International credit cards are credit cards that can be used in countries around the world. Most Canadian credit cards work fine internationally, but the best ones will save you money on foreign exchange fees and have a high rate of acceptance wherever you go.
If you're travelling soon, this article will outline everything you need to know about getting an international credit card, the benefits of having one, and give a few examples along the way.
Key Takeaways
- International credit card work the same way as normal credit cards but help save you money on fees when travelling abroad.
- Many of the best international cards also include travel benefits, like airport lounge access, free checked bags, and insurance.
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What is an international credit card?
Most credit cards nowadays work internationally and function the same way as normal credit cards. But normal cards charge foreign exchange fees when you make purchases in non-Canadian currency.
Therefore, the best international options are credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and plenty of travel benefits, including:
- Airport lounge access
- Free checked bags
- Rental car discounts
- Comprehensive travel insurance packages
Types of international credit cards
There are a few subcategories of international credit cards that you'll want to consider.
Normal travel credit cards
Travel credit cards earn travel reward points and usually come with better insurance and travel perks like lounge access or free checked bags. Here are two of the top travel rewards cards.
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GC: $100
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7x Award winner U.S. dollar credit cards
For travelling in America, U.S. dollar credit cards pay merchants in U.S. dollars so you can skip the conversion fee – but you’ll need to pay them off in USD, too. Here are two solid options in this category.
Foreign currency prepaid cards
You can preload cards like the Wise Card with foreign currency or Canadian currency to be converted later. These are a good option and often have favourable exchange rates plus perks like no cash advance fees.
Benefits of international credit cards
Many of the best international credit cards also double as the best travel credit cards in Canada. Here are some of the benefits of getting one.
No foreign transaction fees
Normally, credit cards charge 2.5% in foreign transaction fees for anything that isn't purchased in Canadian dollars. International credit cards do away with these currency exchange rate fees by charging either reduced rates (typically 1.5%) or no fees at all, like any of the best foreign exchange travel cards that we list on our site.
Here are a couple of good options.
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3x Award winner Travel perks
If you travel often, you'll get plenty of mileage with all the travel perks that come with high-end travel credit cards.
For example, many offer lounge memberships at the very minimum, which will save you a bit of money if you want to be able to access exclusive airport lounges. Others will also toss in a few free lounge passes, like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. And the best of the best, like the American Express Platinum Card, have unlimited lounge access.
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Other cards may offer free first checked bags, like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, which extends the benefit to up to 8 other travellers. That card also has another cool benefit for those who travel to the U.S. often – NEXUS rebates. This can save a ton of time at any border crossing.
Many cards offer discounted car rentals. Examples of this include the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card, which offers 25% off AVIS rentals, and the no fee BMO CashBack Mastercard, which offers 25% off at Alamo and National.
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There are almost too many perks to list, but a few more include:
- Earning travel rewards points to book your next getaway sooner
- Automatic hotel status upgrades
- Free nights at hotels
- Companion vouchers for flights
Travel insurance
You'll often also get travel insurance, which can provide not only peace of mind when going international but also some compensation in the event of something bad happening.
The best travel insurance credit card in Canada, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, has an all-encompassing suite of insurance coverage that will put you at ease no matter where you go:
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
| Extended Warranty | 2 years |
| Purchase Protection | 120 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,500 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 31 days |
| Emergency Medical Maximum Coverage | unlimited |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 7 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $750 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $2,500 |
| Hotel Burglary | $3,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
Do Canadian credit cards work in other countries?
Yes, Canadian credit cards almost always work when travelling internationally. You'll have to check if a certain issuer is accepted – just like back home – but otherwise, the process is identical.
For example, maybe a place you're shopping at doesn't accept Amex. You may want to carry at least one other credit card with a different issuer just in case. You’ll also want to have some emergency cash on hand.
Do you have an international card?
If you travel outside of Canada often, do you carry an international credit card? We'd love to hear about your experiences using Canadian credit cards while abroad. Leave a comment below.
Happy travels!
FAQ
Can you use Canadian credit cards internationally?
Yes, you can use a Canadian credit card in foreign countries. It'd be best to get a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, though – you can save on the standard 2.5% foreign exchange fee.
Is an international credit card worth it?
Yes, it's definitely worth having an international credit card as you'll be able to earn rewards on your purchases, get travel benefits, and be covered by travel insurance while abroad.
Is Visa or Mastercard better for international travel?
Visa and Mastercard have around equal acceptance, with Mastercard boasting a few more countries and territories on their acceptance list. You won't go wrong with either issuer, though it's best to check which one is more popular in the countries you want to explore.
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