The best business credit cards for international travel
Three different time zones. Five different currencies. A stack of crumpled receipts in languages you can't read. And an expense report due yesterday.
International business travel should be about sealing deals and building relationships – not wrestling with foreign transaction fees or frantically Googling "how to say receipt in Portuguese" at 2 AM.
The right business credit card doesn't just simplify international payments – it transforms how your company handles global travel entirely. From eliminating those sneaky foreign transaction fees to providing airport lounge access after long-haul flights, the best credit card for international travel can save thousands while making your team's travel experience significantly better.
When comparing credit cards for business travel, the features that matter most might surprise you. Curious to learn what they are? You’ve come to the right place.
Top business credit cards for international travel in 2025
The right travel card can transform your business's global mobility while providing significant savings. Here are the standout options that deliver exceptional value for international business travelers.
1. American Express Business Platinum Card
The American Express Business Platinum remains the premium standard for international business travel, offering comprehensive benefits that justify its substantial annual fee.
Key features:
Airport lounge access through the Global Lounge Collection (includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta)
$200 annual airline fee credit
Up to $400 in annual Dell technology credits
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 1 million additional points annually)
Trip delay, cancellation, and interruption insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Eligibility criteria: You'll need excellent credit (typically 740+) and a legitimate business with significant spending volume.
Rewards program: Points earned are American Express Membership Rewards, which transfer to multiple airline and hotel partners or can be redeemed through the Amex Travel portal.
Fee structure:
Annual fee: $695
Employee cards: $300 each for first three, then $195 per additional card
Late payment fees: Up to $39
International usage efficiency: With no foreign transaction fees, wide acceptance at international merchants that take American Express, and comprehensive travel insurance, this card excels globally. The lounge access is particularly valuable during long international trips.
Pros:
Comprehensive travel insurance and protections
Premium lounge access worldwide
Flexible points that transfer to multiple travel partners
Substantial welcome bonus (offers vary)
Cons:
High annual fee
American Express acceptance is less universal than Visa/Mastercard in some countries
Benefits can be complex to maximize
2. Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
The Chase Ink Business Preferred balances robust travel benefits with a more moderate annual fee, making it an excellent choice for growing businesses.
Key features:
3X points on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and advertising (first $150,000 in combined purchases annually)
Comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation/interruption, primary car rental coverage, and trip delay reimbursement
Cell phone protection (up to $1,000 per claim)
No foreign transaction fees
Points worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
Eligibility criteria: Excellent credit (typically 720+) and a legitimate business with an established track record.
Rewards program: Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred 1:1 to various airline and hotel partners or redeemed through the Chase portal.
Fee structure:
Annual fee: $95
Employee cards: No additional cost
Late payment fees: Up to $39
International usage efficiency: With no foreign transaction fees, the broad acceptance of Visa, and comprehensive travel insurance, this card functions excellently for international travel.
Pros:
Reasonable annual fee for the benefits provided
Flexible redemption options and valuable transfer partners
Strong travel and purchase protections
Wide international acceptance as a Visa card
Cons:
Spending categories might not align with all business needs
No complimentary airport lounge access
Lower earning rate on non-bonus categories
3. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles card offers straightforward earnings and redemptions with minimal complexity – ideal for businesses that value simplicity.
Key features:
Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, with no categories to track
5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
No foreign transaction fees
Miles transferable to travel partners or redeemable for travel purchases at 1 cent per mile
Eligibility criteria: Good to excellent credit (typically 690+) and a legitimate business operation.
Rewards program: Capital One miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners (typically at a ratio of 1:1) or used to "erase" travel purchases at 1 cent per mile.
Fee structure:
Annual fee: $95 (waived first year)
Employee cards: No additional cost
Late payment fees: Up to $39
International usage efficiency: With no foreign transaction fees and the global acceptance of Mastercard, this card offers smooth international usage. The flat earning rate means consistent rewards regardless of where you spend.
Pros:
Simple, consistent earnings structure
No foreign transaction fees
Annual fee waived for the first year
Excellent transferable points program
Cons:
Limited luxury travel benefits
No comprehensive travel insurance
Basic purchase protections compared to premium cards
4. CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard
For businesses with significant travel on American Airlines or its global oneworld alliance partners, this card delivers exceptional value.
Key features:
2X miles on American Airlines purchases, telecommunications, car rentals, and gas stations
First checked bag free on domestic AA flights for you and up to 4 companions
Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Companion certificate after $30,000 in purchases each membership year
Eligibility criteria: Good to excellent credit (typically 680+) and an established business.
Rewards program: American Airlines AAdvantage miles, redeemable for flights on AA and oneworld alliance partners.
Fee structure:
Annual fee: $99 (waived first year)
Employee cards: No additional cost
Late payment fees: Up to $40
International usage efficiency: The card has no foreign transaction fees and offers miles specifically valuable for international redemptions through oneworld partners. Mastercard acceptance is nearly universal internationally.
Pros:
Strong earning potential on American Airlines and business expenses
Free checked bags can save significant money for frequent travelers
Companion certificate provides substantial value
Access to reduced mileage awards
Cons:
Value is limited for those who don't frequently fly American Airlines
Limited travel insurance compared to premium cards
Miles are less flexible than transferable points programs
5. Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard
This no-annual-fee option provides solid travel benefits without the cost, making it one of the best business credit cards for travel with no annual fee available in the market. It's particularly attractive for smaller businesses or those just starting with travel rewards.
Key features:
3X points on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center
1.5X points on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
0% introductory APR on purchases for 9 billing cycles
Points don't expire as long as account remains open
Relationship rewards boost earnings by 25-75% for Bank of America business checking customers
Eligibility criteria: Good credit (typically 670+) and a legitimate business operation.
Rewards program: Bank of America Travel Rewards points, redeemable for travel purchases at 1 cent per point.
Fee structure:
Annual fee: $0
Employee cards: No additional cost
Late payment fees: Up to $39
International usage efficiency: With no foreign transaction fees and Mastercard acceptance, this card functions well internationally. However, it lacks premium travel benefits and insurance.
Pros:
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Straightforward rewards structure
Relationship bonuses for Bank of America business customers
Cons:
Limited travel protections and benefits
Points are less valuable than transferable currencies
No luxury travel perks
Lower earning rates than premium cards
Some don’t offer cash back
How do travel credit cards work?
Now that we’ve checked out some business credit cards that are ideal for international business travel, let's understand what makes travel credit cards different from standard ones. These specialized financial tools are designed with the unique challenges of international business travel in mind.
Travel credit cards generally fall into three categories:
General travel cards
These versatile cards offer points or cash back that can be redeemed across multiple airlines, hotels, and travel experiences. They typically provide flexibility without tying you to specific brands. The points usually transfer to various travel partners or can be redeemed through the card issuer's travel portal.
Airline credit cards
Co-branded with specific airlines, these cards earn miles directly in that airline's frequent flyer program. They often include perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and accelerated status earning. These make sense for businesses with strong loyalty to a particular airline or those based near a major airline hub.
Hotel credit cards
Similar to airline cards, hotel credit cards are co-branded with specific hotel chains and earn points in their loyalty programs. They typically offer benefits like automatic elite status, free night certificates, and enhanced earnings at the associated properties. These work best for businesses with predictable hotel needs.
Factors to consider when choosing a business credit card
Selecting the right card requires looking beyond flashy welcome bonuses to identify features that deliver long-term value for your specific business travel patterns.
Integration with expense management systems
The best card for your business should integrate smoothly with your expense tracking system. Look for cards that offer digital receipt capture, transaction categorization, and compatibility with tools like Expensify for seamless expense management. (Good news: the cards mentioned in this article all easily integrate with Expensify!)
Mobile app capabilities for international use
A robust mobile app becomes essential during international travel. Prioritize cards with apps that provide transaction alerts, spending controls, and the ability to lock cards instantly if lost or stolen – all without requiring international phone calls.
Foreign transaction fees
These seemingly small fees (typically 1-3% per transaction) can add up significantly during international trips. All cards on our list eliminate these fees, but this remains an essential factor for any international business card.
Currency conversion rates
Cards vary in how they handle currency conversion. Some use the daily rate set by the card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), while others may add a small markup. Premium cards typically offer the most favorable conversion rates.
Acceptance worldwide
While Visa and Mastercard enjoy nearly universal acceptance, American Express and Discover have more limited acceptance in certain regions, like Europe, for example. Consider your typical travel destinations when selecting a card network.
Travel rewards and benefits
Look beyond the points to assess benefits that deliver tangible value: lounge access, travel insurance, Global Entry credits, and trip delay protection can significantly enhance the travel experience.
Customer service and assistance
24/7 international customer service with a dedicated business line becomes invaluable when facing issues abroad. Premium cards typically offer superior support, often with special phone numbers for international travelers.
Tips for managing business credit cards while traveling internationally
Finding the best business credit card for international travel is only half the battle. Knowing how to use it effectively makes all the difference in maximizing your business travel rewards and avoiding common pitfalls.
Even with the perfect travel card, smart management practices are essential to maximize benefits and minimize headaches during international business trips.
Keeping track of expenses
Maintaining clear records of international expenses can be challenging due to language barriers and unfamiliar receipt formats. Use these strategies:
Capture digital images of all receipts immediately using a receipt scanning app
Note the business purpose directly on the receipt or in a digital note
Set up transaction alerts to flag unusual spending patterns
Categorize expenses daily rather than waiting until the end of the trip (or use an app that does it automatically)
Ensuring security and fraud protection
International card fraud remains a significant concern. Protect your business with these practices:
Use the card's app to monitor transactions in realtime
Enable two-factor authentication for account access
Know your card's international support number (not just the domestic one)
Consider using digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay where available
Read more: Strategies to prevent expense fraud
Optimizing rewards and benefits
Strategic card usage can substantially increase your returns:
Book flights and accommodations with the card offering the highest category bonus
Use cards with lounge access when facing long layovers
Take advantage of concierge services for restaurant reservations and local recommendations
Time major purchases to help meet spending thresholds for annual benefits
Simplifying expense management during international travel
Tracking expenses across borders and currencies creates unique challenges that require specialized solutions. Digital tools transform this traditionally painful process into a streamlined system.
Challenges of tracking expenses across borders and currencies
International business travel introduces complexity through:
Fluctuating exchange rates
Unfamiliar receipt formats and languages
Different tax regulations and requirements
Multiple payment methods across team members
Time zone differences affecting transaction posting
How digital receipt capture transforms international expense tracking
Modern receipt scanning technology eliminates the paper chase:
Instant digital capture preserves receipts before they're lost
Automatic currency conversion based on transaction date
OCR technology that works across multiple languages
Secure cloud storage accessible from anywhere
Smart categorization that learns from past expenses
Benefits of realtime currency conversion in expense apps
Seeing expenses in your home currency as they happen provides:
Immediate understanding of actual spending versus budget
Protection against unexpected exchange rate fluctuations
Simplified reconciliation and reporting
Clear visibility for approvers regardless of transaction currency
Mobile accessibility for on-the-go expense management
The ability to manage expenses from anywhere enables:
Immediate submission rather than post-trip backlogs
Faster approvals and reimbursements
Better policy compliance through realtime feedback
Reduced stress for traveling employees
How to maximize travel rewards from business spending
The best travel credit card for business users delivers more than just points – it provides a strategy for turning necessary expenses into valuable travel benefits. Here's how to make your best business credit cards travel further:
Combining points across programs
Sophisticated points strategies maximize redemption value:
Pool points between personal and business cards with the same issuer
Transfer points between partner programs to top off accounts for specific redemptions
Combine transferable points with airline-specific miles for premium cabin bookings
Use hotel points to extend airline mile redemptions with multi-night stays
Category-specific spending strategies
Aligning spending with bonus categories optimizes returns:
Use dedicated cards for travel bookings, telecommunications, office supplies, and dining
Consider rotating cards seasonally based on promotional offers
Set spending thresholds on employee cards to ensure use of optimal cards for each category
Revisit category strategy annually as business needs evolve
Annual fee value assessment
Regularly evaluate whether each card's benefits justify its cost:
Calculate the actual value received from specific perks (lounge visits, credits, free nights)
Compare earning rates against no-annual-fee alternatives
Consider downgrading rather than canceling to preserve credit history
Reassess as business travel patterns change
Want to dive deeper into credit card optimization? Check out these credit card hacks and interesting statistics that can help inform your strategy.
Bonus: Expert international business traveler tips
These insider strategies from seasoned global business travelers can enhance productivity and comfort during international trips:
Download offline maps of your destination before arrival
Carry a backup credit card from a different payment network
Use a digital wallet instead of physical cards when possible to reduce theft risk
Consider eSIM technology to maintain connectivity without excessive roaming fees
Book flights that arrive in the afternoon local time to align better with sleep schedules
Keep a digital copy of your passport, visa, and other travel documents in secure cloud storage
Install a VPN on all devices for secure connectivity and access to region-restricted services
Pack a portable battery pack in your carry-on for extended power during long travel days
Read more: Business travel checklist: Don't forget a thing!
Streamline your international business expenses with Expensify
While finding the right travel credit card is essential, managing those expenses efficiently is equally important. Discover how Expensify's corporate card program and realtime expense tracking can transform your international business travel experience.
With Expensify, your team can capture receipts instantly in any currency, automatically convert them to your home currency, and submit expenses while still on the road – all through a mobile app that works offline when connectivity is limited. Here are just a few highlights:
Realtime reporting
Fraud alerts via the app
Up to 2% cash back for your company (on USD purchases)
Add your Expensify Card to your profile in Expensify Travel so it’s always used when booking travel
Get faster reimbursements, better visibility into global spending, and significantly less administrative work for your accounting team.
FAQs about the best credit cards for international travel
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The "best" card varies based on your business's specific travel patterns and priorities. For premium travelers wanting comprehensive benefits, the American Express Business Platinum excels with its lounge access and travel protections.
If you prefer lower fees, the Chase Ink Business Preferred offers excellent value with a modest annual fee. For simplicity, the Capital One Spark Miles provides straightforward rewards with minimal complexity.
The best choice aligns with your typical destinations, spending patterns, and the specific travel benefits your business values most.
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The American Express Business Platinum Card offers the most comprehensive lounge access, providing entry to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and additional locations through the Global Lounge Collection.
For frequent international travelers, this extensive network provides comfortable spaces to work and relax in virtually every major global airport.
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For pure reward value, cards with transferable points like the Chase Ink Business Preferred provide the most flexibility and typically the highest redemption values.
These points can be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners, allowing you to book premium-class international flights and luxury hotel stays at favorable rates. The specific "best" depends on your travel patterns and preferred airlines.
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Among dedicated corporate card programs (rather than small business cards), the American Express Corporate Platinum Card offers the strongest combination of international benefits, including lounge access, hotel status, travel insurance, and a robust rewards program.
These programs typically require larger businesses with established spending histories.
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A no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card should be your primary payment method abroad, ideally supplemented with a small amount of local currency for small purchases and situations where cards aren't accepted.
For added flexibility and security, consider adding a virtual credit card to your payment options. Use mobile wallets where possible for added security, and avoid dynamic currency conversion (always pay in local currency when given the option).
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Yes, if you travel internationally even once or twice yearly, a dedicated travel credit card delivers significant value through eliminated foreign transaction fees, travel protections, and rewards that can offset future travel costs.
The best business credit card with no foreign transaction fee can save hundreds per trip, and the potential savings on a single international trip can often justify any annual fee.
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Immediately contact your card issuer using their international assistance number (save this before traveling). Most premium cards offer emergency card replacement to your location within one to three business days and emergency cash advances if needed.
Use your backup payment method while waiting for replacement, and monitor your account for fraudulent charges.
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Foreign transaction fees typically add 1-3% to every purchase made abroad or with foreign merchants online. On a $10,000 international business trip, this could add $100-$300 in unnecessary fees.
These charges appear as separate line items on your statement, often posted several days after the original transaction once currency conversion is finalized.
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When applying for business credit cards, many professionals worry about the impact on their personal credit. Most issuers do report business card activity to commercial credit bureaus but not personal bureaus.
However, practices vary by issuer, and many still require a personal guarantee. Learn more about how business cards affect personal credit to make informed decisions.
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The annual fees on business credit cards are generally tax-deductible as a business expense when the card is used exclusively for business purposes. The actual travel expenses charged to the card are also typically deductible when they meet IRS requirements for legitimate business travel. Always consult with your tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
