international credit card

[vrbaba]

so im travelling in december...

Which credit card is the best to use..you know, without the stupid 3-5% currency exchange fee. Or is there isnt one?

 

[Noirish]

i believe they all charge the exchange fee, suck it up for the convenience.

 

[erub]

if i remember correctly my AMEX Blue is 2%

Because they are giving you the BANK rate, you are more than likely getting a better deal than taking raw cash and converting it over there (those guys take a cut too) or converting it in the US (even worse)

 

[SnowyEnigma]

What about debit cards? How do they work. If I go to school in brazil I want to know what the best way to spend the money I have in my bank (in the U.S.) is. Are there international banks like citibank that you can simply withdraw and deposit in any currency in any country w/o fees? I'd really like to know. Hope I get excepted into BU with some decent financial aid so I don't have to worry about this.

 

[supesman]

I have a household bank mastercard and when i was in japan and china they never charged me a fee for using it.

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: erub
if i remember correctly my AMEX Blue is 2%

Because they are giving you the BANK rate, you are more than likely getting a better deal than taking raw cash and converting it over there (those guys take a cut too) or converting it in the US (even worse)

oh sweet, I have Amex Blue too... i should check with them then.

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: supesman
I have a household bank mastercard and when i was in japan and china they never charged me a fee for using it.

i have a Bank of America CC too, but i thought unless its a special card, its gonna be the same old exchange rate fee.

 

[Colt45]

I'd just use a visa, its pretty universal. a lot of placed dont take amex

 

[gotsmack]

can't you arrange your bank to get the currency for you?