4 Best Credit Cards for International Travel

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Traveling internationally can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but traveling with the wrong credit card can be costly in more ways than one. The right international credit card should offer a range of features and benefits that make it easier and more affordable to use your card while abroad. Some cards not only help you earn rewards and save money overall, but can also enhance your experience abroad through access to unique travel perks. From cards with travel insurance to free lounge access, we've compiled some of the best credit cards to consider if you're preparing and planning for a trip overseas.

Card	Bonus Offer	Rewards Rate	Annual Fee	Best for	Learn More
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Apply Now	60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)	1x- 5xPoints More Info The card offers 5x points per dollar on Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery services), as well as 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). This card earns 2x points on all other travel spending and 1x point per dollar everywhere else. Chase broadly defines travel to include not just airfare, hotels and rental cars, but expenses like parking, tolls and public transit too.	$95	Best overall	Apply Now
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apply Now Rates & Fees	60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info Earn 60,000 bonus points after using your card to spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)	1x - 10xPoints More Info The card offers 10x points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars as well as 5x points on air travel booked directly through Chase Ultimate Rewards immediately after you spend $300 on travel purchases annually. Additionally, earn 3x points per dollar spent on all other travel and dining purchases and 1x everywhere else.	$550	Best for travel protections	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	20,000Points More Info Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Dollar Equivalent: $200 (20,000 Points * 0.01 base)	1x - 3xPoints More Info Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.	$0	Best for cash back equivalent rewards	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply Now	100,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $2,300 (100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)	1x - 3xPoints More Info Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 of combined spending in a number of key business categories	$95 More info This fee includes extra cards for authorized users, such as employees, at no additional charge.	Best for business travelers	Apply Now

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Secure application on issuer’s website

• Our Rating 5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APR21.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
• Annual Fee$95
• Sign Up Bonus 60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info

  Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the gold standards for earning travel rewards. It has a generous sign-up bonus and you can earn points on travel and dining expenses. The card does have an annual fee, but you can continue earning points through bonus categories and an anniversary points boost.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is pretty flexible as it lets you transfer rewards points into miles or points several airlines and hotel programs. You can take advantage of strong transfer partners such as United, Southwest, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Hyatt. Similarly, you can book any reservation you want through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Although the card might not be ideal for the most frequent travelers, it has a built-in upgrade path, so when it’s time to level up your travel rewards game, you won’t have to start from scratch.

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Pros

• Points are easily transferable to airlines and hotel partners
• Accelerated earnings on dining, travel & household purchases
• Excellent travel and purchase protections
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Not ideal for the highest spenders
• $95 annual fee

Best for Overall Travel Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is best for travelers seeking a card that checks all the boxes (generous rewards, travel protections, perks) at a reasonable annual fee.

International Travel Benefits

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip)
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (up to the cash value of the car)
• Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 for five days)
• Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per ticket)
• $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit on stays booked through Chase Travel℠
• No foreign transaction fees

Why We Like It

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is the best overall card for international travel, thanks to numerous factors. The card earns generous rewards on travel and dining purchases — two major spending categories for international travel. It also includes a generous suite of travel protections, providing peace of mind when visiting abroad. The card's $95 annual fee is partially offset by an annual $50 hotel credit through Chase Travel℠. All in all, it provides the most value for jetsetters who want to level up their rewards potential.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Secure application on issuer’s website

Rates & Fees

• Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APR22.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
• Annual Fee$550
• Sign-Up Bonus 60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info

  Earn 60,000 bonus points after using your card to spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)

This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the upcoming Chase Sapphire Lounge network.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months—that’s worth at least $900 in travel-related spending booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and potentially more if you transfer your rewards to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.

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Pros

• An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
• Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
• Generous rewards rates for spending

Cons

• High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
• Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition

Best for Travel Protections

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is perfect for those seeking a premium travel credit card with best-in-class travel insurance and ongoing card benefits that largely offset the $550 annual fee.

International Travel Benefits

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip)
• Travel accident insurance (up to $1 million)
• Trip delay reimbursement ($500 per ticket)
• Travel and emergency assistance services
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (up to $75,000 in coverage)
• Lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per passenger)
• Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 per day for five days)
• Emergency evacuation and transportation services (up to $100,000)
• Emergency medical and dental benefits (up to $2,500)
• $300 annual travel credit
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership includes access to participating airport lounges, restaurants, cafes and markets
• Exclusive perks and discounts at hotels booked through the Luxury Hotels & Resorts Collection
• Up to $100 TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee credit every four years
• No foreign transaction fees

Why We Like It

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers top-of-the-line travel protections and luxury perks, making it ideal for international travel. Cardholders get a comprehensive suite of protections, including emergency medical and dental coverage — a rarity among credit cards. Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership will make traveling abroad more comfortable too, as you'll get access to over 1,300 VIP lounges worldwide.

The Sapphire Reserve also earns 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠, 10x on Chase Dining, 5x on air travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and 3x points on travel and dining purchases worldwide. These elevated reward rates make the card an exceptional choice for those who want to earn more points for international travel and protect their travel bookings.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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Secure application on issuer’s website

Rates & Fees

• Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APR20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% (Variable)
• Annual Fee$0
• Welcome Bonus 20,000Points More Info

  Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Dollar Equivalent: $200 (20,000 Points * 0.01 base)

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card can easily become your go-to card as most American households spend a bulk of their budget on restaurants, gas and travel costs. Not to mention, you likely subscribe to a streaming service (or two) and pay a monthly cellphone bill, which can cost hundreds if you have a family plan. Simply put: With this card, you can earn points on all of these day-to-day expenses, all with no annual fee.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

The Wells Fargo Autograph^SM Card offers an impressive 3x point rewards rate across six bonus categories: restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and cell phone plans, easily ranking it as one of the most robust earning cards out there.

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Pros

• Wide array of category bonuses: Unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit and commuting, popular streaming services and phone plans
• Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
• No foreign transaction fees
• No annual fee

Cons

• Rewards are worth up to 1 cent each

Best for Cash Back Equivalent Rewards

Travelers who want a cash-back-equivalent credit card with basic travel protections and elevated rewards on common everyday categories will benefit from the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.

International Travel Benefits

• Auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary coverage)
• Travel and emergency services assistance
• Premium benefits on Visa Signature Hotel stays
• No foreign transaction fees

Why We Like It

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is one of the most underrated travel rewards credit cards for international travel. Earning rewards at home and abroad is effortless with the card's unlimited 3x points on popular spending categories like restaurants, travel, transit, streaming services, gas and phone plans. The card also has no foreign transaction fees and provides useful protections when traveling internationally. Points are redeemable for travel purchases at a flat one cent each, making this akin to a cash-back credit card.

Related Article

Why the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card Is Better Than Most Cards in Your Wallet

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Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Apply Now

Secure application on issuer’s website

• Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APR21.24% - 26.24% (Variable)
• Annual Fee$95 More info

  This fee includes extra cards for authorized users, such as employees, at no additional charge.

• Sign Up Bonus 100,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info

  Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $2,300 (100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)

Those with travel and advertising expenses will like the high earning rates in these categories, plus cardholders can eke out even more value with fully transferable rewards through the Chase Travel portal. One drawback is the modest annual fee, though many can offset this with the card’s earning potential.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

This card offers a whopping 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 in the first three months — with the card’s 25% bonus on travel booked through Chase, that’s worth $1,250. But you could potentially get more through one of the bank’s transfer partners. The rewards you earn from the Ink Business Preferred Card can be transferred to 10 different airline partners including United, Southwest, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore and British Airways, as well as hotel partners Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott.

Unlike the other two Ink Business cards, you can use this card to transfer your rewards directly to airline miles and hotel points. Travelers may also like this card’s cellphone protection policy that will cover up to $600 per claim.

Read the review

Pros

• 3x points on 5 different categories (up to $150,000)
• Robust travel, purchase and cellphone protections
• Ability to earn transferable points to use on travel partners
• No additional charge for extra cards for additional authorized users

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Businesses that don't spend on the category bonuses won't benefit

Best for Business Travelers

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers business travelers a rewarding card for international travel, along with practical card benefits at a reasonable annual fee.

International Travel Benefits

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip)
• Auto rental collision damage waiver when traveling for business
• Cell phone protection (up to $1,000 per claim)
• Employee cards at no additional costs help you earn rewards faster
• No foreign transaction fees

Why We Like It

With the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can redeem points for international travel through the Chase portal, where they're worth 25% more. You'll get valuable travel protections for your trip too, including trip cancellation insurance and travel and emergency assistance services. Employee cards are offered at no additional cost, so you can earn points even faster.

Cardholders can also earn 3x points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases across common business categories like advertising, telecommunications and shipping purchases. If your business spends heavily in these areas, you can easily make up the $95 annual fee through rewards earned.

Don't overlook the generous sign-up bonus. New cardholders can score a whopping 100,000 points after spending $8,000 within three months of account opening.

How to Choose the Best Travel Card for International Trips

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Getting the right credit card in place before you travel can save you a lot of hassle and even some money. Here are some factors to consider as you research the best travel credit card for your trip abroad:

• No foreign transaction fees: These fees can add up quickly, especially if you use your card frequently while traveling. Many cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee per transaction, so look for one without this fee so you aren't hit with extra charges while overseas. 
• Bonus rewards on travel purchases: A lucrative rewards program can help you earn points or miles on purchases. Rewards can be redeemed for travel, hotel stays or other perks to help you save money and get more out of your trip. Look for credit cards that offer bonus rewards on purchases like flights, hotels and rental cars. Some even offer lounge access and free checked bags.
• Travel insurance: Travel insurance is a safety net. This benefit varies per issuer but often provides trip cancellation, lost luggage and medical expense coverages, which can help protect you from unexpected costs and disruptions. Some cards offer more comprehensive insurance than others, so read the fine print to learn what's covered.
• International acceptance: No one wants to find out their card isn’t accepted once they reach their destination, so it’s worth taking a few minutes to check. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most places around the world, but American Express and Discover have more limited acceptance in some countries.
• Emergency assistance: It's better to have this benefit and not use it than to need it and not have it. The best cards for international travel offer 24/7 customer service and emergency assistance, including lost or stolen card replacement and emergency cash advances, which can be invaluable if you run into issues while traveling. 
• Currency conversion rates: Some cards offer better conversion rates than others, which can save you money when using your card to make purchases in foreign currency. Check exchange rates before you travel so you know what to expect when using your card abroad.

Clear/Global Entry Fee Credit

CLEAR

CLEAR and Global Entry are programs that help travelers get through airport security more quickly and efficiently. If you’re looking to save time and hassle when traveling internationally, you’ll want these perks:

• Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and enables expedited customs clearance when returning to the United States. 
• CLEAR is a separate program that lets members bypass the standard security screening process at select airports and stadiums in the U.S. 

Some credit cards offer credits to cover the application fees for these programs in the form of a statement reimbursement, making them even more valuable.

Related Article

Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Reimbursement

Read More

Quick Tips When Using Your Credit Card Abroad

The right credit card can help make your next trip even more enjoyable, as long as you do a little advance planning. Here are some steps to take to set yourself up for headache-free spending abroad:

• Notify your issuer ahead of time: Let your card issuer know about your trip in advance so they don’t suspect fraud when you pay with your card. The last thing you want to deal with is a card getting declined or frozen when you’re in a foreign country.
• Avoid cash withdrawals: You’ll likely face high fees if you have to withdraw cash with your credit card when traveling, so it’s often better to stick to plastic or carry a small amount of cash if you need it.
• Make a back-up plan: If your card is lost or stolen, or you find it’s not as widely accepted as you thought, having some cash or another card on hand could be invaluable to help you get through our trip.
• Check your card's expiration date: It only takes a second to double-check your expiration date to ensure your preferred card will be active the whole time you’re traveling, preventing the potential financial pinch of an inactive card.
• Bring and use the right cards: Do your research into factors like foreign transaction fees and travel rewards so you can save the most money and even benefit from rewards and other perks while you travel.
• Avoid dynamic currency conversion: Be on the lookout for dynamic currency conversion services. Some vendors offer this as a way for customers to both see prices and pay in their home currency, but they’ll often charge you a much higher rate for the convenience.
• Check your travel protections: Many travel credit cards come with some level of travel coverage, like trip cancellation insurance and baggage protections. It’s worth refreshing yourself on what your cards cover in case you need these services while traveling.
• Review your travel perks: It’s not all about preparing for a crisis when you travel. Also look into what benefits your travel cards offer. You might be able to take advantage of lounge access or other perks during your travels to make your trip a little more comfortable.

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The Bottom Line

Preparation is key when planning an international trip and choosing the right credit card can be just as important as booking flights and accommodations. By considering factors such as foreign transaction fees, rewards programs, travel insurance and more, you can find a credit card that offers the features and benefits you need to make your trip more enjoyable and affordable.

With the right credit card in hand, you can have peace of mind and take advantage of travel-related perks and rewards, saving you money and making your travel experience memorable. Happy travels!