What "no international charges" actually means
A credit card with no international charges means the card issuer does not add extra fees when you use it outside the United States. Most standard cards charge a foreign transaction fee — typically 1% to 3% of every purchase — whenever you swipe abroad or buy from a foreign merchant online. A card marketed as having no international charges removes that fee entirely.
This does not mean the card is free to use everywhere. You still pay the regular purchase price, interest if you carry a balance, and any annual fee the card itself has. What you avoid is the hidden markup that most issuers add on top. The exchange rate you get is set by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, not by your bank — so the real savings come from skipping the percentage fee layered on top of that rate.
Some cards advertise "no foreign transaction fees" but still charge fees for other international services, like ATM withdrawals abroad or wire transfers. Read the card's fee schedule carefully to see exactly what is and is not covered.
Key Takeaways
- Cards with no international charges eliminate the 1% to 3% foreign transaction fee most issuers add to purchases made outside the United States.
- The card must be a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express product — the network determines the exchange rate, and the issuer decides whether to add a fee on top.
- Many cards with no foreign transaction fees still charge for ATM withdrawals, wire transfers, or currency conversion services, so check the full fee schedule.
- Travel rewards cards and premium cards most often have no international charges, though some basic cards and cash-back cards offer this feature too.
- You need to set up the card before traveling and notify your bank of your travel dates so the card is not blocked as suspicious.
Which card types offer no international charges
Travel rewards cards almost always have no foreign transaction fees — that is part of their design. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Gold Card, and Capital One Venture X are built for people who travel and earn points on international purchases. These cards usually charge an annual fee, ranging from $95 to $550, but the fee is offset by travel benefits like lounge access, travel credits, or bonus points.
Premium cash-back cards sometimes include no international charges as well. The American Express Blue Business Plus and some versions of the Citi Prestige card remove the foreign transaction fee even though they are not primarily travel cards. These tend to have higher annual fees or higher income requirements.
A smaller number of basic cards — cards with no annual fee and straightforward cash-back or points structures — also offer no international charges. These are less common, but they exist. Check the card's terms and conditions on the issuer's website; the fee schedule is usually in a PDF labeled "Pricing Information" or "Fee Schedule."
Business cards sometimes have no international charges, especially if they are designed for companies that operate across borders. The structure is the same as consumer cards, but the process process and credit requirements differ.
How to check whether a card has international charges
Before you open a card, visit the issuer's website and look for the pricing or fee schedule. On Chase's site, this is usually under "Rates & Fees." On American Express, it is in the card's "Terms & Conditions" or "Pricing Information" section. On Citi and Bank of America, look for "Pricing & Fees" or "Fee Schedule."
Search the document for the phrase "foreign transaction fee" or "international transaction fee." If the card has no such fee, the document will say so explicitly — often in a section titled "What We Don't Charge" or straightforward by omitting the fee from the list. If the phrase does not appear and the fee is not mentioned, contact the issuer's customer service line and ask directly: "Does this card charge a foreign transaction fee?"
Do not rely on marketing language alone. A card advertised as "travel-friendly" or "global" may still charge international fees. The fee schedule is the only source of truth.
Steps to use your card abroad without problems
Before you travel, call your card issuer and tell them your destination and the dates you will be there. Most issuers flag foreign transactions as suspicious by default and may block your card to prevent fraud. A quick call — usually five minutes — prevents your card from being declined when you need it.
set up any travel features the card offers. Some cards have a travel notification option in their mobile app or online portal; others require a phone call. Check your card's website or app for a "Travel" or "Notifications" section.
Confirm that your card is a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express product and that it will work in your destination. American Express is less widely accepted outside major cities and tourist areas in some countries. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere cards are taken.
When you make a purchase abroad, the merchant's payment terminal will show the transaction in the local currency and ask if you want to be charged in US dollars or the local currency. Choose the local currency — this lets Visa, Mastercard, or American Express set the exchange rate. If you choose US dollars, the merchant or their bank sets the rate, which is usually worse for you.
International charges you still have to pay
Even with a card that has no foreign transaction fees, you may encounter other international charges. ATM withdrawals abroad almost always carry a fee — usually $2 to $5 per withdrawal, plus a percentage charged by the ATM operator's bank. This fee is separate from the foreign transaction fee and applies even if your card has no international charges.
Wire transfers and currency conversion services (if you use them through your bank) are charged separately. Some cards also charge a fee if you use the card to pay a bill in a foreign currency or if you make a purchase that requires the merchant to convert the price.
If you carry a balance on your card, you pay interest on that balance at the card's regular APR, regardless of where the purchase was made. Interest is not an international charge — it is a standard finance charge that applies to all purchases.
Alternatives if you do not want to open a new card
If you already have a card and do not want to open another one, you can use a travel money account or prepaid card designed for international use. Companies like Wise (formerly TransferWise), OFX, and some banks offer cards that let you load money in US dollars and spend it abroad at the real exchange rate with no markup. These are not credit cards — they are prepaid — so you cannot build credit with them, but they eliminate international fees.
Another option is to use your bank's international banking services. Some banks offer accounts or cards specifically for customers who travel frequently, with no foreign transaction fees. Ask your current bank whether they offer this.
If you are traveling for a short time and do not want to open a card, you can also withdraw cash from ATMs abroad and pay in local currency. The ATM fee is usually smaller than a foreign transaction fee on a credit card, though it is not zero.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a high credit score to get a card with no international charges?
Most travel rewards cards and premium cards that offer no international charges require a good to excellent credit score — usually 670 or higher. Some basic cards with no international charges have lower requirements. Check the card's website for the credit score range they typically look for, though your actual approval depends on your full credit profile.
Will using my card abroad hurt my credit score?
No. Using your card abroad does not hurt your credit score. Your credit score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and credit mix — not on where you use the card. Pay your bill on time when you return home, and there is no impact.
What is the difference between no foreign transaction fees and a good exchange rate?
No foreign transaction fees means the card issuer does not add a percentage on top of the exchange rate. The exchange rate itself — the price of one currency in terms of another — is set by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express and changes constantly. A card with no international charges still uses the real exchange rate; it just does not mark it up. You cannot control the exchange rate, but you can avoid the markup.
Can I use a card with no international charges to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad?
Yes, but you will still pay an ATM fee. The card's "no international charges" benefit applies to purchases, not to ATM withdrawals. Most issuers charge $2 to $5 per withdrawal abroad, plus whatever fee the ATM operator's bank charges. Some premium cards reimburse ATM fees, so check your card's benefits.
What happens if I use a card with international charges by accident?
The foreign transaction fee is added to your bill. If you realize you used the wrong card, contact your issuer and ask whether they can remove the fee as a one-time courtesy. Some issuers will; others will not. It is not may provide, but it is worth asking.