Yes, you can use your Chase credit card internationally, but you need to know the fees, currency conversion rules, and which cards charge less
Chase credit cards work in most countries where Visa or Mastercard is accepted — which is nearly everywhere outside cash-only markets. The card itself will not stop you at checkout. What matters is what happens after: whether Chase charges you a foreign transaction fee, how they convert your purchase to dollars, and whether your card has travel protections that matter to you.
Not all Chase cards charge the same fees abroad. Some have no foreign transaction fee at all. Others charge 3% on every purchase made outside the United States. The difference between these two options is real money if you spend $2,000 on a trip — that is $60 you either pay or keep.
Key Takeaways
- Chase cards with no foreign transaction fee include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and most business cards, while standard cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited charge 3% on international purchases.
- Your card will work at ATMs abroad, but you will pay a foreign transaction fee plus your bank's ATM fee, making it more expensive than using a card for purchases.
- Chase converts foreign currency at their exchange rate on the day the transaction posts to your account, not the day you swiped — this delay can cost you if the rate moves.
- You should notify Chase before traveling so they do not block your card as fraud, though most modern cards are less likely to decline legitimate foreign purchases than they were five years ago.
- Travel insurance and emergency card replacement are included with some Chase cards but not others — check your specific card's benefits guide before you leave.
Which Chase cards have no foreign transaction fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve both charge zero foreign transaction fees. So do most Chase business cards, including the Chase Ink Business Preferred and Chase Ink Business Unlimited. If you carry one of these, you pay only the local price converted to dollars — no extra percentage on top.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex, and most other consumer Chase cards charge 3% on every purchase made outside the United States. This fee applies whether you are buying a meal in London or paying for a hotel in Tokyo. It also applies to online purchases from foreign merchants, even if you are sitting at home.
Check your card's terms and conditions or call the number on the back to confirm your specific card's policy. Chase sometimes updates card terms, and the fee structure can differ between older and newer versions of the same card name.
How Chase converts your purchases to dollars
When you make a purchase abroad, the merchant charges you in local currency. Chase then converts that amount to dollars using their exchange rate, which is set by Visa or Mastercard (depending on which network your card uses), not by Chase itself. This conversion happens on the day the transaction posts to your account, which is usually one to three days after you swipe.
The exchange rate moves every day. If you buy something for 100 euros on Monday but the transaction does not post until Wednesday, you will be charged based on Wednesday's rate, not Monday's. This delay is usually small — a few cents on a typical purchase — but it is worth knowing.
You cannot choose a different exchange rate or lock in today's rate. The Visa and Mastercard rates are generally competitive with what you would get at a bank or currency exchange, so you are not being overcharged, but you are also not getting a deal.
Using Chase ATMs and cash withdrawals abroad
You can withdraw cash from ATMs using your Chase debit card or a Chase credit card that allows cash advances (most do, though it is not recommended). You will pay a foreign transaction fee — usually 3% — plus an ATM operator fee set by the foreign bank, which ranges from $2 to $5 per withdrawal.
Using your credit card for cash advances abroad is expensive and should be a last resort. Cash advances charge interest when ready, with no grace period, and the interest rate is usually higher than your purchase rate. You also pay the foreign transaction fee on top.
If you need cash abroad, use your debit card at an ATM instead. You will still pay fees, but you avoid the interest charge. Better yet, withdraw larger amounts less often to spread the ATM fees across more cash.
Notifying Chase before you travel
Chase allows you to set travel notifications through their mobile app or by calling the number on the back of your card. You tell them where you are going and when, and they flag your account so legitimate foreign purchases are not declined as fraud.
This step is optional but useful. Modern fraud detection is sophisticated enough that most legitimate travel purchases go through without a notification, but a notification removes doubt. If your card is declined while you are abroad, you cannot call Chase and get it fixed in five minutes — you are stuck without a card until you sort it out.
Set the notification a few days before you leave, not the day of travel. This gives Chase time to update their systems. You can set multiple notifications if you are traveling to several countries, or set one notification for your entire trip.
Travel insurance and emergency card replacement
Some Chase cards include travel insurance — trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage delay, emergency medical, and emergency evacuation coverage. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve include these. Most other Chase cards do not.
Travel insurance is valuable if you are booking expensive flights or tours, because it covers you if you have to cancel for a covered reason. It is less valuable if you are taking a casual trip with flexible plans. Read your card's benefits guide before you travel so you know what is covered and what is not.
Chase also offers emergency card replacement if your card is lost or stolen abroad. Call the number on the back of your card and they can arrange a replacement to be sent to you or to a Chase branch in some countries. This takes a few days, so it is not when ready, but it is better than having no card at all.
What to do if your card is declined abroad
If your Chase card is declined, the most common reason is fraud detection, not a problem with the card itself. Call the number on the back of your card when ready. Chase's international customer service can often clear the decline and approve your next purchase within minutes.
Have your card number, a recent purchase amount, and your location ready when you call. If you set a travel notification before you left, mention that — it helps the representative understand you are traveling intentionally.
If you cannot reach Chase or the decline is not cleared, use a backup payment method if you have one. This is why carrying two cards from different issuers is useful for international travel. If one is declined, the other usually works.
Comparing Chase cards for international use
| Card | Foreign Transaction Fee | Travel Insurance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 0% | Yes | Frequent travelers who want rewards and insurance |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 0% | Yes | Premium travelers with higher spending |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 3% | No | Casual travelers or those with occasional international purchases |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | 0% | Limited | Business owners traveling for work |
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited | 0% | Limited | Business owners who want simplicity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell Chase I am traveling, or will my card work automatically?
Your card will usually work without notification, but setting a travel alert removes the risk of fraud detection blocking your purchases. It takes two minutes through the app and costs nothing. If you are traveling to a country where you have never made a purchase before, the alert is especially useful.
Will I be charged in dollars or the local currency?
You will be charged in the local currency at the point of sale, but your bill will show the dollar amount after Chase converts it. You cannot choose to be billed in dollars instead — that option is not available for most credit cards abroad.
What if I lose my Chase card while traveling?
Call the number on the back of your card when ready to report it lost. Chase can cancel the card and arrange emergency replacement. In some countries, a replacement can be sent to a Chase branch or partner bank. In others, you will need to wait until you return home or use a backup card.
Is the exchange rate I see online the same rate Chase will use?
No. Online rates are usually real-time, but your transaction will be converted using the Visa or Mastercard rate on the day it posts, which may be different. The difference is usually small — less than 1% — but it is not the same rate you see on your phone.
Can I use my Chase card at restaurants and shops that only take cash?
No. If a merchant does not accept cards, you need cash. Many countries still have cash-only businesses, especially in smaller towns or rural areas. Plan to carry some local currency or know where ATMs are located.