Delta American Express Cards Waive Foreign Transaction Fees Starting Today - What Other Cards Don't Charge Forex Fees?

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Back in February, American Express announced that the Delta co-branded cards, including the Delta Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards, would start waiving foreign transaction fees as of May 1, 2014, and that day has finally arrived.

These fees are one of my major travel pet peeves – adding 2-3% to your purchases while traveling abroad can wipe out much of the value of any points you’d earn on such purchases, making these cards a break-even value proposition at best when traveling. That's why it's always a major factor in any decision I make about whether to apply for a credit card or not - and even more importantly, whether to carry a card with me while traveling abroad.

You should always double check whether the credit card you are applying for has 0% in foreign transaction fees. Do this by clicking the Terms & Conditions link before you submit your application. Foreign transaction fees will be listed under the transaction fees table (usually the last fee listed).

The good news for intrepid travelers is that more and more card issuers are waiving these fees on their travel cards – including the Delta co-branded American Express cards now and the United Explorer card from Chase, which also recently started waiving these fees, so it's easier than ever to find a great card that won't penalize you for using it abroad. I have tried to compile a comprehensive list of the cards that currently waive these fees, but if you have a favorite card that I’ve left out, please feel free to comment.

Note: Capital One and Discover both offer 0% foreign transaction fees across their product lines.

American Express

• 50,000 points when you spend $3,000 in 3 months for the American Express Mercedes-Benz Platinum. $475 annual fee.
• 60,000 points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months for the American Express Platinum. $550 annual fee.
• 40,000 points when you spend $5,000 in 3 months for the American Express Business Platinum. $450 annual fee.

Starting May 1, 2014:

• 30,000 miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months for the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, $95 annual fee waived first year.
• 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles and 35,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in 3 months for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Amex, $150 annual fee before May 1, $195 thereafter.
• 10,000 Medallion qualifying miles and 10,000 bonus miles with first purchase for the Delta Reserve Amex, $450 annual fee.

Barclaycard

• 40,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in 90 days for the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard, $89 annual fee waived the first year.
• 20,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in 90 days for the Arrival, no annual fee.
• 35,000 miles when you spend $1,000 in first 90 days for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, $89 annual fee.
• 35,000 miles when you spend $1,000 in 90 days for the Hawaiian Airlines Business MasterCard, $89 annual fee.
• Up to 50,000 miles after first purchase or balance transfer and spending $5,000 in 90 days for the Lufthansa Miles & More MasterCard, $79 annual fee.

Capital One (All cards, but listed are the key travel related rewards cards)

• 40,000 points when you spend $3,000 in 3 months for Capital One Venture card. $59 annual fee, waived for the first year.
• 20,000 points when you spend $1,000 in 3 months for the Capital One Venture One card. No annual fee.
• Capital One Spark for Business. No annual fee.

Chase

• 60,000 points when you spend $5,000 in 3 months for the Chase Ink Plus. $95 annual fee, waived for the first year.
• 50,000 Avios when you spend $3,000 in 3 months for the Chase British Airways Visa. $95 annual fee.
• 50,000 points when you spend $4,000 in 3 months for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. $95 annual fee, waived the first year.
• 40,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, $99 annual fee.
• 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months for the Chase United MileagePlus Club Card. $450 annual fee.
• 30,000 miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months for the United MileagePlus Explorer , $95 annual fee waived the first year.
• 2 Free nights after you spend $2,000 in first 3 months +1 free night each anniversary for the Chase Hyatt Credit Card. $75 annual fee.
• 2 Free nights after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months with the Chase Fairmont Visa. $95 annual fee, waived the first year.
• 60,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months for the Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card. $49 annual fee, waived for the first year.
• 80,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months for the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card. $85 annual fee.
• 2 complimentary nights after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months for the Chase Ritz-Carlton Visa. $450 annual fee.

Citi

• 50,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months for the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, $450 annual fee.
• 2 weekend night certificates after you spend $2,500 in the first 4 months with the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve. $95 annual fee.
• 50,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months for the Citi Thank You Premier. $125, waived for the first year.
• 40,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months for the Citi Prestige. $450 annual fee.

Discover

• Earn 5% cash back at Home Improvement Stores, Furniture Stores and Bed Bath & Beyond® on up to $1,500 in purchases from April through June 2014 on the Discover It card.

Other

• 20,000 points when you spend $2,500 in the first 3 months for the PenFed Travel card. No annual fee.
• 5% Cash Back on the PenFed Gas Card. No annual fee.
• 10,000 points after making $500 in purchases in the first 3 months for the Bank of America Privileges card. $75 annual fee, waived for the first year.
• 10,000 points after making $500 in purchases in the first 90 days for the Bank of America Travel Rewards. No annual fee.