The best credit cards for international travel, from rewards to premium perks

When traveling abroad, what you pack in your wallet matters as much as what you pack in your luggage.

A card with no foreign transaction fees is a good starting point, but the best options can also help you earn rewards on purchases abroad and enjoy valuable travel perks, from airport lounge access to hotel elite status.

We’ve rounded up our picks for the best credit cards for international travel, covering a range of annual fees and benefits to help you find the right card for your next trip.

Best credit cards for international travel at a glance

All the cards on our list have no foreign transaction fees, making them solid options for purchases abroad.

Best overall credit cards for international travel

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture X are two of our top picks for international travel, thanks to their combination of flexible rewards, travel protections and valuable perks.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

• Best for: Overall value for international travel
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it’s worth considering: The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a strong mix of rewards and travel protections without a premium annual fee. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide and 2 points per dollar on other eligible travel purchases, plus access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners. The card also includes trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and primary rental car coverage for eligible rentals, subject to terms.
• Keep in mind: The card doesn’t offer complimentary airport lounge access, so travelers looking for more premium perks may want to consider another option.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Capital One Venture X

• Best for: Premium travel benefits at a lower cost
• Annual fee: $395
• Why it’s worth considering: The Venture X earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, making it a straightforward option for expenses abroad that may not fall into traditional bonus categories. Cardholders also receive a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 anniversary bonus miles and access to Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required).
• Keep in mind: You’ll need to book through Capital One Travel to use the annual $300 credit, and the $395 annual fee may be harder to justify if you don’t travel frequently.

To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Best credit cards for earning rewards abroad

From flights and hotels to meals and transportation, international travel can come with plenty of expenses. The Citi Strata Premier, Capital One Venture Rewards and Wells Fargo Autograph cards make it easy to earn rewards on those purchases, whether you prefer bonus categories or a straightforward earning rate.

Citi Strata Premier

• Best for: Earning rewards across multiple spending categories
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it’s worth considering: The Strata Premier earns 3 points per dollar on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, making it a great option for earning rewards on expenses abroad. You can also transfer your Citi ThankYou Rewards points to airline and hotel partners, including American Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
• Keep in mind: The card earns just 1 point per dollar on purchases outside its bonus categories, so it may not be the best choice for all your spending abroad.

To learn more, read our full review of the Strata Premier.

Capital One Venture Rewards

• Best for: Straightforward rewards on purchases abroad
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it’s worth considering: The Venture Rewards earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, so you don’t have to worry about which spending category a purchase falls into. You can also transfer your miles to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners or redeem them toward eligible travel purchases.
• Keep in mind: The card doesn’t offer the extensive lounge access and premium travel perks found on the more expensive Venture X.

To learn more, read our full review of the Venture Rewards.

Wells Fargo Autograph

• Best for: Earning travel rewards with no annual fee
• Annual fee: $0
• Why it’s worth considering: The Autograph earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants, travel, transit, gas stations, popular streaming services and phone plans. That makes it useful for international travelers who want to earn bonus rewards on everything from hotel stays to train tickets without paying an annual fee.
• Keep in mind: Purchases outside its bonus categories earn just 1 point per dollar, so a flat-rate rewards card may be more useful for other expenses.

To learn more, read our full review of the Autograph Card.

Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards
Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph

Best credit cards for international dining

Whether you’re sampling street food in Bangkok or enjoying a nice dinner in Paris, dining can be a big part of the international travel experience. The Amex Gold and Capital One Savor are two strong options for earning rewards on meals abroad, though they appeal to different types of travelers.

American Express Gold

• Best for: Earning Membership Rewards points on international dining
• Annual fee: $325
• Why it’s worth considering: The Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), making it a great option for travelers who spend a lot on dining abroad. You can transfer the Membership Rewards points you earn to Amex’s airline and hotel partners to help book future trips.
• Keep in mind: American Express isn’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa or Mastercard, so you’ll want to carry a backup card. You’ll also want to make sure you can justify the $325 annual fee with the card’s earning rates and other benefits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Gold.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards

• Best for: Earning cash back on international dining without an annual fee
• Annual fee: $0
• Why it’s worth considering: The Capital One Savor earns unlimited 3% cash back on dining, making it a great option for earning rewards on meals abroad. It also earns 3% on entertainment and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target). With no annual fee, it’s a solid choice for travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to a premium travel card.
• Keep in mind: The Savor earns cash back rather than transferable miles on its own. However, if you also have an eligible Capital One miles-earning card, such as the Venture X or Venture Rewards, you may be able to convert your cash back into miles for greater redemption flexibility.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Savor.

Apply here: Amex Gold
Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Airport lounge access can make a big difference when traveling internationally, especially if you have a long layover or want somewhere comfortable to relax before a flight. The Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve both offer extensive lounge access, along with other premium travel benefits.

The Platinum Card from American Express

• Best for: Access to an extensive network of airport lounges
• Annual fee: $895
• Why it’s worth considering: The Amex Platinum offers access to an extensive worldwide airport lounge network through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required) and select partner lounges. Cardholders can also take advantage of hotel benefits, statement credits and other premium perks that can make international travel more comfortable.
• Keep in mind: The card’s $895 annual fee is steep, and you’ll need to use enough of its benefits to justify the cost.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

• Best for: Airport lounge access and premium travel protections
• Annual fee: $795
• Why it’s worth considering: The Sapphire Reserve offers access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club and more than 1,300 participating Priority Pass lounges worldwide, making it a strong choice for international travelers. The card also includes a $300 annual travel credit, valuable travel protections and access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Keep in mind:With a $795 annual fee, the card makes the most sense for travelers who can take advantage of its broader travel benefits and statement credits, not just lounge access.

Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Best airline credit cards for international travel

If you frequently fly the same airline or its partners, a cobranded airline credit card can make international travel more rewarding. The United Quest and Atmos Summit offer benefits like award flight discounts, companion awards and elevated rewards on purchases abroad, making them worth considering for travelers loyal to either airline program.

United Quest

• Best for: Frequent United flyers and award travel
• Annual fee: $350
• Why it’s worth considering: The United Quest offers several perks that can make international travel with United more affordable, including a $200 annual United TravelBank credit and a free first and second checked bag for the cardholder and a companion on the same reservation (terms apply). Cardholders also receive a 10,000-mile award flight discount each anniversary year, and access to expanded saver award availability, which can unlock significantly lower award prices on certain flights.
• Keep in mind: The card’s benefits are primarily geared toward United travelers, so it may not be the best fit if you regularly fly other airlines.

To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest.

Atmos Rewards Summit

• Best for: Earning rewards abroad and international award travel
• Annual fee: $395
• Why it’s worth considering: The Atmos Summit earns 3 points per dollar on eligible foreign purchases, making it useful for everyday spending abroad. Cardholders also receive a 25,000-point Global Companion Award each anniversary year, which can help reduce the points needed to book a companion on eligible award itineraries, including international partner flights. Plus, Atmos Rewards points can be redeemed for travel on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and international partners such as Japan Airlines and British Airways.
• Keep in mind: The card’s Global Companion Award is most valuable if you regularly book award travel with a companion, and you’ll need to understand the program’s redemption rules to maximize its value.

To learn more, read our full review of the Atmos Summit.

Apply here: United Quest
Apply here: Atmos Summit

Best hotel credit cards for international travel

If you’re planning to stay at hotels abroad, a cobranded hotel credit card can help you earn more points on your stays while enjoying perks like elite status and potential room upgrades. The World of Hyatt Card and Hilton Amex Aspire are two options worth considering, particularly if you frequently stay with either hotel brand.

World of Hyatt Card

• Best for: Earning Hyatt points and enjoying hotel perks abroad
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it’s worth considering: The World of Hyatt Card earns 4 points per dollar on eligible Hyatt purchases and comes with automatic Discoverist status, which provides perks like preferred rooms and late checkout when available. Cardholders also receive an annual Category 1-4 free night award, which can be valuable when redeemed at eligible Hyatt properties abroad.
• Keep in mind: Hyatt has a smaller global footprint than some competing hotel chains, so you may have fewer options depending on where you’re traveling.

To learn more, read our full review of the World of Hyatt Card.

Hilton Honors Amex Aspire

• Best for: Premium hotel benefits and elite status
• Annual fee: $550
• Why it’s worth considering: The Hilton Amex Aspire offers automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, which includes perks like complimentary breakfast at many international properties, executive lounge access at eligible hotels and space-available room upgrades. Cardholders also receive an annual free night reward, Hilton resort statement credits and flight credits that can help offset the card’s annual fee.
• Keep in mind: The $550 annual fee is steep, and maximizing the card’s statement credits requires some planning. The resort credit also only applies at participating Hilton properties, so it may not be useful for every trip.

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Aspire.

Apply here: World of Hyatt Card

Apply here: Hilton Amex Aspire

How to choose a credit card for international travel

Whether you’re looking to earn more rewards abroad or enjoy perks that make your trip more comfortable, here’s how to narrow down your options.

• If you want one card for everything: Consider a flat-rate rewards card like the Capital One Venture Rewards or Venture X, which earn at least 2 miles per dollar on purchases, regardless of spending category.
• If you want to maximize rewards: Look for bonus categories that match your travel spending, such as dining with the Amex Gold or hotels, restaurants and air travel with the Citi Strata Premier.
• If you travel internationally often: A premium card like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve may be worth the annual fee for lounge access, travel protections and other perks.
• If you only travel abroad occasionally: A no-annual-fee card like the Wells Fargo Autograph or Capital One Savor can help you earn rewards without the added cost.
• If you’re loyal to an airline or hotel: A cobranded card, like the Hilton Amex Aspire or the United Quest can offer valuable benefits like free checked bags, award flight discounts or hotel elite status.

Tips for using credit cards abroad

Even with the right credit card in your wallet, a little preparation can help you avoid unnecessary fees and payment headaches when traveling internationally.

• Pay in the local currency: If a merchant offers to charge you in U.S. dollars, choose the local currency instead to avoid potentially unfavorable exchange rates through dynamic currency conversion.
• Bring a backup card: Not all payment networks are equally accepted abroad, so it’s smart to carry a backup credit card, ideally on a different payment network.
• Avoid using credit cards for cash withdrawals: Cash advances can trigger fees and interest charges, so consider a debit card with low international ATM fees if you need local currency.

Bottom line

A good credit card for international travel should do more than just eliminate foreign transaction fees.

Depending on the card, you could earn bonus rewards on everything from meals abroad to hotel stays, save on flights or enjoy perks like airport lounge access and hotel elite status.

While premium cardscan offer plenty of value for frequent international travelers, you don’t need to pay a hefty annual fee to get worthwhile benefits. A card that earns solid rewards on your purchases abroad and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees may be all you need.

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.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Source: thepointsguy.com