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-   -   Int'l Credit Card Fees - Which credit card has the lowest fees?? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/intl-credit-card-fees-which-credit-card-has-the-lowest-fees-942136/)

LKL Jul 9th, 2012 08:36 AM

Int'l Credit Card Fees - Which credit card has the lowest fees??
 
I'm going to France in 2 weeks and have heard that the credit card companies charge fees for each international transaction. Does anyone out there know of any credit companies that don't charge these fees or which companies have the lowest fees?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!

PalenQ Jul 9th, 2012 08:40 AM

It's not always the type of credit card but the issuer who sets the fees - my Chase Visa Gold Card has none - my other Visa card from another bank has 3% flat fee on any foreign transaction. Credit unions have been known to have no fees. Contact the financial institution that issued your credit card to find out what their fees are - you may not have time to get a new credit card if needed.

Ditto to all of the above to ATM fees - I have never seen an ATM in Europe that charges a fee but your local bank usually does - mine in a flat $5 so I only take out large amounts - if I took out $20 I'd lose $5 - If I take out $250 I still only lose $5.

nytraveler Jul 9th, 2012 08:44 AM

It depends on not just the card and the bank but also what other services/accounts you have at the bank and what type of card it is. For instance - is you AmEx, green, gold, platinum or black?

I know many people complain about charges from Citibank - but we don;t pay any - since we have several other accounts there.

So - your query doesn;t have any simple answer - and getting a finding our and getting a new card in two weeks doesn;t seem likely.

Rastaguytoday Jul 9th, 2012 09:06 AM

Dig back a couple of weeks. You will find a post explaining which cards have no exchance fees.

kybourbon Jul 9th, 2012 09:27 AM

Scroll down to the chart. It doesn't list every bank/card, but has many.
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...reign_Exchange

The post from a week or two ago mainly listed Capitol One cards and Discover (not accepted many places).

DebitNM Jul 9th, 2012 11:02 AM

As I said on another thread, that link has outdated information on at least one card, perhaps others as well. And the reason that my link on the other thread had so many Cap One Accounts, is that right now, they probably have the best no fee cards around, for the general public. Credit unions and others may have as good rates, but often they are restrictive as to who can belong etc. Other cards have no fees but charge annual fee. Takes a bit of homework to find the best around.

The long and short, for the OP, it is probably too late too apply for and get any credit card if you are leaving in 2 weeks.

If you have a card, best to contact the customer service number on the back of the card, so you know exactly what fees are charged by your card.

DebitNM Jul 9th, 2012 11:05 AM

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...reign-fees.cfm

DebitNM Jul 9th, 2012 11:17 AM

This one is pretty good and is up to date I think, but as always be sure to do due diligence.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...vTUMxdUE#gid=0

HappyTrvlr Jul 9th, 2012 11:19 AM

Hyatt Visa and I also have a Wells Fargo Pvt. Banker Visa. Neither charge conversion fees.

LKL Jul 9th, 2012 12:17 PM

This is all great information! Thanks so much!

Shanna Jul 11th, 2012 02:44 PM

My understanding is that Capital One is the best for no international exchange fees. However, I've found them to have higher interest rates. So high in fact, that I never used my card.

DebitNM Jul 11th, 2012 03:28 PM

[I never carry a balance, so interest rate is of little concern to me. ]

nytraveler Jul 11th, 2012 04:38 PM

Discover is NOT supported in europe - it's useless - no one will take it.

DebitNM Jul 11th, 2012 04:52 PM

OK, it has been duly noted that Discover is not accepted in Europe. That doesn't discount the info on the links.


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