How to choose a business credit card for international travel
Kat Cox
Summary
- If you travel internationally for business, there are business credit cards that can do more than just allow you to purchase goods and services while traveling.
- Finding the right small business credit card for international travel means considering issues like foreign transaction fees, global acceptance, and annual fees.
- Business credit cards can offer travel rewards, bonus points, cash back, and other perks in business categories to make them even more attractive.
- Learn more about how to find a business credit card for international travel in this article from Nav’s experts.
Editorial note: Our top priority is to give you the best financial information for your business. Nav may receive compensation from our partners, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions or recommendations. Our partners cannot pay for favorable reviews. All content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Is your business credit card accepted around the world?
The number one quality you want in a business credit card for international travel is that it be accepted around the world. Imagine finally making it to a hotel in Hong Kong after a long flight from San Francisco only to find that they won’t accept your credit card to pay for your room. Or wanting to cover a dinner for your clients in Paris only to find out the restaurant doesn’t take Discover.
If you travel internationally, it’s a good idea to research which cards will be accepted in the destinations you frequent the most. Mastercard and Visa are typically widely accepted around the globe, while American Express and Discover may not be as readily accepted. If you use Capital One, Brex, Citibank, or USAA, you should double check that they are accepted overseas before you travel with them. Or you could find a new business credit card that meets your international travel needs.
Choose a business credit card with no foreign transaction fees
The second-best quality to look for in a business travel credit card is making sure they won’t charge you foreign transaction fees. These fees are how many banks handle currency exchanges, and they can add up quickly. The best business credit cards for foreign travel won’t tack on a percentage charge every time you use the card abroad.
There are other fees that a business credit card may charge, such as an annual fee. But these may be offset by other cardmember perks, such as those listed below. You may also be able to earn a fee credit by spending a certain amount in the first year or first billing cycle.
What are the perks?
Once you’ve found a business credit card that is accepted in the countries you visit and won’t charge you a foreign transaction fee, it’s time to start comparing membership rewards and find out what kind of rewards program your card offers. Travel benefits can make your trips that much easier. The best business rewards credit card for you will all depend on how you travel, what kind of business you do, and your personal preferences.
Many have an exciting sign-up bonus or welcome offer including rewards points. Some offer free employee cards, good balance transfer rates, an intro APR, or other perks.
Hotel perks
Many business credit cards have deals with hotels to help make you a loyal customer. For instance, a credit card may have an offer where you can get upgrades or better status at a chain of hotels. You may be able to earn extra points when you use your credit card to pay for a hotel room, or earn a free night after spending a certain amount at the hotel. If you stay at hotels frequently, you may find a business rewards credit card that is associated with a particular hotel group, like Marriott Bonvoy Business or the Hilton Honors American Express business card.
Airline perks
International travel usually means flying, and many business credit cards offer ways to make flying less of a headache for business owners. Some airlines like Southwest, Delta, or United offer their own credit cards so you can earn miles and free flights, plus other perks like free drinks, upgraded seating, elite status, or lounge access at airports around the world. You can get priority boarding, a free checked bag, and airport lounge access with cards like the Delta Skymiles or United Club cards. Some business credit cards offer global entry or TSA pre-check, priority pass, and other flight-related perks. They may also give you bonus miles for using the card to shop for everyday business needs like office supplies or cell phone bills.
Ways to earn
How you earn perks and rewards can be just as important as what those travel perks are. If you frequently entertain clients, having a card that gives you rewards on dining out or entertainment can be a great idea. If you have to drive often on your international business trips, a card that gives rewards at gas stations can be ideal as well. If you use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, many travel rewards cards will give you points for every ride you take. You may also be able to use the card on local transit to earn rewards. Find a card whose reward system matches your business spending and watch the rewards pile in.
Cash back rewards
Cash back rewards are an easy way to make a credit card work for you. Depending on the card and the rewards rate, you may get cash back rewards after you spend a certain amount using the card, or when you spend it on eligible purchases at certain merchants, like hotels, airlines, restaurants, or gas stations. You may have to request the cash back as a statement credit, use it to pay for previous purchases, or receive a gift card. In some instances, it will automatically appear as a statement credit after a certain amount of time, which makes it easy to earn rewards.
Bonus points
A good business credit card for international travel will give you bonus points on travel purchases, like hotel stays, flights, car rental, rideshare trips, and more. They may also give you a welcome bonus for your account opening. Keep a look out for offers of 1x points, 3x points, or 5x points on the business expenses you use most, such as qualifying purchases made at office supply stores.
How are travel emergencies handled?
No matter how well you plan, travel emergencies may happen. A good travel rewards credit card for business travelers will cover a number of emergencies and have phone services available to deal with customer emergencies.
Lost or stolen card
Your business travel card should have a local and international phone number to call if the card is lost or stolen. They should also provide purchase protection in case someone steals your card and makes fraudulent purchases so you don’t have to cover those costs.
Many business credit cards will offer a virtual card number that you can use in case your physical card is lost or stolen. This can help with making online purchases like airfare or pre-booking hotel stays. You can also load that number into digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay to use.
Medical emergencies
If you have a medical emergency abroad, it’s important to have a business travel card that will help you with any issues that may arise. Many cards offer travel insurance for issues like emergency medical evacuation or other problems. Cardholders may also have access to a toll-free international phone to help direct you to the nearest hospital or medical provider.
What travel insurance benefits does the credit card provide?
Travel insurance can cover a host of unexpected issues. The best business credit cards for international travel will automatically cover these cases so you don’t have to purchase extra insurance.
Some common travel insurance that your card should cover includes:
- Common carrier or travel accident insurance
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Canceled or rescheduled flight insurance
- Medical cancellation
- Cancellation for any reason
Good business credit cards for international travel
Here are some of the best business credit cards for international travel, specifically international travel cards with no foreign transaction fee.
A good option for racking up hotel points. Comes with membership, travel, and airport perks.
Pros
- Earn valuable points with Marriott Bonvoy Hotels and other popular spending categories
- Free Night Awards each year.
Cons
- Marriott Bonvoy points are most valuable when you understand how to use them.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
High annual fee, best for large purchases in consistent categories.
Pros
- This card has a great rewards program and offers flexibility compared to true charge cards.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Only 1x rewards outside of your top categories.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
A great card for the frequent business traveler who enjoys staying at Hilton properties. This card comes with a Hilton rewards status which allows you to enjoy travel perks from room upgrades to bonus points to earn free nights.
Pros
- Generous welcome offer and reward bonus structure.
Cons
- Higher interest rate and an annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
For business owners who fly Delta enough to want the rewards and benefits without the high annual fee.
Pros
- Perks when flying with Delta
- Makes it easier to earn Medallion elite status.
Cons
- Delta SkyMiles are not worth as much as other airline miles.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
This is the top-of-the-line Delta SkyMiles card for frequent business travelers who get the most benefits when flying on Delta. Boost your elite status, get access to airport lounges, and enjoy the luxury travel perks.
Pros
- Amazing limited time offer! Attractive benefits for the frequent Delta flyer
- Offers a Delta SkyClub membership, a companion airfare certificate, and upgrade priority.
Cons
- High annual fee and limited ongoing rewards.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
A great card for business travelers who are loyal Delta flyers. Generous welcome offer and access to next-level travel perks for you and your employees.
Pros
- Amazing limited time offer! Perks when flying with Delta
- Makes it easier to earn Medallion elite status.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles are not worth as much as other airline miles.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Pros
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Cons
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
All information about the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit Nav’s credit card page.
American Airlines flyers earn travel perks and build business credit.
Pros
- Provides great benefits with American Airlines and increased rewards on gas, telco and cable.
Cons
- Limited rewards on spending outside of specific categories.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Frequently asked questions
What is dynamic currency conversion?
When you’re traveling abroad, your credit card may give you the option of making a dynamic currency conversion, which means you make the purchase in your home currency (U.S. dollars). The merchant essentially makes the currency conversion on your behalf at the point of sale. This may sound like a good idea, but often the conversion rate isn’t favorable, and you may be charged a currency conversion fee. It’s best to get a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee and purchase items in the local currency.
What is a foreign transaction vs a currency conversion fee?
While we have advised you to get a business credit card for your small business that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee, you may get caught with a currency conversion fee anyway, especially if you use dynamic currency conversion, or pay in your home currency. A foreign transaction fee is charged anytime a purchase is made in a foreign country. A currency conversion fee is charged anytime a purchase needs to be converted from one currency to another.
Does it ever make sense to get a business travel card with a high annual fee?
There are a few reasons why getting a business travel card with a high annual fee might make sense. For instance, if some of the benefits of the card include automatic travel insurance, and you’d spend as much on that as you spend on the fee every year, then yes, the high annual fee is worth it. It’s a good idea to compare your business expenses against the perks, benefits, or rewards the card offers to make that decision. If your regular travel expenses would be offset by the card’s benefits and would cover the cost of the fee, then yes, go for it.
What can I do if I don’t qualify for a business credit card?
Unfortunately, many of the business credit cards that are best for international travel require a high credit score, and not every small business owner will qualify. The best thing you can do is start building your credit. You should look into how to establish business credit to get started. Nav has many tips on how to get a business credit card, including signing up for a free Nav account to see what cards you may qualify for, even with poor credit.
If you’re rejected from receiving a business credit card, you can dispute this by calling the business credit card reconsideration line.
Do I need to notify my bank of international travel?
Many credit card issuers will automatically stop transactions on your card if it’s used internationally, so it’s a good idea to let your card issuer know of any travel plans you have. Some card issuers are more proactive and will contact you directly if they feel a charge may have been fraudulent, no matter where it was made. But if you travel internationally pretty regularly, often the card issuer will assume you’re just going about your regular business.
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Kat Cox
Kat Cox works to provide answers to the questions small business owners have about how to set up, run, or fund their businesses. When she’s not writing blogs, articles, short fiction, or (kind of bad) French poetry, Kat can be found lacing up her tennis shoes for a run or walk with her pup or scouting for the best karaoke spot in Austin, Texas.