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Choosing the Best Credit Card for International Travel

5 min read

Last Updated: January 29, 2026

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

A travel credit card may help you earn rewards on travel purchases or use your rewards to cover travel expenses.
Ideally, a travel credit card won’t charge a fee for transactions outside the United States.
Some credit cards may offer travel perks like airport lounge access, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck discounts, and travel insurance. However, credit cards with these perks may charge a high annual fee.

International travel empowers you to explore exciting new places, cultures, and foods. Travel credit cards could enhance your international trips. You may be able to earn rewards on your card as you book your trip or use statement credits to cover flights, hotel rooms, and more.

The best credit card for your international travel needs depends on your spending habits, travel goals, and budget. Understanding popular travel rewards and features could help you find the best fit.

What to look for in an international credit card

As you shop for an international travel credit card, you may want to keep a few factors in mind. You might want to research the credit card networks that your favorite destinations accept. Each travel card also has unique rewards, fees, and perks that should guide your decision.

Travel rewards

To get the most from your credit card, try to find the best travel rewards program for your needs. While travel credit cards may offer many different types of rewards, earning them typically falls under one of two categories.

Travel-related earning :

Some credit cards offer bonus rewards for general travel-related purchases, like your flight, rental car, and hotel. Keep in mind that these can be limited in what is considered an “eligible purchase,” meaning you only earn rewards or miles on purchases with certain categories or retailers. Frequent travelers may earn rewards with this type of card.

Multi-category earning :

Other travel credit cards instead offer rewards across all types of eligible purchases. You may redeem them to cover travel costs like flights or hotels. This type of card may make international travel more affordable, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

With the Discover it^® Miles Card, you could earn 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.¹ Then, easily redeem Miles as a statement credit for travel purchases or get cash.¹

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Some travel cards may offer introductory bonuses that could boost their value. With the Discover it^® Miles Card, you’ll get an unlimited Mile-for-Mile match of all the Miles you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match.² By taking advantage of introductory bonuses, you may maximize your travel rewards.

Credit card fees

Certain fees may affect the value of your travel rewards credit card. As you choose a travel rewards card, be mindful of foreign transaction fees (Discover^® has no foreign transaction fee).

These fees are additional costs for purchases made outside the United States. Generally, a rewards credit card wouldn’t charge foreign transaction fees. But if the card you want does, make sure the fee isn't high enough to cancel out the rewards you earn.

Foreign transaction fees aren’t the only additional charges to consider. Some credit cards also have annual fees and fees for other types of transactions. You may calculate your expected rewards to determine whether a travel credit card is the right fit. If your fees are more than the value of your rewards, you might want to consider a different card.

Other benefits of an international travel credit card

Some credit cards offer perks that make international travel more convenient. Potential features include:

Airport lounge access: Frequent travelers like the quiet and calm of airport lounges, many of which include more comfortable seating, greater privacy, and complimentary food and beverages.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Airline baggage fee waivers: The added cost of carry-on and checked bags can add up quickly. Certain card membership may include free bags or credits to use toward these fees.
Complimentary travel insurance: Mishaps and inconveniences may happen while traveling, from lost bags to delays to unexpected medical issues, Travel cards may include some level of insurance, providing travel protections when unforeseen events occur.
Statement credit: Some cards may offer a welcome bonus or other rewards for signing up.

Extra features may improve your international travel experience. However, travel credit cards with these types of perks may also charge a higher annual fee. Before choosing a card, you may want to consider whether the added benefits make the cost worthwhile.

Other considerations for an international travel card

The factors above are important in considering what travel credit card to get. However, it’s important to weigh these along with your lifestyle and travel preferences. For instance, some prefer to use cash for international transactions, so a travel-specific credit card may not make sense, they may want to opt for a general rewards or cash back card instead.

If you’re loyal to a certain airline, it’s worth considering card membership with the airline’s specific credit card. This may help you accumulate travel credits, cash back, or miles faster.

It’s also critical to understand how and when points or miles can be redeemed. As an example, airline miles may have specific award flights (plane tickets you may purchase with rewards) on certain days or at certain times. This could be inconvenient or frustrating when you go to book a trip.

Finally, some high-fee travel cards also come with high interest rates, which can quickly outweigh rewards if you don’t pay your full balance every month. This may result in credit card debt or even an impact on your credit score.

Did you know?

Generous benefits and rewards on a credit card don’t have to come with an annual fee. Discover has no annual fee on any of our cards. You can check to see if you're pre-approved with no harm to your credit score.³

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The bottom line

Wherever your travels take you next, be it a tropical beach or historic town, travel credit card offers may make your adventures easier or maybe even cheaper. Every travel card has unique advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration given your unique wants and needs. The best travel credit card for you should offer rewards that match your habits.

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