What it means
A fee, usually a percentage, for paying in a foreign currency or with an overseas merchant.
Credit Cards
Foreign Transaction Fee
A fee, usually a percentage, for paying in a foreign currency or with an overseas merchant.
CategoryCredit Cards
Pro tip inside1 quick win
What “Foreign Transaction Fee” really means
The meaning, how it works in the UAE, and why it matters to your money.
How it works in the UAE
When you pay in a foreign currency or with an overseas merchant, many UAE cards add a fee — often a few percent of the transaction — on top of the exchange rate.
Why it matters
It quietly raises the cost of travel, online shopping from abroad and international subscriptions.
PRO TIPChoose a card with low or zero foreign transaction fees if you travel or shop abroad often.
Test yourself
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Read more about Foreign Transaction Fee
Guides that use this term — and a tool to put it into practice.
