The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees

Credit cards can have lots of fees. Some can even make sense, like an annual fee for a card with very valuable benefits, or a late fee for those who don’t make their payments on-time. But if there’s one fee that has no justification, it’s the foreign transaction fee. These are fees, typically 3% of the amount purchased, that are incurred whenever a credit card transaction is processed outside of the United States. But since there’s no additional cost to processing a transaction that originates in Canada, England, or any other country, these fees are just pure profit in the pockets of credit card issuers.

Thankfully, most travel rewards cards no longer impose this unnecessary fee. Here are some of the best credit cards for 2020 that don’t have this fee.

Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees With These Credit Cards

American Express® Gold Card

This card has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and offers 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants around the world and on up to $25,000 spent each year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1x). You also get up to$100 in annual credit towards airline travel fees and up to $10 monthly statement credit towards select dining purchases (enrollment required).  There’s a $250 annual fee for this card (see rates and fees).

Related: Best Travel Credit Cards of 2020

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Here’s a travel rewards card that has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and no foreign transaction fees. It also offers new applicants 75,000 Hilton points after spending $1,000 on new purchases within three months of account opening. You earn 7x points at Hilton hotels, and 5x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Finally, you can earn 3X points on all other eligible purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

This card is great for travel, and not just because it doesn’t impose foreign transaction fees. It features 2x points on all travel and dining purchases, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. Points can be redeemed for 1.25 cents towards travel reservations made through Chase travel or transferred to participating airline miles or hotel points programs. You can also earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on new purchases within three months of account opening. There’s a $95 annual fee for this card.

 Related: The Best Travel Credit Cards for In-Flight Discounts

United℠ Explorer Card

This card is a great travel card and has no foreign transaction fees. It features 2x miles not just on United purchases, but also at restaurants and at hotels. You also receive two United Club passes each year on your anniversary and up to $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Other benefits include a free checked bag for yourself and a companion and priority boarding. There’s a $95 annual fee that’s waived the first year.

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