Wow! So much great information. Thanks to all.

Sarastro, I know that you know your stuff, cause I've been reading your posts and you're always right. But whatever the fee is for USAA overseas, their website calls it a "1% fee for foreign transactions," which most would think is an FTF from the wording of the description.

https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/cred...kredirect=true

(I'm hoping the link works)

I am learning some stuff in this thread, so thanks all!

No the link doesn't. I googled USAA foreign transaction fee.

You may call these fees anything you like propita. But to differentiate between what USAA takes and what USAA simply passes through to the user, there should be a clear distinction in understanding and terminology.

For marketing purposes, USAA may not choose to clearly define these important differences and may choose to adopt simple nomenclature of a very general nature. However, many banks do take, for themselves, a very large portion of the costs of foreign transactions and this fact should be illustrated and differences noted. USAA does not impose nor take transaction fees and it is to clarify these advantages to the consumer that I find it important to underline these differences.

I agree, it is important. And I appreciate that you take the time to do so. I was just pointing out the wording that USAA’s own website uses. Whether their choice is correct or incorrect, or makes things more or less clear to consumers, that matters.

Just to say that, I’m not disagreeing with you. I wish that US banks (and insurance companies, for that matter) were required to use the same phrasing for the same purpose. God knows I don’t understand my medical plan card, with different parties using different names for the same data. Same thing with banks is all I’m saying.

bookmarking

ditto

Regardless of the fee it would be nice to have a chip and pin card while in Europe. In France you can only use them at gas stations, at tolls, for parking etc. , regular swipe cards do not work ( but they are accepted in restaurants and stores). Especially for buying gas the card is important as otherwise you need to go to a manned gas station. Some small towns do not have manned gas stations. Luckily the cars are diesel so you don't need to fill up too often.

Regarding your phone, when you call your company to check ask for a "global specialist". I spoke to someone who did not know what they were talking about and my iPhone did not work in France last summer. When I got home and called them they told me to ask for the specialist next time. Maybe my phone will work in Italy this summer!

You can get money right from the ATM in the airport. Much better exchange than you get in the states.

Bookmarking

I notice this thread does not include info on T mobile's plan which includes free data in 200 countries. We used this plan to text, use our google maps app, and use some apps specific to Paris - all for no charge.