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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. SHARE: joSon/Getty Images March 24, 2022 Checkmark Bankrate logo How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. "Expert verified" means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content. Ariana Arghandewal is a personal finance expert specializing in credit cards and travel rewards. She is passionate about helping people leverage credit card rewards to realize their travel goals. Cathleen's stories on design, travel and business have appeared in dozens of publications including the Washington Post, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Fodor’s Travel, Departures and The Writer. Poonkulali Thangavelu is a senior writer and columnist at CreditCards.com and Bankrate, addressing debt and credit card-related legal and regulatory issues. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to: Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options. Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions. Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you. At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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A handful of factors might prevent your credit card from functioning abroad. Most of them have simple workarounds and require just a bit of advanced planning: Use a widely-accepted issuer
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit card issuers worldwide. While American Express and Discover can come in handy, you’ll want to bring a backup Visa or MasterCard just in case. Chip and PIN cards
In countries around the world, are the norm. These cards use a microchip and personal identification number (PIN) to validate transactions instead of a cardholder’s signature. Rather than swiping the magnetic stripe through the card reader, consumers insert the card into the machine and enter the PIN stored on the chip. If you have a card with a chip in your wallet, set a PIN so you don’t run into trouble using it abroad. Notify your bank of your travel plans
Providing advance notice of your travel plans reduces the odds of your bank declining your transactions abroad. Knowing that you’ll be in Paris for a week, your bank is less likely to reject all those purchases at patisseries. They’ll know your credit card is likely not compromised. You’re just being a tourist and eating all the chocolate croissants you can muster. Is it worth using a credit card abroad
Using your credit card abroad provides security and convenience that cash does not. You’ll earn points on every purchase, which you can save up and redeem towards more travel experiences in the future. Your purchases will also be covered by , giving you extra peace of mind. More importantly, you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash and worry about the security risk that might post. While you should bring some cash with you in case your credit card isn’t accepted, a credit card provides more protection. What s the cost of using a credit card abroad
There are two types of fees you’ll encounter when using a credit card abroad: and merchant fees. Foreign transactions fees are around 3% and easily avoidable since many . Merchant fees vary widely. I’ve been charged fees ranging from 3 percent to 8 percent. I gladly paid some of these fees for the added protection I received from my credit card. In many cases, merchants imposing credit card transaction fees are violating issuer agreements. Unfortunately, there isn’t much consumers can do about it. You can either pay the fee, use cash or shop somewhere else to get around it. The last thing you want is to get into a skirmish with a small business owner just trying to get by. Best credit card to use abroad
What matters as much as what you put in your carry-on when you travel abroad. You want to bring one or more credit cards that are widely accepted, offer purchase and travel protection, generous rewards and travel perks. Here are a few credit cards that fit the bill: American Express Platinum
‘s generous travel perks will make your time on the ground, at airports and even your return home much more pleasant. Like most , the Amex Platinum doesn’t charge . You can swipe to your heart’s content without additional costs. Thanks to Amex’s impressive, your purchases will also be protected. Cardholders earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through , plus 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Platinum cardholders also get complimentary Hilton and Marriott Gold , which offer perks like and room upgrades. Considering hotels abroad tend to be more generous with elite status perks, that mid-tier status might be more beneficial than you think. The card includes access to the exclusive and membership, making your time at the airport en route to your destination much more pleasant. Cardholders also qualify for a every four years, meaning your return home will be way more relaxed thanks to an expedited screening process. The only potential downside to this card is that American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard. You shouldn’t have a problem using it at major hotel chains, but you might have issues at smaller vendors. Capital One Venture Rewards
Thanks to generous rewards and a straightforward redemption process, the is fast becoming my go-to credit card recommendation. The card earns up to 10X on travel booked through Capital One and 2X on all other spending. Travel vendors abroad may not code as such and trigger higher category bonuses. So having a card that earns a consistent 2X miles on all spending is reassuring. The card’s $95 annual fee makes it a terrific choice if you’re looking for a card that works well for domestic and international travel. Chase Sapphire Reserve
The is a popular rewards card for international travel and it’s easy to see why. The card earns 3X points on travel purchases made worldwide. It also offers a $300 annual travel credit towards travel expenses to free up your budget. The card has no foreign transaction fees, Priority Pass lounge membership and a slew of that can come in handy if your trip is impacted by a covered reason. Book your flights through the and you’ll earn 5X points, while hotel and rental car bookings earn 10X points. Bank of America Travel Rewards
The is great for international travel if you want a . The card also doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, which is rare for a no-annual-fee card. Rewards are straightforward at 1.5 points for every dollar spent. If you’re a member, you’ll earn a 25-75% bonus on top of this. Bottom line
Using credit cards abroad is rewarding and more secure than utilizing cash. While you might encounter a few issues when using a credit card to pay for purchases, workarounds exist. Follow these tips and you won’t have to carry large sums of cash or worry about your transactions getting declined. SHARE: Ariana Arghandewal is a personal finance expert specializing in credit cards and travel rewards. She is passionate about helping people leverage credit card rewards to realize their travel goals. Cathleen's stories on design, travel and business have appeared in dozens of publications including the Washington Post, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Fodor’s Travel, Departures and The Writer. Poonkulali Thangavelu is a senior writer and columnist at CreditCards.com and Bankrate, addressing debt and credit card-related legal and regulatory issues.