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Does Discover® Have Foreign Transaction Fees?

5 min read

Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

Some credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad or through an international merchant.
Discover® has no foreign transaction fee.
Discover cardmembers earn rewards on every purchase, including foreign transactions.

Discover^® has no foreign transaction fee, so you may so you may use your card throughout the world where Discover is accepted.

But there’s more to using credit cards abroad than foreign transaction fees. To reap the full benefit of all the services and conveniences credit cards offer when you use them in other countries, consider a few tips.

Where can I use my Discover® Card internationally?

Discover Network is accepted at millions of locations¹ so you may use your card confidently while you travel outside of the United States.

Discover cardmembers should check our guide to international use when making travel plans to know which places accept their credit card. You may also want to check for Discover acceptance stickers, often displayed at the entrance, checkout counter, or ask the merchant directly whether they accept Discover before making a purchase in a foreign country.

Find out whether you’ll pay a foreign transaction fee

Some credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee, which is a fee levied by a credit card issuer or card network for a purchase in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.

Foreign transaction fees may apply when you use your credit card in other countries or shop online using a currency other than your home currency. Some credit card issuers, like Discover, have no foreign transaction fee.

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Check whether there are any other international fees

Some card networks in other countries also assess their own fees on transactions involving foreign cards in the local currency. You may want to do a little research on your destination before a trip to understand if an additional fee might apply while abroad.

Let your credit card issuer know you’re traveling internationally

Many credit card companies and financial institutions monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Purchases from an unusual location may sometimes appear suspicious, resulting in a fraud alert that temporarily “freezes” your card. If your credit card issuer freezes your account due to suspicion of fraud, you may not be able to use your card until you contact your credit issuer to verify the international purchase.

To avoid an inconvenient disruption, you may want to alert your credit card issuers and financial institutions of your travel plans, including layover locations and final destinations, before you depart. If you intend to use ATMs frequently during your travels, inquire about your bank’s daily limits to confirm that you may access your funds.

Before using your credit card to withdraw cash, check whether a cash advance interest rate and fee may apply to your transaction.

Ask for a PIN

Credit cards, like debit cards, often come with a personal identification number (PIN). But unless you use your PIN often, you may forget it. In some cases, the issuer may not give you a PIN unless you ask for it.

You may request a PIN at any time. The extra step at checkout may help you keep your card secure during your trip. If possible, try to request a PIN at least a few weeks before your departure, so it arrives in time for your trip.

Earn rewards on foreign transactions

Leaving the country doesn’t mean you have to forgo rewards. Many rewards credit cards, including travel credit cards, allow you to earn rewards in other countries like you would at home.

Check with your credit card issuer to find out if there are any restrictions on earning rewards on purchases made in other places.

To maximize your earnings, look for a card with the potential to offer enough rewards to offset the costs. Otherwise, annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or balance transfer fees may diminish what you earn.

Did you know?

If you often go abroad, a travel card may be a good fit. With the Discover it^® Miles Card, turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more.³

Learn More

Discover chip cards and contactless 101

Credit cards have adapted to international travel over time. Most merchants accept chip and tap-to-pay cards for both security and ease of use.

If you’ve replaced a credit card in the past few years, it’s likely you now have a chip card. Your card may also have contactless tap-to-pay capabilities. It’s fast and easy to pay with your contactless Discover^® Card.⁴ The chips, which appear on the front of the card, offer more security when used at chip-enabled terminals.

Most chip readers also read magnetic strip cards, but travelers may have to use their PIN when they swipe their credit cards.

Discover® Card monitoring during international travel

You may continue to monitor your Discover credit card account from overseas by logging into your account online or using the mobile app.

The bottom line

You may use your Discover Card in many countries without worrying about transaction fees increasing the cost of your trip. Plus, earn rewards on every purchase as you explore restaurants and shops and enjoy your time in another country.

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