Eugene, sorry, now I can see that your post was in January.
When you recommended Radisson > Goldpoints, it was a good deal, now it's not. I get only 6 points (3 + 3) for one dollar = 6/8 miles = 0.75 miles. I'll send the card back - sooner or later.

Here is another deal: I opened (Holiday Inn) Priority Club. Got 10,000 points for the FirstUSA credit card and still wait for the 10,000 points from Netbank; have e-mailed Holiday Inn and Netbank.
I used Netbank to get Euros at an ATM in Paris. I got a very good rate (equal or better than published spot rates) and NO FEE charged.

I agree. That's why on April 29th I started the following thread in this forum: MBNA's GoldPoints Rewards VISA loses its appeal.

I've had it. I've always known that they were gouging me 1-3% on the international exchange fee, but when a purchase costs more in dollars than euros, that's where I draw the line. The exchange rate is bad enough as it is, for crying out loud.

An actual double check of charges shows that the Citi AA is 3-4% above the exchange rate. Incidentally, my Citi ATM card is under 0.5% above the exchange rate (no ATM fees, either). I'm pretty sure the Delta AMEX was about 3% (AMEX seems to have better exchanges than Visa/MC).

Is the MBNA card the recommended card to avoid this surcharge and getting the best exchange rate, short of making all purchases in cash? I sure don't think paying 2.5-3.5% is worth the miles. (I have no intention of carrying an Amtrak card.)

[This message has been edited by flightrisk (edited 07-15-2002).]

I have the Fleet Platinum Rebate Visa. 1% exchange surcharge (total), 0.5% cash rebate on purchases.