Holly D. Johnson | Bankrate (TNS)
Credit playing cards might be priceless instruments whenever you use them near dwelling, however they need to even be a necessary a part of your packing listing any time you journey abroad. Not solely do you usually want a bank card to place down a safety deposit to lease a lodge room, however you’ll doubtless want a bank card to lease a automobile, too. And in the event you run out of money whereas on a visit, a bank card helps you to cost no matter you want and pay the stability whenever you return dwelling.
The greatest bank cards for worldwide journeys additionally allow you to keep away from added charges on worldwide transactions and earn rewards for every greenback you spend. Some even supply sturdy journey protections that may protect you financially in case your flight is delayed or your baggage are misplaced or stolen.
If you’re planning a visit abroad this 12 months, listed below are a number of the greatest playing cards to think about.
The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for worldwide journey general
Why we picked it: The Platinum Card® from American Express makes it straightforward to earn American Express Membership Rewards factors, which can be utilized for assertion credit, reward playing cards, merchandise, journey bought via the American Express Travel portal or transfers to Amex airline and lodge companions. A $695 annual price applies, however the first-year and ongoing advantages can greater than make up for it.
As a welcome supply, you’ll be able to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $6,000 inside six months of account opening. You’ll additionally earn 5X factors on flights booked instantly with airways or with American Express Travel (on as much as $500,000 per calendar 12 months); 5X factors on pay as you go lodges booked via American Express Travel; 2X factors on pay as you go automobile leases via American Express Travel; and 1X factors on all different purchases.
You gained’t pay international transaction charges on purchases made overseas, and this card comes with the broadest airport lounge entry of all journey playing cards. It additionally consists of as much as a $100 credit score for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and as much as a $189 credit score for CLEAR membership every year. Other credit that add extra worth to this card embrace a $200 airline incidental credit score every year, $200 in Uber money (doled out in month-to-month increments), a $200 lodge credit score on eligible Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings made via Amex and extra. You’ll additionally get entry to a Global Assist hotline, which might help with emergency planning in the event you run into authorized or medical points whenever you journey.
Pros:
— Can switch factors to Amex airline and lodge companions
— Access to the Global lounge assortment (which incorporates Priority Pass and Centurion lounges)
— Automatic Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite standing (enrollment required)
— Excellent journey insurance coverage, together with journey delay insurance coverage and journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
— Over $1,500 in credit
Cons:
— $695 annual price
— Some of the cardboard’s credit might be troublesome to make use of
Who ought to apply: If you journey regularly and are in a position to make use of sufficient card advantages to make up for the price of the annual price, the Amex Platinum is a must have.
Who ought to skip: If you don’t wish to pay such a excessive annual price, or in the event you assume you gained’t use the Amex Platinum’s many journey perks and advantages, it could be higher to go along with a distinct card.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for versatile rewards
Why we picked it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® helps you to earn 60,000 factors whenever you spend $4,000 inside three months of account opening. You’ll additionally earn 10X factors on lodge stays and automobile leases via Chase Ultimate Rewards; 10X factors on Chase Dining purchases via Ultimate Rewards; 10X factors on Lyft purchases (via March 31, 2025); 5X factors on air journey via Ultimate Rewards (after the $300 annual journey credit score); 3X factors on common journey and restaurant purchases following your journey credit score redemption; and 1X factors on all different purchases. Chase Ultimate Rewards factors might be redeemed in some ways, together with money again, reward playing cards, merchandise, journey via the Chase portal or 1:1 factors transfers to journey companions.
This card comes with a number of the greatest journey protections of any journey bank card. Some of those advantages embrace major auto rental protection, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage, journey delay protection, misplaced baggage reimbursement and emergency evacuation and transportation protection. You’ll additionally get airport lounge entry, as much as a $100 credit score for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS and a 50 % factors increase on journey redemptions via Chase Ultimate Rewards. Note that the Chase Sapphire Reserve does include a hefty $550 annual price.
Pros:
— $300 annual journey credit score
— Can switch factors to Chase airline and lodge companions
— Up to a $100 credit score for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS
— Airport lounge entry
— Excellent journey insurance coverage
Cons:
— $550 annual price
— Fewer journey companions than Amex
Who ought to apply: If you journey regularly and also you’re capable of make up for the price of the annual price via the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s many advantages, this card might be match for you.
Who ought to skip: If you don’t journey regularly, don’t wish to pay an annual price or can’t use sufficient card advantages to justify the price of card membership, it’s possible you’ll wish to look right into a journey card with a decrease (or no) annual price.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for home and worldwide journey
Why we picked it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card affords the identical sort of rewards because the Chase Sapphire Reserve, together with the identical distinctive switch companions for each home and worldwide journey. For instance, Chase Ultimate Rewards factors are the one bank card factors that switch on to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. You can even switch your factors to companions like United MilagePlus, Air France / Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy and the extremely priceless World of Hyatt program, amongst different choices.
You’ll pay a a lot decrease price of $95 with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, so that you’ll quit some journey perks consequently. However, this card comes with a spread of essential journey advantages that may be helpful for worldwide journeys, together with journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage, major auto rental protection, baggage delay protection, journey delay safety and extra.
At the second, you’ll be able to even earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards factors whenever you spend $4,000 on purchases inside three months of account opening. Since you get a 25 % rewards increase whenever you redeem for journey via the Chase portal, the bonus alone is value $750 in airfare, lodges and extra. Also word that this card lets customers earn 3X factors on eating (together with eligible supply providers), choose streaming providers and on-line grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale golf equipment); 5X factors on journey via Chase Ultimate Rewards and Lyft Rides (Lyft supply via March thirty first, 2025); 2X factors on different journey; and 1X factors on different purchases.
Pros:
— Lucrative welcome supply
— $50 annual lodge credit score profit
— 10% anniversary factors increase
— Exceptional journey protections included
— Lower annual price of $95
Cons:
— No airport lounge entry
— No different premium journey advantages
Who ought to apply: Consider this card if you wish to earn versatile rewards for journey however don’t wish to pay the excessive annual price of some premium journey bank cards.
Who ought to skip: Skip this card if you need luxurious perks like airport lounge entry.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate journey rewards
Why we picked it: If you wish to earn versatile rewards and luxuriate in journey perks with out a very costly annual price, you may also contemplate the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which comes with a $95 annual price. This card helps you to earn 75,000 bonus miles — value $750 in journey — after spending $4,000 inside the first three months of account opening. You’ll additionally earn 5X miles on lodges and rental vehicles booked via Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all different purchases.
We just like the flat-rate rewards construction for this card as a result of it retains issues easy. Other than incomes extra rewards on lodges and rental vehicles booked via Capital One, having the prospect to rack up a flat 2X miles on all of your spending might help you increase your rewards haul rapidly.
Rewards might be redeemed for assertion credit to cowl eligible journey purchases, journey via the Capital One portal or miles transfers to a handful of airline and lodge companions, amongst many different redemptions. This card additionally comes with advantages like no international transaction charges, and as much as $100 credit score for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, journey accident insurance coverage and prolonged guarantee protection. Cardholders additionally get two free complimentary visits to Capital One airport lounges; these lounge visits may also be utilized in Capital One accomplice lounges, together with 100+ Plaza Premium lounges.
Pros:
— Up to a $100 credit score for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
— Can switch miles to Capital One journey companions
— Two complimentary airport lounge visits per 12 months
Cons:
— Fewer journey protections than the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which additionally comes with a $95 annual price
— Capital One switch companions are usually thought-about much less helpful than Chase or Amex companions
Who ought to apply: If you’re focused on incomes versatile rewards for any facet of your worldwide journey (together with lodges, airfare, rental vehicles and trains) and need journey perks, no international transaction charges and a low annual price, this card is difficult to beat.
Who ought to skip: If you’re searching for extra journey protections included, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate one other low-annual-fee journey card, just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Bank of America Travel Rewards bank card: Best for no annual price
Why we picked it: If you don’t wish to pay an annual price, contemplate the Bank of America® Travel Rewards bank card. This card comes with no international transaction charges, making it a fantastic card for worldwide journey. As a welcome supply, you’ll be able to earn 25,000 factors — value $250 towards journey purchases — whenever you spend $1,000 inside 90 days of account opening. You’ll additionally get a zero-interest supply on each purchases and stability transfers (word that stability transfers should be made inside the first 60 days to qualify).
In phrases of rewards, you’ll earn 1.5X factors on all purchases, in addition to 3X factors on Bank of America Travel Center purchases. Plus, in the event you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you’ll be able to earn 25 % to 75 % extra rewards on each buy you make. Just bear in mind that, as a substitute of utilizing these rewards to e-book your journey, Bank of America journey rewards are issued as assertion credit on journey or eating purchases.
Pros:
— No annual price
— Zero-interest supply on purchases and stability transfers
— Visa Signature advantages like journey and emergency help, Visa Signature Concierge entry and a misplaced baggage reimbursement
— Potential for boosted rewards with Preferred Rewards membership
Cons:
— Limited redemption choices
— No choice to switch factors to journey companions
— No particular journey advantages
Who ought to apply: If you’re searching for a no-annual-fee card that earns flat money again and doesn’t cost international transaction charges, this card might be match for you. Plus, in the event you’re a Preferred Rewards member with no less than Platinum or Platinum Honors standing, you would earn a further factors multiplier on all purchases.
Who ought to skip: If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, it’s possible you’ll wish to look into flat-rate money again playing cards that provide no less than 2 % money again on all purchases. And in the event you’re searching for extra journey perks — however don’t wish to pay a several-hundred-dollar annual price — it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate one of many high journey bank cards with a decrease annual price, just like the Capital One Venture.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: Best for college students
Why we picked it: If you’re a pupil who needs to construct your credit score over time, you must take a look at the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. This card helps you to earn priceless rewards with out paying an annual price or international transaction charges, and also you’ll get entry to your FICO credit score rating every month at no cost.
When it involves rewards, you’ll earn an infinite 1.5X factors on all purchases. You’ll additionally earn 25,000 factors whenever you spend $1,000 in your card inside 90 days of account opening. When you’re able to money in your factors, you’ll be able to redeem them for a press release credit score to pay for flights, lodges, trip packages, cruises, rental vehicles, baggage charges and extra at a charge of 1 cent per level. Other redemption strategies embrace checks, direct deposits and reward playing cards, however these could not internet as a lot worth.
Pros:
— No annual price
— Free FICO rating
— Zero-interest supply on purchases and stability transfers
— A excessive, flat rewards charge on all purchases
— Can earn 25 to 75 % extra rewards as a Preferred Rewards member
Cons:
— Very few journey or pupil advantages
Who ought to apply: Students who need to construct constructive credit score habits and earn rewards with out paying an annual price, or college students who’re planning to check or journey overseas, would do nicely with this card.
Who ought to skip: If you’re searching for a card with a distinct rewards construction or advantages, you must check out a number of the different high pupil bank cards in the marketplace right this moment. Many of them supply boosted rewards for bonus class purchases or student-focused advantages, plus no international transaction charges.
Compare one of the best playing cards for worldwide journey
Card | Annual price | Welcome supply | Rewards charge |
---|---|---|---|
The Platinum Card from American Express | $695 | Earn 80,000 factors after spending $6,000 inside 6 months of account opening | 5X factors on flights booked instantly with airways or with American Express Travel (on as much as $500,000 per calendar 12 months)5X factors on pay as you go lodges booked via American Express Travel2X factors on pay as you go automobile leases via American Express Travel1X factors on all different purchases |
Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 inside 3 months of account opening | 10X factors on lodge stays and automobile leases via Chase Ultimate Rewards10X factors on Chase Dining purchases via Ultimate Rewards10X factors on Lyft purchases (via March 31, 2025)5X factors on air journey via Ultimate Rewards (after incomes your $300 journey credit score)3X factors on common journey and restaurant purchases (after incomes your $300 journey credit score)1X factors on all different purchases |
Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 inside 3 months of account opening | 5X factors on journey via Chase Ultimate Rewards and Lyft Rides (Lyft supply via March thirty first, 2025)3X factors on eating (together with eligible supply providers), choose streaming providers and on-line grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale golf equipment)2X factors on different travel1X factors on all different purchases |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | $95 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 inside 3 months of account opening | 5X miles on lodges and rental vehicles booked via Capital One Travel2X miles on all different purchases |
Bank of America Travel Rewards bank card | $0 | Earn 25,000 factors after spending $1,000 inside 90 days of account opening | 3X factors on Bank of America Travel Center purchases1.5X factors on all purchases |
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students | $0 | Earn 25,000 factors after spending $1,000 inside 90 days of account opening | 1.5X factors on all purchases |
How to decide on a card for worldwide journey
Choosing a card for worldwide journey shouldn’t be too troublesome since there are such a lot of choices accessible. However, the following tips might help you wind up with one of the best card in your wants.
— Earn the rewards you need probably the most. First off, it’s essential to select a journey bank card that gives the kind of rewards you wish to earn. If you’ll be able to’t resolve which sort of journey rewards you need, contemplate versatile rewards bank cards that allow you to earn factors you need to use for reward playing cards, assertion credit, journey and extra.
— Choose a card with no international transaction charges. You ought to undoubtedly choose a bank card that doesn’t cost international transaction charges. If you don’t choose up a card that waives international transaction charges, you’ll wind up paying an additional 3 % on common for every buy you make overseas.
— Check for airport lounge entry. This perk might be immensely useful in the event you hate ready in your flight at a crowded airport gate, or in the event you usually have an extended layover. Cards that provide airport lounge entry usually cost greater charges, however the free meals and drinks you’ll obtain can greater than make up for them.
— Get a card that gives a credit score for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Finally, contemplate playing cards that allow you to get expedited safety entry with one in every of these packages. Both allow you to skip strains at airport safety, which may simply prevent hours of wait time over the course of a 12 months.
The backside line
Signing up for one of many high journey bank cards could make journey extra handy and reasonably priced — each domestically and overseas — however it’s essential to know any journey card you’re focused on inside and outside earlier than you join. Make certain you recognize which cardholder perks you’ll obtain, together with perks that may profit you whenever you journey internationally like no international transaction charges, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage, credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, airport lounge entry and extra.
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