The 9 Best Credit Cards for Expats [+ Tips for Using Credit Abroad]

Planning an extended stay aboard or perhaps a move outside the U.S. due to a work assignment? Fortunately, in this day of digital payments and online account access, it’s easier than ever to manage your finances and credit card transactions while living and/or working as an American expat abroad.

One key element of planning and managing your finances abroad is securing a credit card that aligns with the associated demands of doing financial transactions in the specific foreign country you’ll be visiting.

Finding the best credit cards to use overseas, whether you’re an expatriate or just planning an extended vacation, is an interesting and important topic that is on our agenda today.

In our article, we’ll talk about some of the key attributes you’d want to consider when selecting such a card and which cards might best fit the criteria for making purchases abroad while minimizing fees and maximizing rewards.

The 6 Best Personal Credit Cards for Expats

Card Summary

Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Benefits for Expats
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	5x points on all travel booked via Ultimate Rewards 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services 2x points on all other travel worldwide $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Ultimate Rewards
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	5x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year) 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com Access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges Generous statement credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $550	10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via Ultimate Rewards 5x points on airfare booked via Ultimate Rewards 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases $300 statement credit for travel Worldwide lounge access
American Express® Gold Card	Earn 60,000 points when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $250 (rates & fees)	4x points at restaurants 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95 (rates & fees)	2x miles for all non-bonus purchases No foreign transaction fees Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card	Earn 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months Annual fee of $0	1.5% cash-back on every purchase No foreign transaction fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

Why We Like the Card for Expats

First and foremost, you won’t be charged foreign transaction fees and your Visa Signature card will be widely accepted abroad. Your account can be accessed online and you’ll have connection options for customer service.

You can set up a PIN via Chase’s automated system and contactless transactions are available on cards that have the contactless symbol.

We like that the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a generous welcome bonus, 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on all other travel purchases and those points receive 25% more value when redeeming for travel via the Chase travel portal. Points can also be transferred to the Chase travel partners for potentially greater value.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card for Expats

We like that the Amex Platinum card does not charge foreign transaction fees (rates & fees) and that if you need emergency cash, you can withdraw from an ATM (fees apply) or visit an American Express office. You can easily set up a PIN on your card online and all cards with a contactless symbol can be used at merchants that accept contactless transactions.

Additionally, customer service and online account management are easily accessible outside of the U.S.

The Amex Platinum card also has a long list of travel protections and benefits such as worldwide lounge access, hotel and rental car elite benefits, and access to car rental Premium Protection (limit of 42 consecutive days).

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Why We Like the Card for Expats

With worldwide lounge access via complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, 3x earnings on travel and dining, and a $300 statement credit each year for travel purchases, an expat will find value with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card are worth 50% more on travel redemptions (via the Chase travel portal) and points can be transferred to travel partners for even greater potential value.

And, of course, the card does not charge foreign transaction fees, can be PIN-enabled, and is available as a contactless card.

American Express^® Gold Card

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card for Expats

While bonus earnings on supermarket purchases are limited to the U.S., the Amex Gold card‘s 4x dining bonus earnings apply to restaurants, including Uber Eats.

The card also comes with Amex’s high level of customer service worldwide, access to chip and PIN technology, and access to a contactless card should you desire to have one.

Additional Personal Credit Cards for Expats

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — The card comes with a generous welcome bonus, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), a low annual fee (rates & fees), and earns 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase. The card also offers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement.
• Bank of America^® Travel Rewards Credit Card — With no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, the card makes a nice traveling companion. You’ll earn 1.5% cash-back on every purchase.

The 3 Best Business Credit Cards for Expats

Need to conduct business and make related purchases abroad? Here are our top recommendations for business cards to use internationally.

Card Summary

Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Benefits for Expats
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	NEW OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	3x points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites Cell phone protection No foreign transaction fees, contactless transactions, and can be PIN-enabled
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year) Access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass (upon enrollment), Plaza Premium Lounges, and more No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), contactless transactions, and can be PIN-enabled Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement Generous statement credits Travel protections and benefits
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card	Earn $1,200 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $150	2% cash-back on all purchases No foreign transaction fees, contactless transactions, and can be PIN-enabled

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Expats

With a generous welcome bonus and ongoing bonus earnings for common business purchases, including travel, the Ink Business Preferred card works hard for the business owner abroad. There are no foreign transaction fees and when it comes time to redeem your rewards, you’ll have several flexible options. Redeem for travel via the Chase travel portal for 25% more in value or transfer points to travel partners for potentially greater value.

You’ll also have access to chip and PIN availability and contactless transactions. Just call Chase to set up a PIN or to have a replacement, contactless-capable card sent to you. Online access to your account and to customer service is also available.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card for Expats

Worldwide lounge access to over 1,400 properties tops the list of premium travel benefits you’ll experience with the Amex Business Platinum card. Add in complementary hotel elite status, rental car perks, and elevated earnings on select travel purchases and you have a card that travels well.

We like the level of Amex customer service you receive abroad, as well. You can secure a PIN for your card, have access to emergency ATM cash, get a replacement card sent overnight, or call the Global Assistance Hotline for help with other incidents while traveling.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card

Why We Like the Card for Expats

Busy business owners who don’t have time to navigate complex earning or redemption structures will like the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card. You’ll be earning 2% cash-back on every purchase and enjoy no annual fee for the first year.

Setting up or changing a PIN online is simple and you’ll have fraud coverage while traveling. And, of course, the card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Hot Tip: When selecting a business card to use abroad, be sure to look at the Schumer box. This summary is a required disclosure that lists all the related pricing, fees, and terms and conditions of the card you’re considering. The box will tell you whether the card charges foreign transaction fees, the amount of the annual fee, the level of interest rates charged, and other financial information about the card. You’ll find this box under “pricing and terms,” “pricing and fees,” or another similar title usually near the “apply now” link for the card.

10 Key Considerations When Selecting a Card To Use Abroad

There’s a lot to think about when selecting the right credit card to use in another country. Let’s look at some of the factors you’ll want to consider for maximizing your ability to use your card, avoid excess fees, and earn as many rewards as possible.

1. No Foreign Transaction Fees

Since most of your transactions will be foreign transactions, you’d want a card that does not charge fees for these payments or purchases. Foreign transaction fees can be as high as 3% of the amount of the transaction.

2. Card Acceptance

There are several payment networks that credit cards use to facilitate transactions. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted worldwide, while American Express and Discover are less so.

If you’re traveling with an American Express or Discover-issued card, you’ll want to carry a backup Visa or Mastercard just in case your card is not accepted by a specific merchant.

3. Customer Service Options

Having access to customer service if there’s a problem with your account can be critical. You’ll want to have easy access to account services such as live chat, social media service teams, or secure messaging to ensure you can get help without regard to your location.

4. Online Account Access

The ability to manage your card account online is paramount. You’ll want to be able to make timely payments, keep track of transactions, access benefit information, and even report a lost card, should you need to.

Fortunately, while site functionality can vary, card issuers across the board have online account management access.

5. Access to Emergency Funds

While your primary ATM debit card might be your go-to for accessing foreign currency, if your ATM card won’t work at a specific terminal, you may need to resort to a credit card to secure funds. You’ll want a card that can facilitate the transaction with ease and minimal fees.

6. Will You Need Contactless Transaction Capability?

Many countries currently accept contactless transactions. According to Wikipedia, contactless payments are increasing worldwide but are especially prominent in Australia, Canada, the U.K., Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands. If you want the convenience of having contactless transaction capability abroad, no worries. More and more U.S. credit card issuers are replacing traditional swipe and sign cards with contactless versions so you can easily find a card that offers this benefit.

7. Chip and PIN Technology

Many countries require you to input a PIN number for certain credit card transactions versus using a signature. The U.K. and Europe are 2 areas where these types of cards are commonly used. China, India, and Canada are also countries quickly making the transition.

If a human is processing your transaction, you may be able to sign. If, however, you’re purchasing a transit ticket from a machine, for example, you may only be able to use a chip and PIN card.

8. Earning the Card’s Welcome Bonus

If you secure a new credit card before your departure, you might want to complete any minimum spending requirements to earn the card’s welcome bonus. This may be difficult to accomplish if you are out of the country.

A little preplanning might be necessary to complete the necessary requirements to secure this 1-time bonus.

9. Utilizing Benefits & Offers That Help Offset the Annual Fee

If you’re located abroad, some perks and benefits may not be accessible. For example, perhaps the country you’re in does not have Uber, yet one of your card’s benefits is hundreds of dollars in Uber Cash. Additional offers could include statement credits for dining or food delivery services, shopping credits at specific retailers, or other specific purchase requirements not readily available at your destination.

If you are unable to take advantage of offers that help offset the annual fee on the card, the card may not provide good overall value.

10. Earning Ongoing Rewards

Earning rewards is one of the key attributes of a travel rewards card. However, some bonus-earning categories can be for U.S.-based retailers, such as restaurants, gas stations, shipping, wireless services, and supermarkets, which may not be accessible when out of the country.

The card you select to use abroad should ideally earn rewards on the types of purchases you plan to make.

Bottom Line: Selecting the right card to use abroad includes finding a card that minimizes fees, is widely accepted, and offers easy online account management. Additionally, if you’re counting on statement credits, bonus earnings, and other benefits to offset the card’s annual fee, you’ll want to select a card that allows you to utilize these benefits while abroad. 

Sizing up the Country You’ll Be Visiting

While most countries widely accept credit cards, you’ll want to know the type of credit card you’ll need. For example, will you need a chip and PIN card or a card that can make contactless payments? In rare cases, you’ll also need to know if cash payments are the norm.

Is Cash Still King or Do Credit Cards Rule the Day?

If you’re moving or planning an extended visit to any of these countries, you’ll find that credit cards may not be widely accepted and cash transactions are still prominent. According to the payment processing analyst company Merchant Machine U.K. in a report published earlier this year, these countries as still heavily reliant on cash transactions:

On the contrary, there are countries where credit cards are much more widely accepted than others. According to the research and analyst company Statista, you’ll find the highest percentage of credit card transactions in these countries (outside of the U.S.):

Bottom Line: It’s important to do your homework prior to selecting a credit card to use abroad to determine the type of card you’ll need in the specific country or area you’ll be visiting.

Comparing Worldwide Acceptance

Worldwide acceptance of all payment processing networks is improving rapidly.  Here’s how the networks compare when we look at global acceptance:

• Visa and Mastercard — According to each payment processer’s website, each of these card types is widely accepted in over 200 countries
• Discover — Discover states that the card is also accepted in over 200 countries
• American Express — While American Express cards are accepted at 99% of U.S. merchants that accept credit cards, the card’s international presence is around 100 countries according to the company’s website

There was a time when American Express was not widely accepted abroad, but those days are changing quickly. The same was true for Discover, but fortunately, both card networks have greatly expanded international presence. However, you’ll want to carry a backup Visa or Mastercard, just in case.

Bottom Line: Visa and Mastercard payment networks are the most widely accepted internationally. You will find acceptance of your Amex card or Discover card but you should have a backup Visa or Mastercard in case your card is not accepted by a specific merchant.

Everything Else You Need To Know

It’s best to apply for your card and complete the welcome bonus requirements prior to leaving the U.S. You will need a U.S. address to apply for the card and it may be easier to meet minimum spending requirements while in the U.S.

You’ll also want to set up your PIN and make sure your card has contactless capability prior to your departure. Having a replacement card sent to a U.S. address, should you need to do that, could be easier and safer than having it sent abroad.

If there are statement credits or bonus opportunities that would be difficult to use abroad, you may want to try to utilize these prior to departure.

While digital and e-wallet payments are not yet the majority of payment point-of-sale methods abroad, the 2020 World Payments Report, shows that non-cash digital payments are growing at the rate of 14% each year worldwide. You may want to update these wallets with your new card prior to departure.

Once you’re ready to make your move, you may want to contact the credit card company to let them know you’ll be using the card abroad for an extended period of time.

Bottom Line: It may be easier and/or safer to set up a PIN, order a contactless card, utilize bonus offers/statement credits, and complete any minimum spending requirements prior to your departure. It also makes sense to load your new card to your digital wallet as these payments are becoming more widely accepted globally. 

Final Thoughts

The best credit card for your use abroad will depend on which country you’re visiting, how the majority of your purchases will be made, and whether you’ll be able to utilize the benefits offered by the card.

Some of the most important considerations are that the card does not charge foreign transaction fees, that you have access to customer service, and there is a sufficient level of online account management capabilities.

Depending on the country, securing a PIN and having a card that facilitates contactless transactions could also be priorities.

And finally, if you’re selecting a card to use abroad, it’s best to receive the card, set up any applicable functions, and complete any spending requirements you deem difficult to complete abroad prior to your departure.