Best credit card for living overseas?

[charyot77]

Which credit card do you think would be the best for living overseas?

Obviously a foreign transaction fee would be a problem.

I travel, but not enough to use airport lounges extensively. I return to the states once a year and travel to Europe and Asia maybe 3 times a year.

I already have an AMEX card so applying for the Platinum would be a softpull if denied, but I can't seem to justify the $450 fee.

I'm liking the looks of the CSP but I just opened a few new credit lines and I hear that Chase does not like inquiries.

My scores are decent (all above 710) but I'm not sure if I would qualify for the Venture card. 

[CreditScholar]

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@charyot77 wrote:

Which credit card do you think would be the best for living overseas?

Obviously a foreign transaction fee would be a problem.

I travel, but not enough to use airport lounges extensively. I return to the states once a year and travel to Europe and Asia maybe 3 times a year.

I already have an AMEX card so applying for the Platinum would be a softpull if denied, but I can't seem to justify the $450 fee.

I'm liking the looks of the CSP but I just opened a few new credit lines and I hear that Chase does not like inquiries.

My scores are decent (all above 710) but I'm not sure if I would qualify for the Venture card. 

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My situation is very similar to yours, and I'd pick the CSP if you don't value lounge access. Given the cost and benefits, it seems like the best all-rounder card unless you are quite a heavy spender. How much would you plan on spending per year on the card?

Also do you have a preferred airline or alliance? What about a preferred hotel chain?

[charyot77]

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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My situation is very similar to yours, and I'd pick the CSP if you don't value lounge access. Given the cost and benefits, it seems like the best all-rounder card unless you are quite a heavy spender. How much would you plan on spending per year on the card?

Also do you have a preferred airline or alliance? What about a preferred hotel chain?

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Thanks CreditScholar, that's exactly what I was leaning towards. 

I only run about $8-$10,000USD through my foreign credit card right now which is a decent sized amount, but not enough to impress the premium product holders.

I have about 50,000 miles locked in with Skyteam and about 12,000 with One World.  I've looked at the Delta AMEX but I'm not sure if the I could combine the Delta Miles with other Skyteam members. And then there's the foreign transaction fee in the background.

[Dustink]

I think if your credit can't get you into a top end prime cards. You could look into a lower end Crap1 card, and see if you can find one that waives FTF's.

[CreditScholar]

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@charyot77 wrote:

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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My situation is very similar to yours, and I'd pick the CSP if you don't value lounge access. Given the cost and benefits, it seems like the best all-rounder card unless you are quite a heavy spender. How much would you plan on spending per year on the card?

Also do you have a preferred airline or alliance? What about a preferred hotel chain?

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Thanks CreditScholar, that's exactly what I was leaning towards. 

I only run about $8-$10,000USD through my foreign credit card right now which is a decent sized amount, but not enough to impress the premium product holders.

I have about 50,000 miles locked in with Skyteam and about 12,000 with One World.  I've looked at the Delta AMEX but I'm not sure if the I could combine the Delta Miles with other Skyteam members. And then there's the foreign transaction fee in the background.

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If your annual spend is only 8-10k, then I can see why you want to stay away from the high AF cards. If 8-10k was your average monthly spend, then I would have definitely recommended a more inclusive product like the Amex plat, United MP Club Card, JPM Ritz, etc.

What you're looking for is a card with ~$100 AF. Other than the CSP, options you could consider are:

1. Chase Hyatt card ($75 AF but it gives 1 free night per year at a category 1-4 Hyatt, platinum status, plus it has an EMV chip)

2. Citi TY Premier ($125 AF, essentially a cash-back card)

3. Citi Hilton Reserve ($95 AF, 1 free weekend night at any hilton worldwide after 10k annual spend, automatic hilton gold status, EMV chip)

4. Chase Marriott Premier ($85 AF, 1 free night annually in cat 1-5 marriotts, marriott silver, although Marriott points aren't worth much so I wouldn't spend a lot on it)

5. Chase Priority Club ($49 AF, 1 free night annually, same issues at Marriott above with the low value points)

6. BofA Travel Rewards (no annual fee, essentially a 1.5% cash back card with EMV)

All of the cards above have no foriegn transaction fees. If your point earning power will be limited by your annual spend, you may as well get some benefit out of paying the AF like a free hotel night. The CSP is still a solid choice as well.

[Dustink]

nice list

[charyot77]

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@charyot77 wrote:

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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My situation is very similar to yours, and I'd pick the CSP if you don't value lounge access. Given the cost and benefits, it seems like the best all-rounder card unless you are quite a heavy spender. How much would you plan on spending per year on the card?

Also do you have a preferred airline or alliance? What about a preferred hotel chain?

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Thanks CreditScholar, that's exactly what I was leaning towards. 

I only run about $8-$10,000USD through my foreign credit card right now which is a decent sized amount, but not enough to impress the premium product holders.

I have about 50,000 miles locked in with Skyteam and about 12,000 with One World.  I've looked at the Delta AMEX but I'm not sure if the I could combine the Delta Miles with other Skyteam members. And then there's the foreign transaction fee in the background.

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If your annual spend is only 8-10k, then I can see why you want to stay away from the high AF cards. If 8-10k was your average monthly spend, then I would have definitely recommended a more inclusive product like the Amex plat, United MP Club Card, JPM Ritz, etc.

What you're looking for is a card with ~$100 AF. Other than the CSP, options you could consider are:

1. Chase Hyatt card ($75 AF but it gives 1 free night per year at a category 1-4 Hyatt, platinum status, plus it has an EMV chip)

2. Citi TY Premier ($125 AF, essentially a cash-back card)

3. Citi Hilton Reserve ($95 AF, 1 free weekend night at any hilton worldwide after 10k annual spend, automatic hilton gold status, EMV chip)

4. Chase Marriott Premier ($85 AF, 1 free night annually in cat 1-5 marriotts, marriott silver, although Marriott points aren't worth much so I wouldn't spend a lot on it)

5. Chase Priority Club ($49 AF, 1 free night annually, same issues at Marriott above with the low value points)

6. BofA Travel Rewards (no annual fee, essentially a 1.5% cash back card with EMV)

All of the cards above have no foriegn transaction fees. If your point earning power will be limited by your annual spend, you may as well get some benefit out of paying the AF like a free hotel night. The CSP is still a solid choice as well.

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From what you've laid out I'll probalby be applying for the CSP or the Citi Thank you Premier in the next few months.

Wow, thanks CreditScholar! That's a great list.

[Dustink]

Go for some cards with no AF and no FTF as back up to your primary card. Be sure to tell the issuer that you are traveling.

[Anonymous]

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@Dustink wrote:

Go for some cards with no AF and no FTF as back up to your primary card. Be sure to tell the issuer that you are traveling.

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+1  I'd recommend the Sapphire Preferred or one of the other cards CS listed, then perhaps the Capitol One cashback card and/or the BoA travel rewards card for backups.

[tacaza]

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@charyot77 wrote:

Which credit card do you think would be the best for living overseas?

Obviously a foreign transaction fee would be a problem.

I travel, but not enough to use airport lounges extensively. I return to the states once a year and travel to Europe and Asia maybe 3 times a year.

I already have an AMEX card so applying for the Platinum would be a softpull if denied, but I can't seem to justify the $450 fee.

I'm liking the looks of the CSP but I just opened a few new credit lines and I hear that Chase does not like inquiries.

My scores are decent (all above 710) but I'm not sure if I would qualify for the Venture card. 

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If you don't like the anual fee, then the Cap1 Cash Rewards(1.5% cash back, $0 annual fee, and no FTF) card would be a good pick.