i have 2ndhand anecdotes on Capital One - that are not good, consistent with the posts here...fwiw, ymmv

I can't say anthing good about Capital One so I will just keep my words not typed.

CapOne sucks in regards to your credit rating but I had no problems with the card since. I think they requested a bank statement or W2 by mail, which I sent in and was promptly approved.

CapOne has lousy customer service and terrible credit reporting policies.

But they are the cheapest card to use overseas, so I have one, and it's worked great for me. I also like that I can apply my cash back directly to my balance instead of requesting a check like with the Citi and Chase cash-back schemes.

I applied online with no difficulty and received the card quickly. I use it only during international travel.

Got a notice in June (I think) about upcoming Forex chagres, called and was told that the Amtrak will remain at 1% by MC and nothing by MBNA. This wa suppose to start up 9/1.

Well just got back from an Intl trip, and sure enough the transaction went thru with 0% fee being charged but then there is another line that says 'Transaction Fee' and thats 3% .

Im gonna call up and tell them I want 2% of that 3% refunded and thats it for using this card overseas any longer. Once I top out my Amtrak acct thats it for this car.

Got a HSBC flier in the mail saying they charge 1% dont know if thats on top on MC or VISA 1%. But seems thats the way Im gonna go, with mosr rebate cards going down to 2% from the 5% they gave, not much out there that will give us a good rate and yet points or something else.

Use a credit union card and you will only pay 1% and some have a rewards program.
Best deal is to get a foreign card for countries you travel to regularly.

I agree,However, that will mean opening up a checking acct in that same country having to make sure you always have enough cash in it to be able to pay off your CC bill, thats if they allow for Electronic Direct payments. Then you will lose something when you change your US$ into the local currency to deposit into your acct.

Then theres working out how to get your CC bill. All in All too much of a hassle for me, Id rather have a US based card, unless Im living in another country for at least 1/2 the year.

I have a Capital One "Platinum" card for overseas usage -- no problem applying for it online; also, have used it for primary rental car insurance (so far, one claim, paid by Capital One with no problem). It does not generate miles like my Amex does, but it charges 0% for all foreign transactions, local currency or USD.

I suppose if you wanted only one credit card for everything, you might want something else, but if you have an assortment of credit cards for different reasons, I think the Capital One card is good for foreign transactions.

I use MBNA American Express. No charge for card, 1% for foreign transactions but it is a cash back card so once you have charged enough, you can get 1% cash back so that means zero for foreign purchases.

Small correction. As MBNA has been bought by Banamericard, the AMEX card is now a Bankamericard

I opened the accounts from the US via post. They mail my bill to the US. I check and transfer funds online. I am able to transfer to the account around this time of year when the USD is stronger than the foreign currency.

Right, but (1) you have to find places that accept Amex, and (2) I have a CapitalOne Visa that gives 1% cash back on everything (no need to "charge enough" first) and charges 0% on forex.

Strictly for overseas use, I found that CapitalOne cc serves me well. No currency exchange surcharge is the primary reason that I like it. Since I have this card for only a short time (since late May, 06), I have not experienced service related problems like those reported here.

What foreign exchange fee does HSBC charge using an HSBC debit card? I travel to Melbourne, Australia alot and thats about the only bank I recognize.