6 Best Credit Cards for Expats

The best credit cards for expats offer tailored international perks, seamless financial management, and rewards that align with diverse lifestyles.

In the event that you are already residing in a foreign land or are making preparations to relocate there, you might be wondering which credit card is the most appropriate for use in that location.

Maintaining a decent financial situation while you are away from home is an essential part of being a responsible global citizen.

Choosing the appropriate credit card can make a significant impact in the outcome of your financial situation.

A lot of factors need to be taken into consideration in order to make the most of your money while you are traveling.

Some of these things include the fees associated with foreign transactions and the many incentive systems that are available.

In addition, before you travel, you should become familiar with the local ways of spending money and the currency that is used there.

Although the sheer amount of credit card options may appear to be daunting, there is no need to freak out over it.

In consideration of the lifestyle you lead as an expat, we have produced a list of the best credit cards for expats.

This article provides you with everything you could possibly want, including cashback, travel incentives, and other exclusive benefits.

Gain an understanding of the cards that can enhance your experience of banking wherever in the world.

It is possible that credit cards are widely used in the United States, but this is not always the case in other countries. The following is a list of the best credit cards for expats.

If you want to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, which is what i specialize in, you can email me (advice@adamfayed.com) or use WhatsApp (+44-7393-450-837).

United MileagePlus Explorer

Designed with United Airlines in mind, the Explorer card is essentially Chase’s answer to the Sapphire Preferred, providing a number of similar benefits and privileges.

The credit card comes with an annual fee of $95 after the first year, when there is no fee at all. As an introductory offer, new cards can earn 60,000 United Miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

All other purchases earn 1x Point, while dining, lodging, and United purchases get 2x Miles. All flights include free first checked bags, priority boarding, and a $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry, among other benefits.

These features make the card a good financial investment and make the benefits it offers frequent flyers even better.

The United Explorer is an excellent option for frequent flyers or United status holders, as well as anyone traveling with United or any Star Alliance member.

With this card, you can pay for almost everything you do while traveling, plus you’ll earn bonus miles on United flights, dining out, and hotel stays!

In order to earn a large number of United miles, the Explorer card requires a relatively little amount of spending each quarter.

With the spending perks, large sign-on bonus, and free first year of card ownership, you may easily earn 75,000+ United Miles without paying a dime.

Thanks to the free checked bag, you may practically cancel the yearly fee after the first year with just two checked bag flights.

United MileagePlus Explorer is a fantastic option to earn points for international flights with almost little commitment required.

However, it does have more specialized redemption choices compared to the other cards on this list.

If you’re determined to use United exclusively, we suggest upgrading to one of the most luxurious United cards, such as the Quest or the Infinite.

When considering investment funds, it’s essential to explore credit cards that offer perks like cashback or travel rewards, aligning with your financial goals.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For those who travel often or are looking to get the most out of their vacation budget, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card is a great choice.

It is well-liked by expats due to its mileage rewards program and lack of surcharges for foreign transactions.

The American Express Platinum Card® is its main rival, although this card is widely considered to offer a better rewards program and a cheaper annual fee.

Extra benefits like airport lounge access, travel credits, and main rental car insurance are standard on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card has a significant annual fee of $550; yet, it provides a wide variety of features that significantly justify its value for individuals who are living abroad.  

Cardholders who have recently obtained the card have the option to accrue a considerable 60,000 points if they achieve a minimum spending threshold of $4,000 within the first three months of card membership.  

Additionally, customers who participate in Chase Ultimate Rewards and book hotel reservations have the opportunity to accrue points at a rate that is ten times higher than the standard amount.

Additionally, they are eligible to get a travel credit of $300 at the end of each year. 

For expats in Singapore, exploring the best business and corporate credit cards can provide tailored solutions, combining international perks and local benefits for seamless financial management.

World of Hyatt Visa

When you wish to pay for your hotel stays using your credit card, the World of Hyatt Visa card is the way to go.

Hyatt is the best hotel chain for redeeming points because of its easily bookable rooms, which are usually worth more than two cents each point.

In addition, with a 1:1 ratio between Chase Ultimate Reward points and Hyatt, earning Hyatt points might be considerably easier than earning rewards from other hotels.

While there are many ways to earn Hyatt points, the best one is with the World of Hyatt Visa card. Along with immediate status and a sign-on bonus of Hyatt points, this card offers considerable spending incentives at Hyatt locations.

The yearly charge for this credit card is $95. A welcome bonus of 30,000 points is yours once you spend $3,000 in the first three months after signing up.

Additionally, you can earn double points on all purchases, up to a maximum of 30,000 points, in addition to the 60,000 points you already have.

Hyatt purchases earn 9x points, dining out, travel, local transportation, and gym memberships get 2x points, and all other expenditures earn 1x point.

The spending rewards are appealing. The card’s overall value is enhanced when customers gain automatic Hyatt Discoverist status and a complimentary annual stay at a category 1-4 hotel.

If you wish to stay at Hyatt locations abroad, having the World of Hyatt card is a wonderful idea.

The card’s automatic Discoverist status and gratis night can effectively erase the annual price, making it zero dollars, even if the sign-on bonus is minimal and requires spending at least $15,000.

All throughout the globe, you may find hundreds of Hyatt establishments. Even while Hyatt doesn’t have as many properties as larger, more well-known chains like Marriott or Hilton, the value it provides per hotel is nearly always higher.

With the WoH card, you can earn extra Hyatt points on meals, travel, local transportation, and gym memberships, so you may rack up thousands of points without breaking the bank!

For those who often stay at Hyatt properties or who want to use their points to pay for their stays, this card is an easy choice.

The most profitable credit cards in the UK often cater to diverse spending patterns, making it crucial for expats to choose cards that align with their lifestyle for optimal rewards.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Both the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are nearly identical in terms of quality; however, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lower annual fee of $95.  

Because of its competitive benefits, this card comes highly recommended for anyone who travels frequently.

It provides 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel, in addition to providing limitless 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases. 

If you make purchases totaling $4,000 during the first three months after opening your account, you will be eligible to earn an astounding 75,000 additional miles.

This offer is available to you. In the end, the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card does not charge any additional fees for transactions that are carried out outside of the country. 

The Capital One Venture X is another great option for Americans who want to use their credit card abroad.

The Venture X is one of Capital One’s most luxurious and expensive credit cards. It comes with a lot of useful travel perks, such as access to airport lounges and a credit for one free flight a year.

This credit card comes with an appealing welcome bonus of 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months.

It costs $395 a year. Cardholders can enjoy regular and profitable spending after the original bonus because they can earn 2x Capital One Miles on all purchases.

One of the best things about the card is that it comes with a $300 yearly trip credit that helps make the purchase more appealing by making travel costs less of a burden.

The TSA Pre/Global Entry program makes screening easier for people who fly a lot and gives cardholders a $100 credit.

As an anniversary gift, the card gives users 10,000 miles, which makes the membership more valuable in the long run if they decide to keep it after the first year.

You might want to think about getting the Venture X if you want a simple point system. Many of its rivals don’t offer a flat 2x miles back on all purchases, which makes the Venture X stand out.

You can do anything with the Venture X! You don’t have to plan ahead or keep track of the types of buying with this card.

The price drops to $5 a year if you use the $300 trip credit and the bonus 10,000 miles. There is a net benefit to having this card, and that’s not even counting the sign-up bonus or spending perks.

With this in mind, it’s a much better deal than the regular Capital One Venture Rewards card.

Capital One also has a great network of travel partners that focus on foreign travel, such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air Canada, FlyingBlue, and more.

These partners offer great deals for people who live outside of the United States. Capital One possibly has a travel partner that can help you get where you need to go, no matter where you are!

If you want a simple card that really does its job, the Venture X is a great choice. This card is highly suggested for people who live outside of the US or move abroad a lot.

It has great travel benefits and points, works with a lot of international partners, and doesn’t charge any fees for international transactions!

Understanding the different types of credit cards, such as cashback, travel, or rewards cards, is crucial for expats seeking financial tools that complement their spending habits and overall financial strategy.

Capital One Quicksilver

If you are a frequent traveler or live abroad and would rather receive cash back than points, the Capital One Quicksilver is a fantastic option.

Among the many appealing features of this card is its constant cash-back rate; also, there is no annual charge.

This credit card is perfect for people who are strapped for cash because of its alluring feature set and zero annual fee.

In the first three months after creating an account, cardholders can earn a $200 welcome bonus after spending $500.

An additional perk for making frequent purchases is the 1.5% cash back that the card provides on all transactions.

The financial advantages are just as tempting. On top of that, users receive six months of free Uber One, which enhances their overall quality of life.

To top it all off, the card offers a low introductory APR, making it a great choice for anyone seeking financial freedom.

The absence of an annual charge, a sign-up bonus, spending rewards, and other perks make this credit card an attractive option for many customers.

The simplicity of cash-back credit cards more than makes up for their lack of glitz compared to point-based competitors.

You may rest assured that there is no minimum value requirement for cash-back rewards with a cash-back card.

Even as a cash-back card, the Quicksilver stands out for its ease of use: just use it every time you make a purchase, and you’ll get a flat 1.5% discount.

This card is ideal for international travelers who value convenience over hassle when it comes to maintaining their rewards and credit cards.

It includes a complimentary 6-month subscription to Uber One, the premium membership offered by the company.

Expats may find value in exploring credit cards associated with priority and private banking services, as these cards often come with exclusive perks, concierge services, and enhanced rewards, providing a comprehensive financial solution for discerning individuals.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

If you are an expatriate looking for a credit card that does not charge an annual fee, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card might be the best option for you to consider.  

It is not necessary to pay any annual fees for this card, and it does not impose any additional fees for transactions that are carried out outside of the country.  

A promotion with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 0% for purchases is included with the card, and it will remain in effect for a total of fifteen billing cycles.

Following this time period, the variable annual percentage rate (APR) shifts from 18.24 percent to 28.24 percent.  

In addition, it is essential to be informed that there is a fee of three percent related with any and all balance transfers being made. 

In addition, you will earn three times the points for purchases made at the Bank of America Travel Center, and you will gain 1.5 points for every dollar that you spend.  

New cardholders have the opportunity to obtain a bonus of 25,000 points upon opening an account, provided that they complete transactions totaling $1,000 within the first ninety days of their card membership.

This reward will be offered in the form of a statement credit in the amount of $250, which it is possible to apply toward travel expenses. 

Final Thoughts

Most popular travel places accept credit cards as payment. When visiting a place that is less frequented, using your credit card could be more challenging.

Make sure the right credit card is in mind for your trip, that you understand the terms and restrictions pertaining to earning and redeeming rewards, and that you notify your credit card issuer that you will be using the card overseas before you depart.

When it comes to credit cards, American citizens living abroad should always use their home cards because doing so might provide them with thousands of extra perks over credit cards issued abroad. 

These American credit cards are the best options for usage abroad because they don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Whether you’re interested in cash-back, hotel rewards, general credit card points, or airline rewards, we’ve included a card that fits your needs.

Pained by financial indecision? Want to invest with Adam?

Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters, with over 760.2 million answer views on Quora.com, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.