Best card for foreign exchange?
May 11, 2006 | 9:17 am
#601
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
Originally Posted by themicah
It's possible then that the ATM simply gave you a bad rate. I've seen variations in the rate between ATMs in the past on the same day with the same ATM card.
As far as I know, NYCE doesn't exist outside the USA. Cirrus I believe is owned by (or somehow affiliated with) Mastercard, so they may actually charge the 1%. I know my Umbrellabank.com Visa/Cirrus ATM card charges me the 1%, while my Commerce Bank (of NY/NJ) Visa/Plus ATM card does not charge me the 1%. Neither charges any other fee, and Umbrella will rebate any actual ATM-owner fees.
What bank do you use, btw?
As far as I know, NYCE doesn't exist outside the USA. Cirrus I believe is owned by (or somehow affiliated with) Mastercard, so they may actually charge the 1%. I know my Umbrellabank.com Visa/Cirrus ATM card charges me the 1%, while my Commerce Bank (of NY/NJ) Visa/Plus ATM card does not charge me the 1%. Neither charges any other fee, and Umbrella will rebate any actual ATM-owner fees.
What bank do you use, btw?
May 11, 2006 | 9:37 am
#602
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 30,343
Originally Posted by craz
So even if BoA supposely doesnt charge a fee, is the rate that you end with the same as in the papers or a higher rate like with my Bank?
There are cities in the world the local money exchangers offered better rate - Vancouver came to mind - where there are some exchangers operated by Chinese and their cash rate is very very favorable.
May 11, 2006 | 4:47 pm
#603
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
Originally Posted by biggestbopper
There has been some discussion above about restictions on the availability of the USAA credit cards. I've had one for years. While I wouldn't qualify for USAA auto insurance which requires armed forces affiliation I had no problem getting the card.
By the way, I have a USAA card which doesn't accrue any sort of bonus. I have heard USAA does have a bonus card. Anyone have details?
By the way, I have a USAA card which doesn't accrue any sort of bonus. I have heard USAA does have a bonus card. Anyone have details?
You need the military affiliation in order to get the rebate card.
May 11, 2006 | 4:50 pm
#604
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
Originally Posted by photog72
In and around the Philadelphia area and the Northeast, there is a convenience store chain called Wawa. They have PNC Bank ATMs in each one of them. Only in these stores, PNC will NOT charge a ATM fee. That's one place I know that doesn't charge a fee to use an ATM.
Citibank claims to have 5,500 no-fee ATMs in 7-Eleven stores
May 11, 2006 | 10:05 pm
#605
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,226
Originally Posted by Wolverine
Other websites on the net are rumoring this is going to change this year. So the Capitol One card will lose this advantage soon.
Also, if you'd like to complain to CitiBank:
CitiBank Customer Service
P.O. Box 6000
The Lakes, NV 89163-6000
Last edited by rrgg; May 11, 2006 at 10:24 pm
May 12, 2006 | 8:05 am
#606
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,688
Originally Posted by ajnaro
Citibank claims to have 5,500 no-fee ATMs in 7-Eleven stores
I couldn't care less how many ATMs a given bank has. As long as I bank with a bank that rebates ATM owner-fees, it doesn't matter.
May 12, 2006 | 11:32 am
#607
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: IAH/HOU
Programs: Priceline Blood Diamond Elite. Peon on DL, AA, UA, US, and WN.
Posts: 7,236
The ATMs inside of Wawa are NO fee to any ATM card holder. 
May 12, 2006 | 12:21 pm
#608
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
Cap 1
got a letter in the mail today from Cap1 that my card will now have a 1% Rebate for all Purchase charges , so no more scale starting at 1/2%.
Also it staes that once you accumulate $25 in rebates you can get the amount put as a Credit on your statement or a check will be sent out within 30. ** However for either of these to happen One MUST still up the rewards desk and ask that it be done. a few yrs ago I had a card that would automatically give you a credit on your next statement once you reached the min necessary.
so Cap1 is getting better but still ha sa ways to go, I guess they hope that you forget to call and cash out.
Still a very Sly and Tricky Outfit these guys. and CS still take sforever to get thru, thats if you dont hang up out of frustration
Also it staes that once you accumulate $25 in rebates you can get the amount put as a Credit on your statement or a check will be sent out within 30. ** However for either of these to happen One MUST still up the rewards desk and ask that it be done. a few yrs ago I had a card that would automatically give you a credit on your next statement once you reached the min necessary.
so Cap1 is getting better but still ha sa ways to go, I guess they hope that you forget to call and cash out.
Still a very Sly and Tricky Outfit these guys. and CS still take sforever to get thru, thats if you dont hang up out of frustration
May 12, 2006 | 12:59 pm
#609
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,688
Originally Posted by craz
However for either of these to happen One MUST still up the rewards desk and ask that it be done.
It takes a day or two for the statement credit to post.
May 16, 2006 | 7:17 pm
#610
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 419
AMEX and the often quoted 2 %
How come the media always quotes AMEX as a 2 % foreign conversion fee when SPG charges 3% and you can get some MBNA branded AMEX with 1 % conversion fee??? Which AMEX cards actually stick with the 2%?????
May 16, 2006 | 8:34 pm
#611
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
Because FlyerTalkers know more about credit cards and forex than most reporters (at least those FTers who look at this thread).
May 17, 2006 | 12:46 am
#612
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York
Programs: AA Plat, CO Gold
Posts: 1,598
Originally Posted by CLELOSER
How come the media always quotes AMEX as a 2 % foreign conversion fee when SPG charges 3% and you can get some MBNA branded AMEX with 1 % conversion fee??? Which AMEX cards actually stick with the 2%?????
May 17, 2006 | 6:13 am
#613
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Posts: 3,794
Just got a notice from MBNA that my credit union card will now be 3% effective June 30.
May 17, 2006 | 6:17 am
#614
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 419
Someone said it was 3%
Originally Posted by acf573
Amex SPG is 2%. Are you referring to the fact that Amex often uses a slightly high interbank rate?
There is a post in this thread that said they called AMEX and were quoted a 3 % fee for foreign transactions for the SPG AMEX. I might call latter on to verify.
May 17, 2006 | 7:43 am
#615
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,688
Originally Posted by CLELOSER
There is a post in this thread that said they called AMEX and were quoted a 3 % fee for foreign transactions for the SPG AMEX. I might call latter on to verify.
It's still unclear what exactly is charged on the MBNA and Citi issued Amex cards. Please let us know if you find out so we can add it to the Wiki.