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

May 01, 2014

•

6 min read

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

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

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

Make sure your cards waive foreign transaction fees.

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

Be sure to read your credit card's terms and conditions for the disclosure of foreign exchange fees.

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

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

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

American Express

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

Starting May 1, 2014:

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

Barclaycard

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

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

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

Chase

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

Citi

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

Discover

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

Other

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

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees

4 / 5

Apply for American Express® Gold Card

at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

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.

Apply for American Express® Gold Card

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

4 / 5

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
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual Fee
$325
Recommended Credit
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.