There’s no doubt that travel is full of unexpected, from rental car mishaps to pesky delays. No one is above a missed connecting flight, even the most seasoned travelers among us. Who would have thought that having the right credit card for international travel could wind up saving you tons of money–and give you surprisingly big–and luxe!–perks. 

It behooves any frequent traveler to make sure they’re getting the most out of their credit card, especially if international travel is on the agenda this summer. Gone are the days of buying travel insurance or worrying about having enough cash on hand. With the right credit card, you’re in for a host of protections and bonuses. It turns out, that your shopping habit in Paris can actually earn you enough points to cover a trip back next year on certain cards. What To Look For In Choosing A Travel-Friendly Credit Card

​​​​Travel insurance is something many credit cards have come to offer, and something travelers formerly spent hundreds of dollars on per trip. There are some noteworthy exceptions, for instance you’ll have to charge your travel expenses like airfare or accommodation on your card for the benefits to apply. Amex Platinum is a great card when it comes to trip delay reimbursement–they offer $500 per ticket to cover meals and lodging if your trip is delayed. 

Be sure you aren’t charged foreign transaction fees–3% is the standard on purchases made abroad, but cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card charges no foreign transaction fees. 

Lost luggage is another annoying part of travel, but the Amex Gold card covers up to $1250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage in the event that your belongings are lost, damaged, or stolen during your journey. 

Airport lounges can certainly make your voyage more luxurious. Consider the Amex Platinum card, which includes access to more than 1000 airline lounges, which gives you access to free food and stylish digs while en route to your destination. 

Best Overall Card For Frequent Travelers 

While the above cards all have unique perks, in the year 2022 the Platinum Card from American Express is hands down the best card for international travel. Packed with hotel perks like upgrades and travel credits, cardholders do pay a whopping $695 fee for these big benefits, but frequent travelers do find it worth every penny. This card offers 5x the points on airfare purchased directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, which means about a 7% kickback on the cost of your tickets, plus impressive lounge access. ​​​​​​​​​