I know that AMEX isn't as widely accepted as Visa in Italy, but I have a Starwood AMEX card that I'd like to use as much as possible on my trip to Italy so I can earn some miles.

That being said, does anyone familiar with AMEX know about the exchange rate vs. a Visa credit card. I'm a new AMEX card holder and I've previously always used a Visa in Italy. I heard that AMEX adds additional fees for using the card when an exchange rate is involved.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Would I be better off just using my Visa?

Thanks

The foreign currency conversion fee with Amex is approximately 2%. Visa/Mastercard charges 1% plus any additional percentage (1-2%) charged by the issuing bank. Some issuing banks do not charge anything additional, so depending on which bank issued your visa, the conversion fee could be anywhere from 1-3%.

Yup.

I don't know about VISA, but I do know that AMEX really stands behind its customers when there are disputes, so I've been very happy with them in the past (such as when we had a big battle with Hertz and AMEX backed us and reimbursed us when Hertz refused to.) But maybe VISA would do the same--I don't know. But I've been very impressed with AMEX.

AMEX does charge 2% and just as Patty mentioned, some cards up to 3%. I think any Citibank card is around 3%. I believe MBNA cards and CapitalOne Visa only charge 1%. I take MBNA, CapitalOne, and my AMEX, but I use AMEX the most, because like you, I like the flier miles I get from that card the best.

Artlover, I had a dispute with a car rental firm for damages. I had used my VISA for the rental and had no problem whatsoever. They were great and completely on my side in pursuing the issue.

shellio,
That's good to know. Thanks for telling us.

I cancelled my AmEx after finding it unaccepted at more and more places (here and abroad) and after receiving horrible services from them while traveling and needing assistance. I use mostly my FF linked VISA, and in the rare instances (2 over several years) where there has been a dispute they were great. I should add that the VISA is issued by Chase.

AMEX is not widely accepted everywhere. Also practically all Visa credit cards don't charge annual fees like AMEX does. You also can get these reward type VISA cards too. Guess AMEX may offer that nowadays (not certain) but still you have to pay an annual fee.

Merchants may have to pay a higher conversion fee to AX than VISA or MC. Payment times are often longer.

I read somewhere that the higher fee paid by merchants was why so few merchants accepted it. Makes sense.

Best to have 2 cards & use AMEX if you can find any retailers foolish enough to accept it.Who do you think pays for all the air miles?Amex is not well accepted across Europe.

AMEX has the "BLUE" credit card that earns Reward Miles and has no annual fees.

Like others have said, the final exchange fees you'll be charged with VISA/MC depends on your issuing bank. It may be 1% (e.g. MBNA), 3% (Bank One), or whatever. Ask. You can be better or worse off with using AMEX (when accepted).

It's true that AMEX isn't accepted in Europe as widely as VISA, but ours is linked to our Costco card and FF Miles plan, so we use it when and where we can and have been happy with the service (so far).

In my experience Visa/Master Card cards that come with miles do charge an annual fee. If someone knows of one that gives miles that does not, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Citi/AAdvantage has a "Bronze" MC with no annual fee. But you only get one mile for evey two dollars spent. I found this out when I closed my for fee card--and they wanted to keep me as a customer. I don't think they advertise it

MBNA WorldPoints does not charge a fee, although I'm not crazy about MBNA as a company (see another recent thread here about MBNA). I got their card through my bank, but I mostly use that as a backup to my Capital One Go Miles card, which does cost $19 a year but has much better service.

Also, as I've mentioned elsewhere, Cap One does not charge any currency conversion fees on top of the 1% VISA fee. Here's an article worth reading about various credit card policies:
http://www.independenttraveler.com/r...amp;category=8

Someone told me they had the Cap One card with no fee, so maybe I'll try to negotiate that with them the next time the fee comes around.