Best cards with no foreign transaction fees of December 2025
If you’re traveling abroad, don’t forget to double-check that you’ve got a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card in your wallet. These cards are excellent for frequent and occasional travelers alike since fees are one less thing you have to worry about every time you make a purchase.
Plus, there are plenty of great credit card options that waive these fees and earn rewards like cash back, points and miles you can use in the future. Some even carry no annual fee. To help you narrow down your choices and find the card that suits you best, check out this roundup of some top cards from our partners with no foreign transaction fees, picked by TPG’s expert editorial team.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for total value
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate earning
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for entertainment spending
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for dining at restaurants
- American Express Platinum Card®: Best for premium travel perks and digital entertainment
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: Best for Bank of America customers
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for travel
- Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card: Best for frequent Alaska and Hawaiian flyers
- Discover it Cash Back: Best for no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee
- American Express® Green Card: Best for beginner travelers
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Best for ApplePay and mobile wallet users
Comparing the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5x | Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. |
| 2x | Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | Earn 1x on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points for Chase Travel bookings or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Pros
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance.
- You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those with busy lives. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- This flexible rewards card delivers a solid welcome offer
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories.
- Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for any hotel or airline purchase for a statement credit or transferred to 15+ travel partners.
Cons
- Transfer ratios to a couple of partners are mediocre at less than 1:1 ratio
- Capital One airline partners do not include any large U.S. airlines
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Best for entertainment spending
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 8% | Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases |
| 5% | Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 3% | Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases |
The Capital One Savor is a great cash back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee. Dining, entertainment and groceries are high-value bonus categories, and it’s rare for a card to hit all three. Read our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Earning 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) is a great return for a no-annual-fee credit card
- This card is great for beginners.
- The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase.
Cons
- If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential.
- The sign-up bonus isn’t anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn).
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. It packs a real punch, offering 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). There’s also an up to $120 annual dining credit at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, plus it added an up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. The card must be added to your Uber account and you can redeem with any Amex card. All this make it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment required for select benefits. Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Pros
- 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or on amextravel.com
- Generous welcome offer
Cons
- Weak on travel and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as effective for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- 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.
Best for premium travel perks and digital entertainment
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X | Earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
The American Express Platinum Card® has a high annual fee but remains one of the best cards on the market for those who prioritize premium travel experiences. A combination of updated and new statement credits makes the refreshed Amex Platinum an ideal card for frequent travelers and digital entertainment enthusiasts alike.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits semiannually; enrollment required)
- Up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 in statement credits per month; enrollment required)
- Earns transferable Membership Rewards points
Cons
- $895 annual fee
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 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.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
at Bank of America's secure site
| 2X | Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. |
| 1.5X | Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is great for using the points earned for rewards that normal airline miles or credit card points can’t cover. Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members get a 25%-75% rewards bonus on every purchase. New cardmembers earn a 60,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. Read our full review of the Bank of American Premium Rewards card.
Pros
- This card is more valuable for Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members, who can get between a 25% and 75% bonus on points earned
- Comes with up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually and up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® statement credit and travel protections
- Can transfer points earned into a 529 college fund
Cons
- Other cards offer higher points for key bonus categories
- Must open a Bank of America account to get the best value for points
- Low $95 annual fee.
- Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
- Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
- Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 8x | Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠. |
| 4x | Earn 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. |
| 3x | Earn 3x points on dining worldwide. |
| 1x | Earn 1x points on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® remains one of the most rewarding travel credit cards thanks to its elevated earning rates on both Chase Travel℠ and direct hotel and airline purchases. Cardholders also gain access to more than $2,700 in potential annual value through premium perks like lounge access, hotel status, lifestyle credits and flexible travel credits.
With its strong earning structure and access to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, it’s a top choice for travelers seeking both luxury and long-term value.
Pros
- Automatic $300 annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- Earn 8 points per dollar spent on Chase Travel purchases and 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct
- Over $2,700 in total annual cardmember value, including credits for StubHub, Apple Music, Apple TV+ and DoorDash
- $300 annual dining credit (split up as two semiannual $150 credits) for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants
- Access to Chase’s 14 hotel and airline travel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027)
Cons
- Steep $795 annual fee, plus a $195 fee per authorized user
- Some credits are split biannually, requiring careful tracking to maximize value
- Some credits require enrollment or specific platforms, which may make it more difficult to maximize value
- May not be a good fit for those who don’t spend heavily on travel or select lifestyle categories
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
Best for frequent Alaska and Hawaiian flyers
at Bank of America's secure site
| 3 points | Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. |
| 2 points | Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. |
| 1 point | Earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card is a solid choice for budget-conscious Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flyers who want to minimize the cost of holding a cobranded airline card.
Pros
- Free checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian flights
- Priority boarding on Alaska and Hawaiian flights (for main cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation when you pay for flights with this card)
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Companion Fare requires annual spending to earn
- Limited time online offer – 60,000 bonus points + a 30% global flight discount code.
- Receive a 30% global flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account. Additionally, earn 60,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America booked on AlaskaAir.com.
- Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Points don’t expire on active accounts.
- Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
- Get a free checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to 6 guests traveling on the same reservation when you purchase Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines airfare with your card.
- Earn and redeem across 1,000+ destinations worldwide with oneworld® Alliance member airlines and 30+ global air partners.
- Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
- This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Best for no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee
Discover it Cash Back
Information updated as of 11/05/2025
| 5% | Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. |
| 1% | Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
Pros
- Dollar-for-dollar cash back match offer in your first year of card membership
- Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly bonus categories
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Rotating bonus categories must be activated each quarter to earn 5% cash back
The Discover It® Cash Back* is a great no annual fee product that offers 5% cash back in select rotating categories each quarter. The card features a 0% introductory APR in the first 15 months of card ownership and a generous first-year cash-back match offer. The rotating bonus categories must be activated each quarter and are capped at $75 cash back per quarter, but with no annual fee, the Discover It Cash Back remains a solid addition to any wallet.
Best for beginner travelers
American Express® Green Card
Information updated as of 10/30/2025
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases. |
Pros
- Decent earning rates across popular spend categories
- Annual Clear Plus credit
- Annual LoungeBuddy credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $150 annual fee
- May not offer much value if you’re not a frequent traveler
The American Express® Green Card* is an excellent option for travelers looking for a card with no foreign transaction fee. It offers elevated rewards on travel and dining worldwide, making it a good contender for frequent jetsetters. Amex Membership Rewards are transferable to any of Amex’s transfer partners.
Additionally, the card offers up to $199 in Clear credits and up to $100 in LoungeBuddy credits annually to better streamline your airport experience. To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Green Card.
Best for ApplePay and mobile wallet users
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Information updated as of 11/18/2024
| 5X | 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center |
| 3X | 3X points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ and Samsung Pay |
| 1X | 1X point on all other eligible purchases |
Pros
- Multiple bonus categories
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- High annual fee
- Non-transferable rewards
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* is a premium travel credit card. It earns 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and rental cars when you book through the Altitude Rewards Center. This card also earns 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite also comes with $325 in annual statement credit that gets automatically applied towards travel and dining purchases — including takeout and restaurant delivery — essentially bringing its annual fee down to $75. This, combined with up to $100 in statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years, a solid welcome bonus and no foreign transaction fees makes the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa a winner.
Comparing the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New offer at Chase's secure site | total value | 75,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 60,000 bonus points | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||||
at Capital One's secure site | flat-rate earning | Earn 75,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening | 2 - 5X miles Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||||
Offer ending soon at Capital One's secure site | entertainment spending | Earn $300 in welcome bonuses Open Intro bonus LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 8% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||||
at American Express's secure site | dining at restaurants | As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 4X points Open Rewards rates
| $325 | ||||||||||
+ New benefits at American Express's secure site | premium travel perks and digital entertainment | As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 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. | 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $895 | ||||||||||
at Bank of America's secure site | Bank of America customers | 60,000 points Open Intro bonus Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. | 1.5 - 2X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||||
at Chase's secure site | travel | 125,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 8X points Open Rewards rates
| $795 | ||||||||||
at Bank of America's secure site | frequent Alaska and Hawaiian flyers | Limited time online offer – 60,000 bonus points + a 30% global flight discount code Open Intro bonus Receive a 30% global flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account. Additionally, earn 60,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. | 1 - 3X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||||
Discover it Cash Back * *The information about the Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Information updated as of 11/05/2025 | no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee | Cashback Match Open Intro bonus Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. | 1 - 5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||||
American Express® Green Card * *The information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Information updated as of 10/30/2025 | beginner travelers | Earn 40,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express Green Card® within the first 6 months of Card Membership. | 1 - 3X points Open Rewards rates
| $150 | ||||||||||
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card * *The information about the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Information updated as of 11/18/2024 | ApplePay and mobile wallet users | 50,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 50,000 points if you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $400 |
More details on the best cards with no foreign transaction fees
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is well known within the world of travel rewards credit cards. The card offers a strong return on travel and dining purchases, an annual hotel credit and amazing travel protections — all for a low annual fee. Points can be redeemed for up to 1.75 cents each, depending on the specific redemption, toward travel booked through Chase (see your rewards program agreement for full details), and can gain even more value when transferred to one of Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
The card is an excellent choice for those looking to earn on dining and travel at solid rates with the option of redeeming points for travel with one of Chase’s transfer partners. Card members will enjoy travel protections to help ensure their journeys go smoothly.
“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it's hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare. I love that I can earn bonus rewards on travel, dining, streaming and online grocery purchases — all with just one card. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable and easy to use whether you're new to points and miles or an expert.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great alternative. It is known for its impeccable earning rate on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and solid flat earning rate on everyday purchases, plus a strong welcome bonus.
Simplicity, strong earning potential and a low annual fee are all strengths that come to mind for this card. Travelers will enjoy earning bonus rewards on all purchases without having to memorize bonus categories, instead focusing on redeeming rewards, such as transferring miles to one of Capital One’s partners.
Travelers interested in earning rewards in a simplified manner, especially toward travel redemptions. Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for eligible travel purchases as a statement credit or transferred to Capital One travel partners.
“The Capital One Venture is a great card that can add value to pretty much anyone's wallet. I use it to earn 2 miles per dollar on the purchases that fall outside of my other cards' bonus categories. The annual fee is low, Capital One miles are easy to redeem and the card does come with a few nice perks — including TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry application fee reimbursement.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent card for those who would prefer to stay within the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem. You’ll still earn generously across travel, dining and select streaming services.
The Capital One Savor is a cash-back card and a great addition to a beginner’s wallet. The card offers a solid rewards structure and no annual fee. The bonus categories of dining, entertainment and groceries are easy to maximize, and it’s very rare for a card to have all three high-value bonus categories.
Individuals who don’t want to pay an annual fee but still want to earn cash back by simply using their card in the bonus-earning categories.
The card is easy to use since it doesn’t require activating quarterly bonus-earning categories, streamlining the rewards-earning process for cardholders.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for those looking for a simpler cash-back credit card with no annual fee. Cardholders earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases, which is great if you have expenses that fall outside of the Savor's bonus categories. Just keep in mind the Freedom Unlimited does carry a foreign transaction fee.
This card not only has an appealing metal design but also delivers substantial benefits. Cardholders earn bonus Membership Rewards points on worldwide dining and U.S. supermarket purchases while receiving benefits like an annual dining credit, Uber Cash credits and more (enrollment required for select benefits).
The Amex Gold is a great card for those looking to redeem points for travel by transferring points to airline and hotel partners. The card earns on dining globally, so cardholders who travel often should use this card to continue earning points worldwide.
“There's no better card for groceries and dining than the Amex Gold. I earn 4 points per dollar in both of these categories, and with additional perks like a monthly Uber credit and the ability to transfer my Membership Rewards points to valuable airline partners, the card is a mainstay in my wallet.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a low annual fee while offering bonus rewards on dining and travel and maintaining a great list of transfer partners that can help maximize your return on points earned.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a great travel companion thanks to perks like no foreign transaction fees and enhancements like a generous up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits biannually). Now, it also features more lifestyle credits that cardmembers can take advantage of to help offset its hefty annual fee. Enrollment required.
Frequent travelers and digital entertainment subscribers will enjoy travel perks like lounge access and an up to $209 Clear Plus statement credit in addition to an up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 per month in statement credits). Enrollment may be required and you may be subject to auto-renewal.
Adding this card to your rotation makes sense if you can use its perks and statement credits to offset its $895 annual fee.
If you want a premium travel and lifestyle card that’s not nearly $900, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It features a $795 annual fee — which is still a big figure — but offers several similar perks and credits that offset this fee, and it earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable reward currencies on the market.
The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card generously offers 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, while giving cardholders 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases, a higher bonus-earning potential than other travel cards. Flexible redemption options and the ability for Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members to get a 25%-75% rewards bonus on every purchase make the card even more outstanding.
Individuals who currently have a Bank of America account and want a stress-free card that offers simplicity. For semifrequent travelers, this card offers solid benefits such as an annual airline incidental credit, comprehensive travel protection insurance and unique redemption options such as transferring points into a 529 college fund.
The card offers benefits and a variety of redemption options to suit almost any individual. Strong earning potential in broad categories such as travel and dining make this an excellent choice for a card with a low annual fee.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a strong contender for those looking for a BofA card tailored more toward travel with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top premium travel card among TPG staffers and many travel aficionados. Offering a generous travel credit and bonus earnings on dining and travel purchases, this card is an easy way to build up your points balance for your next adventure. With such excellent benefits offered, the annual fee on the card is easy to justify for many travelers.
The card is best for those who spend a lot on travel and dining. If you travel often, this card is also a must-have for its travel protections, statement credits and lounge access.
If you regularly spend on travel and lifestyle purchases, and want a premium reward card that delivers both luxury benefits and long-term value, the Sapphire Reserve is a card you should consider.
The American Express Platinum Card® provides additional travel and lifestyle benefits over the Chase Sapphire Reserve and is aimed toward travelers looking to upgrade their travel experiences with perks such as lounge access, automatic elite status and more.
The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card features a healthy welcome bonus and decent earning rates for those who frequently fly with both Alaska and Hawaiian. We especially like that this card earns solid reward rates in popular bonus categories and earns at least 1 point for every dollar you spend.
This card is ideal for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flyers. However, even if you don’t fly with these airlines all the time, holding the Atmos Rewards Ascent card may still offer outsize value thanks to perks like a free checked bag on flights with these two airlines.
If you find yourself on international flights with Alaska and Hawaiian, you’ll enjoy elevated reward rates on every dollar you spend with these airlines, as well as no foreign transaction fees wherever your travels take you.
If you want a more general travel card with a similar annual fee that earns transferable points, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card also comes with a $95 annual fee, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
We love the Discover It® Cash Back* because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and features rotating quarterly bonus categories.
*The information for the Discover it® Cash Back card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Discover It® Cash Back* is great for people who are getting into the credit card world that wants a fee with no fees and great perks.
“I love the Discover It® Cash Back* because it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Plus the first year cash back match means you can get a lot of value from this card.” - Christina Ly, credit cards writer
If you still want a card with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and a simpler cash-back structure, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). It offers elevated cash back, but there’s no activation of rotating bonus categories required.
The Amex Green* features no foreign transaction fee, annual statement credits and elevated reward rates on travel and dining out.
*The information for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Amex Green* has no foreign transaction fee and earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and transit, which makes earning transferable Amex membership points which makes it an excellent option for travelers.
The Amex Green* is a solid entry-level travel card with decent travel perks and benefits for a reasonable $150 annual fee.
If you’re looking for a similar travel card that earns transferable reward points and features no foreign transaction fees, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. The card earns 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ and 3 points per dollar spent on dining and groceries. Additionally, it features a slightly lower annual fee of $95.
The U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* features healthy reward rates in popular categories, statement credits and no foreign transaction fees, making it a great travel companion.
*The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* is especially handy for mobile wallet enthusiasts and travelers who will benefit from the bonus categories and credits.
If you’re looking for a travel credit card with easy statement credits and elevated bonus categories, the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* may be a good fit for you.
If you’re looking for a card with similar perks and benefits but want to earn transferable rewards instead, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. This card comes with a $300 annual travel credit, complimentary lounge access and earns transferable rewards that can be used with any of Chase’s transfer partners.
How we rate cards
Ask our experts
What’s your favorite credit card with no foreign transaction fee — and why?
How to choose the best no foreign transaction fee card
- An annual fee card may be well worth it if the card features benefits that are worth more than the card’s annual fee. Depending on your travel lifestyle, it might be beneficial to consider a card with an annual fee.1Annual fee
- Welcome bonuses are an important part of determining a card’s value. It is often significantly more difficult to earn as many points as a card’s welcome bonus through regular spending alone. Generally, the higher the welcome bonus is, the higher the required spend will be so make sure you can earn your card’s welcome bonus through your normal spending habits.2Welcome bonus
- Cards on this list feature a variety of bonus categories. Choosing a card with elevated earning rates on your regular spending categories is the best way to get the most out of your card. You want to choose a card that best benefits you and your earning strategy.3Bonus categories
Pros and cons of cards that waive foreign transaction fees
Pros
- When traveling outside the U.S., cards that waive foreign transaction fees can save you up to 5% on every purchase.
- These credit cards offer valuable rewards on your purchases — both inside and outside the U.S.
- Responsibly using a card with no foreign transaction fees can improve your credit score.
- Some cards that waive foreign transaction fees include many other valuable perks — including lounge access or statement credits for select purchases.
Cons
- If you spend beyond your means, you can harm your credit score and rack up interest charges that far outweigh the savings you get from not paying foreign transaction fees.
- Many cards that waive foreign transaction fees come with an annual fee — in some cases nearly $700.
- If you never leave the U.S. on a trip, you won’t benefit from a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Frequently asked questions
These fees are charged by some card issuers every time you swipe your card outside of the U.S.
When you buy something abroad or on a non-U.S. website, the cost of the purchase will likely need to be converted into U.S. dollars. A foreign transaction fee is generally charged to mitigate the financial risks of the ever-changing foreign exchange market. Once the purchase is converted into U.S. dollars, then a foreign transaction fee is charged.
Foreign transaction fees vary for each issuer but are generally anywhere between 2% and 5%. Given that most bonus rewards categories fall into the same earning percentage, a foreign transaction fee on purchases can easily completely offset any value you’d be getting from your credit card’s rewards structure.
You don’t have to be in another country to rack up a foreign transaction fee. If you make a payment online with a brand that isn’t based in the U.S., you might still be charged a foreign transaction fee, even if you were in the U.S. when you made the purchase.
This can happen when you are buying from a company that is not based in the U.S., but it also happens when booking hotels abroad. Most properties within major hotel brand portfolios like Hilton or Marriott are individually owned and managed, but reservations are facilitated through a brandwide website.
This means that while your reservation may be made on a U.S. website and you may pay in U.S. dollars, the room charges may be processed by the hotel itself through a non-U.S. bank. It’s generally hard to tell in these cases whether you’ll be charged a foreign transaction fee until after the payment is already processed. So it’s a best practice to use a card with no foreign transaction fees just in case.
If foreign transaction fees are charged on purchases made for business purposes then the fees are tax deductible, but all foreign transaction fees for personal expenses are not tax deductible.
Foreign transaction fees are not refundable. The best way to avoid incurring these fees is to use a card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee to begin with (or to use cash while abroad, but then you’ll miss out on the potential to earn rewards).
However, there are some cards that will refund you for foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad. ATM fees are not the same thing as foreign transaction fees — ATM fees are charged by a bank when using an ATM that is not affiliated with your bank — but are an example of fees you may be charged while traveling abroad. A Schwab Bank Investor Checking account from Charles Schwab comes with a debit card that will refund any fees incurred from using ATMs while abroad.
When applying for a new card or evaluating an existing card, look at your cardholder agreement and rates and fees page, which will highlight if the card charges foreign transaction fees or not.
There are U.S. credit card issuers that never charge foreign transaction fees, regardless of which credit card you have — most notably Capital One and Discover.
However, even the credit card issuers who do charge foreign transaction fees across some of their cards almost always offer at least a few credit cards within their lineup that don’t charge these fees — many of which are included in this list. These cards are usually geared toward travelers and include bonus categories and benefits that are suited for those who want to make the most of their travels.