Best Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fee
Cards that save you 3% on every international purchase — ranked by travel value.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at General and Travel. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Top Pick
Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi
10x ThankYou Points on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
10x × 1.7¢/pt = 17.0¢ per dollar
- +10x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.7¢ each
- +Annual Hotel Savings Benefit (up to $100/yr) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +60,000 points bonus (~$1,020 value)
MASTERCARDCore Rate
4.1¢
per dollar on general
$95/yr
Welcome: 60,000 points
Runner-Up
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
10x Capital One Miles on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
10x × 1.3¢/pt = 13.0¢ per dollar
Up to 13.5¢/$ via British Airways Club
- +10x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.3¢ each
- +Lifestyle Collection; Capital One Lounge Access; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Priority Pass Lounge Access; $300 Annual Capital One Travel Credit (up to $300/yr) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +Flexible Flight Cancellation: Cancel flights booked through Capital One Travel up to 3 hours before departure and receive most of your booking cost refunded
VISACore Rate
4.4¢
per dollar on general
$395/yr
Welcome: 75,000 miles
Also Great
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase
8x Ultimate Rewards on Flights booked through the required portal
8x × 1.8¢/pt = 14.4¢ per dollar
- +8x on Flights booked through the required portal — points worth 1.8¢ each
- +Annual fee $795. Other listed credits: Exclusive Tables Dining Credit (up to $150/6mo); StubHub & viagogo Credit (up to $300/yr); Apple TV and Apple Music Subscriptions (up to $27/mo); DoorDash DashPass & Credits (up to $35/mo); Peloton Credits & Bonus Points (up to $10/mo). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Annual Travel Credit (up to $300/yr); The Edit by Chase Travel Hotel Credit (up to $500/yr); Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Access; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Lyft Monthly Credit (up to $10/mo); Priority Pass Select Membership; Roadside Assistance; Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club; Travel and Emergency Assistance Services; Reserve Travel Designer — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
VISACore Rate
4.8¢
per dollar on general
$795/yr
Welcome: 100,000 points
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 10x ThankYou Points Hotels & Lodging | 4.1¢/$ | $95 | mastercard |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 10x Capital One Miles Hotels & Lodging | 4.4¢/$ | $395 | visa |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 8x Ultimate Rewards Flights | 4.8¢/$ | $795 | visa |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred CardChase | 5x Ultimate Rewards Flights | 3.5¢/$ | $95 | visa |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 5x Capital One Miles Hotels & Lodging | 3.1¢/$ | $95 | mastercard |
| Citi Strata Credit CardCiti | 5x ThankYou Points Hotels & Lodging | 2.8¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 5x Wells Fargo Rewards Hotels & Lodging | 2.6¢/$ | $95 | visa |
| Citi Double Cash CardCiti | 5% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 2.4¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| American Express Gold CardAmerican Express | 5x Membership Rewards Hotels & Lodging | 2.4¢/$ | $325 | amex |
| Chase Freedom UnlimitedChase | 5% cash back Flights | 2.3¢/$ | $0 | visa |
More Options
#4Chase Sapphire Preferred Card$95/yr
3.5¢/$
#5Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card$95/yr
3.1¢/$
#6Citi Strata Credit CardNo fee
2.8¢/$
#7Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Credit Card$95/yr
2.6¢/$
#8Citi Double Cash CardNo fee
2.4¢/$
#9American Express Gold Card$325/yr
2.4¢/$
#10Chase Freedom UnlimitedNo fee
2.3¢/$
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Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- Points & MilesPoints vs. cash back: 3 numbers that decide which card earns moreCash back is worth its face value; points are worth what you redeem them for. Compare earn rate, point value, and annual fee to see which pays you more.
- Welcome OffersHow credit card welcome offers work: 4 terms to check before you applyA welcome offer is worth its bonus minus the first-year fee, and only if you can meet the spend on purchases you already make. The 4 terms that decide it.
- Card StrategyDining card rewards: restaurants, delivery apps, and statement creditsDining rewards, merchant credits, and delivery perks follow separate rules. How to tell what a meal earns and whether a credit lowers what you spend.