Traveling abroad with your Venmo Credit Card? Let’s talk about what you need to know about those pesky foreign transaction fees and how they might impact your international spending.
Understanding Venmo Credit Card’s Foreign Transaction Fees
The Venmo Credit Card comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States. This means for every $100 you spend while traveling internationally or shopping on foreign websites, you’ll pay an additional $3 in fees. It’s not the highest fee out there, but it’s definitely something to factor into your travel budget.
How These Fees Impact Your Travel Spending
Let’s break this down with a real-world example. Say you’re planning a weekend getaway to Paris in 2025, and you’re expecting to spend about $1,000 on hotels, dining, and shopping. With the 3% foreign transaction fee, you’ll end up paying an extra $30 just in fees. While this might not seem like much at first, these charges can add up quickly during longer trips or when making larger purchases.
Alternative Options for International Travel
I’ll let you in on a little secret – if you’re a frequent international traveler, you might want to consider adding a different card to your wallet. Many premium travel credit cards now offer zero foreign transaction fees as a standard feature. While the Venmo Credit Card shines for its domestic benefits and seamless integration with the Venmo app, it might not be your best companion for international adventures.
Making the Most of Your Venmo Card Abroad
If you do decide to use your Venmo Credit Card internationally, here’s a pro tip: try to make larger, consolidated purchases rather than multiple small transactions. This way, you’ll minimize the number of times you’re hit with that 3% fee. Also, when possible, opt to pay in the local currency rather than letting merchants convert to USD – you’ll typically get a better exchange rate this way.
Important Considerations for Cardholders
Remember to notify Venmo before you travel internationally to avoid any transaction blocks. There’s nothing worse than having your card declined while trying to pay for dinner in a foreign country! Also, keep in mind that while the foreign transaction fee is 3%, you’ll still earn the card’s regular rewards on your international purchases, which helps offset some of the cost.
Being transparent about fees isn’t just good practice – it’s essential for smart financial planning. While the Venmo Credit Card offers great domestic benefits, that 3% foreign transaction fee might make you think twice about using it as your primary card when traveling abroad. Consider your travel habits and spending patterns to decide if this fee structure aligns with your needs.
