Foreign transaction fees: Everything you need to know
Editor's Note
At TPG, few things frustrate us more than unnecessary fees — and foreign transaction fees are near the top of the list.
You may have noticed that when you use certain credit cards abroad (or on a website not hosted in the U.S.), an additional fee is added to each purchase.
Let’s discuss what those fees are and how you can avoid them in the future.
What is a foreign transaction fee?
Foreign transaction fees are charged on certain cards when you make a purchase that goes through an overseas bank to process the transaction.
When you make a purchase while traveling or through a foreign website, banks may convert the transaction amount into U.S. dollars — often with a markup. Some credit card issuers then pass this conversion cost on to consumers as a foreign transaction fee.
Related: The best business credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
How much are foreign transaction fees?
The standard foreign transaction fee tends to be around 3%.
Visa and Mastercard typically charge a 1% processing fee and many U.S. banks tack on an additional 1%-2% fee.
However, Capital One and Discover are unique in having zero foreign transaction fees across all their credit cards.
| Card issuer | Standard foreign transaction fee |
|---|---|
2.7% | |
3% | |
3% | |
None | |
3% | |
3% | |
None | |
U.S. Bank | 3% |
3% |
Which cards have no foreign transaction fees?
Most of the top travel rewards credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. In fact, it’s rare for a card that offers travel rewards and perks to charge any foreign transaction fees. After all, it would be counterintuitive for a card marketed for travel to charge a fee on international purchases.
While some issuers charge foreign transaction fees of around 3% on some of their products, you should consider Capital One or Discover cards, since they don’t charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards.
Card issuers are required to give potential and existing customers access to rates and fees associated with a credit card, including foreign transaction fees. Check the terms and conditions of your credit card to see whether or not your card (or the card you’re considering applying for) charges foreign transaction fees.
A rates and fees table typically lists the foreign transaction fee explicitly under a fees section.
Related: How to choose a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card
Foreign transaction fees vs. ATM fees
Another type of fee you may hear about when you travel is a foreign ATM fee. While the two fees can apply when traveling outside the U.S., they are not the same.
A foreign ATM fee is charged when you withdraw cash from an ATM in a foreign country. Some banks waive this fee, especially if you use an ATM that falls within a specific network of banks.
Additionally, you might need to pay additional fees when you use an ATM abroad, including a flat fee from your bank for using an ATM not affiliated with the bank (typically $5), a foreign currency conversion fee (typically falls in line with foreign transaction fees at 3%) and additional fees charged by the owner of the specific ATM you use. As you can probably tell, multiple withdrawals during a trip can easily add up.
This is one reason we recommend paying with a credit card wherever possible. But in some places, cash is still king, and you’ll need to have a game plan for avoiding these types of fees — or factor them into your budget.
TPG credit card writer Danyal Ahmed recommends a Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking account, which offers unlimited ATM fee reimbursements for domestic and international withdrawals.
Related: Tips to save on overseas ATM withdrawals
How to avoid foreign transaction fees
Use a card with no foreign transaction fees
The easiest way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to use a card that doesn’t charge them. TPG has a regularly updated guide on the top credit cards with no foreign transaction fees that can help you choose the best cards for your trips.
However, some popular cash-back cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (see rates and fees), tend to charge foreign transaction fees.
Related: The pros and cons of cash-back credit cards
Avoid ‘dynamic currency conversion’
When using a card terminal abroad, you may be prompted to pay in the local currency or in U.S. dollars. You should always choose the local currency.
Dynamic currency conversion is a sneaky way that banks encourage you to pay in your home currency (U.S. dollars) while abroad. However, they’ll usually give you a poor conversion rate, so it’s best to pay in euros, pesos or whatever the local currency is.
Related: Dynamic currency conversion: What it is and why you should avoid it
Pay with cash
Of course, you’ll also avoid foreign transaction fees by paying with cash.
However, cash purchases will not earn you rewards, and withdrawing cash abroad may be subject to pesky fees.
Bottom line
The good news is that foreign transaction fees are much less common across top credit cards than they used to be. It seems the industry is gradually moving away from charging customers these types of fees.
Until then, check your credit card’s terms and conditions to know if you’ll be on the hook for a fee when you’re traveling — and plan your card usage accordingly.
To avoid foreign transaction fees, choose a top travel rewards card or any card from Capital One or Discover. Also, always pay in the local currency with your credit card rather than U.S. dollars to avoid poor conversion rates.
Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.