Here are the Credit Cards I Brought on a Recent International Trip — and Why

My family recently returned from a great family vacation to Grand Cayman — and our daughter used her passport for the first time!

One must be careful when using credit cards to pay for purchases made outside the United States, whether in person or online with foreign merchants. Although most places in Grand Cayman will process your purchases in USD if you want.) You want a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

When I’m home, my wallet usually contains a stack of cards. I tend to use certain cards for certain purchases, offers, and promotions.

But I bring different credit cards for each particular trip. A lot of it has to do with airport lounges I might access, which airline(s) I’m flying, where I’m staying (hotel, with friends or family, etc.), whether or not I’m renting a car, which purchases I anticipate making, etc.

Our trip was a week-long stay in Georgetown, Grand Cayman. While not as exotic as somewhere on another continent, we still traveled somewhere foreign (a British territory, in this case). We stayed with family members who had access to a condo, so there were hotel expenses in this instance. Here are the no-foreign-transaction-fee cards I brought—and why.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

I hadn’t yet reached the minimum spending requirement on my Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card‘s welcome offer, so I used that card for some purchases. Plus, I usually have a non-metal card in my wallet. Some merchants’ hardware still have problems with metal cards. The Southwest Priority Card is plastic-ish and a Visa. It’s a good backup option.

PSA: Southwest flies to Grand Cayman (GCM)!

(All information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card was collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was neither provided nor reviewed by the card issuer.)

American Express® Gold Card

I brought my American Express® Gold Card to use for dining purchases. The Amex Gold earns 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X. Includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.). It has no foreign transaction fee. (Rates & Fees.)

I use this card a lot when I’m home, too. 🙂

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was great for traditionally unbonused purchases such as souvenirs, grocery stores, and liquor stores. (Heineken 0.0 for me, of course, and good stuff for the other adults.) I also use my Venture X at home for non-bonused purchases (utilities, doctor offices, etc.).

The Cap One Venture X is a Visa card. Visa cards are accepted almost anywhere.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Another mainstay in my wallet no matter where I go is my Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It earns 3X on travel after the card’s annual $300 travel purchase statement credit is earned back. I brought that along for attractions, parking, etc.

Plus, if something went sideways and we ended up connecting somewhere with a Chase Lounge, I could bring my wife and daughter to one of those clubs.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a Visa card. If my Amex Gold weren’t accepted at a restaurant, I’d pay with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® (which earns 3X on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out).

(All information about the Chase Sapphire Reserve® was collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was neither provided nor reviewed by the card issuer.)

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

We flew Delta to Grand Cayman. I brought my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card just in case. I didn’t plan on using it because I also brought The Platinum Card® from American Express with me for incidentals. (More on that in a minute.)

The card earns 3X on eligible Delta purchases and you receive 20% statement back on eligible purchases made onboard with Delta.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

I always, always, always bring my Amex Platinum Card whenever I travel. (I guess I’m a walking example of the old “never leave home without it” Amex slogan.)

Its airport lounge access is second to none. If our plans were disrupted and ended up somewhere with a Centurion Lounge or Plaza Premium lounge, my Amex Platinum would get me in there (if a Delta Sky Club weren’t an option for some reason).

I selected Delta for my Platinum Card’s airline incidental reimbursement. (Cardholders can earn back up to $200 each calendar year for eligible airline incidental purchases charged to their card.) My wife and I love Delta’s fruit and cheese plate. So, I charge those delicious treats to my card and receive 20% back in statement credit until I reach $200 back.

After that, I’ll use my Delta Amex Business Reserve to earn the 20% statement credit.

Final Approach

Those are the cards I brought with me on a trip outside the USA.

What cards do you use on foreign trips?

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.