US Credit Cards That Work in Amsterdam (No Foreign Fees)
Three months after moving to the Netherlands, one of our credit cards got declined at Albert Heijn. The cashier stared. The line behind us grew.
We called the bank. "Your card was flagged for suspicious activity—all these Netherlands transactions."
Keeping US credit cards while living abroad is tricky. Some work great. Others cause problems.
Why Keep US Credit Cards?
Maintain credit score: If you close everything, you lose your credit history. Hard to rebuild when you return. See our building credit while living in Netherlands guide for strategies.
US online purchases: Many US websites only accept US credit cards with US billing addresses.
Travel benefits: US cards often have better travel insurance and rewards.
Emergency access: If you need to return to the US quickly, you have immediate credit access.
What to Look For
No foreign transaction fees. Most basic cards charge 3% on foreign purchases. That adds up fast—$300/year on $10,000 in spending.
Visa or Mastercard. American Express and Discover aren't widely accepted in the Netherlands.
Good fraud protection. Cards that understand you live abroad and won't constantly decline transactions.
Cards That Work Well
Chase Sapphire Preferred: No foreign fees, good rewards, works everywhere. This is our primary card.
Capital One Venture/Venture One: No foreign fees, simple rewards.
Discover it: No foreign fees, but limited acceptance in Netherlands. Good for US purchases only.
What We Actually Use
Primary: Chase Sapphire Preferred for daily purchases.
Backup: Capital One Quicksilver if Chase is declined.
US purchases: Discover for Amazon.com and rotating categories.
We closed our Bank of America card before moving—3% foreign transaction fees made it useless.
Avoiding Fraud Holds
Getting declined in a foreign country is embarrassing.
Before you move: Call each card company. Tell them you're moving abroad. Ask them to note your account.
After you move: Make small purchases first. Build a pattern. Cards learn your new location.
If you get declined: Call immediately. Verify transactions. Ask them to remove the hold. Usually fixed in 5 minutes.
The Address Problem
Most US cards require a US billing address.
What we do: Use a family member's address. Mom gets our mail, scans anything important.
When cards expire: New cards mail to US address. Have family forward them.
Keeping Cards Active
Use each card every 3 months. Inactive cards get closed, which hurts your credit score.
Set up recurring charges: Netflix, Spotify, cloud storage. Small but regular.
Pay on time: Auto-pay minimum from US bank account. Safety net.
Dutch Credit Cards?
You probably don't need them. US cards work fine. Better rewards.
The Netherlands is a debit card culture. Most Dutch people don't have credit cards.
Exception: If you want a Dutch mortgage, you'll need Dutch credit history.
Get Cards Before You Move
It's hard to apply for new US credit cards from abroad. Most require US address and income.
Get the cards you need before you leave. Our guide includes our complete credit card strategy. Get the Guide →
For banking setup, see best US banks for American expats and our complete moving guide.
Digital Guide — $199
Credit card terms change frequently. Verify current terms with issuers.