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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
9 types of cards you should pack for your next trip abroad
Ariana has been writing about points and miles for almost a decade. She previously served as editor at FlyerTalk, Frugal Travel Guy and NerdWallet while running her own travel blog, PointChaser.
February 26, 2025 • 17 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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Quick summary
Selecting the right payment cards for international travel can help you avoid extra fees, access valuable travel protections and enjoy enhanced experiences abroad.
Key features to prioritize include cards with no foreign transaction fees, those offering travel insurance and primary rental car coverage, and cards that provide hotel elite status or airport lounge access.
Carrying cards from different payment networks increases acceptance at international merchants and helps avoid transaction issues.
A debit card that waives international ATM fees is also recommended for convenient cash access.
What to consider
Always confirm your cards do not impose foreign transaction fees, as these can quickly offset any rewards earned.
Travel protections, rental car coverage and lounge access benefits vary by card, and some require enrollment or are limited to certain travel providers.
Eligibility for travel credits, hotel elite status or Global Entry fee credits may depend on card type, spending thresholds or enrollment requirements.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of specific card features and how to combine them for maximum value on your next international trip.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
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.
Keep in mind that one card might be able to meet more than one of these requirements, too.
Regardless of where your next trip takes you, this guide will run through nine credit cards for international travel that will serve you well on your travels abroad.
A card with no foreign transaction fees
When traveling internationally, you should have at least one card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. You’re bound to make purchases abroad, so why pay an up to 3% fee every time you swipe your card? In many cases, these fees will negate the rewards you’ll earn, defeating the purpose of using a credit card for international travel to begin with.
And if you've got more than one card spread across different networks (like Visa, American Express or Mastercard, for example), take both with you. If one retailer or restaurant doesn't accept a specific network, you can still avoid paying foreign transaction fees by using your other no-annual-fee card from another network.
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Nowadays, most travel rewards credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, but a few everyday cards do not.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) is a popular no-annual-fee card that charges a 3% transaction fee when you use it abroad. Double-check your favorite rewards cards and ensure they do not impose foreign transaction fees.
Here are some of our favorite card picks that do not charge foreign transaction fees:
If you’re going to travel anywhere, you’ll need a travel rewards card that earns a sufficient number of points or miles. After all, you’ll spend a lot on hotel charges, restaurants, transportation and more. A travel rewards card can help you get as many as 10 miles per dollar spent on these purchases.
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Amex Platinum Card – 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
Capital One Venture Rewards – 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, plus earn 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases
Capital One Venture X — 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in multiple categories, including travel each account anniversary year
While it’s easy to go for the card with the highest travel bonus, you’ll want to consider a few other factors. Namely, you’ll want a card that protects your travel purchases.
A card that offers travel protection
When you’re traveling abroad, a lot can happen. Your travel plans may unexpectedly change, and if you don’t have travel insurance, you could be in a tough spot. Luckily, you don’t need to purchase travel protection coverage every time you travel if you have the right credit card for international travel.
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Be sure to bring along a card that offers travel protection, including trip cancellation/interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve 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.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Remember that coverage may be restricted, depending on where you live or your travel destination.
Rental car coverage is crucial, especially when you’re traveling abroad. The last thing you want is to get into a fender bender and get hit with a higher insurance premium.
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You can buy primary coverage at the rental counter or get it for free using a card that offers primary rental car coverage, such as:
Traveling abroad means spending quite a bit of time at the airport. You need to arrive several hours before departure and will probably have a few hours to spare. An airport lounge is a great place to pass the time and grab a snack before a flight.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express CardandDelta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card — Access to The Centurion Lounge when you book your Delta flight with this card. Get Delta Sky Club when flying a same-day Delta flight, plus four one-time guest passes. Cardmembers receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits cardmembers must spend $75,000 or more on their card in a calendar year.
So what’s the best card for international lounge access? That depends on various factors, but the Amex Platinum offers the most comprehensive network. You not only get Priority Pass Select membership, but you can also visit lounges within the exclusive Centurion lounge network. Just note that this card won’t give you access to Priority Pass restaurants.
A card that offers hotel elite status benefits
Having hotel elite status abroad is incredibly valuable. You’ll not only earn more points on your hotel stays, but you’ll also save money via perks such as free breakfast and club lounge access. As an elite member, you’ll also qualify for room upgrades, which can be great in places where hotel rooms tend to be smaller (looking at you, Europe).
BECCA MANHEIMER/THE POINTS GUY
With the right hotel credit card, you can get top-tier status outright or spend your way there. Here are some of our top picks:
Amex Platinum— Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status (enrollment required)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card – Hilton Honors™ Gold status, plus earn Diamond through the end of the next calendar year after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
Rather than spending an hour in a U.S. customs line, you can skip over to the Global Entry kiosk and get through in a matter of minutes.
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If you want a smooth experience (and no lines) when returning from your trip abroad, the Global Entry application fee (including TSA PreCheck) is well worth it.
Better yet, get yourself a credit card that offers a Global Entry fee credit and put that $120 toward its annual fee. You can earn a nice welcome offer and get your Global Entry application fee covered. These credits get renewed up to every five years in time for your renewal application (enrollment may be required).
Things can get expensive when traveling abroad, but you might be covered if you carry a premium credit card in your wallet. Many of these cards offer annual travel credits that are either airline/hotel specific, or you can use them for virtually anything.
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If you have one of these cards in your wallet, you’ll want to pack it for your trip abroad to put that annual credit to use and lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
Amex Business Platinum – Up to $200 in statement credits for airline incidental fees per calendar year and up to $200 (up to $50 per quarter) in statement credits on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels (separate enrollment in Hilton for Business is required) and up to $600 prepaid hotel statement credits (up to $300 biannually) with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection each calendar year on bookings (two-night minimum stay required with The Hotel Collection), up to $219 Clear+ membership statement credit per year. Enrollment required; terms apply ($895 annual fee; see rates and fees)
Amex Platinum – Up to $200 airline fee statement credit, up to $200 Uber cash (distributed in $15 monthly increments and on U.S. services; redeem with any Amex card after adding the Amex Plat to the Uber account), up to $300 bi-annual prepaid hotel statement credits with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection each calendar year on bookings (two-night minimum stay required with The Hotel Collection), up to $219 Clear+ membership statement credit per year. Enrollment required for select benefits
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire – Up to $400 Hilton resort credit and up to $200 in statement credits for airline incidentals. Enrollment required; terms apply for select benefits
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant – Up to $300 statement credit each calendar year for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide
Credit cards aren’t as widely accepted abroad as in the U.S. It’s not just off-the-beaten-path destinations where you’ll need to carry cash – some merchants in fairly large European cities that do not accept credit cards either. You might find yourself short on cash, so a trip to the ATM will be necessary.
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That’s why bringing a debit card that charges no international ATM fees when you use it abroad is so important. The Charles Schwab debit card is a great option because it carries no fees whatsoever and reimburses all international ATM fees. You can even use the card for purchases since it charges no foreign transaction fees. Here are a few of our best picks for debit cards when traveling abroad:
Capital One debit card – Requires a Capital One 360 checking account
Charles Schwab debit card – Requires opening a Schwab Bank High Yield Investor checking account
Fidelity Visa Gold Check Card – Requires a Fidelity Cash Management Account
SoFi Money debit card – Requires a SoFi Money account
The information for the Capital One debit, Charles Schwab, Fidelity Visa Gold Check and SoFi Money debit cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chip-and-pin credit cards are popular throughout Europe, so you may want one in your wallet if you travel abroad. The good news is that many popular reward credit cards are already chip-and-pin enabled, so you may not have to go through the hassle of finding another card to apply for. Many merchants now offer contactless pay (services like Apple Pay).
Should I inform my card issuer that I’m traveling abroad?
You don’t have to let your card issuer know you’re traveling abroad, but it’s a good idea to do so. That way, you minimize the risk of your purchases being declined abroad.
Some banks allow you to submit travel notices online, while others require you to call and speak to a representative. Provide a list of countries you plan on visiting, and your account will be noted. Abnormal transactions may still get flagged, but this way, you reduce the chances of your purchases being declined.
Bottom line
Now is a great time to plan your next trip by saving up transferable rewards and making sure you have the right credit cards for international travel in your wallet. You’ll save money, earn more points and enjoy a better travel experience. Whichever card combination you pick, make sure it covers all the criteria outlined above.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, click here. For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Business Platinum Card, click here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
