No Foreign Transaction Fees Credit Cards June 2024 (2024)

Paying foreign transaction fees when you’re traveling adds up quickly. However, with a little research you can find a card that doesn’t charge them. Then, when you pay for piña coladas at a swim-up bar in Costa Rica, you don’t have to worry about all the fees you’re racking up.

Here’s a list of cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Learn how to use money abroad to save yourself some money.

Our recommendations

Best for grocery and dining: card_name

The card_name is a great everyday earner that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. You can earn 4x points on dining and groceries, 3x points on travel booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, and one point on every other purchase. You also get $120 Uber cash and $120 in dining credit with select restaurants.

It comes with a bonus_miles_full It does have a annual_fees annual fee, so it’s not right for every consumer. American Express also has a limited international footprint, so if this becomes your go-to card, you need to check to see that it’s accepted at your chosen destination.

For more details, read our comprehensive review.

Best for business expenses, big sign-up bonus: card_name

If you want to earn travel rewards from your business expenses, the card_name may be a good fit. It annual_fees. The annual fee is annual_fees.

The bonus categories offer 3x points on travel, 3x points on social media and search engine advertising costs, 3x points on shipping expenses, 3x points on cable and phone expenses, and one point on every other purchase.

This card also has access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which can amplify the value of the rewards you earn. There’s also a way to link your personal accounts to your business account and combine rewards points for personal redemptions.

For more details, read our comprehensive review.

Best for beginner travel rewards program: card_name

The card_name is one of the best cards for beginning your journey with travel rewards. The benefits it offers—aside from not charging foreign transaction fees—are flexible and wide-ranging. When you’re a beginner, you don’t need perfect knowledge or plans to make travel redemptions work with the number of options available here.

For more details, read our comprehensive review.

Best for simple, flat-rate rewards: card_name

If you don’t want to keep track of earnings, redemptions, and transfer rates, you may want to consider the card_name. Its easy structure allows you to earn two bonus miles on every purchase you make. Redemptions aren’t restricted to any airline or hotel, but they are limited to $.01 per mile. You will bonus_miles_full, which is a great way to get started.

For more details, read our comprehensive review.

Best for fair credit borrowers: card_name

If you’re rebuilding your credit, you still have a few options for credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees, including the card_name. You’ll earn rewards at a rate of 1.5% cash back on every purchase. However, the annual percentage rate (APR) is very high (reg_apr,reg_apr_type), and there’s no new cardmember bonus.

For more details, read our comprehensive review.

Best for gas station rewards: Citi Premier

The Citi Premier offers a variety of bonus earnings in everyday spending categories. You can earn 3x points for every dollar spent on dining, supermarket, gas station, hotel, and flight purchases. The welcome offer is bonus_miles_full. You also get a $100 credit for hotel purchases of $500 or more each calendar year.

Best for cash back rewards: card_name

The card_name has annual_fees annual fee and earns 1.5% in cash back rewards on every purchase. It also comes with a bonus_miles_full. This card offers 1.5% flat cash back and charges foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction or annual fees. If you’re looking for an inexpensive card, this could be it.

For more details, read our comprehensive review.

Our methodology

Cards that offer no foreign transaction fees were evaluated in tandem with their comprehensive benefits and rewards program structure and compared with similar cards side by side. How to go about getting such a card was also detailed, and alternative methods of payment have been enumerated.

Foreign transaction fee: Pros and cons

Getting a card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee means you’ll also likely get a card that has some fun travel perks. Premium cards may offer generous sign-up bonuses, access to airport lounges, dining or shopping credits, and increased earnings for certain categories. The main downside is that your new card may charge an annual fee, so be sure you’re getting enough benefit from the card to make it worth it.

Who should get a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card?

If you travel at all, you’ll likely benefit from a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Using such a card is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to pay for expenses when you’re traveling abroad. You don't have to exchange currency at an unfavorable rate at the airport, nor do you need to carry a large amount of cash while you’re traveling.

How to select the right no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card for you?

A card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees usually has other benefits, which are usually the primary driver in making your decision on a credit card. Some questions you may want to ask yourself include:

• Do you want travel rewards? A wide variety of these cards feature robust travel rewards programs.
• Do you want a card with no annual fee? A few no-annual-fee cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
• Do you want a simple earnings structure on the card? If you want a card where you don’t have to keep track of the bonus categories, many cards offer flat-rate rewards.
• Do you want cash-back rewards? Cash-back rewards are often easier to use than many travel rewards programs. There’s a big choice of cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees while earning cash-back rewards.
• Do you want to earn points at your favorite hotel or airline? Many airline- or hotel-branded credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees and offer benefits to cardmembers who use their loyalty program.
• Do you want to use a business card? You can earn a lot of points for personal use by running business expenses through a business credit card.
• Where do you spend the most money? If you spend a lot of money on gas, find a card that earns bonus points for doing that. Ditto If you spend a lot on dining and groceries. Choose your card in accordance with your spending habits.

Tips for using credit cards internationally

When it comes time to use your card internationally, many places operate much like your home country. But there are some differences to keep in mind as you use your card in a foreign country.

Carry a Visa or Mastercard

Imagine enjoying lunch in a seaside cafe in Vietnam and not being able to pay at the end of the meal because they don’t take your card. Even if you’re an Amex fan, you’ll want to carry a Visa or Mastercard when you travel abroad, because they are more widely accepted.

Bring a card that has travel protections

A card with travel protections can be helpful in a jam. Some have travel insurance, which can offer reimbursem*nt in case of trip cancellation or delay, lost baggage, travel emergency assistance, or even car rental insurance.

Notify your card issuer of your travel plans

If you don’t want your card declined at your destination, set a travel notification. Your credit issuer is always looking to prevent fraud, and expenses made in another country could be flagged if you don’t notify your card issuer of your travel plans.

Pay in the local currency

When you’re paying with your credit card, you’ll be asked if you want to be charged in the local currency or your home currency. If you pay in the local currency, you won’t be subject to exorbitant exchange rates and fees.

Carry some backup cash

Not every merchant is going to accept credit cards, so it’s wise to have some cash available in the local currency to spend in your destination of choice.

Alternatives to no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards

If you don’t want to get a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, you do have other ways to pay for things when you’re traveling in another country.

• Carry cash. Pull cash out of an ATM at your destination using your bank card.
• Use an existing credit card. You can use the card you already have and pay foreign transaction fees.
• Exchange money at the airport. Though this is an expensive way to go, travelers often exchange their money at the airport. This ensures they have some local currency immediately.
• Pay with traveler’s checks. Traveler’s checks still exist and are issued in set amounts, like $20 or $100. They have unique serial numbers so they can be canceled if they are lost or stolen.

Benefits of no-foreign-transaction-fee cards (vs. alternatives)

Here’s what it looks like when you use a card with no foreign transaction fee compared with the alternatives.

No foreign transaction fee vs. cash

Carrying a large amount of cash around isn’t practical—and in some places it’s not even safe. Using a card eliminates this issue. You avoid ATM fees, foreign transaction fees, and currency conversion fees, all of which can be charged on a single withdrawal for cash.

No foreign transaction fee vs. card charges

If you decide to use a card that charges foreign transaction fees, you’ll see charge after charge on your card. It’ll add up more quickly than you realize.

No foreign transaction fee vs. money exchange

When you exchange money at a bank at home before you leave, you’ll likely need to create an order for foreign currency ahead of time. Wait till you get there and you’ll need to take time waiting in line at a bank to exchange money. Worse, you may not receive a favorable exchange rate. You also don’t need to guess how much money you need when you pay with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card.

No foreign transaction fee vs. traveler’s checks

You need to plan ahead of time to arrange for traveler’s checks, and many banks no longer offer them. In addition, not all merchants will take traveler’s checks. It’s an outdated payment method, and there are better alternatives.

How to get a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card

The process for getting a card with no foreign transaction fees is as easy as applying for any other card. The main difference is that you may pay an annual fee. Here’s what you should do.

1. Check your credit. Most travel credit cards require at least “good” credit. If you need to make some adjustments to boost your credit score, give yourself some time to plan.
2. Choose a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. To get the most from your card, choose one that also offers benefits and bonus points you’ll actually use.
3. Apply for the card. When you apply for a card, you can expect to submit your employment status, income, housing costs, and any other personal information the credit issuer needs to make a decision about approving you for the card.
4. Receive the card, activate it, and begin using it. You don’t have to do anything special on a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. You simply use it when you need it. The exchange is automatic.

TIME Stamp: A card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees is essential for travelers

If you travel internationally you don’t want to be paying foreign transaction fees, and there are many cards that don’t charge them. With a little research you can find a credit card that also has attractive additional benefits.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which credit card doesn't have foreign transaction fees?

Many travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. If that’s important to you, be sure to check before you apply. Check out the list included above.

Do any credit cards have no international fees?

International fees are synonymous with foreign transaction fees, so the answer is yes.

What are the best credit cards to use internationally?

Visa and Mastercard cards are the most widely accepted throughout the world. Be sure to use those that don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Is a no-foreign-transaction-fee card worth it?

Cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees usually come with other benefits. It’s a matter of deciding if the benefits you can get from the card outweigh the costs. You may already have a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Research your own cards before you start looking.