I visit the UK quite often, and up until recently I had a US credit card that didn't charge for international transactions. Now they do and I hate paying a 2.5 or 3% penalty for all my charges in the UK.

I have accounts in Holland and France, but their credit cards charge even more for transactions in the UK. What is the easiest way to establish a UK account? I just want to put in roughly 10K or so and get a sterling based credit card. And then do wire transfers to keep up the balance.

It seems that if I just walk in off the street I have to show a local address and utility bills, etc. I could get a Mail Box Etc. account, but I don't want to deal with utilities.

Also, what is the best UK credit card to get for a frequent flyer? I would get the BA Amex, but that seems to only work if I move my BAEC account to the UK, which I don't want to do for obvious reasons to any on the BA board.