Europe and other countries outside the United States generally require your credit card to have a type of technology called a smart chip. A smart card chip varies the type of credit card that we know - the signature card - for a smart card smart stores your user information on a chip embedded in the card, while a signature card that stores information on a magnetic tape. The chip is considered a more secure method of storing your information, and a map to smart chip is usually needed when traveling abroad.
You should also be wary of credit cards that charge a foreign transaction fee on all purchases made at the international level. This fee is generally between 2% and 3%, and can really add up. For example, if you spend $ 1,000 on your card, you will be charged about $ 30 in fees.
To avoid these pitfalls, we've compiled a list of outstanding credit cards that have the intelligent chip technology without foreign transaction fees, and offer great rewards.
Barclay Arrival more World Elite MasterCard : Our travel card top-rated will earn 40,000 bonus miles - equal to $ 400 in journey - after you spend $ 3,000 in the first three months. You will also receive generous February 1 miles for every dollar you spend. To use your miles, just book your travel as you wish (by phone, online, through an agent, etc.), then the exchange against a declaration of credit against travel costs. The best part is that if you are miles redemption to travel you will get a 10% bonus. This means that if you redeem 10,000 miles for travel you will get an additional 1,000 bonus deposited into your account. Overall this is a great card with bonuses, no foreign transaction fees and chip technology chip, you will need abroad.
BankAmericard Travel Rewards Credit Card : The only card on this list that has no annual fee, users earn 1.5 points for every dollar they spend, and enjoy a 20 000 points bonus ($ 200 in travel rewards!) after spending $ 1,000 of purchases in the first 90 days. Redeem your points is easy, simply book your travel and redeem points as a statement credit against travel costs. In addition, users with another qualifying Bank of America account will automatically receive an annual bonus of 10% on their total annual purchases. So if you spend $ 10,000 a year on your card you will earn 10,000 points ... the most 100-point bonus. Not too bad! Incorporate these features without foreign transaction fees and chip technology and you have a real winner.
Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card : With a great intro to $ 100 bonus after spending $ 100 on your first stay at the Hilton in the first 3 months and 2 nights free weekend after spending $ 2,500 of purchases in the first 4 months, this card is a winner. The card also has no foreign transaction fees and chip technology. Users can earn 10 points per $ 1 spent in hotels in the Hilton HHonors, 5 points per $ 1 spent on airline tickets and car rentals and 3 points per $ 1 spent on all other purchases. In addition, you will HHonors Gold status as long as you are a cardholder.
Chase Sapphire Preferred : Combining award gains without foreign transaction fees and a chip, this card is an excellent choice. You will earn 2 points per $ 1 spent on travel and dining and 1 point per $ 1 on everything else. In addition, you will receive 50,000 bonus points after spending $ 4,000 within the first 3 months - equal to $ 625 in travel if you redeem your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards online portal. You can also enjoy the 1: 1 transfer point popular travel loyalty programs (airline, hotel, etc.) without paying a fee. So if you transfer 1000 points they are still worth 1,000 points when they appear in the account of your partner program, and it will not cost you a dime.
Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card : This card starts off right with a 50,000 bonus points after spending $ 1,000 within the first 3 months, and without a living 1 night after the approval of the account (in a 1-category 4 hotel). If you combine these 2 reward packages you can spend 7 free nights at a Category 1 hotel, which is a fairly large. Additionally, you earn 5 points for every $ 1 spent at a Marriott location, and 2 points on airline tickets, car rentals and restaurants. Everything else will earn 1 point per $ 1 spent. And of course, no fees and foreign transaction chip and signature technology.
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