Do american express cards have foreign transaction fees

Compare American Express credit cards with no foreign transaction fee

Most American Express travel cards, including hotel and airline cobranded cards have no foreign transaction fees. Compare these cards to find the right card for your travel needs.

Despite their reputation for not being widely accepted overseas, American Express credit cards have a lower foreign transaction fee than most other providers. What’s more, there are several American Express cards that don’t have these fees at all. Here’s a full list of Amex cards with no foreign transaction fees along with a few notable cards that do.

Some of Amex’s most popular cards are among those without foreign transaction fees, like the Amex Gold Card and Amex Platinum Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. Still, there are a few Amex cards with foreign transaction fees worth calling out. (Terms apply, see rates & fees).

The Blue Cash Preferred card is one of the strongest everyday cashback cards on the market. While it charges foreign transaction fees, you’re most likely to use this card at home anyhow, as it earns big at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, streaming services and transit.

The Blue Cash Everyday is a similar type of rewards card for everyday purchases, though possesses a simpler reward structure and no annual fee. It’s an ideal alternative to the Preferred if you have a smaller family or don’t want to worry about an annual fee.

American Express cards with foreign transaction fees charge a 2.7% fee. This is lower than the 3% fee most other cards charge. To put this into perspective, a 2.7% foreign transaction fee means you’ll pay a $27 fee for every $1,000 spent abroad or online with foreign merchants.

If your final determining factor is that your American Express card comes without foreign transaction fees, then you can choose any of the cards listed above. Both Delta credit cards and Hilton credit cards are good options for no foreign transaction fees. If you’re looking for additional value, take these other features and perks into consideration.

• Annual fee Almost every American Express credit card without foreign transaction fees has an annual fee ranging from $95 — which is $0 for the first year only on some cards — up to $550 annually. However, there is an Amex card with no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee: the Hilton Honors American Express Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees).
• Intro APR period It’s rare to find a 0% intro APR period in any of these cards. Typically, if you’re looking to consolidate your debt or carry a large purchase interest-free for a long period, look for 0% intro APR cards.
• Welcome offer Each of these cards come with a generous welcome offer. When comparing the ratio between the welcome offer and the annual fee, you’ll find the highest value for your needs.
• Rewards All of the American Express credit cards with no foreign transaction fees let you earn miles or points that you can redeem for specific rewards. The Hilton Honors™ Aspire Card has one of the highest point-earning values on your Hilton purchases, flights booked directly with airlines or the American Express travel site, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and at U.S. restaurants.
• Dining If you frequently travel and spend money on dining, the American Express® Gold Card could be a valuable addition to your wallet. With this card, you earn accelerated points at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express travel site. In addition, you can early monthly credits on dining.
• Flights If you don’t fly with any single airline, the The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Hilton Honors™ Aspire Card could be worth considering. Both Amex travel cards let you earn accelerated points on all flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express travel site. But if you prefer to fly Delta, consider one of the three Delta co-branded cards without foreign transaction fees. With a Delta card, you get Delta-specific perks like priority boarding, first checked bag free and an annual companion flight certificate for the more expensive cards.
• Complimentary lounge access With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you get complimentary access to all Delta Sky Club lounges. While with The Platinum Card® from American Express, you get complimentary access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select after enrollment, The International American Express lounges and even Delta Sky Club when flying Delta.
• Hotels Amex offers The Platinum Card® from American Express which earns accelerated points on prepaid hotels booked through the American Express travel site. However, if you’re loyal to a certain brand of hotels, consider a Hilton credit card, which has additional hotel perks and features. Compare Amex’s hotel cards to see whether a cobranded or general card is the right pick for you.
• Additional perks For a variety of perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express is undoubtedly worth considering. The card’s rewards range from Uber credits and airline fee credit and enrollment, to complimentary lounge access and hotel perks.

Picking the right American Express no annual fee credit card requires you review a few of your financial needs.

• Consider how often you travel. If you don’t travel out of country excessively, a more expensive card like the Amex Platinum Card might not be for you.
• Think about what perks, features or rewards you want. In addition to general travel card options, you have airline and hotel options to choose from as well. These each have their own unique perks and features.
• Look at the card’s annual fee. Many of the American Express no-foreign-transaction fee cards feature some form of annual fee. Review each card’s fee against its perks and features to make sure the annual fee isn’t a hindrance to your bank account.

Yes. Amex has several strong travel card options available which also possess no foreign transaction fees. Chances are there’s at least one type of card that will suit your needs.

Pros

• Variety of cards. There are general travel cards as well as cobranded travel cards available in Amex’s lineup.
• Strong perks and features. Amex offers some to-notch features on several of its no foreign transaction fee cards.
• Strong rewards program. The Amex Membership Rewards program is a powerful rewards program you’ll find on both the Gold and Platinum cards.

Cons

• Can get pricey. The stronger no foreign transaction fee cards require large annual fees.
• Best non-travel rewards cards have foreign transaction fees. Generally, you’ll need to pick up a travel card from Amex if you want a card without a foreign transaction fee.

When choosing an American Express credit card without a foreign transaction fee, consider how much you’re willing to pay for the card and which additional perks you want. But know that these cards are poor choices for a 0% intro APR period.

Not sure if any of these cards will work for you? Check out other travel credit cards and cards with no foreign transaction fees to compare your options.

Kliment Dukovski is a cryptocurrency and investments writer who has written over 700 articles to help readers find and compare the best financial options. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange and stock market trading.

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