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 you determine if your existing 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 percent, your total cost is $103 ($100 x 3 percent [0.03] = $3, $100 + $3 = $103).

Is getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fee for a one-time overseas trip worthwhile?

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 July 2025

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
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	$95	Sign-up bonus	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
Prime Visa	$0	Online shopping	4.2 / 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
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 Mastercard®	$0	Renters	4.0 / 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 Bilt'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
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card	$0	Occasional travelers	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 Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card	$0	Flat-rate cash back	3.8 / 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 Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
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
The Platinum Card® from American Express	$695	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® Miles	$0	Low rates and fees	3.9 / 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 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
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
Discover it® Chrome	$0	Balance transfers	4.6 / 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 Green Card®	$150	Transit

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.

The information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

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

When you use a credit card abroad to buy something in the local currency, your credit card issuer has to convert the money you’ve spent into U.S. dollars. It may seem like any other transaction, but the credit card issuer covers various costs associated with international purchases, such as transferring money through a foreign bank. Many issuers offset these costs by charging a foreign transaction fee.

What are foreign transaction fees?

A foreign transaction fee is a charge issuers impose on purchases made abroad, which can go as high as 5 percent. These fees could easily eat through rewards cards’ rates, so a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card could be a big help if you often use your card abroad or make other purchases that could charge foreign transaction fees.

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

Note that traveling abroad isn’t the only thing that can trigger a foreign transaction fees. They also apply when you make a purchase from a merchant outside of the U.S. — for instance, when you’re shopping online.

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%

You need a 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. Carrying multiple credit cards could also help you earn better rewards on more purchases and make it easier to adapt your travel plans if needed.

It’s best to avoid cash advances

When you withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, you could face fees of up to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn and incur high interest charges. Keep some local currency or a debit card on hand for emergencies. Some banks, like Charles Schwab, offer debit cards that waive ATM fees worldwide, which is much better than taking out a cash advance.

You can use your digital wallet or a chip-and-PIN credit 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 that verifies your card once inserted into a reader. This card security method is more common internationally than the typical “chip and signature” method in the U.S. However, digital wallets are becoming more commonly used, which reduces the need for chip and PIN cards.

What to look for in 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 have perks like annual travel credits, trip cancellation insurance, expedited airport security screening and airport lounge access that can significantly improve your travel experience.

Great examples: Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Gold Card

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. You may find that some cards with annual fees are worth it when they offer rewards and benefits that can easily offset the annual fee.

Great examples: Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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.

Who should get a card with no foreign transaction fee?

A credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees can be an excellent choice for many kinds of travelers, including:

Cash back lovers

“Having a card without foreign transaction fees is extra important if you love cash back and find yourself abroad or shopping on a foreign website,” says Harlan Vaughn, senior credit cards editor at Bankrate. “That’s because these fees can erase all of your cash back earnings.”

Vaughn recommends Capital One cards as none of them charge foreign transaction fees. Additionally, the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card is one of his cash back favorites with no foreign transaction fees.
Frequent travelers

Ryan Flanigan, a credit cards writer at Bankrate and Certified Credit Counselor, travels abroad regularly, so having cards with no foreign transaction fees is a must.

“Paying a fee of 3 percent or higher is a non-starter for me,” he says. “I'd rather earn a solid rate without having fees eat away at my rewards.”

Merchant coding can also be a bit more erratic internationally, Flanigan explains. That means purchases don't always correctly qualify for the bonus categories. Earning at a flat rate helps you ensure you get elevated rewards regardless. That’s why some of his favorite cards are premium flat-rate cards like the Capital One Venture X.

If you’d rather not pay an annual fee, you can look into cards like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card. It also earns points on all purchases at a flat rate — and you get extra rewards when booking travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Students studying abroad

Garrett Yarbrough, a credit cards writer at Bankrate, studied abroad without a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card and quickly realized the hassle he was facing.

“On top of missing out on plenty of rewards, I had to continuously track down out-of-network ATMs with the lowest exchange rates to minimize the cash withdrawal fees,” he shares. “During my hefty college course load, I had to regularly jog off-campus for the right ATM so that I wouldn’t miss any spontaneous opportunities just because I ran out of cash.”

A credit card with no transaction fees would have saved Yarbrough money and time. Plus, students have some solid card options. For instance, the Discover it Student Cash Back charges no annual fees and offers generous rewards in quarterly rotating categories. Or, if you'd prefer a simpler rewards system, consider another student card from the issuer — the Discover it Student Chrome.

Ask our Bankrate experts: When has a no-foreign-transaction-fee card helped you save money?

A few of our Bankrate editors and writers have experience with using no-foreign-transaction-fee cards for international trips. Here are the cards that have helped them the most and why:

Ask the Experts

When has a no-foreign-transaction-fee card helped you save money?

Courtney Mihocik

Senior Editor, Credit Cards

I went to Europe for three weeks for my honeymoon, and we put all of our spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Traveling across countries was great and I could enjoy knowing that no matter where I was, I wasn’t being charged fees just for swiping overseas. All my future international trips will likely be booked and paid for with my Sapphire Preferred.

Ryan Flanigan, CCC

Writer, Credit Cards

The top card I take on all my international trips is my Bank of America Premium Rewards 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.

Benét J. Wilson

Lead Writer, Credit Cards

The Capital One VentureOne is a great option for those like me who like to travel. It doesn’t charge those pesky fees, plus I get a big bang for my buck with other travel perks, including using my miles to buy and reimburse for my trips. I went to Paris in 2021 for a work trip, with business and personal spending involved, but the VentureOne helped me avoid additional expenses when spending abroad.

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 percent, your total cost is $103 ($100 x 3 percent [0.03] = $3, $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 June 26, 2025.

Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees of July 2025

+ Show Summary

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Prime Visa

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Bilt Mastercard®

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Discover it® Cash Back

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Discover it® Miles

American Express® Gold Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Discover it® Chrome

American Express Green Card®

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

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

What are foreign transaction fees?

You need a mix of credit cards

It’s best to avoid cash advances

You can use your digital wallet or a chip-and-PIN credit card

What to look for in a card with no foreign transaction fees

Who should get a card with no foreign transaction fee?

Cash back lovers

Frequent travelers

Students studying abroad

Ask our Bankrate experts: When has a no-foreign-transaction-fee card helped you save money?

When has a no-foreign-transaction-fee card helped you save money?

Frequently asked questions about credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

When are foreign transaction fees charged?

How do you determine if your existing credit card charges a foreign transaction fee?

How do I calculate a foreign transaction fee?

Is getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fee for a one-time overseas trip worthwhile?

How we choose the best cards with no foreign transaction fees

Solid rewards value

Reasonable fees and APR

Flexibility and perks

Article sources