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Foreign transaction fees

travel · 2 min read

The fee

Most cards charge 3% on transactions processed outside the US. Paying a $200 hotel bill abroad with the wrong card = $6 fee.

FTF-free cards (a partial list)

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve
  • Chase Ink Business Preferred
  • Amex Platinum, Gold, Green (charge cards are often no-FTF)
  • Capital One (every card in their lineup)
  • Bank of America Travel Rewards
  • Discover (all cards — but Discover isn't widely accepted internationally)
  • Wells Fargo Autograph

The gotcha

Amex Blue Cash Preferred/Everyday DO charge foreign transaction fees. Check before you travel — even flagship issuers have some FTF cards.