14 min read
Published: October 29, 2026
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Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site, and we do not include all card companies and all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these affiliate entities. point.me has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. point.me and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened.
Traveling abroad is exciting and something that most people save up for and budget extensively. Now imagine taking a trip abroad and finding out that everything costs 3-5% more than you had anticipated – way to put a damper on your post-vacation bliss. Many credit cards impose foreign transaction fees on purchases originating abroad – usually around 3%. This may not sound like much, but it adds up. On a $5,000 trip, you’re looking at an extra $150 – now imagine the ways you could’ve spent that money during your vacation rather than handing it over to your bank for allowing you to spend your own money.
Foreign transaction fees are easily avoidable if you use the right travel rewards credit card. Whether you’re booking flights, paying for meals, or shopping abroad, the right credit card can help you stretch your travel budget further by avoiding unnecessary fees.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best personal and business cards that earn points and waive foreign transaction fees. Here’s everything you need to know about these cards.
Personal cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
American Express® Gold Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: Travel rewards beginners.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular starter card, thanks to its affordable annual fee, valuable perks, and versatile Chase Ultimate Rewards. It offers all the valuable travel perks you might want from a travel rewards card (i.e., travel insurance, generous earning potential, and an annual travel credit) without the steep annual fee that similar cards typically carry.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Current offer
Current offer
Earn 75,000 points
Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Offer terms apply.
Annual fee
$95
Annual fee
$95
Our verdict
4.5/5
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is one of the best travel cards on the market, especially as a first travel card. A modest $95 fee buys 3x on dining and a rare bonus on vacation rentals, plus a $100 hotel credit that more than covers the fee. Just know new applicants no longer get 1:1 transfers to World of Hyatt. Best for someone getting their first travel card.
What we love
- $95 annual fee
- Strong bonus categories: 3x dining, gas, and vacation rentals (a less common category)
- $100 hotel credit via Chase Travel℠ with no minimum-night requirement, which more than covers the fee
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application credit
What we don't
- New applicants no longer get 1:1 transfers to World of Hyatt; existing cardholders only until 10/1/2026
Recent flight deals for these points
WashingtonLondon, United Kingdom
Virgin AtlanticEconomy
6,000 pts
Compare to portal price: 32,950 pts
Compare to portal price
32,950 pts
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Plus, get award flight deals for up to 90% fewer points and a secret coupon.
American Express® Gold Card
Best for: Foodies and frequent travelers.
The American Express® Gold Card is a great option for travelers who spend big on dining and groceries. When dining abroad, you’ll not only save on foreign transaction fees, but you’ll also earn 4X points on restaurants worldwide. It’s a great card for earning valuable Membership Rewards without the $895 annual fee that accompanies the American Express Platinum Card®.

American Express® Gold Card
Current offer
Current offer
As high as 100,000 points
After spending $8,000 in the first 6 months from account opening. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Offer terms apply.
Annual fee
$325
Our verdict
4/5
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the most rewarding cards on the market for dining and groceries, earning 4x at restaurants and 4x at US supermarkets up to generous caps. Its stack of credits can offset the $325 fee, but only if you'll actually use them each month. Best for larger families who spend big on eating in and out. Show rates & fees.
What we love
- High dining earn: 4x restaurants worldwide
- 4x at US supermarkets (capped)
- 3x on flights booked directly with airlines
- Monthly credits that can offset the annual fee
What we don't
- $325 annual fee
- No bonus on hotels booked direct (Amex Travel only)
- Credits need monthly use to realize value
Recent flight deals for these points
BostonLondon, United Kingdom
Virgin AtlanticEconomy
5,000 pts
Compare to portal price: 41,150 pts
Compare to portal price
41,150 pts
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Simple rewards structure
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is ideal for anyone seeking straightforward rewards with no foreign transaction fees. The card earns a flat 2X rewards on virtually all purchases, and miles can be redeemed towards travel transactions or over 20 transfer partners. In addition to no foreign transaction fees, cardholders get a host of travel protections, including travel accident insurance and secondary rental car coverage.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Miles, plus a $300 Capital One Travel stays credit once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee: $95
Earning rates:
2x miles on all purchases
5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Other benefits:
$50 experience credit on Lifestyle Collection stays
Up to $120 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
Hertz Five Star status, and travel insurance
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Best for: Everyday spending.
The Citi Strata Premier® Card is great if you want to accrue points on everyday spending and travel. The card offers elevated rewards on common spending categories but also includes a generous annual hotel booking discount. The best part about this card is its 17 transfer partners, which include the American AAdvantage program. The only downside to the Citi Strata Premier® Card is that it doesn’t offer the same level of travel protection as competing cards.
Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spent within the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Earning rates:
10x points spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions on Citi Travel
3x points on airfare, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging
1x points on all other purchases
Other benefits:
$100 off on a Citi Travel hotel booking of $500 or more
Business cards
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Capital One Venture Business
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for: Business owners seeking a luxury travel card.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is ideal for business owners who value luxury travel perks, like lounge access. Cardholders enjoy no foreign transaction fees and access to the Membership Rewards program, allowing them to maximize their points.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Current offer
Current offer
As high as 300,000 points
After spending $20,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Offer terms apply.
Annual fee
$895
Our verdict
4/5
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express earns its keep on the 35% airline bonus: book award flights with points through Amex Travel and get 35% back, up to 1,000,000 points a year. Add Centurion and Delta lounge access, 2x on select key business purchases and an $895 fee. The catch: near four figures, and a coupon book to work. Show rates & fees.
What we love
- 35% airline bonus rebate on points bookings through Amex Travel, up to 1,000,000 points a year
- Centurion® Lounge and Delta Sky Club® access, plus credits that can outrun the $895 fee
- 2x on select key business categories up to $2,000,000 a year
What we don't
- $895 annual fee, near four figures
- Coupon-book effort: many credits to track to justify the cost
Recent flight deals for these points
BostonLondon, United Kingdom
Virgin AtlanticEconomy
5,000 pts
Compare to portal price: 41,150 pts
Compare to portal price
41,150 pts
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best for: Small business owners who want to earn elevated rewards on business spending.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the best ways for business owners to rack up points without worrying about foreign transaction fees. The card also offers useful travel protections and access to Chase’s valuable Ultimate Rewards program.
Welcome bonus: Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Earning rates:
Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on shipping, advertising with social media sites, Internet, cable, and phone services
1x points on all other purchases
Other benefits:
Travel protections
Cell phone insurance
Access to Chase transfer partners
Capital One Venture Business
Best for: Business owners who want flat-rate travel rewards with a reasonable annual fee.
The Capital One Venture Business is ideal for small business owners who want flat-rate rewards on business expenses and no foreign transaction fees, all for a low annual fee. The card earns 2X miles on everything, so there are no categories to track or earning limits to worry about.
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee: $95
Earning rates:
Unlimited 5x miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Unlimited 2x miles per dollar on all other purchases
Other benefits:
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel
Receive up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchant
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2x miles from their purchases
Frequently asked questions about foreign transaction fees
Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site, and we do not include all card companies and all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these affiliate entities. point.me has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. point.me and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened.
The American Express® Gold Card see rates and fees, terms apply. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express see rates and fees; terms apply.
About the author

Ariana Arghandewal
Travel & Points Expert



