Here's the latest info that I have on some of the larger issuers:

Providian Financial: 4% fee on unsecured cards.

Citibank: 2%

First USA: Notified customers of 2% fee but has not imposed it - yet.

American Express: Recently raised fee to 2%.

First Union, MBNA, Bank of America and Chase Manhattan do not charge fees.

Visa and MasterCard always charge a 1% currency conversion fee on all foreign bank card transactions. This includes VisaCheck and MasterMoney debit card transactions.

The basic reason that issuers are starting to charge fees and/or higher fees is because they can. Using a credit card, even with 4% in conversion fees added is still a better deal than exchanging cash at most of the currency exchanges & hotels. Plus, you get a much better base exchange rate.

With all of the 'convenience users' (i.e. non-revolvers), essential elimination of annual fees and the competition causing very low interest rates, issuers have had to look to fee income to shore up the bottom line and keep it growing.

Cheers,

'toad