If your credit is actually zero I think it's unlikely you'll be approved for a co-branded airline card from a major bank or have high enough of a credit limit to purchase international flight tickets on. That said, it's a great idea to use a credit card for the trip since many offer 0% foreign transaction fee and another layer of purchase protection.

I personally prefer straight cash back cards instead of airline cards since it doesn't lock you in to a particular company and it's easier to get rewards when you want it, but it's ultimately up to you.