citi government travel card foreign transaction fee

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Charge Card Travel Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQs provide information on frequent questions or concerns. If you have questions about specific topics not included here, please contact us or  your A/OPC .

• Travel Card

How much is the ATM fee?

Citibank ATM terminals do not charge an ATM terminal or access fee when using their card. Non-Citibank ATMs will usually charge a terminal fee. In the event you need to use an ATM that charges a terminal fee, Citibank will assess a 2.75% per cash advance fee, which can be claimed on your travel voucher.

How can I find an ATM?

Employees in the Washington, DC metro area may also use their Citibank cards for cash advances at the DOI Federal Credit Union ATMs located in the Main Interior Building and the USGS Headquarters in Reston, VA. The DOI Federal Credit Union does not charge terminal access fees, but the 2.75% per cash advance fee from Citibank will still apply.

Citibank ATMs locator .

Can I pay for Uber, Lyft, or other similar services with my travel card?

The short answer is yes, if the use of these services is more advantageous to the Government compared to other traditional counterparts (e.g., car rental). However, travelers are responsible for ensuring these services are used during non-peak periods to avoid premium surcharges. Be sure, if you use an Uber, Lyft, or another similar service for personal use that your government card is not associated with the transaction/charge.

Can I use my travel card if my purchase card does not work?

No, travel cards may only be used for expenses related to official travel. If your card has a decline, you should contact your A/OPC or Citibank to resolve the issue.

What fees are associated with the Travel program?

• Late Fee – If your account has been cancelled, a 2.5% late fee of the balance due will be charged for any payment not received within 96 calendar days past the closing date on the statement of account in which the charge first appeared.
• Travel Card Cash Advance Fee/ATM – The travel card cash advance fee is 2.75% of the amount of each cash advance transaction. In some cases, an additional surcharge may be imposed by ATM operators.
• Returned/Rejected Payment Fee – If your check or electronic payment is not honored, or if Citibank must return it to you because it cannot be processed, then you will be charged a returned/rejected fee of $10.00. In most cases the merchant’s bank will impose additional fees and Citibank will pass those on to the cardholder.
• Collection Fees – If Citibank refers your account to an attorney for collection, you will be responsible for any attorney’s fees, not to exceed one third of recovered amount plus actual court costs, except where prohibited by law.
• Expedited Card Fee – The expedited card fee is fixed at $25.00 per request for expediting a card via courier to the cardholder or a company location.
• Foreign Transaction Fees – For transactions made with a foreign merchant in foreign currently or the account billing currency, fees established by the Card Association and levied to Citi will be passed on, plus a fee of 1.5%.

Other than the cash advance, expedited card fees, and foreign transaction fees, these fees cannot be paid or reimbursed by the government.

How will I pay for individually billed transactions on my Citibank card?

There are three ways to make payment at no charge:

• Mail in your payment with the coupon from your monthly statement;
• On-line in CitiManager at www.citimanager.com/login ; or,
• By telephone at 800-790-7206 (within the United States); or 904-954-7850 (collect calls from outside the United States).

Payment cannot be made at Citibank branch offices.

How can I distinguish individually billed travel transactions from centrally billed transactions on my monthly Citibank cardholder statement of account?

Look for the balance due amount. Those are individually billed items. Centrally billed items will be on the memo statement section of the statement and will be listed under Diverted Transactions. Individually billed transactions will appear in a separate section at the top of the statement.

How can my hotel know that my GSA Tax Advantage Card is tax exempt?

To determine whether the travel account is a CBA, IBA, or Tax Advantage Travel Account, refer to the 6th digit of the account number.

Federal government travelers using GSA SmartPay Travel Accounts may be exempt from state taxes in select states. In addition, state tax exemption forms, official business travel documentation, or a Federal Government ID may be required to receive state tax exemption. Visit the State Tax Information page on the GSA website to find out the details for each state.

Best Practices

• Visit the US State Tax Map to determine if the state you are traveling to exempts taxes.
• If the state exempts taxes, determine what additional information is required (tax exemption form, official travel documentation or a Federal Government ID) and bring it with you on travel.
• When traveling to a tax-exempt state, contact the hotel before you travel to verify that taxes will not be charged to your GSA SmartPay Travel Account.
• If the hotel does not recognize tax exemption status, please refer hotel representatives to the GSA SmartPay website or the state’s taxation authority to verify tax exemption.
• Maintain copies of all receipts in order to verify taxes assessed; receipts should be maintained for6 years and 3 months in the bank’s EAS or ConcurGov.
• In accordance with the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (PL 105-264), please use the GSA SmartPay Travel Account when you are on official federal government travel. States will not exempt taxes on personal accounts and your agency will not have the ability to earn important refunds.

See GSA’s SmartPay3 website for more information.

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Citi Ends Foreign Transaction Fee on Costco Anywhere Visa

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The terms on the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi have changed since this article was written. For current information, see NerdWallet's review of the card.

If you have the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and you like to travel, the new year is bringing you some good news: You can soon wave goodbye to the card's 3% foreign transaction fee. Citi notes the change will be effective on purchases made after Jan. 25, 2018.

For world travelers, especially those on a budget, foreign transaction fees can add a tidy sum to the cost of a trip. For example, if you were to spend $1,000 on the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi for airfare to London, you'd earn 3% cash back. But if you then spend $1,000 on that card while you’re in England, the current 3% foreign transaction fee would wipe out any cash-back benefit you got when you paid for your airfare.

Removing the foreign transaction fee should make the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi more appealing as a travel card .

“Citi and Costco are committed to consistently delivering value to customers and ensuring that the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi remains a highly competitive card,” a Citi spokesperson wrote in an email.

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi pays 4% cash back on up to $7,000 in gas purchases per year (then 1%), 3% cash back on eligible restaurant and travel purchases, 2% at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% on all other spending. It has an annual fee of $0 , but you have to be a Costco member. A basic membership costs $60 a year.

Citi already offers a number of cards without a foreign transaction fee, including the Citi Premier® Card . And nearly all issuers offer cards that have no foreign transaction fees .

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Foreign Transaction Fees by Bank

T here's no doubt that traveling abroad can be expensive. Accounting for expenses including airfare, hotel stays, meals and excursions, you'll need to budget and save for a big trip so you don't rack up debt.

In addition to these more obvious expenses, there is another potential cost of international travel you may not be aware of: foreign transaction fees. These fees can add up , so it's important to understand how they work and how to avoid them.

What Fees Can You Be Charged When Traveling Internationally?

There are a few fees you may have to pay when making purchases outside of the U.S. Collectively, they’re considered foreign transaction fees , although specific types of fees are charged in different situations. It's important to know when certain fees apply.

Foreign Transaction Fees

A foreign transaction fee is a charge that your credit card issuer or bank adds to your bill when you use your credit or debit card to make a purchase in a foreign currency. This fee is usually a percentage of the purchase amount and typically around 1% to 3%. For example, if you make a $100 purchase while traveling abroad and your foreign transaction fee is 3%, you'll pay an extra $3, which will show up as a separate line item on your bill.

Foreign transaction fees can apply to all kinds of transactions made abroad, including those at restaurants, hotels and retailers. "You may also incur this fee when making online purchases from companies that are based overseas," says Scott Lieberman, founder of personal finance website TouchdownMoney.com and extensive international traveler.

It's important to note that not all cards impose these fees. Some cards are specifically designed for international travel and don't charge foreign transaction fees.

Dynamic Currency Conversion Fees

Your credit card or debit card issuer, payment network or ATM network may charge this fee for converting one currency to another . It isn't the same as a foreign transaction fee, but your card issuer or bank may roll the dynamic currency conversion fee into the total foreign transaction fee. Typically, a DCC fee is around 1% of the transaction amount.

You have a choice when it comes to paying a DCC fee. Merchants usually aren't allowed to perform a currency conversion without your consent. For example, say you're shopping in London and want to buy a gift for 125 euros, but you aren't sure what that would cost you in U.S. dollars. The merchant may offer to perform a DCC and allow you to pay in your home currency, but you can decline this service and pay in euros to avoid the fee. Depending on your payment method, however, you may still have to pay the foreign transaction fee.

International ATM Fees

There are a few fees to be aware of when withdrawing money from an ATM abroad. You might have to pay a DCC fee to convert the transaction from your home currency to the local currency (or the ATM operator may give you a bad conversion rate). Your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee, even if you're using an in-network ATM. If you're using an ATM that is outside of your bank's network, you may pay an additional out-of-network ATM fee. Finally, the ATM operator could charge you a fee for using its machine.

Banks With No Foreign Transaction Debit Card or ATM Fees

Many credit card issuers offer cards with no foreign transaction fees. Debit cards with no foreign transaction fees are less common, but they do exist.

Foreign Transaction Fees by Bank 

If you're planning to travel internationally, it's a good idea to review your debit cards and determine what types of fees you may incur on foreign transactions.

The following is a look at debit card and ATM foreign transaction fees for many of the largest banks in the country.

The Right Way to Use Your Debit Card Abroad

Lieberman advises against using a debit card for purchases when traveling outside of the U.S. "Try to use cash or a credit card," he says. "Credit cards offer more consumer protections than debit cards."

Even so, there may be instances when you can't avoid using your debit card. In those cases, consider these tips to save money on fees.

• Use a bank that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. Ideally, you have a checking account that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees or it reimburses you for them. If not and you have a big trip coming up, it may be worth opening a new account.
• Use a Global ATM Alliance bank. Some banks, including Barclays, Scotiabank and Bank of America, are part of the Global ATM Alliance, which allows customers to use ATMs of other alliance banks throughout the world without paying out-of-network fees.
• Withdraw larger amounts less frequently. If your bank charges a flat fee to use a foreign ATM, consider withdrawing larger amounts of money less frequently rather than making multiple smaller withdrawals.
• Decline currency conversions: When making purchases with your debit card or withdrawing from an ATM abroad, you may be asked if you want the transaction to be converted into your home currency. It's typically best to decline, as the exchange rate provided by your bank will usually be better.

Austin Cole contributed to the reporting for this article.

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

What is Global Entry and why do you want it? Here’s how to get it nearly free

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.   

Global Entry is a government-run membership program that allows preapproved, low-risk travelers to use expedited security lines when returning to the United States from travel abroad. It’s one of several “trusted traveler programs” along with TSA PreCheck and NEXUS. Here’s what you need to know about how Global Entry works to help you decide if it’s worth it for you.

What does Global Entry do?

In the United States, Global Entry clearance speeds up the time it takes to get through the customs line when arriving from an international location. Instead of waiting in the typical long lines formed when multiple international flights arrive at the airport or a ship full of passengers disembarks at the port, those with Global Entry membership can check in at a designated kiosk or via the Global Entry mobile app, bypassing the need to wait in a queue.

How to get Global Entry

Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program run by the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department. Membership in this program is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. legal permanent residents, and Mexican nationals. There are also some countries that have arrangements with the U.S. and the Global Entry program to help expedite entry and exit with those countries. You can find a list of currently participating partner nations here .

For those who fit the residency criteria, there’s a few steps to apply for a Global Entry card:

• Go to the Trusted Traveler website and create an account.
• Fill out the application. You’ll be asked a number of questions including your legal name, Social Security number, address and other identifying information.
• Pay a non-refundable application fee of $100. You can pay with a credit card or by electronic bank transfer. Some travel credit cards offer an application fee reimbursement if you charge it to the card. More on that below.
• Wait for an email from the Trusted Traveler system indicating your status has changed. This might typically take around two to three weeks, although some online users have reported faster results (and some, slower results). Once you receive notice that your status has changed, you can log into your account to see if you’ve received conditional approval or been denied. If you were denied, there will be a note indicating why. If you were conditionally approved, the next step is to set up an interview at an Enrollment Center. The Trusted Traveler site indicates this could take anywhere from four to six months. A quicker option if it aligns with your travel plans is the Enrollment on Arrival option. Those entering the U.S. from an international location with conditional approval to an airport with a designated U.S. Customs and Border Control Preclearance location can complete their interview at the airport by letting the agent know when it’s your turn to clear customs. Currently there are over 50 U.S. airports with Preclearance locations. However, you can only participate in Enrollment on Arrival if you’re returning from an international trip. Domestic flights or walk-ins are not eligible for this option. Also note that you’ll need your passport and an accepted document showing evidence of residency (such as your driver’s license, mortgage or rent statement, or utility bill). 
• Once you’ve completed your interview, it should take approximately two to four weeks to receive your physical card.

Do I need to carry my Global Entry card when traveling?

No, if you are flying, you do not need to carry your physical Global Entry card to use Global Entry in the airport. However, you do need to present your card if seeking expedited entry at SENTRI and NEXUS lanes coming into the U.S.

What’s the difference between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?

Global Entry allows expedited entry into the U.S. from international locations and also includes TSA PreCheck membership—but is run by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. TSA PreCheck expedites the security line process when departing from U.S. airports and is run by the Transportation Security Administration. Here’s a comparison of the two programs:

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is a biometric technology company that is not a government-operated trusted traveler program but can provide expedited identity screening. CLEAR® Plus is the CLEAR program found at 55+ U.S. airports that allows its members to go through the security checkpoint process more quickly in a dedicated lane. TSA PreCheck is in more than 200 airports, although some airports will have both TSA PreCheck lanes and CLEAR lanes. Which one is faster will depend on various factors including how busy the airport is and how many people are in line for each.

Certain credit cards reimburse you for a CLEAR Plus membership, such as the American Express® Green Card —for an annual fee of $150, the Amex Green provides a yearly credit of up to $189 credit toward cost of CLEAR® Plus per calendar year. 

There’s also a free CLEAR membership option you can sign up for that can get you through security and into your seat more quickly at certain stadiums and arenas. 

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™ .

Are there other Trusted Traveler programs?

Yes, in addition to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, other trusted traveler programs include:

• NEXUS: This program allows expedited air, vehicle and pedestrian entry into the U.S. and Canada, expedited marine entrance into the U.S. from Canada, and provides access to TSA PreCheck expedited security lanes at airports within the U.S. and U.S territories for U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and Canadian citizens. There is a $50 application fee and NEXUS is good for five years once approved.
• SENTRI: This program allows expedited air, vehicle and pedestrian entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico for U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and all foreign nationals. There is a $122.25 fee and SENTRI is good for five years once approved. SENTRI offers access to TSA PreCheck expedited security lanes at airports within the U.S. and U.S territories for U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents.
• FAST: This program allows expedited entry for truck drivers entering and exiting the U.S. from Canada and Mexico who are U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals. There is a $50 fee and it’s good for five years. It does not include TSA PreCheck. 

Credit cards with Global Entry application fee reimbursement:

There are multiple travel credit cards that offer an up to $100 application fee reimbursement credit for you to apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck if you pay with the card. Some of the options include:

• Bank of America® Premium Rewards®
• Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Aeroplan® Credit Card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• United SM Explorer Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card
• United Quest℠ Card

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page .

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page .

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page .

To view rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page .

Intro bonus

Rewards Rates

• 10X 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X 2x miles on everyday purchases
• Annual $300 travel credit and 10,000 Miles upon card anniversary make up for the annual fee
• Airport lounge access
• Capital One Miles require effort to maximize
• Limited cash redemption options

Other benefits

• Travel protections including car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
• Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection

The takeaway

Global Entry reimbursement is an under-rated perk of many premium credit cards. The time you take upfront to go through the enrollment process could save you hours over the next decade.

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.  

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

The best business credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Editor's Note

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 (see rates and fees ): Best for small-business expenses
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees ): 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
• Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ): Best for American Airlines travelers
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (see rates and fees ): Best for casual Delta travelers
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (see rates and fees ): Best for frequent Delta travelers
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (see rates and fees ): Best for Delta Sky Club access
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (see rates and fees ): Best for Hilton stays
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (see rates and fees ): 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

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, making this bonus worth $1,400.

Annual fee: $375 ( see rates and fees )

Rewards and benefits: Earn 4 points per dollar each billing cycle on purchases in two select categories on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in these two categories each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com and 1 point per dollar spent.

See our full card review for more information.

Apply here: American Express® Business Gold Card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, making this bonus worth $3,000.

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.

Receive complimentary access to Centurion and Priority Pass lounges , plus Delta Sky Clubs on same-day Delta flights*. You also get an up-to- $200 annual airline fee credit at one selected airline, Hilton Honors Gold elite status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status, and over $600 in miscellaneous business credits . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

See our full card review for more details.

*Effective February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Sign-up bonus: Earn a $1,200 cash bonus after spending $30,000 on the card in the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee: $150 (see rates and fees )

Rewards and benefits: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no limits or category restrictions. Your cash rewards never expire. There's no spending limit, and employee cards are free (see rates and fees ).

Apply here: 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 Mile at 1.85 cents each, making this bonus worth $925.

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 (see rates and fees ). You can transfer your miles to airline partners or redeem your miles at a fixed value of 1 cent apiece toward travel. You can also get a credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (up to $100).

Apply here: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®

Sign-up bonus: For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first five months of account opening. TPG values AAdvantage miles at 1.6 cents each, so the bonus is worth $1,200.

Annual fee: $99 (waived the first year; see rates and fees )

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 gas stations. You'll earn 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.

Additionally, you and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation get a first checked bag free on domestic itineraries with American Airlines.

Apply here: Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 55,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, making this bonus worth $660.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees )

Rewards and benefits: Earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, U.S. shipping purchases (up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per category per year ) and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

Get Delta benefits, including a first bag checked for free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding, 20% off inflight purchases and more.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, making this bonus worth $780.

Annual fee: $350 (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 eligible transit and U.S. shipping, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $100,000 per calendar year) and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

Get Delta benefits, including a companion certificate each year, a first bag checked for free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding and more.

See our full review for more information.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus miles after spending $10,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, making this bonus worth $900.

Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees )

Rewards and benefits: Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. Additionally, earn 1.5 miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after you've spent $150,000 in a calendar year.

Get Delta benefits, including a Resy credit, a first bag checked for free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding and more. You will also enjoy complimentary Delta Sky Club * and Centurion Lounge access. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Welcome offer: For a limited time, earn 175,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on the card in the first six months of card membership. According to TPG's valuations, the bonus is worth $1,050. Offer ends June 5.

Annual fee: $195 (see rates and fees )

Rewards and benefits: Earn 12 points per dollar at Hilton properties, 5 points per dollar on other purchases on up to $100,000 per calendar year, then 3 points per dollar after. Cardmembers receive Hilton benefits, including up to $240 in Hilton statement credits and Hilton Gold elite status .

Apply here: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Welcome offer : Earn three Free Night Awards (worth up to 50,000 points each) after you use your 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 and 4 points per dollar at restaurants and U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping purchases. You'll earn 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

You'll get a Free Night Award every year after your cardmember anniversary and 15 elite night credits each year, which will get you Gold Elite status. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months. TPG pegs the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making this bonus worth $2,050.

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 and 1 point per dollar on everything else. This card also offers cellphone insurance when you use it to pay your cellphone bill and primary rental car insurance when renting for business purposes. Employee cards are available at no additional cost.

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. TPG values Southwest points at 1.37 cents each, so the bonus is worth about $1,096.

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 and 2 points per dollar on ride-hailing, social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services. You'll earn 1 point per dollar on everything else.

With the card, you'll earn 1,500 tier qualifying points toward Southwest elite status for every $10,000 you spend on the card annually. You'll also receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for the application fee to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and can add employee cards free of cost.

Apply here: Southwest Performance Business Card

United Business Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. TPG values United miles at 1.32 cents each, so the bonus is worth $990.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

Rewards and benefits: Earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, local transit and commuting , gas stations, office supply stores and restaurants, plus 1 mile per dollar elsewhere.

As a cardholder, you can check your first bag for free on United flights for you and one traveling companion. You'll also receive two one-time United Club passes after opening an account and on each anniversary and earn 25 Premier qualifying points for every $500 spent (up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year).

Apply here: 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 up to 3% of unnecessary charges. 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.

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 .