A few months ago I wrote about the advantages of getting a credit card or debit card with EMV or “Smart Chip” technology (Great Travel Tool: Get a Credit Card with a Chip). Check out the post for more info on why you need one for traveling. I also included a brief list of U.S. banks and financial institutions that have recently started offering this new technology but now have a more comprehensive list. Check out the list, there’s a good chance that a card that you already have is now offering a chip and all you have to do is call up and ask for one.

Where to Get One

Chip-and-PIN

A true Chip-and-PIN card offers the ultimate in security (including in the U.S.) and flexibility when traveling abroad. Unfortunately, there are very few banks offer a true chip-and-PIN card, and they will all charge you a foreign transaction fee (between 1% and 5.5%).

• USAA cards – only available on certain MasterCards – you must be eligible to join USAA to open an account!
  • USAA Platinum MasterCard – 1% FTX fee
  • USAA World MasterCard – 1% FTX fee
  • USAA Secured Cards – 1% FTX fee
  • USAA Rate Advantage MasterCard – 1% fee FTX fee
• UNFCU (United Nations Federal Credit Union) – must join the United Nations Association to join the Credit Union, membership is $25
  • UNFCU Visa Elite – 1% FTX fee + $50 annual fee
• Travelex – Prepaid Debit Card
  • Multi-Currency Cash Passport – 5.5% FTX fee + $3/mo inactivity fee

Chip-and-PIN secondary (Chip-and-Signature technology is primary)

The following offer a Chip and PIN option, but it’s secondary. This means that you don’t get the full security of the PIN because a signature will work but if a PIN is required you’ll still be able to use it. Given that this category offers a few 0% foreign transaction fee cards, it’s currently the best choice for picking a card today.

• 0% foreign transaction fee + $0 annual fee:
• Andrews Federal Credit Union – “Free” to join with a $5 donation to the American Consumer Council
  • GlobeTrek Rewards – 0% FTX fee
• Bank of America
  • BankAmericard Travel Rewards – 0% FTX fee
• PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) – anyone can join with $15-$20 donation-how to join PenFed
  • PenFed Promise Visa Card – 0% FTX fee
  • PenFed Gold Visa Card – 0% FTX fee
• State Department Federal Credit Union – Anyone can join with a $5 donation to the American Consumer Council
  • Visa Platinum – 0% FTX fee
• 0% foreign transaction fee + $25-$125 annual fee:
• Barclaycard
  • Arrival+ – 0% FTX fee + $89 annual fee
  • Hawaiian Airlines – 0% FTX fee + $89 annual fee
• Citibank
  • ThankYou Premier – 0% FTX fee + $125 annual fee
• PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) – anyone can join with $15-$20 donation-how to join PenFed
  • Platinum Cash Rewards – 0% FTX fee + $25 annual fee
• 1-3% foreign transaction fee + $0 annual fee:
• Citibank
  • ThankYou Preferred – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Diamond Preferred – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• Commerce Bank – must apply in person at a branch (States: CO, IL, KS, MO, OK, OH, TN)
  • Commerce Bank VISA Signature – 1% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• Wells Fargo
  • Wells Fargo Platinum – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Wells Fargo Rewards – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Wells Fargo Cash Back – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• Wings Financial Credit Union – open to all
  • VISA Signature – 1% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• 3% foreign transaction fee + $50-$85 annual fee:
• Citibank
  • AAdvantage Gold – 3% FTX fee + $50 annual fee
  • AAdvantage Platinum – 3% FTX fee + $85 annual fee

Chip-and-Signature

Here are some of the major US credit cards that are already offering a Chip and Signature card (and have no foreign transaction fees!):

• 0% foreign transaction fee + $0 annual fee:
• None available!
• 0% foreign transaction fee + $25-$450 annual fee:
• American Express
  • Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card  – 0% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
  • Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card  – 0% FTX fee + $195 annual fee
  • Platinum Card from American Express  – 0% FTX fee + $450 annual fee
  • Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express  – 0% FTX fee + $450 annual fee
• Bank of America
  • BankAmericard Privileges with Travel Rewards
• Chase
  • Marriott Rewards Premier  – 0% FTX fee + $85 annual fee
  • British Airways – 0% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
  • J.P. Morgan Select – 0% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
  • Ritz-Carlton – 0% FTX fee + $395 annual fee
  • J.P. Morgan Palladium – 0% FTX fee + $595 annual fee
  • Sapphire Preferred – 0% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
• Citibank
  • Hilton Honors Reserve – 0% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
  • Prestige – 0% FTX fee + $400 annual fee
  • AAdvantage Executive – 0% FTX fee + $450 annual fee
• City National Bank
  • Crystal – 0% FTX fee + $400 annual fee
• PNC
  • PNC Premier Traveler Reserve – 0% FTX fee + $395 annual fee
  • PNC Premier Traveler – 0% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
• 1-3% foreign transaction fee + $0 annual fee:
• American Express
  • Amex EveryDaySM Credit Card – 2.7% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Blue Sky from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Hilton HHonorsTM Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Blue from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• Bank of America
  • AAA Member Rewards – 2% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Royal Caribbean – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Norwegian Cruise Line – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • BankAmericard Cash Rewards – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • BankAmericard – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • BankAmericard Power Rewards – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• Citibank
  • Platinum Select – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Dividend – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Simplicity – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Forward – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• City National Bank
  • Platinum  – 3% FTX fee (0% for New York residents) + $0 annual fee
• Fidelity
  • Fidelity AMEX – 1% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
  • Fidelity Visa – 3% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• Star One Credit Union
  • Visa Classic – 1% FTX fee + $0 annual fee
• 1-3% foreign transaction fee + $30-$99 annual fee:
• American Express
  • American Express Serve – 2.7% FTX fee + $12 annual fee
  • JetBlue Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $40 annual fee
  • The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $65 annual fee
  • Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $75 annual fee
  • Blue Sky Preferred Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $75 annual fee
  • Hilton HHonorsTM Surpass Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $75 annual fee
  • Amex EveryDaySM Preferred Credit Card – 2.7% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
  • American Express Green Card – 2.7% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
  • The Mercedes-Benz Credit Card from American Express – 2.7% FTX fee + $95 annual fee
  • American Express Gold Card – 2.7% FTX fee + $125 annual fee
  • American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card – 2.7% FTX fee + $175 annual fee
• Bank of America
  • Virgin Atlantic White Card – 1% FTX fee + $49 annual fee
  • Virgin Atlantic Black Card – 1% FTX fee + $90 annual fee
  • Asiana Airlines – 1% FTX fee + $99 annual fee
  • BankAmericard Privileges with Cash Rewards – 3% FTX fee + $75 annual fee
  • Alaska Airlines – 3% FTX fee + $35 annual fee
  • Hawaiian Airlines – 3% FTX fee + $50 annual fee
• City National Bank
  • Signature  – 3% FTX fee (0% for New York residents) + $30 annual fee
• US Bank
  • FlexPerks Travel Rewards – 3% FTX fee + $49 annual fee
  • KoreanAir SkyPass Classic – 3% FTX fee + $50 annual fee
  • KoreanAir SkyPass Secured – 3% FTX fee + $50 annual fee
  • KoreanAir SkyPass Signature – 3% FTX fee + $80 annual fee

Top Picks

The main problem with the current offerings in the true Chip-and-PIN section is that none of the strong rewards programs are participating. I.e. no Chase, American Express, hotels or airline cards and there are no cards with 0% FTX fee. Given this, my personal preference is to pick a card from the 0% foreign transaction fee + $0 annual fee category where Chip-and-PIN is available, but secondary technology. For example, the Bank of American BankAmericard Travel Rewards card. This would likely cover me if trying to use a kiosk in Europe that requires a PIN.

Then, since I don’t mind paying an annual fee, I would get a card that has a strong rewards program and 0% FTX fee. A good example of this is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card for $95 annually + 0% FTX fees. You earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to many hotels (United, British Airways, etc…) and hotels (Hyatt, Marriott, etc…).  This card offers Chip-and-Signature technology so I’d be able to use it at a majority of vendors but would always have the Chip-and-PIN card as a backup.

BOTTOM LINE: A slew of U.S. financial institutions have jumped on the chip credit card bandwagon, and more will soon join. My top pick? I don’t mind paying an annual fee for a credit card with a good rewards program and currently use the Chase Sapphire Preferred for most of my purchases.