What is a foreign transaction fee?|
A foreign transaction fee is a charge that some credit cards assess on purchases made outside of the United States. Credit card issuers may add this surcharge to any purchases you make while traveling abroad, and sometimes even to purchases made online from foreign vendors.
~How do foreign transaction fees work?|
Foreign transaction fees are assessed by your credit card issuer when you use your credit card for international transactions. The fees will appear as surcharges on your credit card bill.
Foreign transaction fees can be assessed for credit card transactions when:
- You use the card for a purchase or cash advance outside the U.S.
- You use the card to purchase products or services in a foreign currency.
The fee amount can also vary: Some cards don't charge the fee at all, while others may charge 1% to 3% of each transaction amount. Often, the fee is charged after the transaction is converted into U.S. dollars (USD). You can often find information on foreign transaction fees for your credit card within your cardholder agreement. Look under "Pricing and Terms" or "Rates and Fees" to find information on foreign transaction and other fees.
~How much are foreign transaction fees?|
Foreign transactions fees can vary, but they generally range from between 1% and 3% of each purchase you make outside of the United States. Since it's ultimately up to your credit card issuer to dictate what surcharge you'll pay for making international purchases, it's important to check your credit card's terms to understand the policy for foreign transactions.
~How can I avoid foreign transaction fees?|
The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to use a credit or debit card that doesn't charge them. Because there are a lot of benefits to paying with a credit card when you're traveling internationally, it's a good idea for those who frequently travel to prioritize no foreign transaction fees when applying for a credit card.
Of course, it's also possible to avoid paying foreign transaction fees by paying with cash. That has its own downsides, though, including needing to exchange your money before leaving the U.S. to avoid high exchange fees overseas, the risks of loss or theft when carrying large amounts of cash and the lack of credit card fraud protection should something go wrong. That's why, when possible, it's often best to use a credit card when traveling internationally.
~When do I pay a foreign transaction fee?|
Foreign transaction fees are typically assessed as a surcharge at the time of purchase. Then, your charges will appear on your credit card statement and will be paid off when your pay your credit card balance.
~Are foreign transaction fees affected by exchange rates?|
No, the fee you pay for foreign transactions won't be impacted by exchange rates. Sometimes, the foreign transaction fee you pay include a currency conversion fee folded into the charge. Your credit card issuer could charge a flat 3% foreign transaction fee, where 1% may cover conversion fees charged by your card's network, and the other 2% goes to your credit card issuer for the transaction fee. On the other hand, some credit cards charge no foreign transaction fee.
~Does paying in U.S. dollars make a difference for foreign transaction fees?|
No. When making purchases from merchants abroad, you may have the option to pay in local or U.S. currency. It's typically in your interest to choose to pay in local currency. If you choose to convert to USD, the price is converted through a process called dynamic currency conversion (DCC). While choosing USD won't have any impact on paying credit card foreign transaction fees, you'll typically end up paying more if you choose USD. Instead, choose to pay in the local currency. That way, you'll pay the more affordable conversion fees charged by your credit card or bank.
~What credit score do I need to get an no foreign transaction fee credit card?|
While there are no specific credit score requirements for qualifying for a no foreign transaction fee card, the higher your credit score, the more options you'll have. Having high credit allows you to take your pick from a number of credit card options, including those with no foreign transaction fees. That said, even if your credit needs improvement, you may be able to find a card in your score range that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.