Top Travel Credit Cards for Europe: Earn Rewards & Benefits

There are countless travel credit cards on the market, but not all of them provide the same benefits.

Even among the best travel credit cards, some may be better than others for specific trip plans.

If you’re planning a vacation or extended stay in Europe, some credit cards stand out above the rest.

We’ve put together a list of the best credit cards for traveling to Europe and explore why they’re perfect travel companions to anyone heading across the Atlantic.

As you explore these and other credit cards, it’s important to consider your top priorities when it comes to rewards, features and fees.

Overview: Best credit cards for traveling to Europe

Flying to Europe can be expensive, so it can help to have a credit card that allows you to shop around. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card not only allows you to book flights through Chase’s travel booking site, but you can also transfer your points earned to a handful of European airlines, including:

• Aer Lingus
• British Airways
• Air France
• Iberia
• KLM
• Virgin Atlantic

You can also transfer your points to a handful of international hotel chains, which can also help once you’re in Europe. Other card highlights include:

• 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
• Earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere
• Get 25% more value when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®
• $95 annual fee

What to watch out for when using the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card abroad

Unless you’re spending a lot on dining and travel purchases, your base rewards rate overseas will be just one point per dollar. That doesn’t stack well against some of the other cards on our list.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review or see card details/where to apply.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card doesn’t offer a lot of flashy features or extra perks, but it does provide maximum flexibility.

For starters, you’ll earn two miles per dollar spent on every purchase. This means you don’t have to worry about how international merchants code their transactions.

Second, you can redeem your miles earned for just about any type of travel. Simply use the card to book travel then use your rewards to get a partial or full statement credit for the purchase.

Here are a few more card details:

• Sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Annual fee of $95.

What to watch out for when using the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card abroad

When redeeming your rewards, some things you consider travel may not be coded that way. For example, you may not be able to use your rewards to cover your costs for theme parks and similar attractions.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review or see card details/where to apply.

Why you should use a credit card abroad

Whether you’re going to Europe or anywhere else, it’s a good idea to bring a credit card with you. Here are just a few ways a credit card can make your travel plans easier:

• Credit cards are convenient: You don’t need to worry about getting cash from the ATM or finding a place to hide it.
• Credit cards offer the best fraud protection: If you lose cash while overseas, it’s gone. And you lose a debit card, thieves can drain your checking account before you have the chance to report it stolen. With credit cards, nothing is taken from your checking account and the credit card issuer will generally remove the charges before your statement date.
• You can earn rewards on purchases: Rewards credit cards offer rewards on every purchase you make regardless of where you are.

What to look for in an international credit card

The main thing you want with a card you’re planning to take overseas is no foreign transaction fees. The typical fee is 3% of every purchase you make abroad, which can add up fast.

You’ll also want a card that uses Visa or Mastercard as its payment network. Discover and American Express aren’t widely accepted overseas, so you don’t want to be caught without a payment method.

If you find a Discover or American Express credit card that you really like, make sure you have a backup card that’s a Visa or Mastercard.

Finally, make sure your credit card has an EMV chip on the front of the card. Most major credit cards come with these chips from the start, but some smaller banks and credit unions may not have upgraded their cards yet to include the chip.

Which travel card is right for your Europe trip?

There’s no one best credit card out there for everyone, so it’s important to understand what best fits your situation. As you consider these and other travel credit cards, take a look at your European travel plans, as well as your personal preferences.

Also, consider your spending habits.

Lastly, all of these cards require either good or excellent credit. So, if you have fair or poor credit, you may want to work on improving your credit score before applying for one of these. As you do your due diligence and take the time to research all your options, you’ll find the card that suits you best.

Read more

• European Budget Airlines: Everything You Need To Know To Save On Your Next Trip To Europe
• Traveling Abroad? The Best Credit Cards For International Travel