Earn points and miles as a foreigner in the US: What you need to know

Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

If you’ve moved abroad (or plan to), you may have discovered that no other country does credit card scores like the old US of A.

But you don’t have to stuff your travel rewards card in a drawer and be doomed to pay cash for your trip. With a few specific strategies, you can continue to earn points and miles regardless of where you’re calling home.

Here’s what you need to know to keep making money no matter where you are.

Abroad, you’re more likely to find yourself in a situation where a chip and pin is required when using a credit card. To avoid this, use contactless payment by tap to pay or mobile wallet alike Pay for apple or Google Pay.

Contactless payments can also help you spending request and earn bonuses for signing up on a new card without having to get a physical card. You can give your card to a family member and ask them to send you a photo of the front and back of the card. You can then activate the card and load it into your mobile wallet, allowing you to use it for direct purchases.

Use a US address

Many US credit cards require a US address to register and receive your card. You can use a relative’s address or a mail service that will send you the letter digitally.

Either way, make sure you’re connected to your US address, as some banks will verify your address during the registration process. You can do this in the simplest way by receiving an invoice in your name at the address.

Use a US phone number

Many card issuers send you text messages for identification purposes, and you’ll need a US phone number for this. You can use a service like Google Fi or magic app to make sure you have a US phone number when required by the issuer and can receive secure text messages.

paperless

Make sure you’ve signed up for paperless communication with all your credit cards. This allows you to access information such as approvals and claims faster and prevents your sensitive information from reaching others.

Use VPN

ONE virtual private network (VPN) may let you choose your IP address to make it look like you’re in a different geographical setting. You can set your location in the US, allowing you to access US versions of banking websites.

This shows you a more familiar version of the site and can keep your location from being flagged if you apply for a new US card from another country.

Use a transfer app

Use a banking app like Wise or PayPal to transfer your funds to a US account to pay your credit card bill to minimize your transfer fees.

Add authorized users

If you have friends and family ready to help while you’re abroad, you can add them as an authorized user on your card. They can use their card to continue earning points and miles into your account while you’re abroad.

If you’re living outside of the US, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a credit card that doesn’t have one foreign transaction fees, as a 3% fee on everything you buy will quickly take away most of your earnings. You may also want a card that allows you transfer your rewards to international airlines and comes with the airport lounge access to make your layovers more comfortable.

Here are our top picks:

Platinum Card® from American Express

*Registration is required to enjoy certain benefits, terms apply.

In addition to the long list of transfer partners, you’ll love the airport lounge access you’ll get with Amex Platinum as well as the 5 points for every dollar you’ll earn on flights booked directly through the airline. by air or via Amex Travel (up to $500,000 for these purchases per calendar year).

For more details, check out our Amex Platinum full review.

Official app link: Platinum Card® from American Express

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

In addition to transfer partners and airport lounge access, you’ll benefit from earning 3 points per dollar on a wide range of Chase purchases eat and drink And tourism Category.

For more details, check out our full review of Sapphire Reserve.

Official app link: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card X

With Venture X, you’ll get a slightly shorter list of transfer partners than the two cards above, but you’ll get Priority Pass airport lounge access as well as a flat earning rate of 2 miles per dollar on all purchases.

For more details, check out our full review of X . joint venture.

Official app link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card X

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• There are no foreign transaction fees.
• $50 hotel credit to use each card membership year.
• Transfer partnerincluding Emirates, Iberia, Virgin Atlantic, Hyatt and IHG.

With this pass, you won’t get access to airport lounges, but you’ll be able to take advantage of Chase’s transfer partners and earn 3 points for every dollar on eat and drink as well as 2 points for every dollar on tourism purchase, all for a much lower annual fee than Sapphire Reserve.

For more details, check out our Full review of Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Official app link: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

American Express® Green Card

Amex Green allows you to take advantage of the same transfer partner Membership Rewards for a much lower annual fee than Amex Platinum. Plus, you’ll earn 3 points for every dollar on food, travel, and transit purchases.

For more details, check out our Amex Green full review.

Official app link: American Express® Green Card

For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click This.
For Amex Green Card rates and fees, click This.