Monica...get the Capital One No Hassle Rewards Card.

I've used it all over Europe and never had a problem. It's everything they claim it is.

I haven't used my rewards yet but I have friends who have had several free (or discounted) flights and had no trouble at all with them.

I closed by BofA accounts and canceled my Chase card when BofA took them over.

In my experience, BofA is worst bank I've ever dealt with...both internationally and domestically.

Any comments or opinions on using an American Express platinum card? Should we apply for a capital one card? It sounds like folks like that one.

What to do for my son (age 11) who is traveling for 3 weeks to Austria, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia with a large group (42 boys- choir tour group). The choir is advising the kids to bring some of each currency for respective countries and U.S. dollars to exchange there. About 7 chaperones going along, no parents. Any creative ideas?

Just to make this topic really more confusing, there is something called "dynamic currency exchange".
From a Visa Website-

Some merchants now offer to convert your bill into your home currency. This is called dynamic currency conversion and means the merchant—and not Visa—is converting the currency. As a consumer you may value knowing the exact price in your home currency at the point of sale but you should also know you may be charged extra for this service by the merchant. Visa requires that you are provided a meaningful choice at the point of sale and you have the right to buy your purchase in the local currency so that you do not incur any additional fees the merchant may assess. Visa also requires merchants offering this service to inform you of the exchange rate including any applicable commission being charged. If you choose DCC for a transaction, you receive the merchant rate, not Visa's rate.

Watch out for merchants that "provide" this helpful "service"

Thanks, Robert. But there have actually been many, many threads on that subject here on Fodor's. Very common problem in Ireland.

hx88: Greedy is Ryanair's middle name!! I have never ever, in many many years of travel seen an airline that finds more ways to tack on surcharges!! I stay away from them!!! They once tried to charge me $187 for my luggage -- the ticket originally cost me $37! After a lot of creativity, I still ended up paying $50 for my bag! The creativity consisted of pulling every book out and tucking them into the waistband of my pants; stuffing all of my pockets, including my coat pockets, stuffing several items down the front of my shirt, hanging some things from my overstuffed pockets, THEN draping all of my pants and many other articles of clothing around my neck!!! Totally ridiculous! After I finished at the check in desk, I stuffed it all in my carry on (which was, fortunately, expandable)! If there is a way to make you pay more, you can bet Ryanair has found it.
-Ronda

In one of my posts above, I complained bad conversion rate of using C1 card. As suggested by people here, DCC was charged by Ryanair.com without my consent. I filed complaints and today I received a letter stating those fees were reversed.

Another example C1 card is the one to use abroad. Thanks all for your help.

Ronda, I agree Ryanair is a sell. There are other alternatives, vueling.com, easyjet.com.

I received the following notice with my SunTrust statement today:

Effective August 1, 2007, on checking, money market, and savings accounts:

Non-SunTrust ATMs located <u>outside the U.S.</u> — per Withdrawal, Balance Inquiry, or Transfer: $5

To RhondaTravels: :))

I can just picture what you looked like! (I only laugh because that's what I look like for my whole flight - I only take a carry-on (no matter how long the trip), so sometimes I end up wearing half my clothes on the plane. I'm laughing with you, not at you).

Husband using Capital One in Europe as we speak. No foreign transaction fees as advertised. It's so nice to not have to pay that dumb 3% charge that BofA and everyone else we had seemed to have.

By the way, even though they said it would, my Bank of America ATM card would not work at Barclays in the UK(where there were not supposed to be a $5 ATM charge). Roar!

Bankrate updated the 2005 article on the best cards to use overseas in April 2007. Here's the link:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20050624b1.asp

LadyBluffton,

Did your BofA card have a 6 digit PIN by any chance?

I opened up a BofA account for this very reason, to avoid the $5 charge at Barclays. However, this is before I realized I qualified for a USAA checking account :)

CharlieHorse, what's USAA checking account ATM card's policy? I have an account, but just never use it because Commerce Bank checking ATM charges no conversion fees/ATM fees/no fees at all. You get the straight interbank rate by taking <b>your</b> money out of <b>your</b> checking account. It's a wonderful thing. :-) ((b))

Budman--USAA's policy is 1%. That is what we are using when we leave for France this week, so I just checked recently.

I know, that's their credit card. And if you have their 1 and 1/4% cash back credit card, you make out.

But, they also have a bank/checking account/ATM card. That's different from the regular credit card. Just wondering about those fees.

I heard from one poster who said she used her USAA credit card as an ATM card. If you have a pin, it works, but she was charged what she considered an outlandish fee, plus you have to start paying interest the day of the withdrawal. ((b))

Budman--That is their ATM card as well. I knew our MC with USAA was 1%, so called to specifically ask about the checking ATM card.

My USAA ATM is free as the out of network fees are refunded monthly and my USAA CCs (V and MC) charge the 1% currency conversion, but that is rebated at year end (1.25% as I use only one of the two CC).
Oh, we live in MX and travel lots.
Buen viaje.
M

&lt;<i>My USAA ATM is free as the out of network fees are refunded monthly</i>

How about the currency conversion fee for the ATM card? Same as the CC?

Ok...I was not clear. Yes, USAA does not charge ATM fees, but yes, they do charge the 1% currency conversion fee that Budman mentioned.

HSBC is far from a great ATM or credit card to use. In my short experience with them, they even charge you to sneeze! As a result, I refuse to do business with them where I can.

As for regional banks, Budman has recommended Commerce Bank for those in the NY area, and once I find the time, I will be sitting down with them to see what they offer.

Polly, I know this was posted a long time ago, but is your ING account one of those internet savings accounts? I wanted to get an ING ATM card, but they told me I wouldn't be able to use it abroad.