topic Re: Best card for international traveler? in Credit Cards

Best card for international traveler?

gkinter — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 16:56:55 GMT

Hey everyone,

I'm planning to fly overseas at least 1x but more than likely 2x a year. Currently I'm using a CSP as a daily driver and that's the card that I'm using to pay for everything but the mortgage. I'm thinking about switching things up and considered the CapOne Venture X (75k signing bonus) and the Amex Gold (90k bonus). Anyone have experience moving from chase to any of these options? Did you regret your decision? My goal would be the use the card enough to earn a free flight each year.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

C6 — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:53:10 GMT

If one can qualify for it the Venture X is an awesome travel card. The annual fee ($395) can easily be covered with one travel purchase making the card free to hold. You get an effective 2% back on all spend plus all the premium benefits of a Visa Infinite card.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

Aim_High — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 18:50:25 GMT

Travel cards are too complex to pick a single "best" card. It depends on so many factors including spending patterns, loyalty status to airlines or hotels, ability to redeem credits against the AF, use and valuation of perks like airport lounge access, and the perceived value of travel protections such as primary rental car CDW among others. The cards you reference are all good travel cards.

Unless spending is high on multiple cards, I would suggest focusing on one points ecosystem for concentration of value for redemption.

I think CSP packs a lot of value into a $95 AF card. (And I also like my CSR.) But Venture X is now a very viable contender.

If you're looking at AMEX Gold as a stand-alone travel card, just be mindful that for international travel AMEX is not as widely accepted in some parts of the world as Visa-Mastercard. Doing some research and/or having a backup card is always advisable.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

Hoben02 — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 18:51:27 GMT

You need to take a look at the transfer partners each offers doesn't make sense to collect points if you cannot use the transfer partners. That's how you maximize the credit card rewards. Personally I stick to the chase only becuz I'm a heavy swa user

Re: Best card for international traveler?

wasCB14 — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 19:00:51 GMT

What is your home airport? Or where do you typically make connections?

If you mostly fly one airline, that may be something to take into account.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

coldfusion — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 20:58:04 GMT

If you went with an AMEX Gold would you continue to keep the CSP and bring it when traveling as a backup or do you have another viable Visa or Mastercard (no FTF, min $5K CL) that could fulfill that role? Airline tickets would be a non-issue but international AMEX acceptance especially away from tourist traps or areas that caters to a lot of foreign business travelers or can be unpredictable.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

DONZI — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 03:25:58 GMT

A perhaps trivial DP I appreciated a little while back..

Amex (platinum) presented nice multi-currency information on the statement that helped me immensely when matching up receipts after conclusion of the trip.

I don't have much to compare that with, but NFCU statements lacked that additional, helpful info.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

wasCB14 — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 22:07:39 GMT

@DONZI wrote:
I perhaps trivial DP I appreciated a little while back..

Amex (platinum) presented nice multi-currency information on the statement that helped me immensely when matching up receipts after conclusion of the trip.

I don't have much to compare that with, but NFCU statements lacked that additional, helpful info.

On the Amex Business side, I can use the iPhone app to take and upload photographs of receipts for even pending transactions.

Sadly, I don't think they offer that on the personal side.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

DONZI — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 22:49:11 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
On the Amex Business side, I can use the iPhone app to take and upload photographs of receipts for even pending transactions.

That sounds useful.

I however have chosen to limit my cellular use to one extreme or the other -- road assistance/emergency and frivolous MMS/SMS. Keeping it in the disposable category although I have had the same cell number for years.

I'm also kind of old-school. Still do paper reconciliation, hard copy/files although I do maintain encrypted electronic files at assorted places.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

gkinter — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 02:26:44 GMT

Good point that's exactly what I was thinking as well. Healthy sign bonus plus 2% back for everything. I had to Google the benefits of a Visa Infinite card

Re: Best card for international traveler?

gkinter — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 02:30:15 GMT

After hearing it from multiple people I ditched the Amex gold due to not being accepted everywhere in Europe. I'm mainly using DFW to fly from and I usually fly with American Airlines or Lufthansa/ Austrian Airlines. I'm trying to figure out if I should get an AA card , a Venture X or upgrade to CSR.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

gkinter — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 02:32:00 GMT

DFW is the main airport and probably would fly with AA mainly. Good point! I will look into an AA Card as well

Re: Best card for international traveler?

gkinter — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 02:32:28 GMT

Valid point, I gave up on the Amex gold for that reason

Re: Best card for international traveler?

OmarGB9 — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 05:00:01 GMT

@gkinter wrote:
Valid point, I gave up on the Amex gold for that reason

Just a tip, when you're trying to address a particular post, be sure to quote the person you're trying to reply to by hitting the blue "quote" button on the top right prior to typing your reply.

Re: Best card for international traveler?

coldfusion — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 14:20:43 GMT

Is this for business travel where you must book your itinerary through a specific designated/approved travel agency?

Some cards offer higher earnings if you book your travel through an airline directly or an online portal owned or directly affiliated with the card issuer.