Foreign transaction fees add 1-3% to every purchase you make outside the United States. On a two-week trip where you spend $5,000, a 3% fee costs you $150 that earns no rewards and buys nothing. A couple traveling together and spending $8,000 abroad would pay $240 in pure surcharges. Cards that waive this fee save that money on every swipe while still earning rewards.
Of the 65 credit cards in our database, 64 charge no foreign transaction fee. The only exception is the Citi Custom Cash, which carries a 3% FTF. Here is every card worth considering, organized by how you plan to use it.
Quick Comparison: Best No-FTF Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Earning Rate | Lounge Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | $695 | 5x flights | Centurion, Priority Pass | Frequent flyers |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | 3x dining and travel | Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire | Dining + travel abroad |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | 2x everything | Capital One, Priority Pass | Simple earning, low fee |
| Amex Gold | $250 | 4x dining worldwide | None | International dining |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 3x dining, 2x travel | None | Occasional travelers |
| Citi Strata Premier | $95 | 3x flights, hotels, dining | None | No-category-tracking |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | 2x everything | None | Flat-rate simplicity |
| Wells Fargo Autograph | $0 | 3x dining, travel, gas | None | No annual fee + multipliers |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $0 | 1.5x everything | None | No annual fee baseline |
| Capital One SavorOne | $0 | 3x dining, entertainment | None | No annual fee + dining |
| Bilt Palladium | $0 | 2x travel, 3x dining | Priority Pass | Renters who travel |
What Are Foreign Transaction Fees
A foreign transaction fee is a percentage-based surcharge applied to purchases processed in a foreign currency or by a merchant bank outside the United States. The fee typically ranges from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount, and it appears as a separate line item on your statement. Most cards that charge this fee set it at 3%.
The fee applies in two situations: when you physically use your card abroad (restaurants, hotels, transit, shops), and when you make an online purchase from a merchant whose payment processor is based outside the U.S. That second scenario catches people off guard. Booking a hotel directly through a European chain's website or buying from an international retailer can trigger the fee even when you are sitting at home.
Cards that waive this fee typically state "no foreign transaction fee" in their terms. Every card listed below has been verified to charge $0 on international purchases.
The Real Cost of Foreign Transaction Fees
Here is what a 3% foreign transaction fee costs on actual trip budgets:
| Trip Scenario | Spend Abroad | 3% FTF Cost | Rewards Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend getaway | $1,500 | $45 | $45 in dead fees |
| 2-week vacation (solo) | $5,000 | $150 | $150 in dead fees |
| 2-week vacation (couple) | $8,000 | $240 | $240 in dead fees |
| Month-long trip | $12,000 | $360 | $360 in dead fees |
| Digital nomad (annual) | $30,000 | $900 | $900 in dead fees |
These fees compound over multiple trips. A frequent traveler spending $20,000 abroad annually loses $600 per year to foreign transaction fees. That is more than the annual fee on most premium travel cards.
Premium Travel Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fee
These cards charge higher annual fees but deliver the most value for frequent international travelers. Every card listed offers no foreign transaction fees plus premium travel benefits.
Amex Platinum
The Amex Platinum charges a $695 annual fee and delivers over $1,400 in annual credits including a $200 airline fee credit, $200 hotel credit, and $200 Uber credit. For international travel specifically, the card provides Centurion Lounge access worldwide, Priority Pass Select membership to 1,300+ airport lounges, and 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines. No foreign transaction fee on any purchase in any currency.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges a $795 annual fee and includes a $300 annual travel credit that applies automatically to any travel purchase. The card earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on dining and travel worldwide, includes Priority Pass Select lounge access, and provides primary rental car insurance that covers you internationally. Chase waives foreign transaction fees on all Sapphire products.
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X charges a $395 annual fee and includes a $300 annual travel credit through Capital One Travel plus 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary (worth $100). The card earns 2x miles on all purchases with no category restrictions and provides access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass Select. No foreign transaction fees. Capital One does not charge FTF on any of its consumer cards.
Citi Strata Elite
The Citi Strata Elite charges a $595 annual fee with a $300 annual hotel credit at select properties. The card earns 3x ThankYou points on flights, hotels, and dining, and 1x on everything else. Points transfer to major airline and hotel partners. No foreign transaction fee, which sets it apart from the Citi Custom Cash in the same issuer lineup.
Mid-Tier Travel Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fee
These cards balance a moderate annual fee with strong travel rewards and no international surcharges.
Amex Gold
The Amex Gold charges a $250 annual fee and earns 4x Membership Rewards on dining worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. The card includes a $120 dining credit ($10/month at participating restaurants) and a $120 Uber Cash credit ($10/month). If you dine internationally, the 4x earning rate with no FTF makes this one of the best mid-tier cards to carry abroad.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges a $95 annual fee and earns 3x points on dining, 2x on travel, and 3x on online grocery delivery. Points transfer 1:1 to Chase airline and hotel partners. No foreign transaction fee. At $95/year with travel and dining multipliers plus no FTF, this is the most accessible card on this list for occasional international travelers.
Capital One Venture
The Capital One Venture charges a $95 annual fee and earns 2x miles on every purchase with no category restrictions. Miles transfer to 15+ airline partners. No foreign transaction fee. The flat 2x earning rate means you never have to think about categories while traveling.
Citi Strata Premier
The Citi Strata Premier charges a $95 annual fee and earns 3x ThankYou points on flights, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Points transfer 1:1 to airline partners. No foreign transaction fee. The broad 3x category coverage means most international spending earns the top rate without category tracking.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey charges a $95 annual fee and earns 5x on hotels and 4x on airlines. No foreign transaction fee. Points transfer to airline and hotel partners. If your international spending skews heavily toward flights and accommodations, this card delivers higher earning rates on those specific categories than most competitors at the same price.
Bilt Palladium
The Bilt Palladium charges no annual fee (it costs 1,500 Bilt points to apply) and earns 2x on travel and 3x on dining with no foreign transaction fee. It includes Priority Pass lounge access and transfer partners covering major airlines and hotels. The only card that earns points on rent payments, which makes it unusual for a card that also doubles as a strong international travel card.
No Annual Fee Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fee
You do not need a premium card to avoid foreign transaction fees. These cards charge no annual fee and no international surcharge.
Wells Fargo Autograph
No annual fee. Earns 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, phone plans, and streaming. No foreign transaction fee. The 3x travel and dining multiplier at $0 per year makes this one of the strongest no-FTF options for budget-conscious travelers.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
No annual fee. Earns 1.5% cashback on all purchases, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. No foreign transaction fee. If you have a Sapphire card, Freedom Unlimited points pool into your Sapphire account for transfer to airline partners.
Capital One SavorOne
No annual fee. Earns 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, popular streaming, and grocery stores. No foreign transaction fee. Capital One waives FTF on all of its cards, making every Capital One product automatically safe for international use.
Chase Freedom Flex
No annual fee. Earns 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on everything else. No foreign transaction fee. Like the Freedom Unlimited, points transfer to a Sapphire account if you hold one.
Citi Double Cash
No annual fee. Earns 2% on every purchase (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay). No foreign transaction fee. ThankYou points transfer to Citi airline partners if you also hold a Citi Strata Premier or Elite.
Hotel Co-Branded Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fee
Every major hotel co-branded card in our database waives foreign transaction fees. This matters because international hotel bookings are one of the most common triggers for FTF charges.
| Card | Annual Fee | Earning at Hotels | FTF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | $650 | 6x at Marriott | None |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy | $250 | 6x at Marriott | None |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful | $250 | 6x at Marriott | None |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless | $95 | 6x at Marriott | None |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold | $0 | 3x at Marriott | None |
| Hilton Honors Aspire | $550 | 14x at Hilton | None |
| Hilton Honors Surpass | $150 | 12x at Hilton | None |
| Hilton Honors Card | $0 | 7x at Hilton | None |
| World of Hyatt | $95 | 4x at Hyatt | None |
| IHG One Rewards Premier | $99 | 10x at IHG | None |
If you stay at a specific hotel chain when traveling internationally, the co-branded card earns accelerated points with no foreign transaction fee. Booking directly through the hotel chain's website (rather than a third-party site) maximizes both the earning rate and your elite night credits.
Airline Co-Branded Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fee
Every airline card in our database waives foreign transaction fees. Useful for booking flights directly with international carriers or purchasing in-flight purchases abroad.
| Card | Annual Fee | Earning on Airline | FTF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | $650 | 3x on Delta | None |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold | $150 | 2x on Delta | None |
| United Club Infinite | $525 | 4x on United | None |
| United Quest | $250 | 3x on United | None |
| United Explorer | $95 | 2x on United | None |
| Citi AAdvantage Executive | $595 | 4x on American | None |
| Southwest Priority | $149 | 3x on Southwest | None |
| JetBlue Plus | $99 | 6x on JetBlue | None |
| Aeroplan Card | $95 | 3x on Air Canada | None |
Cards That Charge Foreign Transaction Fees
In our database of 65 cards, only one charges a foreign transaction fee:
Citi Custom Cash — 3% FTF. This card earns 5% cashback on your highest spending category each billing cycle (up to $500), but the 3% international fee makes it a poor choice for travel. Leave this one at home when you go abroad.
Issuer-by-Issuer Breakdown
Not every issuer treats foreign transaction fees the same way. Here is a quick reference:
| Issuer | FTF Policy |
|---|---|
| Capital One | No FTF on any consumer card |
| American Express | No FTF on any card |
| Chase | No FTF on Sapphire, Freedom, and co-branded cards |
| Wells Fargo | No FTF on Autograph and Autograph Journey |
| Bilt | No FTF on any card |
| Citi | No FTF on most cards. Exception: Citi Custom Cash (3% FTF) |
| Barclays | No FTF on most travel cards |
How to Choose the Right No-FTF Card
If you travel internationally more than once per year, a premium card like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve pays for itself through lounge access, travel credits, and elevated earning rates. Compare them side by side in our Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve comparison.
If you travel once a year or less, a mid-tier card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold offers strong rewards without the $500+ annual fee. See our Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred comparison for a detailed breakdown.
If you want zero annual fee and zero FTF, the Wells Fargo Autograph, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and Capital One SavorOne all work. No annual cost, no international surcharge, and solid everyday earning rates.
Use our Card Advisor to find which no-FTF card earns the most on your actual spending categories. It takes 60 seconds and works without an account.
Track Your Travel Card Benefits
Premium travel cards come with statement credits that reset monthly, quarterly, and annually. The $200 airline fee credit on the Amex Platinum and the $300 travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve both require tracking to capture their full value. Our Benefit Tracker shows every credit across all your cards, sorted by expiry date, so nothing resets unused.
Bottom Line
Nearly every travel and rewards card waives foreign transaction fees, so the real question is which no-FTF card earns the most on your spending. For frequent international travelers, the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve pay for themselves through credits and lounge access. For occasional trips, the Chase Sapphire Preferred at $95/year gives you 3x dining worldwide and transfer partners without the premium price tag. For $0 annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph earns 3x on dining and travel internationally with no FTF and no fee. Use the Card Advisor to find the highest-earning no-FTF card for your specific categories.