Does American Express have foreign transaction fees? It depends on the Amex card you carry. Some U.S. American Express cards currently charge no foreign transaction fee, while others generally charge 2.7% after a foreign transaction is converted to U.S. dollars.
That difference can matter if you travel often or shop with overseas merchants. You should check your exact Card Member Agreement before relying on a general Amex rule.
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Does American Express Have Foreign Transaction Fees?
American Express does not use one foreign transaction fee for every U.S. card. Amex currently states that some cards have no foreign transaction fees, while other cards may charge a percentage on purchases made outside the United States.
Popular travel-focused cards generally include several no-foreign-transaction-fee options. Some cash-back cards still charge 2.7% after conversion to U.S. dollars.
American Express Foreign Transaction Fees at a Glance
| American Express card | Foreign transaction fee |
|---|---|
| Platinum Card | None currently |
| American Express Gold Card | None currently |
| American Express Green Card | None currently |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex | None currently |
| Hilton Honors Amex | None currently |
| Blue Cash Everyday | 2.7% |
| Blue Cash Preferred | 2.7% |
American Express currently confirms no foreign transaction fees on the Platinum, Gold, Green, Delta SkyMiles Gold, and Hilton Honors cards. Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred currently charge 2.7% after conversion to U.S. dollars.
Your terms can differ if you hold an older, business, corporate, or discontinued product. Check the fee shown in your current agreement.
What Is a Foreign Transaction Fee?
A foreign transaction fee is an extra card issuer charge that may apply to certain purchases outside the United States or in a foreign currency. It is generally calculated as a percentage of the converted amount.
For example, a $1,000 equivalent purchase on a card with a 2.7% fee would generally add about $27. The final dollar amount may still vary because of currency conversion.
Pro Tip: Check the exact card name in your Amex account before traveling. You should not assume every American Express card has the same foreign transaction fee.
Which Popular Amex Cards Have No Foreign Transaction Fee?
The U.S. Platinum Card currently has no foreign transaction fees from American Express. The U.S. Gold and Green cards also currently list no foreign transaction fees.
Some co-branded travel cards also waive the fee. For example, Delta SkyMiles Gold and the Hilton Honors American Express Card currently have no foreign transaction fees.
A merchant or ATM may still charge its own fee. Those costs are separate from the Amex foreign transaction fee.
Which Amex Cards Charge 2.7%?
The current U.S. Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred cards generally charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee after conversion to U.S. dollars. American Express states this directly on both card pages.
That fee can reduce the value of cash back earned overseas. You should generally compare the rewards you expect with the 2.7% fee before choosing one of these cards for international spending.
Common Mistakes: Do not assume a no-annual-fee or cash-back Amex automatically has no foreign transaction fee. Blue Cash Everyday currently has no annual fee, yet it still charges 2.7% on qualifying foreign transactions.
What Happens When Amex Converts a Foreign Purchase?
When you pay in euros, pounds, yen, pesos, or another currency, the transaction generally needs to be converted into U.S. dollars for a U.S. card statement. The converted amount may differ from a quick online currency estimate.
Exchange rates can move between the time you buy something and the time the charge is processed. That difference is separate from a foreign transaction fee.
If your card has no foreign transaction fee, you can still see a converted dollar amount. If your card charges 2.7%, that fee generally applies after conversion.
Should You Pay in U.S. Dollars or Local Currency?
Some foreign merchants or online sellers may offer to convert your purchase into U.S. dollars. The merchant may set the exchange rate and include a markup or fee.
American Express merchant rules require certain online merchants offering an alternative currency to disclose the exchange rate, markup, or fee. Review that information before accepting the merchant’s conversion.
Paying in U.S. dollars does not automatically guarantee that you avoid every foreign transaction fee. Your card terms and transaction processing generally determine the fee.
Can You Still See Extra Charges on a No-Fee Amex?
Yes. A card with no foreign transaction fee only removes that particular American Express issuer fee.
You may still encounter:
- Merchant surcharges.
- ATM operator fees.
- Cash advance fees.
- Hotel or rental-car holds.
- Local taxes or service charges.
- Currency conversion differences.
American Express specifically notes that merchants or ATMs may charge their own fees even when your card has no foreign transaction fee.
What About Using American Express at an ATM Abroad?
Using a credit card for cash is generally treated differently from making a purchase. The transaction may be a cash advance.
American Express says ATM withdrawals may involve fees from the ATM operator or your card, depending on the product. Some products may also apply foreign transaction fees, so check your Card Member Agreement before withdrawing cash overseas.
Do Foreign Online Purchases Trigger Amex Fees?
They can, depending on your card and how the merchant processes the purchase. Amex says some cards may charge a percentage on purchases made outside the United States.
You do not necessarily need to be physically overseas for an international merchant transaction to occur. Check the merchant’s billing currency and your card terms when shopping on a foreign website.
What Travelers Commonly Report
Reddit discussions commonly show U.S. Gold and Platinum users reporting no Amex foreign transaction fee. Travelers also often mention carrying a backup Visa or Mastercard because Amex acceptance can vary by merchant.
BBB and Trustpilot include complaints about unexpected fees, service issues, and billing disputes. These reports are individual experiences and should not replace your current Card Member Agreement.
How to Check Your American Express Foreign Transaction Fee
Sign in to your American Express account and review your Card Member Agreement or benefits page. Amex specifically recommends those sources when you want to confirm whether a foreign transaction fee applies.
Look for Transaction Fees or Foreign Transaction. If the wording is unclear, use the official Amex app or the number on the back of your card.
FAQs: Does American Express Have Foreign Transaction Fees
Q. Does every American Express card have a foreign transaction fee?
A. No. Some U.S. Amex cards currently waive foreign transaction fees, while others charge one. Your exact fee generally depends on the specific card product.
Q. How much is the American Express foreign transaction fee?
A. It varies by card. Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred currently charge 2.7%, while U.S. Platinum and Gold currently charge no foreign transaction fee.
Q. Does Amex Gold have foreign transaction fees?
A. No. The current U.S. American Express Gold Card generally has no foreign transaction fees from American Express. Merchant-added fees and currency conversion can still affect your final cost.
Q. Does Amex Blue Cash Everyday charge foreign transaction fees?
A. Yes. American Express currently lists a 2.7% foreign transaction fee on each Blue Cash Everyday transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars.
Conclusion
Does American Express have foreign transaction fees? Some American Express cards do, while several travel-focused Amex cards currently do not. Platinum, Gold, Green, Delta SkyMiles Gold, and Hilton Honors currently waive the issuer fee, while Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred charge 2.7%.
Check your exact Card Member Agreement before traveling or making a large international purchase. Currency conversion, merchant charges, and ATM fees may still apply even when your Amex card has no foreign transaction fee.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice. American Express, merchant, ATM, exchange-rate, and card policies may change, so you should verify account-specific questions with American Express before making international purchases.
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