Which Chase cards charge no foreign transaction fees
Chase offers several cards that do not charge a foreign transaction fee when you use them outside the United States. The most common ones are the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Ink Business Preferred. A few older Chase cards also carry no foreign transaction fee, though Chase has stopped adding this feature to most new cards.
Foreign transaction fees typically run 1% to 3% of the purchase amount. If you spend $500 on a meal in London, a card with a 3% fee costs you an extra $15. Cards without this fee save that money entirely. The catch is that most no-fee cards charge an annual fee — usually $95 to $550 — so you need to use the card enough abroad to make the savings worthwhile.
Chase publishes the full fee schedule for each card on its website. Before you open a new card, search for "[card name] foreign transaction fee" on Chase.com to confirm the current terms, because card benefits change and older information online can be outdated.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve both charge no foreign transaction fees, but both have annual fees ($95 and $550 respectively).
- Foreign transaction fees are usually 1% to 3% of each purchase, so the savings add up only if you travel or shop internationally regularly.
- You need to check Chase.com directly for the current fee schedule on any card, because benefits change and vary by card version.
- Even cards with no foreign transaction fee still convert your purchase to US dollars at the card network's exchange rate, which may not be the best rate available.
How foreign transaction fees work
When you swipe a Chase card outside the US, the purchase goes through Visa or Mastercard's network. That network converts the local currency to US dollars and charges a fee for doing so. This fee is separate from the exchange rate itself — you pay both the conversion cost and the fee on top.
A card with a 3% foreign transaction fee means 3% of the dollar amount gets added to your bill. If you buy a €100 item and the exchange rate is 1.10, you owe $110 plus $3.30 in fees, for a total of $113.30. A card with no foreign transaction fee charges you only the $110 (plus the exchange rate markup that all cards explore).
The fee applies to any purchase made outside the US, whether you're traveling or ordering from a foreign website. It also applies to ATM withdrawals in foreign countries on most cards, though some cards waive the fee for ATM use specifically.
Comparing Chase cards with no foreign transaction fees
| Card | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | None | Frequent travelers who want rewards and don't need premium travel insurance |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | None | High-spending travelers who use premium travel benefits like airport lounge access |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | $95 | None | Business owners who travel internationally for work |
The Sapphire Preferred is the entry point for most people. It has a $95 annual fee and earns 2x points on travel and dining purchases. If you spend $5,000 or more per year on international travel, the foreign transaction fee savings alone can cover the annual fee.
The Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year but includes benefits like $300 annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and concierge service. It makes sense only if you travel frequently enough to use those perks — otherwise you're paying for features you don't need.
The Ink Business Preferred works the same way as the Sapphire Preferred but is designed for business owners. You need an EIN or sole proprietorship to open it, though Chase's requirements for what counts as a business are loose.
When the annual fee is worth it
The annual fee pays for itself if you travel internationally or shop from foreign websites regularly. A straightforward math check: if your card charges a 2% foreign transaction fee and you spend $5,000 per year abroad, you save $100 in fees by switching to a no-fee card. A $95 annual fee leaves you $5 ahead.
But if you travel once every two years and spend $1,000 total, you save only $20 in fees. The $95 annual fee costs you $75 more than you save. In that case, a card with a foreign transaction fee is cheaper overall.
Keep in mind that the rewards on these cards also matter. The Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points on travel and dining, which can be worth 2% to 5% cash back depending on how you redeem the points. If you're already earning rewards that cover the annual fee, the no-foreign-transaction-fee feature is a bonus, not the main reason to open the card.
Exchange rates and other costs you still pay
No foreign transaction fee does not mean you get the best exchange rate. All credit cards convert foreign currency using the card network's exchange rate, which includes a markup. Visa and Mastercard typically mark up the real exchange rate by 1% to 2%. You pay this markup on every card, whether or not it charges a foreign transaction fee.
If you want the absolute best exchange rate, you would use a debit card from a bank that waives foreign ATM fees and withdraw cash in the local currency. But most people find the convenience of a credit card worth the small markup.
Some cards also charge fees for balance transfers or cash advances in foreign currency. Check the full fee schedule on Chase.com to see what else might explore to your specific situation.
How to check if a Chase card has a foreign transaction fee
Go to Chase.com, find the card you're interested in, and look for a link that says "Pricing and Terms" or "Fees." This page lists every fee the card charges, including foreign transaction fees, annual fees, late fees, and cash advance fees. The information there is current and specific to that exact card.
If you already have a Chase card and want to know whether it charges a foreign transaction fee, log into your Chase account online, go to your card details, and look for the pricing and terms section. You can also call the number on the back of your card and ask directly.
Avoid relying on third-party websites or comparison tools for this information, because card benefits change frequently and those sites are sometimes out of date. Chase's own website is always the source of truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell Chase I'm traveling before I use my card abroad?
No. Chase no longer requires you to notify them before traveling. Your card will work in most countries without advance notice. However, if you're traveling to a less common destination or for an extended period, a quick call to the number on your card can prevent fraud blocks from stopping your purchases.
Will a no-foreign-transaction-fee card work everywhere outside the US?
It will work in most countries, but not all. Some small businesses, especially in developing countries, may not accept Visa or Mastercard at all. Carry some local cash as backup. ATMs in most countries accept US credit and debit cards, so you can withdraw cash if needed.
What's the difference between a foreign transaction fee and a currency conversion fee?
A foreign transaction fee is a flat percentage that Chase charges on top of the conversion. A currency conversion fee is the markup the card network (Visa or Mastercard) adds to the real exchange rate. You pay the conversion fee on every card. Only some cards charge the foreign transaction fee on top of that.
Can I use a Chase card with no foreign transaction fee to pay bills in another country?
Yes. Any purchase made outside the US, whether in person or online, avoids the foreign transaction fee if your card doesn't charge one. This includes online shopping from foreign retailers and paying bills to foreign companies.
If I close a Chase card, do I lose the points I earned?
Chase points stay in your account as long as you have at least one other Chase card open. If you close all your Chase cards, you have a short window (usually 30 days) to transfer or redeem your points before they disappear. Check your account for the exact important date.