I have always used AMEX abroad and paid the 2% foreign exchange transaction fee. Now it appears as AMEX affiliates itself with major banks that they are showing flexibility with this rate. The AMEX card USAA now issues members through its bank only charges 1% foreign currency transaction fee for its AMEX card charges and rebates up to 1.25% of all purchases in its cash rewards program. So this summer I'll be using my new USAA/AMEX instead of my Plat when I charge in foreign currency.