The U.S. Bank Altitude Go used to be a sneaky-good travel card because it earned 4X on dining and skipped foreign transaction fees. That second part is no longer true. As of May 2026, every Altitude Go cardholder pays a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States.
If you booked the card hoping to use it on a trip abroad, the math has shifted. This guide walks through what changed, what it costs in real dollars, and which cards still skip the fee.
What Is a Foreign Transaction Fee
A foreign transaction fee is a surcharge your card issuer adds when you make a purchase in a non-U.S. currency or through a foreign merchant. The fee is usually 1% to 3% of each transaction.
The fee applies whether you swipe a card overseas or buy from a foreign website while sitting at home. It is separate from any currency conversion built into the exchange rate.
The Altitude Go FX Fee in 2026
As of May 2026, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go charges 3% on every foreign purchase. U.S. Bank first added the fee in September 2024 for new cardholders. Starting August 15, 2025, grandfathered cardholders also lost the no-FTF perk.
That means anyone holding the card today pays the same 3% rate, no matter when they opened the account. For context, the average foreign transaction fee on new credit card offers is roughly 1.58%, so the Altitude Go now sits above average.
What 3% Actually Costs You
The fee adds up fast on a real trip. A $3,000 vacation in Europe with most purchases on the Altitude Go would cost an extra $90 in fees. A $500 hotel night abroad costs an extra $15.
Spread across a two-week trip with $5,000 in card spend, you are looking at $150 lost to a single line item. That likely cancels out the 4X dining rewards you would have earned on the same trip.
Why People Still Used the Card Abroad
Before the change, Altitude Go was a popular travel companion for two reasons. It earned 4X points on dining worldwide and 2X on groceries, gas, streaming, and EV charging. It also carried no annual fee, which is rare for a card with bonus categories that strong.
The Visa Signature network is widely accepted internationally, and Visa contactless rails work in most European countries. The card itself still works abroad. The pricing just got worse.
Cards That Still Skip the Fee
Several no-annual-fee or low-fee cards still charge 0% on foreign transactions as of May 2026. Capital One is the most consistent issuer, with every Venture and Quicksilver card waiving the fee. The Wells Fargo Autograph and the Bilt Mastercard also skip foreign fees.
On the premium side, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and American Express Platinum all charge 0% foreign transaction fees. Pairing one of those with the Altitude Go for domestic dining is a common workaround.
A Quick Note on Credit First
Many no-FTF cards require good to excellent credit, often a FICO score of 690 or higher. If you are still building your file and want to travel without losing money to fees, you may need to focus on credit-building first.
The Self Visa® Credit Card is one option for that step. It pairs a small secured line with a Credit Builder Account so payments report to all three bureaus, helping you work toward approval on no-FTF travel cards down the line.
How to Avoid the Fee if You Already Have the Card
If you carry the Altitude Go and a trip is coming up, the cleanest move is to apply for a no-FTF card before you leave. Most cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days, and many issuers will rush a card if you call.
If you do not have time, your other options are using cash, an FX-friendly debit card from a bank like Charles Schwab or Fidelity, or a different existing card that already skips fees. Avoid currency conversion at airport kiosks because their exchange rates are typically poor.
Online Purchases From Foreign Merchants
The 3% fee also hits online orders billed in non-U.S. currency. A subscription billed in euros, a hotel deposit on a French booking site, or a marketplace order shipped from abroad can all trigger the surcharge.
Check the merchant's billing currency before you buy. If the price displays in USD and the merchant clears the transaction in USD, the fee may not apply. If you see a non-USD amount or a notice that the charge will route through a foreign bank, expect the fee.
Should You Keep the Altitude Go
The card is still worthwhile for domestic dining if you eat out a lot. The 4X rate on takeout and restaurants is one of the best uncapped dining rates on any no-annual-fee card.
For travel abroad, you likely want a different card in your wallet. Many cardholders now treat the Altitude Go as a U.S.-only dining card and keep a separate no-FTF card for international use.
The 4X Dining Rate Still Holds Domestically
As of May 2026, the Altitude Go still earns 4X on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. It also pays 2X on groceries, streaming, gas, and EV charging, and 1X on everything else. There is no annual fee.
For a U.S. cardholder who eats out heavily but rarely travels, the math still works. The FX fee just shifts the card from a hybrid travel-and-dining card to a domestic dining specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the U.S. Bank Altitude Go still have no foreign transaction fee?
No. As of May 2026, the Altitude Go charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on all purchases made outside the United States. The change applied to new cardholders in September 2024 and to grandfathered cardholders starting August 15, 2025.
How much is the foreign transaction fee?
The fee is 3% of each transaction made in a foreign currency or processed through a foreign bank. A $1,000 international purchase would add $30 in fees on top of any currency conversion.
Does the fee apply to online shopping at foreign websites?
Yes, the fee typically applies whenever a purchase is billed in a non-U.S. currency or runs through a foreign payment processor, even if you are shopping from home. Always check the merchant's billing currency before checking out.
What credit cards still have no foreign transaction fee?
Many Capital One cards, the Wells Fargo Autograph, and most premium travel cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and American Express Platinum, charge 0% on foreign transactions as of May 2026.
