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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

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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

American Express® Gold Card

4 / 5

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

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.
5X	New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through 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

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $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.
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.
New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
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.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.