American Express Foreign Transaction Fee Blue Cash Guide

Blue Cash cards from American Express are known for their rewards on everyday purchases, but they also come with a foreign transaction fee, which can add up quickly when traveling abroad.

The foreign transaction fee for Blue Cash cards is 2.7% of each transaction, a standard fee for most American Express cards.

To avoid this fee, you can use your Blue Cash card for purchases made in the US, such as dining out or buying groceries, and save the card for domestic use.

By being mindful of your spending habits and using your Blue Cash card strategically, you can minimize the impact of the foreign transaction fee.

American Express offers a wide variety of credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees. These cards often come with higher annual fees as part of the rewards club membership.

The Platinum Card is an example of a card that comes with no foreign transaction fees, but it carries a $695 annual fee. This fee can be eclipsed by savings on international trips, but it's essential to consider whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

If you travel extensively and want to avoid foreign transaction fees, you have several options from American Express. The company offers a dozen credit cards with varying perks, rewards, and annual fees that can help you save money on international trips.

Some of the most popular American Express cards that come with no foreign transaction fees include those listed on the American Express website. These cards offer fabulous travel, shopping, and entertainment perks, and you'll always get 24/7 Card Member support.

Before choosing an American Express card without foreign transaction fees, make sure the combination of savings and annual fees makes sense for you.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is a great option for those who want to earn cashback rewards, but it does come with an annual fee. This fee is not specified in the article, but we do know that the Blue Cash Everyday Card has no annual fee.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card offers a higher rewards rate than the Blue Cash Everyday Card, but it's not clear what that rate is. However, we do know that the Blue Cash Everyday Card offers 3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retailers up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year in each category.

Here are the rewards rates for the Blue Cash Everyday Card:

The Blue Cash Preferred's introductory offers are decent, but they can be beaten by other cash back cards. The welcome bonus is a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months.

The spending requirement for the bonus is a bit high, especially compared to other cards that offer a $200 welcome bonus for $1,000 or less of spending. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from account opening.

The regular variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24% variable applies after the intro period ends, which is a relatively high rate. We rate the intro purchase APR offer a 2 out of 5 and the balance transfer offer a 2.8 out of 5.

The Blue Cash Preferred card has an annual fee of $95, but it's waived in the first year. This is one of the highest annual fees in its category.

The regular APR for this card is 18.24%–29.24% variable, and there's also a penalty APR of 29.99% variable for missed payments.

If you're looking to avoid the annual fee, you might consider downgrading to the no-fee Blue Cash Everyday card and later upgrading to the Blue Cash Preferred card.

Here's a breakdown of the fees associated with the Blue Cash Preferred card:

The Blue Cash Card options from American Express offer a range of benefits, but it's essential to understand the differences between them. The Blue Cash Everyday Card has no annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn cashback without paying extra.

You can earn 3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retailers up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year in each category with the Blue Cash Everyday Card. The rewards rate is 1% on all other purchases.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card, on the other hand, has an annual fee, but it offers higher rewards rates and a welcome offer of a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, not mentioned in the article. However, it's worth noting that the Blue Cash Preferred Card has a higher annual fee compared to the Blue Cash Everyday Card.

Here are some key differences between the two cards:

Ultimately, the choice between the Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred Cards depends on your individual needs and spending habits.

Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly, especially on larger purchases like hotel bookings and car rentals.

These fees are usually a percentage of your overall spend, and can be quite steep, amounting to hundreds of extra dollars spent during your trip.

For example, a small gift at a souvenir shop might only run you a few cents, but larger purchases can be quite a bit steeper.

Many credit card companies offer credit cards without transaction fees, which can be a huge perk for frequent international travelers.

American Express offers a wide variety of credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees, often as a membership benefit.

However, these cards usually come with higher annual fees, which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

The Platinum Card, for instance, has a $695 annual fee, but it does come with no foreign transaction fees.

If you do a great deal of international travel, you could easily eclipse that annual fee in savings on just a few trips overseas.

But if you don't travel abroad much, this perk may not be worth paying extra for.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has some notable drawbacks, including a steep annual fee.

The annual fee is a significant consideration, especially if you're looking for a card with no annual fee.

Another con is the lack of travel rewards, which may not be ideal for frequent travelers.

If you're looking for a card with travel rewards, you may want to consider alternatives like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

If you're looking for alternatives to the Blue Cash Preferred card, you have several options. The Discover it Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, with no rotating categories or spending limits.

One option is the Citi Double Cash card, which provides 2% cash back on all purchases with no categories or spending limits. This card also offers a sign-up bonus and no foreign transaction fees.

Another option is the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card, which offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no categories or spending limits. This card also has no annual fee and a sign-up bonus.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is another alternative, offering unlimited 3% cash back on all purchases in the first year up to $20,000 spent, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. This card also has no annual fee and a sign-up bonus.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a few drawbacks to consider.

The annual fee kicks in after the first year, which might not be ideal for those who want to keep costs low.

Another con is the foreign transaction fee, so if you travel abroad frequently, this might not be the best choice.

The card also doesn't earn American Express Membership Rewards points, which could be a disadvantage for those who value these rewards.

Here are the cons in a quick rundown: