Planning your next international adventure? Foreign transaction fees can quietly drain your travel budget, adding an unnecessary 3% surcharge to every purchase abroad. Fortunately, Chase offers several premium travel credit cards that eliminate these fees while delivering exceptional rewards and benefits that can transform your travel experience.

Whether you're booking flights to Europe, dining in Tokyo, or shopping in London, these Chase travel cards ensure you're never penalized for spending abroad. Here's your complete guide to maximizing your international travel rewards.

Why Foreign Transaction Fees Matter for International Travelers

Foreign transaction fees might seem small at 2-3% per purchase, but they add up quickly during international trips. On a $3,000 vacation, you could pay an extra $90 just in fees. The smart traveler's solution? Choose a premium travel card that waives these fees entirely.

Beyond eliminating foreign fees, the best Chase travel cards offer compelling welcome bonuses, valuable ongoing rewards, and travel benefits that can save you hundreds or even thousands annually.

Top Chase Travel Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve® - The Premium Choice

The Chase Sapphire Reserve received a major overhaul in June 2025, solidifying its position as one of the most rewarding premium travel cards available.

Current Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ credit after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

Key Details:

• Annual Fee: $795 (increased from $550 in 2025)
• Earning Structure:
  • 8x points on travel through Chase Travel℠
  • 4x points on direct airline and hotel purchases
  • 3x points on dining and select streaming services
  • 1x point on all other purchases

Premium Benefits:

• $300 Annual Travel Credit: The most flexible travel credit available, applying to any travel purchase
• Points Boost: Points are worth up to 2x value when booking select airlines and hotels through Chase Travel
• Premium Lounge Access: Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited visits
• Elite Status: Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status through December 2027
• The Edit Credit: Up to $500 annually for luxury hotel stays through Chase's curated collection

The Reserve delivers exceptional value for frequent travelers who can leverage its premium benefits. With more than $2,700 in annual value, it easily justifies its premium annual fee for the right traveler.

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® - The Balanced Option

The Chase Sapphire Preferred remains the sweet spot for most travelers, offering premium rewards without the hefty annual fee.

Current Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

Key Details:

• Annual Fee: $95
• Earning Structure:
  • 5x points on travel through Chase Travel℠
  • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases
  • 2x points on other travel purchases
  • 1x point on all other purchases

Valuable Benefits:

• 25% Redemption Bonus: Points worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• $50 Chase Travel Hotel Credit: Annual credit for hotel stays
• Transfer Partners: Access to Chase's extensive network of airline and hotel partners
• Travel Protections: Comprehensive coverage including trip cancellation and baggage protection

The Preferred strikes an excellent balance between rewards earning and annual fee, making it ideal for travelers who want premium benefits without the premium price tag.

3. United℠ Explorer Card - The Airline Loyalty Play

Perfect for United loyalists, the United Explorer Card combines airline-specific benefits with solid rewards earning.

Current Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months (offer ends July 16, 2025)

Key Details:

• Annual Fee: $150 (waived first year)
• Earning Structure:
  • 7x total miles on United flights
  • 5x miles on United Hotels bookings
  • 2x miles on dining and hotel stays
  • 1x mile on all other purchases

United-Specific Benefits:

• Free Checked Bag: Primary cardholder and companion save up to $160 per roundtrip
• Priority Boarding: Skip the gate crush with early boarding privileges
• United Club Access: Two complimentary lounge passes annually
• Annual Credits: Up to $320 in various travel and lifestyle credits

The Explorer Card makes sense for travelers who frequently fly United and want to maximize their MileagePlus earning potential.

4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - The Hotel Loyalist's Choice

Hotel enthusiasts who prefer Marriott properties will appreciate the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card's hotel-focused benefits.

Current Welcome Offer: Earn three free nights (valued up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

Key Details:

• Annual Fee: $95
• Earning Structure:
  • 6x points on Marriott purchases
  • 3x points on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining (up to $6,000 annually)
  • 2x points on all other purchases

Hotel Benefits:

• Free Night Award: Annual free night certificate
• Elite Status: Automatic Silver Elite status with path to Gold Elite
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Spend freely at international Marriott properties

This card works best for travelers who consistently stay at Marriott properties and want to accelerate their elite status progression.

5. IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card - The Value Champion

The IHG Rewards Traveler Card offers impressive value without an annual fee, making it perfect for budget-conscious travelers.

Current Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months

Key Details:

• Annual Fee: $0
• Earning Structure:
  • 5x points on IHG purchases
  • 3x points on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and streaming services
  • 2x points on all other purchases

IHG Benefits:

• Fourth Night Free: When redeeming points for stays of four nights or more
• Points Discount: 20% off IHG points purchases

The no-annual-fee structure makes this card a no-brainer for occasional travelers who want to earn hotel points without ongoing costs.

How to Choose the Right Chase Travel Card

For Premium Travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Choose the Reserve if you:

• Travel frequently and can utilize premium benefits
• Want maximum point values through Points Boost
• Appreciate luxury hotel access and credits
• Don't mind paying a higher annual fee for comprehensive benefits

For Balanced Travelers: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Preferred suits you if you:

• Want strong rewards without a hefty annual fee
• Travel occasionally but consistently
• Prefer flexibility in redemption options
• Value the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem

For Airline Loyalists: United Explorer

Pick the Explorer if you:

• Fly United regularly
• Want airline-specific benefits like free bags and priority boarding
• Can maximize United's route network
• Appreciate lounge access on United flights

For Hotel Enthusiasts: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

This card works if you:

• Stay primarily at Marriott properties
• Want to accelerate elite status progression
• Prefer hotel-focused rewards over flexible points
• Travel domestically and internationally with Marriott

Maximizing Your Chase Travel Card Strategy

1. Leverage Welcome Bonuses Strategically

Welcome bonuses represent the highest value opportunity with any credit card. The current Chase offers provide substantial value:

• Sapphire Reserve: 100,000 points + $500 credit worth approximately $2,000-$2,500 in travel value
• Sapphire Preferred: 75,000 points worth approximately $1,125-$1,875 in travel value
• United Explorer: 60,000 miles worth approximately $900-$1,200 in flight value

2. Understand Chase's New Bonus Rules

Beginning June 23, 2025, Chase implemented new bonus eligibility rules for Sapphire cards. Unlike the previous 48-month rule, bonus eligibility now depends on multiple factors including previous bonuses earned and account history. Before applying, use Chase's pre-approval tool to confirm bonus eligibility.

3. Optimize Your Earning Strategy

• Dining and Travel: Use Sapphire cards for maximum earning on these bonus categories
• Airline Purchases: The Reserve's 4x earning on direct airline purchases beats most alternatives
• Hotel Stays: Consider whether you want hotel elite benefits (book direct) or maximum points (book through Chase Travel)

4. Master the Transfer Partner Network

Chase Ultimate Rewards points become significantly more valuable when transferred to airline and hotel partners. Top transfer opportunities include:

• Hyatt: Often provides 1.5-2+ cents per point value
• United: Excellent for international premium cabin flights
• British Airways: Great for short-haul flights and off-peak redemptions

Important Application Considerations

Chase 5/24 Rule

Chase typically denies applications if you've opened five or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Plan your applications accordingly, prioritizing Chase cards if you're under this threshold.

Credit Score Requirements

• Sapphire Cards: Excellent credit (720+) typically required
• United Explorer: Good to excellent credit (670+)
• Hotel Cards: Good credit (650+) usually sufficient

Income Considerations

Premium cards like the Sapphire Reserve typically require substantial income. Be prepared to document your income during the application process.

Beyond the Cards: Maximizing Your Travel Experience

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

Many Chase travel cards offer credits for expedited security programs. Global Entry provides both TSA PreCheck and expedited customs processing for $100 every five years.

Travel Insurance Benefits

Chase travel cards provide valuable protections including:

• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
• Baggage delay and loss protection
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Travel accident insurance

Lounge Access Strategy

If you travel frequently, lounge access can significantly improve your airport experience. The Sapphire Reserve provides comprehensive Priority Pass access, while the United Explorer offers United Club passes for airline-specific lounges.

The Bottom Line

Foreign transaction fees are an unnecessary tax on international travel. Chase's travel credit cards eliminate these fees while providing substantial rewards and benefits that can transform your travel experience.

For most travelers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers the best balance of rewards and annual fee. Frequent travelers who can maximize premium benefits should consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve, while United loyalists will find excellent value in the United Explorer Card.

Remember, these welcome bonuses won't last forever. Chase regularly adjusts their offers, and the current bonuses represent some of the highest we've seen. If you're planning international travel, now is an excellent time to apply for the card that best fits your travel style.

Ready to eliminate foreign transaction fees and maximize your travel rewards? Choose the Chase travel card that aligns with your travel patterns and start earning valuable points on every purchase, both at home and abroad.

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