Need tips to avoid paying credit card fees while traveling in France
Jul 13th, 2011, 02:44 AM
#43
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In response to any suggestions re a Bank of America bank account to use at BNP Paribus--establish one ONLY if you have a Bank of America bank office near you.
The root canal like experience with BofA I described here on June 28 continues--supposedly my PINs for my Bank of America ATM cards have been "reissued" three times to an address that certainly matches mine. The problem? The PINs have yet to arrive.
Accounts were opened in early June. As of July 12, Bank of America now suggests it's a problem with my mail carrier.
Now here are the facts: Their debit cards and PINs got here, the ATM cards got here, other ATM cards from other places got here, other PINs got here, but BofA people honestly believe that three alleged "reissues" of three card PINs of theirs are being pocketed by my post office.
Their alternative theory is that somehow I missed three sets of three similar envelopes in the mail.
Again, if you have a bank center near you, I think any and all problems can be handled. If you do not, I heartily encourage Schwab debit card or Capitol One ATM cards (even without any bank offices) instead.
The root canal like experience with BofA I described here on June 28 continues--supposedly my PINs for my Bank of America ATM cards have been "reissued" three times to an address that certainly matches mine. The problem? The PINs have yet to arrive.
Accounts were opened in early June. As of July 12, Bank of America now suggests it's a problem with my mail carrier.
Now here are the facts: Their debit cards and PINs got here, the ATM cards got here, other ATM cards from other places got here, other PINs got here, but BofA people honestly believe that three alleged "reissues" of three card PINs of theirs are being pocketed by my post office.
Their alternative theory is that somehow I missed three sets of three similar envelopes in the mail.
Again, if you have a bank center near you, I think any and all problems can be handled. If you do not, I heartily encourage Schwab debit card or Capitol One ATM cards (even without any bank offices) instead.
Jul 13th, 2011, 03:57 AM
#44
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Can anyone else confirm if it is true the Marriott Chase does not charge any fees? I am leaving for France in two months. If I need to I can order the Captial One card.
Does AMEX really charge a fee?
Even so wouldn't you want the points?
Most of my trip to France is paying paid by points.
Does AMEX really charge a fee?
Even so wouldn't you want the points?
Most of my trip to France is paying paid by points.
Jul 13th, 2011, 04:51 AM
#45
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<i>Can anyone else confirm if it is true the Marriott Chase does not charge any fees?</i>
I know of several credit cards which impose no currency conversion fees but they charge an annual fee of up to $300 and higher just to carry one. The Marriott Chase card costs $65 a year just to put it in your wallet. Paying for a credit card defeats the concept of low cost and is never necessary to avoid transaction fees.
Here is a review of this card:
http://www.dailymarkets.com/personal...rd-from-chase/
AMEX charges 2.7% on all international transactions.
I know of several credit cards which impose no currency conversion fees but they charge an annual fee of up to $300 and higher just to carry one. The Marriott Chase card costs $65 a year just to put it in your wallet. Paying for a credit card defeats the concept of low cost and is never necessary to avoid transaction fees.
Here is a review of this card:
http://www.dailymarkets.com/personal...rd-from-chase/
AMEX charges 2.7% on all international transactions.
Jul 13th, 2011, 04:58 AM
#46
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keppie- just order the capitol one card. it is the smartest imo. why not have it available especially when you have two months, unlike the OP who had only one week.
btw- don't forget to call all cards before you leave and inform them of your travels; otherwise it may become unauthorized during your trip due to concern of fraud.
btw- don't forget to call all cards before you leave and inform them of your travels; otherwise it may become unauthorized during your trip due to concern of fraud.
Jul 13th, 2011, 05:08 AM
#47
Here is a chart of fees for various ATM/DEBIT and CREDIT CARDS. The chart does not list every card, but has a lot of the major ones.
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...reign_Exchange
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...reign_Exchange
Jul 13th, 2011, 05:32 AM
#49
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Kybourbon:
Brilliant!
KeppieAngel:
I really do value points. But there are ways to earn points that do not involve increasing your foreign transation fees.
I churn two cc cards, one BofA and one Barclay, stateside to obtain a base of 20,000 Preferred Miles on USAirways. Flying 5,000 miles on Continental/United and/or on USAirways after that automatically grants me Silver Star Alliance status. I usually end the year at Gold Star Alliance, and the "boost" from the two credit cards is vital to attaining that status.
But...
...foreign transactions fees on credit cards bite.
Christina and others finallly talked me into a Capital One cc, and I use that for ALL foreign transactions. I bring my other credit cards just in case, but Capital One has become my "go to" card in a foreign country. It saved me a ton of cash in New Zealand.
Christina also mentioned the Capital One banking account, too, and my experiences to date with them has been quite good.
DJBooks steered me to Schwab, and I shall be forever grateful. Wonderful people to talk to.
Brilliant!
KeppieAngel:
I really do value points. But there are ways to earn points that do not involve increasing your foreign transation fees.
I churn two cc cards, one BofA and one Barclay, stateside to obtain a base of 20,000 Preferred Miles on USAirways. Flying 5,000 miles on Continental/United and/or on USAirways after that automatically grants me Silver Star Alliance status. I usually end the year at Gold Star Alliance, and the "boost" from the two credit cards is vital to attaining that status.
But...
...foreign transactions fees on credit cards bite.
Christina and others finallly talked me into a Capital One cc, and I use that for ALL foreign transactions. I bring my other credit cards just in case, but Capital One has become my "go to" card in a foreign country. It saved me a ton of cash in New Zealand.
Christina also mentioned the Capital One banking account, too, and my experiences to date with them has been quite good.
DJBooks steered me to Schwab, and I shall be forever grateful. Wonderful people to talk to.
Jul 13th, 2011, 01:46 PM
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Just got off the phone with my current Chase Marriott Visa Signature- $30 annual fee, 3% foreign transacation fee on cc and ATM withdrawls.
Spoke with Cap one too. No annual fee, 0% foreign transacation fee, however a 3% ATM withdrawal fee. do you have to get a separte Cap one ATM card? I don't intend on opening a chekcing account with them.
Is there any way to get around the 3% ATM fee with use of a cc?
My bank offers me free travelers checks. would you say that is a good idea or too inconvenient?
Spoke with Cap one too. No annual fee, 0% foreign transacation fee, however a 3% ATM withdrawal fee. do you have to get a separte Cap one ATM card? I don't intend on opening a chekcing account with them.
Is there any way to get around the 3% ATM fee with use of a cc?
My bank offers me free travelers checks. would you say that is a good idea or too inconvenient?
Jul 13th, 2011, 03:37 PM
#55
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KeppieAngel--
General rule is never to use credit card to issue cash advance via ATM outlet. Use ATM card for ATM.
I totally agree that ATM cost with any regular bank ATM is not that big of a deal in a short trip. Use your bank's ATM and be happy. It's repeated use over months that I am fretting about right now; otherwise I would not bother.
And the Cap One bank account does take a bit of time. They are extra careful in a very nice way.
General rule is never to use credit card to issue cash advance via ATM outlet. Use ATM card for ATM.
I totally agree that ATM cost with any regular bank ATM is not that big of a deal in a short trip. Use your bank's ATM and be happy. It's repeated use over months that I am fretting about right now; otherwise I would not bother.
And the Cap One bank account does take a bit of time. They are extra careful in a very nice way.
Jul 13th, 2011, 04:53 PM
#56
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I think I am finally figuring all this out. I need to use a debit card for cash advances. You can tell I don't do this much!
I just left a message with my banker letting her know Cap One waives ATM fees with the exception of the $1.50 fee. However, just to clarify my understanding can someone answer this: is that what you have experienced? that is what is states on the link kybourbon sent: http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...reign_Exchange .
I know 3% isn't a lot, but it is the principle behind the issue of "why do business with a bank if they can't offer competitive services?"
I just left a message with my banker letting her know Cap One waives ATM fees with the exception of the $1.50 fee. However, just to clarify my understanding can someone answer this: is that what you have experienced? that is what is states on the link kybourbon sent: http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...reign_Exchange .
I know 3% isn't a lot, but it is the principle behind the issue of "why do business with a bank if they can't offer competitive services?"
Jul 14th, 2011, 04:27 AM
#57
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Keppie:
I'm still deciding which <I>credit</i> card to use on my trip. Sounds like I may be getting one of the CapOne cards. I don't care about points, just foreign fees and annual charge.
As for ATM's I'll open an account at a credit union that has no FE fees for foreign withdrawals. There may be the $1 or $2 charged by the foreign bank. But no % fee.
It's not my regular bank account, I doubt if they'll give me overdraft coverage on a new acct. So I just have to be careful and track withdrawals (converted to $$) and make sure I have enough in there to cover me.
I'm still deciding which <I>credit</i> card to use on my trip. Sounds like I may be getting one of the CapOne cards. I don't care about points, just foreign fees and annual charge.
As for ATM's I'll open an account at a credit union that has no FE fees for foreign withdrawals. There may be the $1 or $2 charged by the foreign bank. But no % fee.
It's not my regular bank account, I doubt if they'll give me overdraft coverage on a new acct. So I just have to be careful and track withdrawals (converted to $$) and make sure I have enough in there to cover me.
Jul 14th, 2011, 05:03 AM
#58
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KeppieAngel: I have to add that I have been persnickety about debit cards--I don't want them.
I made my home bank (the one I grew up with)give me a regular ATM card instead of a debit card*. They try to sneak a debit card in on me from time to time and I explain to them that I don't NEED a debit card. ATM check cashing card ONLY for me.
Making sure you get just an ATM card can be a fight. I had a bank representative tell me with a voice of authority two days ago: "Well, ATM cards will not work overseas." I said, "Ma'am, I've been traveling overseas for the two decades without any problem withdrawing money--and I have yet to use a debit card." She told me her supervisors always told her that. I believe her.
Note that I have obtained a Schwab debit card, but that's ONLY because there is no alternative instrument offered and I can lower potential purchases to nothing. Many of the debit cards will not allow that control.
I made my home bank (the one I grew up with)give me a regular ATM card instead of a debit card*. They try to sneak a debit card in on me from time to time and I explain to them that I don't NEED a debit card. ATM check cashing card ONLY for me.
Making sure you get just an ATM card can be a fight. I had a bank representative tell me with a voice of authority two days ago: "Well, ATM cards will not work overseas." I said, "Ma'am, I've been traveling overseas for the two decades without any problem withdrawing money--and I have yet to use a debit card." She told me her supervisors always told her that. I believe her.
Note that I have obtained a Schwab debit card, but that's ONLY because there is no alternative instrument offered and I can lower potential purchases to nothing. Many of the debit cards will not allow that control.
Jul 14th, 2011, 05:40 AM
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AlessandraZoe - what would be the drawback of using a ATM debit card if you only used it to withdraw cash from a ATM? i
also what did you mane you can lower potential purcahses to nothing?
JeanneB I am going totlook into the creidt union route too for foriegn cash waithdrwals and order the Cap One credit card.
also what did you mane you can lower potential purcahses to nothing?
JeanneB I am going totlook into the creidt union route too for foriegn cash waithdrwals and order the Cap One credit card.
