I know that some credit cards charge more conversion fees than others. I am a USA citizen, Traveling to Europe this summer. We have an Amex, and a basic Citibank Visa. I have heard that Capitol One has a better deal with conversion. Does anyone have any advice about the best card to use?

I contnded in the past that Capital One was probably not losing any money by not charging a conversion fee...and that they were giving a poorer exchange rate than cards that DO charge a conversion fee..BUT everyone here has consistently said that isn't so.

Cap One doesn't charge foreign exchange fees and it either eats the forex fees that the card companies charge (Visa, MC) or has a separate deal with them and passes the savings to you.

Amex generally charges 1% but if you have a bank-issued Amex (like Citibank AAdvantage Amex) the bank will often tack on a couple of points. Visa and MC charge 2%, I think, and the issuing bank will stick you for some more.

If you can get a credit/debit card through a Credit Union, they don't charge any fees.

Schwab Investor Checking cebit costs zero.

No currency markup.
The 1% ISA is absorbed.
Foreign ATM fees are rebated.

cebit?

We use our Capital One Visa specifically for foreign travel because they don't charge the conversion fee. We also have an AMEX for backup, but we have found that AMEX isn't as widely accepted overseas.

In some European countries CCs AREN'T widely used - cash or debit cards still rule

In all others Visa & Mastercard are going to be accept more often than AmEx

I use a USAA Mastercard. Like CapOne low fees, no coversion etc.... (And I like them better the CapitalOne)

I like Credit Unions but be VERY careful with thier credit cards. We got to Europe with one woman whose card could not be used in Europe. In spite of the fact that the CU had been called and TOLD the card was going to Europe... they forgot to mention that THIER cards couldn't be used in Euorpe PERIOD!~

Our credit union is BellCo, which I highly recommend for their products and services. We've traveled to Europe a few times with their credit and debit/ATM cards. No problems, but we made sure to notify them in advance. Their Visa credit card charges just the 1% conversion fee dictated by Visa.

We did not see many merchants who accept AmEx in our European travels.

I've traveled alot in Europe, and have never had a problem with either Mastercard or Visa. Between using my ATM card to get cash when I'm dealing with tiny shops or shopping areas that don't accept any credit cards (you know, the street vendors, and such), and my MC or Visa. I have a credit union one that is worn out, it's traveled so much )). Capital One is now out of my wallet. I've had them for years, been very happy with them, and they increased my rate, but couldn't tell me why - and wouldn't change it. When I called, I asked if I had missed a payment or something, and they said no - my history was flawless, but the rate was just increased, and they couldn't do anything about it. Luckily, I could - I paid off my balance that day and cut it into tiny pieces....

You have to be careful about credit union cards - some are really for local use only - and their debit cards may not be usable. As for acceptance, the most common is Visa, followed closely by MC, with AmEx not accepted at some modest places. I haven't seen Diner Club many places at all and Discover is not supported in Europe.

Look at the icons on the back of your ATM card -- bank or credit union. You will be fine if you find an ATM overseas with a matching icon. You save a little if you can find partnering financial institutions.

As I am getting ready to go overseas I called my credit card and ATM companies to put notes on my records where I would be and when so they don't see "fraudulent" activity and cut me off. My Chase credit cards will charge 3% over the exchange rate. My American Express card will charge 2.7%. My Wescom Credit Union ATM transactions will cost 1% of the withdrawal plus a $2 transaction fee. Although they quoted me this, in the past I've not seen transaction fees. My Chase ATM card has no transaction fees, but will charge 1% of the withdrawal amount.

One cannot obtain a USAA credit card unless you are a member of USAA which means having at least one insurance policy through them. You have to be in the military or retired/former military to be qualify along with a very good credit rating of course. USAA only charges the 1% fee for their Visa or MC when used outside of the US. I have always found USAA to give excellent service be it their insurance section or credit card section.

I've been using my Capitol One MC for all my pre-trip purchases (train tickets, British Heritage Passes, a couple of hotel rooms I had to pre-pay, etc.). Besides not paying a foreign transaction fee, I've been very happy with the exchange rate I've gotten so far.

We used it in Ireland three years ago. Besides the above-mentioned things, I was very happy with how well and promptly they handled a dispute we had (we were charged twice, two different amounts, for one meal).

CAPH52 just made me remember that we, too, were pleased with the way Capital One handled our issue. We had to file a claim for the CDW after issues with a rental car agency (in Costa Rica). It was only $50 but they reimbursed us promptly and without any hassle.