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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Every student studying abroad needs one of these credit cards
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
also contributed to this story
June 8, 2026 • 12 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Studying abroad can be costly, with semester expenses often ranging from $1,500 to $7,000, excluding accommodation.
Selecting a card without foreign transaction fees helps students avoid extra charges on international purchases.
Cards offering rewards and travel protections can provide additional value and peace of mind during overseas studies.
Acceptance varies by card network, so carrying a widely accepted card type is recommended for smoother transactions.
What to consider
Some cards may not be accepted everywhere, especially outside major cities or in certain regions.
Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly if not avoided, with averages around 3% per purchase.
Travel protections and welcome bonuses can enhance value but may require meeting specific eligibility or spending thresholds.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of top cards for students abroad, including their strengths, limitations and how to align your choice with your travel habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
If you’re a college student planning to study abroad, you’re in for a real treat. There’s nothing like living outside the country and immersing yourself in another culture, traveling and exploring different places virtually every weekend.
But this adventure doesn’t come cheap. For example, you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,500 to $7,000 during a semester abroad in Europe (according to some reports) — and that doesn't even take accommodation into account.
The good news? All of the cards on this list charge no foreign transaction fees, so you won’t get hit with extra costs every time you tap your card abroad. And if you’re using a credit card, you can earn some serious rewards on your study abroad expenses. Plus, the right card will help you save money on fees and protect you if your travel plans go awry.
Here’s what you need to know to choose the best credit card for studying abroad.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and Lyft (through Sept. 30, 2027)
3 points per dollar spent on dining, online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), vacation homes, gas, EV charging and select streaming services
2 points per dollar spent on all other travel purchases
Discover will match all the cash back earned at the end of your first year with Unlimited Cashback Match™
5% cash back with a set of rotating bonus categories each quarter you enroll (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter at eligible merchants)
1% cash back on all other purchases
$0
The information for the Amex Classic Green has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is worth $370, according to TPG’s June 2026 valuations.
Annual fee: $0
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Why it's great for studying abroad: The VentureOne doesn’t have an annual fee and earns an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases. Cardholders will also earn 5 miles per dollar on car rentals, hotels and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
You can use your miles in a variety of ways, but the best way is to transfer them to any of Capital One’s 15-plus hotel and airline partners. This is likely your most valuable redemption option.
There aren’t many no-annual-fee cards that allow you to transfer miles to travel partners, so this card is definitely worth a serious look for students studying abroad.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
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Why it's great for studying abroad: The Savor Cash Rewards is a great way to earn cash back on all your purchases.
With it, you’ll earn 5% back on hotels, rental cars and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, 3% back on dining, entertainment and select streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart) and 1% back on all other purchases.
While the welcome bonus isn’t lucrative, it does have a relatively low spending requirement. Given the expenses of studying abroad, every little bit helps.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
TPG’s valuations place this welcome bonus at $1,538.
Annual fee: $95
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Why it's great for studying abroad: The Sapphire Preferred may be out of range if you're just starting your credit card journey, but it’s certainly one to set your sights on if you’re eligible.
It’s a great starter card if you want to get into points and miles, thanks to its high earning rates on travel and dining. Every time you book a flight on Ryanair or end up at Wok to Walk again, you’ll rack up fully transferable points.
And when you’re ready to redeem the points you’ve earned with the Sapphire Preferred, you have some great options. Most simply, you can use your points with Points Boost to purchase flights and book hotel rooms through Chase Travel at a rate of up to 1.75 cents per point (depending on the specific redemption; see your rewards program agreement for full details).
But you can get even more value from your rewards by taking advantage of the card’s ability to transfer points to any of Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
Welcome bonus: The card is no longer accepting applications, therefore it does not have a welcome offer.
Annual fee: $150
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Why it's great for studying abroad: If you're interested in adding the Amex Classic Green to your wallet for your studies abroad, it's a good idea to get the card before you book your travel. The card earns 3 points per dollar on a wide array of travel purchases, including airfare, hotels, tours and more.
It also earns 3 points per dollar in transit, a category you're likely to spend a good amount in while you're away. This category includes buses, taxis, trains and more.
Pair this with another bonus category, earning 3 points per dollar on dining at worldwide restaurants, and this card is a solid option for students abroad.
TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece when you maximize your earnings by transferring to one of Amex's transfer partners. For a $150 annual fee, this card is a solid earner in the program.
While it's more of an investment than other cards on this list, it offers up to $219 each calendar year for a Clear+ membership to help offset that (enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal).
Welcome bonus: Discover will match all the cash back earned at the end of your first year with Unlimited Cashback Match™.
Annual fee: $0
THE POINTS GUY
Why it's great for studying abroad: With the Discover it Student Cash Back, you’ll get 5% cash back on your first $1,500 in purchases on quarterly rotating categories after you enroll your card and then 1% cash back on everything else. While it isn’t a fancy earnings structure, receiving 5% back on certain purchases on a student card is fantastic.
Students studying abroad can get outsize value from this card since all earnings during the first year are doubled.
And you won’t have to worry about redemption minimums, so you can cash out your rewards at any time.
Factors to consider when choosing a card for studying abroad
As you prepare to study abroad, look for these qualities to help you choose your best credit card:
Card acceptance overseas: Not all cards are accepted equally around the world, so it’s important to choose one you can rely on wherever you’re headed. For the smoothest experience, it’s a good idea to carry at least one Mastercard or Visa while studying abroad, since they tend to offer the broadest global acceptance (particularly across Asia, Europe and Latin America). American Express is widely accepted in many major cities, but this varies by country and merchant type. Discover's international acceptance is improving, but it remains less consistently accepted than the other major networks in many study-abroad destinations.
Foreign transaction fees: Choose a card that doesn't charge fees on foreign transactions. If you use a debit or credit card that charges foreign transaction fees, you’ll incur an additional fee of up to 5% on every purchase (with 3% being the average).
Travel protections: Look for a credit card with travel protections that cover you when something goes wrong, such as travel delays, cancellations and other mishaps.
Welcome bonus: Look for a card that offers a welcome bonus. The extra spending you’ll do on your semester abroad is a great way to meet the minimum spending requirement to earn a bonus on a new credit card.
You’ll spend heavily during a semester abroad — from flights and trains to group dinners and weekend trips. Choosing the right credit card turns that unavoidable spending into a strategic advantage.
A well-chosen, no-foreign-transaction-fee card can save you money from day one, while strong bonus categories, travel protections and flexible redemption options help you maximize every euro, pound or yen you spend.
Pick a card aligned with how you travel and what you value, and your time abroad won’t just be unforgettable; it may also set you up for future trips you can book with the rewards you earn along the way.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
