Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
It pays to know the rules about foreign transaction fees before booking a trip abroad.
The nuisance of foreign transaction fees is increasingly rare on many of today’s best business credit cards. However, a few big-name cards still charge an up to 3% fee for any purchase you make in a foreign country. You’ll get hit with the fee even if a merchant uses a foreign credit card processor.
You get nothing in exchange, which means there’s no benefit from paying this fee. Instead, use a card free of foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally or buying something online that could be run through an outside card processor.
You should have some personal cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees, but if international business travel is on your horizon, make sure you also carry at least one business credit card that won’t erase all your reward earnings with a needless fee.
Here are some of the best business cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Best business credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for small-business expenses
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for travel perks
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus:(see rates and fees) Best for business cash back
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business:(see rates and fees)Best for simplicity and flexibility
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines travelers
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Best for casual Delta travelers.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Best for frequent Delta travelers
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best for Delta Sky Club access
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Best for Hilton stays
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Best for Marriott stays
- Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for travel, shipping and advertising purchases
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: Best for Southwest travelers
- United Business Card: Best for United travelers
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
American Express® Business Gold Card
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of account opening. TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, so the bonus is worth $1,400.
Annual fee: $295 (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 4 points per dollar each billing cycle on purchases in the two categories from the following list where your company spent the most in that billing cycle: airfare purchased directly from airlines, U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, U.S. purchases at gas stations, U.S. purchases for shipping, U.S. purchases at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and U.S. purchases for computer hardware, software and cloud computing made directly from select providers. The 4 points per dollar apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these two categories each calendar year. After this, and for all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: American Express® Business Gold Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, so the bonus is worth $2,400.
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 5 points per dollar on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year), and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Redeem points directly for first or business class or for any seat on an airline you select, and get a 35% points rebate (up to 1 million points per calendar year).
Receive complimentary access to Centurion and Priority Pass lounges, plus Delta Sky Clubs on same-day Delta flights and the Airspace and Escape lounges. You also get an up-to-$200 annual airline fee credit at one selected airline, up to $400 of Dell statement credits on U.S. purchases annually, up-to-$189 Clear Plus credit, Hilton Honors Gold elite status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status, Global Dining access and over $600 in miscellaneous business credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
See our full card review for more details.
Official application link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Sign-up bonus: Earn $1,200 cash back after you spend $30,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Rewards and benefits: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no limits or category restrictions. You can get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend $150,000 or more (see rates and fees). Your cash rewards never expire. There’s no spending limit, and employee cards are free. Get access to roadside assistance for auto-related emergencies.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. TPG valuations peg the value of Capital One miles at 1.85 cents each, so the bonus is valued at $925 if you transfer your points to airline partners.
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, plus 2 miles per dollar on all purchases with no minimum for redeeming. Employee cards are free. You can transfer your miles to airline partners or redeem your miles at a fixed value of 1 cent apiece toward travel. To redeem your miles at a fixed rate, you can book new travel through Capital One or pay off any eligible travel purchase you’ve made with your card in the last 90 days. Plus, get two free Capital One Lounge visits per year. You can also get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application rebate every four years (up to $100).
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Spark Miles for Business
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Sign-up bonus: Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first four months of account opening. TPG values American Airlines AAdvantage miles at 1.77 cents each, so the bonus is worth $1,150.
Annual fee: $99 (waived the first year)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and with telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations. You’ll earn 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else. You and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation get a first checked bag free on domestic itineraries with American Airlines. Plus, you can earn a companion certificate for domestic main cabin travel for just $99 plus taxes and fees when you spend $30,000 in a cardmember year; your account must remain open for at least 45 days after your anniversary date.
See our full card review for more information.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents each, so the bonus is worth $705.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, on U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, on U.S. shipping purchases and at restaurants, plus 1 mile per dollar on everything else. When traveling on flights marketed and operated by Delta, get a first bag checked for free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding and 20% off inflight purchases. Cardholders save 15% when booking award travel using their Delta miles, which is reflected automatically when searching for Delta flights when logged into your SkyMiles account.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents each, so this bonus is worth $846.
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and purchases made directly through hotels, 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. When traveling on flights marketed and operated by Delta, get a first bag checked for free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding and 20% off inflight purchases. Cardholders save 15% when booking award travel using their Delta miles, which is reflected automatically when searching for Delta flights when logged into your SkyMiles account. Also, get a Global Entry (up to $100 credit every 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 credit every 4.5 years) application rebate.
See our full review for more information.
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents each, making this bonus worth $987.
Annual fee: $550 (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. Also, you’ll earn 1.5 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases after you’ve spent $150,000 in a calendar year. When traveling on flights marketed and operated by Delta, get a first bag checked for free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding and 20% off inflight purchases. Cardholders save 15% when booking award travel using their Delta miles, which is reflected automatically when searching for Delta flights when logged into your SkyMiles account. Earn a round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card. You will also enjoy complimentary Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Welcome offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership. TPG’s valuations peg the value of Hilton Honors points at 0.6 cents each, so the 130,000 points are worth up to $780.
Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 12 points per dollar at Hilton properties; 6 points per dollar on wireless services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping, at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel and on car rentals booked directly through select rental car companies; and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
You’ll get a Priority Pass Select membership (with 10 lounge visits per year), automatic Hilton Gold elite status and the possibility to earn Hilton Diamond elite status by spending $40,000 on your card. Plus, you can earn a free night reward after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year and another after spending an additional $45,000 in the same year (for a total of $60,000). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Welcome offer: Earn three bonus Free Night Awards (up to 150,000 total bonus points) after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Certain hotels have resort fees. TPG values Marriott points at 0.84 cents each, so the bonus is worth up to $1,260.
Annual fee: $125 (see rates and fees)
Rewards and benefits: Earn 6 points per dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 4 points per dollar at restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping; and 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. You’ll get one free night award for use at a 35,000-point or less property after each card renewal month and can earn a second night by spending $60,000 in the previous calendar year.
You’ll get 15 elite night credits each year, which will get you Gold elite status — though you can stack these with 15 nights from a personal Marriott card to enjoy 30 each year. There’s no fee for additional employee cards. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months. TPG pegs the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each, so the bonus is worth about $2,000.
Annual fee: $95
Rewards and benefits: Earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping, social media advertising and internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year, plus 1 point per dollar on everything else. This card also offers cellphone insurance when you use it to pay your (and your employees’) cellphone bill and primary rental car insurance when renting for business purposes. Employee cards are available at no additional cost. You can redeem your points for an added bonus through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, but you may be able to get more value by transferring them to partner airlines or hotels.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. TPG values Southwest points at 1.5 cents each, so the bonus is worth about $1,200. Plus, these points can help you earn the Companion Pass.
Annual fee: $199
Rewards and benefits: Earn 4 points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases; 3 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases; 2 points per dollar on rideshare; 2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services; and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Receive 9,000 points after each cardmember anniversary, which TPG values at $135. Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points toward Southwest elite status for every $10,000 you spend on the card annually. Get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for application to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Additional employee cards are free of cost.
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: Southwest Performance Business Card
United Business Card
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. Plus, a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99. TPG values United miles at 1.1 cents each, so the bonus is worth up to $550.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Rewards and benefits: Earn 2 miles per dollar when spending on United purchases, local transit and commuting, gas stations, office supply stores and restaurants, plus 1 mile per dollar elsewhere. Check your first bag for free on United flights for you and one traveling companion. This card also gives access to priority boarding for the primary cardholder and companions on the same reservation. Receive two one-time United Club passes after opening an account and on each anniversary. Also, earn 500 Premier qualifying points for every $12,000 spent (up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year).
See our full card review for more information.
Official application link: United℠ Business Card
Bottom line
Understanding the rules surrounding foreign transaction fees is crucial when venturing abroad. Thankfully, many of today’s top business credit cards have eliminated this nuisance, sparing users from unnecessary charges of up to 3%. By opting for a card without foreign transaction fees, you can enjoy the benefits of international travel and online purchases without compromising your reward earnings or incurring additional expenses.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Additional reporting by Danyal Ahmed, Ryan Wilcox, Chris Dong, Katie Genter and Joey Robinson.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, click here.
