Best Credit Card For Travel To Italy in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Travel To Italy

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From navigating the ancient ruins of Rome to savoring gelato in a Florentine piazza, the right credit card can be your most valuable travel companion on a trip to Italy, helping you avoid unnecessary fees and earn rewards along the way.

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A primary pitfall to avoid is overlooking foreign transaction fees, which can quietly add up to 3% to every purchase you make overseas. It's also easy to be tempted by high rewards without considering the card's acceptance network; a card isn't very useful if it's not widely accepted in the local trattorias and shops you plan to visit. Balancing flashy perks against practical concerns like fees and widespread usability is key to making the right choice.

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Key Factors

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• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Opt for a card that waives these fees to avoid the typical 2-3% surcharge added to every purchase you make abroad.
• Widespread Acceptance: Prioritize Visa and Mastercard, as they are accepted almost everywhere in Italy, whereas American Express and Discover have less coverage.
• Travel and Dining Rewards: Select a card that earns accelerated rewards on your largest spending categories, such as dining out, hotel stays, and transit.
• Valuable Travel Protections: Look for built-in benefits like trip cancellation insurance, primary rental car coverage, and lost luggage reimbursement for added security.
• Reasonable Annual Fee: Weigh the card’s annual cost against the monetary value of its benefits to determine if it’s a worthwhile addition to your wallet.
• Generous Welcome Offer: A substantial introductory bonus can provide immediate value, sometimes enough to offset the cost of a round-trip flight or multiple hotel nights.

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What to Watch Out For

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It's easy to get drawn in by a massive welcome offer, but this can distract from underlying costs like a steep annual fee or poor reward rates on dining. Also, be prepared to decline offers to pay in your home currency at Italian shops and restaurants; this practice, known as dynamic currency conversion, almost always comes with a poor exchange rate.

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Decision Flow

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• If you prioritize simplicity and want to avoid an annual fee... then your best bet is a travel card that charges no annual fee and waives foreign transaction fees. While these cards may not come with premium perks, they provide the essential benefit of saving you 2-3% on every purchase in Italy. Focus on finding a Visa or Mastercard to ensure it's accepted everywhere from the Colosseum ticket office to a local café in Cinque Terre.
• If you are a frequent traveler who values premium perks... then a premium travel card might be the right choice. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express carry high annual fees but offset them with benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and comprehensive travel insurance, which can provide peace of mind and comfort during your Italian journey. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a $300 Annual Travel Credit; however, points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this spending goes toward the credit.
• If you're a foodie planning to indulge in Italy's culinary scene... then you should select a card that offers accelerated rewards on dining worldwide. Since you'll likely be spending a significant portion of your budget at restaurants, trattorias, and gelaterias, earning 3x or more points or cash back on these purchases can add up quickly, helping to fund your next adventure.
• If you want maximum flexibility for booking flights and hotels... then focus on a card that earns transferable points. Points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards can be moved to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. This flexibility allows you to find the best award availability for flights to Milan or Rome and book hotel stays across the country.
• If you are loyal to a specific airline or hotel brand... then a co-branded credit card could offer immense value. If you frequently fly an airline with routes to Italy or prefer a hotel chain like Marriott or Hilton, a co-branded card can provide perks such as free checked bags, anniversary free nights, or elite status, which can significantly enhance your trip.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Maximize Your Return with Travel To Italy

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To get the most value from your credit card rewards when booking with Travel To Italy, consider these expert strategies:

• Stack your rewards: Check if your credit card's shopping portal offers bonus points or cash back for Travel To Italy, allowing you to earn rewards from both the portal and your card on the same purchase.
• Choose the right card for the job: Use a credit card that offers a high rewards rate on general travel or on specific categories like flights and hotels to maximize your earnings on every dollar spent.
• Leverage transfer partners: Before booking, see if your credit card points can be transferred to an airline or hotel partner for a potentially higher redemption value on your Italian vacation.
• Redeem wisely: Compare the value of redeeming points directly through your card's travel portal for your trip versus paying with your card and redeeming points later for a statement credit.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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Kudos is a free app that automatically selects your highest-earning credit card at checkout, helping you maximize rewards and unlock hidden perks without the guesswork. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond picking the right travel card, it's wise to consider your broader financial strategy for your trip. While generally not the best for international travel, a store-specific card might make sense if you're planning a significant purchase with a particular brand that offers a discount or special financing. More importantly, manage your payment methods wisely; even the best rewards card is a bad deal if you carry a high-interest balance after your trip. It's smart to balance credit card use with having enough cash (Euros) for smaller vendors and to treat any Buy Now, Pay Later plans for flights or hotels with the same diligence as credit card debt. Ultimately, a clear budget that accounts for all these payment types will ensure your memories of Italy aren't soured by financial regrets.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need to tell my credit card company I'm traveling to Italy?

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While many issuers no longer require it, setting a travel notice is a wise precaution to prevent your card from being mistakenly flagged for fraud. A quick call or online notification can ensure your transactions go through smoothly while you're abroad.

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Are credit cards widely accepted in Italy?

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Credit cards, particularly Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Italian cities, hotels, and larger restaurants. However, it's essential to carry some euros for smaller purchases at local markets, cafes, or in rural areas.

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Should I pay in euros or U.S. dollars in Italy?

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Always choose to pay in the local currency (euros) when using your credit card in Italy. Selecting U.S. dollars allows the merchant to use Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which typically results in a poor exchange rate and higher fees.

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