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TOP 7 CASHBACK CARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL IN 2025
JUN 4, 2025•BY ADMIN•POINTSLIFE TRAVEL

TOP 7 CASHBACK CARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL IN 2025

Compare the best cashback cards for international travel, including fee structures, rewards rates, and travel perks...

INTRODUCTION
A 3% foreign transaction fee can turn a $1,000 dinner in Paris into a $30 surcharge overnight. In 2025, plastic that refunds those fees and ramps up bonus categories is more important than ever. In this deep dive, we’ll cover seven standout cards—ranging from no-annual-fee to premium metal—so you can spend abroad without a second thought.

1. CHASE FREEDOM UNLIMITED®

  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Reward Structure: 1.5% cash back on all purchases. 3% back on drugstore and dining.
  • Why It’s Great: As a no-fee everyday card, it’s a safe backup anywhere. 3% dining abroad is uncommon on no-fee cards.
  • Annual Fee: $0.
  • Perk Tips:
    1. Stack with Chase Sapphire Preferred (after meeting the Sapphire’s $4k spend, you can transfer UR points to partners).
    2. Use at local bakeries or small cafés; they often code under “dining” and earn 3%.

2. CAPITAL ONE VANTAGE X®

  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Reward Structure: 2× miles on all purchases. 5× miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Why It’s Great: Every dollar abroad earns 2 miles, which you can transfer to 15+ airline partners at 1:1.
  • Annual Fee: $0.
  • Perk Tips:
    1. Capital One miles transfer to Air France/KLM Flying Blue, so you can top off your Flying Blue balance instantly.
    2. If booking a multi-city trip, use Vantage X to lock in flights at lower cost, then move miles later.

3. AMERICAN EXPRESS® GREEN CARD

  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Reward Structure: 3× Membership Rewards (MR) on travel (airfare, hotels, transit). 3× MR on transit (taxis, trains, ride-share).
  • Why It’s Great: Transit spend abroad—like Grab rides in Singapore or Ubers in Berlin—earns 3× MR.
  • Annual Fee: $150.
  • Perk Tips:
    1. Enrollment required for “Pay With Points” to get 35% back on certain airline redemptions.
    2. Book prepaid hotels through Amex Travel for extra 3× back (often cheaper than on-site rates).

4. CITI DOUBLE CASH CARD

  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% (so use only if no other option).
  • Reward Structure: 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay your bill).
  • Why It’s Great: If you already have a no-fee travel card in your wallet, this is a strong fallback to use on purchases that might not code as dining/travel.
  • Annual Fee: $0.
  • Perk Tips:
    1. If shopping at local markets where EMV isn’t reliable, the 3% fee is worth it for 2% in return.
    2. Convert cash back 1:1 into ThankYou Points if you have another Citi card that allows transfers.

5. AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM CARD

  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Reward Structure: 5× MR on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel. 5× MR on prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel.
  • Why It’s Great: Although the $695 fee is high, the built-in $200 hotel credit and $200 airline incidental credit often offset it if you travel 2+ times per year.
  • Common Drawbacks: Some smaller merchants abroad don’t accept Amex. Carry a backup Visa/Mastercard.
  • Perk Tips:
    1. Use $200 hotel credit for one “Minimum one-night” hotel stay every calendar year—book through Amex Travel to trigger it.
    2. Enroll in Fine Hotels + Resorts for complimentary breakfast and late checkout at luxury properties.

6. U.S. BANK ALTITUDE RESERVE®

  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Reward Structure: 3× points on travel and mobile wallet purchases (Apple Pay, Google Pay).
  • Why It’s Great: Mobile‐wallet payments abroad (like Tap & Go in Hong Kong) earn the same bonus as airfare.
  • Annual Fee: $400.
  • Perk Tips:
    1. $325 annual travel credit effectively brings the fee down to $75.
    2. If you’re an Android user, take advantage of “redeem points for Google Pay transactions” at 1.5 cpp (cents per point).

7. BANK OF AMERICA TRAVEL REWARDS®

  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Reward Structure: 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. 2 points per dollar on travel and dining when using “Preferred Rewards” status.
  • Why It’s Great: As a no-fee card with flexible travel credits, it serves as a reliable universal fallback.
  • Annual Fee: $0.
  • Perk Tips:
    1. Pair with a Bank of America Premium Checking account to earn 75%–100% bonus on all points.
    2. Use online travel portal to book flights and hotels at a flat 1 cpp redemption—no blackout dates.

8. HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CARD FOR YOU

  1. If You’re Budget-Conscious:
    • Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One Vantage X give you no-fee on foreign transactions with solid earn rates.
  2. If You Travel Frequently but Don’t Want a High Fee:
    • Amex Green is $150 but earns 3× on transit abroad—perfect for city-to-city hops.
    • BofA Travel Rewards ties to your checking account for up to 100% bonus.
  3. If You Want Premium Perks and Don’t Mind the Fee:
    • Amex Platinum or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve provide airline credits, lounge access, and mobile pay bonuses—valuable if you’ll redeem them.

10. FINAL THOUGHTS

In 2025, with exchange rates fluctuating and some countries tightening ATM fees, having at least two solid no-fee cards is a must. Then, pick a premium card if you travel often—those $200–$400 credits can net you more than their annual fee. Remember to rotate which card you use based on categories (dining, travel, mobile pay) and keep an eye on transfer bonuses to amplify your foreign spending. Safe travels and profitable swipes!

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