Best card for foreign exchange?
Apr 30, 2005 | 3:36 pm
#181
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Originally Posted by Boraxo
Capital One only passes through the 1% from VISA or MC (and apparently 0% on MC through October). It does not add anything for itself. The "+2" in the table simply refers to the footnote.
4/23/05 180 was billed to my card as $233.66, exchange rate comes to 1.298. the total fee was -$1.66, meaning the bank paid me.
4/26/05 I charged 10.31, my statement shows it as $13.38. Total bank charges were 2 cents.
Conclusion: at least last week, Capital One didn't tack on anything.
Apr 30, 2005 | 7:50 pm
#182
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
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What card is HSBC?
May 1, 2005 | 7:31 am
#183
Join Date: Apr 2005
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HSBC is MasterCard.
May 1, 2005 | 9:03 pm
#184
Join Date: Apr 2004
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HSBC's MasterCards are typically marketed under the "Household Bank" name.
May 2, 2005 | 12:40 pm
#185
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
although it seems that AMEX SPG or Hilton card is the way to go. Only a 2% fee for FEX and nothing if its a charge in US$. Not every place accepts AMEX.
I have a S&W VISA (get it by signing up for an S&W Greenpoints acct (the oldies on here will remeber this from a few yrs ago) @Greenpoints.com then once you have a # apply for the card.
In a nut shell, 1 1/2% fee for FEX and nothing if its in US$. Bad side where as they used to give 5 pts per $1, its now 1 pt per $1, unless you dont off your card on time or charge more than $1500 on any given statement. So itll take for ever to get the pts, but then theres no annual fee, and Remember not every place takes Amex.
I have a S&W VISA (get it by signing up for an S&W Greenpoints acct (the oldies on here will remeber this from a few yrs ago) @Greenpoints.com then once you have a # apply for the card.
In a nut shell, 1 1/2% fee for FEX and nothing if its in US$. Bad side where as they used to give 5 pts per $1, its now 1 pt per $1, unless you dont off your card on time or charge more than $1500 on any given statement. So itll take for ever to get the pts, but then theres no annual fee, and Remember not every place takes Amex.
May 2, 2005 | 6:11 pm
#186
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Originally Posted by davidpix
My suggestion is to have a different credit card for the foreign country or region you might travel to alot.
If you go to Europe, figure out a way to have a Euro based credit card.
I have a couple Hong Kong credit cards, as also my US ones. So I don't always have to pay a foreign exchange rate fee.
If you go to Europe, figure out a way to have a Euro based credit card.
I have a couple Hong Kong credit cards, as also my US ones. So I don't always have to pay a foreign exchange rate fee.
Is it possible for myself, an American to get a Euro CC w/o a european address or citizenship?
I plan on making the move Europe in the next 3-4 years and if I could get a headstart on establising a credit history over there that would be great! I know of Visa Electron, and Maestro cards but there names are about all I know.
I would really appreciate any suggestions on this, I travel to europe usually a few times a year and this would be really helpful. I do have a friend in Madrid, who might let me use his address to if I needed it, but I would rather not go that route.
Last edited by andrewsheehan; May 2, 2005 at 8:29 pm
May 2, 2005 | 6:26 pm
#187
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by andrewsheehan
Is it possible for myself, an American to get a Euro CC w/o a european address or citizenship?
I do plan I making the move Europe in the next 3-4 years and if I could get a headstart on establising a credit history over there that would be great! I know of Visa Electron, and Maestro cards but there names are about all I know.
I would really appreciate any suggestions on this, I travel to europe usually a few times a year and this would be really helpful. I do have a friend in Madrid, who might let me use his address to if I needed it, but I would rather not go that route.
I do plan I making the move Europe in the next 3-4 years and if I could get a headstart on establising a credit history over there that would be great! I know of Visa Electron, and Maestro cards but there names are about all I know.
I would really appreciate any suggestions on this, I travel to europe usually a few times a year and this would be really helpful. I do have a friend in Madrid, who might let me use his address to if I needed it, but I would rather not go that route.
May 2, 2005 | 8:57 pm
#188
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I have an account with Deutsche Bank and a VISA attached. I do not have a European address.
May 2, 2005 | 11:37 pm
#189
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Originally Posted by andrewsheehan
Is it possible for myself, an American to get a Euro CC w/o a european address or citizenship?
I plan on making the move Europe in the next 3-4 years and if I could get a headstart on establising a credit history over there that would be great! I know of Visa Electron, and Maestro cards but there names are about all I know.
I plan on making the move Europe in the next 3-4 years and if I could get a headstart on establising a credit history over there that would be great! I know of Visa Electron, and Maestro cards but there names are about all I know.
Originally Posted by Dovster
I have an account with Deutsche Bank and a VISA attached. I do not have a European address.
Hope this helps!
Jamester
May 3, 2005 | 1:02 am
#190
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Originally Posted by Jamester
I'd like to know how this is possible since it's contrary to what I read. Could it be because you went through the Deutsche Bank in Israel perhaps? Do you have German or EU residency?
May 3, 2005 | 8:42 pm
#191
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cambridge, MA
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It is official to me now. My fidelity MBNA card has 3% foreign exchange fee, starting May 25. I received a written notice today.
Originally Posted by ziobacio
I agree, it sucks. Were there any other changes in the cardholder agreement? Or was this the only change?
The reason I ask, earlier in the thread I noted that I have the Fidelity MBNA card, and just received a notice of several changes in the cardholder agreement, but nothing about a foreign transaction fee. I know others with the Fidelity MBNA card say they have had notice of this change, but apparently not my card.
I am puzzled. Would MBNA change the agreement for some people with some affinity cards, but not for other customers with the same card?
I am trying to figure out if I will have to go back to relying on my USAA card when overseas. The rewards are not as good, but I'll do anything to avoid paying banks unnecessary fees.
BTW, I just dropped the Citi AA card. The 3% fee was the last straw, and I was tired of the annual fee. I figure I am better off earning $$ with the Fidelity card and buying tickets than earning miles with the AA card. It finally dawned on me that an off-season ticket to Europe cost not only 40,000 miles but the 10,000+ miles that I was not earning because I didn't buy the ticket! LOL
The reason I ask, earlier in the thread I noted that I have the Fidelity MBNA card, and just received a notice of several changes in the cardholder agreement, but nothing about a foreign transaction fee. I know others with the Fidelity MBNA card say they have had notice of this change, but apparently not my card.
I am puzzled. Would MBNA change the agreement for some people with some affinity cards, but not for other customers with the same card?
I am trying to figure out if I will have to go back to relying on my USAA card when overseas. The rewards are not as good, but I'll do anything to avoid paying banks unnecessary fees.
BTW, I just dropped the Citi AA card. The 3% fee was the last straw, and I was tired of the annual fee. I figure I am better off earning $$ with the Fidelity card and buying tickets than earning miles with the AA card. It finally dawned on me that an off-season ticket to Europe cost not only 40,000 miles but the 10,000+ miles that I was not earning because I didn't buy the ticket! LOL
May 4, 2005 | 6:47 pm
#192
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Capital One: foreign exchange fee between 1% and 3%
Capital One now says that its current foreign exchange fee is 1%, but that in the future it will be between 1% and 3%, with 60 days notice before any increase. So ... it looks like Capital One will soon follow the lead of all the others.
May 5, 2005 | 1:55 am
#193
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,973
Originally Posted by ajnaro
Capital One now says that its current foreign exchange fee is 1%, but that in the future it will be between 1% and 3%, with 60 days notice before any increase. So ... it looks like Capital One will soon follow the lead of all the others.
May 5, 2005 | 6:16 am
#194
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 3
Commerce Bank VISA no extra Foreign Exchange Fee?
Commerce bank says that they do not have an added foreign transaction fee for charges overseas on their VISA card. Did I get correct information? Does anyone know anything about the Commerce Bank issued VISA card?
May 5, 2005 | 10:41 am
#195
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,686
Originally Posted by travellot
It is official to me now. My fidelity MBNA card has 3% foreign exchange fee, starting May 25. I received a written notice today.
Since MBNA also markets financial products such as CDs to its credit card customers, you have to wonder about the wisdom of this decision. Do they really think customers are so dumb they would pay 3% in order to get 1.5% credited back?
MBNA has no real airline affinity program to offer (only World Perks and a back door to CO thru Amtrak, unless Amtrak strands the CO folks the way it stranded their United customers). So why would MBNA think their credit card customers will stay around when they offer no competetive advantage?