Chase charges foreign transaction fees on most cards, but not all

Most Chase credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of 3% on purchases made outside the United States. This fee applies to any transaction processed through a non-U.S. merchant or payment network, regardless of whether you're physically traveling abroad or buying from a foreign website while at home.

However, Chase offers several cards that waive this fee entirely. If you travel frequently or make regular purchases from international merchants, choosing a card without foreign transaction fees can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase's standard foreign transaction fee is 3% on most personal and business credit cards.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and several business cards waive foreign transaction fees completely.
  • The 3% fee applies to all transactions processed outside the U.S., including online purchases from foreign retailers.
  • You can find the foreign transaction fee policy in your card's terms and conditions or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.

Which Chase cards do not charge foreign transaction fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred both waive foreign transaction fees. These are Chase's premium travel-focused cards, and the lack of foreign fees is one of their main travel benefits.

Several Chase business cards also waive foreign transaction fees, including the Chase Ink Business Preferred, Chase Ink Business Unlimited, and Chase Ink Business Cash. If you use a business card for company expenses abroad, check your specific card's benefits guide to confirm.

For the most current list of which cards waive foreign transaction fees, log into your Chase account online or call the number on the back of your card. Card benefits change occasionally, and your specific card version may differ from others with the same name.

How the 3% foreign transaction fee works

When you use a Chase card abroad or buy from a foreign merchant, the 3% fee is calculated on the transaction amount and added to your bill. If you spend $100 at a restaurant in London, you pay $103 on your statement (plus any currency conversion markup your card issuer applies).

The fee applies whether you're swiping in person, using a chip reader, tapping your phone, or entering your card number online. It also applies to ATM withdrawals made outside the U.S., though some cards offer ATM fee reimbursement as a separate benefit.

You cannot avoid the fee by paying in U.S. dollars instead of the local currency. The fee is based on where the merchant is located or where the transaction is processed, not the currency you use.

Foreign transaction fees versus currency conversion markup

The 3% foreign transaction fee is separate from the currency conversion markup. When you spend money in a foreign currency, your card issuer converts it to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate. This rate is typically 1% to 2% higher than the mid-market rate you see on financial websites.

So a $100 purchase in euros might cost you: the euro amount converted at the card's exchange rate, plus 3% foreign transaction fee. If your card waives the foreign transaction fee, you still pay the currency conversion markup—that is unavoidable with any card.

Some cards marketed as "no foreign transaction fee" cards still charge the conversion markup. The fee waiver only covers the 3% surcharge, not the spread on the exchange rate itself.

How to check your card's foreign transaction fee policy

Log into your Chase account online and go to the benefits section for your specific card. The foreign transaction fee policy is listed there along with other fees and benefits.

You can also find this information in your card's terms and conditions, which Chase mails with your card and posts online. Search for "foreign transaction" in the document to find the exact language.

If you cannot find the information online, call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative can tell you whether your specific card charges foreign transaction fees and answer questions about how they explore to your situation.

When the foreign transaction fee does and does not explore

The fee applies to any transaction processed by a non-U.S. payment network or merchant, even if you are physically in the United States. Buying from a British retail's website while sitting at home in Ohio still triggers the fee.

The fee does not explore to transactions processed entirely within the U.S., even if you are traveling abroad. For example, if you book a U.S. hotel chain's reservation online before your trip, that transaction may not trigger the fee because it was processed through a U.S. system.

The determining factor is where the transaction is processed, not where you are or what currency is involved. This is why the same purchase can trigger the fee on one card but not another—the fee depends on your card's rules, not the merchant's location.

Alternatives if your Chase card charges foreign transaction fees

If you travel frequently and your current Chase card charges the 3% fee, you have three options: request a product change to a Chase card that waives the fee, open a new Chase card that waives the fee, or use a different card for foreign purchases.

A product change means converting your current card to a different Chase card without closing the account. This preserves your account history and credit limit. Call the number on the back of your card and ask whether you can change to Chase Sapphire Preferred or another card that waives foreign transaction fees.

If you cannot product change, you can open a new card. Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve both waive foreign transaction fees. You would then use that card for international purchases and keep your current card for other spending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay the foreign transaction fee if I use a currency converter app?

No. The fee is charged by Chase based on where the transaction is processed, not on how you convert the amount in your head or what app you use. Using a converter app does not change whether the fee applies—it only helps you understand what you are spending in U.S. dollars.

What if I dispute a foreign transaction because of the fee?

Disputing the transaction itself will not remove the foreign transaction fee. The fee is a legitimate charge from Chase, not an error. If you believe the transaction was fraudulent or the merchant charged you twice, you can dispute that. But the fee itself cannot be disputed—it is part of your card's terms.

Does Chase waive the foreign transaction fee if I call and ask?

No. The foreign transaction fee is a standard charge on most Chase cards and is not waived based on customer requests. Your only option is to switch to a card that does not charge the fee, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Are there Chase debit cards that charge foreign transaction fees?

Yes. Chase debit cards typically charge a foreign transaction fee as well, though the exact amount may differ from credit cards. If you plan to use a debit card abroad, check your specific card's terms before traveling, or use a credit card that waives the fee instead.

Does the foreign transaction fee explore to online purchases from foreign websites?

Yes, if the transaction is processed through a foreign payment network or merchant. Buying from a foreign retailer's website while in the U.S. still triggers the fee on most Chase cards. This is one reason frequent online shoppers from international retailers may benefit from a card that waives the fee.