Capital One, Chase, Amex, etc?

I usually pack a Capital One Venture card, my wife packs the same card but a different account to use as a backup. Costco's Amex has a great deal on car rental CDW insurance if you plan to rent a car. It's attractive enough that I now bring that card too (but you have to enroll in the program before you rent a car). I'll probably end up getting an Andrews FCU credit card (for the chip and pin feature) if it's not too bad of deal. I'll bring it only for the rare transaction (renting a city bike in Paris, using an automated gas station, buying a metro card when I'm short on cash) that can't be done with a traditional card. For cash I opened a USAA account, the foreign transaction fee is a flat one percent and daily withdrawal limit is $600. My Wachovia account was taken over by Wells Fargo and the price on foreign transactions changed to $5 plus three percent (daily withdrawal limit is $500). That's now a backup debit card but we don't plan to use it unless we have to.

Actually, I just realized that I am not a CapitalOne360 member (via Ingdirect). Anyone have any experience using them while in Europe? They're pretty brand new so it would be interesting to hear. I also have an HSBC checking card but I think that's better for Asia.

The best way to check would be to ask your banks directly and find out what your foreign transaction fee is. The challenge that you are going to face is that AmEx and Discover are both not widely accepted, so pick the best from your Chase cards or open a specific card with no foreign transaction fees.

Capital One started adding a 3% exchange fee and $2 atm fee last fall for foreign currency withdrawals. This applies to any Capital One debit/atm card for an account opened at any branch office, including those branches that were taken over by Capital One when they purchased other banks.

Edwin, thanks for the info. I just looked into a bit more and found this: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/end-of-capital-one-policy-of-no-foreign-transaction-fees.cfm Some have been saying it also applies to credit cards but others are saying no. I'll trust that this doesn't apply to credit cards...at least for now

If you have the Chase Priority Club Select Visa, it has no foreign transaction fees. I've never had any trouble using mine.

I agree that we found American Express isn't accepted overseas. We have solely used our Capital One card and never had a problem. There are no transaction fees. We also carry Travelex debit cards and limited currency. We haven't had any problems using the Travelex debit cards at the ATM's. We just turn in the remaining credit on the debit cards when we have returned from overseas. We like the convenience of Travelex. We go to a Travelex location near our house. You can also order currency and cards on-line.

I just received a replacement Amex Platinum card that has chip and pin. Haven't activated it yet, and obviously not used overseas, but FYI. I have found in my last two trips (this past Nov. & Dec) that more places are accepting Amex. Even some of the toll road automatic booths in the north of France. Most all of my hotels (and they were not Hiltons, etc.)gas stations, many restaurants did take it. I also take a Mastercard and a Visa debit from my CU which gives me 4 or 5 free withdrawls for cash. I also have another ATM from a bank for cash withdrawls as a backup. I have another Amex Delta card and have not received chip & pin, so maybe only some cards have them available.

Adding to what was said earlier. Visa or Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere. Amex is getting better but is far from universally accepted - I wouldn't plan on it as a primary card. Discover is another big step down from Amex in terms of acceptance. I wouldn't carry one at all. The only one lower is Diners Club (my mom still travels with one of those, I think so she never has to pay for anything).

For me, I have a Charles Schwab ATM card that is connected with my Money Market account. I can use any ATM in the world and they will not charge me any fees. Just used it in December at ATMs and as a credit card. I have used it on several European trips. Have a great trip, neighbor!

Here's my advice: Closer to your trip (about two weeks before), call each of your cards (whether you plan to bring them or not). Ask them about foreign transaction fees, and tell them where you will be going. This is for two reasons: 1. You will learn the most up to date fee information, and then can decide which cards to prioritize in using. 2. If your card is used fraudulently in the US while you are in Europe, your account will be flagged, so the charge is more likely to be caught. (This happened to me; a card I didn't use in Europe, but had notified of my travel plans, was "used" in the US while I was away, and the transaction was blocked). For regular Chase accounts, their foreign ATM fees are high ($3 plus 3%), so if you are doing a lot of withdrawals, it may be worth getting another account just for travel.

I made foreign purchases using a Capital One Credit Card in 2012 and January 2013. At those times, there were no extra foreign transaction purchase fees. I used xe.com as my exchange rate reference. Also used Scwhab Debit Card in ATMs, and as previous posters have said, no ATM withdrawal fees.

You should check with Chase.

We found that when we were in Rome, two years ago, that many businesses don't accept any credit cards. We had verified at our Hotel (River Palace Hotel) that they would accept our Capital One card They were great at that hotel. We sent in extra money on our Capital One card, to cover possible extra charges, over our limit. We also notified Capital One of the cities wer were going to be visiting. We always use Capital One and Travelex debit cards. We have never had any problems with either.

I have both a Capital One card and Capital Rewards 360 (formerly ING). I do not have to pay foreign transactions for either card, but I did when it was just ING (which felt odd when I was using ING machines abroad, but their history's another story) I also recently just purchased tuition on my 360 card in france and wasn't charged a penny more.

I ended up signing my wife up for a Capital One Venture card, and also got the new Capital One 360 ATM card as well. So I think we'll be set on those. Also got the USAA Chip & Pin, and just waiting for the Andrews FCU chip & pin to come in (hopefully it gets here before we leave!) Will I still incur the flat rate ATM-use fees/charges at most ATMs in France and Italy?

Jeremy, in general, European bank ATMs do not charge fees. The fees, if any, will be charged by your own bank. Why not call Capital One and verify with them what charges might be incurred?