Choosing the right credit card can make a big difference when traveling abroad. The best cards offer no foreign transaction fees, strong travel rewards, and perks like airport lounge access or travel insurance. Whether you’re booking flights, dining out, or exploring local shops, using a travel-friendly card ensures you earn valuable points while avoiding unnecessary fees—making every purchase work harder for your next adventure.
This guide is not about planning for travel but rather spending when you are at your destination. I only highlight relevant benefits and multipliers.
I divide the types of spending into:
- Dining (Restaurants and Supermarkets)
- Travels at the destinations
- Universal
Dining (Restaurants and Supermarkets)
Candidates for my travel wallet:
Amex Gold
- 4x Points:
At restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per year.
At U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per year.
Verdict: High annual fee of $325
Sapphire reserve
- 3x points: Travel and dining
- Airport Lounges: Priority Pass™ / Sapphire (most can be accessed through priority pass program)
- Annual fee: $550
Sapphire preferred
- 3x points: dining
- 2x points: All other travel purchases
- Annual fee: $95
Verdict (My pick):
- Great for restaurants/public transports/tolls
- Required gateway for Chase transfer partner (personal cards). Usually Sapphire preferred has higher signup bonus.
Link for Sapphire preferred (100,000 points as of April 2025):
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19q/KOIMAAM07S
Travels at the destinations
Citi Strata Premier
- 3X Points:
- Restaurants
- Gas station/EV charging
- Supermarkets
- Annual fee: $95
Verdict (My pick): 3x for Supermarkets/gas globally
Universal spending
Capital one Venture X
2X Miles: For everything
- Airport Lounges: Priority Pass™ / Capital one’s own lounges (best US lounges so far as of 2025)
- Hertz’ top tier status
- Annual fee: $395
Verdict (My pick):
- Universal card
- Unique airport lounges
- Easy to use annual credit
Capital one targets subprime market. This card needs to be applied for ASAP when you have great credit score, before building an extensive credit history.
Link for Venture X: