Yes, you can use your Chase card internationally, but you need to know the fees and which cards charge them
Most Chase credit cards work outside the United States, but the cost depends on which card you hold and where you're using it. Chase charges a foreign transaction fee on most cards — typically 3% of every purchase made in a foreign currency or processed outside the U.S. Some Chase cards waive this fee entirely. Before you travel, you need to know whether your specific card charges it, what your card's foreign exchange rate is, and whether you should notify Chase you're leaving the country.
The card itself will work at most merchants and ATMs abroad. The friction comes from fees, currency conversion rates, and the possibility that Chase will block your card if they see unusual activity in a foreign location. A few minutes of preparation before you leave prevents most problems.
Key Takeaways
- Chase charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on most cards, but the Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, and several business cards waive it entirely.
- You can withdraw cash from ATMs abroad using your Chase debit card or a cash advance on your credit card, but cash advances carry interest immediately and a separate fee.
- Notifying Chase of your travel dates reduces the chance they will block your card for fraud protection, though the notification is not required.
- Your card will be charged in U.S. dollars even when you swipe in a foreign currency — Chase sets the exchange rate, which is usually close to the market rate but includes a small markup.
Which Chase cards waive foreign transaction fees
Chase's premium travel cards do not charge the 3% foreign transaction fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred both waive it. Several business cards also waive the fee, including the Chase Ink Business Preferred, Chase Ink Business Unlimited, and Chase Ink Business Premier.
All other Chase personal and business cards charge 3% on foreign transactions. This includes the Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, Amazon Rewards, and most co-branded cards like the United, Southwest, and Disney cards. If you don't hold one of the fee-waiving cards, you pay 3% on top of whatever the merchant charges and whatever currency conversion rate applies.
The fee applies to any transaction processed in a foreign currency or outside the U.S., even if you're a U.S. citizen buying from a U.S. company's foreign website. A purchase from a U.S. website while you're abroad will not trigger the fee.
How currency conversion and exchange rates work
When you use your card in a foreign currency, Chase converts it to U.S. dollars using the Visa or Mastercard exchange rate for that day (depending on which network your card runs on). Chase does not set the rate — Visa or Mastercard does — but the rate they use includes a small markup over the true market rate. This markup is separate from the 3% foreign transaction fee.
You cannot choose a different exchange rate or lock in a rate before you travel. The rate is set on the day the transaction is processed, which is often one or two days after you swipe. You will see the U.S. dollar amount on your statement, not the original foreign currency amount, unless you download your transaction details.
Using your card is almost always cheaper than exchanging cash at an airport or using a currency exchange service. Even with the 3% fee and the exchange rate markup, a credit card transaction costs less than the fees and poor rates you get from a currency exchange booth.
Notifying Chase before you travel
You can tell Chase you're traveling by logging into your Chase account online, opening the card settings, and selecting the travel notification option. You enter your destination country and the dates you'll be there. Chase uses this information to adjust their fraud detection so they don't block your card when they see charges in an unfamiliar location.
The notification is optional — your card will usually work without it — but it reduces the chance of a block. If Chase does block your card for suspected fraud, you'll have to call them to unblock it, which is inconvenient when you're abroad. The travel notification takes effect immediately and lasts for the dates you specify.
If you forget to set a travel notification and your card is blocked, call the number on the back of your card. Chase has international customer service lines, and they can unblock the card over the phone. Have your card number and a recent transaction ready to verify your identity.
Withdrawing cash from ATMs abroad
You can use your Chase debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs in most countries. Your Chase checking or savings account will be debited in U.S. dollars at the Visa or Mastercard exchange rate for that day. Most ATMs charge a fee of $2 to $5 per withdrawal, and Chase may charge an additional out-of-network fee if the ATM is not part of the Visa or Mastercard network.
Check your Chase account settings before you leave to see what out-of-network ATM fees you'll pay. Some Chase checking accounts reimburse out-of-network ATM fees worldwide, but not all do. The Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Sapphire Checking reimburse fees, but most standard Chase checking accounts do not.
Do not use your credit card to take a cash advance abroad unless you have no other option. A cash advance on a credit card charges interest immediately — there is no grace period — and Chase charges a separate cash advance fee, usually 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn. The interest rate on cash advances is often higher than the purchase rate on your card.
What to do if your card is declined abroad
If a merchant's system declines your card, try swiping again or asking them to run it as a credit card instead of debit (if they gave you the option). Some older terminals abroad have trouble reading newer chip cards, and a second attempt often works.
If it declines again, ask the merchant whether they accept a different card network. Some countries or regions favor one network over another — Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard in most places, but not everywhere. If you have both a Visa and a Mastercard from Chase, try the other one.
If neither card works and you need cash, use an ATM instead. ATMs are more reliable than card readers at small merchants. If you're stuck without access to cash or a working card, call Chase at the number on the back of your card. They can sometimes authorize a transaction manually or discuss alternatives.
Comparing Chase cards for international travel
If you travel frequently or plan a long international trip, the Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred pay for themselves through the foreign transaction fee savings alone. The Reserve also includes trip cancellation insurance and emergency medical coverage, which protect you if something goes wrong abroad. If you travel rarely, the 3% fee on a standard Chase card is usually acceptable.
| Card | Foreign Transaction Fee | Travel Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Sapphire Reserve | None | Trip cancellation insurance, emergency medical and dental, lost luggage reimbursement |
| Sapphire Preferred | None | Trip cancellation insurance, emergency medical and dental |
| Freedom Unlimited | 3% | None |
| Freedom Flex | 3% | None |
| Ink Business Preferred | None | Trip cancellation insurance, emergency medical and dental |
| Ink Business Unlimited | None | None |
The table above shows which Chase cards waive the foreign transaction fee and what travel protections come with each card. Premium cards like the Sapphire Reserve bundle fee waivers with insurance coverage that covers trip delays, medical emergencies, and lost baggage. Standard cards charge the 3% fee but may still be worth using if you already hold them and don't travel often enough to justify upgrading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell Chase I'm traveling, or will my card work automatically?
Your card will work automatically in most cases. Telling Chase you're traveling through the travel notification feature reduces the chance they block your card for fraud protection, but it is not required. If your card is blocked, you can call Chase to unblock it immediately.
Will I be charged in the local currency or U.S. dollars?
You will be charged in U.S. dollars on your statement. Chase converts the foreign currency to dollars using the Visa or Mastercard exchange rate for the day the transaction is processed. You cannot see the original foreign currency amount unless you download your detailed transaction history.
What is the difference between the foreign transaction fee and the exchange rate markup?
The foreign transaction fee is a flat 3% that Chase charges on top of the purchase price. The exchange rate markup is a small percentage added by Visa or Mastercard to the true market exchange rate. Both apply to foreign purchases, and both are separate charges.
Can I use my Chase card to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad?
Yes, using your Chase debit card. The ATM will charge a fee of $2 to $5, and Chase may charge an additional out-of-network fee depending on your account type. Do not use your credit card for a cash advance unless necessary — it charges interest immediately and a separate fee.
What should I do if my card is declined at a merchant abroad?
Try swiping again, as older terminals sometimes have trouble reading newer cards. Ask the merchant to run it as credit instead of debit. If you have a second card from Chase, try that. If nothing works, use an ATM to withdraw cash instead, or call Chase at the number on your card.