Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of April 2025

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Comparing the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards

What is a no foreign transaction fee credit card?

A no foreign transaction fee credit card is a card that doesn’t charge extra fees — typically around 3% — on purchases made outside the United States or with international merchants. These fees can apply even if you’re shopping online from home, as long as the transaction is processed in a foreign currency or through a non-U.S. bank.

For example, if you spend $2,000 during a trip abroad, a card with a 3% foreign transaction fee would add an extra $60 to your bill. Over time, these fees can add up, especially for frequent travelers or those who regularly shop from international retailers.

No foreign transaction fee credit cards eliminate these charges, making them a popular choice for international travelers and global shoppers. Many of these cards are travel rewards cards, offering bonus points or miles on travel purchases, dining, or everyday spending, along with added perks such as trip insurance, rental car coverage, and lounge access. If you travel abroad even occasionally, a card without foreign transaction fees can help you avoid unnecessary costs and earn valuable rewards at the same time.

Pros and cons of a no foreign transaction fee credit card

Who should get a no foreign transaction fee card?

You should get a no foreign transaction fee card if:

• You travel or make purchases abroad at least once a year.
• You want to earn travel rewards or take advantage of perks such as travel insurance and airport lounge access.

You shouldn’t get a no foreign transaction fee card if:

• You don’t travel or shop outside of the U.S.
• You prefer straightforward cash back instead of travel rewards.
• You’ll carry a balance.

How to choose a no foreign transaction fee credit card

When selecting a no foreign transaction fee credit card, consider these key factors:

• Do you travel internationally or shop with foreign merchants? If you frequently travel outside the U.S. or make purchases through international websites, a no foreign transaction fee card can help you avoid unnecessary charges. But if most of your spending is domestic, you may not see much benefit from this feature.
• What kind of rewards are you looking for? Many cards that waive foreign transaction fees also offer travel rewards, including points or miles redeemable for flights, hotels, and other travel bookings. Think about how you’ll use the rewards: Do you want to redeem for free travel, cash back, or statement credits? Choose a card with a rewards structure that matches your spending habits and redemption goals.
• Do you value travel perks?  Some no foreign transaction fee cards come with extras like trip cancellation insurance, rental car coverage, or airport lounge access. If you travel frequently, those benefits can add significant value. If you don’t, a simpler card might be a better fit.
• Where is the card accepted? Not all credit card networks are equally accepted worldwide. Visa and Mastercard tend to have the widest acceptance, while Discover and American Express may have more limited coverage in certain countries. Make sure your card is widely accepted wherever you plan to go.

How to make the most of a no foreign transaction fee credit card

• Contact your bank before you travel to avoid a frozen account from unusual activity.
• Be prepared with multiple cards in case your card network isn’t accepted.
• Use your card for travel and dining purchases, which often earn the most points and miles.
• Pay in the local currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion rates.

Alternatives to no foreign transaction fee credit cards

If you’re not ready to open a new credit card or don’t qualify for one that waives foreign transaction fees, there are still ways to minimize extra charges when making international purchases:

• Use a debit card with no foreign transaction fees: Some banks and fintech companies offer debit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees, especially on travel-focused checking accounts. These can be a good option if you prefer to pay with your own money rather than using credit, though you may have less fraud protection than with a credit card.
• Look for a travel-friendly bank account: A few banks and credit unions — especially online institutions — offer checking accounts with features like no ATM fees worldwide, currency conversion fee waivers, and competitive exchange rates. Pairing one of these accounts with a mobile wallet can be a useful workaround if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees.
• Use a prepaid travel card or multi-currency card: Some providers offer prepaid travel cards that can be loaded with multiple currencies and used like a credit or debit card abroad. These often allow you to lock in exchange rates ahead of time and avoid additional fees, but they may come with reloading or inactivity fees, so review the terms carefully.
• Pay with cash in the local currency: While it’s not always convenient, using cash can help you avoid certain transaction fees, especially in places that charge extra for card use. Just be sure to withdraw from an ATM that offers favorable exchange rates and low fees, preferably with a card that doesn’t charge international ATM surcharges.

How we picked the best no foreign transaction fee credit cards

Our editorial team and expert review board analyzed more than 900 no foreign transaction fee cards to identify some of the best offers on the market. The major factors we considered were:

• Rewards: rates, type, ease of redemption: There are a variety of people who can benefit from avoiding credit card foreign transaction fees, from small business owners to travel enthusiasts. We chose credit cards with high rewards rates in spending categories to match, like business rewards and travel benefits.
• Travel perks: If you have international travel plans, you may be hoping to avoid foreign transaction fees. Some travel perks among our top credit cards with no foreign transaction fee include free checked bags, rental car insurance, airport lounge access, and TSA PreCheck credits.
• Sign-up bonus/welcome offer value: Many of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees also come with lucrative sign-up bonuses or welcome offers. We compared the value of cash back, airline mile, and point bonuses to ensure you get the most overall value from these picks.

All criteria used: Rates and fees, rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonuses, point values, redemption options, redemption flexibility, credit needed, travel benefits, transfer partners, international customer service, security, ease of application.

Our comparison service is compensated by our credit card company partners, which may affect product placement. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Star ratings are based solely on our independent card scoring methodology and are not influenced by advertisers or card issuers. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.

Additional information on credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

• Best credit cards for international travel
• Can you use a Discover card for international travel?
• How to maximize your credit card rewards for international travel

About the Author

Tracy Stewart

Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.

About the Editor

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Jessica Merritt

Jessica Merritt is a personal finance writer with 8 years of experience covering credit cards, banking, and financial wellness. She specializes in turning complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice, with work featured in U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and DepositAccounts.com.

About the Reviewer

Sally Herigstad

Sally Herigstad is a certified public accountant, author and speaker who writes about personal finance for CreditCards.com. She also writes regularly for MSN Money, Interest.com, Bankrate and RedPlum.com, and has been a guest on Martha Stewart radio and other programs.