When are foreign transaction fees charged?

Foreign transaction fees typically appear on your credit card statement at the end of your billing cycle, and you pay them when you pay your credit card balance. Here are some examples of when you’d likely incur a foreign transaction fee: Hotel bookings: While it largely depends on the hotel's location and the specific travel provider, your credit card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee when you book a stay in another country. Online purchases: If you purchase something from a seller based outside the U.S. and your transaction is processed abroad in a different currency, your issuer could charge a foreign transaction fee — even if you’re shopping from the comfort of home. Debit, charge or gift card purchases: Unfortunately, you can't avoid foreign transaction fees simply by using a different type of card. Debit cards, charge cards and even prepaid gift cards commonly charge foreign transaction fees.

How do I know if my credit card charges a foreign transaction fee?

Generally, the terms and conditions of a card will state whether a foreign transaction fee applies. Your issuer's customer service phone number can provide information about your card's rates and fees if you are unable to access it online.

How do I calculate a foreign transaction fee?

If you’re curious to know how much you’ll pay for a foreign transaction fee, multiply the purchase price by the fee percentage. Then add the result to the purchase price. If a purchase costs $100 and the fee is 3%, your total cost is $103 ($100 x 3% [0.03] = $3, therefore, $100 + $3 = $103).

Should I get a credit card with no foreign transaction fee for a one-time overseas trip?

If all your cards charge foreign transaction fees, it might be worth it to get one that doesn’t before you go on a trip. Depending on how much you’re planning to spend, it can save you a significant amount of money. Plus, you can always use it on any future trips.

Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees of March 2026

Compare Bankrate’s top no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards

Card name	Annual fee	Best for	Bankrate review score
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	$95	Starter travel card	4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bilt Palladium Card	$495	Premium benefits	4.1 / 5 Apply now on Bilt's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	$95	Flat-rate travel rewards	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	$395	Budget luxury travel	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bilt Blue Card	$0	Straightforward rent earnings	2.9 / 5 Apply now on Bilt's secure site See Rates & Fees
Prime Visa	$0	Online shopping	4.5 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Amazon's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card	$0	Flexible travel redemption	4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	$795	Luxury perks	4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Cash Back	$0	Bonus category variety	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
American Express Platinum Card®	$895	Lounge access	4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Discover it® Student Cash Back	$0	Students	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
American Express® Gold Card	$325	Dining	4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.

What are foreign transaction fees?

A foreign transaction fee is a charge issuers impose on purchases made abroad. These fees can run as high as 5% and can easily cancel out a card's rewards rates, so a no-foreign-transaction-fee card could be a big help if you often travel abroad. These fees also apply when you make a purchase from a merchant outside the U.S., such as when you’re shopping online.

Travel rewards cards are the most common type of no-foreign-transaction-fee card, but some issuers offer cash back, credit-building and other card types without these fees.

To give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend on foreign transaction fees if your card charges them, we gathered a list of standard foreign transaction fees by issuer:

Issuer	Standard Foreign Transaction Fee (when charged)
Capital One	0%
Discover	0%
American Express	2.7%
Bank of America	3%
Barclays	3%
Chase	3%
Citi	3%
U.S. Bank	3%
Wells Fargo	3%

How to choose a card with no foreign transaction fees

A card having no foreign transaction fees isn’t enough to make it a great fit. Here are a few other things you should look for when looking for your next card with no foreign transaction fees:

Since foreign transaction fees primarily concern international travelers, it makes sense to choose a rewards card that offers other perks that make travel easier.

When choosing a travel credit card, compare the full list of benefits each card offers. Along with rewards and no foreign transaction fees, the best cards for international travel usually come with perks like annual travel credits, trip cancellation insurance, expedited airport security screening and airport lounge access that can significantly improve your travel experience.

Common credit card fees include annual fees, late fees, balance transfer fees, cash advance fees and returned payment fees. You can dodge most of these costs through responsible card use. Annual fees are most common among mid-tier and premium travel credit cards, and you may find that some cards with annual fees are worth it when they offer high rewards rates and valuable benefits.

One of the simplest, yet most important, factors is to make sure your card will work while traveling abroad. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted more widely internationally than cards on the American Express and Discover networks.

Ask the experts

Expert Insight

"The top card I take on all my international trips is my Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. I don’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees; it has chip-and-pin technology, which is still needed internationally, and it earns excellent flat rewards rates on purchases, especially with my Preferred Rewards status boost.

"This was particularly beneficial on my recent Australia trip. Merchants coded incorrectly at most places, so the ability to still earn a high flat rate while getting a good exchange rate meant I saved money, earned top rewards and had peace of mind on an amazing trip."

Ryan Flanigan, CCC

Former Writer, Credit Cards

Ask the Experts

Is it worth taking a credit card abroad if it charges foreign transaction fees?

Emily Sherman

Former Senior Editor, Credit Cards

Yes, but not to use most of the time. I always use my no foreign transaction fee credit card when I’m traveling internationally. But, I also keep a second credit card in my suitcase or other secondary location, so if my wallet is stolen by pickpockets, I still have a payment method. If that card has a foreign transaction fee, it’s still worth it for the peace of mind. If you don’t have a card with no foreign transaction fee at all, I’ve found sticking to debit and making weekly cash withdrawals saves you the most on conversion costs. A foreign transaction fee will likely cancel out rewards, so it’s not worth swiping a credit card with a fee.

Senitra Horbrook

Freelance travel rewards writer

I would not use a credit card abroad if it charged foreign transaction fees. However, there are so many credit cards with the benefit of no foreign transaction fees, there’s very little reason not to have one. If annual fees are holding you back from getting one, all of Capital One’s credit cards have no foreign transaction fees, including the no-annual-fee cards.

Stephanie Zito

Contributor, Personal Finance

I leave my credit cards that charge a foreign transaction fee at home when I travel, this stops me from accidentally using them out of habit. A 3% fee on everything you buy during a trip adds up very quickly and could increase your trip costs by hundreds of extra dollars! Some people may want to carry a second card for emergencies or if they have to pay home-based expenses from the road—I find that having these stored in the wallet on my device is enough. If a fee-based card is your only option—or your only backup—I'd recommend getting an additional card before you travel. With so many options available for cards that don't charge international fees, adding a new card to your wallet is a savvy traveler move, even if you only use it when you go abroad.

What to know before you get a no-foreign-transaction fee card

Have mix of credit cards

Not every credit card will work in every country — it depends on the card network, so it’s best to have at least two no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards, each from a different network.

Avoid cash advances

When you withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, you could face fees of up to 5% of the amount withdrawn and incur a high-interest rate plus no grace period. Interest starts accruing right away. Keep some local currency or your debit card for emergencies.

Use a digital wallet or chip-and-PIN card

If possible, get a credit card with chip and PIN technology, which includes a small metallic computer chip and a four-digit identification number. This card security method is more common internationally than the typical “chip and signature” method in the U.S.

Frequently asked questions about credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Foreign transaction fees typically appear on your credit card statement at the end of your billing cycle, and you pay them when you pay your credit card balance. Here are some examples of when you’d likely incur a foreign transaction fee:
- Hotel bookings: While it largely depends on the hotel's location and the specific travel provider, your credit card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee when you book a stay in another country.
- Online purchases: If you purchase something from a seller based outside the U.S. and your transaction is processed abroad in a different currency, your issuer could charge a foreign transaction fee — even if you’re shopping from the comfort of home.
- Debit, charge or gift card purchases: Unfortunately, you can't avoid foreign transaction fees simply by using a different type of card. Debit cards, charge cards and even prepaid gift cards commonly charge foreign transaction fees.
Generally, the terms and conditions of a card will state whether a foreign transaction fee applies. Your issuer's customer service phone number can provide information about your card's rates and fees if you are unable to access it online.
If you’re curious to know how much you’ll pay for a foreign transaction fee, multiply the purchase price by the fee percentage. Then add the result to the purchase price. If a purchase costs $100 and the fee is 3%, your total cost is $103 ($100 x 3% [0.03] = $3, therefore, $100 + $3 = $103).
If all your cards charge foreign transaction fees, it might be worth it to get one that doesn’t before you go on a trip. Depending on how much you’re planning to spend, it can save you a significant amount of money. Plus, you can always use it on any future trips.

How we choose the best cards with no foreign transaction fees

250+

cards rated

50+

rewards programs valued

5000

data points analyzed

40+

perks evaluated

We select cards for the “Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees” page based primarily on how they score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on this list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may also vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts that carry no foreign transaction fee. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology and details we considered when putting together our list of the best rewards cards.

How we rate rewards cards

Most cards with no foreign transaction fee earn rewards or cash back. Our rating methodology for these cards focuses heavily on rewards value — what kind of return we’d expect based on the average person’s spending and a card’s added bonuses and annual fee.

Value 65.00%
Flexibility 15.00%
Perks 15.00%
Customer experience 5.00%

Since many cardholders looking for a card with no foreign transaction fee are eager to earn rewards (particularly on travel), a key criteria for a card’s inclusion in our list is whether it offers impressive rewards value. This includes a card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories, as well as how closely those categories match the average person’s spending habits. In other words: Does the card earn rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories?
We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2023 was $77,280 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $22,500.
5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Overall Score
- Ongoing rewards value 30%
- Sign-up bonus value 25%
- Annual fee & average APR 20%
- Rewards rate 15%
- Annual bonus value 10%
Naturally, all of the cards on this list do not charge foreign transaction fees.

We also rate all cards based on how their ongoing average APR compares to the average APR you’ll find other cards in their primary category. However, the impact of an especially high or low APR on a card’s overall score depends on its primary category.

For rewards-earning cards, this factor has only a minor influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance. That said, rewards-earning cards may get a solid boost in score and be more worthy of inclusion in our list if they also offer an intro APR on balance transfers or new purchases, since such offers aren’t always present on these cards.

More important to these cards’ scores and their inclusion in our list is how their annual fees influence their overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value.

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.

Interest rates and intro APR offers play a much larger role in a card’s score and whether it’s included in our list when the card is designed specifically for users looking to save on interest charges, such as dedicated balance transfer or low-interest cards.

Other fees considered include cash advance and late payment fees, along with penalty APRs.
Along with rewards value and cost, we consider other factors that could give cards great long-term value, like flexible rewards redemption and especially unique and valuable perks.

We rate rewards-earning cards based on the restrictions they impose on earning and redeeming rewards and consider this when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.

These restrictions could include only allowing users to earn a high rewards rate on a small amount of spending or requiring users to meet a certain earning threshold before they can redeem rewards. We also examine whether points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners.

We also evaluate each card’s perks based on their value, usefulness and uniqueness. Cards that offer top-tier benefits like airport lounge access or travel credits are likely to stand out, but we also aim to highlight cards that offer valuable under-the-radar perks, like cellphone protection or one-off credits for everyday expenses like dining and streaming services.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “Consumer Expenditures 2023.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on Accessed on Sept. 9, 2025.

Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees of March 2026

+ Show Summary

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bilt Palladium Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Bilt Blue Card

Prime Visa

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Discover it® Cash Back

American Express Platinum Card®

American Express® Gold Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back