Plenty of credit cards offer bonus points or extra cash back when dining at restaurants. But not every card extends those bonuses to restaurants outside of the U.S., or waives foreign transaction fees to make using the cards overseas worthwhile.
All of the cards below check all of those boxes, making them great choices for eating out when you're exploring a new part of the world.
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American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is our favorite credit card for food, full stop. Not only is its 4 point per dollar for worldwide dining and U.S. supermarkets one of the best earning rates of any card, but those points are also worth about $.02 each (according to The Points Guy), resulting in an approximate 8% return on eligible food purchases.
While that 4x rate is limited to the U.S. for supermarket purchases, it's valid worldwide at restaurants, making this a great card for dining anywhere in the world.
Restaurant Earning Rate: 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar
Annual Fee: $250
Welcome Offer: 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
American Express® Green Card
While the American Express Green Card differs from the Gold card in a number of ways (check out our review for more details), it still offers 3x points on dining worldwide, no foreign transaction fees, and the same list of travel transfer partners. While 3x isn't as big a return as the Gold's 4x, the card's lower annual fee will be a draw for some.
Restaurant Earning Rate: 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar
Annual Fee: $150
Welcome Offer: 30,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3 points per dollar on dining, and like the Amex Gold, extends that bonus beyond the borders of the U.S.
While its 3x points per dollar is less than the Gold's 4x, the value you derive from the card will likey be determined by the two issuers' respective transfer partners. Do you tend to fly on Southwest and United, or prefer Hyatt hotels? You'll probably want a Chase card. Like to stick to Delta and Hilton? Get the Amex.
Restaurant Earning Rate: 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar
Annual Fee: $550
Welcome Offer: 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Just as the Amex Green is a slightly less rewarding alternative to the Amex Gold with a lower annual fee, so too is the Chase Sapphire Preferred an entry level option for people interested in the Sapphire Reserve. Rather than earning 3x points at restaurants worldwide, you'll get a still healthy 2x points, also with no foreign transaction fees.
Again, there are significant differences between the cards outside of their dining bonus category returns, so be sure to read the card's full review if you want to know more.
Restaurant Earning Rate: 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar
Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Offer: 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Now we move into the cash back credit cards, which are generally less rewarding than travel rewards cards, but are much easier to understand.
Capital One's Savor Card earns unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment worldwide, which should cover your bases when you aren't sure which category an establishment would fall under (I'm looking at you, dine-in movie theaters).
Restaurant Earning Rate: 4% back
Annual Fee: $95 (waived in the first year)
Welcome Offer: Earn a $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
The SavorOne is nearly a dead ringer for the Savor card, but with slightly lower earning rates, and no annual fee. In the case of dining and entertainment, you'll earn 3% back instead of 4%.
Restaurant Earning Rate: 3% back
Annual Fee: None
Welcome Offer: Earn a $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
The Wells Fargo Propel is similar to the SavorOne, in that it has no annual fee. But since it has a very different set of bonus earning categories, it's worth looking at both to see which one is right for you. As for dining out internationally though, they'll both earn 3% back, with no foreign transaction fees.
Restaurant Earning Rate: 3% back (on eating out or ordering in)
Annual Fee: None
Welcome Offer: Earn a 20,000 point bonus (worth $200) after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Photo: Littleaom/ShutterStock
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
