Best Credit Cards for International Travel in 2026
No foreign transaction fees are just the beginning. Here's what actually matters when your credit card crosses a border — and the five cards that handle it best.
What Nobody Mentions About International Travel and Credit Cards
Most "best cards for international travel" articles focus on one thing: no foreign transaction fees. And yes, that matters — a 3% fee on every purchase adds up to real money over a two-week trip abroad. But avoiding fees is the floor, not the ceiling. It's the minimum qualification, not the deciding factor.
When you're traveling internationally, your credit card needs to do several things well:
- Not charge you a hidden 3% fee on every gelato, taxi, and museum ticket
- Actually work at restaurants, shops, and transit systems around the world
- Protect you if your trip gets cancelled, your bags get lost, or your rental car gets scratched
- Earn meaningful rewards on the spending you do while traveling
- Connect you to airline partners that fly where you want to go
- Provide emergency assistance if something goes wrong 6,000 miles from home
I've sorted through more than twenty travel cards to find the five that do all of this best for people like us — people who are planning meaningful international trips, not weekend hops to Cancún. (Though these cards work beautifully for those too.)
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What to Look for in an International Travel Card
Before we get to the specific cards, here's what separates a good international card from a mediocre one:
1. No foreign transaction fees
This one is non-negotiable. A foreign transaction fee — typically 3% of every purchase — is charged by the card issuer when you buy something in a currency other than U.S. dollars. On a $5,000 trip, that's $150 in pure waste. Every card on this list charges zero foreign transaction fees.
2. Global acceptance
Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere in the world. American Express is widely accepted in most of Western Europe, Japan, and Australia, but can be spotty in parts of Southeast Asia, South America, and rural areas. Discover has limited international acceptance.
This matters more than most people realize. There's nothing quite like the sinking feeling of standing at a restaurant in a small Italian town with a card the machine won't read.
3. Chip-and-PIN capability
Most of the world uses chip-and-PIN technology for card payments — you insert your card and enter a PIN, rather than swiping and signing. U.S. cards have largely caught up with chip technology, but PIN capability can still be an issue at unattended kiosks (train stations, toll booths, parking garages) in Europe. All the cards on this list work with chip readers; I've noted where PIN issues may arise.
4. Travel insurance
International trips involve more financial risk than domestic ones. Non-refundable flights, pre-paid hotels, medical emergencies in countries where your health insurance doesn't apply — these are real concerns. The best international cards include trip cancellation insurance, trip delay coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and sometimes emergency medical assistance.
5. Valuable transfer partners for international flights
If you want to use points for flights to Europe, Asia, or beyond, you need a card that earns flexible points you can transfer to international airline partners. Not all points programs are equal here — some have much stronger partnerships for international premium cabin awards.
The 5 Best Cards for International Travel
Card #1: Chase Sapphire Preferred — "The Best All-Around International Card"
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Network | Visa (accepted virtually everywhere globally) |
| Best earning rates | 3x dining · 2x travel · 1x everything else |
| Transfer partners | United, British Airways, Air France, Iberia, Singapore Airlines, Hyatt, IHG, and more |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $10,000 per person |
| Trip delay | $500 per ticket (6+ hour delay) |
| Lost luggage | Up to $3,000 per passenger |
| Rental car insurance | Primary |
| Emergency assistance | 24/7 emergency services line |
Why it's our top pick for international travel:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred does everything well and nothing poorly. It runs on the Visa network, which means it's accepted at essentially every merchant on earth that takes cards. The travel insurance suite is genuinely comprehensive — trip cancellation, trip delay, lost luggage, and primary rental car coverage, which means you don't need to file against your personal auto policy if something happens to a rental in Portugal.
The transfer partners are outstanding for international flights. You can move Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways (for short European flights), Air France (for long-haul to Europe), Singapore Airlines (for Asia), United (for global coverage), and Hyatt (for hotels worldwide). These partnerships give you multiple paths to get where you want to go using points.
At $95 per year, it's the most accessible premium travel card on the market.
Who should carry this card abroad: Anyone planning international trips of any kind. It's the single best all-purpose card to have in your wallet overseas.
See current Chase Sapphire Preferred offer →
Card #2: Capital One Venture X — "Lounge Access Meets Global Reach"
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $395 (effectively ~$0 after credits) |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Network | Visa |
| Best earning rates | 10x hotels and 5x flights through Capital One Travel · 2x on everything else |
| Transfer partners | Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Air France, TAP Air Portugal, Emirates, and more |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $10,000 per trip |
| Trip delay | $500 per ticket (6+ hour delay) |
| Lost luggage | Up to $3,000 per passenger |
| Rental car insurance | Primary |
| Airport lounge access | Capital One Lounges + Priority Pass (1,300+ lounges worldwide) |
Why it matters for international travel:
The Venture X brings something the Sapphire Preferred doesn't: airport lounge access. When you're flying internationally — especially with layovers — a lounge isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. A quiet place to sit, eat a real meal, charge your devices, and use clean restrooms before a nine-hour flight makes a genuine difference in how you feel when you land.
Priority Pass gives you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. Capital One's own lounges (Dallas, Denver, Dulles) are among the best in the country.
The transfer partner list includes Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles, which is one of the most valuable programs in the world for booking Star Alliance flights to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Air Canada Aeroplan is another strong partner for transatlantic flights.
The $300 annual travel credit and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus bring the effective annual fee close to zero. On a Visa network, it works everywhere.
Who should carry this card abroad: Travelers who fly internationally at least once or twice a year and want lounge access to make the journey more comfortable. Particularly strong for trips with layovers.
See current Capital One Venture X offer →
Card #3: American Express Gold — "The Best Earner Before You Leave Home"
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 (effectively –$74 after credits) |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Network | American Express |
| Best earning rates | 4x dining · 4x U.S. supermarkets · 3x flights booked directly · 1x everything else |
| Transfer partners | Delta, Air France, British Airways, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Avianca LifeMiles, and more |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $10,000 per person |
| Trip delay | Up to $300 (6+ hour delay) |
| Lost luggage | Up to $3,000 per passenger |
| Rental car insurance | Secondary |
Why it earns its place on an international travel list:
The Amex Gold isn't the card you necessarily pull out of your wallet most often while abroad — the Visa and Mastercard options handle that better in terms of global acceptance. But it might be the most important card in your international travel strategy, and here's why: it earns points faster than almost any other card on the spending you do at home.
That 4x rate on groceries and 4x on dining means every trip to the supermarket and every dinner out is building your international travel fund. A couple spending $1,300 per month on food earns 62,400 Membership Rewards points per year — from eating alone.
Where those points become powerful is in the transfer partners. Amex Membership Rewards transfers to ANA (All Nippon Airways), which offers some of the best business class redemption values to Japan. It transfers to Air France-KLM, which is excellent for Europe. Singapore Airlines for Southeast Asia. Avianca LifeMiles for incredible value on Star Alliance flights worldwide.
The acceptance caveat: American Express is not accepted as widely internationally as Visa or Mastercard. In major cities, tourist areas, and chain establishments throughout Western Europe, you'll have no trouble. But in smaller towns, local markets, and parts of Asia or South America, some merchants won't accept Amex. The solution is simple: carry a Visa or Mastercard as your backup for purchases, and use the Amex Gold as your primary earning card at home.
Who should carry this card: People who want to earn international flights through everyday home spending. Pair it with a Visa-network card for actual overseas purchases.
Card #4: Chase Sapphire Reserve — "The Premium International Protector"
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $550 (effectively $250 after $300 travel credit) |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Network | Visa |
| Best earning rates | 3x on travel and dining · 1x everything else |
| Transfer partners | Same as Sapphire Preferred (United, British Airways, Air France, Hyatt, etc.) |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $10,000 per person |
| Trip delay | $500 per ticket (6+ hour delay) |
| Lost luggage | Up to $3,000 per passenger |
| Rental car insurance | Primary |
| Airport lounge access | Priority Pass (1,300+ lounges) |
| Travel credit | $300 annual travel credit (automatic on any travel purchase) |
| Emergency medical evacuation | Up to $100,000 |
Why it's the premium choice:
The Sapphire Reserve is the big brother of the Sapphire Preferred, and for international travelers, the upgrades matter. You get the same excellent Visa acceptance and the same transfer partners, but with added lounge access, a $300 travel credit, and — critically — emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $100,000.
That last point deserves attention. If you experience a medical emergency overseas, evacuation to a suitable facility can cost $50,000 to $250,000. Medicare does not cover medical care outside the United States in most situations. The Sapphire Reserve's evacuation benefit provides a meaningful safety net.
The $300 travel credit applies automatically to any travel purchase — flights, hotels, taxis, tolls, parking, trains. It effectively reduces the annual fee from $550 to $250. Combined with lounge access and primary rental car insurance, the true cost of the upgrades over the Sapphire Preferred is modest.
Chase's travel portal also gives Sapphire Reserve holders 1.5 cents per point — compared to 1.25 cents for Sapphire Preferred holders. That 20% boost adds meaningful value on every redemption.
Who should carry this card abroad: Travelers who take one or more significant international trips per year, want lounge access, and value the peace of mind that comes with enhanced medical evacuation and trip protection. The higher fee is justified by the richer benefits.
See current Chase Sapphire Reserve offer →
Card #5: Capital One Venture — "The Dependable Backup"
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Network | Visa |
| Best earning rates | 2x miles on every purchase |
| Transfer partners | Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Avianca, and more |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $2,000 per trip |
| Rental car insurance | Secondary |
| Purchase Eraser | Use miles to "erase" any travel purchase from your statement |
Why it belongs in your international wallet:
Sometimes the best strategy is the simplest one. The Capital One Venture earns 2x miles on every purchase, regardless of category. No bonus categories to remember while you're navigating a new city. No mental math about which card to pull out at a restaurant in Barcelona versus a museum in Florence. Just one card, one earning rate, and miles you can use to erase any travel purchase from your statement.
The Visa network means it works everywhere. The $95 annual fee is modest. And Capital One has made significant improvements to its transfer partner network — Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles, in particular, offers remarkable value for international award flights.
The travel insurance is more basic than the premium cards on this list, so I wouldn't rely on it as your primary coverage for an expensive international trip. But as a companion card — something you always have in your wallet for simplicity and universal acceptance — it's hard to argue with.
Who should carry this card abroad: Anyone who wants a simple, reliable Visa card that earns good rewards on every international purchase without any category tracking.
See current Capital One Venture offer →
The Comparison at a Glance
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Venture X | Amex Gold | Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $395 | $250 | $550 | $95 |
| Effective fee | ~$45 | ~$0 | –$74 | ~$250 | $95 |
| Network | Visa | Visa | Amex | Visa | Visa |
| Global acceptance | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Good (not universal) | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent |
| Lounge access | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Trip cancellation | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $2,000 |
| Rental car insurance | Primary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary |
| Emergency evac | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ $100,000 | ❌ |
| Transfer partners | Excellent | Very good | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Best for | All-purpose | Lounge lovers | Earning at home | Premium protection | Simplicity |
The International Traveler's Card Strategy
Here's what I'd recommend, depending on how often and how far you travel:
If you take one international trip per year
One card: Chase Sapphire Preferred. It covers all the basics — no foreign transaction fees, Visa acceptance everywhere, strong travel insurance, and transfer partners for booking award flights. At $95, the cost is minimal and the protection is substantial. This single card handles everything you need abroad.
If you take two or more international trips per year
Two-card approach: Capital One Venture X + Amex Gold. The Venture X gives you lounge access, primary rental car insurance, and a Visa card that works everywhere on the ground. The Amex Gold earns 4x points on groceries and dining at home, building your point balance between trips. Use the Amex Gold at home for maximum earning, and the Venture X abroad for maximum acceptance and lounge comfort.
If you want maximum protection and premium perks
Chase Sapphire Reserve. The emergency medical evacuation coverage, Priority Pass lounge access, $300 travel credit, and 1.5 cents per point portal value make it the most complete single card for serious international travelers. Pair it with the Amex Gold at home for earning, and you have a best-in-class setup.
Practical Tips for Using Cards Abroad
A few things I've learned from personal experience and from hearing thousands of travel stories:
Always carry two cards from different networks. If your Visa gets declined or a machine malfunctions, having a Mastercard or Amex as backup saves the moment. Technology fails at the least convenient times.
Notify your bank before international travel. Most fraud detection systems will flag purchases in a new country. A quick call or app notification prevents embarrassing declines at a hotel check-in desk in Paris.
Always choose to be charged in the local currency. When a merchant's card terminal asks if you'd like to pay in dollars or the local currency, always choose the local currency. Choosing dollars triggers a conversion markup (called Dynamic Currency Conversion) that typically adds 3–7% to the price — even on cards with no foreign transaction fees.
Bring some local cash for the first day. ATMs are plentiful internationally, but having the equivalent of $100 in local currency when you land covers taxis, tips, and small vendors who don't accept cards. Withdraw from ATMs at banks (not currency exchange booths) for the best rates.
Take a photo of the front and back of every card you're bringing. Store the photos securely. If a card is lost or stolen, you'll have the number to call for a replacement.
Know your PIN. Some European transit systems, toll booths, and fuel stations require a PIN. Call your card issuer before your trip to ensure you have one set up.
The Bottom Line
The best credit card for international travel is the one that works where you're going, earns rewards worth having, and protects you when things go sideways. No single card does everything perfectly — but the five on this list come remarkably close.
If you're choosing one card for your next trip abroad, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the safest, most versatile recommendation. Visa acceptance worldwide, strong insurance, excellent transfer partners, and a $95 annual fee that earns back many times over.
If you want the most comfortable experience, add the Capital One Venture X for lounge access. If you want to earn the most points from your everyday spending at home, add the Amex Gold.
The best time to get the right card is before your next trip. Not during. Not after. Before.
See current Chase Sapphire Preferred offer →
Related Reading
- How to Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees: Which Cards Charge Them →
- Complete Guide to Credit Card Travel Protections →
- TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry vs CLEAR →
- Italy on Points: Rome, Florence, Amalfi →
Last updated: February 2026. Card terms, benefits, and acceptance networks are accurate as of publication. We review and update monthly. Affiliate disclosure: WanderWise earns a commission when you apply through our links. This never influences our recommendations. We recommend what's right for your trip — not what's right for our revenue.