Hello Fellow Travelers:

Would love some advice on this. I just got a Capital One Platinum VISA w/ mileage points. Should my husband have the same card as me (so we can accumulate points together) or should we diversify cards just in case?
Here's my concern: We travel abroad a couple of times a year so we are often buying air tickets and exchanging foreign currency. Capital One does not have these "hidden foreign transaction fees" as some other credit cards charge. Also has a low APR.
However, some people believe that it is always good to have a 2nd credit card just in case...
Plus I have heard good things about Bank of America VISA and MBNA VISA.
PLEASE ADVISE! Thank you.

I like CHASE VISA because you can accumulate gift points towards travel certificates (Hertz Car Rental, Airfare, hotel stays), etc. As far as "hidden" foreign exchange fees, you have to contact the banks and see what they charge.

Gail,
Thanks for your quick response!

I actually recently came back from a trip to Italy where I used my credit card often. I found that not only did the banks charge a foreign transaction fee, but so did ny credit card company!

It may seem like a small amount, but when you are charging everything abroad, this annoying little fees do add up.

My advice would be to definitely ask your credit card company directly about these fees BEFORE you travel. I now have a card that does not charge any foreign transaction fee.

I love my Dividend Miles VISA. I have accumulated loads of FF miles. I earn miles not only by credit card purchases but by my phone bill and other partners.

Not sure of tne interest rate as I pay it off every month.

I'm not sure why your husband can't use the same card and also have a second card, or backup card.

My wife and I have joint credit cards for all of our accounts that accumulate miles/points like Amex Platinum and our MBNA World Points card. We both accumulate the points into the same accounts.

But, I also have a Chase Visa for my business expenses that functions as a back-up card. I don't pay a fee for having it.

I guess my question is this, why can't you simply do both? Have one card that you both use as your primary card to accumulate points/miles together, and simply get a second no-fee card as a backup.

Ryan,

Thanks...that is good advice. About the MBNA World Points cards: is there an annual fee? If so, how much is it?

I guess at times I like to keep things simple (not fall into the American trap of having too many credit cards). But it is good to have a back-up card when you travel because you just never know.

We don't pay a fee for the MBNA card we have. However, that doesn't neccessarily imply that some people aren't charged a fee. Best thing to do is to go to the website and apply on-line or read the disclaimers.

Thanks, Ryan...topping, please, for more credit card suggestions...

topping

Do you have an American Express card? Ifnot, I'd suggest getting one - either for you or your husband.

Also I'd suggest that your husband get a VISA card from a different comapny. Should you run into any problems (like not being able to charge) with your VISA card, at least you will have a backup card.

Best card for travel purposes, IMHO, is an ATM card.

FYI - Dividend Miles is issued through bank of America. And my husband and I are on the same account, we just get 2 cards. makes more sense then you only have to pay 1 annual fee ($50) and you get the same amount of miles.

Dear Easy Traveller,
Hi! Just wondering why you recommended an AmEx card. Have you felt an AmEx to be particularly helpful?
Having travelled throughout Europe quite often, I found that many more places accepted VISA over AmEx. Thanks for your time.

--Betty

Hi, Betty!

I'm not a particular fan of Amex, except for their no-limit credit.

The advantage while on a trip is that I don't have to keep track of my Amex charges, fearing that - somewhere along the trip - I may have exceeded my limit because of having forgotten some big purchase made three countries ago and, thus, having my most current charge denied.

Amex was issued to me by every company that I worked for and it was handy for that no-limit feature. It was especially handy when I had to pay for entertainment meals, etc. which could really add up. It wasn't hard to rack up $10,000/more a week in company-related expenses. Amex was accepted in almost all the places that I went to. If not, I had to fall back on my personal credit card. Yes, you are correct, VISA works extremely well in Europe.

If you can control your spending, there isn't too great an advantage with the Amex card.

I'd still suggest that the best choice is an ATM card. Shop around for a good one. These will have the least charges.

Have a great trip!

Get one that covers auto rental insurance, some of them have dropped this coverage lately.