Best Credit Card to Use in Europe

Best is always relative. We use Capital One primarily for European travel since they do not add a fee. However, we charge very little so the currency conversion fee is not that big a deal for us. We carry an airline card as backup.

Per the Capital One site:
Capital One does not charge a fee for using your credit card for foreign currency transactions. Foreign purchases will be converted at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the time of posting the charge.

(Me again.) Also, consider setting up a Money Market account with them. They don't charge for using ATMs, although the ATM owner might.

There may be some other company out there that offers the same set up, but I've never heard of one that offers a better deal.

In my opinion, yes. No fees. However, make sure you know the interest rate if you aren't paying off the bill immediately or you will quickly negate that savings. My card had an initial rate of 16% but jumped to 23% after 12 months. I could probably get that lowered but it isn't worth the time on the phone since I pay it off right away.

The money market account has also worked well. I especially like that you can set up money transfers online for no fee, so if I need to, I can do a transfer while I'm traveling.

Cash is King! Use your ATM card to withdraw cash whenever possible and you will save on the exchange rate.

We will be using our ATM card but then there are fees for that! We will get the daily max out (think $600) but any other ways to cut down on those fees? Are bank ATMs the best bet?

Any fees you get charged for cash withdrawals from Italian bank ATMs will be by your own bank. No local fees.

Oh really? I am with USAA and I don't think they charge any fees so as long as I go to an Italian bank, no fees??

The one big advantage of using an ATM at a bank that is open is that if the ATM were to eat you card, you could go inside the bank and seek help. Whatever you use, always shield the screen with your body and look around the machine to see if anyone is just "hanging out" who may be watching for a victum. Put you cash away while facing the machine even if that means sticking it in your breast pocket until you can transfer it to your money belt later. Better safe than sorry.

Capital One. Hands down. Choose a card that has no yearly fee and you should pay your card off in full each month.

I used my Capital One card to pay off a bike tour we are taking in England in September. Took advantage of the lower value of the British Pound, charged a bit of the cost on my card each month, paid it off the next month, and now my trip is fully paid for- before we go.

I will have a few charges there, train tickets and a few meals.

Once in country, we use our Compass ATM card for cash as needed, no fees world wide.

THANKS for all the great info ~ we applied for a Capital One card last night and will just use it for travel and pay it off when we get back.
Using our USAA debit card for cash ~ no fees.