Traveling to Europe is an exciting adventure, but navigating payment systems abroad can sometimes be tricky. One of the smartest moves you can make before your trip is to choose the right credit card for international use. The right card can save you money on fees, make transactions seamless, and even provide perks like travel insurance or rewards points. Here's a guide to the best credit cards to use in Europe—and one you should leave at home.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why it's great for Europe:
- No foreign transaction fees: Avoid the 1–3% surcharge that many cards charge for purchases made abroad.
- Wide acceptance: As a Visa card, it’s accepted nearly everywhere in Europe.
- Travel protections: Offers trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and primary rental car coverage.
- Generous rewards: Earn 2x points on travel and dining purchases, perfect for your European adventures.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred also has robust customer service, which is invaluable when you’re abroad and need assistance.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why it's great for Europe:
- No foreign transaction fees: Keep more of your money when you use this card abroad.
- Flat-rate rewards: Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, making it easy to rack up rewards without needing to track categories.
- Travel flexibility: Redeem miles for any travel expense, from flights to hotels, with no blackout dates.
This card’s simplicity makes it a great companion for travelers who want to focus on exploring instead of managing complicated reward systems.
3. American Express Gold Card (with a caveat)
Why it’s good:
- Rewards for foodies: Earn 4x points on dining worldwide, including restaurants in Europe.
- No foreign transaction fees: Recently, AmEx cards have become more travel-friendly.
- Travel perks: Includes trip delay insurance and baggage insurance.
What to watch out for:
American Express cards aren’t as widely accepted in Europe as Visa or Mastercard. While this card is fantastic for restaurants or high-end shops, you may need a backup card for smaller merchants or off-the-beaten-path destinations.
The Card to Avoid: Any Card with Foreign Transaction Fees
For example: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
While this card offers 2% cashback on all purchases, it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad. Over a week or two in Europe, those fees can quickly add up and negate any cashback rewards you earn.
Other cards to avoid are those without chip-and-PIN technology, as many European merchants rely on it for security. If your card only has a magnetic stripe or chip-and-signature, you could run into issues at unattended kiosks (like train stations or toll booths).
Quick Tips for Using Credit Cards in Europe
- Always pay in local currency: If a merchant offers to charge you in USD instead of euros, decline. Dynamic currency conversion often comes with hidden fees and poor exchange rates.
- Have a backup: Bring at least two cards in case one isn’t accepted or gets lost.
- Notify your bank: Let your credit card issuer know you’ll be traveling to avoid potential fraud alerts or declined transactions.
With the right credit card in your wallet, you’ll have more time to focus on enjoying your European adventure—and less time worrying about fees. Safe travels!
