Best Credit Cards for Study Abroad: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're planning to study abroad, getting a credit card can be a great way to earn rewards and build credit while exploring a new country. Many credit cards offer rewards programs that can help you offset the costs of studying abroad, such as travel points or cashback on purchases.

Some credit cards also offer no foreign transaction fees, which can save you money on international transactions. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for students studying abroad.

Having a credit card can also provide you with a sense of security while traveling, as it can be used in case of an emergency.

The best credit card for study abroad students depends on their individual needs, spending habits, and travel plans.

It's essential to compare different options and select the one that aligns with your financial goals and lifestyle decisions.

Student credit cards offer flexibility in redeeming cash back on a wide range of purchases.

With cards like the Discover it Student Cash Back, students can earn significant rewards on their everyday spending.

This card allows students to earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

You earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.

Earning top-tier rewards and building your credit history is a great benefit of a Discover student credit card.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card has a unique feature that allows students to earn 5% cash back in different categories each quarter, which can add up to a lot of rewards.

Travel and Security is a top priority for students studying abroad. Most credit cards in the U.S. come with a special chip for extra safety, but some places may require a Credit card PIN. You want a card that works everywhere, so consider a card with both a chip and a PIN.

Having a card with a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee can give you greater peace of mind. Discover offers this type of guarantee, so you're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your account. This means you can travel without worrying about financial losses.

Travel protections are also essential when studying abroad. Look for a credit card with travel protections that cover you in case of travel delays, cancellations, or other mishaps. This can help you stay on track with your studies and enjoy your time abroad.

Traveling abroad can be a thrilling experience, but it's essential to ensure your credit card is widely accepted at your destination. Visa and Mastercard are the two most popular credit card networks, accepted virtually everywhere.

You should check if your card issuer's network is readily accepted at your destination. Credit card networks are different from card issuers, though some card issuers have their own networks.

Discover users can use their credit cards abroad, with contactless payment available in countries that utilize the Discover network. You can try their international use tool to determine whether Discover is accepted in your destination country.

Just because a credit card network might be available in a country doesn't mean all individual merchants will accept it. Take note of your card issuer's network and do some research to find out whether merchants in your host country will typically accept your card when you swipe it.

Traveling abroad can be a thrilling experience, but it's essential to consider the security features of your credit card to avoid any trouble. Most credit cards in the U.S. come with a special chip for extra safety.

You might need to use a Credit card PIN—a special number—every time you use your card in places like Europe, so it's crucial to have a card that works everywhere. Having a card that only uses a chip without a PIN might cause issues when you're asked for a PIN.

Discover offers a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee, which means you're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card account. This can give you greater peace of mind and make your travel experience much more enjoyable.

Travel protections are also essential when traveling abroad, and you should look for a credit card with travel protections that cover you when something goes wrong.

Using a credit card while studying abroad can provide numerous benefits and incentives. You can build credit with responsible use, take advantage of rewards and incentives, and gain access to emergency funds.

With the right credit card, you can earn rewards and cash back on your purchases. For example, the Discover it Student Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on purchases in rotating bonus categories, with a spending cap of $1,500 per quarter.

Some credit cards, like the Discover it Student Cash Back, also offer a welcome bonus, where your cash back earnings are matched at the end of the first year. This can be a great way to boost your rewards earnings.

A welcome bonus is a great way to kickstart your credit card rewards. It's essentially a free gift for signing up for a new card.

You can earn a welcome bonus by meeting the minimum spend requirement, which is usually a certain amount of money you need to spend within a specific timeframe. This can be a great opportunity to stock up on essentials for your semester abroad.

The related article "Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel" suggests that using your credit card for everyday expenses during your semester abroad can help you meet this requirement.

Using a credit card while studying abroad can have numerous benefits. You can build credit with responsible use, which is a great way to establish a positive credit history.

Taking advantage of rewards and incentives is another perk. With the right credit card, you can earn points or cash back on your purchases, which can add up quickly.

Having access to emergency funds is also a lifesaver. If you're stuck abroad and need to cover unexpected expenses, a credit card can be a reliable source of funds.

Protecting against fraud is crucial when using a credit card internationally. Look for a card with robust security features to safeguard your financial information.

You can eliminate the need to carry cash, which is a huge relief when traveling. No more worrying about exchanging currency or dealing with foreign ATMs.

Here are some popular credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, which can save you around 3% on each purchase:

The Discover Cash Back card is a great option for students studying abroad. It offers a welcome bonus where Discover will match your reward earnings at the end of the first year.

You can earn 5% cash back on your first $1,500 in purchases on quarterly rotating categories after you enroll your card. This can be a fantastic way to earn rewards, especially if you plan your spending accordingly.

The card also has no annual or foreign transaction fees, so you can use it abroad without being penalized. You won't have to worry about redemption minimums, so you can cash out your rewards at any time.

One of the standout features of this card is its Cashback Match program. If you earn $100 in cash back, Discover will give you an extra $100 in cash back at the end of your first year.

Here's a breakdown of the card's key features:

Overall, the Discover Cash Back card is a solid choice for students studying abroad who want to earn rewards and avoid fees.

Security and Fees is a top concern for students studying abroad. A foreign transaction fee is a charge that covers the processing costs of purchases made in a different currency, typically around 3% per transaction.

Some credit cards charge foreign transaction fees, but not all. Discover cards, for example, don't charge foreign transaction fees.

Using a card with foreign transaction fees can add up quickly. Consider this example: if you spend $3,000 on food and $450 on books in a semester, a 3% foreign transaction fee would cost you an extra $103.50.

To avoid this extra expense, get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. This way, you can save money while studying abroad.

Here's a comparison of the costs:

This highlights the importance of choosing a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. By doing so, you can save money and have greater peace of mind while studying abroad.

As an international student, you may be wondering what credit cards you can apply for without a Social Security Number (SSN). The good news is that some credit card companies accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which is an IRS tax processing number.

You can apply for credit cards like the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Student Rewards, or Petal 2 Visa card with an ITIN number. These cards offer benefits like no annual fee, cash back rewards, and flexible payment options.

If you're planning to travel abroad, you'll want a credit card that can be used internationally. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards are widely accepted abroad, but Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted. Consider getting a Visa or Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fees to save around 3% on each purchase.

Here are some credit cards that can be used internationally with no foreign transaction fees:

As an international student, you have several options when it comes to credit cards. You can use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, such as a Visa or Mastercard, to save around 3% on each purchase.

You can apply for a credit card with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you don't have a Social Security Number. Some credit card issuers, like Capital One, allow you to apply for a credit card with an ITIN number.

There are also credit cards specifically designed for students, such as the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which has no annual fee and offers 3% cash back for purchases in certain categories.

Secured credit cards can be a great option for building credit, but they work a bit differently than regular credit cards.

You'll typically need to deposit money to secure your credit line, with the amount deposited equal to the credit limit. For example, if you deposit $500, your credit limit will also be $500.

This deposit is not a prepaid card, so your money will earn interest as long as you pay your bills on time.

Having a secured credit card can help you establish a credit history in the US, which is especially important for international students who may not have a credit history in the country.