure, so check your travel destination to make sure your chosen U.S. card will work.

So, now you're ready to choose an international credit card. Start by checking out our list of credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees. If you don't see one that suits you, check out some cards from other banks.

For example, one U.S. bank credit card with no foreign transaction fees is the [data-lightrail id="1260"]{name}[/data-lightrail].

If you're more of a credit union person, you can also find credit union credit cards with no foreign transaction fee. For example, you may want to consider the [data-lightrail id="1466"]{name}[/data-lightrail] from PenFed Credit Union, which is known for stellar customer service.

Do credit cards offer good exchange rates?

Credit cards generally offer favorable exchange rates, as you can see in the chart below. It's much better to allow your credit card to convert your purchase to U.S. dollars rather than taking up an offer from a merchant who might offer a much worse exchange rate.

Company
EUR-to-USD exchange rate*
Markup
Third-party website1.173N/A
Mastercard1.1750.17%
Visa1.1750.17%

Tips for using a credit card for foreign travel

Want to know how to use a credit card abroad without getting blindsided by sneaky international fees? Here are five tips for using credit cards abroad:

  1. Check acceptance. Before shopping for a no foreign transaction fee credit card, think about where you plan to travel and research what kinds of cards are most widely accepted in that part of the world. A card with no foreign transaction fees won't do you much good if you can't use it to make purchases at your destination.
  2. Shop around for the best travel card. Pick the best card for you based on your style of travel, financial goals, rewards earning goals and desired card features. Browse the best credit card offers with no foreign transaction fee to find the right match for you. Taking time to find the right card can save you money and give you peace of mind on your trips.
  3. Consider getting a backup card just in case. It may be a good idea to have a backup card that also doesn't charge these fees in case a merchant at your destination doesn't accept a certain type of card. This can also be helpful if your main card gets lost or stolen.
  4. Say no to retailers who offer to charge you in U.S. dollars. Known as dynamic currency conversion, this practice almost always results in unfavorable exchange rates that cost you more than if you make the purchase in the local currency.
  5. Get a debit card that refunds ATM fees. If you want to avoid international bank fees, think beyond your credit card to your debit card. Get a debit card that doesn't charge fees to use other banks' ATMs and will refund you any ATM fees charged by foreign banks. Consider opening a high yield investor checking account with Schwab, our pick for the best bank for international ATM use.

Follow these tips for using a credit card for foreign travel, and you should be able to avoid getting hit with surprise international fees after your next trip abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Our top pick for the best credit card for international transactions is the [data-lightrail id="92"]{name}[/data-lightrail]. This card charges [data-lightrail id="92"]{fee.foreignExchange.text}[/data-lightrail] foreign transaction fees, has a generous rewards-earning structure and offers a full slate of travel insurance coverage. It does charge an annual fee, but the welcome bonus and benefits more than make up for the cost.

Most banks charge foreign transaction fees on at least some of their credit cards. Chase is a good example: the [data-lightrail id="92"]{name}[/data-lightrail] charges [data-lightrail id="92"]{fee.foreignExchange.text}[/data-lightrail] foreign transaction fees while the Chase Freedom cards do have international transaction fees. The Chase Freedom foreign transaction fee is 3%. However, there are some banks that have no foreign transaction fees on any credit cards, such as Capital One and Discover.

American Express charges foreign transaction fee of up to 2.7% on some of its cards. Amex does offer cards with no foreign transaction fees, including the [data-lightrail id="54"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1304"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="1190"]{name}[/data-lightrail].

Capital One does not charge foreign transaction fees on any of its cards. If you want to make a purchase abroad without paying a foreign transaction fee and you have a Capital One card in your wallet, you're in luck.

Yes, the [data-lightrail id="710"]{name}[/data-lightrail] does have foreign transaction fees. [data-lightrail id="710"]{name}[/data-lightrail] charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency. The fee is [data-lightrail id="710"]{fee.foreignExchange.text}[/data-lightrail] of the purchase amount total after conversion to U.S. dollars. But there are other Citi cards with no foreign transaction fees.

Discover does not charge any foreign transaction fees. That means no Discover it cards have foreign transaction fees, including the cash back and student cards. You may want to use this Discover international acceptance checker to check to see if the card is accepted at your destination. And if you use a Discover card as your primary card, you may want to carry a Visa or Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fees as a backup.

Banks charge processing fees and other fees in order to make money from merchants and cardholders. Foreign transaction fees and other fees such as annual fees, late fees and over-limit fees allow the bank to make a profit. As a customer, it's smart to look at your own card use patterns and check the fees that a card issuer charges before you open and use a card.

Foreign transaction fees are tax-deductible in some cases. Talk to your accountant or tax preparer, but generally, foreign transaction fees are tax-deductible when they're charged as part of a business expense.

Some debit cards charge a foreign transaction fee. Check the fine print on your debit card agreement to see if yours charges a foreign transaction fee for purchases. Many banks also charge international ATM fees for cash withdrawals in a foreign country.

Methodology

To make choosing the right card easier, we've looked at credit cards reviewed on ValuePenguin, as well as cards on major issuer sites, to compile a list of the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards available right now. Our recommendations are based on the additional value you can earn with these cards. We primarily considered rewards value, the cost of ownership and the value of benefits like travel and purchase protections, lounge membership and airline companion passes.

For rates and fees of [data-lightrail id="54"]{name}[/data-lightrail], please click [data-lightrail id="54"][link url="{bankTermsURL}" nofollow="true"]]here[[/link][/data-lightrail]
For rates and fees of [data-lightrail id="1304"]{name}[/data-lightrail], please click [data-lightrail id="1304"][link url="{bankTermsURL}" nofollow="true"]]here[[/link][/data-lightrail]
For rates and fees of [data-lightrail id="56"]{name}[/data-lightrail], please click [data-lightrail id="56"][link url="{bankTermsURL}" nofollow="true"]]here[[/link][/data-lightrail]
For rates and fees of [data-lightrail id="53"]{name}[/data-lightrail], please click [data-lightrail id="53"][link url="{bankTermsURL}" nofollow="true"]]here[[/link][/data-lightrail]
For rates and fees of [data-lightrail id="1327"]{name}[/data-lightrail], please click [data-lightrail id="1327"][link url="{bankTermsURL}" nofollow="true"]]here[[/link][/data-lightrail]
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to [data-lightrail id="92"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1112"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1129"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="180"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1229"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="504"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1148"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="440"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="1198"]{name}[/data-lightrail] has been independently collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
The information related to [data-lightrail id="710"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="136"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1030"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="866"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="130"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1342"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1126"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1590"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1369"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1357"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1358"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1044"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1123"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="504"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="17"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="2146"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1466"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="631"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1190"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1828"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1302"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1342"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1369"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="417"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="2146"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="631"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1526"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="1260"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="1466"]{name}[/data-lightrail] has been independently collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply to American Express credit card offers. See americanexpress.com for more information.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

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How We Calculate Rewards: ValuePenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points, miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees. These estimates here are ValuePenguin's alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer.

Example of how we calculate the rewards rates: When redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred points are worth $0.0125 each. The card awards 2 points on travel and dining and 1 point on everything else. Therefore, we say the card has a 2.5% rewards rate on dining and travel (2 x $0.0125) and a 1.25% rewards rate on everything else (1 x $0.0125).

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