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Opening a student credit card while in college can help you build your credit and earn rewards. However, if you're studying abroad for a semester or attending a university outside of the U.S., you'll need a card tailored to your unique needs. Notably, you'll want a card that's widely accepted internationally and has no foreign transaction fees.
If you're searching for a credit card for your overseas college experience, CNBC Select has the details on the top options.
Best credit cards for studying abroad
- Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card
- Best for welcome bonus: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best for intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
- Best for cash back: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for no credit history: Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Best for flat-rate rewards
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card earns a generous 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which makes it one of the most rewarding credit cards that's available to students.
- Simple rewards structure with no caps or categories to track
- No annual fee
- Potentially high APR
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Who's this for? The Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card is a good fit for students who want to earn elevated rewards without navigating a complicated rewards program.
Standout benefits: You'll earn at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Cash-back credit cards typically earn 1% back on purchases that fall outside of special categories, so you're earning 50% more rewards with this card.
Best for welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.74% - 25.74% applies
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No annual fee
- Terms and conditions apply
Balance Transaction Fee
0% at the Transfer APR; 5% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you at any other time
Who's this for? The Discover it® Student Cash Back is ideal for anyone studying in a country where Discover cards are widely accepted because it offers a lucrative welcome bonus and generous rotating rewards.
Standout benefits: You earn 5% cash back on rotating categories every quarter (after you activate) on the first $1,500 you spend on eligible purchases (then 1% cash back). All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
Best for intro APR
- Solid welcome bonus for a student card
- Strong intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S. — great for studying abroad
- Introductory, lower balance transfer fee available for the first 60 days
- No student-centric benefits or incentives to practice responsible credit behavior
- Welcome bonus spending requirement may be too high for some students
Information about Bank of America cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Who's this for? The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students is a rare travel card designed for students, making it a great fit for a semester abroad.
Standout benefits: The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card has one of the most generous intro APR offers available on a student credit card. So it's a great option for balance transfers or funding your studies.
Best for cash back
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card features rewards rates that match many of the top cash-back credit cards.
- High cash-back rates for common student expenses, such as groceries, dining and entertainment
- Elevated cash-back rates on Capital One Entertainment and Capital One Travel purchases
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- High variable APR
- No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Who's this for? The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for students who want to save on groceries and dining expenses.
Standout benefits: The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card has top-tier cash back categories, including some of the most generous returns for grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment, popular streaming services and dining.
Best for no credit history
Who's this for? If you have no credit history the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is an affordable way to establish your credit, and you won't need a Social Security number to apply (if you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).
Standout benefits: The Petal 2 Visa stands out for its lack of fees — there are no foreign transaction fees, annual fees, returned payment fees or late payment fees.
Compare travel insurance
More on our top credit cards for studying abroad
Best credit cards for studying abroad comparison
| Credit Card | CNBC Select's pick for | Rewards | Welcome bonus | Foreign transaction fees | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card | Flat-rate rewards | Yes, cash back | Yes | None | $0 |
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | Welcome bonus | Yes, cash back | Yes | None | $0 |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students | Intro APR | Yes, miles | Yes | None | $0 |
| Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | Cash back | Yes, cash back | Yes | None | $0 |
| Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | No credit history | Yes, cash back | No | None | $0 |
Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card
Best for flat-rate rewards
Rewards:
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Welcome bonus: Early Spend Bonus: earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
Annual fee: $0
Notable perks:
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees and $0 fraud liability. It also provides access to events and experiences through Capital One Entertainment and travel accident insurance*.
*Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Best for welcome bonus
Rewards:
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter in rotating categories, then 1% cash back (activation required)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus: Discover will match the cash back you've earned at the end of the first year.
Annual fee: $0
Notable perks:
The Discover it® Student Cash Back has no foreign transaction fees. It can also help you save on interest with a competitive intro APR.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
Best for intro APR
Rewards:
- Earn 1.5X points on all purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Notable perks:
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students has a straightforward rewards program that allows you to easily redeem points as a statement credit. Each point is worth one cent toward eligible travel purchases. It also has no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for cash back
Rewards:
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% cash back on dining
- 3% cash back on entertainment
- 3% cash back on popular streaming services
- 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus:
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
Annual fee: $0
Notable perks:
You won't pay foreign transaction fees when you use the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card to make purchases overseas. The card also provides access to events and experiences through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment. Eligible purchases are covered by the card's *extended warranty protection and travel accident insurance.
*Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Best for no credit history
Rewards:
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases (up to 1.5% cash back after you make 12 on-time monthly payments)
- 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants
Welcome bonus: None
Annual fee: $0
Notable perks:
The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card is an unsecured credit card and reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus. This makes it a great credit-building alternative to secured credit cards, which require an upfront deposit. It provides some Visa credit card perks, such as roadside dispatch and you can qualify for a credit limit increase after making six qualifying monthly on-time payments.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
How to choose the best student credit card for study abroad
You're likely to have a limited credit history and income as a college student, so it helps to narrow your options to credit cards you're likely to be approved for, mainly student credit cards or cards designed for anyone with a limited credit history. You'll also want to pay close attention to a card's fees, rewards and payment network.
Fees
If you're considering opening a credit card with an annual fee, you'll want to be sure the benefits outweigh the cost. In most cases, a student should focus on no-annual-fee credit cards.
Other costs associated with credit cards, such as interest or late fees can be avoided by paying on time and in full. However, if you're traveling overseas, you'll want a card with no foreign transaction fees. A foreign transaction fee may apply when you make a purchase in a foreign currency and typically is 3% of the transaction amount. Choosing a card without this fee can save you a lot over your semester.
Rewards
Student credit cards aren't known for their rewards and benefits, however, many offer some form of basic rewards program. You shouldn't choose a card based solely on what rewards you might earn, but considering where you'll spend the most and what card could be the most rewarding for you isn't a bad idea. The rewards you can earn can help you decide between cards that are otherwise very similar.
Payment network
All major payment networks (American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover) are accepted overseas. However, the popularity of each payment network varies dramatically. Typically, you'll find that Visa and Mastercard are the best options for international travel, especially if you're studying in Europe.
Pros and cons of credit cards for studying abroad
- Build credit: Student credit cards can help you establish your credit history, as long as you use them responsibly and pay your monthly bill on time and in full.
- Earn rewards: These cards allow you to earn rewards for the day-to-day purchases you might otherwise receive nothing for making.
- High APRs: If you carry a balance on your credit card, the APR you'll pay is typically high and can range from the low double-digits to over 30%.
- Acceptance may be limited: Depending on what payment network your card uses, it may not be widely accepted in the area you're visiting.
FAQs
Is Discover accepted everywhere?
Discover cards are accepted in many popular tourist destinations. However, even if you're traveling to a country where Discover is accepted, it's a good idea to have a Visa or Mastercard as well because those payment networks are more widely accepted.
Are Chase credit cards good for international travel?
Many of the top travel credit cards are issued by Chase. These cards use the Visa or Mastercard payment networks, which are widely accepted overseas. Many Chase cards provide valuable travel perks and rewards, making them great options for international trips.
What type of credit card is best to use abroad?
Visa and Mastercard credit cards are typically the best options when traveling outside the U.S. Keep in mind that some of these cards charge foreign transaction fees, and the travel benefits vary by card.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards for studying abroad.
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Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value when you're studying overseas, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For the cards that offer a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.
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For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
