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No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards

A credit card with no foreign transaction fees is an easy way to save about 3% on every purchase you make overseas or online with international retailers.

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Amy Bradney-George
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With borders opening back up, now is a good time to compare credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. They can help you save on every international purchase you make.

Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Data updated regularly
Data updated regularly
Name Product Foreign currency conversion fee Interest-free period Purchase rate Annual fee
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
0%
Up to 55 days on purchases
0% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 9.9% p.a.
$0 annual fee for the first year ($69 p.a. thereafter)
Get 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, a $0 first-year annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
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humm90 Mastercard
humm90 Mastercard
0%
Up to 110 days on purchases
23.99% p.a.
$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
Offers $400 cashback when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days. Plus, a $0 first-year annual fee.
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Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard
Finder Award
Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard
0%
Up to 55 days on purchases
14.99% p.a.
$0
Get 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 34 months (with a 2% BT fee), ​an ongoing $0 annual fee and 0% foreign transaction fees.
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CommBank Ultimate Awards Credit Card with Qantas Points
CommBank Ultimate Awards Credit Card with Qantas Points
0%
Up to 55 days on purchases
20.24% p.a.
$450
Receive 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply and spend $5,000 in the first 90 days from card approval. Plus, 0% foreign fees.
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NAB StraightUp Card
NAB StraightUp Card
0%
0% p.a.
$0
Save with 0% interest charges and 0% foreign transaction fees. Plus, $0 monthly fees when you don't use the card or carry a balance.
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Coles Rewards Mastercard
Coles Rewards Mastercard
0%
Up to 55 days on purchases
0% p.a. for 12 months, reverts to 19.99% p.a.
$99
Get 30,000 bonus Flybuys Points when you spend $1,000 in 60 days. Plus, 0% purchase and balance transfer offers for the first 12 months.
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How do credit cards with no foreign fees work?

If you travel or shop online with a business that's based overseas, many cards will charge a foreign transaction fee worth around 2–3% of your purchase amount. But credit cards with 0% foreign fees waive this cost or give you a rebate, helping you save money on international transactions.

How much can I save with a 0% foreign fee card?

How much you'll save depends on the amount you spend overseas and the fees you would pay if you used a different card. As an example, if you spent $2,000 on a card with a 3% foreign transaction fee, it would cost you $60. If you had a card with a 0% foreign transaction fee, you wouldn't pay anything – so you'd save the full $60.

Keep in mind that the cost of these fees may not be obvious straight away, as they are added as separate transactions on your credit card statement.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has also warned people that some major online brands will attract foreign transaction fees, even if the website ends in .com.au or the price is shown in Australian dollars.

If you are making regular purchases with overseas businesses, it may be worth considering a credit or debit card with no international transaction fees or asking your bank to block international transactions for certain cards.”

– Rod Simms, ACCC chair, ACCC

How to compare no foreign transaction fee credit cards

A lot of credit cards offer 0% international transaction fees, so here are some of the other key features to think about when you're looking for a card to use overseas or online.

  • 0% fee requirements. Some credit cards automatically waive foreign transaction fees when you make an international purchase. Others offer a rebate on foreign transaction fees when you meet specific requirements, such as spending a set amount per month. When that's the case, you could still be charged a fee if you don't meet the requirements for a particular month or statement period. You can check the fee details on individual card reviews or by looking at the Key Fact Sheet.
  • Annual fees. To ensure you're getting the best credit card for your spending habits, you need to weigh the cost of the annual fee against the savings you'd get from paying 0% foreign transaction fees. If the savings aren't as much as you thought, you could be better off with a $0 annual fee credit card.
  • Overseas ATM withdrawal fees. Getting cash out of an ATM overseas can also attract a fee worth up to $5 or between 2-3% of the total transaction. Some overseas ATM operators also apply an additional charge. Choosing a card that offers $0 international ATM withdrawals could allow you to avoid or reduce this cost but you could still have to pay other fees.
  • Cash advance fees. Even if you get a credit card that offers $0 ATM fees, using it to withdraw cash will attract a cash advance fee that is worth between 2-4% of the transaction. You will also be charged interest at the cash advance interest rate, which is higher than the purchase rate on most credit cards. So if you need to get cash when you're overseas, you might want to consider using a debit card or prepaid travel card instead.
  • Purchase rate. Unless you pay your credit card balance in full each statement period, your overseas spending will be charged interest at the card's standard rate. In some cases, this could reduce the value you get from having no foreign transaction fees, so make sure you consider this cost when you're comparing different cards. If you do often carry a balance, a low rate credit card could be a more cost-effective option.
  • Other travel benefits. Some cards offer additional perks, such as complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or reward points for your spending. Make sure you check what requirements you need to meet to use these perks, otherwise they won't add to the value of the card.
  • Security features. As well as fraud-monitoring services and zero liability for fraudulent transactions, some credit cards offer transaction limits for overseas spending, temporary blocks and extra security through services including Verified by Visa, Mastercard SecureCode and American Express SafeKey.

Want to use your credit card in Australia as well?

With so many different credit cards offering no foreign transaction fees, it's worth looking for other features that you want on your credit card. For example frequent flyer points, 0% interest rate offers, cashback or something else. The key is to find a card with features that add value when you're shopping in Australia AND overseas.

What else should I think about?

When you're planning to use your card overseas spending, keep the following details in mind:

  • Daily cash withdrawal limits. Some credit card providers have a limit the amount you can withdraw from an ATM using your credit card – and it could be lower than your available credit limit. Check your credit card account details through Internet or mobile banking, or call your provider for specific information on these limits.
  • Global ATM alliance networks. Many Australian credit card providers have ATM alliance networks that extend around the world and allow you to get cash out overseas without paying an ATM withdrawal fee. For example, a credit card from Westpac, St.George, BankSA or Bank of Melbourne gives you access to the Global ATM Alliance network, which includes Westpac NZ (New Zealand), Barclays (UK), Bank of America (US) and Deutsche Bank (Germany and Spain).
  • Exchange rates. Currency exchange rates will apply when you use an Australian credit card for a transaction in another currency. This rate can fluctuate daily, and can make it hard to work out the cost in Australian dollars (until it's added to your transaction list). Check with your credit card provider to find out when exchange rates are updated, or just keep an eye on your transaction list and available balance to work out how much you've spent once the transactions converted to Australian dollars.

Tips to protect your card when shopping online

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is currency conversion?

When you use an Australian credit card to make a transaction in another currency, it will be converted back to Australian dollars based on the exchange rate that's applicable for your credit card. For example, if you spent US$100 and the applicable exchange rate was US$0.72 to AUD$1, this transaction would show up on your credit card account as AUD$138.89 (to the nearest cent).

If I'm given the choice, what currency should I pay in?

Sometimes when you're travelling, a business will give you the option of paying in the local currency or in Australian dollars. If you choose to pay in Australian dollars, the transaction will be processed using Dynamic Currency Conversion, which usually costs you a lot more than paying in the local currency.

Realistically, how many travel money options do I need?

It's often useful to have a couple of different ways to spend money when you're travelling. As well as a credit card, you may want to buy foreign currency before you go or take a debit card in case you end up needing cash when you're away. While a bit more restrictive, another option is to get a prepaid travel card that lets you spend money in different currencies, which would give you another way to avoid foreign transaction fees.

If you're a frequent traveller or regularly shop online with international retailers, a credit card that has 0% foreign transaction fees could help you keep your costs to a minimum. Just remember to compare a range of options and look at the other features available so that you can find a credit card that really suits your needs.

Compare more travel money options

  1. ACCC Media Release June 2020
  2. ACCC Foreign Currency Conversion Services Inquiry
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    146 Responses

      Default Gravatar
      AlexJune 21, 2019

      I am looking for a business credit card with 0% international transaction fees.

      Reply
        Default Gravatar
        NikkiJune 21, 2019

        Hi Alex,

        Thanks for getting in touch!

        As of this writing, we don’t have a list of business credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fees. If you are still looking for business credit cards, you can use our comparison table to help you find the card that suits you. On the page you’ll also read information about:

        • Who is responsible for the credit card? Personal vs business credit card liability
        • How to compare business credit cards
        • Pros and cons of business credit cards
        • How to apply for a business credit card

        When you are ready, press the ‘Go to site’ button to apply. As a friendly reminder, read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the card, as well as the Product Disclosure Statement and Terms and Conditions before committing to the product.

        Hope this helps!

        Best,
        Nikki

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      NicholasFebruary 25, 2019

      I withdrew money from an ATM in the Philippines and the machine said temporary closed, and no money came out. ii wrote the time down and the date. When I got back to Australia, 28 degrees said that I put my chip in and so the transaction was valid. I wrote back that no money came out of the machine, and all machines have cameras now, so they should be able to see I got no money. Can I take this to AFCA as I should not be to blame and it has to be on camera.

      Reply
        Default Gravatar
        NikkiFebruary 26, 2019

        Hi Nicholas,

        Thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear about what happened. You can check and inquire with AFCA how to handle the situation but make sure you have all supporting documents to validate your claim. Hope this helps!

        Best,
        Nikki

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      AndyDecember 19, 2018

      (Apologies for lengthy message) I love to travel and I hate paying ANY fee’s overseas. About 10 years ago I was away for 4 months and with the total fee’s I paid along the way I could have stayed away much longer, so since then I’ve searched high and low for credit/debit cards to use.
      I found 28 degrees first and that was fantastic until they changed the fee structure for having a positive amount on the card itself and using ATM’s, so I stopped using that one. Plus they introduced some fee’s for paying the card off if it went into debt.
      The past few years I’ve used Citibank debit card and that has been fantastic. I’ve paid no fee’s at all and its very simple to get hold of with no extra banking requirements to keep it – like put X amount per month in the account. I use it overseas and that’s pretty much it. Plus if you do use it in Australia at some restaurants you get a free bottle of wine!!
      Recently I changed banks and joined ING. I heard they had a similar card (Orange everyday Visa) and I managed to get hold of that as well. I’m not 100% sure if you have to deposit at least $1000 per month to get the benefit of no fee’s but as I’ve joined that bank that part is done anyway. Certainly worth a look but double check those rules.
      I would strongly suggest having a look at both the cards above as they are excellent for travel and not paying fees. I wouldn’t travel without them!
      Also, I tried an NAB travel card before and that was a total waste of time due to the poor conversion rates the banks charge, and checking other banks “Travel Cards” I found the same thing. They sound good but you are not getting the best rates on conversion and to add to a bad conversion in Thailand a few years ago I was slugged $8 a time at the ATM.
      Hope that helps someone! Happy travels.

      Reply
        Default Gravatar
        NikkiDecember 20, 2018

        Hi Andy,

        Thanks for reaching out for sharing your experience on credit cards. Feel free to get in touch with us again should you need any assistance.

        Best,
        Nikki

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      DaveJuly 1, 2018

      If 28 degrees card is in credit (nothing owing) and use it to withdraw cash at overseas ATM, then surely there will be no ‘cash advance fee’ or interest charged? Is that right? Thanks.

      Reply
        Default Gravatar
        NikkiJuly 2, 2018

        Hi Dave!

        Thanks for your message.

        You can withdraw or do a CASH ADVANCE from your 28 Degrees credit card at no cash advance interest rate charged. However, you will still be charged a cash advance fee and an ATM withdrawal fee (operator fee)

        Hope this clarifies.

        Regards,
        Nikki

        Reply
        Default Gravatar
        TravellerJuly 7, 2018

        Perhaps Nikki misunderstood Dave’s excellent question. Or perhaps I have!!! If your 28 degrees card has a positive balance of say $3k and you withdraw 500€ then surely there’s no cash advanced fee nor interest charged???

        Reply
        Default Gravatar
        NikkiJuly 11, 2018

        Hi Traveller,

        Thanks for getting in touch!

        Sorry for the confusion. If you have a positive credit card balance and you intend to use your money put into it, there will be no cash advanced interest rate charged. However, there will still be a charge on cash advance fees and ATM withdrawal fee (ATM operator fee).

        Hope this clarifies!

        Regards,
        Nikki

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      BrianApril 22, 2018

      If I had say a Bankwest or 28 Deg card and wanted say to purchase, whist in Australia, a cruise costing several thousand $US dollars with an overseas company using that card would I be charged a conversion and/ or an overseas transaction fee?

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        JeniApril 22, 2018Staff

        Hi Brian,

        Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

        For the Latitude 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard, there’s 0% of transaction value under the foreign currency conversion fee.

        If you have a Bankwest Zero Mastercard, then you will be charged 2.95% of transaction value as the foreign currency conversion fee. However if you have a Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard then NO foreign transaction fee.

        As a friendly reminder, while we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice.

        I suggest that you also verify this info with your bank/credit card issuer before you make your dollar transaction.

        I hope this helps.

        Have a great day!

        Cheers,
        Jeni

        Reply
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