ATM card without fees
 

Hi,
My credit card charges 3% for any international charges. It seems from my research that an ATM card is the way to go. Is there one ATM card that is widely accepted in CR? One that doesn't charge an outrageous fee?

Thanks

Use my Capital One Visa taken everywhere

no charge for international ATMs

http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php...reign_Exchange

Scroll down to the charts for lists of various credit and ATM/debit cards and their fees.

Like credit cards, ATM/debit card foreign conversion fees vary from 0%-3% plus possible per transaction fees.

Thank you both.

Don't forget to advise your credit card company (whichever you choose) that you'll be using it internationally. Lots of red flags pop up when uncharacteristic charges start coming thru! Lisa

I talked to my local bank (Wells Fargo) yesterday about an ATM card. They said it would probably be about $4 per transaction in CR. Does this sound right? That would certainly be cheaper than say 3% on a $400 charge. Thanks

Our experience is that Cap. One doesn't charge the International Fee-which is great.. However, the ATM is counted as Cash Avance so we have still been charged a $10 fee. We never use Cash Advance at home so I don't know if that is any different but we always charge if we can on the Cap One while traveling because of the "No Interantional Transaction Fees"

My bank charges a fee so I'm shopping for other options.

jbella - You can avoid the cash advance fee by frontloading your account before you leave. If the cash advance doesn't leave you in negative territory they won't charge a fee (at least no credit cards I've ever heard of would).

"You can avoid the cash advance fee by frontloading your account before you leave."
Sounds like something I could try. I know the maximum you can pay is your balance plus 10% when you pay make a payment.
It's not the $10 fee I mind so much, it's the fact the since they call it a cash advance, it starts accruing intrest form day one.
Still, I think Cap One is the best for international travel.

Our first trip to Belize in 2003 was before ATMs were available for foreigners. We took travelers checques with our VISA card as a backup and they didn't complain when we put thousands in the account in case we needed it while we were in Belize. I'll look into Capital One, though I don't want it for my mileage plan card because I've had limited success booking flights for relatives with theirs.