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International Credit Cards |
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International credit cards, as their name suggests, are merely credit cards that can be used to make purchases around the world. A credit card’s applicability to international use depends primarily on its network. A credit card network dictates the number of merchant locations at which a card will be accepted. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted networks--both accepted at tens of millions of locations in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. As a result, we have listed below only no international fee credit cards that are either VISA or MasterCard. While credit network and technology are the key factors to a particular credit card’s suitability to international use, don’t forget that all international credit cards still require international activation, so to speak. Prior to any trip abroad, you must alert your issuer to every country in which you will be using your credit card, or it will not work. Depending on the country, you might also need to show your passport at the point of sale in order for a transaction to be approved.
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Capital One® Platinum Credit Card
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Annual Fee $0 for 1st yr, $19 after
Rewards None
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Capital One® Orbitz® Visa® Platinum
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Capital One® Cash Rewards
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Capital One® Platinum Prestige Credit Card
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Annual Fee None
Rewards None
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Capital One® Classic Platinum Credit Card
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Annual Fee $39
Rewards None
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British Airways Credit Card
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Annual Fee $95
Rewards Miles
Initial Bonus up to 100,000 miles
Base Earn 1.25 miles / $1
Max Earn 2.5 miles / $1
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Capital One® Cash Rewards for Newcomers
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Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus
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Capital One® VentureOneSM Rewards Credit Card
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Annual Fee None
Rewards Miles
Initial Bonus 10,000 miles
Base Earn 1.25 miles / $1
Max Earn 1.25 miles / $1
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Chase Sapphire PreferredSM Card
Rates:
Annual Fee None 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Points
Initial Bonus 40,000 points
Base Earn 1 point / $1
Max Earn 2 points / $1
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(Transfer Fee, Foreign Fee, etc.)We work hard to present you with the most accurate credit card information, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information. Certain offers originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on a card’s details page, when applicable.
Before you apply for a credit card we recommend that you review and verify the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card company's web site. Please let us know if you find any differences related to the International Credit Cards shown on this page.
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Are there fees for international credit card use? Yes, according to Card Hub data, 90.2% of credit cards charge international fees of 3% for any purchases processed outside the United States. Given that you don’t need to physically be outside the country to incur these fees, we suggest getting a no foreign transaction fee credit card prior to dealing with any foreign-based merchants in person or online.
Which is the best international credit card? The best international credit cards do share a couple of common characteristics. First, they are on either the Visa or MasterCard networks. These two payment networks boast the widest global acceptance and as long as you're not traveling in a remote part of the world, you shouldn't have any issues. Second, the best international credit cards are among the 9.8% of all credit cards that don’t charge foreign fees. Other than that, determining the best international credit card depends on your intended use. If you’re aren’t going to be able to pay your bill in full every month, get a zero APR credit card; otherwise, get the best rewards card. Obviously, in either scenario, the card you get should meet your credit standing as well as the aforementioned criteria for international use.
Do I need an international credit card if I do business with foreign-based companies? If you are a small business owner who deals with international merchants and/or clients or you simply buy things from foreign-based companies on a frequent basis, then you should have an international credit card. International fees apply to any purchase that is processed outside of the U.S., regardless of where you are when you make it. For business owners, whether you get one of the many international business credit cards or a general international credit card depends on whether or not you will pay off the balance on this card in full every month. Business credit cards are not covered by the CARD Act protection that prevents issuers from arbitrarily increasing interest rates on existing balances. General-consumer cards are, however, and are therefore a better choice if you must revolve a balance.
Does credit card technology differ around the world? Different countries rely on different credit card technologies, with the two main types being the United States’ magnetic stripe credit cards and the chip-and-pin system employed by the majority of European nations, Japan and Canada. Differences between these technologies may prevent you from using some automated aspects of another nation’s payment infrastructure (e.g. parking meters and vending machines) but are currently only a minor factor in terms of a particular card’s suitability to international use. Over time, technological differences between credit cards will become more important as more pervasive effects of the European Payments Council’s attempts to limit magnetic stripe credit card use are felt. The decisions of major credit card companies--namely, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and Chase--to begin offering chip-and-pin cards on a limited basis is only evidence of this fact. Global credit card interoperability isn’t too far down the road, however.
If I travel abroad, should I have an international debit card as well? In light of the fact that you won’t be able to use plastic for every purchase you make everywhere around the world, you’re going to need cash. Now, you could exchange cash at a local bank before leaving for a trip or do so at an airport currency exchange kiosk, but these methods are much more expensive than leveraging the Visa or MasterCard exchange rate, according to Card Hub’s Currency Exchange Study. This DOES NOT mean you should take cash advances on your credit card while out of the country though. You should instead get a low-cost international debit card in order to withdraw cash at ATMs in your destination country. As is the case with international credit cards, the best international debit cards are those on the Visa or MasterCard network that have low international ATM fees. A rule of thumb is that an international ATM fee below 1% of the amount being withdrawn is a good deal.
What are international prepaid credit cards? “International prepaid credit card” is just a misleading term. No line of credit is extended with a prepaid card and therefore the word “credit” is used in error. In fact, a prepaid card at its core is a Visa/MasterCard debit card that is not linked to a checking account. While you still might see prepaid cards advertised as “prepaid credit cards,” that is simply a marketing ploy designed to increase the appeal prepaid cards have to prospective applicants.