Top Credit Cards For Travel In Europe
Save more money on your next trip to Europe with a credit card that offers rewards, travel perks, no foreign transaction fees, and airport privileges.
A trip to Europe is often on the list of would-be travelers. With a long list of attractive destinations, the cost of a European trip can skyrocket.
That’s why the right travel credit card is one of the most important items that you can bring on your trip. Not only can it help you save money, it can also provide a more comfortable travel experience.
Here are four of the top credit cards to consider signing up for before your next trip to Europe:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a rewards program fit for those who travel and dine out regularly. Each point can be redeemed for 1.25 cents worth of travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
The points can also be converted to airline miles or hotel points with 11 different travel partners.
The card also offers travel benefits such as trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, lost and delayed luggage reimbursement, and travel and emergency assistance services.
There is a $95 annual fee for this card and no foreign transaction fees. Usually, the sign-up bonus is worth hundreds of dollars in free travel.
Citi Prestige
Citi Prestige offers numerous advantages for European travelers.
For example, you and a guest receive access to the airport lounges of the American Airlines Admiral’s Club and the Priority Pass Select network, which has extensive locations in European airports.
You also receive a $100 fee credit towards an application in the Global Entry program, which offers you access to both the TSA PreCheck expedited domestic security screening program and fast-track kiosks when entering the United States from abroad.
This card also features a $250 annual Air Travel credit that you can apply towards airline tickets, baggage fees, and in-flight purchases, as well as receiving a statement credit, up to $100 every 5 years, as reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check.
Another benefit is a complimentary fourth night for any hotel stay hotels booked through Citi Prestige Concierge.
This card also has numerous benefits including trip cancellation and interruption coverage, lost and delayed baggage protection, and worldwide rental car insurance that covers you in every country without restrictions.
Rewards include 3x points for airfare and hotel purchases, 2x points for dining and entertainment, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere.
Citi ThankYou points can be redeemed for travel reservations, gift cards, and merchandise, or transferred to airline miles or hotel points. There is a $450 annual fee for this card and no foreign transaction fees.
Discover it Miles
The Discover it Miles card is ideal for budget travelers as it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
With this card, you earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, with no limits on the amount of rewards you can earn and no expiration date.
Reward points can be redeemed redeem for 1 cent each as statement credits towards travel reservations.
Choosing a credit card for European travel
Credit cards work largely the same in Europe as they do in the United States, but there are a few important differences that go into picking the right one for your trip.
Shop safer in Europe with EMV chip security
European merchants tend to use credit cards with microchips embedded on the front, rather than swiping the old magnetic stripes on the back.
In fact, these chips are often called EMV smart chips, and that stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa, the companies that created this standard.
The American credit card industry started deploying chip-enabled credit cards and terminals in 2015, and nearly all U.S. credit cards are offered with an EMV smart chip.
If for some reason your card doesn’t have one, simply contact your card issuer and ask to have it replaced with a chip card, which they should do at no additional cost.
Nevertheless, there are two different implementations of smart chip credit cards called chip-and-signature and chip-and-PIN.
Most credit cards issued to Americans will only work with the chip-and-signature method, and most European merchants will accept it.
However, there are some unattended kiosks at train stations, gas stations and toll booths that may still require chip-and-PIN, so it can be helpful to have a card that is compatible with both kinds of terminals.
Avoid expensive foreign transaction fees
Another vital factor in choosing a credit card for overseas travel is avoiding foreign transaction fees. Many credit cards impose a 3% foreign transaction fee on all charges processed outside of the United States.
These charges provide no value to cardholders and generate pure profit for card issuers, but fortunately, there are an increasing number of credit cards that no longer add this costly and unnecessary fee.
Travel perks for more comfortable travel in Europe
Finally, you may want a card that offers valuable travel benefits that you can use on your trip.
For example, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay policies can reimburse you for out of pocket costs when your travel plans go awry.
Insurance for lost and delayed baggage can also be useful when you have to be without your luggage for several days while the airlines attempt to find and deliver it.
Most credit cards come with automobile rental insurance, but some don’t cover popular European tourist destinations like Italy and Ireland.
Finally, there are other premium travel benefits that can be enjoyable such as access to airport lounges and fee credits for expedited access to domestic security screening upon departure and U.S. Customs and Immigration upon arrival.
Top Credit Cards For Travel In Europe
Save more money on your next trip to Europe with a credit card that offers rewards, travel perks, no foreign transaction fees, and airport privileges.
A trip to Europe is often on the list of would-be travelers. With a long list of attractive destinations, the cost of a European trip can skyrocket.
That’s why the right travel credit card is one of the most important items that you can bring on your trip. Not only can it help you save money, it can also provide a more comfortable travel experience.
Here are four of the top credit cards to consider signing up for before your next trip to Europe:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a rewards program fit for those who travel and dine out regularly. Each point can be redeemed for 1.25 cents worth of travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
The points can also be converted to airline miles or hotel points with 11 different travel partners.
The card also offers travel benefits such as trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, lost and delayed luggage reimbursement, and travel and emergency assistance services.
There is a $95 annual fee for this card and no foreign transaction fees. Usually, the sign-up bonus is worth hundreds of dollars in free travel.
Citi Prestige
Citi Prestige offers numerous advantages for European travelers.
For example, you and a guest receive access to the airport lounges of the American Airlines Admiral’s Club and the Priority Pass Select network, which has extensive locations in European airports.
You also receive a $100 fee credit towards an application in the Global Entry program, which offers you access to both the TSA PreCheck expedited domestic security screening program and fast-track kiosks when entering the United States from abroad.
This card also features a $250 annual Air Travel credit that you can apply towards airline tickets, baggage fees, and in-flight purchases, as well as receiving a statement credit, up to $100 every 5 years, as reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check.
Another benefit is a complimentary fourth night for any hotel stay hotels booked through Citi Prestige Concierge.
This card also has numerous benefits including trip cancellation and interruption coverage, lost and delayed baggage protection, and worldwide rental car insurance that covers you in every country without restrictions.
Rewards include 3x points for airfare and hotel purchases, 2x points for dining and entertainment, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere.
Citi ThankYou points can be redeemed for travel reservations, gift cards, and merchandise, or transferred to airline miles or hotel points. There is a $450 annual fee for this card and no foreign transaction fees.
Discover it Miles
The Discover it Miles card is ideal for budget travelers as it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
With this card, you earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, with no limits on the amount of rewards you can earn and no expiration date.
Reward points can be redeemed redeem for 1 cent each as statement credits towards travel reservations.
Choosing a credit card for European travel
Credit cards work largely the same in Europe as they do in the United States, but there are a few important differences that go into picking the right one for your trip.
Shop safer in Europe with EMV chip security
European merchants tend to use credit cards with microchips embedded on the front, rather than swiping the old magnetic stripes on the back.
In fact, these chips are often called EMV smart chips, and that stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa, the companies that created this standard.
The American credit card industry started deploying chip-enabled credit cards and terminals in 2015, and nearly all U.S. credit cards are offered with an EMV smart chip.
If for some reason your card doesn’t have one, simply contact your card issuer and ask to have it replaced with a chip card, which they should do at no additional cost.
Nevertheless, there are two different implementations of smart chip credit cards called chip-and-signature and chip-and-PIN.
Most credit cards issued to Americans will only work with the chip-and-signature method, and most European merchants will accept it.
However, there are some unattended kiosks at train stations, gas stations and toll booths that may still require chip-and-PIN, so it can be helpful to have a card that is compatible with both kinds of terminals.
Avoid expensive foreign transaction fees
Another vital factor in choosing a credit card for overseas travel is avoiding foreign transaction fees. Many credit cards impose a 3% foreign transaction fee on all charges processed outside of the United States.
These charges provide no value to cardholders and generate pure profit for card issuers, but fortunately, there are an increasing number of credit cards that no longer add this costly and unnecessary fee.
Travel perks for more comfortable travel in Europe
Finally, you may want a card that offers valuable travel benefits that you can use on your trip.
For example, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay policies can reimburse you for out of pocket costs when your travel plans go awry.
Insurance for lost and delayed baggage can also be useful when you have to be without your luggage for several days while the airlines attempt to find and deliver it.
Most credit cards come with automobile rental insurance, but some don’t cover popular European tourist destinations like Italy and Ireland.
Finally, there are other premium travel benefits that can be enjoyable such as access to airport lounges and fee credits for expedited access to domestic security screening upon departure and U.S. Customs and Immigration upon arrival.
How to Choose a Credit Card for Europe Travel
Pick a card without foreign transaction fees and then by deciding what spending and rewards you want to prioritize.
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So you’ve finally started planning a trip to Europe. You’ve figured out which countries you’d like to visit, you’re itching to try on that new beret you just purchased, and you’re wondering — what is the best credit card for Europe travel?
The U.S. credit card market is overflowing with cards competing for your attention, which may make it seem confusing when it comes time to actually, well, buy anything. We break it all down to find out the best travel credit cards for Europe, both before and during your trip.
The best credit card to book your Europe trip
The best time to figure out your travel credit card strategy is before you actually begin to buy anything for your trip. Why? Because travel rewards credit cards offer some of the most lucrative sign-up bonuses . With a large trip to Europe on the horizon, you’ll ideally want to give yourself enough time to earn the bonus and wait for the points or miles to be deposited into your account (so that you can redeem them for hotels, flights and more).
Travel credit cards
If want to purchase airfare, hotel rooms, train tickets, a rental car or gas, you’ll want a credit card that maximizes returns on all of these. In this case, your best bet is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, the card earns 5x points on flights, 10x points on hotels and car rentals, and 10x points on Chase Dining purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards® . With a broad definition of what counts as “travel,” the Chase Sapphire Reserve® also earns 3x points on other travel worldwide, including dining at restaurants, via delivery services or takeout. Since the card earns 1x points on all other purchases, it can give Europe-bound travelers some serious value.
In addition to great bonus categories, this card also features premium benefits to ease your travel experience, including Priority Pass airport lounge access and a Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck fee credit.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a hefty annual fee of $550 , which may be off-putting to some. In that case, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers the same broad definition of travel and 2x bonus points per dollar while charging only a $95 annual fee.
The best credit card to use during a Europe trip
Once you get to Europe, you might actually spend more on dining and activities than travel. Take a look at the best credit cards to use during your trip.
No foreign transaction fee credit cards
First and foremost, you’re going to want to find a credit card that doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees . These fees can add up to 3% onto your bill simply for using your card outside the U.S. Thankfully, many credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
If you already have a credit card, you can check if it charges foreign transaction fees online. Otherwise, there are plenty of cards that’ll waive these fees, including our top pick for bonus travel rewards , the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .
Entertainment rewards credit cards
Odds are that once you’re abroad, you’re not going to sit around in your accommodations all day. Whether you’re heading out to the Mona Lisa or spending the day at Disneyland Paris, you’ll want a credit card that’ll maximize every dollar you spend. If you’re willing to pay the $95 annual fee, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card will give you a generous 4% cash back on entertainment — and it counts plenty of things as entertainment. These include tourist attractions, movie theaters, amusement parks, theatrical promoters, aquariums, zoos, bowling alleys and even dance halls.
If you’d rather skip the annual fee entirely, you can still earn rewards with a card like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card , which offers a respectable 3% cash back on entertainment without costing you a dime.
Restaurant rewards credit cards
Depending on how you travel, you may spend a lot of money dining out.
If you already used one of the Chase Sapphire cards to book the trip, you’re covered on eating out as well. This is because the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offer 3x bonus points per dollar on dining. Basically, if you want to spend on only one card before and during your Europe trip, pick a Chase Sapphire card.
If you’re simply looking for the maximum amount of earnings on your restaurant spend, the American Express® Gold Card with a $250 annual fee may look appealing to you. This card earns 4x points on dining worldwide, but American Express cards may not be accepted as widely as Mastercards and Visas in Europe. It’s better to have one of the Chase cards (Visa) or the Capital One Savor cards (Mastercard) just in case a restaurant you dine in doesn’t accept AmEx. Terms apply.
Which credit card should you pick for your Europe trip?
Before you make your selection, ask yourself these questions.
What benefits do you already have?
It may not make sense to immediately jump to the conclusion that you need a new credit card. Instead, look at your current points strategy. Do you already have a card with no foreign transaction fees? Do you have enough points to book the flight or hotel?
For example, if you already have a Chase Sapphire card, you might consider getting another card in the Chase trifecta . You could earn a chunk of points through a sign-up bonus on another card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, then transfer those points to your Sapphire so you can redeem them at the higher rate for travel.
How many credit cards are you willing to get?
We’ve recommended several different credit cards that excel in certain categories. If you’re not averse to multiple credit cards, you can really maximize the points you’ll earn during your trip by applying for a few different cards to get before your trip. If not, you’ll want to pick a single card whose bonus categories most closely overlap with your predicted travel expenses.
Keep in mind the unwritten Chase 5/24 rule , which may curb the number of credit cards you can be approved for in a 24-month period.
What kind of annual fee are you willing to pay?
The credit cards with the most perks come with the highest annual fees. If you want all the bells and whistles (high earning rates, lounge access, Global Entry membership, etc.), you’ll likely need to shell out for a card with a high annual fee.
How long do you have until your trip?
If you’re nearly ready to travel, you likely won’t have time to get more than one credit card, let alone spend enough money to earn multiple welcome bonuses. Consider this before applying for any credit cards.
If you want to pack a new credit card for your next trip to Europe
There are several ways to slice and dice the question of which credit card is best for a European vacation.
If your goal is to redeem travel rewards for your vacation, apply for a new credit card at least six months in advance .
If your goal is to earn rewards on your travel expenses, consider applying for a travel credit card ahead of booking your accommodations and flights.
Advanced travel credit card users might further optimize their wallets by including cards for specific in-country travel expenses, like entertainment or dining, and that are widely accepted overseas.
Above all, get a card that won’t ding you with foreign transaction fees.
The information related to the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2022 , including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Source https://www.mybanktracker.com/credit-cards/best-of-round-ups/top-credit-cards-europe-257791
Source https://www.mybanktracker.com/credit-cards/best-of-round-ups/top-credit-cards-europe-257791#:~:text=Top%20Credit%20Cards%20For%20Travel%20In%20Europe%201,Choosing%20a%20credit%20card%20for%20European%20travel
Source https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-to-choose-a-credit-card-for-europe-travel