Avoid Extra Fees Abroad: Best No-FX-Fee Credit Cards Reviewed
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Planning a trip abroad? Make sure to bring the right credit card with you.
Many U.S. credit cards charge foreign transaction fees, which add a 3% to 5% fee to your purchase when you pay in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar. This can add up quickly, especially if you’re making a large purchase abroad or are paying for a destination wedding or other event. Even worse, these fees will likely outweigh the value of the credit card rewards you earn.
Thankfully, you can get around these fees and earn rewards on your international purchases. A handful of travel rewards cards don’t add foreign transaction fees, letting you spend just like you would at home. You’ll pay a fair exchange rate and earn rewards.
There are a handful of great credit cards that don’t add annual fees — but not all are created equal. Here’s a look at our favorite travel credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees.
Beginners: Chase Sapphire Preferred®
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is among the most iconic travel rewards credit cards. Chase launched the card in 2009, and it has improved since then. Its $95 annual fee includes benefits like an annual $50 hotel discount, bonus points earned on travel and dining, and no foreign transaction fees.
Here’s how many points per dollar the card earns:
- Hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel: 5 points per dollar.
- Dining: 3 points per dollar.
- Select streaming purchases: 3 points per dollar.
- Online grocery delivery: 3 points per dollar.
- All other travel purchases: 2 points per dollar.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred also gives cardholders a 10% points bonus every year. This is based on how much you spend in the prior cardmember year. So if you spend $50,000 on your card, you’ll get a 5,000-point bonus.
Plus, the card gives you access to Chase Ultimate Rewards points. These transfer to some of our favorite loyalty programs, like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, United MileagePlus, and World of Hyatt.
You can also redeem points at 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Unlock Travel Rewards with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
- 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point on all other purchases
- $50 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost on prior year’s spend
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
Make every trip count with flexible redemption options—transfer points 1:1 to top airline and hotel partners or boost their value when booking through Chase. Enjoy built‑in travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage and lost luggage reimbursement, plus seamless account management via the Chase mobile app. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your next getaway, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® delivers premium perks at an approachable price.
Terms apply. Bonus offer requires minimum spend. Annual fee applies. See Chase for full details.
- Annual fee
- $95
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,538Total$1,538Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,538
- Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 3 months
- 75,000 points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
Best for dining: American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is another Milesopedia US favorite. It earns a high bonus multiplier on dining and grocery purchases and has a suite of statement credits that largely offset its $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). As you’d expect, this card does not add foreign transaction fees.
The Amex Gold earns at the following rates:
- Restaurants worldwide: 4 points per dollar (up to $50,000 annually; then 1 point per dollar).
- U.S. supermarkets: 4 points per dollar (up to $25,000 annually; then 1 point per dollar).
- Flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com: 3 points per dollar.
- Prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked through AmexTravel.com: 2 points per dollar.
- All other eligible purchases: 1 point per dollar.
Other benefits include $10 in monthly Uber Cash, which can be used toward Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. There’s also a $10 monthly dining credit that can be redeemed at Grubhub (including Seamless), The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.
One downside to the Amex Gold for international use is that it runs on the American Express network. Acceptance abroad has increased over the years, but you might find it hard to use your Amex outside of major cities in Europe and Asia.
American Express® Gold Card
Experience Dining & Travel Rewards with the American Express® Gold Card
- Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
- 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1X)
- 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X)
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmEx Travel
- 1X point on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- $120 annual dining credit ($10 monthly) at select partners like Grubhub & The Cheesecake Factory
- Up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 monthly) for U.S. Uber rides & Uber Eats
- Up to $100 Resy credit ($50 semi‑annually) on eligible restaurant bookings
- Up to $84 Dunkin’ credit ($7 monthly) at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
- Transfer points to leading airline & hotel partners for maximum value
Whether you’re indulging in chef‑crafted meals, stocking up on groceries or flying across the globe, the AmEx Gold Card turns everyday spend into premium rewards. Use your monthly credits, earn accelerated points on dining and travel, and redeem points for statement credits or transfer to top loyalty programs—all while enjoying no foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply. Welcome offer and credits require enrollment and qualifying purchases. See issuer for full details.
- Annual fee
- $325
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,900Total$1,900Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,900
- Welcome offerAfter $8,000 in 6 months
- 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Travel Benefits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel card with benefits like airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, and access to Capital One Travel. These benefits mean the card has a relatively high $395 annual fee, but two annual perks offset this. Like most premium cards, it doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.
The card earns Capital One miles, which can be transferred to three hotel loyalty programs and 15 airline loyalty programs. You can also cover travel purchases charged to the card at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
The Capital One Venture X earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, except at Capital One Travel, where you earn 5 miles per dollar on flights and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars.
You can access Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges with this card. Further, it offers a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every year. You’ll get the travel credit starting your first year and the 10,000 bonus miles starting your first account anniversary.
Capital One Venture X Rewards
Elevate Your Travel at a Value: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- 10X miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5X miles on flights & vacation rentals through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles on all other purchases
- $395 annual fee, with up to $300 annual travel credit for portal bookings
- 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth $100) each year
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit up to $100 every four years
- Unlimited lounge access at Capital One & Priority Pass lounges
- No foreign transaction fees
Perfect for frequent explorers, this card’s robust benefits—from statement credits to lounge access—easily offset its annual fee. Book your next adventure, relax in premium lounges and enjoy seamless digital tools, all while earning unlimited rewards on every dollar spent.
Terms apply. See issuer’s website for rates, fees and complete details.
- Annual fee
- $395
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,388Total$1,388Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,388
- Welcome offerAfter $4,000 in 3 months
- 75,000 points
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
No annual fee: Bilt Mastercard®
The Bilt Mastercard is branded as a credit card for renters, but it’s a good choice for any traveler who wants a card with no annual fee. It’s one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees — and it has some interesting tricks up its sleeve.
The Bilt Mastercard earns Bilt Rewards points, which transfer to 13 airline loyalty programs and five hotel loyalty programs. These include some of our favorites, like Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and World of Hyatt.
The card earns at the following rates:
- Dining: 3 points per dollar.
- Select travel: 2 points per dollar.
- All other purchases: 1 point per dollar.
Renters can use Bilt Rewards to earn points on their monthly rent. Regardless of your landlord, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar (up to 100,000 points per year) on rent payments. If your building is in the Bilt Alliance, you can pay directly through your building’s payment portal. Otherwise, Bilt will cut a check to your landlord or send it via bank transfer or Venmo.
Bottom line
The best no-foreign-transaction fee credit card for you depends on your annual fee budget and the rewards you’d like to earn. Study this list carefully and consider what’s most important for your wallet before clicking apply.
FAQs – No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards
What are foreign transaction fees?
Foreign transaction fees are charges applied by credit card issuers when you make purchases in a currency other than U.S. dollars. These fees typically range from 3% to 5% of the purchase amount and can add up quickly when traveling abroad.
Why should I use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees?
Using a card with no foreign transaction fees allows you to save money on international purchases and earn rewards without losing value to fees. These cards also offer competitive exchange rates and travel-related benefits.
Do I need a premium card to avoid foreign transaction fees?
No. While many premium travel cards waive foreign transaction fees, there are also excellent no-annual-fee options like the Bilt Mastercard® that offer the same benefit, along with valuable rewards.
Is American Express widely accepted abroad?
American Express acceptance has improved in many countries, especially in major cities. However, Visa and Mastercard tend to have broader acceptance in smaller towns and remote destinations, so it’s wise to bring a backup card.
Can I earn rewards on rent payments with a no-fee card?
Yes. The Bilt Mastercard® allows you to earn 1 point per dollar on rent payments (up to 100,000 points annually), even if your landlord doesn’t accept credit cards. This is one of the few no-annual-fee cards offering this feature with no foreign transaction fees.
Which no-foreign-transaction-fee card is best for travel perks?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a top pick for frequent travelers. It includes airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and strong rewards for travel bookings—with no foreign transaction fees.
