Last week Chris Elliott ran a great article about currency conversion and foreign transaction fees - dynamic currency conversion and the pitfalls.
If you've been traveling I'm sure you've had someone at some point as if you want your transaction to show as dollars or the local currency. Of course they don't mention the rate or the fee they add on, maybe not even if you ask for it.
What's a girl to do? (or a guy). Well, it seems the best course of action is to have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee and to pay in the local currency.
Which cards don't charge a fee? Here is a quick list (some do have an annual fee) of some that I'm aware of, as of the publishing of this post:
Chase, Marriott Rewards, Sapphire Preferred
American Express Platinum
Capital One - Venture, Cash Rewards
Here is an even more extensive list of cards from Nerdwallet.
Showing posts with label credit cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label credit cards. Show all posts
Friday, May 31, 2013
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Credit Cards
On Tuesday I was reading John Heald's blog and got a lesson on Credit Cards, not really what I expected from John Heald, Cruise Director for the Carnival Splendor.
For a while now I've been hearing about the europeans having these mythical credit cards with chips in them. And I've also heard that in some places in Europe if you don't have one of these special cards then you can't use your credit card - the street bike rentals in Paris is one example. I know many are bummed about this, especially since US credit card companies don't seem interested in this model.
I am also aware that thieves, when they steal credit cards, will sometimes go to a gas station to check the credit card, it's an easy place to do it and not have to encounter a person incase it has been reported stolen. I guess the credit cards and gas stations heard about this and many gas stations in the US now ask for your zip code before approving your credit card. Sounds easy. Except if you don't know your zip code (usually people with business cards), or you are from another country and don't have a zip code, as John found out. ACK!
I guess we all have our issues with credit cards and it's not just a plot against non-european bike riders. For those of you visiting the US, bring cash for gas!
For a while now I've been hearing about the europeans having these mythical credit cards with chips in them. And I've also heard that in some places in Europe if you don't have one of these special cards then you can't use your credit card - the street bike rentals in Paris is one example. I know many are bummed about this, especially since US credit card companies don't seem interested in this model.
I am also aware that thieves, when they steal credit cards, will sometimes go to a gas station to check the credit card, it's an easy place to do it and not have to encounter a person incase it has been reported stolen. I guess the credit cards and gas stations heard about this and many gas stations in the US now ask for your zip code before approving your credit card. Sounds easy. Except if you don't know your zip code (usually people with business cards), or you are from another country and don't have a zip code, as John found out. ACK!
I guess we all have our issues with credit cards and it's not just a plot against non-european bike riders. For those of you visiting the US, bring cash for gas!
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