Re credit cards, the last time I checked Capital One charged a 1% fee for all charges outside of the United States, which was quite a bit less than the 2%-3% charges on my other card. So I try to use either that card or an ATM for my spending in Europe.

Len

Has Captial One started passing on that 1% VISA/MC charge? They were absorbing it according to other Capital One users who have been posting here. My USAA card also passes on only the 1% VISA/MC charge.

You are forgeting the restrictions on the content of your carry on. Not sure whether you are a male or a female, but such items like makeup, shaving cream, toothpaste etc. will be confiscated unless you check your luggage in.