The Apple Card charges no foreign transaction fees anywhere in the world
The Apple Card does not charge a foreign transaction fee when you use it outside the United States. This applies whether you swipe, tap, or use Apple Pay at a merchant abroad, or withdraw cash from an ATM in another country. You pay only what the merchant or ATM operator charges — no extra percentage added by Apple.
This is one of the card's clearest advantages for people who travel or make purchases from international retailers. Many cash-back credit cards charge 2% to 3% on foreign purchases, which adds up quickly on a two-week trip or regular online shopping from overseas sellers. The Apple Card avoids that entirely.
Key Takeaways
- The Apple Card has zero foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States, whether in person or online.
- You still pay the exchange rate set by Mastercard (the network behind the card), which varies daily but is the standard rate most banks use.
- Cash withdrawals at foreign ATMs may carry a fee from the ATM operator, but Apple adds no fee of its own.
- The card's 2% cash back on all purchases applies to foreign transactions at the same rate as domestic ones.
How the exchange rate works when you travel
When you use the Apple Card abroad, the purchase is converted from the local currency to US dollars using Mastercard's exchange rate on the day of the transaction. Mastercard sets this rate based on global currency markets and updates it throughout the day. You do not choose the rate, and Apple does not mark it up — you get the standard Mastercard rate that any Mastercard holder would receive.
The exchange rate is the only currency cost you face. If you buy something for 100 euros and the Mastercard rate that day is 1.10 dollars per euro, you are charged $110 plus any applicable sales tax or merchant fees. There is no separate percentage added by Apple on top of that conversion.
Cash withdrawals at foreign ATMs
The Apple Card itself does not charge a fee when you withdraw cash from an ATM outside the United States. However, the ATM operator — the bank or network that owns the machine — may charge you a fee for using their machine. This is not an Apple fee; it is a standard ATM operator fee that applies to any card.
Before you travel, check whether your bank (the issuer of your Apple Card is Goldman Sachs) has partnerships with ATM networks abroad that waive or reduce foreign ATM fees. Many large banks have reciprocal agreements with international ATM networks. You can ask Goldman Sachs customer service whether such agreements exist for your destination, though the Apple Card's terms do not highlight this benefit the way some travel cards do.
Comparing the Apple Card to other cards with no foreign fees
Several other credit cards also charge no foreign transaction fees. The Chase Sapphire Preferred, the American Express Platinum, and the Capital One Venture X all waive foreign transaction fees. The main difference is that those cards charge annual fees ($95 to $695 depending on the card), while the Apple Card has no annual fee.
The Apple Card's 2% cash back on all purchases is lower than some travel cards offer in bonus categories — the Sapphire Preferred gives 3% on dining and travel, for example. But if you want no foreign fees without paying an annual fee, and you do not need bonus categories, the Apple Card is a straightforward choice. The lack of an annual fee makes it worth keeping even if you travel only occasionally.
What happens when you use Apple Pay abroad
Using Apple Pay with your Apple Card at a merchant outside the United States works the same way as swiping the physical card. No additional fees explore. The transaction is converted at Mastercard's rate, and you earn 2% cash back just as you would on a domestic Apple Pay purchase.
Apple Pay can be useful abroad because many countries have more widespread contactless payment infrastructure than the United States does. In Europe, Asia, and Australia, you can often tap your phone to pay at merchants where a physical card might not be accepted. The lack of foreign transaction fees makes this even more convenient — you are not paying extra for the privilege of using a digital wallet.
Situations where you might still pay currency conversion costs
The only currency-related cost you cannot avoid is the exchange rate itself. If the dollar weakens against the euro between the time you plan a trip and the time you travel, you will pay more in dollars for the same purchase. This is not a fee — it is the cost of currency fluctuation. No credit card can protect you from this.
Some travel cards offer benefits like trip insurance, emergency medical coverage abroad, or concierge services that the Apple Card does not include. If you travel frequently and value those protections, a premium travel card might be worth the annual fee despite the lack of foreign transaction fees on the Apple Card. But for the fee itself, the Apple Card is clear: there is none.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I earn 2% cash back on foreign purchases with the Apple Card?
Yes. The 2% cash back applies to all purchases made with the Apple Card, whether domestic or foreign. There is no separate rate for international transactions.
What if a merchant abroad charges me in US dollars instead of the local currency?
Some merchants offer to charge you in dollars to avoid conversion. This is called dynamic currency conversion. You can usually decline and let Mastercard convert at their standard rate instead, which is typically better than the merchant's offered rate. Always ask before accepting a dollar charge.
Can I use the Apple Card in every country?
The Apple Card works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which covers most countries. Some smaller nations or very rural areas may have limited Mastercard acceptance, but this is not specific to the Apple Card — it applies to any Mastercard. Check your destination before you travel if you are concerned.
Does the Apple Card offer travel insurance or emergency information abroad?
The Apple Card does not include travel insurance, emergency medical coverage, or travel information services. If these benefits matter to you, a premium travel card may be a better fit despite its annual fee.
What if I dispute a foreign transaction?
You can dispute a foreign transaction the same way you would dispute any other charge — through the Apple Card app or by calling Goldman Sachs customer service. The dispute process is the same regardless of where the transaction occurred.