In case you’re a university scholar planning to review overseas, you’re in for an actual deal with. There’s nothing like residing outdoors the U.S. and immersing your self in one other tradition, touring and exploring completely different cities nearly each weekend.
However this journey doesn’t come low-cost. For instance, you’ll be able to count on to spend wherever from $1,500 to $7,000 throughout a semester overseas in Europe (in accordance with some studies) — and that does not even take into consideration lodging.
The excellent news? Not one of the playing cards on this checklist cost international transaction charges, so that you gained’t get hit with additional prices each time you faucet your card overseas. And for those who’re utilizing a bank card, you’ll be able to earn some critical rewards in your examine overseas bills. Plus, the appropriate card will show you how to get monetary savings on charges and defend you in case your journey plans go awry.
Right here’s what it’s essential know to decide on the very best bank card for learning overseas.
Evaluating the very best playing cards for learning overseas
| Card | Finest for | Welcome supply | Incomes charges | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Transferable miles for no annual charge |
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
|
|
Money again |
Earn a $200 money bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
|
|
Maximizing bonus classes |
Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$95 |
|
|
Bonus factors on journey |
Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. |
|
$150 |
|
|
College students who’re nonetheless constructing credit score |
Uncover will match all of the money again earned through the first 12 consecutive billing durations that the brand new account is open. |
|
$0 |
The data for the Amex Inexperienced and Uncover it Scholar Money Again card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
If transferable rewards for no annual charge are what you’re in search of, look no additional than the Capital One VentureOne Rewards.
Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is value $370, in accordance with TPG’s December 2025 valuations.
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Annual charge: $0
Why it is nice for learning overseas: The VentureOne doesn’t have an annual charge and earns an infinite 1.25 miles per greenback on all purchases. Cardholders will even earn 5 miles per greenback on automotive leases, inns and trip leases booked by way of Capital One Journey.
You should utilize your miles in a wide range of methods, however one of the simplest ways is to switch them to any of Capital One’s 15-plus resort and airline companions. That is seemingly your most respected redemption choice.
There aren’t many no-annual-fee playing cards that assist you to switch miles to journey companions, so this card is unquestionably value a critical search for college students learning overseas.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Capital One VentureOne.
Study extra: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card
If you wish to hold your pockets easy, money again is commonly the best way to go. Think about the Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 money bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual charge: $0
Why it is nice for learning overseas: The Savor Money Rewards is an effective way to earn money again on all of your purchases.
With it, you’ll earn 5% again on inns, rental vehicles and trip leases booked by way of Capital One Journey, 3% again on eating, leisure and choose streaming companies and at grocery shops (excluding superstores like Goal and Walmart) and 1% again on all different purchases.
Whereas the welcome bonus isn’t profitable, it does have a comparatively low spending requirement. While you’re wanting on the bills of learning overseas, each little bit helps.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Capital One Savor Money Rewards.
Study extra: Capital One Savor Money Rewards
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
The Chase Sapphire Most popular Card is considered one of our favourite bank cards, and for a very good purpose. It gives glorious worth for its low annual charge.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
TPG’s December 2025 valuations peg this welcome bonus at $1,538.
Annual charge: $95
Why it is nice for learning overseas: There’s a purpose so many individuals you understand have this bank card.
The Sapphire Most popular could also be out of vary for those who’re simply beginning your bank card journey, however it’s actually one to set your sights on for those who’re eligible.
It’s an excellent starter card if you wish to get into factors and miles as a result of it earns 3 factors per greenback on eating, on-line groceries (excluding Goal, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment) and choose streaming companies, and a couple of factors per greenback on journey booked outdoors of Chase Journey.
So, each time you e book a flight on Ryanair or find yourself at Wok to Stroll once more, you’ll rack up absolutely transferable factors.
The welcome bonus is strong, too. Whereas this card does have a $95 annual charge, perks reminiscent of baggage delay insurance coverage, buy safety, journey cancellation insurance coverage and journey delay protection simply make up for it.
And whenever you’re able to redeem the factors you’ve earned with the Sapphire Most popular, you’ve some nice choices. Most easily, you should use your factors with Factors Increase to buy flights and e book resort rooms at a price of as much as 1.75 cents per level, relying on the precise redemption, by way of Chase Journey (see your rewards program settlement for full particulars).
However you may get much more worth out of your rewards by benefiting from the cardboard’s skill to switch factors to any of Chase’s airline and resort companions. This route takes a bit extra time and power to determine, however it could possibly show you how to unlock some unbelievable worth out of your rewards.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Chase Sapphire Most popular.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular
American Specific Inexperienced Card
The Amex Inexperienced is a good entry level to Amex’s profitable Membership Rewards factors for journey fanatics.
Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 factors after spending $3,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership.
This bonus is value $800, per TPG’s December 2025 valuations.
Annual charge: $150
Why it is nice for learning overseas: In case you’re concerned about including the Amex Inexperienced to your pockets on your research overseas, it is a good suggestion to get the cardboard earlier than you e book your journey. The cardboard earns 3 factors per greenback on a big selection of journey purchases, together with:
- Airfare
- Campgrounds
- Automobile leases
- Cruises
- Motels
- Excursions
- Trip leases
It additionally earns 3 factors per greenback in transit, a class you are prone to spend a very good quantity in when you’re away. This class contains:
- Buses
- Ferries
- Parking
- Journey-hailing companies
- Subways
- Taxis
- Tolls
- Trains
Pair this with one other bonus class, incomes 3 factors per greenback on eating at worldwide eating places, and this card is a strong choice for college kids overseas.
TPG values Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents apiece whenever you maximize your earnings by transferring to considered one of Amex’s switch companions. For a $150 annual charge, this card is a strong earner in this system.
Whereas it is extra of an funding than different playing cards on this checklist, it gives as much as $209 every calendar 12 months for a Clear Plus membership to assist offset that. (Enrollment required; topic to auto-renewal.)
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Amex Inexperienced.
Associated: Who ought to (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Inexperienced card?
Uncover it Scholar Money Again
Missing a very good credit score rating, or maybe any rating in any respect? In that case, a scholar card just like the Uncover it Scholar Money Again is your greatest wager.
Welcome bonus: Uncover will match all of the money again earned through the first 12 consecutive billing durations that the brand new account is open.
Annual charge: $0
Why it is nice for learning overseas: With the Uncover it Scholar Money Again, you’ll get 5% money again in your first $1,500 in purchases on quarterly rotating classes after you enroll your card after which 1% money again on every part else. Whereas it isn’t a elaborate earnings construction, receiving 5% again on sure purchases on a scholar card is implausible.
College students learning overseas can get outsize worth from this card since all earnings through the first 12 months are doubled.
And also you gained’t have to fret about redemption minimums, so you’ll be able to money out your rewards at any time.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Uncover it Scholar Money Again.
Associated: 8 issues it is best to know earlier than making use of for a bank card in faculty
What to contemplate when selecting a card for learning overseas
As you put together to review overseas, search for these qualities that can assist you select your greatest bank card.
Welcome bonus
Search for a card that gives a welcome bonus. The additional spending you’ll do in your semester overseas is an effective way to satisfy the minimal spending requirement to earn a bonus on a brand new bank card.
International transaction charges
Selecting a bank card with no international transaction charges — like one of many playing cards on this checklist — is the best method to economize when you’re overseas. In case you use a debit or bank card that fees them, you’ll incur a further charge of as much as 5% on each buy.
Card acceptance abroad
Not all playing cards are accepted equally world wide, so it’s essential to decide on one you’ll be able to depend on wherever you’re headed. For the smoothest expertise, it’s a good suggestion to hold at the very least one Mastercard or Visa whereas learning overseas.
Mastercard and Visa have a tendency to supply the broadest world acceptance, notably throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America. American Specific is extensively accepted in lots of main cities, although acceptance can range by nation and service provider kind. And Uncover’s worldwide acceptance is bettering by way of community partnerships, however it stays much less constantly accepted than the opposite main networks in lots of study-abroad locations.
Journey protections
Now greater than ever, you wish to be protected in opposition to journey delays, cancellations and different mishaps.
Search for a bank card with journey protections that cowl you when one thing goes mistaken.
Turn out to be a licensed person
It’s possible you’ll not have sufficient credit score to qualify for considered one of our favourite journey rewards playing cards but. If that’s the case, take into account turning into a licensed person on a beloved one’s account. It will assist you to profit from the cardboard’s protections and might have the additional benefit of boosting your credit score rating concurrently.
Associated: The advantages of including a relative as a licensed person
Backside line
You’ll spend closely throughout a semester overseas, on flights, trains, meals out, weekend journeys, transit passes and all of the little purchases that add up quick. Choosing the proper bank card turns that unavoidable spending right into a strategic benefit.
A well-chosen, no-foreign-transaction-fee card can prevent cash from day one, whereas robust bonus classes, journey protections and versatile redemption choices show you how to maximize each euro, pound or yen you spend.
Decide a card aligned with the way you journey and what you worth, and your time overseas gained’t simply be unforgettable — it might additionally set you up for future journeys you’ll be able to e book with the rewards you earned alongside the best way.
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