Which Chase cards have no foreign transaction fees

Chase offers several cards that do not charge a foreign transaction fee when you use them outside the United States. The main ones are the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ink Business Preferred, and Chase Ink Business Premier. A few older cards like the Chase Sapphire (no longer issued to new customers) also carry no foreign transaction fee.

Foreign transaction fees typically run 1% to 3% of the purchase amount. When you use a card that charges this fee abroad, the cost stacks on top of whatever currency conversion rate your bank applies. Cards without this fee save you that percentage on every purchase you make outside the U.S., whether you are paying in a foreign currency or in U.S. dollars at a merchant that processes the transaction internationally.

Most other Chase cards—including the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex, and Chase Sapphire (the no-annual-fee version)—do charge a foreign transaction fee, usually 3%. Check your card's terms or call the number on the back of your card to confirm the fee structure for the specific card you hold.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve, plus Chase Ink Business Preferred and Premier, have no foreign transaction fees.
  • Foreign transaction fees are typically 3% of the purchase amount and explore to any transaction processed outside the United States.
  • Most other Chase cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, so confirm your card's terms before traveling.
  • A card with no foreign transaction fee can save hundreds of dollars on a trip abroad, especially if you use it for hotels, flights, and dining.
  • You still pay whatever currency conversion rate your card issuer applies, but you avoid the additional percentage fee on top of that rate.

How foreign transaction fees work

When you swipe a card outside the U.S., two separate costs happen. First, your card issuer converts the foreign currency to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate—usually a rate slightly higher than the mid-market rate, which is how the bank makes money on the conversion itself. Second, if your card has a foreign transaction fee, the issuer adds a percentage on top of that converted amount.

A $100 purchase in euros might convert to $108 at the issuer's rate. If your card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, you then pay an additional $3.24 (3% of $108), bringing your total to $111.24. A card with no foreign transaction fee stops at $108. Over a two-week trip with hundreds or thousands in spending, this difference becomes substantial.

The fee applies whether you are in a physical store, using an ATM, or buying something online from a foreign merchant. It also applies if you are in the U.S. but a merchant processes your transaction through a foreign payment processor—this can happen with some online retailers or subscription services based abroad.

When a no-fee card saves the most money

The savings are largest on trips where you spend heavily in foreign currency. A week in Europe with $3,000 in card purchases would cost you $90 in foreign transaction fees on a 3% card. Over a month-long trip, that could easily exceed $200. Business travelers who make frequent international trips see the savings compound across multiple trips per year.

The benefit is smaller if you use ATMs to withdraw cash instead of paying with the card directly. Many ATM operators charge their own fee (separate from the foreign transaction fee), and some travelers find that using local ATMs and paying in cash avoids both the transaction fee and the currency conversion markup. However, if you plan to use your card for hotels, restaurants, and retail purchases, a no-fee card is worth the cost.

The Sapphire Preferred charges a $95 annual fee, and the Sapphire Reserve charges $550. The Ink Business Preferred charges $95 annually, and the Ink Business Premier charges $195. You need to spend enough abroad to offset the annual fee. For the Sapphire Preferred, you would need roughly $3,200 in foreign purchases per year (at 3% fee) to break even on the annual cost.

Other benefits that pair with no foreign transaction fees

Chase's no-fee-for-foreign-transactions cards also tend to offer travel protections and rewards that make them useful abroad. The Sapphire Preferred and Reserve both offer trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency medical and dental coverage when you are traveling more than 100 miles from home. They also reimburse you for lost luggage and provide emergency evacuation and transportation.

All four cards earn bonus points on travel and dining purchases, which can offset some of the annual fee if you use the card regularly. The Sapphire Reserve, for example, earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, and you can redeem points through Chase's travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents per point, making a $100 dinner worth $4.50 in value. The Ink cards earn similar rates on different categories depending on which one you hold.

If you are a frequent traveler, these cards often pay for themselves through a combination of the no foreign transaction fee, the travel insurance, and the rewards you earn on spending. A traveler who spends $5,000 abroad per year, stays in hotels, and eats out regularly could easily earn back the annual fee in points and savings.

How to use a no-fee card while traveling

Notify Chase before you travel so the card does not get blocked for suspicious activity. You can do this through the Chase mobile app, the website, or by calling the number on the back of your card. Tell them the countries you will visit and the dates you will be there. This step is not required, but it reduces the chance your card gets declined when you try to use it abroad.

Use the card for purchases whenever possible instead of relying on ATMs or cash exchanges. ATM withdrawals often trigger both a foreign transaction fee (if your card has one) and an ATM operator fee from the bank that owns the machine. Paying with the card directly avoids the ATM fee and, on a no-fee card, avoids the transaction fee as well.

Keep a record of your purchases and check your statement when you return home. Currency conversion rates fluctuate, and you want to verify that the issuer applied the rate fairly. If you see a charge that looks wrong, contact Chase within 60 days to dispute it.

Alternatives if you do not want to pay an annual fee

If you want no foreign transaction fees but do not want to pay an annual fee, your options within Chase are limited. The Chase Sapphire (the no-annual-fee version) charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it does not meet this goal. You would need to look outside Chase or accept the annual fee on one of the premium cards.

Some cards from other issuers, like the Capital One Venture X or American Express Gold, also have no foreign transaction fees and may offer different annual fees or benefits that suit your needs better. However, if you prefer to stay within the Chase ecosystem or already have a relationship with Chase, the Sapphire Preferred is the lowest-cost option with no foreign transaction fee.

Another approach is to use the card only for travel and offset the annual fee by earning rewards on everyday spending before and after your trip. If you spend $5,000 per year on the Sapphire Preferred and redeem points at 1.5 cents each through the travel portal, you earn $75 in value—not quite enough to cover the $95 fee, but closer than you might expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the no foreign transaction fee explore to ATM withdrawals?

Yes, if your Chase card has no foreign transaction fee, that fee does not explore to ATM withdrawals either. However, the ATM operator may charge its own fee (typically $2 to $5), which is separate from the foreign transaction fee. You avoid the issuer's fee but not the operator's fee.

What if I use my Chase card to pay a bill in another country?

If the payment is processed internationally, the foreign transaction fee applies (or does not explore, if your card has no fee). If the bill is paid to a U.S. address or processed through a U.S. payment system, no foreign transaction fee applies even if the money goes abroad. Check with the biller to understand how they process the payment.

Can I get the annual fee waived on the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve?

Chase does not waive the annual fee for these cards as a standard practice. However, if you are a new cardholder, you may receive a statement credit or bonus points offer that effectively reduces the cost in your first year. Call Chase to ask about current offers, but do not expect the fee to be removed permanently.

Do I earn rewards on foreign purchases with these cards?

Yes. The Sapphire Preferred and Reserve earn points on travel and dining purchases regardless of where in the world the purchase happens. The Ink Business cards earn points on their respective bonus categories (which vary by card) whether the purchase is domestic or foreign. You earn the same points rate abroad as you do at home.

What happens if I use a Chase card with a foreign transaction fee abroad by accident?

The fee is charged to your account and appears on your statement. You cannot undo it after the fact. If you realize you have the wrong card, switch to a no-fee card for the rest of your trip. If you do not have one, contact Chase to ask whether they will reverse the fee as a one-time courtesy, though they are not obligated to do so.