We all know how important credit cards are when it comes to managing finances at home. Using them makes it easier to get the funds you need especially during emergencies. Credit cards are not only for home use. You can use them during international travels. They are valuable tools for renting a hotel room, a car or paying a large amount for goods and services.
Credit cards can be a lifeline when you run out or cash. Imagine yourself about to pay for something big, and then realize that you have little or no cash to finish your transaction. Credit cards come to the rescue, and the feeling is always good.
Not all credit cards are good for international travel transactions. It is important that you take time to choose cards that have essential benefits. Some credit cards have travel protection that takes care of losses or any unexpected happening during travels.
We have selected some of the best credit cards that you will need to enjoy hitch-free transactions overseas.
Best Credit Cards for International Travels
BANK OF AMERICA TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD FOR STUDENTS
If you are a student studying abroad, this credit card has what it takes to meet your needs. You can use the card all year round without paying the usual annual fees of any kind. Your monthly FICO credit score will still be available for free.
This credit card gives you regular 1.5X points for all the purchases you make. On every $1,000 spent within the first 90 days of opening an account, you will earn 25,000 points at once. You can use the earned points to pay for hotels, cruises, vacation, flights and rental cars.
Pros and con
The benefits of this card include zero annual fee, free FICO scores, and zero interest on all purchases and balance transfers. Other benefits are a flat reward rate and 25 to 75 percent rewards when given a Preferred Rewards Membership status. The downside is that it has few students and travel benefits.
BANK OF AMERICA TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD
If you are like many people who prefer a zero-fee credit card, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card is right for you. It is a tool for a great international travel experience. You get 25,000 points immediately you open an account and spend $1,000. You also get zero fees when you buy items using the card, as long as they happen within 60 days of account creation.
Just like its student credit card counterpart, you will get 1.5X points on all the items you buy, and another 3X on every Bank of America Travel Center purchase you make. In addition, there is 25 to 75 percent extra rewards on every purchase if you are a Preferred Rewards member. However, you may not be able to use these rewards to book travels, but you can use them as statement credits on dining and travel purchases.
Pros and cons
The benefits of this credit card include zero annual and interest fees, lost luggage reimbursement, and increased rewards if you are a Preferred Rewards member. The disadvantages of this card are fewer redemption options, and unspecified travel benefits.
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE REWARDS CREDIT CARD
For those who love generous travel benefits with affordable annual fees, this credit card is a dream come true. To prepare your mind, the annual fee is $95, and you enjoy $750 worth of 75,000 points if you are able to spend $4,000 within the first 90 days of opening the account. Beside that, you are also going to earn 5X points to use for car rentals and hotel bookings, which must be done through Capital One Travel. You also get 2X points on other purchases you make with the credit card.
You can redeem your Capital One statement credits for travel and travel purchases on the portal of Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You will find several hotel and airline partners to choose from. The juicy part is that you will enjoy extended warranty coverage and travel accident insurance. You will also enjoy two free visits to the Capital One lounges at the airport and other lounges belonging to its partners, including premium ones.
Pros and cons
Capital One credit cards come with miles transfer, two free visits to airport lounges every year, and about $100 worth of credit for TSA Precheck and Global Entry. The downsides to this card include limited travel protection and low reputation associated with the transfer partners of Capital One.
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED
Chase Sapphire Preferred has the same ewards as Chase Sapphire Reserve. They also share similar transfer partners for both domestic and international travels. You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly to Southwest Rapid Rewards, as well as to Chase partners such as World of Hyatt program, Air France, MilagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy and a few others.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s annual fee is less than $95, and that means less travel perks. But there are special travel benefits to enjoy and they include baggage delay coverage, flight cancellation, trip delay protection, primary auto rental coverage interruption insurance, and many more perks.
Currently, you can receive up to 60,000 points if you spend about $4,000 on the purchase of items in the space of 90 days of account opening. You also receive a 25 percent rewards when you finally redeem your travel credits on the Chase portal. This bonus alone is worth $750 for airfare, hotel and other bookings. As a cardholder, you are eligible for 3X points for delivery goods, grocery shopping, and some selected streaming services. A 5X points under the Chase Ultimate Rewards and Lyft Rides, a 2X points, and 1X point are all available for users.
Pros and cons
Some of the benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred Card include a juicy welcome bonus, low annual fee, amazing travel protections and $50 yearly hotel credits. The disadvantages are that users do not have any access to lounges or premium travel benefits.
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, you will earn about 60,000 points as long as you are able to spend $4,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. There is also 10X points to earn to use for hotel stays or car rentals, courtesy of the Chase Ultimate Rewards. In addition, there are 10X points Lyft purchases, 5X points for air travel, 3X points for general travel or restaurant purchases, and 1X points for other kinds of purchases. You can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the portal through different ways including merchandise, gift cards, cash back and 1:1 transfer to Chase travel partners.
Users of Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card enjoy some of the most enviable travel protections. These amazing benefits include basic auto rental coverage, trip delay coverage, trip cancellation or interruption, emergency evacuation and transportation, and lost luggage reimbursement. In addition, cardholders will get access to airport lounges and several other exciting benefits such as 50 percent boost in points, $100 credit for Global Entry, and $85 credit for a TSA Precheck. However, users must pay an annual fee of $550.
Pros and cons
For Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, there are benefits such as a $300 travel credit annually, access to airport lounges, reliable travel insurance, transferable points, $100 Global Entry credits, and $85 TSA Precheck, The disadvantages of this card are limited travel partners and a huge $550 annual fee.
THE PLATINUM CARD FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
The credit card from Platinum is a tool that makes earning from American Express Membership Rewards points easy for users. This in turn can be converted to statement credits, merchandise, gift cards, transfer to Annex Airline, or travel purchase. The Platinum Card from American Express come with a $695 annual fee.
Users of this card receive a welcome bonus of 80,000 points as Membership Rewards if they spend $8,000 on purchases within the first 180 days after opening an account. There are also 5X points for flights, 5X points for prepaid hotel bookings, 2X points for prepaid car rentals, and 1X points for other kinds of purchases.
Platinum Card has zero transaction fees for international or foreign purchases. It also comes with wide access to airport lounges for all travels, and a $100 TSA Precheck or Global Entry. Also included are a $200 hotel credit, a $200 Uber monthly cash payment, a $200 hotel credit, and a hotline Global Assist package for legal and medical emergencies.
Pros and cons
Some of the pros of Platinum Card are transferable points, Global lounge access, reliable travel insurance, more than $1500 credits among other mouthwatering perks. The cons include a huge $695 yearly fee and difficulty in using some credit points.
Final Note
When you have a credit card that serves most of your important travel needs, you have solved a many difficult problems at once. Signing up for any of the cards comes with various benefits. Select the option that suits you best, and adjust your choice when you need to. There are different cards for different reasons and for different kinds of people. Choose wisely.