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Best Credit Cards for International Travel

This article is more than 5 years old.

Editorial Note: Forbes adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The content on this page may contain partner offers and/or affiliate links, and Forbes may receive compensation if you click through a link on this page. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. See our Advertiser Disclosure for more details.

I enjoy using credit card points and miles to save in a big way on my international travel. Choosing the best credit cards for international travel can help you get overseas quickly, and reward you for your day to day spending.  Earning points to help you save on flights or even international hotels is possible with the right travel rewards credit card and it's a savvy way to travel.  In the case of readers looking for the top international credit card, I am careful to always recommend cards that have no foreign transaction fees. See below for those recommendations.

Today I'll be reviewing these best credit cards for international travel:

  • Most Flexible Travel Credit Card ($600+): Chase Sapphire Preferred
  • Best Airline Points & Purchases Travel Card: Platinum Card American Express
  • Best Trans Atlantic & Short-Haul European Flights Credit Card: British Airways Visa
  • Best Long Hotel Stay Credit Card (every 4th night free): Citi Prestige
  • Lowest Annual Fee International Hotel Rewards Credit Card: IHG Rewards Club Premier
  • Best Chip & Pin Credit Card: Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

JohnnyJet

Best Credit Cards for International Travel 

Your best options will be credit cards that can help you book flights across the Atlantic or Pacific.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the most appreciated flexible travel rewards credit card in many travelers' wallets. Here are three reasons why it's the best credit card for international travel:

  • Earn 2 points per $1 on all travel and dining purchases
  • Each point is worth 1.25 cents  when redeemed on Chase
  • Points can be transferred to 11 airline and hotel travel partners on a 1:1 basis

Flexible redemption options are the primary reason the Sapphire Preferred makes the cut as one of the best credit cards for international travel. If you book award travel directly through your credit card, most points are only worth one cent each. You have a 25% redemption bonus with Chase.

Many travelers also enjoy transferring their Ultimate Rewards points to airline travel partners to snag partner flights and to boost their existing loyalty point balances to quickly earn award flights and nights.

The current sign-up bonus of 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points is also worth $625 in award travel! And, the annual fee of $95 is also waived the first year.

Here's a quick look at the best credit cards for international flights:

Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express lets you earn five points per $1 on every airline purchase. Plus, you will also earn five points per $1 on hotel purchases. By the way, the Amex Platinum will also give you a $200 annual air travel credit, $200 in Uber credits, and complimentary lounge access to The Centurion, International American Express, Delta SkyClub, and Priority Pass.

While you can redeem your Membership Rewards points for award flights on Amex Travel, you can also transfer your points on a 1:1 basis to international travel favorites including Air Canada Aeroplan, Emirates, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines. These airlines have you covered when you want to travel to any part of the globe.

As a new cardholder, you can also earn 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards points. These are worth up to $600 in award flights. The Amex Platinum does have a high annual fee of $550, so look at Amex Gold card if you want a Membership Rewards card with a lower annual fee.

British Airways Visa

The British Airways Visa can be used for trans-Atlantic flights to Europe and short-haul flights once you arrive in Europe of Asia. They also have a limited time offer giving you the opportunity to earn up to 100,000 bonus Avios. All you have to do is reach the following spending targets within your first year of ownership:

  • Earn your first 50,000 Avios by spending $3,000 in the first three months
  • Spend $10,000 within the first year to earn an additional 25,000 Avios
  • Receive your final 25,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first year.

Due to the hefty fuel surcharges that British Airways charges, you will want to avoid their flights for long-haul flights. But, you can find some very reasonable short-haul flights starting at 4,000 Avios to travel between the various European countries. Your 100,000 Avios bonus can potentially be worth 25 award flights.

Best Credit Cards for International Hotels

You can also get rewarded when you book a hotel with these credit cards.

Marriott.com

Citi Prestige

When you travel overseas, chances are you will be staying for at least four nights. If so, the Citi Prestige can save you some serious money as every fourth hotel night is free! It doesn't matter how much the nightly rate is, you only have to pay the taxes and fees.

In addition to the free hotel nights, Prestige cardholders also receive an annual $250 air travel credit, complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, earn three points on air travel and dining, and two points per $1 on dining and entertainment.

For a limited time, new cardholders can also receive a 75,000 point bonus worth $937 in award flights by spending $7,500 in the first three months.

Best Hotel Credit Card: IHG Rewards Club Premier

The Intercontinental Hotel Group which includes such brands as the Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, Hualuxe, and Intercontinental, offers the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. Currently, you can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending a very reasonable $1,000 within three months that can be worth 16 free hotel nights with their PointBreaks program with 5,000 point award nights.

In addition to the generous bonus offer, you also get one free anniversary night at any IHG property, complimentary Platinum Elite membership status that includes a 10% redemption bonus, and earn five points per $1 on all IHG stays plus two points per $1 on dining, groceries, and gas.

The annual fee of $49 is waived the first year. In subsequent years, the free anniversary night more than pays for the annual fee whether you use it on a domestic or international hotel or resort.

Chip & Pin Credit Card for International Travel

International credit card security measures are typically more advanced than U.S. retailers. You might be required to enter a pin number, instead of a signature, at stores and self-pay kiosks like the train station and toll roads. To avoid embarrassment, you should consider this credit card.

JohnnyJet

Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard

The Barclaycard World Elite MasterCard is one of the few travel rewards credit cards that offer chip and pin technology. And being it's a MasterCard, nearly every merchant around the globe will accept it.

In addition to its payment flexibility, you will earn two miles per $1 on every purchase. These miles are worth one cent each (1,000 miles=$10) when redeemed as statement credits for your travel purchases. Barclaycard will give you a redemption bonus of 5% every time. For every 1,000 miles redeemed, 50 miles are deposited back into your point balance.

The current sign-up offer is 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000. After factoring in the redemption bonus, these bonus miles are worth $625 in travel statement credits. For the first year, the annual fee of $89 is also waived.

Best Credit Cards for International Flights

There are many different ways you can maximize your rewards on international travel. These travel credit cards will earn you rewards points on every purchase and some even make it possible to cover the entire annual fee in a single trip! To start putting more money back in your wallet, it won't hurt to have one of these cards the next time you travel overseas.

You can compare the best credit cards for international travel here:

CARD SIGN-UP BONUS ANNUAL FEE           TOP PERKS
Chase Sapphire Preferred Earn 50,000 bonus points (worth $625 of travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards) after you spend $4,000 in the first three months $95 (waived the first year)
  • Earn 2 points per $1 on all travel and dining purchases
  • Each point is worth 1.25 cents when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Points can be transferred to 11 airline and hotel travel partners on a 1:1 basis
The Platinum Card from American Express Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months $550
  • Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on hotel and airline purchases
  • Earn $200 for Uber rides and $200 for airline fees annually
  • Access to the Global Lounge Collection at airports around the world
British Airways Visa Signature Card Earn up to 100,000 bonus Avios: Earn 50,000 after spending $3,000 in 3 months; earn an additional 25,000 bonus Avios after spending $10,000 within the first year; earn another 25,000 if you spend $20,000 total within year of account opening $95
  • Earn 3x Avios per $1 on British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus purchases
  • Redeem Avios on oneworld carriers including American Airlines and Qantas
  • 100,000 Avios bonus potentially worth 25 award flights
IHG Rewards Club Premier Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening $89
  • Earn 10x per $1 spent on purchases at any of their 5,2oo+ hotels worldwide
  • Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit
  • Free night stay on account anniversary
  • Fourth night free when you stay 4 or more nights consecutively
Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee (enough for a $600 travel statement credit) $89
  • Redeem your miles for travel or cash back statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise
  • Each time you redeem your miles, you will earn 5% of your miles back as a redemption bonus
Forbes has partnered with JohnnyJet for our coverage of Chase Credit products. Johnny Jet may receive a commission. 

Editorial Note: Forbes adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The content on this page may contain partner offers and/or affiliate links, and Forbes may receive compensation if you click through a link on this page. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available.