Some visa cards and now American Express are changing their policies regarding Transactions Made in Foreign Currencies which means they will star charging between a 2 and 3 % " extra " after the conversion to US dollars has been made. <BR> <BR>Does any one knows which visa or master card does not charge extra points and will not change their policy in the near future? <BR> <BR>That is the card I want to use on my next trip!!!

Do a search on ATM, credit cards, traveller cheques. This subject was discussed in some detail.

It's best to just call your credit card companies and your bank. All are different. Be especially careful regarding cash advances on credit cards. Often there is a fee and interest begins immediately. Be advised also that there have been reports that "old" hundred and twenty dollar bills are being refused in some place.

Thank you both John and Donna for your replies will do. <BR>What beats me is that now Amex which in my opinion used to be friendlier than visa is doing the same. <BR>I understand that each Visa is diferent what I would like is to share input from those readers that know of visas that are friendlier towards travelers. This way <BR> it will be easier for every body to open accounts with them and use them abroad. Bye.Thanks again.

I had not heard that American Express was doing this. To date, I have read that only two US banks are doing this--Providian Bank in San Francisco and Citibank. Unfortunately, I have a Citibank VISA (as many people do), so I will avoid using that when I go to Europe this summer. I had also read that First USA (a VERY big issuer of VISAs) also had notified customers of this, but changed their mind and weren't doing it for now. Wouldn't you know it, that is my second VISA card (I only have two). I sure don't remember them notifying me of that, but these banks are pretty sneaky in my opinion when they notify you in a bunch of fine print on changes but don't bother telling you in plain English what the actual CHANGE is. I have read a couple newspaper articles on this recently, which is how I was alerted (thank goodness, as I just put down a huge deposit on a Paris apartment in francs). The article in last Sunday's travel section of the NY Times was best, and did a good comparison table. There was also an article in the Washington Post sometime within the past month. You can search both their WEB sites for the articles (www.nytimes.com and www.washingtonpost.com) <BR>

The information provided by Christina is included in an article which appeared in USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/life/travel/...99/t0430cc.htm

I just spoke with an American Express representative. They currently charge only 1% for converting foreign purchases in to US balances. While this is still a charge, the favorable exchange rate gained by using the card should more than make up for the added cost. <BR>

American Express failed to mention that this charge will be doubling on June 15th.