Specialists at WalletHub released the results of its nationally
representative International Credit
Card Survey gauging people’s opinions on spending abroad.
The survey also
revealed editors’ picks for the Best International Credit Cards of 2025 and a
new Currency Exchange Study highlighting easy ways to save.
Key findings of the study include:
- Predatory Practice: More than 4 in 5
Americans say foreign transaction fees are a rip-off.
- Ill-Informed Cardholders: Nearly 1 in 3
Americans don’t know whether their credit
card has a foreign transaction fee.
- Few Understand Foreign Fees: Only 12
percent of Americans understand when foreign transaction fees apply.
- Exchange Rate Savings: 81 percent of
Americans don’t know that using a credit card gets them the best exchange rate
when traveling abroad.
- Receipts in Local Currency: More than 4
in 5 Americans don’t realize that it’s better to have the receipt in the local
currency (not USD) when making a purchase with a credit card while traveling
abroad.
- Prepared to Switch Banks: Nearly 3 in 5
people say they will consider switching credit card companies the next time
they get charged a foreign transaction fee.
- Savvy Traveler Savings: A no foreign
transaction fee credit card saves travelers an average of 8.59 percent relative
to airport currency exchanges and 5.57 percent compared to exchanging currency
at the average bank.
- Best International Credit Cards: Based on
a comparison of 1,500+ credit cards, the WalletHub Award for 2025’s Best
International Credit Card goes to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for its
great travel rewards and no foreign fees.
Other Top International Credit Card categories include:
- Best Travel Rewards Card- Chase Sapphire
Preferred
- Best for Travel and Dining Card- Bank of
America Premium Rewards
- Best Airline Card- JetBlue Plus
- Best Hotel Card- The World of Hyatt
- Best No Annual Fee Card- Wells Fargo
Autograph
“If you’re planning
an international trip, make sure to apply for a credit card that does not
charge foreign transaction fees but does offer a big initial bonus early in the
planning process” said John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor. “Around 90 percent of
credit cards charge foreign fees, which more than 4 in 5 people say are a
rip-off, according to a new WalletHub survey. The best travel rewards cards not
only lack foreign fees, but they currently offer bonuses worth $1,000+ in
travel.
Kiernan added, “Hundreds of dollars in free money could make
a trip abroad much more affordable, as could a lower exchange rate. Credit
cards automatically offer the best exchange rates, saving you nearly 9 percent
compared to exchanging hard currency at the airport. So, instead of waiting to
get charged a foreign fee before switching credit card companies, as nearly 3
in 5 people say they would do, go on the attack and seek out savings wherever
you can find them.”
He also said, “When the time comes to use your card abroad,
make sure to sign your receipts in the local currency rather than U.S. dollars.
Letting the merchant convert the total to U.S. dollars can cost you up to 10
percent.”
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
