If you’re planning to hop across borders this year, you’re going to want one of the best cards for international travel 2025 in your wallet. Booking flights, eating out, shopping for souvenirs, it all adds up. And without the right card, sneaky fees can chip away at your budget.
Luckily, you’ve got plenty of credit cards that skip those fees and pile on extra rewards while you’re at it.
| Best For | Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Dining and travel rewards | American Express® Gold Card |
| Travel protections | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
| No annual fee | Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card |
| Building or rebuilding credit | Discover it® Secured Credit Card |
| Luxury travel perks | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
| Entertainment and dining cash back | Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card |
| Earning maximum travel rewards | Citi Strata Premier℠ Card |
1. American Express® Gold Card
If you love eating (who doesn’t?) and plan to travel, the American Express® Gold Card feels like a perfect sidekick. It earns a pile of points at restaurants worldwide and gives a nice boost on select travel purchases too.
On top of that, Amex offers annual credits for dining and Uber rides. You’ll get $10 a month for each, which really adds up over the year. Plus, you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees. Just keep in mind: it comes with a $325 annual fee, but if you use the perks, it can easily pay for itself.
You can redeem your Membership Rewards® points for flights, hotel stays, and more.
Pro tip: transferring points to airline partners often gets you even better value.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is kind of the all-rounder of travel cards. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg (just $95 a year) but gives you a ton of solid protections like trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage coverage, and primary rental car insurance.
Every dollar you spend on travel booked through Chase TravelSM gets you 5X points. Dining and select streaming services? 3X points. The real kicker? Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase TravelSM. So your rewards stretch even further.
If you want strong coverage without luxury card prices, this one hits the sweet spot.
3. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Want a card you can throw in your wallet and not worry about fees? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a winner. It earns 3X points on travel, restaurants, gas stations, transit, phone plans, and streaming services. Pretty much everything you’ll likely spend on when traveling or just living life.
Even better: there’s no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and an intro 0% APR for the first 12 months on purchases. Plus, if you’re into loyalty programs, you can transfer points to travel partners like Flying Blue and Virgin Red.
No fancy lounge access or luxury perks here, but a rock-solid everyday card with travel benefits you’ll actually use.
4. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Not everyone starts with an 800 credit score. If your credit needs a little TLC, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a great place to start. You’ll put down a refundable deposit, but in return, you’ll earn rewards: 2% back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else.
The real highlight? Discover will automatically review your account after seven months to see if they can upgrade you to an unsecured card and return your deposit. That takes a lot of the stress out of building your credit back up.
Oh, and like the others on this list, no foreign transaction fees. That’s a big win when you’re traveling.
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
If you’re looking for first-class perks without necessarily flying first class, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is worth the splurge. It’s definitely a premium card ($550 annual fee), but it packs a ton of value.
You get a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, and points worth 50% more when booking through Chase TravelSM. Plus, you’re covered with insurance for pretty much every travel disaster you can think of: trip delays, lost luggage, car rentals—you name it.
This card is perfect if you travel often and want all the bells and whistles to make it a bit more VIP.
6. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
If you love dining out, hitting concerts, and treating yourself to fun experiences while you travel, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card will fit your style.
You’ll earn 3% back on dining, entertainment, and streaming services—plus 3% back at grocery stores. And there’s no annual fee. It also comes with no foreign transaction fees, so feel free to swipe away overseas.
It’s a great option if you’re focused more on earning cash back instead of complicated points and miles programs.
7. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card stands out for travelers who like to maximize rewards. You’ll snag 10X points when booking hotels, car rentals, and attractions through CitiTravel.com, and 3X points on air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations.
Points can be transferred to Citi’s travel partners, which means you can score some seriously valuable award flights or hotel stays if you play your cards right (pun totally intended).
With a $95 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card easily earns its spot for serious travelers.
How to Pick the Best Travel Card for You
Choosing the best travel card isn’t about chasing the biggest bonus or picking the fanciest name. It’s about finding the card that actually fits how you spend and where you’re headed.
Here’s what you want to think about:
Where You Spend Your Money
Love dining out? Look for a card that earns extra points at restaurants. Always booking flights and hotels? Go for one that rewards travel spending.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
This is non-negotiable for international travel. Those tiny 2% to 3% charges on every purchase can drain your wallet before you even get to the fun stuff.
Where You’re Traveling
Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere. American Express and Discover are great but might not be accepted in every country. Bring a backup card if you’re unsure.
How Easy It Is To Use The Rewards
Some cards make redeeming points feel like a part-time job. Pick one with a simple, flexible rewards program so you actually enjoy using what you earn.
Other Card Perks You’ll Actually Use
Travel insurance, airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, car rental coverage, these can add serious value if you’ll actually use them. If not, don’t pay extra for perks you’ll never touch.
At the end of the day, the best card is the one that fits your real travel plans, helps you avoid surprise fees, and earns rewards you’ll actually be excited to spend.
Pros and Cons of International Travel Credit Cards
Having a good travel card while abroad can be a game-changer. Credit cards make paying easy, offer built-in protections, and earn you rewards for future trips. But they’re not without their quirks.
Pros:
- You can rack up valuable points or miles
- Handy travel perks like insurance and lounge access
- Potential for big welcome bonuses
Cons:
- You usually need good or excellent credit
- Rewards programs can be a little complicated
- Higher APRs if you carry a balance
Still, if you plan smart and pick the right card for your travel style, it’s totally worth it.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cards for International Travel 2025
Finding the best cards for international travel 2025 doesn’t have to be complicated. It just comes down to picking the one that fits your travel plans, spending habits, and reward goals. Whether you’re after big luxury perks, everyday rewards, or just a simple no-fee option, the right card can make every trip smoother, and a lot more rewarding.
