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.
Related: Find the best credit card for you
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.
Earn 75,000 Capital One miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee$395
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.
**Newly elevated!** Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee$95
The Sapphire Preferred is my favorite beginner card because it offers solid benefits, a low annual fee, and points that are easy to earn and redeem. No foreign transaction fees is just one of the many benefits. You can read more about the card here.
Earn 75,000 Capital One miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee$95
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.
As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $12,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months of card membership. Apply and find out your offer. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Annual fee$895 Rates & Fees
The Amex Platinum is a top-tier premium card with a big annual fee to go with it (rates and 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 and fees).
Some other popular cards that offer no foreign fees include:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Citi Strata Elite℠
- 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
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
<All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Preferred, The World of Hyatt Credit Card, World of Hyatt Business Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Bold has been collected independently by The Traveling Hansens. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.>
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 offer amenities like complimentary 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:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
This card gives you access to Capital One Lounges and over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. Lounge access is for the primary cardholder. You can add up to four authorized users for free, and if you want to give them lounge access, it’s $125 per year.
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. Lounge access is for the primary cardholder. 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.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Sapphire Reserve provides lounge access to Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass lounges for the cardholder and two guests. Check out this article to learn more about the card, and see how the benefits help offset that big fee. There is also a business version of the card.
Citi Strata Elite℠
This card was launched in 2025 and came in hot. Lounge access includes Priority Pass lounges with up to two guests. It also includes four one-time use Admiral’s Club passes that can be used when flying American Airlines. Each pass is good for one adult and three children.
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 the most popular ones:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture X Business
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express*
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express*
- Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card*
- United℠ Explorer Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- 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.
<All information about the United Explorer℠ Card, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, IHG Premier, and IHG Premier Business Credit Card has been collected independently by The Traveling Hansens. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.>
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. Whichever card you choose, having one of these options will help you enjoy your trip and make the most out of your spending!
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Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.