My Ultimate Guide to the Best american Credit cards & ATM Cards for Traveling
Pro Tip: Avoid currency conversion fees abroad by always choosing the '"local currency" when using your credit card or withdrawing cash.
My 4 Must-Have Credit Cards
Referral Link: Apply Here (my new favorite credit card!)
2024 Limited-Time Offer: $250 for Capital One Travel in the first year; 75,000 bonus miles (equivalent to $750) after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (equivalent to $1,000 in travel).
✔️Pros:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Widely accepted worldwide (Mastercard)
❌Cons:
- $95 annual fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
Rewards:
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® (my favorite perk)
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy hotel benefits from the Lifestyle Collection, such as a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Referral Link: Apply Here
Sign-up bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
✔️Pros:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- Widely accepted worldwide (Mastercard)
❌Cons:
- Limited travel perks
Rewards:
- 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% back on dining, eligible streaming services, grocery stores, and entertainment
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Referral Link: Apply Here
Referral bonus: Receive a $100 statement credit after making a purchase within three months of account opening.
Sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Sign-up bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
✔️Pros:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
❌Cons:
- Limited acceptance outside the US (Discover)
Rewards:
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
4. Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Card
Apply Here (my favorite credit card for the past 2 years)
Sign-up bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months—that’s a $200 cash redemption value.
✔️Pros:
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- Widely accepted worldwide (Visa)
❌Cons:
- Limited travel perks
Rewards:
- Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft, subject to a $25 deductible.
My #1 Must-Have Checking Account for Global ATM Access
Charles Schwab Investor Checking Account
Apply Here (my favorite ATM card for the past 3 years)
✔️Pros:
- Withdraw from ATMs worldwide with the best exchange rates (always choose the '"local currency")
- ATM fee rebates (get all extra ATM fees back, which can save a lot if you travel frequently)
- No monthly service fees or overdraft fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Schwab Security Guarantee
❌Cons:
- Requires a brokerage account with Charles Schwab
- Takes a bit of time to set up
Hopefully this guide will help you on your next trip outside the US!
Planning to travel soon...?
