The Best Credit Cards for International Travel
Earlier this month we cautioned readers about foreign currency credit card fees. But is there a credit card out there that stands above others as the best card for international travel?
American Express cards are often noted for their customer service for cardmembers traveling abroad, and they do charge 1-2% less than other card companies for foreign transactions. Of course, although AMEX cards are widely accepted around the world, they are not accepted everywhere Visa and MasterCard are.
If you’d rather have a Visa or MasterCard in your pocket, Capital One Cards do not charge a foreign currency transaction fee, although their currency conversion rate may not be as favorable as AMEX’s. Combined with the Capital One no-hassle airline miles rewards program, any air travel rewards Capital One credit card is a great choice for traveling abroad.
If you have excellent credit, I recommend the Capital One No Hassle Miles Rewards card. There’s no annual fee, a competitive interest rate, and you’ll earn 1.25 miles for every dollar spent. There’s also a version for borrowers that have good, but not excellent, credit that offers the same rewards but at a slightly higher interest rate.
You can compare Capital One, AMEX, and other cards at CreditCards.com.
Related Posts
- Avoid Credit Card Foreign Currency Transaction Fees
- The Better Deal: Cash Back or Miles Credit Cards?
- Cancelling Credit Cards: What Would You Do?
- Charge Cards: American Express Offers an Attractive Alternative to Credit Cards
- For the Lowest Credit Card Interest Rates, Look to Small Banks
What's Next?
Reading this site, you're already ahead of most people when it comes to your finances. Why not keep going? Help secure your financial future. Take action today:
- Get help with your debts
- Check your credit report and score, free
- Open a savings account
- Open an individual retirement account (IRA)
- Budget with Quicken
Join the Conversation!
What's your take on this story? Have a related question or comment? Share it now in a comment:
some comments
There are currently 1 of themreply
I'm David, a 20-something ex-financial journalist with a mission: To help you learn about personal finance, take control of your money, and get on with life! More...Take Charge of Your Finances!
Get e-mail updates and a free report: "10 Ways To Improve Your Finances RIGHT NOW". Guaranteed Spam-free. Check it out:
Ask Money Under 30
- Can I claim the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit if my name was on the deed, but not the mortgage?
- I’m a 21-year old college student; should I get a credit card to help pay for car repairs?
- Can I use student loan funds to consolidate credit card debt at a lower rate?
- Where should I store a windfall for a few months until I decide how to invest?
- Should I save for retirement or pay down my student loans faster?
If you have AMEX Costco card you get 2% cashback for travel charges…so really it cancels out the fee.