Global Nomad - Which Credit Card?
Nov 29, 2022, 5:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 2
Global Nomad - Which Credit Card?
Dear fellow travellers,
This is my first post in this forum so please bear with me.
I am a global nomad looking for information on which credit cards, rewards programs, etc. would ease my nomad lifestyle.
The facts:
EU citizen based in Dubai
In Dubai I am living in a Marriott
Traveling about 300 days a year (including being in Dubai)
What are your suggestions?
Thank you!
This is my first post in this forum so please bear with me.
I am a global nomad looking for information on which credit cards, rewards programs, etc. would ease my nomad lifestyle.
The facts:
EU citizen based in Dubai
In Dubai I am living in a Marriott
Traveling about 300 days a year (including being in Dubai)
What are your suggestions?
Thank you!
Last edited by TinTinLotus; Nov 29, 2022 at 10:54 pm
Nov 29, 2022, 8:16 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: CMH
Posts: 217
Dear fellow travellers,
This is my first post in this forum so please bear with me.
I am a global nomad looking for information on which credit cards, rewards programs, etc. would ease my nomad lifestyle.
The facts:
EU citizen based in Dubai
In Dubai I am living in a Marriott
Traveling about 300 days a year (including being in Dubai)
I own a Lufthansa credit card which earns 1 mile per EUR spent
I spend about 5000 to 6000 EUR per month on tickets, hotels, restaurants and shopping.
What are your suggestions?
Thank you!
This is my first post in this forum so please bear with me.
I am a global nomad looking for information on which credit cards, rewards programs, etc. would ease my nomad lifestyle.
The facts:
EU citizen based in Dubai
In Dubai I am living in a Marriott
Traveling about 300 days a year (including being in Dubai)
I own a Lufthansa credit card which earns 1 mile per EUR spent
I spend about 5000 to 6000 EUR per month on tickets, hotels, restaurants and shopping.
What are your suggestions?
Thank you!
Dec 6, 2022, 5:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
As already was mentioned, it is possible to get US cards which are most generous in terms of sign-up bonuses and rewards without SSN, you will need to get ITIN.
If you find it is possible for you and you want to go the extra mile to get the US-issued card(s), you need to decide what kind of rewards you want to get - miles, hotel points cashback from purchases, etc.
Only after deciding on preferences on rewards, you can get an answer to the original question you've posted.
If you find it is possible for you and you want to go the extra mile to get the US-issued card(s), you need to decide what kind of rewards you want to get - miles, hotel points cashback from purchases, etc.
Only after deciding on preferences on rewards, you can get an answer to the original question you've posted.
Dec 6, 2022, 9:10 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: CMH
Posts: 217
Dec 8, 2022, 2:04 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
I was excited to see this topic but it seems to be taking a different turn.
I would be interested in hearing from nomads who spend 6-12 months in different countries and prefer not to open local bank and credit card accounts in every country where they temporarily or seasonally reside.
More specifically: Has anyone who holds credit cards issued by major US banks encountered problems or closures when using the cards for extended periods overseas?
I know that banks and brokerage firms tend to have strict requirements that are addressed elsewhere (as is also the case for 2FA login problems),but have not seen much on credit cards.
I would be interested in hearing from nomads who spend 6-12 months in different countries and prefer not to open local bank and credit card accounts in every country where they temporarily or seasonally reside.
More specifically: Has anyone who holds credit cards issued by major US banks encountered problems or closures when using the cards for extended periods overseas?
I know that banks and brokerage firms tend to have strict requirements that are addressed elsewhere (as is also the case for 2FA login problems),but have not seen much on credit cards.
Dec 8, 2022, 2:28 pm
#6
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Dec 8, 2022, 10:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
I was excited to see this topic but it seems to be taking a different turn.
I would be interested in hearing from nomads who spend 6-12 months in different countries and prefer not to open local bank and credit card accounts in every country where they temporarily or seasonally reside.
More specifically: Has anyone who holds credit cards issued by major US banks encountered problems or closures when using the cards for extended periods overseas?
I know that banks and brokerage firms tend to have strict requirements that are addressed elsewhere (as is also the case for 2FA login problems),but have not seen much on credit cards.
I would be interested in hearing from nomads who spend 6-12 months in different countries and prefer not to open local bank and credit card accounts in every country where they temporarily or seasonally reside.
More specifically: Has anyone who holds credit cards issued by major US banks encountered problems or closures when using the cards for extended periods overseas?
I know that banks and brokerage firms tend to have strict requirements that are addressed elsewhere (as is also the case for 2FA login problems),but have not seen much on credit cards.
AMEX should be even less problem, however, I've heard enough horror stories about Citi and CapitalOne.
Dec 8, 2022, 11:05 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
There is this thread from 2016: Using US credit cards while permanently living overseas - experiences?
Dec 10, 2022, 4:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255
I would venture to say the best global card is the US Bank Altitude Reserve. Contactless is ubiquitous in foreign countries, 4.5% back is near unbeatable on all spend.
Dec 10, 2022, 9:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
I don't know what is the current situation getting this card, but several years ago (when I got it) it was not trivial - I had to put $50K in Platinum Savings account first and only after that applied to the card - I was approved due to 'existing relationship' with the bank.
Dec 11, 2022, 8:11 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255
I don't know what is the current situation getting this card, but several years ago (when I got it) it was not trivial - I had to put $50K in Platinum Savings account first and only after that applied to the card - I was approved due to 'existing relationship' with the bank.
Dec 11, 2022, 1:12 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,080
Dear fellow travellers,
This is my first post in this forum so please bear with me.
I am a global nomad looking for information on which credit cards, rewards programs, etc. would ease my nomad lifestyle.
The facts:
EU citizen based in Dubai
In Dubai I am living in a Marriott
Traveling about 300 days a year (including being in Dubai)
What are your suggestions?
Thank you!
This is my first post in this forum so please bear with me.
I am a global nomad looking for information on which credit cards, rewards programs, etc. would ease my nomad lifestyle.
The facts:
EU citizen based in Dubai
In Dubai I am living in a Marriott
Traveling about 300 days a year (including being in Dubai)
What are your suggestions?
Thank you!
Jul 2, 2023, 12:56 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2023
Programs: contributor
Posts: 18
I had Chase cards for >18 years and US Bank for >5 years and last 10 years I was living overseas. I have not had many problems as long as I had defined 'travel periods and countries' first and then asked Chase to make a note that I was on assignment overseas.
AMEX should be even less problem, however, I've heard enough horror stories about Citi and CapitalOne.
AMEX should be even less problem, however, I've heard enough horror stories about Citi and CapitalOne.
The take away message is when living overseas, always have at least one spare card to use (whether credit or debit).