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If a trip to Europe this year is on the agenda, utilizing the best credit card for Europe travel can help defray your travel costs and enjoy other special benefits. While it may go without saying, you’ll want a card with no foreign transaction fees when traveling outside the United States. Fortunately, the cards on this list do not charge a foreign transaction fee. Additionally, many of these cards come with some great signup offers.
Here’s an example. New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Best Credit Card For Europe Travel
There are a number of cards on the market that, when used responsibly, can help you get more bang for your buck. The cards listed below are not only top travel cards, but they also come with some of the best credit card offers in 2023. Let’s take a look at our favorite options.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The information for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best overall option as it’s easy to redeem your points for maximum value if you want to book an award flight, hotel, rental car, or expedition.
For example, your points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents) on travel redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. You can also transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to United Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Air France Flying Blue, and Virgin Atlantic, just to name a few travel carriers.
Several 1:1 hotel transfer partners can help you book the best London hotels with points.
Other key benefits include:
- 10% anniversary points bonus
- Annual $50 statement credit for hotel booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Trip cancellation/interruption coverage (up to $10,000 per person/$20,000 per trip)
- Primary auto rental collision damage waiver (includes many European rentals)
New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Additionally, cardholders earn:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit)
- 3x points on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out)
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart®, and wholesale clubs)
- Also 3x points on select streaming services
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x point per $1 spent on all non-bonus purchases
The annual fee is $95, and there is a $0 foreign transaction fee with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is an excellent option if you foresee a visit to an airport lounge during your trip. For example, you may be able to visit Lufthansa Lounges when flying that airline, SWISS, or Austrian Airlines. Other partner networks include The Centurion, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Club.
This card also has many 1:1 airline point transfer partners which make it easy to use your miles on a first-class flight to Europe. You can also redeem Membership Rewards® points for an award flight. Cardholders also get up to $200 in airline fee credits annually that can reimburse qualifying incidental charges.
This card also includes many other luxury travel and lifestyle benefits that include hotel statement credits, Uber Cash, Global Entry and CLEAR application fee credits, and earning up to 5x Membership Rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. This best credit card for Europe option is a great option for frequent travelers.
Oh, and let’s talk about THAT welcome bonus with The Platinum Card® from American Express! You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
This card’s annual fee is $695 (See Rates & Fees).
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another top contender for the best premium credit card, although you won’t get as many luxury travel perks as the Amex Platinum (visit our Capital One Venture X Rewards vs. American Express Platinum Card post to learn more).
You will receive a $300 Capital One Travel credit that can reimburse your first travel purchases each year. Additionally, you can earn:
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
It’s possible to redeem your miles as a travel statement credit on recent travel purchases or book upcoming trips through Capital One Travel. There are several 1:1 international airline transfer partners, too.
The card also offers complimentary access to Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge networks. You will also receive a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $120, Hertz President’s Circle status, and 10,000 bonus miles on each cardholder anniversary.
The signup bonus is the ability to earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
The annual fee is $395, and the first four authorized users are free.
Related: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Review
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
This best credit card for Europe option is also a cash back option. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option for foodies. You may also consider this card if you’re taking an extended European trip and a bulk of your budget is for meals and groceries, as this card has a high cashback rate:
- 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
- 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, on popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
- 1% back on all remaining purchases
This card is better for dining rewards than travel rewards, as you will receive your purchase rewards for cash back. Although, you can earn 5% back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
New Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card cardholders can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
The annual fee is $0, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
X1 Card
The information for the X1 Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Consider the X1 Card if you have less-than-perfect credit but love to travel. This card goes off of your income, not your credit score.
You may also find this card attractive as it is a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
Here are the rewards cardholders can earn:
- 2x points on every purchase regardless of category
- 3x points every time you spend $1,000 in a month
- 4x, 5x, and even 10x points for every friend who gets a card
- Up to 10x points at leading online stores such as Apple, Nike, and Sephora when you shop in the X1 App
You can redeem your points for travel credits through several travel providers such as American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, Hotels.com, Uber, and Vrbo.
Like a few other cards on this list, it’s a metal credit card. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer a signup bonus.
Related: X1 Card Review
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is the most rewarding business travel credit card.
Cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, which has more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting. Cardholders have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer (as of 10/2024). Access is limited to eligible Card Members.
You will also earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. 1X points on other eligible purchases.
While you may consider using the 1:1 airline transfer partners first, the Business Platinum Card also has a 35% airline bonus that gives back 35% of redeemed points on eligible flights booked through Amex Travel (up to 1,000,000 points back per year).
Other benefits include earning up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required).
Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when they make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment is required.
Additionally, unlock over $2,000 in annual statement credits on business and travel benefits (after meeting qualifying spending thresholds; terms apply).
New The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders can earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
The annual fee is $695 (See Rates & Fees).
Summary
There is plenty to do in Europe whether it’s exploring Rome, breathing in the Sevilla orange blossoms, or exploring less-traveled countries. Using the best travel credit cards unlocks many benefits that can open more doors while you’re abroad. Which of these best credit card for Europe options do you prefer?
Related Articles:
- Q&A: Is The Chase Sapphire Preferred Still Worth It?
- What Are The Easiest Credit Cards to Get Approved For?
- Card Showdown: Capital One Venture X vs. Venture Rewards
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
Johnny Jet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Johnny Jet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
The Citi Costco Visa card is also a good option. No foreign transaction fees and does not cost anythign annually. Just the fee of a Costco membership.