7 Best Credit Cards for Traveling to Greece (2026)
- Greece Media
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
Introduction
Planning a trip to Greece? Between ferry rides, hotel stays, and dinner by the Aegean, your credit card decisions matter more than you think. A card with foreign transaction fees or weak travel perks can cost you more than the airfare.
Below are 7 credit cards that combine no foreign-transaction fees, travel rewards, and tangible perks, with notes on how each performs specifically in Greece.
Before the list, here’s what you should look for when choosing a card for Greece travel.
What Makes a Credit Card “Greece-Friendly”?
When you travel abroad, especially in Europe and Greece, here are the features that matter most:
No foreign transaction fee — otherwise, expect ~2–3% on every purchase.
Rewards on travel & dining — cards that offer extra points on travel-related spending will give you more value overseas.
Good acceptance abroad — Visa and Mastercard are more broadly accepted than AmEx in many parts of Greece.
Travel protections & perks — lounge access, trip delay/lost baggage insurance, hotel credits.
Reasonable annual fee vs benefits — make sure the perks outweigh the cost (if there’s one).
Best Credit Cards for Traveling to Greece in 2025
Here are the best credit cards for traveling to Greece and the rest of the world, from premium to no-fee options. Each section includes key features, pros & cons, and what you’ll want to watch out for when in Greece.
1. American Express Platinum® Card
Why it’s a premium pick
This is a “luxury traveler” card, lots of perks, but also a high cost.
Key features & Greece relevance
No foreign transaction fee (standard among premium travel cards)
Airport lounge access worldwide (Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, etc.)
Hotel benefits & credits — American Express updated its terms in 2025: the annual fee jumps to $895, but you get expanded credits (e.g. hotel, dining, Uber) and perks.
Strong flight & prepaid hotel point earnings — 5× points on flights booked directly or via AmEx Travel
Pros in Greece
Lounge access is great when connecting through Athens or European hubs.
Hotel credits help during stays.
If you use the perks fully, you can justify the high fee.
Drawbacks / watch-outs
The $895 annual fee is steep.
Some small shops or island vendors may not accept AmEx—carry a backup Visa/Mastercard.
Many of the credits (e.g. dining or Uber) are U.S.-centric, so value for use in Greece could be lower.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Why it’s a top-tier travel favorite
A powerful all-in-one travel card with premium perks and good flexibility.
Key features & Greece fit
No foreign transaction fee.
$300 annual travel credit (basically offsets a chunk of the fee).
High earning on travel & dining when booked through Chase.
Lounge access via Priority Pass + other perks.
Strong transfer partners for flights/hotels.
Pros in Greece
Great for frequent travelers who can use perks like lounge access, credits, etc.
Good flexibility in redeeming rewards or transferring to partner airlines for European trips.
Drawbacks / watch-outs
High annual fee (you’ll need to make the perks count).
Some smaller vendors on Greek islands might not accept high-tier cards.
The value of some benefits depends on how much you travel.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Why it’s a “sweet spot” card
Lower cost than Reserve but still strong for travel rewards.
Key features & Greece fit
No foreign transaction fee.
Good earning rates on travel and dining.
Transfer partners allow you to use points effectively for European/Greek travel.
Lower annual fee makes it more accessible.
Pros in Greece
More affordable with solid benefits.
Good balance of reward vs cost for someone traveling occasionally.
Drawbacks / watch-outs
Doesn’t include lounge access.
Fewer premium protections than Reserve or Platinum.
4. Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Why it stands out
Simple points, good flexibility, reliable no-foreign-fee travel card.
Key features & Greece fit
No foreign transaction fee (Capital One cards don’t charge them).
Flat-rate miles on all purchases, plus bonus miles for travel booked via Capital One Travel.
You can redeem miles to cover travel purchases or transfer to partner airlines.
Pros in Greece
Simple strategy (no need to track categories fully).
Useful for covering hotels, flights, and travel costs in Greece.
Drawbacks / watch-outs
Fewer premium perks (lounge access, insurance) than top-tier cards.
You’ll want to use the redemption and transfer options smartly to maximize value.
5. Capital One Venture X
Why upgrade from the “basic” Venture
It’s the premium version with more perks for those willing to pay. (It’s not as universally discussed as Venture, but it provides lounge access and elevated benefits.)
Key features & Greece relevance
No foreign transaction fee (inherits standard Capital One rule)
Lounge access (Capital One lounges, Priority Pass)
Elevated rewards on travel and better perks (credits, etc.)
Pros in Greece
A middle ground between flat-rate simplicity and premium benefits.
May give you many of the perks of Reserve/Platinum at a lower fee (depending on your usage).
Drawbacks / watch-outs
Annual fee higher than the standard Venture.
You’ll want to ensure you use the lounge and travel credits enough to make it worth it.
6. Citi / Other Travel Rewards Card (e.g. Citi Premier)
Why include a “wildcard” option
These cards often have solid transfer partners and decent rewards, useful if you already have a Citi relationship.
Key features & Greece fit
Some Citi cards waive foreign transaction fees.
Good transfer partners (which can be helpful for European flights).
Balanced annual fees vs rewards.
Pros in Greece
Flexibility if you’re tied to Citi products.
May complement your primary card as a backup.
Drawbacks / watch-outs
Perks might be less “flashy” than premium cards.
Be careful to check whether foreign transaction fees actually are waived (some travel-leaning Citi cards do, others don’t).
7. Bank of America Travel Rewards
Why it’s a safe “no-fee” option
A solid fallback for travelers who don’t want a big annual fee.
Key features & Greece fit
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Earn 1.5× points on all purchases; 3× on travel when booked through BoA’s travel portal.
Points don’t expire as long as the account is open.
Pros in Greece
Great for travelers who want simplicity and avoid surprises.
No worry about paying a steep fee.
Useful as a backup card to avoid fees when your premium card isn’t accepted.
Drawbacks / watch-outs
Less robust perks (no lounge access, fewer insurances).
The value per point may be lower than premium cards.
Tips for Using Credit Cards in Greece
Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC) — always choose to pay in euros, not USD, or you'll pay inflated exchange rates.
Bring multiple cards (Visa and MasterCard if possible) — in small towns or islands, some stores may not accept all brands.
Use cards for bigger purchases (hotels, car rentals) and cash for small shops.
Notify your issuer of travel dates so your charges aren't flagged as fraud.
Choose cards with good PIN support — some European terminals expect chip + PIN rather than chip + signature.
Conclusion & Recommendation
If you’re a frequent traveler to Europe or Greece and can fully use premium perks, Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve may deliver excellent value (if you maximize their credits and benefits).
If you want a more balanced option, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards are strong picks. And for low-risk travelers who don’t want to worry about fees or expensive annual cost, Bank of America Travel Rewards is a dependable fallback.
This article was published by Greece Media, your trusted source for travel, culture, and lifestyle in Greece. Our mission is to share practical insights that help you experience Greece with confidence. Explore more guides and resources at GetGreece.com.
