Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of 2018

This card has long been the champion of flexible travel rewards and has set the standard for a slew of similar cards. Its competitive annual fee and high flat-rate rewards keep it at the top. It earns 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases, and miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each as a credit against most travel expenses — including hotel stays and airfare booked through any travel site, as well as timeshares, cab fares and cruises. It also comes with a generous sign-up bonus: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel.

What really sets this card apart is its big sign-up bonus and rewards transfer options. The bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® When using the card, you’ll earn 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining, and 1 point per $1 everywhere else. Points are generally worth 1 cent, but they’re worth 25% more when used to book travel through Chase. They can also be transferred at 1:1 rate to several airline and hotel loyalty programs, including United, Southwest, Marriott and Hyatt. Finally, we should mention that fans of this metal card love the high-end impression it makes when they pull it out.

This card gives you many of the perks of a travel card without the price tag: It has an annual fee of $0. You get 1.5 points per $1 spent on anything, and you can redeem points at a value of 1 cent apiece for credit against any travel purchase. This card also happens to have one of the broadest definitions of “travel” in the industry — not just flights, hotels and other routine expenses, but also the cost of visiting an amusement park, an aquarium or a fortuneteller. Bank of America® customers with an active checking or savings account can earn 10% more points, and if you maintain high balances in affiliated accounts, you can earn 25% to 75% more through the Preferred Rewards program. Plus, there's a sign-up bonus: 25,000 online bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

The Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card delivers outstanding value from the get-go with a big sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® You earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, telecommunications, shipping and advertising on social media and search engines, on up to $150,000 in combined spending each year. All other spending earns 1 point per dollar. Points are worth 1.25 cents apiece when used to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; they can also be transferred on a 1:1 basis to travel partners such as United, Southwest, Marriott and Hyatt.

The best cash back cards make rewards easy to earn and easy to redeem, and this card does that better than most. You earn a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and there’s no minimum redemption amount. That’s music to a frugal traveler’s ears. The annual fee is $0. This card also comes with an introductory 0% APR period and a fair sign-up bonus: One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening Among cash back cards with no foreign transaction fees, it offers the best rewards and benefits and is widely accepted overseas.

This card pays 1.5% cash back on all purchases — the same as on the regular Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card for excellent credit. That makes it one of the most valuable cards available for those with average credit. Plus, you can redeem cash back in any amount.

The Deserve® Edu Mastercard for Students doesn’t require applicants to have a co-signer or security deposit, and international students don't need a Social Security number. That makes it a little easier to get approved — even for students with limited credit histories. Plus, it comes with a solid 1% back on all purchases and a one-time reimbursement for Amazon Student Prime. The annual fee is $0.