Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred Is My Favorite Card for Spending Abroad

I travel internationally a few times per year. And when I’m abroad, I do not carry a bulky wallet filled with my more than 20 credit cards: I simplify things by carrying just one card.

That card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, which introduced me to the world of maximizing travel redemptions through rewards points. I believe this card is the only one you’ll ever need for your international travels, and here are 4 reasons why.

1. It’s a Visa Signature Card

8 years ago, when I studied abroad in France, I had little understanding of credit cards, let alone points and miles. The only card I carried was the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, which worked well for earning miles for reward Delta flights but was much less practical for international use.

Although the card doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees, I heard more often than not, “N’accepte pas American Express” (rates & fees). Without a backup credit card, I sheepishly took out my Wells Fargo debit card to pay for my boulangerie runs, which meant racking up unnecessary foreign transaction fees along the way.

Since then, I’ve learned a whole lot more about using credit cards wisely, especially when traveling abroad. I’ve returned to various European countries multiple times since studying abroad, and I’ve noticed many more merchants accept Amex cards now, but I still prefer to avoid the occasional inconvenience of running into a mom-and-pop shop that doesn’t.

That’s why my Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which is a Visa Signature card, has never let me down — it’s accepted virtually everywhere. When I travel internationally, I like to pack light, keeping my carry-on satchel minimal and organized. It’s nice to stick to the essentials: my passport, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, a Charles Schwab debit card for unlimited domestic and foreign ATM fee rebates, and some cash.

It also helps that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are my favorite award currency. You’ll most likely find me redeeming my Chase points for hotel nights at a World of Hyatt property or booking a business class ticket via the issuer’s airline transfer partners.

2. There Are No Foreign Transaction Fees

Also hugely important is that the Chase Sapphire Preferred card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. These fees, typically ranging from 1% to 3% of each transaction, can add up quickly during extended travel. For example, spending $1,000 on a card with foreign transaction fees could cost you an additional $30.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card does charge a $95 annual fee, but the benefits far outweigh the cost. This popular travel credit card unlocks access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which offers exceptional value for travel redemptions, including flights, hotels, and more.

3. You’ll Earn Bonus Points on Many Purchases When Traveling

There’s a reason why the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of our favorite travel credit cards. Points can be racked up fast when you’re traveling:

• 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3x points on dining worldwide, online grocery stores, and select streaming platforms
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• 1x points on all other eligible purchases

As mentioned, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the only physical credit card I take with me when traveling internationally. Since most of my expenses abroad are for dining or transportation, like train tickets, this card allows me to earn bonus points on those purchases seamlessly.

But what about purchases that don’t fall into those categories? Thankfully, I have all my other credit cards stored in my Apple Wallet, giving me the flexibility to tap to pay and use a card that offers bonus rewards for specific spending categories. For example, when buying groceries abroad, I tend to use my JetBlue Plus Card, which earns 2x bonus points on those purchases. On the other hand, if I’m working toward earning a welcome bonus on another card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, I’ll use that one instead.

In case you are looking for a more premium travel credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is in the same family as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and is a great option for airport lounge access, though you’ll have to decide for yourself whether it’s worth the much higher $795 annual fee.

4. It Offers Extensive Travel Insurance Perks

Last but certainly not least, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is, without a doubt, one of the best credit cards with travel insurance benefits — and for a relatively low annual fee. This includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance and lost luggage reimbursement, but perhaps the most important one is its auto rental coverage.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.74% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

What’s important to note is that the auto rental coverage offers primary coverage, which is surprisingly hard to come by on non-premium credit cards. By declining any coverage at the rental car counter and paying for it with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, any instances of theft or damage would be paid from Chase’s policy first. The same can’t be said for rental car coverage that’s secondary, because that means your personal car insurance kicks in first before you get any benefits from your credit card.

Chase makes this process very clear and states, “During this transaction, review the Rental Car Agreement and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) option or a similar provision. Accepting this coverage will cancel out your benefit. If the rental company insists that you purchase their insurance or collision damage waiver, call the Benefit Administrator for assistance.”

In all my travels, I’ve been fortunate never to need the rental car coverage benefits. However, it’s always wise to consider the “what ifs.” To stay prepared for worst-case scenarios, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a reliable option for booking rental cars, thanks to its extensive travel insurance benefits.

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card remains my go-to companion for international travels. It’s been my trusted favorite since 2018, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. In addition to earning thousands of bonus points annually, I especially appreciate the travel protections that provide peace of mind during my vacations.