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What are International Fees?
Due to necessary currency conversions and international processing, credit cards will charge extra fees when used overseas. The typical charge is around 1 – 3% depending on the card provider. Some credit card providers issue credit cards that have no international fees as well as no annual fees. However, you should always look at the APR first and then decide on what type of card to apply for, depending on your spending habits.
Credit Card with Travel Benefits
There are some benefits to applying for a credit card that applies an annual fee because they often come with a number of benefits. As of writing this article, January 2026, Capital One is offering its VentureOne Rewards Credit Card with $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Contrast this with the Mastercard® Titanium Card® that charges an annual fee of $299. On face value, the VentureOne card has no annual fees and no international fees and may appear to be the cheaper choice. However, consider that the Mastercard® Titanium Card® allows the customer to redeem 2% of the value of airfares and 1% cashback. Other benefits include 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®. It also offers complimentary access to over 1,700 airport lounges with travel experiences in over 600 cities across 145 countries with Priority Pass™ Select.
Best Miles Credit Card
If you are not a frequent flyer and you’re not planning a trip abroad any time soon, the credit card with the yearly fee may not be beneficial to you. Whereas if you do travel a lot, then the credit card with the annual fee may not only end up saving you money but may make your traveling a more enjoyable experience. This choice may then become more valuable over time.
Other card providers such as Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Citi Double Cash, Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card, or the Delta SkyMiles Blue Amexare offering $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (correct as January 2026).
