Cards That Don't Charge You to Spend Abroad

Most credit cards charge 1% to 3% on every purchase you make outside the United States. A card with no foreign transaction fees charges nothing—you pay only the exchange rate the card network sets, with no markup added by the issuer.

These cards exist across every tier: basic cards with no annual fee, premium travel cards that cost $95 to $550 per year, and business cards. The trade-off is usually that cards with no foreign transaction fees either charge an annual fee, require a higher credit score, or offer fewer other rewards.

The cards listed below have confirmed zero foreign transaction fees as of the most recent update. Fees and terms change, so confirm the current terms on the issuer's website before you explore.

Key Takeaways

  • Foreign transaction fees are a percentage charge added to purchases made outside the United States, separate from the exchange rate—many cards charge 1% to 3%.
  • Cards with no foreign transaction fees range from no-annual-fee options to premium travel cards, each with different rewards structures and credit score requirements.
  • The exchange rate itself is set by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express and cannot be avoided, but the issuer's markup on top of that rate is what these cards eliminate.
  • Some cards waive foreign transaction fees only on certain card types (like a premium tier) or only on certain purchases, so read the terms carefully.
  • Debit cards, prepaid cards, and ATM withdrawals often have different fees than credit card purchases, even on the same account.

No-Annual-Fee Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

These cards charge nothing per year and charge nothing on foreign purchases. They typically offer modest cash back or points on all spending, or higher rewards in specific categories like dining or groceries.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Visa Signature offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, including foreign ones, with no annual fee. It requires a fair credit score (typically 670 or higher). Cash back posts to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, check, or transfer to a bank account.

Chase Sapphire Preferred is not free—it costs $95 per year—but it earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, 1 point on everything else, and has no foreign transaction fees. It requires good to excellent credit (typically 740 or higher). Points can be redeemed for travel, cash, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It earns 1% cash back on all purchases and 3% on U.S. groceries (up to $130 per quarter, then 1%). It requires fair to good credit. Cash back is issued as a statement credit or check.

Premium Travel Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

These cards charge an annual fee but offer travel benefits beyond no foreign transaction fees: airport lounge access, travel credits, trip insurance, or higher rewards on travel and dining.

Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year and earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining, 1 point on everything else. It includes a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access through Priority Pass, and no foreign transaction fees. It requires excellent credit (typically 750 or higher).

American Express Platinum Card costs $695 per year and earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly and hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1 point on everything else. It includes up to $200 in airline credits, $200 in Uber credits, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees. It requires excellent credit.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395 per year and earns 10 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked through the Capital One travel portal, 5 points on other travel purchases, and 1 point on everything else. It includes $300 in annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees. It requires excellent credit.

Business Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

Business cards with no foreign transaction fees are available to sole proprietors, partnerships, and incorporated businesses. Most require an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) to open.

Chase Ink Business Preferred has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It earns 3 points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases in the categories of internet, cable, phone, and shipping, then 1 point per dollar; 2 points per dollar on dining and travel; and 1 point on everything else. It requires good to excellent business credit.

American Express Business Gold Card costs $295 per year and earns 4 points per dollar on the first $5,000 spent per quarter on U.S. purchases in the categories of shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising, then 1 point per dollar; 4 points per dollar on flights booked directly and hotels booked through Amex Travel; and 1 point on everything else. It has no foreign transaction fees and requires good to excellent business credit.

What to Check Before You Choose

Foreign transaction fees are not the only cost that matters when you travel. Check whether the card charges fees for ATM withdrawals, balance transfers, or currency conversion outside the standard exchange rate.

Some cards waive foreign transaction fees only on certain card types within the same product family. For example, a premium tier of a card may have no foreign transaction fees while the basic tier charges 3%. Read the specific terms for the card tier you are considering.

If you carry a balance, the interest rate (APR) matters more than the foreign transaction fee. A card with no foreign transaction fee but a 24% APR will cost you more than a card with a 1% foreign transaction fee and a 16% APR if you do not pay the balance in full each month.

Rewards rates vary by card. A card that earns 1% cash back on all purchases may be better for frequent travelers than a card that earns 3 points per dollar on travel but 1 point on everything else, depending on how much you spend on travel versus other categories.

How Foreign Transaction Fees Work

When you use a credit card abroad, two separate charges happen. First, the card network (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) converts your purchase from the local currency to U.S. dollars using their exchange rate. This rate is set by the network and cannot be avoided.

Second, the card issuer (the bank that issued your card) may add a markup on top of that exchange rate. This markup is the foreign transaction fee, typically 1% to 3%. A card with no foreign transaction fees skips this markup but still uses the network's exchange rate.

The exchange rate itself is usually fair—the networks update their rates multiple times per day based on real market data. The foreign transaction fee is pure profit for the issuer, which is why cards marketed to travelers eliminate it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a travel card to avoid foreign transaction fees?

No. Many cards with no annual fee have no foreign transaction fees. Capital One Quicksilver and American Express Blue Cash Everyday are two examples. The trade-off is usually lower rewards rates or fewer travel benefits, not a higher annual fee.

Does a card with no foreign transaction fees also have no ATM fees abroad?

Not necessarily. Foreign transaction fees explore to purchases only. ATM withdrawals are a separate transaction and may carry a different fee—often $3 to $5 per withdrawal plus a percentage of the amount withdrawn. Check the card's terms for ATM fees specifically.

What if I use a debit card instead of a credit card abroad?

Debit cards often charge higher foreign transaction fees than credit cards—sometimes 3% or more. If your debit card is linked to a checking account, the bank may also charge ATM fees. A credit card with no foreign transaction fees is usually cheaper for purchases abroad.

Can I use these cards if my credit score is below 670?

Most cards with no foreign transaction fees require fair credit or higher. If your score is below 670, you may not be approved. Check the issuer's website for the minimum credit score, or contact the issuer directly to ask about options for your credit profile.

Do I need to notify my card issuer before I travel?

Most issuers no longer require advance notice, but some still recommend it to prevent fraud alerts that might block your card. Check your card's website or call the number on the back of your card before you leave to confirm the issuer's current policy.