If you’re a United States citizen living or planning to move outside of the country, you may be wondering what credit card is best to use in your new destination.
There are many important factors to consider, including foreign transaction fees and rewards structures that will give you the best bang for your buck. While it helps to know which card is best for you, it’s also important to understand the financial norms of the country or countries that you plan to live in.
Comparing the best cards for expats
Top cards for expats
Best for frequent traveling
What helps the Chase Sapphire Preferred stand out is its generous rewards rate in travel-related spending categories that have enough value to help offset the card’s annual fee with just modest spending. It’s a great entry point for new cardholders to get the hang of travel rewards because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely valuable, especially when you redeem them for travel using the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Pros
Points get a 25 percent value boost when you use them on the issuer’s travel portal.
It has plenty of perks and benefits to help offset the annual fee.
Cons
Its $95 annual fee could be a little steep if you don’t travel frequently.
This card doesn’t have introductory APR offers on purchases and balance transfers, hindering its first-year value.
Best for simplistic spending
This card can help you turn your everyday spending into a travel rewards strategy that provides solid value no matter where you spend your money. It earns a flat rate on general purchases, but if you make the occasional travel purchase you’ll earn a generously boosted rate (as long as you make your purchase using Capital One Travel). Living abroad can be complicated, so a flat-rate card like this one can simplify your spending while you manage the nuances of international life.
Pros
A flat rate for all purchases keeps things simple, so you don’t need to track categories when thinking about maximizing your card’s value.
Flexible redemption options help you make the most of your rewards in a way that’s comfortable for you.
Cons
There are no credits or benefits to help offset the card’s annual fee, so your spending habits and volume will determine whether this card is worth it.
Capital One Miles are only worth 1 cent or less unless you use an eligible airline transfer program.
Best for no annual fee
For an affordable way to earn rewards from your purchases, you might consider a no-annual-fee card like the Bank of America Travel Rewards card. It earns a decent flat rate on all purchases and a fairly competitive welcome offer, but it doesn’t really stand out as a great travel card because it’s a cash back card without any lucrative travel benefits. However, you can enjoy Bank of America’s Museums On Us perk, and you won’t pay foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for touring new areas when living abroad.
Pros
It offers an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, making it a decent card for managing current card debt or temporarily delaying interest payments on new purchases.
It charges neither foreign transaction fees nor annual fees, so it’s affordable and accessible no matter your budget.
Cons
It lacks travel perks of substantial value and its rewards rate is lower than you’ll find on other flat-rate cash back and rewards cards.
You won’t earn points that you can transfer to travel partners, which is often the most rewarding way to use points.
Best for dining
This premium travel card carries a lush portfolio of dining perks and credits that will make most foodies satisfied. Plus, American Express offers an opportunity for its card members to seamlessly transition from a United States credit card to one that’s local to their new region of residence. The Global Card Relationship page can help you start the process of opening a card in your new country (depending on eligibility) without interrupting your current membership.
Pros
It offers a seamless transition from a United States credit card to a card available in your new country of residence using the Global Card Relationship application process.
The boosted rate on dining purchases applies to restaurants worldwide.
Cons
Its perks and credits are limited to U.S.-based services and locations, so you won’t be able to maximize everything this card offers if you don’t live in the United States.
The annual fee is a staggering price to pay for a card that essentially boosts your rewards rates for dining and directly booked air travel when you’re abroad.
Best for moderate traveling
Like the Amex Gold, the American Express Green Card offers a seamless transition from a United States credit card to an international one. You can apply with your current account to explore options available to you based on your region. That said, the Amex Green could be worth holding onto because it offers a generous rewards rate in expanded travel categories that include a host of categories you’re likely to spend in when living abroad.
Pros
This card earns a boosted rewards rate on several kinds of transit like trains and subways, which are well-developed services in international locations — particularly Europe.
Its annual CLEAR Plus membership credit offsets the card’s $150 annual fee each year.
Cons
Its Pay Over Time feature has a relatively high APR, which could result in interest charges that quickly outpace your rewards earnings.
You might experience limited acceptance at most merchants and vendors because American Express is one of the least accepted card networks outside of the United States.
Using your credit card when you live abroad
Here are some considerations and tips to keep in mind when using your credit card while living abroad.
Inform your card issuer
Notify your card issuer that you plan to use your card overseas and for how long. Unexpected overseas transactions may be flagged as fraudulent, which could result in a freeze on your credit card until you contact your issuer to sort it out. It’s also a good idea to update your contact details if those are changing with your trip.
Credit card acceptance
If you’re coming from the United States, you’re probably used to the convenience of credit cards being accepted at most retailers. Credit card acceptance varies from country to country. While many bigger businesses may accept credit cards, local merchants or stores off the beaten path may not. Familiarize yourself with the financial landscape of your destination and consider alternatives like prepaid cards or cash if credit cards are not accepted where you’re going.
Banking in a new country
Your issuer may not service your card account indefinitely if you permanently relocate to another country from the United States. You should start to explore new banking options after you move. Not only will this help you integrate into a new economy and country, but it will make direct deposits from your employer and payments much simpler for you. If you find a bank you like, it could be worth consolidating your new financial ecosystem with it while you get settled. It’s likely that wherever you move, there are banks that offer credit cards, checking and savings accounts similar to what you would be used to at home.
Foreign transaction fees
Travelers and expats alike should consider credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Potential rewards from credit card purchases could be negated by foreign transaction fees that typically cost 3 percent of the purchase value. It may not seem like it will break the bank, but every little bit adds up—for example, a $500 purchase with a fee could cost you $515.
How to pick the best card as an expat
It can’t be easy moving your entire life abroad, even if it’s only for a few years. Your regular banking routine is upended and you might have a new employer in the country you’re moving to that can’t directly deposit money into your current account — or you won’t be able to pay your United States credit card from your new foreign bank account without doing an international money transfer.
To help you navigate your new journey abroad, here are a few tips for choosing the best card as an expat:
Keep your card stack low
Don’t apply for multiple credit cards to use abroad. Doing this will only complicate your financial situation even further. It might be worth just holding one card that rewards you generously for all (or most) of your purchases. While it may be tempting to track rewards categories to maximize your cash back or points, it’s a good idea to stablize your finances first. Once you’ve established a routine, consider credit cards local to your region that can compliment your current card.
Integrate into your new economy
Although American credit cards are the most rewarding cards you’ll find among any major country, it may not be worth holding onto yours. You may be able to earn a decent rate for your purchases abroad, but you’ll be earning rewards with a value linked to U.S. dollars. If you travel back and forther between the U.S. and your new country often this won’t be so bad, but if you’re permanently located in your new country it could be a missed opportunity to start building a rewards balance in your new country’s currency.
Consider fees and your spending
If you absolutely must keep your American credit card when living as an expat then you should ensure it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. You should also make sure it earns a generous rewards rate for purchases you make often. Dining would be one of the best categories to keep when you’re abroad, but categories like groceries and gas might be limited by issuer restrictions (specifically American Express).
Frequently asked questions
You can get a U.S. credit card as an expat as long as you still have a United States address, bank account and other verifying information. However, it could be worth exploring credit options based in your new country as they might be more flexible and integrated into the economy where you live.
Your U.S. credit card will work when you are living abroad, but you should be wary of foreign transaction fees. These fees are typically 3 percent of every transaction, which will (in most cases) offset any rewards or cash back you earn for the purchase. You should also consider whether your card is worth using abroad based on its rewards categories.
A United States citizen can get a foreign credit card as long as they have a permanent mailing address and meet the appropriate citizenship or legal residence requirements in the new country. However, American credit cards typically have the most valuable rewards programs. If you can manage to keep your U.S. credit card without being burdened with extra fees, it might be worth keeping it for as long as you can.
The bottom line
Moving to a new country is a difficult process that is made more complicated when you realize you need to restructure your entire banking ecosystem. However, most U.S. credit cards are optimal for international purchases and are worth holding on to. In most popular travel destinations, you should have no problem paying with your credit card. If you’re traveling somewhere off the beaten path, however, you may find it harder to use your credit card.
Along with notifying your issuer that you’ll be living abroad and using your credit card, take the time to pick the right card for your new life and make sure you know how you’ll be able to earn or redeem any rewards.
*All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
