Why You Need a Travel Card for Europe
On a $5,000 European trip, that's $150 down the drain. Travel credit cards eliminate this. Plus, they earn you miles for flights and offer perks like travel insurance. In , the right card can save you $200–$400 per trip.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred – Best All-Rounder
Annual fee: $95. Foreign transaction fee: $0. Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spend. Points transfer 1:1 to airlines like United and British Airways. Plus, it includes primary rental car insurance.
2. Capital One Venture X – Best for Lounge Access
Annual fee: $395. Foreign transaction fee: $0. Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend. You get Priority Pass lounge access. At London Heathrow, lounge entry costs $40–$60 per visit. With 10 trips, you break even. Miles are worth 1 cent each for statement credits.
3. American Express Gold – Best for Dining
Annual fee: $250. Foreign transaction fee: $0. Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after $6,000 spend. Earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide. Points transfer to Delta and Air France. Use the $120 dining credit to offset the fee.
4. Bank of America Travel Rewards – Best No-Fee Option
Annual fee: $0. Foreign transaction fee: $0. Sign-up bonus: 25,000 points after $1,000 spend. Points are worth 1 cent each for travel purchases. No annual fee means you keep it forever.
5. Citi Premier – Best for Gas & Groceries
Annual fee: $95. Foreign transaction fee: $0. Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spend. Earn 3x points on gas and groceries. Road-tripping through Italy? This card adds up. Points transfer to JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic.
Pro Tips for Using Cards in Europe
Always pay in local currency—never let the merchant convert to dollars. That's a 3–5% fee. Use a chip-and-PIN card for train stations and gas pumps. Many US cards are chip-and-signature, which can fail at unattended kiosks.