Credit Card Programs - Good credit cards to travel with?

I'm planning a long (over a month) vacation overseas and have been investigating my credit cards for their fees and other benefits to figure out what to use when overseas.

Domestically, I always use a Chase Visa 1% cash back card (with 3% for gas, groceries, etc.). But this credit card company charges a 3% foreign currency fee. Apparently, Visa + Mastercard charge 1% for the conversion, but many providers add on an extra 2% (for essentially doing nothing).

My USAA debit card charges no currency fee for withdrawals, but I don't have a credit card with them and would rather use credit cards for fraud protection.

I always though American Express was supposed to provide good cards for travelers, but they charge 2%.

What do users here think is a good credit card when traveling internationally? A good card would have low foreign currency conversion fees, and maybe offer something additional (rewards, or benefits relevant to the travel). There are a number of threads about foreign currency fees especially about particular cards, but I can't really find a good answer to this question in general.

Substantial discussion here...

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401958

Substantial discussion here...

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401958

Thanks, I guess I missed it because it was in the MilesBuzz forum rather than the Credit Card forum.

whenever i travel overseas i only use CAPITAL ONE (either visa or mastercard) and the company DO NOT CHARGE foreign currency exchange rate fees and if you charge a lot, the savings are great!

...in the MilesBuzz forum rather than the Credit Card forum.

This is a problem in the organization of Flyertalk. Credit card discussions are dispersed in three areas: the three dedicated credit card sections, the sponsoring airline or hotel chain section (if any), and Miles Buzz.

You could try pentagon federal credit union and get a rebate on top of the free conversion.

Stay away from crap one, you WILL be sorry!

Depending on your relationships with these organizations you can get a no fee credit card: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, UBS, USAA and many credit unions.

Most all credit unions are 1% or less.

whenever i travel overseas i only use CAPITAL ONE (either visa or mastercard) and the company DO NOT CHARGE foreign currency exchange rate fees and if you charge a lot, the savings are great!

Check the other thread mentioned... Lots of reasons in there not to use crapital one, mainly related to bad customer service and them blocking cards willy-nilly. Post 1268 also mentions a rumour that they will soon start charging.

If you're going to spend a lot international then I would get a credit union credit card.

I'm currently using a Citi Chairman Amex, no foreign transaction fee, but that's for 2008 only, and for a $500 annual fee.