Cards for Italy

The best credit cards for a trip to Italy.

Italy rewards a strong dining earner (Amex Gold) plus a no-foreign-fee travel card (Sapphire Preferred or Venture X).

Reviewed by destination.com editorial·Updated August 3, 2026·How we rate cards

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Italy is dining-heavy in a way most destinations are not — a two-week itinerary easily sees $2,000+ in restaurant spend. The Amex Gold's 4x on restaurants worldwide is category-leading, and Membership Rewards transfer to Air France (via CDG) and Aer Lingus (via DUB) for Italy connections.

Pair that with a no-foreign-fee travel card and a lounge strategy for the transatlantic flight.

Regional context: Italy is served by Star Alliance (Lufthansa, Turkish, United to FCO/MXP), Sky Team (Air France, Delta), and oneworld (via London). ITA Airways is transitioning into Lufthansa Group.

The three cards we'd take to Italy

Best for Italy

American Express Gold Card

4x on Italian restaurants + gelato + wine bars

Fee

$325/yr

4x on restaurants worldwide is the highest earn rate on the market. On a two-week trip with heavy restaurant spend, 30,000+ MR points earned before you get home.

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Pick #2

Chase Sapphire Preferred

No FX · trip protection · Flying Blue via CDG

Fee

$95/yr

Chase points transfer to Air France Flying Blue for Italy routes via CDG. Full trip protection covers a delayed flight in Rome.

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Pick #3

Capital One Venture X Rewards

Priority Pass at FCO/MXP · Turkish for Star Alliance

Fee

$395/yr

Priority Pass at FCO, MXP, and VCE. Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (Cap One transfer partner) can book Italy on Star Alliance metal.

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Sweet spots we'd target

NYC-Rome economy on Flying Blue Promo Rewards: 20,000-30,000 miles round-trip
Italy in Lufthansa business via Amex → Aeroplan: 60,000 miles one-way
Amex FHR at Il San Pietro (Positano) or Belmond Splendido (Portofino): $100 credit + upgrade

Tips for maximizing points in Italy

Amex acceptance is uneven — reliable at hotels and larger restaurants, spotty at trattorias and small shops.
ITA Airways is integrating with Lufthansa Group; award redemptions are in flux. Prefer Amex MR → Lufthansa or Chase UR → Air France for Italy flights.
The Rome-Milan Frecciarossa train is faster than flying and bookable with Amex MR via the Amex Travel portal.