Best Credit Card for International Travel in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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How to Choose a Credit Card for International Travel

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Navigating the world of travel credit cards can feel as complex as planning the trip itself, but a few key considerations can help you find the perfect one for your international adventures.

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When choosing a card, be wary of common pitfalls like high foreign transaction fees, which can quickly inflate your travel budget. It's also crucial to ensure the card's benefits justify its annual fee and that its network—like Visa or Mastercard—is widely accepted in your destination to avoid any payment hassles.

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Key Factors

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• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Prioritize cards that waive these fees, as they can add an extra 3% to every purchase you make outside the country.
• Global Acceptance: Opt for a card from a major network like Visa or Mastercard to ensure it will be accepted by most merchants at your destination.
• Rewards Program: A good travel card should offer accelerated rewards on spending categories like flights, hotels, and dining, helping you earn toward your next trip faster.
• Valuable Welcome Offer: A generous introductory bonus can provide immediate value, often worth hundreds of dollars in travel, which can help offset any annual fee.
• Travel Protections and Credits: Look for built-in benefits such as trip delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and annual credits for travel purchases that enhance your journey and offer a safety net.
• Annual Fee: Carefully evaluate whether the card's annual fee is justified by the value you'll get from its rewards and benefits based on your personal spending and travel frequency.

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What to Watch Out For

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Beyond avoiding foreign transaction fees, be cautious of high annual fees on premium cards that may not align with your travel frequency, and don't get tempted by a large welcome offer if you can't realistically meet the spending requirements to earn it. Additionally, always opt to pay in the local currency when abroad to sidestep Dynamic Currency Conversion, a practice where merchants convert the price for you at an unfavorable exchange rate.

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Decision Flow

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Choosing the right card is a personal decision that hinges on your travel habits and priorities. Here’s a simple decision flow to guide you based on what kind of traveler you are:

• If you prioritize premium perks and travel frequently... consider a high-end travel card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express. While they come with significant annual fees (the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $795 annual fee), their value can be immense for the right person. They offer benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and robust travel insurance. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. For the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, it's important to note that points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
• If you want to maximize flexible rewards... look for a card that earns transferable points or miles. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card are popular choices. They allow you to transfer your rewards to various airline and hotel partners, which can unlock high-value redemptions for international flights and stays. The Capital One card earns miles that are simple to redeem, while the Chase card is a cornerstone of the versatile Ultimate Rewards program.
• If you are loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain... a co-branded credit card is likely your best bet. These cards offer brand-specific perks that can significantly enhance your travel experience, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary hotel nights, or automatic elite status. The trade-off is less flexibility, as your rewards are tied to a single program.
• If you travel internationally but want to avoid annual fees... you should focus on finding a card that has no annual fee and, crucially, no foreign transaction fees. While you might forgo premium benefits like lounge access, you'll save money on fees and still be able to make purchases abroad without extra charges.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Maximize Your Return with International Travel

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To get the most value from your points and miles, consider these strategies for booking and redeeming rewards for international travel.

• Leverage transfer partners: Many credit card programs allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which can significantly increase their value compared to redeeming through a travel portal.
• Look for transfer bonuses: Issuers periodically offer bonuses for transferring points to specific partners, giving you an instant boost to your rewards balance for the same number of points.
• Stack rewards with shopping portals: Before making any travel-related purchases online, check if you can earn extra rewards by clicking through your card issuer's shopping portal first.
• Book during the off-season: Award availability is often better and requires fewer points or miles during non-peak travel times, stretching your rewards further.
• Avoid foreign transaction fees: Always use a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad to save an average of 3% on every transaction.

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Kudos automatically selects your best card at checkout to maximize rewards, helping users earn up to $750 more per year. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond the main travel perks, consider if a co-branded airline or hotel card aligns with your loyalty; if not, a general travel card offers more flexibility. More importantly, responsible spending is paramount. Always have a plan to pay off your travel expenses promptly, as high-interest debt can quickly negate any rewards you've earned. While cards are convenient, it's wise to carry some local currency for smaller purchases, and treat 'Buy Now, Pay Later' options with caution—they are another form of debt to manage alongside your credit balance.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are foreign transaction fees?

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Foreign transaction fees are charges that some credit card issuers add to purchases made in a foreign currency, typically around 3% of the transaction amount. Opting for a card without these fees can result in significant savings during your international travels.

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Should I tell my credit card company I'm traveling abroad?

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While many issuers have advanced fraud detection that makes travel notifications less critical, it's still a wise precaution to set a travel alert via your card's app or website. This simple step can help prevent your card from being incorrectly flagged for suspicious activity and declined while you are overseas.

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What is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)?

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Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is a service offered by overseas merchants that lets you pay in your home currency, but it usually includes a poor exchange rate that increases your cost. To avoid this hidden fee, always choose to complete the transaction in the local currency when prompted.

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