Anyone know the best U.S. credit card to use for travel

[janinegirly]

Almost all cards charge 3% per transaction overseas--that adds up! However it seems to be a universal rate. Is there a card I''m missing that has a lower fee?

thanks..

 

[Emeraldfan]

Capital One does not charge the 3% transaction fee. It is the only one I know of and use overseas - although I do know that generally getting hit with the 3% on any card is still usually better than trying to go to Thomas Cook or somewhere else to exchange currency. Hope that helps.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 7/27/2009 3:51:48 PM
Author: Emeraldfan
Capital One does not charge the 3% transaction fee. It is the only one I know of and use overseas - although I do know that generally getting hit with the 3% on any card is still usually better than trying to go to Thomas Cook or somewhere else to exchange currency. Hope that helps.

I second the Capitol One card. We just used it during our vacation to Argentina and can vouch for the "no fee" thing. Unfortunately, DH lost it on our 2nd day and we had to use Amex for the remainder of our trip. I didn't have a Cap1 account/card and the first thing DH did when we got home was to request a card for me!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 7/27/2009 5:13:53 PM
Author: ChargerGrrl

Date: 7/27/2009 3:51:48 PM
Author: Emeraldfan
Capital One does not charge the 3% transaction fee. It is the only one I know of and use overseas - although I do know that generally getting hit with the 3% on any card is still usually better than trying to go to Thomas Cook or somewhere else to exchange currency. Hope that helps.

I second the Capitol One card. We just used it during our vacation to Argentina and can vouch for the ''no fee'' thing. Unfortunately, DH lost it on our 2nd day and we had to use Amex for the remainder of our trip. I didn''t have a Cap1 account/card and the first thing DH did when we got home was to request a card for me!

If Capitol One still has that policy, I believe they are now the only one who doesn''t charge the fee. I think MBNA was the other one, but all have started to charge.

If you are going to just one country, ask your bank if they have a sister bank in that country. They usually don''t charge any fees for ATM withdrawls at that bank, which saves a lot. When we are in Australia, we use Westpac bank ATMs which is a sister bank to BofA.

 

[FancyDiamond]

I have a Capital One Master Card that gives me 1% cash back on my purchase (more % back for grocery and gas) and that it charges no transaction fees when used outside of US. Discover Card has similar perks, but not all merchants would accept Discover.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I use Capital One. Another you can consider is the credit card through Charles Schwab (BF has that one). Charles Schwab has 2% cashback as well as no fees on transactions outside the US. We''ve used both in New Zealand and had no problem at all.

 

[beau13]

The black card (American Express), $150 000/yr minimum spending required. It's made of titanium, so it can double as a weapon when travelling..HA!

 

[icekid]

Date: 7/27/2009 3:51:48 PM
Author: Emeraldfan
Capital One does not charge the 3% transaction fee. It is the only one I know of and use overseas - although I do know that generally getting hit with the 3% on any card is still usually better than trying to go to Thomas Cook or somewhere else to exchange currency. Hope that helps.

Ditto! This is the only one that I am aware of.

 

[Luckyeshe]

Date: 7/27/2009 6:59:11 PM
Author: beau13
The black card (American Express), $150 000/yr minimum spending required. It''s made of titanium, so it can double as a weapon when travelling..HA!

LOL!

I have Capital One as well and I''ve used it for traveling. I have the same experience with not having any additional fees charged for using it out of the country. If you don''t have it already, you may want to call them to see if it''ll be the same for new sign ups.

 

[John P]

I''m in Europe regularly and use my Citi MC for the airline mileage awards. I have not noticed an extra 3% fee and I''ve used it in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, China & Mexico (maybe I should start paying more attention). I do have a Capital One card. The only card not accepted in some places abroad has been my AMEX but those places reliably accept Visa or MC.