Credit card expenses can easily pile up for frequent travelers especially if you have to pay foreign transaction fees as well. Many of your favorite credit card companies charge a foreign transaction fee when you make a purchase in a currency other than U.S. dollars. That’s why you need to go through this list of the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards.
The best no foreign transaction fee credit cards on this list have a lot of extra perks to offer such as bonus points, travel rewards, or an interest rate promotion. Go through our list to find out more for yourself.
01 Best Overall: Wells Fargo Propel American Express | Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of 2019
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express gives you a chance to earn 30,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. Ongoing, you’ll earn three points for every dollar you spend eating out and ordering in; gas, rideshares, and transit; flights, hotels, homestays, and car rental; and Popular streaming services. All your other credit card purchases will earn one point per dollar. There’s no limit on the rewards you can earn at each reward level and your points won’t expire as long as you keep your account open.
Pay your cell phone bill with your credit card and you’ll receive cell phone protection in the event that your credit card is damaged or stolen. You can also enjoy a 0% APR for the first 12 months.
Important Pricing: After the introductory rate expires, the regular APR will be 14.74 to 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
02 Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of 2019
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account.
You can also earn rewards on your credit card purchases. Earn two points for every dollar you spend on travel and dining at restaurants. All other purchases will earn one point per dollar. All your rewards, including the sign-up bonus, are worth 25% more when you redeem through Chase’s online tool, Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Important Pricing: The regular APR is 18.24 to 25.24%, depending on your creditworthiness. There’s a $95 annual fee which is waived in the first year.
03 Best Promotional Rate: Capital One Quicksilver Card | Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of 2019
If you’re planning to make large purchases overseas, you will enjoy the offer of paying it back over time with no interest and no foreign transaction fee, using the Capital One Quicksilver Card. It offers a 0% introductory rate on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after opening your account.
You can earn a one-time $150 sign-up bonus if you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account. Ongoing, you’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% cashback on all your purchases.
The card also comes with 24-hour travel assistance services, travel accident insurance, and extended warranty benefits.
Important Pricing: After the introductory rate expires, your regular APR will be 15.24 to 25.24%. There’s no annual fee.
04 Best for Dining Rewards: Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card | Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of 2019
Start by earning a one-time $500 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within three months from opening your Capital One Savor Card account. Ongoing, you’ll earn unlimited 4% cashback on dining and entertainment; 2% back at grocery stores; and 1% back on all other purchases.
The Capital One Savor Rewards credit card also comes with a few other perks, including an extended warranty, price protection, complimentary concierge services, and 24-hour travel assistance.
Important Pricing: The regular APR is 16.74 to 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness. The $95 annual fee is waived in the first year.
05 Best Cash Rewards: Discover it Cash Back
Discovery doesn’t pay a sign-up bonus for Discover it. Instead, at the end of your first year, Discover will match all the cashback rewards you’ve received during the year — dollar for dollar.
This card offers 5% cashback on the first $1,500 you spend each quarter on categories that rotate. Categories include things such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. You’ll have to activate to receive the 5% rewards. All other purchases receive 1% cashback. You can redeem your cash rewards at any time in any amount.
You also enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first 14 months after opening your account.
Important Pricing: After the introductory rate expires, your regular APR will be 13.99 to 24.99% variable, based on your creditworthiness. There’s no annual fee.
06 Best Premium Rewards: The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with loads of benefits you can enjoy both at home and abroad. For a start, you can earn 60,000 points if you spend $5,000 in the first three months after opening your account. Plus, you’ll get a bonus of $200 airline fee credit each year. Ongoing, you’ll earn five points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel; five points for every dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com; and one point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
In addition to the ability to earn rewards, you can enjoy a number of other benefits. You’ll get premium travel service, premium roadside assistance, and access to the Centurion Lounge. You can enjoy $15 in Uber credits for the U.S. rides every month, plus a bonus of $20 in December. And, the card will give you free credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Important Pricing: The Platinum Card from American Express is a charge card which means you’ll pay your balance in full each month and you won’t pay any interest. The annual fee is $550.
07 Best Airline Credit Card: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Earn 40,000 bonus points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening your account. Each year, you’ll get 6,000 anniversary bonus points; four upgraded boardings each year (depending on availability).
You’ll earn two points for every dollar you spend on Southwest purchases and one point for every dollar you spend on other purchases.
Important Pricing: The regular APR is 18.24 to 25.24%. The $99 annual fee is applied to the first credit card statement.
08 Best for Poor Credit: Capital One Secured MasterCard
Most rewards credit cards and no foreign transaction fee credit cards require you to have good credit. But here is a no foreign transaction fee credit card option that does not emphasize much on your credit score.
The Capital One Secured MasterCard requires you to make a security deposit against your credit limit. With a secured credit card, the credit limit is typically equal to the security deposit. Capital One gives you the opportunity to qualify for a security deposit of $49 or $99 for the minimum credit limit of $200 depending on your credit history. If you don’t qualify, you can start with a $200 security deposit and credit limit.
Important Pricing: The regular APR is 26.99%. There is no annual fee.
09 Best Signup Bonus: Citi ThankYou Premier Card
Spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening your account and earn 50,000 bonus points. Your points are worth 25% more when you redeem for airfare through the ThankYou Travel Center.
Earn three ThankYou Points for every dollar spent on travel; two ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend on dining out and entertainment; and one ThankYou Point on all other purchases. There’s no limit to the points you can earn and your points won’t expire.
Important Pricing: The regular APR is 16.49 to 25.49% depending on your creditworthiness. The $95 annual fee is waived in the first year.
