A free travel credit card finder that compares cards by where you live, with foreign fees, lounges and requirements from each issuer's own page.
5.0(1 rating)Compare travel credit cards by where you live: foreign transaction fees, lounges, annual fees and what it takes to get one.
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This free travel credit card finder compares cards by where you live: foreign transaction fees, lounges, annual fees, welcome bonuses, and what it takes to get one.
Pick where you live, and choose no foreign fee or airport lounges if they matter to you.
The finder shows the cards you can get first, and for each one, what it asks for.
Below it, each card has its own write-up: what it's good for, what it costs, today's welcome bonus, and what you need to apply, all from the issuer's own pages.
What makes a good travel credit card?
A good travel credit card charges nothing extra when you pay in another currency, and gives you something back for traveling, like lounge access or points you can move to airlines and hotels.
The catch is that most cards are only for residents of the country that issues them.
So the first question is always where you live.
How to use the travel credit card finder
Your choices stay in this browser, so the list is ready when you come back.
The travel cards compared
The quick view first: each card's annual fee and today's welcome bonus.
The full write-ups follow, country by country.
United States
Sapphire Preferred- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 75K points
Sapphire Reserve- Annual fee
- $795 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 100K points
Venture X- Annual fee
- $395 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 75K miles
Venture- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 75K miles
Bonvoy Boundless- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 3 free nights
Bonvoy Bold- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 45K points
Amex Platinum- Annual fee
- $895 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Up to 175K points
Amex Gold- Annual fee
- $325 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Up to 100K points
Bonvoy Brilliant- Annual fee
- $650 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 150K points
Bonvoy Bevy- Annual fee
- $250 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 125K points
Hilton Honors- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 70K points
Hilton Surpass- Annual fee
- Free in year 1, then $150 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 130K points
Hilton Aspire- Annual fee
- $550 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 200K points
World of Hyatt- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Up to 60K points
IHG Premier- Annual fee
- $99 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 140K points
IHG Traveler- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 80K points
United Kingdom
Amex Platinum- Annual fee
- £650 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 50K points
Marriott Bonvoy- Annual fee
- £95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 20K points
United Arab Emirates
Marriott Bonvoy- Annual fee
- AED 1,575 a year, AED 1,575 to join
- Welcome bonus
- Up to 200K points
Skywards Infinite- Annual fee
- AED 1,575 a year, AED 3,148.95 to join
- Welcome bonus
- Up to 100K miles
Amex Platinum- Annual fee
- AED 3,255 a year with VAT
- Welcome bonus
- 50K points
Amex Platinum Credit- Annual fee
- AED 735 a year with VAT
- Welcome bonus
- 30K points
Citi Cash Back- Annual fee
- Free in year 1, then AED 300 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Not listed
FAB Travel Credit Card- Annual fee
- AED 1,575 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Not listed
HSBC Emirates Skywards Infinite Credit Card- Annual fee
- AED 2,625 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 70K miles
Canada
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite- Annual fee
- CAD 150 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Not listed
Welcome bonuses change often, so each carries the day I read it on the issuer's page.
No welcome offer is listed right now for the Citi Cash Back (UAE), FAB Travel Credit Card (UAE) and Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite (Canada).
The best travel credit cards in the US
US cards are the most generous, and most of them charge no foreign transaction fees.
Chase's guide to applying says card applications ask for a Social Security number or an ITIN, and generally a physical US address.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase · Credit cardTravel points with no foreign fee, for $95- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 75,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Up to 5x points
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.49% to 27.74%
It charges no foreign transaction fees, earns 5x points on Chase Travel and 2x on other travel, and its points move to airline and hotel programs.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Points transfer to airline and hotel programs
- Trip cancellation and delay cover
- $95 a year
What you need to apply: A Social Security number or an ITIN; a physical US address (generally required); 18 or over
Visit ChaseChase Sapphire Reserve
Chase · Credit cardLounges and a $300 travel credit every year- Annual fee
- $795 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 100,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Up to 8x points
- Lounges
- Priority Pass, Sapphire Lounges
- Interest
- 19.74% to 28.24%
It includes Priority Pass and Chase's own Sapphire Lounges with up to 2 guests, a $300 travel credit every year, and no foreign transaction fees.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Priority Pass and Sapphire Lounge access with 2 guests
- $300 travel credit every year
- $795 a year, plus $195 per authorized user
What you need to apply: A Social Security number or an ITIN; a physical US address (generally required); 18 or over
Visit ChaseCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One · Credit cardLounges and 2x miles on everything, for $395- Annual fee
- $395 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 2x miles on everything
- Lounges
- Priority Pass, Capital One Lounges
- Interest
- 19.49% to 28.49%
Its main cardholder gets Capital One Lounges and 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges, it earns 2x miles on everything, and it adds 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Capital One Lounges and 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges
- 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary
- $395 a year
- The higher travel rates need Capital One Travel
Visit Capital OneCapital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One · Credit cardSimple 2x miles on every purchase- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 75,000 miles + $300 travel credit after $4,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 2x miles on everything
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.49% to 28.49%
It earns 2x miles on every purchase, charges no foreign transaction fees, and its miles don't expire while the account is open.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Unlimited 2x miles on every purchase
- Miles don't expire
- $95 a year
Visit Capital OneMarriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Chase · Credit cardA free Marriott night every year, for $95- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 3 Free Night Awards after $3,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Up to 17x at Marriott
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.49% to 27.99%
It gives a Free Night Award every anniversary, automatic Silver Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits a year, with no foreign transaction fees.
- No foreign transaction fees
- A Free Night Award every anniversary
- Silver Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits a year
- $95 a year
What you need to apply: A Social Security number or an ITIN; a physical US address (generally required); 18 or over
Visit ChaseMarriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Chase · Credit cardMarriott points with no annual fee- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after $1,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Up to 14x at Marriott
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.49% to 27.99%
It has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, with automatic Silver Elite status and 5 Elite Night Credits a year.
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Silver Elite status
- Up to 14x at Marriott, fewer than the Boundless
What you need to apply: A Social Security number or an ITIN; a physical US address (generally required); 18 or over
Visit ChaseAmerican Express Platinum Card
American Express · Charge cardLounges and travel credits- Annual fee
- $895 a year
- Welcome bonus
- As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 in 6 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 5x on flights and hotels
- Lounges
- Global Lounge Collection
- Interest
- 19.74% to 28.74%
It opens the Global Lounge Collection, earns 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels, and adds statement credits such as Uber Cash and CLEAR+.
- No foreign transaction fees
- The Global Lounge Collection
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status
- Carries your Amex history to cards in other countries (Global Card Relationship)
- $895 a year
Visit American ExpressAmerican Express Gold Card
American Express · Charge cardPoints on dining and groceries- Annual fee
- $325 a year
- Welcome bonus
- As high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 4x at restaurants
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.74% to 28.74%
It earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and at US supermarkets, charges no foreign transaction fees, and its points move to 20 airline and hotel partners.
- No foreign transaction fees
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide
- Points transfer to 20 airline and hotel partners
- $325 a year
Visit American ExpressMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
American Express · Credit cardMarriott Platinum Elite status and unlimited lounges- Annual fee
- $650 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points + $250 credit after $6,000 in 6 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 6x at Marriott hotels
- Lounges
- Priority Pass, unlimited
- Interest
- Not listed
It includes Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, 25 Elite Night Credits a year, a Free Night Award every year, and unlimited Priority Pass visits.
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
- Unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits
- No foreign transaction fees
- A Free Night Award every year
- $650 a year
Visit American ExpressMarriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card
American Express · Credit cardMarriott Gold Elite status- Annual fee
- $250 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points + $150 credit after $5,000 in 6 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 6x at Marriott hotels
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- Not listed
It includes Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits a year, and 1,000 bonus points for each paid stay booked with Marriott.
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
- $250 a year
Visit American ExpressHilton Honors American Express Card
American Express · Credit cardHilton points with no annual fee- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 70,000 Hilton Honors points + a free night after $2,000 in 6 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 7x at Hilton hotels
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.74% to 28.74%
It has no annual fee, includes Hilton Honors Silver status, earns 7x points at Hilton hotels, and charges no foreign transaction fees.
- No annual fee
- Hilton Honors Silver status
- No foreign transaction fees
- Gold status needs $20,000 of spending in a year
Visit American ExpressHilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
American Express · Credit cardHilton Gold status and yearly Hilton credits- Annual fee
- Free in year 1, then $150 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 130,000 Hilton Honors points + a free night after $3,000 in 6 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 12x at Hilton hotels
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.74% to 28.74%
It includes Hilton Honors Gold status, up to $200 a year in Hilton credits, and a Free Night Reward after $15,000 of spending in a calendar year, with no foreign transaction fees.
- Hilton Honors Gold status
- Up to $200 a year in Hilton credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- $150 a year after the first year
Visit American ExpressHilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
American Express · Credit cardHilton Diamond status and a free night every year- Annual fee
- $550 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 200,000 Hilton Honors points after $6,000 in 6 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- 14x at Hilton hotels
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 19.74% to 28.74%
It includes Hilton Honors Diamond status, a Free Night Reward every year, up to $400 a year in Hilton Resort credits and up to $200 in flight credits, with no foreign transaction fees.
- Hilton Honors Diamond status
- A Free Night Reward every year
- Up to $400 a year in Hilton Resort credits
- $550 a year
Visit American ExpressWorld of Hyatt Credit Card
Chase · Credit cardA Hyatt free night every year, for $95- Annual fee
- $95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 30,000 World of Hyatt points + up to 30,000 more after $3,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Up to 9x at Hyatt
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- Not listed
It gives a free night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt every year, Discoverist status, and 5 tier-qualifying night credits a year plus 2 more for every $5,000 you spend, with no foreign transaction fees.
- A free night every year
- Discoverist status and 5 night credits a year
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 a year
What you need to apply: A Social Security number or an ITIN; a physical US address (generally required); 18 or over
Visit ChaseIHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Chase · Credit cardIHG Platinum Elite and an anniversary free night- Annual fee
- $99 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 140,000 IHG One Rewards points after $3,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Up to 26x at IHG
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- Not listed
It includes IHG Platinum Elite status, an Anniversary Free Night every year, and the 4th night free on 4-night reward stays, with no foreign transaction fees.
- IHG Platinum Elite status
- An Anniversary Free Night every year
- No foreign transaction fees
- $99 a year
What you need to apply: A Social Security number or an ITIN; a physical US address (generally required); 18 or over
Visit ChaseIHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Chase · Credit cardIHG points with no annual fee- Annual fee
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 80,000 IHG One Rewards points after $2,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Up to 17x at IHG
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- Not listed
It has no annual fee, includes IHG Silver Elite status, and gives the 4th night free on 4-night reward stays, with no foreign transaction fees.
- No annual fee
- IHG Silver Elite status
- No foreign transaction fees
- No yearly free night
What you need to apply: A Social Security number or an ITIN; a physical US address (generally required); 18 or over
Visit ChaseThe best travel credit cards in the UK
UK cards are for people who live in the UK, with a UK bank account and home address.
American Express Platinum Card
American Express · Charge cardLounges and dining credits in the UK- Annual fee
- £650 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 50,000 Membership Rewards points after £6,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- 2.99%
- Rewards
- Not listed
- Lounges
- 1,550+ lounges
- Interest
- 29.1% p.a.
It opens 1,550+ airport lounges in 140+ countries and gives up to £400 a year in dining credits, half in the UK and half abroad.
- 1,550+ airport lounges in 140+ countries
- Up to 400 GBP a year in dining credits (UK and abroad)
- 650 GBP a year
- 2.99% on spending in other currencies
- Needs a permanent UK address and 35,000 GBP a year in income
What you need to apply: Residence in the UK; £35,000 a year; 18 or over; a current UK bank or building society account; a permanent UK home address; no history of bad debt
Visit American ExpressMarriott Bonvoy American Express Card
American Express · Credit cardMarriott status and night credits in the UK- Annual fee
- £95 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after £3,000 in 3 months
- Foreign fee
- 2.99%
- Rewards
- 6x at Marriott hotels
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- 29.1% p.a.
It includes Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits a year, with Gold Elite once you spend £15,000 a year. It charges 2.99% on spending in other currencies.
- Silver Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits a year
- Gold Elite at 15,000 GBP of spending a year
- 2.99% on spending in other currencies
- Needs a permanent UK address and 20,000 GBP a year in income
What you need to apply: Residence in the UK; £20,000 a year; 18 or over; a current UK bank or building society account; a permanent UK home address; no history of bad debt
Visit American ExpressThe best travel credit cards in the UAE
UAE cards are for residents: each asks for an Emirates ID, and most for a salary certificate and a minimum salary.
In the UAE, Emirates NBD charges 1.99% abroad, and its Key Facts Statement adds that Visa or Mastercard charges its own fee of about 1.15% on top.
FAB's Travel card is the exception: FAB says it charges no international transaction fee and no hidden scheme or bank charges on foreign currency spending.
Emirates NBD Marriott Bonvoy World Elite Mastercard
Emirates NBD · Credit cardMarriott Gold Elite and points in the UAE- Annual fee
- AED 1,575 a year, AED 1,575 to join
- Welcome bonus
- Up to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, 100,000 on joining, 100,000 after US$15,000
- Foreign fee
- 1.99% + about 1.15%
- Rewards
- Up to 6 points per US$1
- Lounges
- Mastercard Travel Pass
- Interest
- 3.25%
It gives automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits a year toward Platinum, a Free Night Award every year, and lounges through Mastercard Travel Pass.
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- An annual Free Night Award
- Up to 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per US$1
- Airport lounges with Mastercard Travel Pass
- AED 1,575 to join and AED 1,575 a year
- Minimum salary AED 25,000
- Needs an Emirates ID and a security cheque
What you need to apply: Residence in the UAE; aED 25,000 salary, period not stated; original Emirates ID and copy with passport copy; latest salary certificate (salaried) or trade license (non-individuals); latest 3-month original bank statements; a security cheque
Visit Emirates NBDEmirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
Emirates NBD · Credit cardEmirates miles and Skywards Silver- Annual fee
- AED 1,575 a year, AED 3,148.95 to join
- Welcome bonus
- Up to 100,000 Skywards Miles, 35,000 on joining, 65,000 with spending
- Foreign fee
- 1.99% + about 1.15%
- Rewards
- Up to 2 miles per US$1
- Lounges
- 1,000+ lounges
- Interest
- Not listed
It includes Emirates Skywards Silver, which opens Emirates Business Class lounges, plus 1,000+ airport lounges through Visa Airport Companion.
- Emirates Skywards Silver membership included
- Up to 2 Skywards Miles per US$
- 1,000+ airport lounges through Visa Airport Companion
- AED 3,148.95 to join and AED 1,575 a year
- Minimum salary AED 30,000
What you need to apply: Residence in the UAE; aED 30,000 salary, period not stated; original Emirates ID and copy with passport copy; latest salary certificate (salaried) or trade license (non-individuals); latest 3-month original bank statements; a security cheque
Visit Emirates NBDAmerican Express Platinum Card
American Express · Charge cardLounges and a yearly travel credit in the UAE- Annual fee
- AED 3,255 a year with VAT
- Welcome bonus
- 50,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 in 90 days
- Foreign fee
- 2.94% + VAT
- Rewards
- Not listed
- Lounges
- 1,700+ lounges
- Interest
- Not listed
It opens 1,700+ airport lounges for you and a supplementary Card Member, and gives an AED 1,100 travel credit every year.
- 1,700+ airport lounges for you and a supplementary Card Member
- AED 1,100 travel credit every year
- Billed in US dollars or dirhams
- AED 3,100 a year plus VAT
- 2.94% fee plus VAT on other currencies
- Needs AED 30,605 a month in income
What you need to apply: Residence in the UAE; aED 367,260 a year (AED 30,605 a month, employed); AED 551,000 a year (self-employed)
Visit American ExpressAmerican Express Platinum Credit Card
American Express · Credit cardPriority Pass visits for a lower fee- Annual fee
- AED 735 a year with VAT
- Welcome bonus
- 30,000 Membership Rewards points after $5,500 in 90 days
- Foreign fee
- 2.94% + VAT
- Rewards
- 2 points per AED 4
- Lounges
- Priority Pass, 12 visits a year
- Interest
- 43.20% a year
It gives up to 12 Priority Pass visits a year, 10% back on dining up to AED 600, and grocery credits of up to AED 900 a year.
- Priority Pass lounge visits every year
- 10% back on dining, up to AED 600 a year
- 43.20% interest on unpaid balances
- 2.94% fee plus VAT on other currencies
- Needs AED 255,000 a year in income
What you need to apply: Residence in the UAE; aED 255,000 a year (employed); AED 275,000 a year (self-employed)
Visit American ExpressCiti Cash Back Card
Citibank · Credit cardCashback on spending in other currencies- Annual fee
- Free in year 1, then AED 300 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Not listed
- Foreign fee
- 2.99% (3% back)
- Rewards
- 3% back on non-AED spend
- Lounges
- 8 visits a year
- Interest
- Not listed
It pays 3% back on spending in other currencies, which about matches its 2.99% fee abroad, and it's free in year 1.
- 3% cashback on spending in other currencies
- No annual fee in year 1
- Lounge visits through Mastercard Travel Pass
- AED 300 from year 2 unless you spend AED 9,000
- 2.99% fee on foreign currency transactions
- Needs AED 8,000 a month in income
What you need to apply: Residence in the UAE; aED 96,000 a year (AED 8,000 a month)
Visit CitibankFAB Travel Credit Card
First Abu Dhabi Bank · Credit card- Annual fee
- AED 1,575 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Not listed
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Not listed
- Lounges
- You and up to 2 guests
- Interest
- Not listed
People living in the UAE who travel often and want no fees abroad.
- A true 0% fee on foreign currency spending
- 12% back on flights and hotels
- A free return flight each year when you pay the fee
- AED 20,000 monthly salary
- AED 1,575 a year
Visit First Abu Dhabi BankHSBC Emirates Skywards Infinite Credit Card
HSBC UAE · Credit card- Annual fee
- AED 2,625 a year
- Welcome bonus
- 70,000 Skywards Miles after AED 50,000 in 60 days
- Foreign fee
- 2%
- Rewards
- Not listed
- Lounges
- Not listed
- Interest
- Not listed
High earners in the UAE who fly Emirates.
- Up to 2.75 Skywards Miles per dollar
- No HSBC account needed to apply
- Miles don't expire while the card is open
- AED 30,000 monthly income
- AED 2,625 a year
- 2% plus scheme fee on foreign spending
What you need to apply: Residence in the UAE
Visit HSBC UAEThe best travel credit cards in Canada
Scotiabank's Passport Visa Infinite charges no foreign transaction fee, only the exchange rate.
It asks for an income of 60,000 to 80,000 CAD a year, or a household income or assets instead.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
Scotiabank · Credit card- Annual fee
- CAD 150 a year
- Welcome bonus
- Not listed
- Foreign fee
- None
- Rewards
- Not listed
- Lounges
- 6 passes a year
- Interest
- Not listed
Canadians who travel and want a card with no foreign transaction fee.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Six lounge passes a year
- 150 CAD a year
- Income or assets threshold
Visit ScotiabankThe same card can work very differently by country.
The American Express Platinum has no foreign fee in the US, while the UAE version charges 2.94% plus VAT.
Moving countries with your card
American Express runs a program for this, Global Card Relationship: when a Card Member moves, they can apply for an American Express card in their new country, in select countries, using their existing Amex relationship.
Credit history and travel credit card approval
Being able to apply isn't the same as being approved.
Card issuers look at your credit history, and it's kept country by country, so a history built in one country usually doesn't show up in another.
A few official lines show how this works:
- Chase – sets each card's interest rate "based on your creditworthiness and other factors", and says it requires a Social Security number for its business cards
- American Express UK – asks for no history of bad debt, a permanent UK home address and a UK bank account
- American Express Global Card Relationship – lets Card Members who move apply for a card in their new country, in select countries, using their existing Amex relationship
That's why the finder counts a local credit history as something you may not have yet, and marks those cards medium for you.
The bank accounts and cards I use
I'm not a US citizen, and I bank with Chase: I have Chase Private Client and Chase Business Complete Checking. Private Client has no foreign exchange fees and no ATM fees worldwide, and Chase waives its $35 monthly fee when you keep $150,000 or more with it.
Private Client is great if you qualify, but it's harder to get. You need proof of a US address, which you can get without living in the US, by staying there for a while or getting a short contract there. After that it's usually easy, especially with a good relationship with your banker. It depends on the banker and what they think: one turned me down, and another in the same city said yes.
Most people start with a regular account like Chase Total Checking, and I think it's still better than most other US banks. For a US company, I also like Mercury.
I keep a big bank on purpose. A neobank like Wise or Mercury can shut an account down, and with Chase that's very hard. And if JPMorgan Chase ever went under, I think we'd have bigger problems to worry about: it would be the end of the American economy, and in many ways the world's.
I use Wise to hold and convert other currencies, and I bank with HSBC in the UK. I've had American Express cards in the US and in the UK, where I had the Platinum, personal and business. I'm Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite.
In Dubai, I banked with Emirates NBD and Mashreq, and had Emirates NBD's Marriott and Emirates cards. I'd recommend Wio Personal and Wio Business there, because they have by far the best UI, but I'd still try to get an Emirates NBD account too.
That's my own mix, not a ranking. I haven't lived everywhere, so the travel credit card finder stays objective: the order comes from the rules above, never from what I use.
The Wise link is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Where the facts on these travel credit cards come from
Every fee, rule and requirement comes from the provider's own pages: its product page, fee schedule, pricing and terms, or eligibility page.
Deposit protection comes from each scheme's own site, and each travel credit card lists its sources with the date I read them.
When a provider doesn't publish something, the finder leaves it empty and says so, rather than filling it in from a comparison site.
Fees change, so check the provider before you apply.
It's information, not financial advice.
Who is the travel credit card finder for?
It's for travelers who want to stop paying extra abroad, and each of them has a next step:
- Card fees abroad calculator – anyone checking what a payment abroad really costs on their card
- Card finder – anyone comparing every card, business cards too
- Bank account finder – anyone who wants an account and a debit card for travel
- Currency converter – travelers checking the day's rate against what their card charged
- Schengen calculator – anyone counting days in Europe
- Digital nomad visa finder – remote workers checking which visas their income covers
Travel Credit Card Finder FAQs
Questions about banks and cards abroad? Here's what to know.
It's a fee a card charges when you pay in another currency, usually a percentage of the amount.
Chase's standard debit cards charge 3%, while cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Platinum in the US charge none.
The card pages I read don't say either way.
Chase says it requires a Social Security number for its business credit cards, and the finder marks the US cards as not confirmed for people who live elsewhere.
It's what a card gives you for joining, usually once you spend a set amount in the first few months.
When I checked on September 27, 2026, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offered 75,000 points after $5,000 of purchases in the first 3 months.
Offers change often, so the finder shows each one with the day I read it on the issuer's page.
In the US, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Capital One Venture X, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and the American Express Platinum include lounge access.
In the UK and the UAE, the American Express Platinum cards do too, and in the UAE the Emirates NBD cards and the Citi Cash Back include lounge visits through Visa and Mastercard programs.
American Express's Global Card Relationship lets Card Members apply for a card in their new country, in select countries.
It uses your existing Amex relationship to make the new application easier.
It depends on how much you travel and use the perks.
The finder shows each card's fee, foreign fee and lounges side by side, so you can weigh them for your own trips.
I did. I'm Navid Moazzez, and the travel credit card finder is one of my free tools on navid.me.
Read about me, or see my creator profile.
Navid Moazzez
AI business strategist & AI OS builder
Navid Moazzez helps creators and founders master AI and build their own AI Operating System (AI OS) to automate their business and life.
Navid.me is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
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