Best Travel Cards

OK, so you are going on a long trip to Europe. Should you bring some cash? Sure, but a small amount just in case. However, not only can you pay for virtually everything on your trip using cards, but you absolutely should! Not thinking strategically about HOW you are going to pay for things on your trip could mean you are leaving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on the table.

First, don’t use debit cards. There are a few reasons. Debit cards do not generally provide reward points for travel usage, and that means you are missing out. Second, debit cards are tied directly to your bank account. If something happened and you encountered theft or fraud, dealing with your bank to get charges reversed while overseas is not easy. The time zones are different and bank security measures make it difficult to access your account. Sometimes just getting that two-factor authentication via text is difficult when traveling. With a credit card, if something happens, you have until the next billing cycle to deal with it.

When selecting a travel credit card, it's important to consider factors like rewards, fees, foreign transaction fees, travel benefits, and ease of use. Here are some of the top banks and their travel credit cards that are highly regarded for international travel:

Chase

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Benefits: 2x points on travel and dining, 1x points on all other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: Generous sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.
Annual Fee: Moderate.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None.

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Benefits: 3x points on travel and dining, 1x points on all other purchases. $300 annual travel credit.
Sign-Up Bonus: Large sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.
Annual Fee: High.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
Additional Perks: Priority Pass lounge access, travel insurance, and more.

American Express

1. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Benefits: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
Sign-Up Bonus: Large sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.
Annual Fee: High.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
Additional Perks: Extensive travel perks, including airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and concierge service.

2. American Express® Gold Card

Benefits: 4x points at restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Sign-Up Bonus: Generous sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.
Annual Fee: Moderate.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None.

Bank of America

1. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

o Benefits: 1.5x points on all purchases.

o Sign-Up Bonus: Decent sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.

o Annual Fee: None.

o Foreign Transaction Fees: None.

2. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

o Benefits: 2x points on travel and dining, 1.5x points on all other purchases. Up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually.

o Sign-Up Bonus: Generous sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.

o Annual Fee: Moderate.

o Foreign Transaction Fees: None.

Citi

1. Citi Premier® Card

Benefits: 3x points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 1x points on all other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: Generous sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.
Annual Fee: Moderate.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None.

2. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®

Benefits: 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations, 1x miles on other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: Generous sign-up bonus if spending requirements are met.
Annual Fee: Moderate (waived for the first year).
Foreign Transaction Fees: None.

These cards offer a range of benefits that can enhance your travel experience, such as no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, airport lounge access, and flexible reward redemption options. Always consider your specific travel habits and financial situation when choosing a travel card.

As for my most recent trip, I used my:

Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card.

Almost exclusively. Like many Americans, I use Amazon often enough that I have Amazon Prime already. I know that any “cash back” I receive will be used – and easily. Also, they have recently added a great travel benefit –

Earn unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership. You can book flights, hotels, rental cars and more online.

You will likely spend thousands of dollars on flights, hotels, car rentals, etc. if you take an extended trip to Europe. This means with this card; you will get hundreds of dollars back.