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Best Credit Cards for International Travel in 2024

Updated on:

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best international travel card for most globetrotters, because it lets you earn an attractive welcome bonus and offers a strong slate of travel perks.

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

The best credit cards for international travel will usually come with travel perks like trip insurance or lounge access, help you avoid costly foreign transaction fees and allow you to rack up rewards on expenses like flights, meals and hotel stays.

Our picks range from no-annual-fee cards to high-priced cards with luxury perks, so you can decide what’s right for your situation.

11 Best International Travel Credit Cards

(Winner) Best credit card for international travel overall: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best credit card for international travel with no annual fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (See rates & fees)
Best card for international travel with lounge access: The Platinum Card^® from American Express
Best airline credit card for international travel: Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card
Best flexible rewards card for international travel: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best business credit card for international travel: Capital One Venture X Business
Best hotel credit card for international travel: Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
Best student credit card for international travel: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Best international travel card for bad credit: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best international travel card for dining: American Express^® Gold Card
Best travel credit card for international transfer partners: Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Find your perfect card in 30 seconds. Check your approval odds so you can shop smarter.

Winner: Best credit card for international travel

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.9

LendingTree's Review

4.9

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

Rewards: 2X-10X miles

2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel

Earn an outstanding welcome bonus
Solid earning rate on all purchases
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit
Attractive anniversary bonus

$395 annual fee
Doesn’t offer hotel or airline elite status
Enhanced miles earnings only on Capital One Travel bookings
Annual travel credit restricted to Capital One Travel bookings

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is our pick for best card for international travel because of its flexibility and versatility. Capital One has more than 15 hotel and airline transfer partners, allowing you to maximize your points no matter where you’re going. You’ll earn 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. And with no foreign transaction fees, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great card to have in your wallet when traveling abroad.

The card charges a $395 annual fee, but it’s more than worth it if you’ll take advantage of the card perks. It gives you an annual $300 travel credit that applies to bookings made with Capital One Travel and awards you 10,000 Venture miles (equal to $100 towards travel) on your account anniversary.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Best no-annual-fee credit card for international travel

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.6

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.6

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

Rewards: 1.25x-5x miles

1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

$0 annual fee
Simple rewards structure
Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

Low earning rate on everyday purchases
Enhanced earnings for hotels and rental cars only through Capital One Travel
Earn a relatively low welcome offer compared to other cards
Balance transfer fee applies

If you want a no-annual-fee travel credit card you can use abroad without racking up foreign transaction fees, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a good way to go. While you’ll earn a lower welcome bonus and lower earning rate than some other cards, it can be a good choice if you’re looking to lower the amount you pay in fees. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card also comes with an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (a balance transfer fee applies).

$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.49% - 29.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Best international travel card for lounge access

The Platinum Card^® from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

4.5

The Platinum Card<sup>®</sup> from American Express

LendingTree's Review

4.5

Learn More

Rewards: 1X-5X points

5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply.

Large welcome offer
Airport lounge access and other luxury perks
Hotel, airline and entertainment credits

$695 annual fee
Low earning rate for most non-travel purchases

If you’re a frequent traveler looking for luxury perks, you’ll want to consider The Platinum Card^® from American Express, our pick for best international travel card for lounge access. This premium card offers the most robust airport lounge membership program of any travel card on the market today. The American Express Global Lounge Collection comes with Priority Pass™ Select membership*, exclusive access to ultra-swanky Amex Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Club access each time you fly with Delta. Other travel benefits include a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership*, as well as automatic Hilton Honors Gold status* and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status*.

*Enrollment required for these benefits.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
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.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the The Platinum Card^® from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best airline credit card for international travel

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Delta SkyMiles<sup>®</sup> Reserve American Express Card

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Learn More

on American Express's secure site

Rewards: 1X-3X miles

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

Can earn an attractive welcome offer
Airport lounge access and other travel perks
Annual Companion Certificate
Travel statement credits, including Delta 20% in-flight purchase statement credit

High $650 annual fee
Bonus rewards earning only on Delta purchases

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is our choice for best airline card for international travel, due to its array of luxe travel perks. The card offers some of the best benefits on the market, including more than $500 worth of credits (enrollment required), an annual companion pass after your cardmember anniversary and complimentary airport lounge access. You should know, however, that the annual fee also is one of the highest on the market, so this card is best for frequent travelers who will get enough value from the perks to make that cost worthwhile.

Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
$240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
$120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$650 Annual Fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best flexible rewards credit card for international travel

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.7

LendingTree's Review

4.7

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

Rewards: 2X-5X miles

2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Earn an excellent welcome bonus
Great flexibility with miles
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit

$95 annual fee
Enhanced earnings for hotels and rental cars only through Capital One Travel

For a simple travel card with rewards that are as easy to redeem as they are to earn, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is hard to beat. You earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, one of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card‘s best features is the flexibility of the rewards you earn — you can redeem them as a statement credit for any type of travel or transfer them to any of Capital One’s airline and hotel partners.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Best business card for international travel

Capital One Venture X Business

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

Rewards: 2X-10X miles

2 Miles per dollar on every purchase; 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel; 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Can earn generous sign-up bonus
Earns extra rewards in popular business travel spending categories
$300 annual travel credit
Lounge access

$395 annual fee
High spending required for sign-up bonus
Balance must be paid in full each month

The Capital One Venture X Business card is one of the most flexible and valuable business cards for travel. You can earn a generous sign-up bonus and high rate on travel purchases to pile up rewards quickly. It offers complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide and free employee cards. These benefits, along with no foreign transaction fees, make the Capital One Venture X Business a great option for international business travel.

Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of options
With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and membership to Priority Pass through the Partner Lounge Network
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Best hotel credit card for international travel

Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express*

LendingTree's Review

Learn More

Rewards: 3X-14X points

14X points on eligible purchases at hotels or resorts in the Hilton Portfolio, 7X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3X points on other purchases

Excellent welcome offer
High rewards earning potential
Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status (enrollment required)
More than $800 in annual credits

$550 annual fee
Valuable only for Hilton loyalists

The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is our top pick for hotels due to its welcome offer, earning rate on Hilton hotel stays and excellent travel perks. And although a $550 annual fee applies, cardholders get more than $800 in annual credits. Additional perks include Hilton Honors Diamond status (enrollment required), a free night reward every year upon card renewal and more.

14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and at U.S. restaurants
3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases
Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status (enrollment required)
One Free Night Reward in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal
Up to $400 Hilton Resort credit
Up to $200 flight credit (up to $50 per quarter)
Up to $199 CLEAR credit (enrollment required)
$100 on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking the exclusive Aspire Card package
National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® Status (enrollment required)
Access to 24/7 American Express concierge
No foreign transaction fees
Terms apply

*The information related to the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best student credit card for international travel

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students*

LendingTree's Review

4.9

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

LendingTree's Review

4.9

Review Coming Soon

Rewards: 1.5x points

1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.

$0 annual fee
Nice welcome offer
Intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers

No bonus categories
Rewards aren’t transferable

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is the best international travel card for students due to its lack of foreign transaction fees and $0 annual fee. It has a simple rewards structure: Cardholders earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. This is a card that may work well for students who want to keep their options open as they figure out their travel style.

Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

*The information related to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best international travel credit card for bad credit

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

LendingTree's Review

4.1

Apply Now

on Capital One's secure site

Rates & Fees

Rewards: 1.5%-5% cash back

1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)

$0 annual fee
Solid cash back earnings on every purchase
Earn enhanced cash back rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Requires a minimum $200 refundable security deposit
High purchase APR
Lacks travel perks

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is the best option for international travel among credit cards for bad credit. It doesn’t charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Plus, this card is marketed to those with limited / poor credit, while travel credit cards generally target consumers with good to excellent credit. You’ll need to put down a security deposit of at least $200 to secure a $200 credit line.

You can earn a solid flat rate of cash back on everyday purchases, with a bonus earning rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Best for dining and international travel

American Express^® Gold Card*

LendingTree's Review

4.3

LendingTree's Review

4.3

Learn More

Rewards: 1X-4X points

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply

High earning rate on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases
Generous dining and Uber benefits (enrollment required)
Travel and purchase protections¹

$325 annual fee
Redeeming your points for non-travel options isn’t a good value

The American Express^® Gold Card is an attractive option if you spend the most on dining and groceries. With this card, you can earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. This makes the American Express^® Gold Card a great option to use while dining abroad, since you earn extra rewards and won’t pay foreign transaction fees.

There is a $325 annual fee, but you can cover the cost of the fee if you take full advantage of benefits, which include up to $120 in credits toward select dining purchases ($10 monthly, enrollment required).

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

*The information related to the American Express^® Gold Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Best for international transfer partners

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

LendingTree's Review

4.9

LendingTree's Review

4.9

Apply Now

on Chase's secure site

Rewards: 1X-5X points

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Generous welcome bonus
Solid earning rate on travel and dining purchases
$300 flexible travel credit
Priority Pass lounge access
Excellent travel insurance

$550 annual fee
Requires excellent credit

If you’re in the market for points that can easily be transferred to partners, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® card. Chase Ultimate Rewards^® points transfer at a 1:1 value to over 10 hotel and airline transfer partners, allowing you to maximize your points no matter where you’re going. You’ll Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. And with no foreign transaction fees, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is a great card to have in your wallet when traveling abroad.

The card charges a $550 annual fee, but it’s more than worth it if you’ll take advantage of its perks. With this card, you’ll get a $300 flexible travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access and a solid list of travel insurance.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Member FDIC

Compare top credit cards for international travel

Credit Cards	Our Ratings	Foreign Exchange Fee	Annual Fee	Welcome Offer
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees	4.9 Winner	None	$395	Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel	Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees	4.6 No annual fee	None	$0	Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel	Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees
The Platinum Card^® from American Express* Learn More	4.5 Lounge access	None	$695	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Learn More
Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card* Learn More on American Express's secure site	4.1 Airline card	None	$650	Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Learn More on American Express's secure site
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees	4.7 Flexible rewards	None	$95	75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening	Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees
Capital One Venture X Business Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees	Business	None	$395	Earn 150,000 Miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening	Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* Learn More	4.0 Hotel card	$0	$550	Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Learn More
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students* Review Coming Soon	4.9 Students	None	$0	25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases	Review Coming Soon
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees	4.1 Bad credit	None	$0	N/A	Apply Now on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees
American Express^® Gold Card* Learn More	4.3 Dining	None	$325	Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	Learn More
Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Apply Now on Chase's secure site	4.9 Transfer partners	$0	$550	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	Apply Now on Chase's secure site

*The information for the The Platinum Card^® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students and American Express^® Gold Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms Apply.

Types of international travel credit cards

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are co-branded between a specific airline and a credit card issuer. They usually earn miles of one particular airline, and typically come with airline-specific benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags or help qualifying for airline elite status. They’re best for people who typically travel with one particular airline.
Hotel credit cards

Hotel credit cards are co-branded between a credit card issuer and a particular hotel chain. These cards usually earn hotel points that can be used for stays and also offer hotel-specific benefits like complimentary night certificates, elite status or bonus rewards earning rates. They’re best for hotel brand loyalists.
General travel credit cards

General travel cards are great for international travel due to their flexibility and perks. These cards may earn flexible, transferable points (for example, Chase Ultimate Rewards^® points or Amex Membership Rewards points), which can be transferred to airline and hotel transfer partners to maximize their value. General travel credit cards also typically come with travel perks and insurance, and usually don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Business travel credit cards

Business travel credit cards allow cardholders to maximize earnings, enjoy travel perks and take advantage of travel protections while traveling for business. Some of these cards are general business credit cards that offer travel perks like airport lounge access or travel credits, while others are co-branded airline or hotel credit cards with brand-specific perks, such as free checked bags or complimentary elite status.

How to choose an international travel credit card

The best credit card for international travel for you will depend on your travel style and needs, but you’ll want to consider the following factors when shopping for an international travel credit card.

Whenever you use a debit or credit card outside of the U.S., your issuer may charge you a fee of about 3% of each purchase. While it may not seem like a huge deal, these charges can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars — or more. Look out for a credit card without foreign transaction fees if you’re planning a trip abroad.

One of the most frustrating experiences you can encounter during international travel: having your card declined. While Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted around the world, you might have a harder time paying with American Express or Discover. You’ll want to make sure the card you’re interested in is usually accepted in your planned travel destination(s).

Some travel credit cards offer robust travel coverage that can give you peace of mind and protection on your next trip, while other cards have minimal coverage — or none at all. The best credit cards for travel insurance typically include a full slate of travel protection, such as trip cancellation and delay insurance, travel accident insurance, lost or delayed luggage coverage and car rental insurance that works abroad.

Always check with your card issuer to make sure the countries where you plan to rent a car are included in your coverage.

The rewards earning rate is an important consideration when choosing a credit card for international travel. Look for a credit card that has higher earning rates on airline purchases, general travel and dining, so you can maximize your trip earnings. If you travel infrequently, you might want to look for a card that also has a more generous earning rate on everyday purchases.

If a card only has high earning rates for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal, make sure you’ll actually use the travel portal before getting the card.

Many of the best credit card sign-up bonuses happen to be offered on cards that work well for international travel. In some cases, the bonus may be worth $1,000 when used for travel, which could be enough to cover plane tickets or a hotel for your next trip. With some cards, you may even get an increased redemption rate if you use the card issuer’s travel portal, stretching your sign-up bonus even further.

The best credit cards for international travel tend to offer rewards redemption flexibility. Having redemption options allows you to maximize the value of the rewards you earn, especially when redeeming your points or miles for free travel. Many issuers offer a travel portal where you can book hotels, rental cars, vacation packages and more. However, the best cards also let you transfer your rewards to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 (or more advantageous) ratio.

Many of the best international travel cards offer travel perks to make your trips a little nicer. Premium travel cards, which tend to charge higher annual fees, may offer airport lounge access, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits and other travel credits to offset the cost of your trips. Even cards with lower annual fees may offer perks like free checked bags, priority boarding or complimentary elite status.

While contactless credit card payments are becoming more popular in Europe, some transactions, such buying tickets at an unattended terminal at a train station in France or Germany, may still require a card with both an EMV chip and a PIN. While most credit cards issued within the U.S. include an EMV chip, credit cards with PINs are rare. However, some issuers (such as Bank of America) allow you to add a PIN to your travel credit card. You should check with your issuer to see if they offer this option.

Where EMV credit card technology is used by country

Best lounge access credit cards while traveling internationally

Another factor you should consider is whether you want airport lounge access — this can significantly improve your travel experience by giving you a quiet place to unwind, recharge and refuel with complimentary food and beverages. Many premium credit cards come with lounge membership or passes.

Credit Cards	Our Ratings	Lounge Access	Welcome Offer	Annual Fee
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®* Learn More	4.0	Admirals Club	Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.	$595	Learn More
The Platinum Card^® from American Express* Learn More	4.5	Amex Centurion Lounge Delta Sky Clubs Priority Pass™ Select	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	$695	Learn More
Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card* Learn More on American Express's secure site	4.1	Delta Sky Clubs	Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.	$650	Learn More on American Express's secure site
Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Apply Now on Chase's secure site	4.9	Priority Pass™ Select	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	$550	Apply Now on Chase's secure site
United Club℠ Infinite Card Apply Now on Chase's secure site	3.9	United Club	Limited-time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	$525	Apply Now on Chase's secure site

*The information for the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®, The Platinum Card^® from American Express and Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms Apply.

International travel tips: how to use your credit card

Getting the best credit card for international travel is a step in the right direction, but you also need to know how to use it. Here are a few tips and tricks — and pitfalls to avoid — when using your credit card internationally.

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is when you pay in your own currency, rather than the local currency, while traveling internationally. When you use a credit card abroad, you may get a choice on whether to use DCC when paying. While it might seem like a good idea, since you’ll see the final cost in your own currency, you should generally avoid DCC due to less favorable exchange rates.

Say you’re traveling in France and you decide to buy a shirt that costs €100, at a time when the conversion rate is €1 to $1.07 (USD). That means the shirt would be worth $107. If you’re given the option to pay in USD and you accept, the merchant may charge $109 to your card — which means you’d be paying extra for no reason. It’s usually better to pay in the local currency, with a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

This will help you rack up plenty of travel rewards points or miles, especially if you’re getting bonus points for everyday categories. You can use your rewards to get flight upgrades, free hotel nights or other perks on your next trip.

Paying for your expenses with a credit card can also give you additional security because credit cards typically come with a $0 fraud liability benefit.

Many premium travel credit cards come with benefits that can make your trip more affordable and comfortable. Check to see if your card offers these benefits and learn how to take advantage of them ahead of your next international trip.

Room or seat upgrades: Some airline or hotel credit cards offer upgrades to cardholders. An international trip can be a great time to redeem some of these card benefits.
Free checked baggage: Many airline credit cards offer free checked bags. If you need to fly with a lot of luggage, consider signing up for an airline credit card as an alternative to paying baggage fees.
Free lounge access: If your international trip involves spending a lot of time in airports, look for cards that offer airport lounge access as a perk. An airport lounge can be a great way to make your trip more relaxing and less stressful, so you should look for a card that will give you lounge access in the airports you’re traveling through.
Companion passes: Some airline credit cards offer a companion pass or certificate after you meet certain criteria, like earning enough points, or taking a certain number of flights. A companion pass allows a travel companion to fly with you for free, or for a reduced cost. A companion pass on an expensive international trip can be very valuable.

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are two very popular trusted traveler programs. These programs can make your travel much nicer and less stressful by shortening your wait times, helping you avoid crowds and allowing you to skip some security steps. Many cards offer credits that cover the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

If you’re looking at Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck, Global Entry is the clear winner for international travel and includes TSA PreCheck benefits. Global Entry gives you expedited re-entry into the United States when you return from an international trip, while TSA PreCheck helps you speed through security for domestic travel.

Some cards also offer a credit for CLEAR Plus, a more expensive program that uses biometrics (eyes or fingerprints) to verify your identity and has dedicated security lanes at participating airports, arenas and stadiums.

Frequently asked questions

Most U.S. credit cards can be used internationally, though acceptance varies by country and merchant. Visa and Mastercard are more accepted worldwide than American Express and Discover.

Many travel credit cards offer some kind of travel insurance, but the coverage varies greatly from card to card. Some cards offer only very basic coverage, such as travel accident insurance. Other cards offer a robust slate of coverage that may include: trip cancellation and delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage and car rental insurance. Some premium cards even offer emergency evacuation and transportation, which could help you get home if you got sick or injured on a trip abroad.

It’s a good idea to let your credit card company know about any international travel to make sure your purchases aren’t flagged as fraudulent. You can typically let your card issuer know about your travel plans through your online account or by calling the number on the back of your card.

Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted around the world in over 200 countries, but Visa generally offers significantly better travel benefits and insurance than Mastercard. Benefits do vary by card so it’s important to read the fine print on any card you’re considering for international travel.

Methodology

To make choosing the right card easier, we’ve looked at credit cards reviewed on LendingTree as well as cards on major issuer sites to compile a list of the best rewards credit cards for international travel.

Our recommendations are based on the additional value you can earn with the cards — including the rewards value, cost of ownership and value of benefits such as travel and purchase protections, lounge membership and airline companion passes. No cards on this page charge foreign transaction fees. Our choices are not influenced by our advertisers. Learn more about our credit card methodology.

1. 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.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

The information related to the The Platinum Card^® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, American Express^® Gold Card and Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.

Allie Johnson

Allie Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer with more than 10 years of experience covering credit cards, mortgages, personal loans and small business. She holds a degree in magazine journalism from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. She has written for a variety of finance publications, including CreditCards.com, LendingTree and MagnifyMoney.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Winner

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

11 Best International Travel Credit Cards

Winner: Best credit card for international travel

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Best no-annual-fee credit card for international travel

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Best international travel card for lounge access

The Platinum Card^® from American Express*

Best airline credit card for international travel

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card*