Last Updated on December, 2024
We all want to pick the BEST credit card for international trips. Isn’t it?
Whether you’re going for an American Express card or checking out other OPTIONS, knowing about fees and making intelligent choices is essential (This is what I learned from my experience.)
I’ve broken down everything related to AmEx foreign transaction fees for you. So, you can manage your money better when you’re traveling worldwide.
Happy? Then, keep reading.
Quick Summary
American Express offers both cards with foreign transaction fees and cards without, making it important to research and choose the right card for international travel.
There are alternative options, such as Wise and Revolut, that offer low or no foreign transaction fees for international purchases.
It’s important to be aware of potential fees associated with using credit cards internationally and to choose a card or payment method that aligns with your needs and preferences.
Contents
- American Express Foreign Transaction Fee
- How Does American Express Compare to International Fees?
- Does American Express (AmEx) Have Foreign Transaction Fees?
- American Express International ATM Fees
- American Express Card Alternatives
- American Express Exchange Rates
- American Express Cards That Have No Transaction Fees
- How Do You Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees When Traveling?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Is it Possible to Use My AmEx Card in Various Countries?
- Is it Possible to Receive a Refund for International Transaction Fees?
- How Do I Avoid Extra Charges for Transactions Across Borders?
- Are There Alternatives to American Express Cards With Lower Foreign Transaction Fees?
- Is it Worth Using AmEx Abroad?
- Was this article helpful?
American Express Foreign Transaction Fee
Alright, let me be straight to the point. All the cards, including some AmEx cards, have foreign transaction fees. That doesn’t mean you’re at risk.
Because they have different OPTIONS for you.
American Express Cards With Foreign Transaction Fees
It’s BEST to avoid foreign transaction fees when it comes to credit cards for international travel. American Express offers various cards, some with these fees and some without, as follows:
Note: If you’re an international traveler, picking a card without foreign transaction fees is better.
However, among the mentioned American Express cards, all have no annual fees, but be aware of the foreign transaction fees connected with each card.
American Express Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees
These American Express cards will SATISFY you because they don’t have foreign transaction fees.
Check them out!
Is it Possible to Use My American Express Card Internationally?
Yes. You can use your American Express card (AmEx) internationally. You see the AmEx logo everywhere, whether for store purchases or cash withdrawals from ATMs.
Remember that American Express might not be as widely accepted in some countries compared to the U.S. It’s a good idea to check in advance using the merchant locator map on the American Express website, although it may not work everywhere.
For added convenience, it’s BEST to carry other payment methods like Visa and Mastercard, just in case AmEx isn’t accepted in certain places during your travels.
Also, even if AmEx is accepted, there might be other cost-effective options due to foreign transaction and currency conversion fees.
I’ll explain these fees and share some tips on how to minimize or avoid them while you’re traveling in a moment.
How Does American Express Compare to International Fees?
You should know how much it costs to use your AmEx card internationally. Different banks and services have varying fees. I’ll compare American Express with two alternatives, Wise and Revolut, and throw in a big U.S. bank, Bank of America.
Look out for fees that are a percentage of what you spend. Even if the percentage of what seems small, it can add up fast because it’s applied to every dollar you pay when you’re not in your home country.
| Provider/Service | Exchange Rate | Foreign Transaction Fee | International ATM Fee | Other Costs |
| American Express | AmEx exchange rate | Varied (0% to 2.7%) | Varied (typically $10 or 5% cash advance fee) | Annual fees may apply; credit card fees include interest, late payment fees, and penalties for not full payment |
| Wise | Mid-market exchange rate | No transaction fee. Currency exchange rate from 0.41%. Free to spend from currencies you have | 2 free withdrawals up to $100 per month. After that, $1.5+ 2% | No annual or monthly fees; $9 card order fee |
| Revolut | Mid-market exchange rate to plan limit | 0.5% fair usage fee after plan limit; 1% out of hours fee | No fees for spending from held currencies No fee withdrawals to plan limit after 2% | Monthly fees may apply depending on the selected tier |
| Bank of America | Bank of America or card network exchange rate | Varied (3% for most debit cards, some credit cards have no transaction fee | Varied (some fee free ATMs for debit card withdrawals) | Annual fees may apply Credit card fees include interest, late payment fees, and penalties for not full repayment 3% cash advance fee for credit cards |
Does American Express (AmEx) Have Foreign Transaction Fees?
American Express provides various cards, like credit and debit cards, each with different features and costs to meet customers’ needs.
Foreign transaction fees are extra charges added to your bill when you buy things in a foreign currency. This happens when you travel abroad, shop online from foreign websites, or cash in a currency other than USD.
However, not all American Express cards may charge 2.5% to 3% extra every time you spend in a foreign currency. If you want to avoid these fees, you can choose a special AmEx card without them. So, be aware that this might mean paying a higher annual fee.
Before deciding, consider whether the extra charge is with it compared to what you might save on foreign transaction fees. Alternatively, you could explore different card options from companies like Wise or Revolut, which I’ll discuss later, and how they help you avoid extra fees when buying things internationally.
However, check the table below.
| Card Name | Foreign Transaction Fees | Maintenance Fees | Rewards |
| Blue Cash Everyday | 2.7% | No annual fee | 3% cash back on specific purchases |
| Platinum | No foreign transaction fee | $695 annual fee | Up to 5× rewards on travel, partner offers, and cashback schemes |
| Delta Skymiles | No foreign transaction fee | $99 annual fee | 2× rewards on specific purchases |
American Express Card Foreign Transaction Limits
Your credit score determines your American Express card limits. You can view your card limit after completing an online credit check when applying.
Have you got it? Now, let me tell you about American Express international ATM fees.
American Express International ATM Fees
Listen, you’ll encounter fees when you use your American Express credit card to withdraw money from an ATM abroad.
For credit cards, like the ones we discussed earlier, such as AmEx, the fees can be a fixed amount or a percentage of the withdrawn amount.
Check out the following!
GUESS WHAT? Understanding these fees is important when deciding on the BEST option for accessing cash internationally.
However, check the table below:
| AmEx Card Type | Cash Advance Fee at ATM | Foreign Transaction Fee | ATM Operator Fee |
| Blue Cash | $10 or 5% (whichever is higher) 29.99% APR for cash advances | 2.7% | Varies by country and operator |
| Delta Skymiles Gold | $10 or 5% (whichever is higher) 29.99% APR for cash advances | No fee | Varies by country and operator |
| Platinum | $10 or 5% (whichever is higher) 29.99% APR for cash advances | No fee | Varies by country and operator |
American Express Card Alternatives
Using your American Express card abroad might make it convenient, but it’s not widely accepted everywhere. Having an alternative card to avoid any issues and possibly save on fees is a good idea.
However, these alternatives offer diverse features, so you can CHOOSE based on your likes and travel needs.
Wise
Wise offers cards linked to your account, allowing you to spend in various countries with low fees.
You can hold multiple currencies, and Wise uses fair exchange rates:
Revolut
Revolut provides different account plans with features like fee-free currency exchange.
All accounts include some free monthly currency exchange at mid-market rates:
Discover
Discover offers credit cards with no annual or foreign transaction fees.
While Interest charges may apply, it provides a straightforward way to spend globally with fewer fees:
Bank of America
Bank of America provides a range of credit and debit cards. Some credit cards have waived foreign transaction fees and offer travel benefits.
Consider any annual fees against the card benefits before choosing:
| Details | Wise | Revolut | Discover | Bank of America |
| Card Type | Debit | Debit | Debit and credit | Debit and credit |
| Card Order Fee | $9 | No fee | No fee | No fee |
| Monthly or Annual Fee | None | Monthly fee may apply depending on account tier | None | Annual fees may apply depending on the card |
| Currencies Supported | 40+ currencies for holding and exchange Spend in 170+ countries | 25+ for holding and exchange Spend in 150+ currencies | USD only for bill calculation Spend globally wherever network is accepted | USD only for bill calculation Spend globally wherever network is accepted |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None | 3% for debit cards, and many credit cards Some credit cards with no foreign transaction fee are available |
| ATM Fee | 2 free withdrawals up to $100 per month After that, $1.5 + 2% | No fee withdrawals up to plan limit After that 2% | Typically a $10 or 5% cash advance fee (whichever is higher) | With credit cards, typically a 3% cash advance fee |
| Exchange Rate | Mid-market rate currency exchange from 0.41% | Mid-market rate to plan limit, 0.5% fair usage fee after that | Network rate | Network rate |
American Express Exchange Rates
Do you know? When you use your American Express card in another country, they decide how much you spend in dollars.
You can check this rate on the AmEx website or app. Just know that the rate used might be from the day they process your transaction, a day or two after your purchase.
American Express might add a little extra to the exchange rate they use. This extra amount is on top of any foreign transaction fees you might have to pay.
GUESS WHAT? Many companies add a little extra to the exchange rate for regular customers. This can make it tricky to know exactly what you’re paying when you spend in a foreign currency.
However, some providers, like Wise and Revolut, do it differently! They separate the currency exchange costs and use a fair rate based on your account plan. This way, seeing precisely what you spend every time is more transparent.
American Express Cards That Have No Transaction Fees
If you’re considering an American Express (AmEx) card without foreign transaction fees, explore several options.
However, remember that while these cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, they may have other fees to be aware of.
You can consider the following AmEx cards:
Along with no foreign transaction fees, it’s essential to consider other potential fees that might be applied, such as:
Before choosing a card, carefully review the terms and fees associated with each to find the one that BEST fits your needs and preferences.
How Do You Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees When Traveling?
Remember this! When you travel, you can reduce or eliminate foreign transaction fees by choosing an American Express (AmEx) card that doesn’t charge these fees.
Alternatively, you can go for alternatives like Wise or Revolut, which also have no foreign transaction fees. This way, you can save money and make travel expenses more manageable.
Useful guides:
Conclusion
When it comes to credit cards abroad, BEING SMART pays off.
Understand the fees, whether you go for American Express (AmEx) or something else. Stay updated about the details, choose wisely, and handle your finances confidently worldwide.
Have you got it?
That’s it! Now, it’s your turn (I’d love to know your opinion too).
FAQs
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