12 Best Chip-and-PIN Credit Cards in the U.S.A. (No Foreign Transaction Fees)

Credit cards haven’t had a makeover in years, but all that changed with the introduction of EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) technology. EMV offers a much more secure shopping experience in that every time the card is inserted into a chip-enabled checkout device, the purchase generates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again.

There is an important difference between chip-and-PIN and chip-and-signature transactions, both of which are offered with EMV. Most of us will continue to have to sign for purchases with our chip cards, as memorizing a PIN for your purchases, the other option, isn’t very popular yet in the US. Since most of Europe requires you to have a PIN with your chip-enabled card, however, it’s wise to have at least one in your wallet for international travel.

Let’s take a look at some of the top chip-and-PIN credit cards here in the United States (none of which have any foreign transaction fees!), or skip ahead to the best chip-and-signature cards.

With no limit to the points you can earn and no expiration dates, this is a fairly flexible card with no annual fee for the first year. Travel perks include rebates and discounts on participating airline purchases, cruise shipboard charges, car rentals, and the concierge service Amex users have come to know and love. Apply for the Wells Fargo Propel Card here.

If you appreciate concierge service, flexible points options, and travel insurance benefits, this is a card to consider. It ranks highly among the travel community and even rewards members for giving advice to other cardholders. Apply for the Barclaycard Arrival Plus here.

This card allows users to continue using their signature, but also has the option to set a PIN for those international purchases. No annual or transaction fees make this card a popular choice for travelers, especially since rewards can be redeemed with no blackout dates. Apply for the BankAmericard Travel Rewards Card here.

This card is invite-only, so look for the offer to arrive in your mail. With Club Cash access, complimentary airport lounge admission, superior concierge service, and discounts on all kinds of travel, it’s a fantastic option for the discerning traveler. Learn more at the Diners Club website.

Loyal guests of the Wyndham hotel family will love that this card offers perks for stays, requires no annual fee, and gives frequent bonus offers for promotional purchase periods. Cardholders have over 25,000 Wyndham properties worldwide to stay at and earn points, including Wingate, Ramada, Baymont, and others. Get more info on this card here.

Here’s another Barclaycard for those who like to save money on travel! Thanks to its partnership with Priceline, super-users of the discount site can get an additional 10% on the value of points when they redeem them for Priceline.com purchases. Learn more about this Visa card here.

If you’re keen on traveling to someplace warm, a trip to Hawaii may be in your future! Consider getting more miles from your trip with a chip-and-PIN card from Hawaiian Airlines. This card features the same perks as the Barclay travel cards, plus extra incentives for those who visit the islands frequently. Apply for this MasterCard here.

This card is a decent cash-back option for those who don’t want to pay an annual fee and need flexibility for their loyalty rewards. No penalty APR and unlimited cash-back earning make it an attractive chip-and-PIN choice for those with good to excellent credit. If you are an eligible USAA member (or want to be), you can sign up for this card here.

You don’t only have to shop at Sam’s Club to take advantage of this card’s perks! Get 5% back on gas for the first $6,000 in purchases a year, as well as 3% on dining and travel. Rewards are capped at $5,000 per year, but there is no annual fee for the card. Learn more about this and the business version of the card at the Sam’s Club website.

If you need an American Express card with chip-and-PIN technology, you’ll find your options to be pretty limited. This card offers it, although you’ll need to specifically enable the option. It also gives you all the American Express benefits cardholders are entitled to, in addition to no annual fee. Get more info on the card at the U.S. Bank website.

Here’s another Wells Fargo product with no annual fee. Those who use the services of a Wells Fargo Advisor are eligible. Earn modest rewards and get access to exclusive VISA VIP travel perks, including their Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Signature Concierge Service, and VIP access to events. Learn more here.

For the small business owner who wants flexibility, as well as excellent transaction reporting, this card may be for you. Enjoy 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent each year, and a very low annual fee for a business card (just $95.) Learn more about the Chase Ink for business here.

Chip-and-Signature is still the prevailing technology among credit cards, especially for those based in the US. Until consumers get accustomed to skipping the swipe and become more familiar with the convenience and security of chip cards, expect these cards to be among the most likely to be offered by your bank. These cards offer excellent customer service, travel-friendly perk packages, and no foreign transaction fees!

Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 40,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $400 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
• Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
• Travel when you want with no blackout dates
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• No foreign transaction fees
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $59 after that
• Get a metal Venture Card when you apply today

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	13.99% - 23.99% (Variable)	$0 intro for first year; $59 after that	Excellent, Good

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

at Chase'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Named Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2016
• 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months from account opening
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $625 toward travel
• No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	16.99% - 23.99% Variable	Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95	Excellent Credit

Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and pay no annual fee
• Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
• Enjoy a low intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 12.99%-22.99% variable APR after that
• Travel when you want with no blackout dates
• No foreign transaction fees
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% for 12 months	N/A	12.99% - 22.99% (Variable)	$0	Excellent, Good

Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0

• One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
• Use your Quicksilver card and get 50% back as a statement credit on your monthly Spotify Premium subscription, now through April 2018
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months; 13.99%-23.99% variable APR after that
• Balance transfers also have a 0% intro APR for 9 months; 13.99%-23.99% variable APR after that; a 3% fee applies to each balance transferred
• Pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% for 9 months	0% for 9 months	13.99% - 23.99% (Variable)	$0	Excellent, Good

With TSA-lines, passport updates, hotel reservations, and flight changes to worry about, you’ll need peace of mind that your credit card has your back. Many travelers see their card as an ally in their adventures. They should be able to depend on it, not only for purchasing power, but as a lifeline to customer service teams that can help them troubleshoot any travel glitches that may arise during their trip.

While foreign transaction fees may allow global travelers to be able to shop wherever they go, they are not something most cardholders should settle for paying. With all the competition among chip-and-PIN and chip-and-signature card issuers, most will be working hard to get your business — this includes skipping the foreign transaction fees altogether.

If your bank insists you pay for the privilege of shopping where your wanderlust takes you, it may be time to consider an account with a more customer-minded issuer.