I've been overseas for a little while too and have been looking for cards without foreign exchange charge (often 3%). There are a few good hotel cards out there right now, Marriott for 50,000 points and Priority club for 60,000 points that have no foreign exchange fees. On the airline side, I know the BA card I have right now has no Forex fees. Not sure about others though.

Even the cards with Forex you can churn if you have first purchase bonuses or small minimums.