The Best Cards for International Travel

Traveling outside the U.S. is always an adventure, and having the right credit card in your wallet can make a world of difference (pun intended). From avoiding foreign transaction fees to enjoying airport lounge access, the right card ensures that you have a great travel experience while also saving money. Here are some of my favorite travel credit cards that include the best perks for trips overseas.

Travel Benefit: No Foreign Transaction Fees

Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly when you’re exploring new places. Thankfully, many travel credit cards come with no foreign fees, meaning you can make purchases abroad without extra charges. Here are a few of my favorite cards that have no foreign fees:

1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
   The Venture X is my number one card recommendation for international travel. It has no foreign transaction fees, and it earns 2X miles on all purchases, which means you can easily rack up miles no matter what you’re spending money on. It has a $395 annual fee that is more than made up for with all of the benefits. There is also a business version of the card with the same benefits, and it won’t count against your 5/24 number.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
   The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is the “best beginner card” because it has solid benefits, a low annual fee, and the points are easy to earn and use. No foreign transaction fees is just one of the benefits. You can read more about the card here.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
   The Venture card is another great option. Just like the Venture X, it has no foreign fees and earns 2X on all purchases. My top choice is the Venture X because of the additional benefits, but if that doesn’t interest you, the Venture is an excellent choice. You can compare the two cards here.
4. The Platinum Card® from American Express
   The Amex Platinum is a top-tier premium card with a high $695 annual fee to go with it (rates & fees). No foreign transaction fees is just one of the many benefits that help offset the large annual fee. The Business Platinum® Card from American Express also has no foreign fees (rates & fees).
5. Some other popular cards that offer no foreign fees include the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Citi Strata Premier, United Gateway℠ Card, Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®, Citi^® / AAdvantage Business^™ World Elite Mastercard^®, The World of Hyatt Credit Card, World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card.

Travel Benefit: Lounge Access

Airport lounges are a game changer when it comes to making your trips more enjoyable. I’m honestly not sure how we used to travel without them! They have amenities like free food and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating. Some even have exercise rooms, showers, and family/nursing rooms. Here are a few of my favorite cards that offer lounge access:

1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
   Once again, the Venture X is my top choice. It gives you access to Capital One Lounges and over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. Additionally, it’s the only card that can get the whole family into the lounge for free. The card gives lounge access to the cardholder plus two guests, and you can add up to four authorized users for free who can also bring two guests. It’s by far the best premium card for lounge access!
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
   If you want extra bougie lounge access, the Amex Platinum is the way to go. It offers access to the Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and even Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta. However, only the cardholder has access; no free guests allowed. You can pay for a day pass for a guest, or you can add an authorized user to the card for $195 to give them lounge access. There is also a business version of the card with the same benefits.
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
   The Sapphire Reserve is a good middle ground between the Venture X and Amex Platinum. The annual fee is between the two ($550), and it gives lounge access to Sapphire Lounges plus Priority Pass lounges for the cardholder and two guests.

Travel Benefit: TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

Nobody likes waiting in line, whether it’s because you want to get to the lounge faster or you just landed after a long flight. Thankfully, there are programs that help you speed through security and customs. There are many credit cards that offer statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Here are they are:

1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
2. Capital One Venture X Business
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5. The Platinum Card® from American Express*
6. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express*
7. Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card*
8. United℠ Explorer Card
9. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
10. IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
11. IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

*Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.

Recap

As you can see, there are a few top cards that cover most or all of these benefits, which are handy when traveling abroad. My absolute top pick is the Venture X. It includes all of these travel benefits, has the lowest annual fee of the premium cards, and is the only card that gives lounge access to the entire family. Whichever card you choose, having one of these options will help you enjoy your trip and make the most out of your spending!